All Entries Tagged With: "World Travel Market"

Destinations Told How To Attract Chinese Tourists at WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai

A hassle-free visa application process is one of the main factors destinations need to consider to increase Chinese outbound visitor arrivals, WTM Vision Conference - Shanghai delegates heard this week.

Destinations are desperate to increase the number of Chinese tourists due to their high spending habits. In the first session, Euromonitor International China Travel and Tourism Analyst Ray Li predicted Chinese tourists will spend $36 billion on shopping when overseas in 2016, which is double the amount they spent in 2011.

Speaking as part of the panel debate on the Chinese inbound and outbound markets, General Manager of MIKI Travel Cecelia Zhou told a packed room of delegates a smooth visa application process is vital for Chinese travellers when deciding their next overseas holiday destination.
Executive President of Jin-Jiang International Travel Ge Wanjun added Chinese people leave booking their holiday until the very last minute so visa application processes need to be made quick, easy and accessible.

Other factors destinations need to consider when trying to attract this increasing market is the ”joint exercise from both the private and public sectors” CEO of TUI Travel China Marcel Schneider commented.

“There is a need to be willing to invest money, HR and time to develop the destination in order to meet the Chinese market’s expectations,” Schneider added.

President and General Manager of Anhui Region in China Li Guoqing explained: “Chinese tourists really need to be educated on outbound destinations, what is there to do? What is there to eat? Where is there to stay? In order to attract a high numbers of Chinese tourists.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press, who opened WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai, said: “WTM Vision Conference Shanghai offered a fascinating insight to the Chinese tourism industry.

“Chinese tourists are in high demand due to their high in resort spending patterns and delegates heard the secrets to attracting high numbers of visitors from China.

“The event, in association with Chinese Business Network, is a great addition to the Vision portfolio, following on from similarly highly successful events in Moscow, London and Dubai.”

The final event in the 2012 series, WTM Vision Conference – Florence, takes place next Friday (18 May).

Editor | May 11, 2012 | Comments 0

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Strong five years tipped for Chinese travel despite slowdown in economic growth

Shopping, internet booking and low-cost carriers will have the biggest influence on the Chinese travel market over the next five years, reveals exclusive research unveiled tomorrow (Thursday 10 May) at the inaugural WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai.

Senior industry delegates at the event, in association with China Business Network, will be told the strength of the Chinese economy will underpin the travel sector’s growth until 2016.

The Travel Industry Global Overview report, by Euromonitor International, reveals the Chinese economy will be the world’s strongest over the next five years, with GDP growing at around 8% per annum.

For the outbound sector, shopping is named as the Chinese travellers’ activity of choice. The report states by 2016 the Chinese will spend around $36bn while shopping overseas, double the amount recorded in 2011.

The research also tips the Chinese to double spending on accommodation (to $12bn), excursions (to $6bn) and getting around within the destination ($6bn).

The most popular international destinations for Chinese travellers in 2011 were Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Reed Travel Exhibition Director World Travel Market Simon Press, who will open the conference, said: “The Chinese outbound travel industry is growing at a phenomenal rate making it one of, if not the, most important market in the world.

“This growth alongside the ever-increasing amount of money the Chinese spend when on holiday, on either shopping or excursions, make the Chinese tourism market one of the most lucrative for destinations.”

Furthermore, Euromonitor International China Analyst Ray Li will say online travel retailing would double in value between 2011 and 2016, driven by a compound annual growth rate over the period of more than 16%. These figures are for intermediaries only and do not include supplier direct bookings.

Low cost carriers will also have a big say in how the market develops over the next five years. The value of low-cost carrier sales will double from 2011’s levels to around $6bn in 2016. This will put pressure on pricing and distribution across the travel sector.

“The growing importance of the Chinese travel industry is why World Travel Market has expanded its WTM Vision Series in to China with WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai,” Press added.

“The WTM Vision series is designed to bring the latest research, statistics and opinion to senior industry leaders to help them run their businesses. The Chinese market is moving at such a fast pace that country’s travel and tourism industry will really benefit from what WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai will bring.”

The 2011 WTM Vision Conference series has taken place in Moscow, London and Dubai (at fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions event Arabian Travel Market). The final event of this year’s series takes place in Florence on May 18.

Editor | May 09, 2012 | Comments 0

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Middle East hoteliers engaging with social media to boost tourism in, finds WTM Vision Conference – Dubai

The prospects for growth in tourist arrivals in the Middle East and the success of some hotels in the region in using social media were the key topics revealed at the WTM Vision Conference – Dubai.

WTM Vision Conference – Dubai was organised by World Travel Market and took place at fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions event Arabian Travel Market on Tuesday 1 May, following on from earlier well-received conferences in Moscow and London.

Mark Frary, co-founder of WTM’s Social Travel Market conference, gave an insightful presentation on the use of social media by hotels, giving tips to an audience senior industry delegates on how to use networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+ to promote their properties.

Frary said, “Ever since 2005, the voice of the customer – the hotel guest – has been deafening. Guests have used the internet and social media networks to share their views, often good but frequently bad, of their hotel stays. The reality is that this social media chatter will go on even if hotels choose not to engage with social media.

“However, by choosing to invest time, and yes money, in social media, hoteliers can become part of the conversation and exert influence on how they are perceived.”

Frary showed how hotels in ATM’s host city of Dubai and in the wider Middle East had already engaged with social media, highlighting the good work being done by the Atlantis Palm, the Dusit Thani and the Kempinski group.

Asked about research that showed that 61% of people did not want brands to be active in their social media channels, Frary said, “Facebook now has more than 845 million users. I would be happy engaging with the 39% of those 845 million who do want that interaction with brands.”

Speaker Nadejda Popova, industry analyst with Euromonitor International, also shared the market research company’s report Travel Industry Global Overview with a packed room and looked at the specific findings regarding the Middle East.

Popova said : “2012 started with a high level of uncertainty and the negative impact of the Eurozone crisis has led to IMF downgrading the forecast for 2012 to 0.75%. However, emerging regions have been recording growth.”

She added that the Arab Spring had not been detrimental to all countries in the region. She said, “The UAE and Saudi Arabia have actually benefitted from the uprisings, as they were seen as stable countries to travel to.”

The company predicts that tourism arrivals in the Middle East will rise by 1.3% in 2012, after the blip of 2011 when these fell by 6.2%. However, this temporary blip is on the back of a strong 2010 when tourist numbers grew by an impressive 11.5%.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “WTM Vision Conference – Dubai has continued the success of the previous two events in Moscow and London with another packed room of senior industry delegates.

“The level of support we have received for the whole series demonstrates the need for high level research, information and opinion WTM Vision provides the industry’s senior leaders to help them run their businesses.”

The WTM Vision Conference – Dubai, in association with TTN Middle East, was sponsored by Dunleavy White, the senior level executive search firm which has this week opened a new office inDubai.

The WTM Vision Conferences series was launched in 2009 in London and has expanded to a five event series in 2012.

The Moscow, London and Dubai events have already taken place with WTM Vision Conference – Shanghai taking place on May 10 and WTM Vision Conference – Florence completing the series on May 18.

Editor | May 03, 2012 | Comments 0

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Middle East’s leading brands compete in Dubai for ultimate travel accolade

The Middle East’s most successful travel brands are set to be acknowledged at a glittering gala ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards (WTA) at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa on Monday 30 April 2012.

The likes of Jumeirah, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Armani Hotel Dubai, Qatar Airways, Emirates Palace and Rotana Hotels are among those in the running for top honours.

Lebanese singing sensation Carole Samaha will headline the show, with the critically-acclaimed comedian Wonho Chung also set to perform. Ece Vahapoğlu of Al Jazeera Turkey will anchor proceedings.

More than 500 of the most important decision-makers in the region’s travel and tourism sector, as well as a host of international media, are set to attend what will be the most important night of the year for Arabian travel.

The WTA awards programme, hailed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ by the global media, highlights and rewards those travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year.

After a fierce round of voting featuring more than 2,000 organisations, the nominees have been whittled down to the elite few.

Categories to watch include “Middle East’s Leading Destination” with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in contention. Competition for “Middle East’s Leading Hotel” is expected to be fierce, with Emirates Palace (Abu Dhabi), Burj Al Arab (Dubai), Six Senses Zighy Bay (Oman) and the Ritz-Carlton Doha (Qatar) among those going head-to-head.

Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, underlines the core strengths of the Middle East nominees.

He says: “Travel and tourism in the Middle East is rebounding strongly following the political and economic challenges of 2011. The winners at our ceremony will be those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to this recovery.”

“I am delighted that we will be returning to Dubai for what promises to be the most exciting and competitive Middle East Ceremony yet. The emirate is a hotbed of fresh ideas being put into practice, as exemplified by our host, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa,” he adds.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa is the flagship resort of Jebel Ali International Hotels, and consists of two five-star properties, Palm Tree Court & Spa, which has recently undergone a full refurbishment, and Jebel Ali Hotel, which offers views over the Arabian Gulf and a championship-standard nine-hole golf course.

David Thomson, Regional General Manager of Jebel Ali International Hotels expresses his pleasure at hosting the event, saying: “We are delighted that the leaders of the Middle East travel industry will celebrate their achievements at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa this Monday. The awards are an accurate representation of excellence and it is a true honour to be nominated alongside other leading hotel groups.”

The evening coincides with Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (28-30 April) and Arabian Travel Market (30 April – 3 May), which are both taking place in Dubai.

Other regional heats in WTA’s Grand Tour 2012 will be taking place in the Algarve (Portugal), Nairobi (Kenya), Singapore and Turks & Caicos. The winners of these regional heats will progress to the Grand Final, which will take place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on 12 December 2012.

Editor | Apr 30, 2012 | Comments 0

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UAE warned of five-year drop in tourism spend

International arrivals into the UAE will grow over the next five years while the average spend will decline, reveals research which will be presented tomorrow at Reed Travel Exhibition’s Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai.

Delegates at the WTM Vision Conference – Dubai will see exclusive research, presented by Euromonitor International, which found that arrivals into the UAE will see a compound annual growth rate in excess of 7% per annum over the next five years.

But over the same period, average spend per visitor will decline by over 3%.

Other destinations in the region show a similar trend, Saudi Arabia will see visitor arrivals grow by 10% a year until 2016, with the average spend declining by around 4% a year.

Hotel prices across budget, mid and luxury hotels in the MENA region fell in 2010/11, with budget hotels seeing the biggest drop. MENA was the only region where hotel prices declined.

Senior travel executives were also told that the UAE was the third most visited destination by Indian travellers, giving it an important foothold with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Euromonitor International’s Travel Industry Global Overview Report shows that consumers will still travel despite economic concerns, but are looking at value for money options.

Globally, arrivals growth will slow down to around 4% a year between 2011 and 2016. Average spend will grow by 1% from 2012.

