Regional News
European Tourism in 2011 – Trends & Prospects (Q4/2011)
January 31, 2012
Brussels – The European Travel Commission (ETC) has just published its fourth quarterly report on European Tourism in 2011 – Trends & Prospects. The following gives a brief overview of the report for the fourth quarter of 2011. The full report can be downloaded from ETC’s corporate website under the link below. • Travel to European destinations in 2011 has exceeded the prior peak set in 2008. • Impressively, 22 of 23 reporting countries show international visitor growth in 2011, ranging from 3% in the UK to more than 20% in Latvia and Lithuania. And 24 of 26 countries show gains in hotel occupancy in 2011. • Total international visits are estimated to have surged 6% last year, while hotel occupancy rates rose 3.2%, indicating that domestic demand lagged behind international demand. • While the travel recovery has been quite robust, signs of eroding gains began to appear, as expected, in the second half of 2011. • Data on visitation and nights from TourMIS (http://www.tourmis.info/index_e.html)... Read More →
Member Press Releases
2011 – A Year of Positive Change for Ireland’s Tourism Industry
January 23, 2012
Overseas visitors to Ireland increased by 7% in 2011 – the first increase in four years, while domestic demand volumes held up well despite a downturn in consumer confidence. Arrivals from mainland Europe are expected to be up by 10%, with arrivals from North America showing an 8% increase and arrivals from Britain up by 5%. This was announced at the launch of its Year- End Review in the Westbury Hotel today by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC). “The estimated results for 2011 mark a turning point in what generally has been a year of positive developments for the tourism industry, including recognition by Government of the role tourism can play in the country‟s economic recovery,” according to ITIC Chairman, John Healy. “It was particularly pleasing that growth in the numbers employed in the sector also returned, with 6,000 jobs added after seasonal adjustments over the last 2 quarters,” he added. “The Government’s reduction of the VAT rate to 9% on most... Read More →
Member Press Releases
African Bush Camps Introduces Safari Logistics Program
January 23, 2012
African Bush Camps is proud to announce the start of a new initiative called ‘Safari Logistics’. Through the services of ‘Safari Logistics’ visitors from all corners of the world will now have convenient and cost effective access to Zimbabwe’s renowned and popular safari areas. Under ‘Safari Logistics’, African Bush Camps will begin its operation of a much–needed seat rate schedule, with flights which will link the renowned Hwange National Park to the World Heritage Site of Mana Pools National Park, Lake Kariba (Bumi) and the mighty Victoria Falls. In 2011, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector emerged triumphant after a barrage of political and socio–economic challenges that had culminated over the last decade. Travel trends continue to show an increased interest in the destination as well as increased occupancy figures. Boasting unparalleled safari experiences in some of the most remote wilderness areas and National Parks in the region, the destination is largely untouched by... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
President Obama Takes Actions to Increase Travel and Tourism in the United States
January 23, 2012
Assistant Editor’s Note: The following statement from the United State’s White House press office was released on January 19th 2012. This morning, President Obama will sign an Executive Order and announce new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States. The U.S. tourism and travel industry is a substantial component of U.S. GDP and employment, representing 2.7% of GDP and 7.5 million jobs in 2010 – with international travel to the United States supporting 1.2 million jobs alone. The travel and tourism industry projects that more than 1 million American jobs could be created over the next decade if the U.S. increased its share of the international travel market. Today’s announcement offers important steps to bolster job creation through a range of steps to better promote the United States as a tourism destination and improve secure visa processing. This is the most recent of a series of executive actions the President has announced to put... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
UK Tour Operators Face ‘Make or Break’ 2012, Says KPMG
January 18, 2012
According to an article on InAudit.com, tax audit and advisory conglomerate KPMG has warned that many United Kingdom tour operators will go under this year unless they make undertake big strategic changes in their business models. Such changes would be in response to a challenging market environment where money-pinched consumers are flocking to low cost carriers and online bookings, and are to see increases in fuel and air surcharges. Richard Hathaway, KPMG’s Head of Travel, Leisure and Tourism, said: The traditional high-volume tour operating model based on customers pre-booking flights and accommodation packages well in advance is in long term decline as more and more travellers opt for self-packaging online and niche solutions. To survive, operators must ensure that they are flexible and in a position of financial strength. Operators who do not adapt their business model to meet the demands of today’s holidaymakers will face increased risks in the next year, including takeover or... Read More →
