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  • NTA eyes adverse impacts of sequestration on travel

    Across-the-board sequestration cuts for an array of federal government functions are starting to take a toll on travel to and throughout the U . s . a .. And meaning trouble for tourism, an NTA leader warns.

    “NTA could be very concerned that cutbacks in funding could have negative impacts on visitation, jobs, the U.S. economy and the balance of trade,” said Lisa Simon, president of NTA. “Tourism is an investment that produces jobs and revenue that support the remainder of the U.S. economy, and these cuts may cause serious ripple effects.”

    Simon added that the sequester cuts come at a foul time. In a up to date survey, NTA members reported a rebound in 2012 business following a chronic economic slowdown, and nearly all of all members projected an excellent brighter 2013—tour operators (59 percent), suppliers (70 percent) and DMOs (74 percent).

    Sequestration took effect on March 1, however the full impact of federal reductions in personnel hours and operating budgets continues to mount. NTA is most closely following cuts in five areas that directly impact tourism:
    *  FAA air traffic controllers: Furloughs began yesterday and flight delays started today.
    *  Transportation Security Administration personnel
    *  Customs and Border Protection officers at airports and border crossings
    *  consulate offices overseas, which process visas and conduct interviews
    *  federal parks and public lands, where staffing reductions will limit or delay access

    Simon said NTA also is looking forward to increased fees at U.S. national parks, diverted operational funds for parks and public lands, and changes to funding for marketing america as a global destination.

    “NTA will keep a detailed eye on how these issues impact the travel economy and our members’ livelihoods, and we are able to work with other travel organizations to tell Congress and the Obama administration in regards to the significant, adverse effects of sequestration,” said Simon. “The travel sector must increase its efforts to aid public policy makers understand the specter of reduced funding.”

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  • Gay and lesbian travellers a driver within the international tourism industry

    US Gay and lesbian hotel guests spend a normal 57 per cent more on their travels than their heterosexual counterparts. That’s the results of the newest survey by Community Marketing Inc., a partner of ITB Berlin. Rika Jean-Francois, ITB Berlin’s CSR officer and member of the board of the International Gay & Travel Association (IGLTA) presented the findings on the ITB Berlin Convention and on the recently held strategy conference of Wien Tourismus in Vienna. Late last year, in a survey conducted inside the USA by Community Marketing Inc., 5,700 interviewees were asked about their travel habits. In accordance with the survey, it’s not only hotels but entire destinations that get pleasure from LGBT travellers (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender).

    Sunshine and relaxation the most important reasons for holidaying
    According to the survey, 40 per cent of gays and shut to an identical variety of lesbians within the USA said a destination’s degree of gay-friendliness was the foremost factor influencing their collection of destination. As regarded holiday needs 67 per cent of gays and 66 per cent of lesbian travellers said warm weather was their first requirement, followed by cultural attractions, beaches and cuisine. Greater than 50 per cent of the respondents said certainly one of their main holiday interests was relaxation. For 35 per cent of gays the second one-most vital aspect was visiting family and friends, while for 32 per cent of lesbian couples it was spending time with their partners. 33 per cent of gay and 30 per cent of lesbian respondents said the placement of a hotel significantly influenced their selection of destination. For 30 per cent of both groups the second one-fundamental aspect was the worth.

    LGBT travellers are comfortable using the net. When on the search for travel information 59 per cent of lesbian and 54 per cent of gay travellers inside the US said they depended on the recommendations of friends and families, and then they preferred travel websites. 41 per cent of gay and 36 per cent of lesbian travellers said they responded to advertising that targeted LGBT audiences.

    Commitment to LGBT travellers
    Over a long time, as portion of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept, ITB Berlin has committed itself to supporting human rights in tourism, including tolerance and variety, and as an instance is a committed member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). Exhibitors representing the LBGT market first took part within the world’s largest travel trade extravaganza in 2003. For the last three years lectures and discussions in this subject in addition on LGBT travel topics was going down on the ITB Berlin Convention.