This week’s event at Arabian Travel Market is the second WTM Vision Conference – Dubai. The WTM Vision Conference series has expanded this year, taking the number of conferences to five.Moscow and London took place successfully in April, with Shanghai and Florence later this May.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Exhibition Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “Dubai was one of the earliest international hosts for the WTM Vision Conference brand, and we are pleased that both the WTM Vision events and Arabian Travel Market are growing.”

Editor | Apr 30, 2012 | Comments 0

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Fierce competition predicted if companies are to beat a stagnant market

Travel firms are preparing for a fierce battle in a bid to secure growth over the next five years; it was predicted at WTM Vision Conference –London.

Euromonitor International Head of Travel and Tourism Research Caroline Bremner told senior industry delegates, at the event organised by Reed Travel Exhibition’s event World Travel Market, that growth in the travel sector would be flat for the next five years.

She said this would be part of a global trend which will see a combination of price pressure and falling and stagnating incomes combine to depress growth in the sector.

Instead, Expedia Managing Director UK and Ireland Andy Washington said if companies wanted to continue to grow, they would have to do so at each others’ expense.

He added the online travel agency saw double digit growth last year and he is intent on filing similar results for 2012.

He said: “For Expedia we look for growth across the global markets and we intend to do that.

“10% growth should continue online and it is going to be from taking market share of competitors by being better, smarter and fulfilling the consumers’ demands.”

Tui Travel UK and Ireland Managing Director David Burling said the “most dramatic” growth the operator has recently seen has been in the all-inclusive sector, largely thanks to families.

While refusing to predict figures for this year he said the operator would continue to focus on investing in technology and product exclusivity.

He added: “The key thing for us is the quality of our business.”

easyJet Director UK Market Paul Simmons admitted growth would be reduced compared to last year, but still predicted the airline would see a single-digit increase.

He said: “The trading environment is difficult but not impossible; we need to make sure people are stimulated and want to travel.”

The Hoseasons Group Managing Director Geoff Cowley said the challenge for the UK market would be to continue re-educating UK travellers on the improvements made in the domestic market as well as benefit from the feel-good factor generated by both the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee.

He added: “Part of the challenge now is to continue educating the customers about how the quality of the accommodation has improved.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “It was great to hear not only the in-depth analysis that Euromonitor International provided but also the conversations it triggered.

“With growth predicted to flatline for the next five years, travel companies will not only have to compete but innovate if they are to grow successfully.

“I was also delighted to see so many senior industry delegates attend WTM Vision Conference – London and see them so involved in the event too.”

Editor | Apr 26, 2012 | Comments 0

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London 2012 to boost UK foreign guests by 330,000

The UK will only welcome an additional 330,000 international visitors as a direct result of hosting the London 2012 Olympics, reveals research at WTM Vision Conference London.

Euromonitor International Head of Travel and Tourism Research Caroline Bremner told senior travel industry delegates, at the event organised by Reed Travel Exhibition’s World Travel Market, the UK will welcome 29.4m international visitors this year, a 2% increase on 2011, or 588,000.

The number of international visitors coming for London 2012 represents less than 1% of the total UK inbound market.

Bremner told WTM Vision Conference – London delegates that domestic visitors were crucial to the success of the games, saying that around 70% of the eight million tickets sold had gone to British people.

Other speakers at the event backed Euromonitor International’s findings about the low number of international visitors. EasyJet UK Managing Director Paul Simmons said that the airline had seen “no significant impact on bookings” because of the Olympics and suggested that “BA would probably say the same”.

Furthermore, London hotels appear to be missing out, according to the world’s biggest online travel business. Expedia Managing Director UK Andy Washington said that worldwide bookings for flights into Manchester Airport during the three weeks of the Olympics are 40% ahead of the same period last year.

International bookings into Scottish airports are 31% higher.

“I can’t say for sure that these people are staying in the regions and travelling into London to see the Games,” he said, “but I can’t think of any other reason why the growth should be so big.”

Washington admitted that London hotel prices during the games had been high thus far, but average daily rates were likely to come down as more rooms are released for tourists.

Hoseasons Group Managing Director Geoff Cowley said that his business was not able to comment because it does not have any London based product. But he said that Hoseasons has participated in the government-backed 20.12% promotion because it wanted to be part of the legacy that domestic tourism would benefit from once the Games concluded.

TUI UK Managing Director David Burling said that “the inbound and outbound industries need to come together so that the authorities make sure the airports work.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “With less than 100 days to go, the Olympics were like to be discussed at WTM Vision Conference – London Vision. Euromonitor International’s findings suggest that while the number of international visitors may appear modest, the real benefit of London2012 could be the long-term boost to domestic tourism.”

Editor | Apr 23, 2012 | Comments 0

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Recession avoided in 2012 but economy still casts shadow over prospects for UK travel sector

The UK travel industry will remain at the mercy of the local and global economy this year, with the London 2012 Olympics creating as many challenges as opportunities, reveals research unveiled tomorrow (Thursday 19 April) at WTM Vision Conference – London.

The UK “will narrowly avoid moving into recession” this year, while increasing unemployment, a drop in consumer confidence and an increased propensity to save will put travel spend under pressure, according to research company Euromonitor International.

Overall, the UK will see a 0.8% growth in GDP for 2012. This breaks down into a 0.3% lift in Q1, a flat second quarter, a 0.6% improvement in Q3 before the year ends with a 0.3% rise in the last three months, Euromintor International Head of Travel and Tourism Research Caroline Bremner will explain to the senior travel industry delegates in attendance.

Other indicators are a concern however, with unemployment expected to rise above 9% this year. The net result is a significant decline in consumer confidence, with more Brits choosing to save rather than spend, claims The Travel Industry Global Overview.

Some tour operators may take comfort in the findings that gross incomes for people earning more than £25,000 a year will grow in both 2012 and in 2013. However, people earning less £25,000 per annum will have less disposable income. The gross figures do not factor in the impact of inflation and other costs-of-living on disposable incomes.

London 2012 presents a new dilemma for pricing, yield and capacity planning for the outbound tour operating sector. No clear picture is emerging about the impact of the Games on domestic and outbound tourism. The event takes place at the heart of the peak summer season, starting on 27 July and finishing on the 13 August.

Another issue is the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament, which opens on 8 June with the final taking place on 1 July. Traditionally, tour operators experience a drop in bookings and travel during big soccer events, and with the Republic of Ireland also taking part in Euro 2012, chances are more people might be distracted from thinking about a summer break.

The latest increase in APD, the government’s GREAT campaign, the potential for unrest overseas and the ongoing Eurozone debt crisis are other variables likely to have an impact on outbound demand.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “The impact of the global financial uncertainty is still playing its part in the economy and the travel and tourism industry.

“However, the travel industry has a lot to be positive about. WTM 2011 will generate a record £1,653 million in industry deals, which shows there is a great amount of confidence within the sector.”

The Euromonitor International report – The Travel Industry Global Overview – worth £1,000), is given to all attendees of the WTM Vision Conference – London.
WTM Vision Conference series was launched in 2009 in London expanding to Milan and Dubai (at fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions Event Arabian Travel Market) in 2011.

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences in 2012 is;

April 4: Moscow
April 19: London
May 1: Dubai (at ATM)
May 10: Shanghai
May 18: Florence

Editor | Apr 18, 2012 | Comments 0

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Russian Inbound Tourism a Disaster, WTM Vision Conference – Moscow Delegates Heard

The Russian inbound tourism industry has been slammed as a “disaster”, during a lively panel debate at the inaugural WTM Vision Conference – Moscow.

KMP Group President Vladimir Kantorowich labelled the inbound Russian industry as the “Cinderella of the Russian tourism industry” claiming the “government has done nothing to develop it”, at WTM Vision Conference – Moscow, which took place at the Moscow Marriot Grand Hotel.

“The global travel and tourism industry is one of the five top cash generators in the world,” he told the conference’s 150 senior industry delegates. “Yet in Russia we are addicted to oil and gas. In destinations where there is no oil and gas inbound tourism can be the driver for the local economy. After all, when people come into the country they bring in new money.”

Kantorowich, who is also the Vice President of tourists board body ANTOR, criticised the Russian government for failing to keep accurate inbound tourism statistics and making it difficult for tourists to visit the country.

“You can not objectively assess inbound tourism as the ‘stays’ are not trustworthy,” he added during the final session of WTM Vision Conference - Moscow. “Officials cheat and exaggerate tourism numbers to the extent that some regions apparently have more tourists than the whole country.”

Kantorowich also slammed Russia’s visa entry requirements that see it easier for business people to enter the country on tourist visa than it is on business visas, while accusing the government of playing politics with the inbound industry.

“We must have correct stays figures, business visas are much more difficult to achieve than tourism visas, which sees business people pretend to be tourists to get visas easier,” he said.

“These are all issues of politics and not of economic success. Football is our current political priority,” he added. “There is competition for every German, French and Japanese tourist.”

Kantorowich comments followed exclusive research from Euromonitor International which revealed Russia is set to see a 20% increase in inbound tourists over the next four years fuelled by the hosting of major sporting events.

Russian inbound visitors will increase to 28.3 million in 2016 from 23.7 million in 2012 due to the hosting of sporting events including the 2013 World Athletic Championships and 2014 Winter Olympics.

Also, WTM’s social media expert Steve Keenan told delegates the Russian people “are the most engaged in social media in the world”.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press – who opened the conference – said: “I am delighted with the success of the first WTM Vision Conference – Moscow.

“Around 150 of the most senior executives in the Russian industry heard the latest statistics, research and opinion, which included a lively and frank panel debate. It was a great start to the WTM Vision Conference series which moves on to London on 19 April.

WTM Vision Conference series was launched in 2009 in London expanding to Milan and Dubai (at fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions Event Arabian Travel Market) in 2011.

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences is;

April 4: Moscow
April 19: London
May 1: Dubai (at ATM)
May 10: Shanghai
May 18: Florence

Editor | Apr 10, 2012 | Comments 0

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Russia in with a Sporting Chance

The hosting of major sporting events will lead to an inbound tourism boom

Russia is set to see a 20% increase in visitor arrivals over the next four years fuelled by the hosting of major sporting events, reveals research unveiled today at WTM Vision Conference – Moscow.

Russia is hosting an array of sporting events over the next six years climaxing with the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The sporting schedule starts next year with Moscow’s hosting of the World Athletic Championships and the Rugby Sevens World Cup. Also in 2013 is the Universiade (University games) in Kazan, while 2014 sees Sochi have the Winter Olympics.

These events will bring an increased focus to the Russian inbound tourism industry which will help visitors peak at more than 28.3 million – up 20% on 2012’s inbound tourists figure of 23.7 million, delegates at WTM Vision Conference – Moscow at the Moscow Marriot Grand will hear this morning.