Trade Events
Still Time to Register for Tianguis Turistico
January 16, 2012
Below is some information around Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s premiere tourism event taking place this March 25-28th, in Puerto Vallarta. Read More →
Member Press Releases
Zimbabwe on the Rise: The Upward Trend of Travel to the Destination
January 4, 2012
By Shelley Cox Encouraging news on Zimbabwe in recent years has been rare, but should the increased interest evident throughout 2011, as well as the positive upward trend of International tourists visiting the country continue, the future of Tourism for Zimbabwe in 2012 looks bright. Whilst Victoria Falls, as the ‘tourist hub’ of the country, has maintained a trickle of visitors throughout the political and economic disturbances over the last 10 – 12 years, the lodges in the area, like many of the others across all regions of the country, had previously been experiencing a severe drop in occupancy numbers. In 2010 initial signs of growth in the tourism industry became evident with occupancy stats across the country showing a slight improvement from that of 2009. The year 2011, however, has shown a marked improvement with 7 of the main lodges / hotels in Victoria Falls alone having had their best 7 months (month on month) since 1999, and showing a total growth of 66% from 2009 with... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Top Travel Magazines Name South African Airways ‘Best Airline to Africa’
January 4, 2012
SAA’s “Wine Cellar in the Sky” Recognized with “Best Sparkling Wine” Award Ft. Lauderdale, FL – South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, announced that it has won two awards from two prestigious travel magazines. Business Traveler magazine has awarded SAA with the “Best Airline to Africa” and “Best Business Class in Africa” awards, while Global Traveler magazine has named SAA as “Best Airline in Africa” and “Best Sparkling Wine in Business Class.” Both publications recognized SAA’s unique brand of South African hospitality, featuring Skytrax™ 5-star comfort-rated, flat-bed seats in Premium Business Class, gourmet international cuisine, on-demand entertainment, a cellar in the sky stocked with South Africa’s best vintages, and amenities that help welcome the traveler to South Africa well before they land. “We are honored to have earned these awards from two magazines that represent the discerning business traveler. These important... Read More →
Trade Events
Register Now for the LA Times 2012 Travel Industry Conference
December 21, 2011
The Los Angeles Times Media Group presents The Los Angeles Times Travel Show, January 27-29, 2012, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Register Today Please join us for this exclusive travel professionals event. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE When: Friday, January 27, 2012 – 11 am to 6 pm Where: Los Angeles Convention Center Registration: $30 (including lunch) We’ve brought together the leadership of the travel industry to share their expertise and to answer frequently-asked questions: Where are the new opportunities for growth in my business? How can I run my agency more effectively? What are travelers really looking for? How can I make sure that travelers use our services? Are you making the most of new technologies? This a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from renowned travel industry leaders, attend specialized seminars and meet one-on-one with experts and exhibitors. ATTA Members receive 10% Discount to Exhibit -or- $5 off trade-only day registration Click here... Read More →
Trend Watch
The Prophet of the Coming Aging Boom
December 21, 2011
A recent article from the November 2011 issue of Forbes magazine profiles consultant and author Ken Dychtwald, founder of the Age Wave, who urges businesses to understand and proactively market to the tidal wave of aging American baby boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964, a number that reaches 78 million people and, according to Dychtwald, is responsible for 80 percent of the growth of the United States population. Dychtwald, whose has consulted on boomer products for clients such as Centrum, Johnson & Johnson and Anheuser-Busch, also sees massive financial opportunity for brands and businesses where others only see the downsides to an aging population, as this group creates a “vast market for a potential explosion of products and services, from new dating websites to longevity insurance to new kinds of food.” The later years are becoming a time for reinvention, experimentation and consumption. In a poll he did for financial services firm SunAmerica this year,... Read More →
