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  • ATM highlights next decade of opportunity for region

    UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are leading the race for tourist revenue growth with positive outlook for the industry as governments use tourism as major anchor for economic diversification

    Arabian Travel Market 2013 will look toward this future because it opens to celebrate its 20th edition and welcome over 2,500 exhibitors from 87 countries in Dubai.

    Speaking just before this year’s showcase, Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, highlighted the sector Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact 2013 outlook, which supports positive forecast for industry development and function within the region this year.

    “The regional tourism map is now incredibly diverse with travel and tourism directly contributing US$76.6 billion to GDP in 2013, that is forecast to rise by 4.2 per cent this year alone as ongoing investment into the arena and infrastructure development in key markets supports the twin long time goals of driving visitor numbers and moving towards sustainable economic diversification,” said Walsh.

    He also emphasised the expansion of quite a number regional destinations, especially the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

    “The UAE has long been a job model for regional tourism development, and recently released figures from the WTTC show that tourism within the Emirates is growing significantly faster than the arena GDP growth average, contributing a formidable 14 per cent to the UAE economy in 2012, – in comparison to the worldwide trend of nine per cent – and expected to rise by 3.2 per cent in 2013,” he said.

    Industry investment, which hit US$22.5 billion last year is additionally set to extend in 2013, by an estimated 12 per cent, because the country fully embraces the social and economic benefits of tourism, maximising at the ongoing expansion of its airline route networks, and a healthy economic outlook.

    The UAE’s nearest neighbour, the Sultanate of Oman can also be pursuing plans for tourism growth spurred by the government’s US$39 million investment into development of Dhofar province, with the purpose of constructing its annual Khareef (monsoon) festival an in-demand fixture at the global tourism calendar.

    This is supported by forecasted hotel room capacity growth at a CAGR of five.3 per cent between now and 2016, to be able to see Oman swell its current base of five,331 rooms by an extra 2,000 before the tip of this year.

    One of the fastest growing markets inside the Gulf, Qatar can also be moving ahead with its US$65 billion investment plan that specializes in the state’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    Over 85,000 new hotel rooms will bolster current inventory levels as Qatar looks to welcome as many as 3.7 million visitors once a year by the point the tournament kicks off.

    “Saudi Arabia is a very interesting market nowadays, and there’s a strong push towards development of domestic tourism with 22.5 million residents searching for new experiences apart from the favoured summer destination of Jeddah, in addition to undertaking their Hajj and Umrah commitments,” said Walsh.

    Hajj and Umrah travel generated US$16.5 billion for the dominion in 2012 and business tourism demand is additionally growing, particularly for Riyadh, the capital city and seat of presidency.

    Tourist arrivals are forecast to grow at CAGR of 4 per cent by 2022, driven by strong growth across all sectors.

    “Tourism is currently the country’s second largest industry and this has huge significance for the economy as US$80 billion worth of investment into key infrastructure projects including airport expansion, railways and roads involves fruition inside the next ten years,” remarks Walsh.

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  • News: Record attendance for ATA’s U.S.Africa Tourism Seminar

    Delegates from worldwide, including greater than twenty African countries, attended the Africa Travel Association’s sixth annual U.S.-Africa Tourism Seminar (USATS), which was the foremost successful ATA industry event staged within the U.S. thus far.

    The USATS, hung on Friday, March 8 in Washington, DC, promoted the theme, “Marketing Destination Africa 2020” and highlighted new marketing strategies, tools and emerging trends with presentations from top industry experts, including the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Cynthia Akuetteh and David Pavelko, Head of Industry, Travel for Google. It also emphasized the continent’s impressive economic growth and prospects for USAfrica business exchange and development.

    In her opening remarks, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Cynthia Akuetteh, provided an update on U.S.-Africa relations in President Barack Obama’s second term.

    She spoke in regards to the important role Africa is primed to play inside the “security and prosperity of the international community “and the necessity for the united states to take a comprehensive and committed way to investment and development opportunities across Africa. Quoting Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, she said, “There is not any doubt in my mind that Africa is rising, that Africa is at the move, that progress is being made in all sectors. Africa is moving forward.”