    It has become one of many 15 officially recognised travel segments of the world’s largest travel trade event and because then has witnessed constantly rising demand. Currently, ITB Berlin has the most important range of LGBT travel products and destinations of any tourism trade extravaganza on earth. With its large Gay & Lesbian Travel Pavilion, the ITB TomOnTour Party and diverse other supporting LGBT events ITB Berlin has made a stand for tolerance and equal rights.

    With its seminars on LGBT tourism in India in 2011, a data stand at ITB Asia 2012 in Singapore, an LGBT information booth at ABAV 2013 in Rio de Janeiro and international seminars and symposiums worldwide the ITB Academy is likewise showing its support for dismantling taboos and the event of this significant market segment worldwide. At ITB Berlin 2013 a strategic partnership between Wien Tourismus (Vienna Tourism) and ITB Berlin on LGBT Travel was agreed, in a bid to jointly support and extra its aims one day.

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  • Safety & security matters most, UK voted safest in Europe

    The survey asked global respondents from over 70 countries, to spot the important thing influencing factors of their decision making process, when settling on both leisure and business travel destinations.

    Petra Malenicka, Vp, CNN International Ad Sales, Western Europe said, “Destination branding has become one of the competitive aspects of today’s tourism industry and these insights are valuable for countries trying to market themselves because the destination of choice for travellers.”

    “That security and safety is significantly more important for respondents than the price of travel, even in austere times, is a hallmark that, in times of regional unrest, the pendulum has swung. Tourist boards will clearly continue to have an important role to play in shaping international perceptions in their country to encourage tourism growth,” she added.

    ‘Price’ ranks second in travel decision making, reflecting the ongoing impact of the industrial crisis on consumers.  Yet despite this, the newest UNWTO growth predication figures confirm the resiliency of a buoyant global tourism sector.*

    According to the consequences, respondents aren’t just price conscious, also they are discerning. ‘Reputation’ is the third most considered factor for respondents considering travel destinations.

    The results demonstrate the appeal of the united kingdom from a commercial perspective:
    ·    The united kingdom is one of the top 5 countries globally, on the subject of being “attractive for business investment opportunities”.

    The UK leads Europe for safety and is seen as a developed, hospitable destination:
    ·    46% of worldwide respondents confident of a hassle-free stay
    ·    43% of worldwide respondents cited the UK’s reputation of being ‘most established and welcoming’ for tourists as a explanation for visiting.

    The UK is likewise well positioned in relation to attracting international travellers inside the immediate future.
    ·    38% of world respondents told CNN they’d consider a trip to the united kingdom within the next year, positioning the rustic second only behind the united states in a listing of the highest 25 destinations most of the time to be visited within the next twelve months. 

    “The results paint a good picture for the united kingdom relating to global perception, and should indicate the rustic is definitely positioned to make the most of the nice and cozy glow left by a successful Olympic year”, added Malenicka.

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  • New Zealand reveals ‘hot’ new tourism products

    New Zealand’s tourism industry is hot news this week at TRENZ 2013 – Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand – in Auckland.

    An illusion gallery, zipline tours high above the forest canopy, and Christchurch hotels are among the new and innovative New Zealand tourism products with a purpose to be on show to the world’s travel and tourism buyers.

    And when you can’t make it to Auckland, Canadian tourism bloggers Ruth Atherley and Paul Holman are blogging to the remainder of the arena about what’s new and exciting in New Zealand.

    Trenzblog.com is already live as Atherley and Holman have travelled through several New Zealand regions – Auckland, Wellington, Martinborough, Marlborough, Christchurch, Kaikoura – on their strategy to TRENZ.

    TRENZblog may be updated several times an afternoon from the trade extravaganza with product news, and interviews with travel professionals, and tourism leaders. There’ll even be regular Twitter updates.

    Tourism and hospitality
    TRENZ – organised by New Zealand’s Tourism Industry Association (TIA) – is the $23.4 billion New Zealand tourism and hospitality industry’s main international showcase.

