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Category: Holidays

  • WTTC: Abu Dhabi tourism growth outpacing global average

    New economic research released by the sector Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows tourism within the UAE is growing significantly faster than the area GDP growth average.

    The findings can be discussed intimately as tourism leaders from all over the world meet in Abu Dhabi for WTTC Global Summit, which begins today.

    The tourism industry contributed 14 per cent to the UAE economy in 2012 – well above the worldwide trend of nine per cent.

    Taking account of direct, indirect and induced impacts, AED193.6 billion of the UAE’s GDP came from the industry in 2012 and that contribution is anticipated to rise by 3.2 per cent by the top of the year.

    One in nine of all jobs within the country are on account of the industry, which beats the worldwide average of 1 in eleven jobs.

    A total of 383,500 jobs were supported by travel and tourism within the UAE in 2012 and by the tip of this year, the number is anticipated to further rise by 2.6 per cent to 393,500 jobs, compared with an international expected increase of one.7 per cent.

    Nearly 1 / 4 – 23 per cent – of the country’s total investment in 2012 – AED82.8bn – was directed into the industry last year and investment is determined to extend by an extra 12 per cent this year.

    David Scowsill, president and chief executive of WTTC, said: “As the UAE looks to diversify its economy, it’s fully embracing the social and economic benefits of tourism and reaping the rewards already from its strong investment.

    “This is one reason WTTC selected Abu Dhabi for our Global Summit.
     
    Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), that’s hosting the Summit in addition to Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, says the diversification of career opportunities which the tourism sector holds out for the Emirati workforce is a key element within the emirate’s plans to construct a sustainable tourism industry.

    HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “We are increasingly seeing Emiratis becoming inquisitive about this sector, which have been identified as a key economic diversification driver within the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan.

    “This involvement is taking the shape of Emirati entrepreneurs launching their very own tourism-related SMEs, with assistance from the Khalifa Fund For Enterprise Development, others taking over posts within airlines, the airport, TCA Abu Dhabi, the hospitality sector and within Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

    “We have activated a variety of initiatives geared toward introducing UAE nationals to the various opportunities that exist in the travel and tourism sector and expect their participation to keep growing.”

    By 2023, international tourist arrivals to the rustic are forecast to total 25.8 million, generating visitor expenditure of AED207.1 billion, a rise of 5 per cent every year.

    Scowsill continued: “It’s clear that the industry goes to be a major driver of growth and employment in Abu Dhabi for a better decade.

    “Its purposeful sustainable tourism approach will see it achieve its full potential of turning into a global class tourism destination within the next ten years.”

  • Tourism Australia welcomes Australia Week in China

    Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said Tourism Australia was very excited on the prospect of playing a number one part in ‘Australia Week in China’ next year.

    “The concept has worked well for Australian tourism in America, with G’Day USA, and makes many of sense given that China is now our fastest growing and Most worthy inbound tourism market,” he said.

    “Off the back of the hugely successful launch of our global campaign in Shanghai last year, we have now the numerous benefit of pushing at a door that is already open, with the Chinese ranking Australia primary on their international holiday ‘wish list’.

    “We look ahead to working with the govt., industry and our state and territory partners to develop a program for the week so that you can drive tourism from China and support our China 2020 Tourism Plan,” Mr McEvoy said.

    Australia Week in China may be held within the second 1/2 2014 to coincide with Tourism Australia’s Greater China Travel Mission, that is expected to draw greater than 120 Australian tourism operators.

  • Futureshift joins International Coalition of Tourism Partners

    The International Coalition of Tourism Partners announced today that Futureshift, a brand new York-based marketing consulting firm, has joined the coalition as a brand new member.

    Futureshift specialises in market intelligence, strategic planning, and building digital communities. Its focus is on product and destination branding with emphasis on sustainability and green initiatives. Futureshift’s experience includes development and management of the strategic marketing plan for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, the Chilean Image Campaign, and lots of food, wine, and tourism campaigns for countries all over the world. Lots of its clients include wine, food, and tourism together, and its current client roster includes the wine region of Rioja, Spain, Wines of Greece, and the Maine Lobster industry.

    “We see ICTP as an organisation which could both bring focus to sustainability issues for destinations and be an advocate of best practices for the travel and tourism industries. We glance forward to being part of the organisation’s growth and a participant in its programs. As a sign of our interest, we wish to provide ICTP member firms a 20% discount off of all our consulting and database services for all projects initiated before June 31, 2013.”

    Futureshift has developed its own proprietary software, DirectLink™, which enables it to invite open-ended questions of huge databases, provide real-time analysis tools, instant segmentation and direct email access to those who fall in specific segments. This allows its clients to focus on market their customers according to their expressed needs and perceptions. It’s a device that doesn’t exist elsewhere due to complexities of contextual search and analysis. Clients who use DirectLink™ become smarter, faster, and build better relationships with their customers.

