Spotlight: Destinations
First Coordinated Marketing Campaign to Sell American Tourism Launches in May
May 10, 2012
Two recent articles covered updates on the United States’ new marketing program to lure international tourists, a first time endeavor prompted by the 2010 Travel Promotion Act which was largely supported by the national tourism industry. According to the article in The New York Times, the passage of the act follows more than a six percent drop in America’s total share of international visits between 2000 and 2010, one that the U.S. Travel Association credits the loss of billions of dollars of revenue for the country. Additionally, the article cites that for every 35 foreign tourists, one American job is created, making the travel industry a potential driver for economic recovery. The act resulted in the creation of a non-profit marketing organization called Brand USA, which is financed by a $14 entrance fee from every visitor to the U.S. that is not required to obtain a visa, along with private money raised from travel businesses such as major resort and entertainment chains... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Egypt Poised to Make Full Tourism Recovery in 2012 According to Tourism Minister
May 1, 2012
The tide appears to be turning for Egypt’s tourism industry after political events associated with last year’s ‘Arab Spring’ caused a drop of approximately one third of tourist arrivals and revenues (source: Washington Post). According to the Egyptian Tourist Authority, as quoted in Business Intelligence Middle East, inbound tourism has increased by 32 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 2011. A Washington Post article cited the Egyptian Tourism Minister, Mounir Abdel-Nour, projecting that Egypt will attract 14.5 million travelers this year, a number very close to their 2010 (pre-political uprising) 14.7 million tourist level. “We are confident that the future will be much better than the past,” Abdel-Nour said. “It is not difficult to explain this in an environment where democracy prevails, and where there’s more transparency, less corruption.” … Abdel-Nour said the tourism industry is “doing everything in the book” to woo visitors... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
International and Tourism Spending in United States Shows Continued Growth
April 19, 2012
Visitors Spent a Record $10.1 Billion in February Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that international visitors spent an estimated $13.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of February—nearly $1.6 billion more, or a 14 percent increase from spending in February 2011. Year to date, U.S. travel and tourism exports have grown more than 11 percent in 2012. “Today’s data is yet further evidence that the United States remains one of the top destinations for international visitors from around the world,” said Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez. “We have seen long-term growth in both arrivals and spending and hope to continue that trend with the focus provided by the Obama Administration on this growing sector. That is why we are making it even easier to visit America’s most amazing places and working hard to tell folks about what an amazing place America is... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Burmese Concerns About Tourism’s Ill Effects as Industry Rapidly Expands
April 16, 2012
Two articles recently explored the dilemma Burma currently faces as the nation evolves politically and the West begins easing sanctions – Burma is beginning to welcome waves of eager international tourists, yet remains wary of facing problems such as cultural erosion and rampant sex tourism as neighbors like Thailand have experienced. The piece in the Irrawaddy proclaimed: Hailed by everyone in the Western press from CNN to Lonely Planet to Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the world’s “in” places to visit in 2012, Burma finds its tourism industry ready to increase exponentially in the next three years if its sadly inadequate infrastructure can possibly match the demand. Ohn Myint, Rangoon’s deputy director of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, said, “We have estimates that in 2012, we can receive 500,000 tourists through Yangon International Airport. In 2015, we will expect over 1 million tourist arrivals to Myanmar.” A blog in the International Herald... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
If You Build It, They Will Come: Haiti Rebuilds for Tourism
April 15, 2012
A recent article on eTravel Blackboard details Haiti’s efforts to develop infrastructure in hopes to attract tourism: Millions are reportedly being spent on the rebuilding of the Port-au-Prince International Airport and Cap-Haitian International Airport, and officials have confirmed “discussions” about next year bringing the first cruise ship in 25 years to Port-au-Prince as part of the ‘Cruise with a Cause’ volunteer vacations. Funding will reportedly come from the implementation of a tourist card and flight levies. For more information, read the entire article. Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
After 30 Years of Violence, Northern Sri Lanka is Opening Up to Tourism
April 15, 2012
In a recent article on Financial Times, author Carole Cadwalladr details her recent trip to Sri Lanka, which is beginning to re-emerge as a tourist destination after 30 years of political violence. Cadwalladr also makes the case for visiting destinations that are recovering from disaster and duress as a way to support that recovery while having an authentic and meaningful travel experience: But there’s an argument that it should be the government that is punished and not the people. And if you share my belief that tourism is largely a force for good, re-balancing global economics, stimulating investment and helping rebuild communities, then, as I discovered in Lebanon in the early 1990s and Sarajevo a few years later, the aftermath of war is in some ways the best time to go. I don’t want to be flippant – I can’t be after seeing Channel 4’s footage of executed children – but going to the war-affected parts of the country, in the north and east, rather than swigging cocktails... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Americans Remain Tentative About Near-Term Leisure Travel Intentions, Business Travel Intentions Continue to Show Recovery
April 15, 2012
Washington, DC – The U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Global released a new report today providing real-time insights into the state of travel in the United States. Based on the quarterly travelhorizons™ survey, the report provides current perceptions of travel among U.S. adults through the Travel Sentiment Index™ (TSI). It also assesses business and leisure travel intentions during the next six months, as well as revealing trends in the past year of travel. “Americans are continuing to travel but intentions remain somewhat restrained compared to pre-recessionary levels, which is not surprising given the uneven nature of the modest economic recovery to-date,” said David Huether, senior vice president of research for the U.S. Travel Association. “We are carefully monitoring the on-going surge in gas prices, which could erode travel perceptions about the affordability of travel as we edge closer to summer.” The latest results of the travelhorizons™ quarterly... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Tour Operators Push to Save the Image of Greece for Tourists
April 12, 2012
Digital Journal has reported that the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA) has joined forces with the U.K.’s ABTA (Travel Association), AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) and FTO (Federation of Tour Operators), to appeal to the Greek government and the Troika to save the image of Greece.The country relies on tourism for 18 percent of its GDP, and the current bad press is dampering tourism revenue and deepening unemployment. According to the article the violent demonstrations occuring are isolated to a smal part of the country’s capital, and other areas and attractions are unscathed. For more information on the situation, and innovative pro-Greek tourism campaigns, read the entire article. Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Singapore Expects 10 Percent Increase in Tourists in 2012
April 3, 2012
According to the JakartaGlobe, Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, S. Iswaran, has announced that Singapore expects a ten percent increase in tourist arrivals this year, escalating its visitor forecast to 14.5 million and raising economic forecasts by almost $1 billion. For further information on shifts and planned innovations in tourism infrastructure in Singapore, read the entire article. Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
Slovenia Commits to Sustainable Tourism
March 11, 2012
In December 2011 key Slovenian tourism operators – public and private – signed the Declaration of Partnership for Sustainable Development of Slovenian Tourism, as the basis for joint activities and partnerships over the years 2012-2016 for sustainable tourism. It will be binding on all tourism sectors – public and private. At the same time the partners acknowledge the importance of tourism as one of the leading sectors in Slovenia’s economy and its contribution to the attainment of Slovenia’s development objectives. The stated purpose of the agreement is to: • clearly define the importance of tourism for Slovenia; • identify the key resources for improving the competitiveness of Slovenian tourism; • define the measures for the competitive and sustainable development of Slovenian tourism on the basis of the 2012-2016 Slovenian Tourism Development Strategy; and • to form a partnership for sustainable development, by which the signatories undertake that “tourism... Read More →