The Euromonitor International report reveals this increase will be mainly fuelled by European destinations with Finish visitors increasing by 16% to nearly 1.3 million visitors in 2016. Polish visitors will increase by 25% to 857,000 in 2016, visitors from the UK will increase by 17% to 250,000, with Turkish visitors rising by 19% to 243,000.

Visitors from the US will also increase by 15% to 301,000 in 2016.

Currently, Russia’s largest inbound markets are the former Soviet republics of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan mainly due to the close connections and similar linguistic and historical links, enabling tourists to meet easily with friends and family.

Inbound visitors are also expected to increase from China due to the simplification in visa regulations between Russia and China.

However, the report – The Travel Industry Global Overview – states that visa barriers are currently a major restriction for inbound tourism to Russia. Visitors from most countries require a visa to enter which must be obtained in advance. There are on-going talks with the EU regarding changes to the visa process.

Another restriction highlighted are hotel prices in the main tourist destinations; these are extremely expensive and should be reduced in order to attract more tourists.

Furthermore, Russia outbound tourism spend is expected to rise an average 8% a year until 2016.

Russian outbound distribution is swiftly shifting online with a 50% increase in online spend predicted over the next four years. Growing internet penetration, combined with the recession has encouraged online searches as travellers seek bargains, mainly seen within transportation.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “The findings are very positive for the Russian market. As long as the visa restrictions are minimized, Russia will see its tourism industry grow substantially over the next few years.”

“Russia will be showcased to the world with the hosting of all the major sporting events taking place, this being the perfect opportunity to highlight Russia as a tourism destination”.

The Euromonitor International report – The Travel Industry Global Overview – worth 46,971.35 Rubles (£1000), is given to all attendees of the WTM Vision Conference – Moscow.

WTM Vision Conference – Moscow, organised in association with Tour Business is the first WTM Vision Conference in Moscow, following successful events in London, Dubai and Milan last year. This year WTM Vision Conference will also take place in London and Shanghai with the conference in Italy moving to Florence.

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences is;

April 19: London
May 1: Dubai
May 10: Shanghai
May 18: Florence
The WTM Vision Conference series is aimed at the industry senior leaders, giving them the latest research, analysis, comment and opinion to help them shape and run their businesses.

Editor | Apr 05, 2012 | Comments 0

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Technology’s reach in travel grows but some struggle to keep up

The importance of technology across all aspects of the travel industry is growing, with some buyers interested in new developments, according to a panel of experts at the latest World Travel Market Meridian Club Think Tank.

A dozen technology buyers and WTM representatives, covering a cross-section of interests, attended the ‘Chatham House’ rules event, meaning all comments made are reported anonymously and unattributable not only to an individual but also the organisation they represent.

Familiar topics which fall under the technology banner were discussed, such as social media, Google, rate parity, return on investment and resources.

But some guests expressed interest in new areas. Cloud computing within the travel sector was discussed, with one guest suggesting that “cloud technology can lead to savings of around 70%” for some travel businesses, and that this was an area where smaller companies could benefit.

Alternative payment mechanisms are emerging as a way for technology suppliers to help travel companies not only save money but also make their products available to a wider customer base. “Taking payment using means other than credit or debit cards could work in mature travel markets” it was suggested, while some tour operator guests mentioned how suppliers in Africa were using mobile commerce to accept payments.

This was trend highlighted in the WTM Global Trends Report 2011, in association with Euromonitor International.

Some smaller businesses in attendance however suggested they “were being left behind by the big boys”, not only in terms of available products but also in terms of knowledge. One attendee admitted he had “burnt a lot of money trying to adopt a social media strategy for a market which clearly was not interested”, while another guest admitted that he “really didn’t have a clue” about how to use Twitter to market a specialist, high margin, late availability package.

Other businesses felt “exposed” to the sales pitch of web developers and needed the knowledge to talk the same language.

“Getting on the phone and talking to someone” was often the most effective way to do business, according to guests who dealt primarily with hotels. This traditional way of contracting remains popular despite the strength of the B2B bedbanks and online wholesalers.

World Travel Market Travel Technology Regional Account Manager Jo Marshall said: “The Travel Technology region of WTM grew by 40% last year and is poised to be even bigger at WTM 2012, so we’re keen to find out as early as possible what buyers and exhibitors want from this year’s event.

“It is clear that while some businesses are forging ahead with demands for cutting-edge products, others still need to understand how they can make the most of what is currently available. Our intention is to make sure we deliver a programme for WTM2012 that satisfies technology needs across the entire industry.”

Editor | Apr 05, 2012 | Comments 0

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Geoff Cowley MD of The Hoseasons Group to join panel discussion at WTM Vision Conference – London

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is delighted to announce another high profile speaker to join the line up for WTM Vision Conference – London on April 19 2012.

The Hoseasons Group Managing Director Geoff Cowley will now take part in the high level executive panel session which concludes the conference, alongside;

TUI UK Managing Director UK & Ireland David Burling
easyJet UK Manager Paul Simmons, and
Expedia UK Managing Director Andy Washington

Geoff started off in the travel industry more than 25 years ago as an intern at Walt Disney World in Florida. In 2006, after working across a range of business disciplines – including Marketing, Operations, E-commerce and IT – he become UK & Ireland MD at Cottages and Villas.

In 2009 Geoff became Managing Director of the Holiday Cottages Group. A year later saw the integration of this group and Hoseasons and shortly after Geoff was announced Managing Director of the Hoseasons Group.

WTM Vision Conference series is a mid-year half-day conference for the industry senior delegates to get the latest research, information and opinions to help them run their businesses.

The first session sees leading global research company Euromonitor International give delegates a detailed insight into the travel and tourism industry by unveiling its report The Travel Industry Global Overview.

The report (worth £1,000) will be given FREE to all delegates.

The middle session sees WTM’s Social Travel Market’s Steve Keenan review the UK social media landscape and advise delegates how best to utilise social media to increase brand exposure and sales.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “I am delighted with the senior industry leaders taking part in the WTM Vision Conference – London panel session.

“Geoff Cowley, David Burling, Paul Simmons and Andy Washington have a wealth of experience across all sectors of the industry and will give a valuable insight to the high profile delegates in attendance.”

The third WTM Vision Conference - London takes place on April 19 at 1 Wimple Street, in association with Kingley Event Managements.

The WTM Vision brand launched in 2009 in London, before expanding to Milan and Dubai in 2011. This year WTM Vision Conference will also take place in Shanghai and Moscow with the conference in Italymoving to Florence.

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences is;

April 4: Moscow
April 19: London
May 1: Dubai
May 10: Shanghai
May 18: Florence

To register for the event please visit - http://www.wtmlondon.com/londonreg

Editor | Mar 28, 2012 | Comments 0

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WTM Vision Conference – Florence Line Up Complete

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, has completed its WTM Vision Conference - Florence high-level line up with senior representation from some of Italy’s most important travel organisations.

The conference, which takes place on 18^th May at Fortezza da Basso in Florence, starts with leading global research company Euromonitor International giving delegates a detailed insight into the travel and tourism industry by exclusively unveiling its report The Travel Industry Global Overview.

Euromonitor International Travel and Tourism Analyst Angelo Rossini will present the report, which is worth £1,000 and will be given free to all delegates, and take questions from the floor.

The next session sees the impact and future of social media reviewed by World Travel Market’s Social Travel Market’s Steve Keenan.

The half-day conference concludes with a panel session discussing the Italian, domestic, inbound and outbound travel and tourism markets and has some of the country’s most senior executives, including;

· Fabio Maria Lazzerini, Chairman Amadeus Italia

· Susanna Sciacovelli, Managing Director Air Berlin Italia

· Nardo Filippetti, Chairman Eden Viaggi

· Luca Battifora, Managing Director Mondo di Vacanze

WTM Vision Conference series is a mid-year half-day conference progamme for the industry’s senior delegates to get the latest research, information and opinions to help them run their businesses.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “I’m delighted with the senior industry leaders taking part in the WTM Vision Conference – Florence panel session.

“The session has some of the Italian travel industry’s most senior executives from its most important countries discussing its future.

“The topics of the panel session will be driven by the fascinating findings from Euromonitor International in the first session of the day.”

WTM Vision Conference – Florence costs 104 Euros before Friday 13 April and 136 Euros thereafter.

To register visit www.wtmlondon.com/florencebookingform.

The conference, in association with TTG Italia, takes place alongside TTG Italia’s Art & Cultural Tourism Fair.

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences is;

April 4: Moscow
April 19: London
May 1: Dubai
May 10: Shanghai
May 18: Florence

Editor | Mar 20, 2012 | Comments 0

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World Travel Market Latin America Launches Hosted Buyer Programme

World Travel Market Latin America, the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry, is delighted to announce its hosted buyer programme for the launch event on 23 – 25 April 2013.

The inaugural event, taking place in São Paulo’s Transamerica Center from 12pm – 8pm across all three days, will have 200 senior buyer hosted by WTM Latin America from both Latin America and overseas.

WTM Latin America will be the first global event for the increasingly important Latin American travel and tourism industry, giving both the outbound and inbound sectors a unique business marketplace to strike deals to fuel the growth of the region.

World Travel Market 2011 in London will generate a massive £1,653 million of business until WTM 2012 for the global travel industry. WTM Latin America will play a similar role in generating business for the region, which will experience a 5.2% rise every year in the number of tourists (including those travelling between countries and into the region) until 2021 when the number of tourists will reach 55,191,000, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The WTM Latin American Hosted Buyer Programme is invite-only for buyers conducting more than US$500,000 worth of business every year.

Hosted buyers will have up to eight appointments each of the three days with exhibitors (on their stands) and will receive benefits worth more than $500 each, including;

1.Access to exclusive lounges

2.Free refreshments

3.Internet access

4.Exclusive meeting rooms

5.Complimentary pack (catalogue, routeplanner)

6.Access to exclusive receptions

7.Discounted access to seminars and conferences during the event

8.Opportunity to attend conferences (WTM Vision) at a 20% discount rate

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Latin America Lawrence Reinisch said: “WTM Latin America will be the event where the global travel and tourism industry conducts its Latin American business deals, of which the Hosted Buyer Programme will play a significant part.

“I am delighted with the Hosted Buyer package we have introduced I believe it will be of great benefit to the buyers, exhibitors and really help to facilitate business for the region.”

Editor | Mar 07, 2012 | Comments 0

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WTM. Means Business: WTM 2011 Leads to More Than £1.6m in Industry deals

World Travel Market 2011, the leading global event for the travel industry, will generate a massive £1,653 million in travel and tourism industry deals – an impressive 16% increase on WTM 2010.

Independent research of World Travel Market’s exhibitors shows WTM 2011 will generate £1,653,729,318 million of deals, either through contracts signed at the event or from negotiations with Meridian Club members which will lead to deals before WTM 2012.

