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  • Visitor spending increases in UK despite drop in numbers

    International figures for April 2013 have seen a majestic 13 per cent rise in visitor spend within the UK, despite a one per cent drop in visitor numbers.

    It comes as Britain attempts to keep up momentum from the picture boost of hosting the 2012 Games.

    The results mean that over the yr to April 2013 there was record spend (in nominal terms) of £19.19 billion.

    The 2.88 million visits for the month is a slight decrease from a robust 2012, although around the first four months of 2013 there were one per cent more visits than inside the same period in 2012.

    Of the overseas visitors who came here in April, there have been record levels from remainder of world markets – together with the likes of giant spending Australia, Brazil, China and the UAE.

    This implies that there has been an encouraging nine per cent change in April, and leaves these highly fashionable markets nine per cent higher in 2013 up to now.

    Visits from Europe around the first four months of 2013 are higher, with one per cent growth in visits from the main EU15 markets.

    Visits from non EU European markets have slowed slightly but remain at a record level over the one year to April 2013.

    North American visits saw a seven per cent drop in April, resulting in a four per cent drop for the year to this point.

    Looking at visitor profiles, Business visits in April show continued growth, up eight per cent from 2012.

    In the primary four months of 2013 Business and VFR visits were higher than the identical period in 2012, both showing the strongest begin to a year since 2008.

    Holiday visits within the first few months of the year are just below (down three per cent) the 2012 record.

    Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain chief executive, said: “While these latest figures indicate that we’re on the right track with our 2013 forecast, it’s clear that we’re fighting hard to extend visitor numbers against better resourced competition who recognise that inbound tourism can deliver economic growth and jobs in a hard climate.

    “The USA, still Britain’s most respected source of overseas visitors, continues to struggle. We simply haven’t got the resources currently to arrest that.

    “Like others within the public sector, we’re creating a strong case for extra funding throughout the Spending Review.

    “Our GREAT campaign is having a favorable impact, but we mustn’t ever be complacent.

    “We must continue to make further inroads in key inbound markets if we’re to extend visitor numbers to 40 million a year by 2020.

    “The world travel picture remains highly competitive and our GREAT activity is building good momentum on what it’s that makes Britain any such wonderful destination, especially at a time when other countries are dramatically raising their game and their funding.”

  • W Hotels to go into Israel with W Tel Aviv

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc today announced that it’s going to debut the W brand in Israel in 2015 with the outlet of W Tel Aviv – Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa. Owned by Manhattan-based RFR Holding, the hotel could be set inside a historic 19th century heritage building within the revitalised ancient port neighbourhood of Jaffa. W Tel Aviv – Jaffa is being designed by acclaimed British architect John Pawson together with Ramy Gill Architects and concrete Designers, who has also designed the brand new Jaffa port.

    “We are delighted to expand our relationship with RFR Holding, who also owns W South Beach Hotels & Residences, as we open the 1st W Hotel in Israel,” commented Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Tel Aviv is among the most fashionable and cosmopolitan cities at the Mediterranean and we’re excited to expand our footprint into Israel.”

    “We are proud and excited to be working with Starwood in this expansion in Tel Aviv with this prestigious project,” added Aby Rosen, Co-Founder and Principal of RFR Holding. “We believe that the W brand, with its exceptional reputation, will further cement Jaffa’s reputation as a distinct world-class destination.”

    W Tel Aviv – Jaffa will provide a cutting-edge lifestyle experience, featuring 125 stylish guest rooms and suites, including one Extreme WOW Suite (W’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite), in addition to panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast.

    The hotel will offer a signature restaurant, a destination bar and W Front room (W’s tackle the conventional hotel lobby). Other luxury leisure facilities include an Away Spa, SWEAT® state-of-the-art fitness, and a glamorous outdoor WET pool deck. Guests might also expect the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, providing guests whatever they wish, whenever they would like it. The hotel may even offer a whole-service, 24-hour WIRED business centre.

    This project may even feature 38 W-branded Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa, that allows you to include an individual entrance. Featuring luxurious apartments starting from 70 to 400 square metres, the six-storey Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa may be built alongside the heritage building during which the hotel is housed. Residents will enjoy access to the facilities at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa, including signature W offerings and services.

    With greater than 4,000 years of history, Jaffa is south of the primary city centre of Tel Aviv and is undergoing a meticulous revitalisation project, including multi-million dollar investments in infrastructure and a longer sea promenade. W Tel Aviv – Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa will function the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the traditional port city. Spanning over 20,000 square metres, this landmark project is found within close proximity to the newly renovated Jaffa port, the pristine beach, in addition to fashionable boutiques, charming sidewalk cafes and chic nightlife destinations.

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  • News: WTTC: Abu Dhabi tourism growth outpacing global average

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

    The findings may be discussed intimately as tourism leaders from worldwide 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 predicted to rise by 3.2 per cent by the tip of the year.

    One in nine of all jobs inside the country are caused by 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 top 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, this is fully embracing the social and economic benefits of tourism and reaping the rewards already from its strong investment.

    “This is one it’s because WTTC selected Abu Dhabi for our Global Summit.
     
    Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), that is hosting the Summit in conjunction with 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 inside 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 considering 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 on posts within airlines, the airport, TCA Abu Dhabi, the hospitality sector and within Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

    “We have activated quite a lot of initiatives aimed toward introducing UAE nationals to the varied opportunities that exist throughout 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 the following decade.