    This year around 250 New Zealand tourism operators may be doing business with 290 international buyers.

    These “influential” buyers expected to send “about 700,000 visitors to New Zealand over the approaching year – over half our holiday arrivals,” in line with TIA chief executive Martin Snedden.

    “Tourism is a hugely competitive international business so it’s vital we show them fresh and exciting new products and visitor experiences.”

    New tourism product
    At TRENZ 2013, buyers will discover 52 new tourism products, including 16 tourism operators who’re exhibiting for the 1st time.
    They include first-time TRENZ exhibitor Rotorua Canopy Tours, in business for only a year and hoping to make a good impression at the international buyers.
    “We take visitors deep into pristine native bush where they experience 1.2km of ziplines, flying foxes, treetop swing bridges and treetop platforms. It’s a strong combination of adventure and conservation, something we are hoping will firmly establish us at the cutting edge of eco-tourism in New Zealand,” says director James Fitzgerald.

    “Our goal for TRENZ is to make sure the market has a very good understanding of what we do – that we’re way over a zipline tour. We also need to show that Rotorua is stepping up with multiple new innovative businesses which are redefining what this destination offers.”

    Accor Hotels rapidly developing New Zealand portfolio includes several new products including a brand new Sofitel for Wellington, and two new Christchurch hotels – the Novotel, scheduled to open in September 2013, and the Ibis which opened in September 2012.

    Wanaka’s Puzzling World can be promoting its biggest project in over a decade – a NZ$2.5 million extension that features a gallery of illusionary sculptures. The Sculptillusion Gallery showcases over 20 large sculptures, artworks and displays within a structure that has “illusionary aspects – together with a wave ceiling and hanging waterfalls” incorporated into the design, says Puzzling World marketing manager Duncan Spear.

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  • 23 Brits in running for Best Jobs on earth

    Twenty three candidates from the united kingdom have made it through to the subsequent stage of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs inside the World’ competition.

    Lewis Noll from London, Juliet Mayne from Cambridge, Lisa Farrell from Leeds, Stephen Whittaker from Greater Manchester, Matthew Richards from Bristol, and Doug Stidolph from Greater London are amongst 150 candidates from 35 countries still in contention for the six dream jobs – Wildlife Caretaker in South Australia, Chief Funster in New South Wales, Park Ranger in Queensland, Taste Master in Western Australia, Outback Adventurer in Northern Territory and Lifestyle Photographer in Melbourne, Victoria.

    Andrew McEvoy, Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, said the response from the united kingdom to the worldwide competition have been huge, and it was very exciting to look 23 of them progress to the ultimate stages.

    “Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs within the World’ competition has clearly struck a chord with Brits, and that i know there are some fantastic entries from the united kingdom within the mix.

    “Now it’s time for the quick listed contestants to point out the united kingdom public what they’re manufactured from.  We’re hunting for great storytellers, someone adventurous, inspiring – someone desirous to jump into the role and take in all Australia has to give,” said Andrew.

    Applications for the worldwide competition closed on 10 April with greater than 600,000 expressions of interest submitted by on the subject of 350,000 people from 196 different countries.

    Applicants were asked to finish a 30 second video explaining why they ought to get the job. Lewis applied for the role of Lifestyle Photographer, Juliet for Chief Funster, Lisa for Taste Master, Stephen for Park Ranger, Matthew for Wildlife Caretaker and Doug for Outback Adventurer.  Each short listed applicant will now be asked to produce supporting job references which, if successful, would see them invited to a last assessment in Australia in mid-June, with the six successful job candidates announced on 21 June.

    Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs within the World’ competition is a part of an immense international marketing push to advertise tourism opportunities provided by Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) programme.

    In the united kingdom, there has been a complete of 41,712 Working Holiday Visas granted for the 12 month period ending June 2012, representing a rise of seven% when compared with an analogous period the former year.

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