WTM 2010 generated £1,425 million in business deals, either on the exhibition floor or in the 12 months that followed, which was a 25% increase on WTM 2009’s £1,139 million.

The increase in business generated by WTM 2011 can, in part, be accredited to the overhauled Speed Networking session – which allowed exhibitors and buyers even more time to negotiate and conclude deals.

Speed Networking took place as a one hour-long session before the exhibition opened on the first day of WTM 2011 (Monday 7 November). Previously, Speed Networking was in five 45 minute sessions – based around the regions of the exhibition – throughout the first day.

The change increased the amount of time at the event for exhibitors and Meridian Club members could conclude negotiations on the exhibition floor in-turn helping to increase the amount of business generated because of the event

An extra business opportunity was also introduced on the final day of WTM in the shape of the WTM Networking Breakfast, giving exhibitors and Meridian Club members a further event to meet up and discuss business deals.

Furthermore, an impressive 94% of exhibitors are ‘extremely likely’ or ‘likely’ to exhibit at WTM 2012, which takes between Monday 5 – Thursday 8 November.

While, 96% exhibitors feel it is ‘very important’ or ‘important’ to exhibit at WTM and 96% of exhibitors were ‘completely satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ about their most recent time at WTM.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “World Travel Market 2011 has seen, and will lead to, a phenomenal amount of travel and tourism industry business being agreed.

“The expanded Speed Networking programme played an important role in the success of WTM 2011 for both exhibitors and Meridian Club members, offering both stakeholders increased opportunities to meet new contacts, sign contracts and conclude deals.”

“The amount of business conducted and the findings from the exhibitor research shows WTM is delivering on its commitment to facilitate business in the travel and tourism industry.”

Press continued: “I am delighted that the amount of business conducted at World Travel Market continues to increase, firmly positioning WTM as a must-attend exhibition for national and regional tourist boards, global brands and technology companies.

“The amount of business conducted at WTM clearly demonstrated WTM. Means Business.”

Editor | Feb 21, 2012 | Comments 0

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WTM Vision Conference – London Panel Line Up Complete

Senior industry speakers from TUI, easyJet and Expedia to take part in WTM Vision Conference – London

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, has completed its WTM Vision Conference – London high-level executive panel session with senior representation from TUI, easyJet and Expedia.

The panel session, which will conclude the third WTM Vision Conference – London on April 19 at 1 Wimple Street, includes;

* TUI UK Managing Director UK & Ireland David Burling
* easyJet UK Manager Paul Simmons, and
* Expedia UK Managing Director Andy Washington

David first joined Thomson Holidays as a marketing graduate trainee in 1990 and rose quickly through the ranks to be appointed to the board in January 2000, aged just 31.

Prior to becoming UK & Ireland MD in October last year, David held the position of Commercial Director for TUI UK.

Paul has background in the hotel industry as Global Vice President for the InterContinental Brand and Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at The Oberio Group – East India Hotel.

He joined easyJet as Head of Marketing, Product and Distribution before taking over as UK General Manager.

Andy started his career at the Rank Group, delivering many of the market leading domestic holidays offered today, he progressed his career with experience in tour operating, aviation and online retailing with rapid career development at Cosmos, lastminute.com, Thomascook.com and now Expedia.

Andy has been ranked as one of the new Captains Of The Industry by ABTA and was recently named one of the top 101 most influential dot com directors in the UK.

WTM Vision Conference series is a mid-year half-day conference for the industry senior delegates to get the latest research, information and opinions to help them run their businesses.

The report (worth £1,000) will be given FREE to all delegates.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “I am delighted with the senior industry leaders taking part in the WTM Vision Conference – London panel session.

“David Burling, Paul Simmons and Andy Washington have a wealth of experience across all sectors of the industry and will give a valuable insight to the high profile delegates in attendance.”

The full programme of WTM Vision conferences is;

* April 4: Moscow
* April 19: London
* May 1: Dubai
* May 10: Shanghai
* May 18: Florence

Editor | Feb 14, 2012 | Comments 0

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World Travel Market voted UKinbound Industry Event of 2011

World Travel Market 2011 has been voted UK inbound’s Industry Event of the Year at the association’s annual convention Gala Dinner for the second year in succession.

The awards, which took at the association’s annual convention in Belfast last week, were voted by UKinbound members only, with one vote per member company.

World Travel Market triumphed in the Event of the Year category.

WTM 2011 experienced a 5% rise in visitors to more than 28,000 visitors (28,183) compared to 26,908 that attended WTM 2010. The 2011 rise cemented the massive 10% increase in visitors WTM 2010 experienced compared to WTM 2009.

New exhibitors from the UK included tour operator Thomas Cook Sport, tourist attraction the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Visit Guernsey, Windermere Lake Cruises and hotel operator Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.

The first day of World Travel Market 2011 was a resounding success with exhibitor invitations visitors up a massive 14% on WTM 2010.

Furthermore, 204 of the exhibitor invitees buyers and 457 exhibitors took part in the highly successful Speed Networking session, which took place for the first time before the exhibition opened to allow even more time for exhibitors and buyers from WTM Meridian Club to negotiate and conclude deals at WTM 2011.

World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “I am delighted WTM was voted UKinbound’s Event of the Year for the second year in a row.

“WTM 2011 was a great success with 183 new exhibitors and a 5% annual increase in the number of visitors, building firmly on the success of WTM 2010.

“Recognition from the UKinbound’s members – who are some of the event’s key exhibitors and visitors – demonstrates what a great event for the industry WTM 2011 was.”

Editor | Feb 06, 2012 | Comments 0

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Survey Reveals Industry could do more for Responsible and Sustainable Travel

The travel and tourism industry could do more for responsible and sustainable tourism, reveals a survey that took place at World Travel Market 2011 – the leading global event for the travel industry – by exhibitor SustainIt.

As the travel and tourism industry continues to grow there is an increased emphasis on responsible travel. During WTM 2011 Technology and Online Travel exhibitor SustainIt, the leading software and data consultancy that specialise in sustainability performance, surveyed more than 200 WTM participants. This was to understand the industry’s experiences of sustainability and responsible tourism and work out whether the industry really is engaging in the principles of sustainability.

More than seven out of ten industry professionals including hoteliers, airlines, resorts and tourist attractions believe the travel and tourism industry could do more to reduce poverty and support sustainable local economic development in destination communities. Only 18% of companies questioned have sustainable supply chains and procurement policies in place.

An increasing number of companies offer their customers carbon offsets, but only 26% of companies were looking at their own carbon footprint. Six out of ten industry professionals asked felt their company could do more to promote sustainability overall, with only 29% of employees not knowing if they had an targets or objectives to meet in these areas.

When WTM delegates were asked to identify the key responsible tourism issue for 2012, the survey ranked ‘Increasing employee and customer engagement in sustainability’ as the top issue. With only 29% of respondents believing their company is doing enough to promote sustainability and responsible travel/tourism to its employees and customers.

These two statistics coincide to unveil that the industry is informed and aware of sustainability on one hand but has a lack of employee and customer engagement on the other hand.

Sustain IT Managing Director Charlie Stockford explains: “Our survey shows that whilst there is increasing activity and concern around sustainable and responsible travel and tourism within the trade, many employees are not aware of what their own company is trying to achieve and therefore are unable to share it with their customers.

We really hope that 2012 is a year where businesses start communicating and engaging far more with their employees about their sustainability and responsible travel programmes and that those companies who are just starting out realise the real positive impact a good sustainability programme can make to both their profitability and to the future of our planet.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market and pioneer of responsible tourism Fiona Jeffery expressed that the key observations revealed are ultimately the key reasons why WTM World Responsible Tourism Day – an international day of action dedicated to help protect the world – was formed.

“Travel companies, destinations and professionals worldwide recognise that responsible tourism offers a valuable and exciting new dimension to travel and tourism. With this in mind, one of the key objectives of WTM WRTD is to help drive change by educating more responsible behaviour with the travel and tourism industry and travelling public.”

This year WTM World Responsible Tourism Day will take place on Wednesday 7 November at WTM, ExCeL London. For further information please visit www.wtmlondon.com or www.wtmwrtd.com

Editor | Jan 17, 2012 | Comments 0

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Fiona Jeffery awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours List

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Queen Elizabeth’s II New Year’s Honours list.

Jeffery’s award of the OBE is for her services to the travel and tourism industry during her 26 years at WTM, the leading global event for the travel industry.

She joined the marketing department of Reed Exhibitions in 1986 and became Group Marketing Manager in 1988, before being promoted to Marketing Director in 1991.

In 1992, Jeffery helped launch Arabian Travel Market before becoming WTM Exhibition Director and then assumed the same role for British Travel Trade Fair in 1996.

In 2000, she was appointed WTM Managing Director before assuming her current role of WTM Chairman in 2008.

Throughout her time in the industry, Jeffery has championed responsible travel, creating an international environmental initiative in 1996 before launching World Responsible Tourism Day in 2007.

The 2011 New Year’s Honours list was chosen based on the UK’s Prime Minister David Cameroon Big Society initiative, which is focused on people making a real difference to communities through volunteering, fundraising, social action and philanthropy.

In 1998, Jeffery launched travel industry water aid charity Just a Drop which aims to reduce child mortality caused by unsafe water. The charity has undertaken more than 92 water aid projects and helped more than 1.5 million children and their families in 29 countries.

“I was genuinely stunned but it’s a great honour and I’ve received lots of wonderful emails and texts over the last week,” Jeffery said. “The best thing is being able to share it with so many colleagues both at Reed Exhibitions and within the travel Industry who have all played their part over the last 26 years in making World Travel Market what it is today and also the many people who have also latterly helped support and grow Just a Drop.

“The joy others have taken for the award has been particularly nice to see and given me the greatest of pleasure. My sincere thanks go to colleagues and those in the industry who have worked with and supported me over the years.”

Fiona is a trustee of the charity The Travel Foundation and she received the Shine Woman of the Year Award in 2008.

Editor | Jan 10, 2012 | Comments 0

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Business Travellers Have Power Over Corporate Policy

Unmanaged business travel could become the norm over the next five years as businesses find it increasingly easy to get better deals online, according to a panel of experts at this week’s World Travel Market Meridian Club Think Tank.

A dozen senior corporate travel executives, representing all sectors of the industry, attended the ‘Chatham House’ rules event, meaning all comments made are reported anonymously and unattributable not only to an individual but also the organisation they represent.

A number of topics were covered, many of which looked beyond the current economic crisis and considered the medium term future for business travel. The comment that unmanaged business travel would become prevalent over the next five years came as part of the discussion about technology.