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

  • Middle earth top spot for tourists

    The famous ‘filmscapes’ of Middle-earth which feature in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have played a number one role in boosting tourism to New Zealand, consistent with new figures.

    A 10 per cent increase in international visitors from January through to April compared with a similar period last year shows the impact The Hobbit is having on increased motivation and arrivals, says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler.

    Survey results show 8.5 per cent of holiday makers cited The Hobbit as a reason behind their visit and 13 per cent took part in some sort of hobbit-themed tourism along with visiting a movie set.

    100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand
    Tourism New Zealand’s investment in marketing New Zealand’s association with The Hobbit Trilogy was paying off, said Bowler.
    “Information gathered from three separate research sources is basically beginning to present a favorable picture for the rustic because of The Hobbit Trilogy and our 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.

    The results coincide with the discharge of the trailer for Film 2 – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – which features additional New Zealand landscapes and holds some surprises for fans, based on filmmakers. The movie will premiere in L. a. this coming December.

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    When the primary instalment inside the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey premiered in Wellington on 28 November last year, the eyes of the movie world were on New Zealand.

    Around 100,000 fans turned out to peer the film stars walk the red carpet and greater than 200 international media covered the highly-anticipated event. Film one earned a bit over $1 billion on the box office. The DVD of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which included a distinct feature of the solid on location in New Zealand during filming, sold nearly one million copies in the course of the first week on sale.

    Filming came about over 10 weeks in 40 locations throughout New Zealand for The Hobbit Trilogy and visitors can experience the truth of the locations through a great number of different experiences – from visiting the real film set of Hobbiton to canoeing down the river where the ‘dwarves in barrels’ scene was shot.

    Middle-earth monitoring
    Fan interest in Middle-earth have been monitored by Tourism New Zealand because the launch of the 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign in August 2012.

    Tourism New Zealand questioned ‘Active Considerers’ in seven key markets and 82 per cent of these who responded said the center-earth campaign increased their interest in New Zealand, and 73 per cent stated it improved their opinions of recent Zealand.

    As well because the 10% increase in overall visitors, holiday arrivals from the us, a key target audience for the center-earth campaign, were up 23 per cent at the same period last year, said Bowler.

    “This increase in holiday arrivals perfectly coincides with the discharge of the 1st Hobbit film and an important increase in our efforts to advertise New Zealand as a vacation destination off the back of it.”

    He said the target of Tourism New Zealand’s Middle-earth marketing was to present additional motivation and reason to transform potential travellers’ interest in New Zealand, into a real booking. “And it’s working!” says Bowler.

    Spectacular landscapes and scenery
    The most dominant reason to contemplate a trip to New Zealand remains “spectacular landscapes and scenery” which was referenced by 46.7 per cent of surveyed visitors. The Hobbit rates alongside ‘getting an awful lot on flights’ at 8.8 per cent, demonstrating the facility of the relationship between New Zealand and Middle Earth.

    13.2 per cent of international visitors over January to March took in a Hobbit experience while in New Zealand, including group tours specifically visiting film sites or visiting the Hobbiton movie set.

    Bowler says leveraging The Hobbit Trilogy continues to add heavily in Tourism New Zealand’s new three-year business plan with the continuing use of the 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign with significant events being planned for the international premieres of flicks two and 3.

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  • News: WTTC: Hospitality comes home to Abu Dhabi

    The World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit – essentially the most influential event at the annual travel and tourism industry’s international calendar – which began its 13th edition within the UAE capital today, has returned to the house of hospitality, in step with His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

    Welcoming the collection of just about 1,000 industry leaders, including keynote speaker, president Bill Clinton, to Abu Dhabi, Al Muhairi said the staging of the summit inside the UAE capital represented a key milestone within the emirate’s tourism evolution.

    “Since Abu Dhabi began its tourism journey almost nine years ago, we now have achieved various milestones. This summit ranks among them,” said Al Muhairi.

    “When we began our journey we received a polite, yet if we’re honest, a slightly skeptical welcome onto the tourism scene.

    “Some saw us as dreamers, others as overly ambitious and under-developed.

    “They looked as if it would forget that that’s where the idea that of travellers hospitality began.”

    Al Muhairi cited the Arabian Gulf’s reputation for taking hospitality to legendary proportions.

    “It is here that hospitality was required by sheer lifestyle and tradition. A traveller, regardless of who, or where from, was obliged to accept food and shelter for no less than three days before he continued his journey,” he explained.

    “The adventurer Wilfred Thesiger, who we recall with fondness as Mubarak Bin London, recorded how, in his crossings of our Liwa desert, his unsuspecting hosts would often go without sustenance to guarantee he slept, and ate, well and gathered his strength for trials ahead.

    “This region is rich with hospitality heritage. It’s a part of a past we’re happy with and, we believe, integral to the longer term ahead.”

    Al Muhairi said in jointly hosting the summit with Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi was seeking to the international industry to see beyond its differences and interact to enhance the standard of life for destinations and their people.

    “What you are going to experience over the 2 days isn’t simply a made from financial resources.

    “It is likewise a made from vision, labor and backbone at the a part of many that have worked to ensure you leave this summit, and this emirate, with greater understanding, knowledge and a favorable cultural experience.

    “That’s something money just can’t buy,” said the director general.

    The 13th Global Summit’s theme of ‘A Time For Leadership’ also resonated well with Abu Dhabi, and the UAE, that’s blessed with visionary leaders, said Al Muhairi.