    David Pavelko, Head of Industry, Travel, Google, delivered the keynote, which centered at the message that “digital can give a canvas for storytelling.” “For the African story to capture an audience effectively it should be grounded inside the authentic and the genuine; a real reference to the continent is what is going to sell it,” he said. “Destination Africa and the countries within can market themselves successfully if tourism stakeholders know the way to exploit the trends in digital in a meaningful way. Pavelko added, “The U.S. market is one who cherishes uniqueness and this gives one of the best opportunity on which Africa can capitalize. Africa has far more to provide than simply the safari and using digital and mobile applications may also help bring the “bucket list” destination to life.”

    The sixth annual US-Africa Seminar featured speakers and representatives from a who’s who within the U.S. and African travel categories including Affluent Hospitality, AfroPop Worldwide, Arik Air, Air Promotions Group, Botswana Tourist Board, Corporate Council on Africa, Delta Air Lines, Expedia, Group IST, Namibia Tourist Board. National Baptist Convention, National Tour Association (NTA), Onyx Global Marketing, South African Airways, Sparkloft Media, Strategy XXI Partners, The Bradford Group, US Department of the inner, Wildlife Conservation Society, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries on the US Department of Commerce and the Washington DC, Travel & Adventure Show. Participating African tourism ministers included Cameroon’s Hon. Bello Bouba Maigari, Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism and Leisure and Zimbabwe’s Hon. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industries and current ATA President.

    Wrapping up the day, both Lisa Simon, President of the National Tour Association (NTA) and Ron Erdmann, Deputy Director of the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries for the International Trade Administration on the US Department of Commerce, said the outlook for travel to Africa from the U.S. was bright. Erdmann observed that South Atlantic states provide the top percentage of travelers to the continent. He also said that in conjunction with niche travel markets, Africa should concentrate on these areas of tourist origin when packaging products with group needs in mind. Also, while US arrivals to Africa declined slightly, spending by U.S. travelers to Africa has increased yearly, up 150% from 2003.

    Following the united states spotlight, ATA and NTA renewed their commitment to increasing travel to Africa in a signing ceremony on the conclusion of the seminar. Lisa Simon, NTA President, and Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director, signed a memorandum of understanding that
    outlines a large number of ways in which both associations will interact and interact.

    The 2013 ATA seminar was organized in cooperation with the African Union Mission to the united states and the Washington, DC Travel & Adventure Show®

    Sponsors included Arik Air, Delta Air Lines, Expedia, King & Spalding, Ministry of Tourism and Leisure of Cameroon, Onyx Global Marketing, South African Airways, South African Tourism (SAT) and Sparkloft Media.

    At a night reception on Thursday, March 7, seminar attendees learned about Cameroon as a tourism destination and the location for ATA’s 38th Annual World Congress, to be held from May 29 to June 3, 2013. The networking event was held on the law offices of King & Spalding and was attended by an excellent group of kings – called fons – in from villages across Cameroon. The Ambassador to the united states from Cameroon also participated within the event.

  • News: Celebrity Cruises announces 2014 European sailings

    Celebrity Cruises has announced its European sailings for 2014 with six ships sailing within the region, including two from the united kingdom. Guests can choose between 12 modern itineraries including new seven-night sailings taking in Mediterranean gems from Barcelona to Venice, 12 and 13 night Classical Mediterranean cruises and 13 night Istanbul overnight sailings. 2014 may even include calls at 102 ports in 30 countries with five new ports of call – Zadar (Croatia), Porto Torres (Sardinia, Italy), Almeria (Spain), Sochi (Russia) and Lerwick (Shetland, Scotland). The 2014 sailings will go on sale on 27 March 2013.

    The cruise line’s newest and most magnificent ships, including recently launched Celebrity Reflection, will sail their 2014 summer seasons in Europe. Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Constellation will sail European waters and Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Infinity will both sail from the united kingdom.

    Michael English, Head of Sales UK & Ireland, Celebrity Cruises, commented:

    “Our guests will love our new 2014 European itineraries, including our new seven night sailings, that have been introduced as a right away results of trade and customer feedback.

    “We also are giving guests the possibility to fly into one European destination, enjoy a seven night Celebrity Cruise, after which fly home from the last port of call. Plus there’s the chance to explore multiple cities by combining itineraries to form an indulgent 14, 21 or 28 night cruise.