Unmanaged business travel would allow corporate travellers to book trips within a defined budget, rather than restrict them to using preferred suppliers. One delegate observed that the federal government in the US was starting to adopt this approach with others agreeing many blue-chip organizations were looking into this.

Meridian Club member guests agreed travellers have so much choice and access to fares that it is unrealistic to restrict their choice. Furthermore, negotiated corporate rates for hotels, cars and airlines were often more expensive than the spot rates available online.

However, it was felt travel budgets could increase as a result, as business travellers would be tempted to spend the maximum permitted and fund any overspend themselves in return for a better on-the-road experience.

Social media within a corporate travel context was also raised, with the consensus being that it was more useful for aggregating data rather than for sales or marketing.

Concerns were raised about how business travellers were using social media. Guests knew of businesses disciplining staff for comments made on social media about suppliers. An “IT policy,” which outlined how staff could engage with social media as part of their employment contract, could address this issue, although some felt that potential employees might consider this as too invasive into their personal life.

Away from technology, many guests were critical of the government’s steadfast refusal to rethink APD, arguing that the net result of the tax was negative in the long-run by impacting the competitiveness of UK plc. Coupled with ongoing concerns about airport capacity and poor internal transport infrastructure, many guests knew of big multinationals which had or were planning to quit the UK, with the Netherlands emerging as the relocation destination of choice.

With 2012 shaping up to be even more challenging, one supplier told peers to hold their nerve and not price themselves out of what little profit there is. Adding value through service delivery and product innovations would help maintain current price levels.

The Meridian Club Think Tank took place at Altitude London, Milbank Tower, London on Wednesday 7 December.

Editor | Dec 10, 2011 | Comments 0

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Reed Travel Exhibitions launches World Travel Market Latin America

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), the leading provider of events in the global travel and tourism industry, is delighted to announce the launch of World Travel Market Latin America – the first global event for this increasingly important region for travel and tourism.

The first World Travel Market Latin America will take place in São Paulo in April 2013. RTE is working with the Brazilian tourist board EMBRATUR over a hosted buyers programme for WTM Latin America.

The event is targeted at the booming Brazilian and Latin American travel and tourism industry. Latin America will attract 33,127,000 tourists (including those travelling between countries and into the region) in 2011 rising by 5.2% a year to 55,191,000 in 2021, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

This increase in visitors sees Latin America top the table of percentage increase in tourists spending over the next 10 years rising 7.5% over the period to $70.8 billion in 2021.

RTE Managing Director Richard Mortimore said: “Reed Travel Exhibitions is launching World Travel Market Latin America at an exciting time for the Brazilian and wider Latin American travel industry.

“WTM Latin America gives the Latin American internal and outbound travel industry the perfect shop window to heighten its already growing profile in the global tourism industry.

“It will be region’s only global marketplace to conduct business, negotiate deals and sign the contracts which will see it grow to one of the most important regions in the tourism industry.”

The launch of WTM Latin America has received unequivocal support from the continent’s travel and tourism industry, including national and regional tourist boards and leadings hotel chains.

Caio Carvalho, President of São Paulo tourist board SPTuris said: “It is a pleasure to welcome WTM Latin America to São Paulo, largest market in South America, foremost destination in Brazil and one of the 2014 World Cup host cities, in 2013.”

The former president of EMBRATUR (1994/2002) and subsequently Minister of Sports, Leisure and Tourism (2002), added: “We are sure that the event will be an absolute success, with the creation of much new business; with visitors being surprised by the cultural environment, the variety and quality of gastronomy and the diversity of attractions offered by São Paulo.”

Ronald Ázaro, President of Turisrio (tourist board for Rio de Janeiro) added:

“Rio de Janeiro is blessed with an enormous variety of landscapes – Beaches, Islands, Atlantic Rain Forest very close to beautiful mountain resort towns and also Rio, one of the most glamorous metropolises in the world.”

“WTM Latin America will help the State of Rio de Janeiro – already well known for its Leisure Tourism – to strengthen its MICE segment. Congresses, Incentives, Conventions and Corporate Meetings, Technical Visits are segments where the world expertise of RTE will certainly make the difference.”

São Paulo Convention Visitors Bureau (SPCVB) Executive Director Toni Sandro said: “Another great event is arriving in the city of São Paulo. São Paulo has the privilege to welcome, for the first time, the most important international event in the world for travel and tourism. Thousands of visitors will have the opportunity to sample the cultural and leisure attractions of the Latin American business capital.”

Hoteis Othon Commercial Director Tomas Ramos added: “Othon Hotels, the most traditional Brazilian chain of hotels, is pleasantly surprised with the news of the launching of WTM Latin America.

“We consider it a great opportunity to see the Brazilian and Latin American hotels promoted in an international-ranking event, in the city that offers the best air connections to all Latin America and the world.”

Furthermore, WTM Latin America is also backed by states focusing on responsible travel.

The State of Mato Grosso do Sul is located in the heart of Brazil and focuses on environmentally-friendly small tours to its natural resources of swamps, lowlands and rivers.

Nilde Brun, past President of FORNATUR the Brazilian State Tourism Secretary Forum and President of Fundtur (Secretary of Tourism) of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul said: “We believe the experience of Reed Travel Exhibitions in putting together selected exhibitors and buyers that work within this concept will add to the actions that we look for as productive alternatives, focused on environment preservation and sustainability”.

Negotiations between RTE and ABAV for RTE to continue to organise Fairs of the Americas – ABAV under a management contract are ongoing.

Editor | Nov 23, 2011 | Comments 0

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WTM 2011 Experiences 5% Increase in Visitors

World Travel Market 2011, the leading global event for the travel industry, experienced an impressive 5% increase in visitors compared to the previous event.

More than 28,000 visitors (28,183) attended WTM 2011 compared to 26,908 that attended WTM 2010, reveals unaudited figures.

The 2011 rise cements the massive 10% increase in visitors WTM 2010 experienced compared to WTM 2009.

The first day of World Travel Market 2011 was a resounding success with exhibitor invitations visitors up a massive 14% on WTM 2010.

The Monday of WTM is an Exhibitor Invite-only day with the aim of allowing exhibitors to hold discussions and negotiations with those people that they want to conduct business with.

The first day of WTM 2011 saw 7,614 Exhibitor Invitations visitors attend.

Also, 29 luxury travel buyers had pre-scheduled business appointments with 37 luxury travel brands in the session – A Taste of ILTM at WTM. It is the first time WTM has hosted a pre-scheduled appointment session.

Total attendance on the first day at WTM 2011 was 8% up on WTM 2010 with almost 23,000 (22,913) participants, with a 19% rise in buyers and exhibitors 4% higher than at WTM 2010, the raw data reveals.

Overall WTM 2011 attracted 47,776 participants compared to 47,719 in 2010.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “I am delighted with the attendance figures for WTM 2011. To cement last year’s 10% visitor increase with a further 5% rise is a great result.

“Most important is the record number attending the first day of WTM 2011 under the Exhibitor Invitations policy. The 14% increase in Exhibitor Invitees on the Monday of WTM 2011 and the success of the WTM Speed Networking sets the event up to conduct a record amount of business.”

WTM 2010 generated a record £1,425 million in industry deals up 25% on the 2009 figure of £1,139 million.

Full ABC audited attendance figures for WTM 2011 will be available shortly.

Editor | Nov 18, 2011 | Comments 0

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Annamaria Ruffini winning WTM Global Award

Annamaria Ruffini, Founder and President of both the Rome-based event agency Events In & Out and of Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Wins WTM Global Award

Annamaria Ruffini, founder and president of both the Rome-based event agency Events In & Out and of Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of her work in the development of sustainable practices for the global meetings and incentive industry.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Annamaria at WTM VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have made a great contribution to their region’s travel and tourism industry. Annamaria was nominated by L’Agenzia di Viaggi, Italy. Its publisher, Cristina Ambrosini, jointly presented the award with Jeffery, the Right Honorable Jeremy Hunt, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and James Cracknell, OBE.
Annamaria founded Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council last year – the first to be formed outside of the United States – and it is already starting to make a difference.
She has become one of Italy’s best known organisers of meetings and incentive events and wholeheartedly believes in the creation and development of meetings and incentive events which demonstrate respect for nature and people.

Annamaria is also among the few to be awarded the prestige status of CMP or Certified Meeting Professional in Italy. Recently, she was also appointed president of Italy’s SITE, the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives, dedicated to helping advance the meetings and incentive sector.

“We applaud Annamaria and her tireless work in championing the environmental message within the meetings and incentive market,” Jeffery said. “For our environmental goals to be truly achieved they must permeate through all sectors of the industry and it is only through people like Annamaria that that can happen.”

Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: The Travel Corporation Canada, Butlin’s, Renaissance Moscow Hotel, WILD Guanabana, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, chairperson of India’s Lalit Group, Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts, Spain’s public rail network RENFE, Caio Luis de Carvalho, president of Sao Paulo Tourism and Sandals Foundation.

Editor | Nov 17, 2011 | Comments 0

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New UNWTO & ATM Forum to support highly successful UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit

The highly-successful UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit is to have a sister event in 2012 – the UNWTO and ATM Forum which will take place at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market 2011, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the fifth consecutive edition of the unique event for the world’s tourism ministers to discuss the state of the industry and agree on common strategies to address on-going challenges.

It is now a firm fixture on the tourism ministers’ calendar with up to 200 ministers and senior aides attended the 2011 UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit discussing issues such as the impact of fiscal consolidation on tourism in Europe or the future of travel in the Middle East and North Africa..

The UNWTO & ATM Forum at Arabian Travel Market on Monday 30th April 2012, will play a similar role in bring together the leaders of the region for the increasingly important Middle Eastern travel and tourism industry.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Group Exhibition Director Arabian Travel Market Mark Walsh said: “The growth in tourism arrivals since the turn of the century means a forum of this kind is essential for both tourism ministers and private sector to discuss future possibilities. As the premier travel trade exhibition for the region ATM is the only place to host such an event.”

The Middle East has been one of the fastest growing tourism regions this last decade. International tourist arrivals grew from 24 million in 2000 to more than 60 million in 2010, generating as much as US $50 billion in export earnings for the destinations in the region.

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said: “The Middle East has been the region with the fastest growth during the last decade and in spite of current challenges prospects continue very positive in the long term, as shown by the new UNWTO forecast Tourism Towards 2030 as well as by the projects of infrastructure, airline expansion and hotel capacity in the pipeline for the region”

The conclusions from the UNWTO & ATM event on The Future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa, taking place at World Travel Market on Wednesday 9 November at 11am will set the agenda for the first UNWTO & ATM forum next May.