    “That Futureshift comes on board as a brand new member and immediately offers all ICTP members a coupon off their services is a brilliant value. Futureshift is a pacesetter in product and destination branding, and the truth that they work with an emphasis on sustainability and green initiatives, fits right in with the efforts of ICTP,” said Juergen T. Steinmetz, Chairman of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners.

    The firm’s founder, Jon Stamell, has 25+ years of expertise in market research, strategic planning and marketing, including international consulting, expansion and acquisitions, brand management, image enhancement, ecommerce and multi-media. He formerly was CEO of the most important marketing communications firm in Northern New England and Chairman of Communitas Online, a market research company. He has spoken on destination branding at conferences world wide and was profiled by CNN-TV and CNBC-TV. Jon is author of “Celebrate Your Mistakes (Irwin Publ., 1998) and FutureShift 2010, a study of U.S. consumer behavior for the Chilean Foreign Ministry. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan, did graduate work at Harvard University, and received an M.B.A. from the University of Maine. At the side, Mr. Stamell is a broadcast cartoonist and his cartoons, taking a satirical study business and technology, are located on the net and in various publications.

  • Rising incomes and internet boost booming Chinese travel market

    The variety of outbound trips made by Chinese travellers is seeing double-digit growth, due to rising disposable incomes and web bookings, reveals exclusive research unveiled today (8 April) on the WTM Vision Conference – Beijing.

    Forecasts by Euromonitor International reveal that outbound trips from China are expected to record a ‘sharp’ 15% rise in CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 2012-2017.

    Hong Kong and Macau are the most well liked destinations but non-Asian countries are rising in importance, delegates have heard today.

    Meanwhile, inbound tourism flows to China are forecast to grow at a 2.3% CAGR over an identical period, reveals the Forecast Revisit for the worldwide Travel and Tourism Industry report.

    Hong Kong is the most important source of arrivals, accounting for 27m, but Western European and US markets are expected to grow, Ray Li Senior Research Analyst at Euromonitor International states.

    He can even reveal how rising disposable incomes are resulting in a ‘sharp’ rise in sales of discretionary goods and services, with travel – in addition to cars and fashion – especially favoured.

    Also, the changing role of ladies is driving demand for clothing, cosmetics and travel, in line with Euromonitor international.

    Another significant factor within the Chinese travel market is the intensifying competition between China’s online travel agencies, including Ctrip, Qunar and eLong.

    China is the area leader for choice of internet users and smartphones sold, and web giants similar to Tencent and Baidu are making inroads inside the online travel market, delegates on the WTM Vision Conference – Beijing heard.

    Chinese hotels are performing strongly, and although China’s hotel industry is dominated by budget properties, the posh segment is anticipated to reach strongest growth between 2012 and 2017.

    Reed Travel Exhibition Director World Travel Market Simon Press, who opened the conference today, said: “WTM is delighted to be returning to China for its second Vision conference within the country, following the success of last year’s inaugural event which befell in Shangai.

    “China’s influence at the global travel and tourism continues to grow. WTM has first-hand experience of this with increasingly more exhibitors and visitors attending the development from China, alongside increasingly buyers targeting Chinese exhibitors.”

    The conference is in association with China Business Network was held in Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall.

    As well because the report from Euromonitor International, the development will feature high-calibre speakers sharing expert analysis, statistical assessment and interpretations with the industry’s senior leaders.

    Delegates will receive the Euromonitor International report via email for free after the conference.

  • Travel Essentials

    If you want to go travelling with not much more than just a backpack, than we’re providing you with a few travel essentials.

    • A smartphone – Why not a normal phone, why a smartphone. Well lit may be more likely to be stolen, but it can be your camera, organiser, alarm, flashlight. It’s pretty much a multi-functioning device that’s superb for travelling.
    • ATM and credit cards are fundamental. You may be short of cash on your debit card, and whilst it is a warning sign to think about returning home, a credit card can bail you out for a bit longer.
    • Cash is fundemtal for emergencies, and you should always make sure you have some cash on you at all times. It should be kept in a really safe place.
    • Bug repellent- This can be a spray or a cream and it can stop you ending up looking like you have chicken pox.
    • 1st aid kit – Any cuts scrapes or health issues should be dealt with as you can, and a first aid kit can be relative helpful if you have a common injury or issue.
    • A notepad and a pen can be great. People can draw out maps for you if you require them. You can take down important numbers, addresses, or even any ideas that come to your head that you want to revise later. Just make sure you remember to take a pen.