    “In 2014 we’re offering more overnights than ever before in places like Dublin, Copenhagen and Istanbul, so the selection for guests to mix city breaks with their modern luxury cruise hasn’t ever been easier.”

  • Big apple makes play for British visitors

    NYC & Company, its long-standing partner American Express and Brand USA are launching a primary out-of-home, digital and social media campaign to encourage Brits and their families to travel to Ny city this summer.

    The campaign, under the banner Ny Summer, represents an estimated total media value of $1.1 million and marks the 1st time NYC & Company and American Express have partnered on a global promotion.

    “New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors in 2012 and over 1000000 of those came from the united kingdom – greater than every other overseas country,” said George Fertitta, chief executive of NYC & Company.

    “With the recent York Summer campaign, we’re not just renewing our commitment to our most crucial overseas market, we’re also giving Brits one million more the explanation why summer 2013 is the time to go to Ny city.

    “From free outdoor events akin to cinema screenings, concerts and theatre to the 14 miles of beaches, botanic gardens and parks around the five boroughs, summer is the ideal time to go to Ny city.”

    The Ny Summer campaign runs from May 6th to June 2nd 2013 without-of-home advertising on 500 bus shelters across London.

    Bus shelter creative includes graphic imagery of recent York icons including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, yellow taxicabs and a sandy beach, encouraging consumers to find all that Ny city has to supply this summer.

    The British Guide to NYC blog can be strategically hosted on Tumblr, a well-liked phone- and tablet-friendly platform with greater than 102 million users, and could be written by an anonymous British author so as to create an authentic voice and concentrate on aspects of latest York City which will entice repeat British travellers.

    Content will include photos and short, easily digestible posts on dining, shopping, entertainment, urban exploration and events, covering both iconic attractions and unique local experiences.

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  • Choice Hotels launches new division

    Choice Hotels is launching SkyTouch Technology, a brand new division that develops and markets cloud-based technology products to assist hoteliers industry-wide improve their efficiency and profitability.

    SkyTouch Technology launches with the market introduction of SkyTouch Hotel OS, a brand new property and rate management solution that pulls on Choice’s award-winning choiceADVANTAGE property management system for handling reservations, guest stays and rates on any device with an online connection.

    Under Choice’s development, choiceADVANTAGE has become the foremost typical cloud-based property management system on the earth, with greater than 5,500 successful installations in Choice-branded hotels worldwide.

    SkyTouch Hotel OS offers a number of the same functions of the choiceADVANTAGE property and rate management platform, in addition to the facility to glue seamlessly with other systems utilized by chain and independent hotels.

    Choice franchisees will continue to benefit from the exclusive benefits of choiceADVANTAGE, including integration with ChoiceHotels.com, Choice central reservation systems, the selection Privileges loyalty program and other Choice systems.

    “Since its introduction by Choice Hotels in 2003, choiceADVANTAGE has set the industry standard for ease-of-use, functionality and affordability,” said Stephen P. Joyce , president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International. “choiceADVANTAGE have been so effective for Choice franchisees that other hoteliers, including chains and independents all over the world, have asked to exploit it. It’s a significant milestone for the corporate that we will be able to now offer an identical system via SkyTouch Hotel OS.”

    “Choice has made significant financial and strategic investments in a broad range of technologies – from emerging mobile platforms to central reservation system delivery – that play to the company’s franchising strengths,” Joyce said. “Those investments have positioned Option to plant the seeds of recent initiatives and accelerate the pace of innovation. We believe that launching SkyTouch Technology as a separate line of economic aside from our core hotel franchising operations gives the division the independence it must offer custom solutions and high levels of support, service and security to all its users.”

    Ric Leutwyler , an accomplished executive who brings decades of expertise within the hospitality and technology industries, will lead SkyTouch Technology as division president.

    “The industry is seeking affordable, full-featured, above-property solutions that provide proven performance and reliability,” said Leutwyler. “Choice Hotels identified that gap and filled it for its franchised hotels when it developed choiceADVANTAGE. Now the corporate has created SkyTouch to fill it for chains and independents. Way to Choice’s long history of successful technology innovation and the experienced team that joins the SkyTouch Technology division from other divisions of Choice, we’re able to hit the floor running and immediately provide solutions that hotel operators need without the investment required by other software packages.”