High-profile speakers at the event at WTM include:

Mr. Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour, Minister of Tourism of Egypt

Mr. Ahmed A. Al-Nuaimi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority

Mr. Mehdi Houas, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia

Mr. Guy Crawford, Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah Group Dubai

Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice President, International & Public Affairs, Etihad Airways

Mr. Tony Hopkins, UK Customer Director, Thomas Cook

Mr. Ghassan Aridi, Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Tours Dubai Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO

RTE representatives will be Simon Press Exhibition Director World Travel Market, Lucie James Marketing Manager Arabian Travel Market and Nadège Noblet Regional Account Manager Middle East, North Africa & Hotel Companies Arabian Travel Market

Editor | Nov 13, 2011 | Comments 0

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WTM Vision Series Expands to Russia and China

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is expanding its successful WTM Vision Conference series into Russia and China with WTM Vision – Moscow and WTM Vision -Shanghai.

WTM Vision launched in London in 2009 as a half-day mid-year conference offering senior delegates the latest information, research and opinion to help them run their travel businesses.

The successful London event was repeated in 2010. This year the London Vision conference was part of an expanded programme which took in Europe, with WTM Vision – Milan, and the Middle East, with WTM Vision – Dubai, at fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions event Arabian Travel Market.

2012 will see the WTM Vision series expand into Russia and China, two of the most important travel and tourism markets.

WTM Vision – Moscow, organised with Travel Media publisher of TTG Russia and TTG Luxury (to be launched in March 2012), will take place in the Russian capital on 19 March in The Ritz Carlton, Moscow. It will focus on growing sector of luxury tourism in the Russian travel market.

According to the UNWTO, Russia has the 9th largest outbound tourism market in terms of expenditure and it is increasing annually by 14%, which is why Europe’s largest travel companies including – TUI and Thomas Cook – have entered the market in the past 18 months.

WTM Vision – Shanghai, organised association with CBN Travel & MICE and World Travel Online, will take place on 10 May at the World Travel Fair in the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.

World Travel & Tourism Council figures show China is the world’s third largest market for outbound tourists spending around US$55 billion in 2010. China also received 56 million international tourists in 2010 generating US$46 billion.

In September, Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said the Chinese Government would “double its effort in tourism” because of the industry’s link to social economic development.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “The WTM Vision Conference series has been a great success since it was launched in London in 2009.

“The industry has shown a great demand for mid-year information, research, analysis and opinion to help shape business strategies.

“Russia is an obvious country for further expansion as its travel and tourism is one of the fastest growing in the world with a number of Europe’s biggest players starting to take an interest in the market.

“China is another obvious destination for the WTM Vision series, it is already one of the most important outbound and inbound tourism markets. The government has recently reaffirmed its 2009 commitment to tourism being a ‘strategic pillar’ of its policy. This policy and commitment to tourism was lauded at last year’s UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit.”

Editor | Nov 11, 2011 | Comments 0

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Travel industry calls for governments’ backing to help fight global poverty

Delegates attending the opening of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day were told that governments need to do more to help the travel and tourism industry maximise its power to help the poorest people on the planet.

Fiona Jeffery, Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market, told the 500 senior travel executives attending the Official Opening: “Travel and tourism, supported by governments, must strengthen their efforts; more need to actively get involved, not just pay lip service to something which is now deemed fashionable.”

But she also acknowledged that “companies need to balance profit against the values and principles of prudent corporate social responsibility”.

Malnutrition, poverty and a lack of clean drinking water form a vicious circle, in which children who survive their early years are denied the chance to educate themselves out of deprivation as a result of continued poverty and family needs.

“The [travel and tourism] industry is perhaps better placed than most to make a vital contribution in the fight against these complex issues,” Jeffery said.

The discussions scheduled for WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Day’s programme across three days would touch on “painful stuff” and that there was “no place for the niceties of life, for patting ourselves on the back.”

The keynote speaker is Leo Hickman, author of ‘The Final Call,’ a controversial book which is critical of the global travel and tourism industry’s social, economic and environental footprint.

“There is some good that comes out of tourism, but what I discovered is that this ‘good’ is sadly a rare commodity”, explained Hickman. “Tourism is a very lop-sided deal in its current form whereby the buyers— the tourists—get by far a better deal than the sellers—the people living in the destinations.”

He is interviewed by BBC World’s Stephen Sackur at 12.00 on Wednesday 9 November at Platinum Suite 3 and 4, ExCeL London in the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day HOTseat session.

Other confirmed speakers include Harriett Lamb, executive director of The Fairtrade Foundation and Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO.

Jeffery concluded: “Travel and tourism needs to face up to enormous challenges, and that means taking our responsibilities seriously as well as focusing on building successful businesses.”

Editor | Nov 09, 2011 | Comments 0

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London tours by the homeless and luxury safari company – joint winners at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2011

12pm, London, 9 November 2011 – A luxury safari company – Robin Pope Safaris, and a social enterprise operating walking tours of London by the homeless – Sockmob Events/Unseen Tours, are the joint winners of this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.

At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), ExCel, London, as part of World Responsible Tourism Day, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, in their fifth year as headline sponsor of the Awards.

The Judges said:

“This year the Judges wanted to Award two joint overall winners to recognise both long term excellence, and bold innovative new ideas. Robin Pope Safaris’ 20 year record of remarkable work with local communities in Zambia is a standard for tourism organisations to aspire to. At the same time, Sock Mob Events/Unseen Tours offers a glimpse of new perspectives for the future. The Judges feel the combination of proven and new, Africa and London, demonstrate the breadth of achievement in responsible tourism.”

An additional 13 awards were presented in a range of categories, which included Best for poverty reduction, Best volunteering organisation, Best in responsible writing and Best accommodation for the environment. Each of the winners and highly commended’s details are outlined below.

Justin Francis, founder of The Responsible Tourism Awards and Managing Director, responsibletravel.com, organisers of the Awards said:

“Right now it’s tough times for business – industries the world over are facing difficult questions from a public who want to know if business can be a force for good. Tourism is no exception, and thankfully our winners are on hand with the answers. Where travellers ask for authenticity, our winners are there with genuine experiences. Where destinations ask ‘what’s in it for me’, our winners share the benefits.”

Amanda Wills, Managing Director, Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards said:

“For the fifth year running, Virgin Holidays is honoured to be involved in celebrating the humbling and hugely inspiring winners of these awards. Everyone in the travel industry can and should learn from them and seek ways we can work together to make a meaningful and ongoing commitment to responsible travel. The example set by the winners shows that fairness in travel can be good for us, good for our customers and suppliers, and most of all good for the communities and destinations with which we work.”

This year, travellers can read the winners’ inspiring stories as well as other news and holiday ideas in the world’s first app for green, responsible tourism: r:travel, in association with the South Australian Tourism Commission. Visit www.responsibletravel.com/awards/app (free of charge).

Launched in 2004, the Awards are run in association with partners World Travel Market, Metro Newspaper and Geographical Magazine.

For more information about all the Award Winners and Highly Commended organisations, visit the official Awards website, www.responsibletourismawards.com

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WTM 2011 First Day Visitors Up 14%

The first day of World Travel Market 2011, the leading global event for the travel industry, was a resounding success with exhibitor invitations visitors up a massive 14% on WTM 2010.

The Monday of WTM is an Exhibitor Invite only day with the aim of allowing exhibitors to hold discussions and negotiations with those people that they want to conduct business with.

The first day of WTM 2011 saw more than 7,600 (7,614) Exhibitor Invitations visitors attend, according to unaudited figures.

More than 200 of the exhibitor invitees buyers took part in the highly successful Speed Networking session, which took place for the first time before the exhibition opened to allow even more time for exhibitors and buyers from WTM Meridian Club to negotiate and conclude deals at WTM 2011.

Furthermore, 40 luxury travel buyers had pre-scheduled business appointments with 40 luxury travel brands in the session – A Taste of ILTM at WTM. It is the first time WTM has hosted a pre-scheduled appointment session.

Overall, total attendance on the first day at WTM 2011 was 8% up on WTM 2010 with almost 23,000 (22,913) participants, with exhibitors 4% higher than at WTM 2010 reveals the raw data.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director Simon Press said: “I am delighted with the attendance figures for the day of WTM 2011. World Travel Market is all about exhibitors doing business with WTM Meridian Club buyers. The exhibitor invitation policy for the day of WTM was introduced to allow exhibitors to negotiate business deals with those people they want to sign contracts with.

“The Speed Networking session was the largest ever with more than 200 buyers taking part, setting up a highly successful day and WTM 2011.”

Furthermore, WTM 2011 was ‘trending’ on leading social media site Twitter on Monday 7 November. Amongst UK Twitter users WTM 2011 was the third most talked about subject.

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The Sandals Foundation Wins Prestigious World Travel Market Global Award

The Sandals Foundation has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of the work it undertakes as the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Wayne Cummings, Director of Business Process and Administration Chief Executive, Sandals Resorts International, at today’s (Monday 7 November) WTM VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. The Sandals Foundation was nominated by Travel Weekly USA. Its Editor in Chief, Arnie Weissmann, jointly presented the award with Jeffery.

The Sandals Foundation represents the culmination of three decades of dedication to the Caribbean by Sandals and brings to life the hotel operator’s belief that being good neighbours and citizens is a non-negotiable duty. The Sandals Foundation invests in sustainable projects in education, the environment and communities and aims to preserve and protect the beauty of the Caribbean. It receives countless requests for help from across the islands and seeks to do everything it can to respond to as many as possible. The Sandals Foundation allows both the company and its staff to do more to achieve what needs to be done on the islands.

Jeffery said: “The Sandals Foundation is an impressive medium, allowing the company to give back to the communities that have supported it. Its ability to harness the passion, energy and skills of its staff on behalf of others is second to none.”

Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Butlin’s, the Renaissance Moscow Hotel, the Middle East’s WILD Guanabana, India-based The Lalit Group, Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts, Spain’s RENFE, Sao Paulo Turismo and The Travel Corporation Canada.

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Fun and games are the future for online travel marketing

The global travel industry will benefit from interest in online and social network-based games, reveals the WTM Global Trends Report 2011, released today (Monday 7 November) at World Travel Market.

The study, in association with Euromonitor International, states gamification – the integration of gaming dynamics into non-gaming environments – will spread from the entertainment sector to the travel industry.

It is no surprise that the 18-34-year-olds are the age group which travel companies are most likely to attract by adding a gaming element to their online and mobile presence. Sectors with an older customer base could also benefit.

Travel companies first took to the trend in 2010, with the Australia Tourism Board – www.nothinglikeaustralia.com – and Lufthansa – www.lufthansawefly.com – offering prizes to encourage travellers to share photos and experiences.

This year, Tourism Ireland launched a social gaming initiative on its Facebook page. Ireland Town encourages users to explore the country’s attractions and complete activities based around the country’s tourism offer with trips to Ireland as the prize.

“Tourism Ireland has a fan base of nearly half a million, and each of those fans has an average of 130 friends,” Mark Henry, Director of Central Marketing, Tourism Ireland said. “We can potentially engage with more than 62m people around the world through our Ireland Town game.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “The role of technology within travel and tourism gets even more important every year as the industry looks at new ways to engage with consumers.

“This importance is highlighted at World Travel Market 2011 with the Technology and Online Travel region being 40% larger than last year. The emergence of gamification offers the industry another vehicle to engage with holidaymakers, especially younger holidaymakers who spend their time participating in online and social network-based games.”

Euromonitor International Head of Travel and Tourism Research Caroline Bremner said: “Gamification is the latest battleground in online travel, combining key aspects of loyalty and social networking. Together with traditional marketing, gaming will help travel companies to increase brand awareness, in the hope of becoming the next viral sensation”.

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World Travel Market Delegates Expect to Speed Network to new WTM Business Record

Delegates at this year’s World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, are already confident of the business opportunities at WTM 2011 and they could even set a record for the amount of business generated this year. The event started today (Monday 7 November) with a Speed Networking session for members of the Meridian Club.

Already, many of those attending are confident they will make the connections needed to maintain and grow their businesses further. It is expected even more business will be done, generating deals worth more than the record amount of the £1,425 million generated either at the event of as a result of conversations started at the event in 2010. The 2010 figure represents a 25% growth £1,139 million generated in 2009.

Speaking at the Speed Networking session, Sme Promotions Chief Executive Adil Qayyum said: “In the Speed Networking we can meet serious people to do business with. Business to business networking should be organised like this and every exhibition should have this sort of system.”

Absolute Travel Luxury Travel Sales Manager Holly Monahan said: “The Speed Networking is a really good opportunity to start making the connections we need to get. If we can fit in a lot of meetings in a short time then it works as in the hall it is half hour slots whereas this is a good way of expediting the networking experience.”

Koolivoo Sales and Marketing Director Chris Mckinley said: “This is the second time we have tried the WTM Speed Networking. Last year it worked a treat and we picked up four new clients as a result. We picked up our first Indian client, which was a target market for us to break into.

“What I particularly like about WTM is the global nature of who turns up. In any sector, new business opportunities have to be pursued and WTM opens us up to the world. The event is well organised, and because the event takes place on the opening day there is time for the follow-up meetings. “

World Tours Gruppespesialisten Director for Sales and Marketing Hanne Marit Schultz said: “We actually just started our company one month ago so we are looking for good agents to work with. We’re hoping to see a lot of different people.”

Travelpass International Managing Director Barry Sims said: “The quality of the people we meet is obviously the primary concern and this allows us to see a lot of people in a very short amount of time.”

Travel Managers Managing Partner Chijindu Okoronkwo said: “We visited and exhibited last year and decided to try the speed networking because of a specific interest in tours and technology.”

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Chinese Tourists to Overhaul Global Travel Industry

The continued growth in Chinese outbound and domestic travel will change the global hospitality industry for ever, reveals the WTM Global Trends Report 2011 released today (Monday 7 November) at World Travel Market

The report, produced in association with Euromonitor International, said that the Chinese would spend $57bn on accommodation this year, third in the world behind the US and Germany. By 2015, the Chinese will be number two, with their spend up 17% to $67bn.

The WTM Global Trends Report 2011 says some global hotel chains are partnering with Chinese businesses to get a foothold in the domestic market, while others are customising their offer to cater to Chinese tastes. “Companies will use their experience in the Chinese domestic market to feed best practices back to properties abroad in key destinations for Chinese travellers,” the report states.

Spanish hotel giants Sol Melia and NH Hoteles have both taken the partnership approach. Sol Melia has partnered with Jin Jiang Hotels to share best practice. Chinese travel group HNA bought 20% of NH Hoteles to help the Spanish chain enter the Chinese market.

Starwood has a pipeline of 100 hotels under development in China, and in 2010 Chinese membership of its Preferred Guest loyalty scheme was the company’s second largest globally.

Hilton Worldwide has launched Hilton Huanying, meaning “welcome” in Chinese, which ensures that its service is tailored to Chinese guests when travelling abroad; reception staff are fluent in Mandarin; the in-room entertainment includes a wide range of Chinese TV channels and breakfast caters for Chinese tastes.

InterContinental will launch a dedicated upscale Chinese brand by 2013. Its Holiday Inn Express brand in China has been renamed and translates as “Smart Choice”

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “The importance of the Chinese market has been known for some time, but we are now starting to see how their desire to travel – domestically and internationally – will reshape the business, with hotels at the forefront of these changes.”

Carline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research, Euromonitor International, said: “Hotels are applying various strategies to learn more about the Chinese consumer and feed that insight into their global network. With 62 million outbound trips forecast by 2015, hotels that cater to Chinese tastes will stand out from the crowd.”

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World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery uses opening speech to urge Governments to do more

The world’s governments should do more to support the travel and tourism, Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery told the industry today (Monday 7 November).

Speaking at the World Travel Market VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony, Jeffery said the industry provided more than 235 million jobs last year, representing 8 per cent of international employment. She also highlighted its potential for further growth with international tourist arrivals forecast to reach 1.8 billion by 2030.

Jeffery also highlighted the damage actively done to the travel and tourism industry by the world’s Governments, citing the UK Government’s planned increase in Air Passenger Duty, the fourth in five years, as well as the US Government’s proposed $25 billion raid on airline passengers in the US.

Jeffery said: “While the underlying trend is one of growth for the travel and tourism industry, Governments around the world have it in their power to make a big difference and ensure their countries are reaping the benefits of this vital trade.

“The industry has gone through some tough times recently and with more on the immediate horizon, we would urge the world’s Governments to start considering the positive changes they can make now, both in the short and long term.”

Jeffery’s words were supported by a World Travel Market poll of the industry which reveals the industry also feels more support from governments are needed.

Almost a quarter of the 1,029 WTM exhibitors and buyers polled, said their government gives the industry no support al all, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report released today. More than half said their government gives the industry limited support.

Jeffery was joined at the VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony by a member of the UK Government, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt as well as a number of other dignitaries including Olympic Rower James Cracknell.

World Travel Market runs until Thursday 10 November. During that time more than 300 expert speakers will appear in 111 seminars, making this year’s WTM the biggest ever. The event’s fifth Ministers’ Summit, organised in association with UNWTO on Tuesday 8 November will again bring together the private and public sectors.

WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on Wednesday 9 November will feature Fairtrade Foundation Executive Director Harriet Lamb, whose work is dedicated to lifting communities out of poverty. Wednesday afternoon will also see a focus on the explosion in growth of the BRICS, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, economies with representatives in government, business and tourism from all five of them meeting.

Meanwhile Thursday 10 November will see the second World Travel Market Business Day held with the aim of giving a helping hand to small and medium-sized businesses.

Jeffery said: “This is our biggest event to date and highlights the breadth and depth of this extraordinary industry. We are confident that everyone attending can look forward to agreeing deals, making new contacts and discovering the latest trends to help them when they go back to their businesses.”

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Social Media more important to the travel industry than search engine Pay-Per-Click advertising

Social media will evolve into the key revenue generating channel for the global travel industry over the next five years at the expense of pay-per-click advertising, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report released today (Monday 7 November).

More than 1,000 buyers from WTM’s Meridian Club and exhibitors took part in the survey, with 80% saying their businesses use social media.

By 2016 half of the travel industry will be using social media as a way of generating revenue and bookings. Currently more than one fifth (22%) use social media as revenue generating tool with a further 27% planning to do so over the next five years.

Interestingly, half of the travel industry using social media does not invest in any PPC advertising on search engines, while a further 20% admit to reducing their spend on search engines such as google and Yahoo! because of social media.

The findings shows a sea-change in the marketing spend of the travel and tourism industry. Since the internet became such a major booking channel in the late 1990s travel companies have been paying every increasing amounts of money to secure top position in the paid for listing of the search engines.

Looking ahead over the next five years, nearly half (47%) the total sample said that social media would become more important than PPC, with 37% saying that social media will grow but remain behind PPC in importance.

Only 15% thought social media had in fact reached a tipping point will be less popular in 2016 than it is today.

When asked to rank five different marketing channels, social media came out top for today and for 2016, gaining strength during the timeframe. Currently, blogs/ consumer reviews are more important than mobile, although these will swap places and strengthen by 2016. Pay per click and video are fourth and fifth this year and will keep the same positions for 2016, with both categories becoming weaker.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “A successful search engine strategy has long been central to the commercial success of any travel retailer.

“The World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report’s findings demonstrate a real shift in the marketing spend of the travel industry, away from the perceived expensive PPC adverting to engaging with customers through social media.”

“It is evident that social media is a business critical platform, and while PPC will have a smaller role to play for some businesses in 2016, it is not going away.”

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World’s third largest industry has potential to grow

One in four senior travel executives from around the globe claim their government is not doing enough to help tourism, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report 2011 released at WTM today (Monday 7 November).

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, polled more than 1,000 buyer members from the WTM Meridian Club and exhibitors at this year’s event about a number of issues affecting the tourism industry. The report offers a truly global perspective from industry leaders.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, supporting more than 258 million jobs worldwide and generating some 9.1% in global Gross Domestic product, according to the World Travel &Tourism Council

Despite tourism’s importance to the global economy, more than half the sample (55%) said their government only supported tourism “to a limited extent”. However, the balance is polarised between the 22% who said their government was greatly behind tourism and 24% who said there was no support at all.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “The UNWTO Ministers Summit at WTM will do everything possible to persuade governments that investing in their tourism industry is a proven catalyst for economic growth, jobs and social mobility.”

Nearly two hundred ministers and aides have confirmed their attendance at this year’s Summit. It is the fifth time that WTM has hosted what is the only event of its type among the global travel event calendar.

The World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report also found that many senior travel bosses were concerned about government-imposed levels of taxation, while its poll of British holidaymakers found taxes are having a profound impact on holiday choices. Over the past year, many city authorities have added local tourism taxes on top of government charges, increasing costs for domestic and international visitors alike.

“APD is the most obvious example of how the British government is not helping tourism, although VAT on accommodation and eating out is also an issue in the UK,” Jeffery added. “Australia’s proposed carbon tax could have the same damaging effect on another top-ten destination. City taxes such as those in New York or Florence are potentially damaging too.”

However, Jeffery was able to refer to other countries where tourism was backed at the highest level. “At last year’s UNWTO Ministers’ Summit, China was heralded for its government’s commitment to helping inbound and outbound tourism. Mexico, Italy and Argentina also received plaudits for the positive approach their governments have to tourism.”

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Brits realise the need to switch off

Half OF UK holidaymakers are ignoring their smartphone while away, according to the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report, released today.

More than 1,000 Brits who had taken a holiday of at least seven days holiday were polled for the survey, of which 52% said that they did not use their smartphone.

Roaming charges were the main reason for not using phones overseas, despite attempts by mobile network providers to market international deals and offers.

However, a further 39% said that smartphones were ignored “because there are alternative things to fill my time”.

There is a hardcore of travellers who take their UK phone use patterns overseas. Despite the roaming charges, a significant minority said that they accessed apps (16%), browsed the web generally (15%) or even posted directly onto social media sites (12%).

The mobile industry should also be aware the market for new phones is not a widespread as thought, with only one-third (37%) of the total sample having bought a new smartphone or mobile device over the past twelve months. One in five said their current device does not access the web.

Furthermore, the travel industry needs to reassess whether consumers’ current interest in mobile is as great as imagined. Only 14% accessed travel websites via their mobiles while researching their 2011 break, with 3% only making a booking. Only 9% said they would consider booking their break next year via their phone.

Over the medium term, there is the possibility for significant growth. Nearly three in ten (28%) said that they would considering booking from a phone, although this still leaves more than seven out of ten with no interest in transacting this way.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said; “The findings about mobile are similar to our revelations about social media. Mobile is not as prevalent as imagined, but the potential for growth over the next five years is still strong. And it would be dangerous to ignore the minority of travellers who want to use their smartphones overseas.”

“It is also reassuring that at least half of the UK travellers are deciding their holidays should be free from the temptation to keep in touch with the office and are actively deciding not to check their emails or text friends at home,” Jeffery added.

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Apps Get The Global Seal Of Approval

Half of the travel industry are, or will be, investing in mobile apps, reveals to the World Travel Market Industry Report 2011, released today.

More than 1,000 buyers from WTM’s Meridian Club and exhibitors at this year’s World Travel Market were asked a series of questions, giving a unique global perspective on what senior executives are thinking about travel on a global scale.

Mobile is arguably one of the key trends for the industry now and in the future. Currently only one in ten (11%) of businesses have developed a mobile application, although a further 38% are committed to launching one in the future. Despite the growth of the mobile industry and launch of new devices, many businesses (32%) admitted they hadn’t given any thought to whether apps would be of benefit to their business.

However, nearly one in five (20%) have decided apps would not be part of their strategy.

Businesses with an app or a commitment to launch one identified bookings as the most important feature, with two-thirds (67%) claiming their app will be transactional.

Despite concerns about roaming charges being a headwind for the take-up and use of apps, more than one-third of businesses (39%) said they would use apps to offer real-time in-resort information.

Furthermore, apps are being designed to keep in contact with the customer after they return from their holiday, with 37% planning to use their app as part of the post-holiday follow-up strategy.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: “Mobile apps are part and parcel of most peoples’ everyday lives, and the travel industry’s interest in apps reflects this. The WTM Industry Report suggests that globally, apps will become a key part of how the industry takes bookings, improves the holiday experience and chases repeat custom.”

“As the leading global event for the travel industry, our technology and online travel region has increased by 40% for WTM 2011 AND moved on from booking systems and web sites. Mobile and apps are sufficiently established for specialist providers to be a big part of WTM moving forward.”

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Four Out Of Ten UK People Didn’t Have A Holiday In 2011

Tax increases are pricing people out of the previously sacrosanct holiday

A holiday is no longer a necessity for UK consumers with tax increases pricing them out of travel, reveals research by World Travel Market released today (Monday 7 November).

Almost four out of ten (38%) consumers did not go on a holiday in 2011, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report.

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, had to survey more than 1,600 people to find 1,000 that holidayed – seven days overseas or in the UK – in 2011.

The findings dispel the industry myth that UK consumers see holidaying as a necessity and not a discretionary purchase.

Furthermore, almost six out of ten (59%) had only been on one holiday in 2011, indicating the impact the global financial downturn has had on the UK travel industry.

Almost one third of holidaymakers said they would travel less often due to the increased cost of travelling through taxes, such as Air Passenger Duty which was increased last November and raised £2.1 billion in the 2010/11 financial year.

More than a quarter (26%) saw APD rises as a major issue but would continue to travel but on a lower budget.

Interestingly, 5% of the 1,000 holidaymakers polled said they did not go abroad on holiday for the first time this year due to increased cost of flying, bought on by the increases in Air Passenger Duty.

There are fears the government will announce further APD rises – potentially twice the size of inflation – in its Autumn Forecast Statement on 29 November, so the Treasury can hit it 2016 target of £3.6 billion.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “The global financial downturn has meant UK consumers have had to justify every penny they spend.

“This has had a real impact on the travel industry. Prior to the recession many consumers went on a number of holidays, both home and abroad, a year.

However, many have now reduced their number of holidays or stopped going on holiday at all. This trend alongside the increases in taxes – including Air Passenger Duty – have made it very difficult for the travel industry to entice consumers back to holidaying.”

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St Paul’s Cathedral to demonstrate their hugely popular touch screen multimedia guides and Group Tour System on their stand UKI100 at World Travel Market 2011

In late 2010 St Paul’s Cathedral introduced touch screen multimedia guides and a Group Tour System, both included within the cathedral’s sightseeing admission charge. These were just part of a series of improvements to the visitor experience which has subsequently seen the cathedral win the UKinbound Attraction of The Year Award for 2011.

The multimedia guides are available in eleven languages as well as British Sign Language and a dedicated version for visiting families. These are distributed to all FIT visitors visiting St Paul’s Cathedral as sightseers.

Groups are catered for with the provision of a Group Tour System which allows the guide or group leader to communicate to the group via a microphone and transmitter to each of the group member’s receivers with headphones.

Alternatively, the guide or group leader’s transmitter can be connected to our new multimedia guide, allowing the guide to share their experience and craft their own tour but pick segments out of the recorded tour to supplement it.

St Paul’s Cathedral will be demonstrating the multimedia guide and Group Tour System on their stand, UKI100. All visitors to World Travel Market are invited to visit and view the two pieces of equipment.

St Paul’s Cathedral – UKI100, Hall N1.

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The World’s First Facebook Hotel, Generates 70,000 ‘Likes’ During Season One

This summer, the new Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel announced the launch of their Facebook sharing initiative – a first for the global hotel industry. The innovative hotel and live music venue, which forms part of the Fiesta Hotel Group portfolio, first opened its doors in May and since July this year has offered hotel guests and visitors the option of wearing a slim RFID wristband, synchronised to their Facebook profile.

Throughout the hotel, Facebook pillars have been set up where guests can check in, take pictures or post a status, simply by swiping their wristband across a sensor. Swiping in different locations will post different messages directly onto the users Facebook wall, with messages such as “Front stage watching Sasha”, or ‘Hanging out at the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel…Jealous?’

Irene Cano, Sales Director of Facebook Spain quotes; “We are absolutely delighted that Fiesta Hotel Group and more specifically the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel has become the world’s first hotel to launch this Facebook initiative. Summer is a great time for people to be sharing their holiday experiences – when spirits are high, and the results so far have been phenomenal. At Facebook, we are constantly developing our services to find synergies between the virtual and real worlds and we are excited to be collaborating with the holiday experience for the first time.”

Once a guest swipes their band to post something on their wall, other Facebook users can click to see the content and will be redirected to a page where all content is accessible and links to the Ushuaïa website.

Niels Verhoeven, Creative Director of Dorst & Lesser, the Amsterdam based manufacturing company responsible for the technical execution adds; “After the success of the implementation of the Facebook pillars for Renault at the Dutch Autorai 2011, we were honoured to be asked to build the same Facebook fundamentals and take charge of the complete technical implementation for the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel.”

The results for the first season have been impressive and in just over two months, Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel had achieved the following:

• Over 2000 registered users of the new RFID wristbands, of which approximately 90% became facebook ‘fans’ of Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel

• More than 6,000 pictures taken from the columns with a unique share range of approximately 600,000,

• More than 70,000 facebook “likes”

• A unique range in excess of 800,000 people on facebook

Alfonso Giménez, Marketing Director Europe of Fiesta Hotel Group concludes; “This new interactive experience is the first of its kind within the hotel industry and further cements Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel’s objective as setting the benchmark for innovation not only in Spain but also on a worldwide scale. As well as adding a new element of fun for our hotel guests, the facebook campaign also allows us to add value for our commercial partners and provides us with valuable data in terms of our customer profile.”

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Growing Number of Holidaymakers want Environmentally Rated Holidays

One in three holidaymakers believe that holidays should have an environmental rating – much like a star rating, ABTA’s 2011 ABTA Consumer Trends Survey has found. ABTA estimates that this represents over 10 million people taking foreign holidays.

The figure has grown from 29% in 2010 to 33% this year, and is higher amongst women – 38%. Among ‘cosmopolitans’ – a group who take the most number of holidays a year and are early adopters of trends – this rises to nearly half (49%).

The Travelife Sustainability System, a certification scheme for hotels and holiday accommodation is a scheme which not only ranks environmental practices, but considers social practices as equally important. Accommodation providers are able to achieve bronze, silver and gold awards depending on their achievements after a full, independently conducted audit.

Because Travelife is supported by some of the largest tour operators in the world as well as smaller independents, the bronze, silver and gold awards are displayed in accommodation suppliers’ own marketing materials and websites as well as in the tour operator brochures and websites that use them. The awards are also now displayed on the key online selling tool for travel agents – Gazetteers.

Sören Stöber, Travelife’s Business Manager said: “These findings back up research from the same survey that more and more people are expecting holiday companies to be both socially and environmentally responsible. Schemes such as Travelife can now meet the steadily growing demand for sustainably rated holidays. Travelife logos are now being displayed by mainstream travel companies and this is helping consumers to make more informed choices about their holidays.”

Fiona Humphries has recently joined the Travelife team as Travelife Relationship Manager where she will develop the scheme’s sales and marketing offer and manage key stakeholder relationships both with tour operators and destinations.

To date 17,000 properties have registered with Travelife, 1,500 have completed a full third party audit and well over 500 properties have been granted a Travelife award of Bronze, Silver or Gold.

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SECRETARY OF STATE LAUNCHES VISITENGLAND’S 2012 MARKETING CAMPAIGN AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

Today at World Travel Market in London, the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt launches VisitEngland’s 2012 holiday-at-home marketing campaign. The three-year campaign will kick off in February next year with a TV advertisement and is aimed at inspiring Britons to take more short-breaks in England.

The TV campaign will promote a website offering hundreds of holiday promotions offering at least 20.12% off the original price. VisitEngland is working with a range of partners including hotels, attractions and transport providers who have pledged to honour this offer. Those partners who have been confirmed so far include: Hoseasons Group, Bourne Leisure, Superbreak, The Eden Project and The Coach Tourism Council.

The TV ad will run for two months and will reflect the ‘GREAT’ branding launched earlier this year by the Prime Minister.

VisitEngland, Chief Executive James Berresford said:
“We are delighted to be working alongside Government on our holiday-at-home campaign. We are committed to ensuring the full potential of the London 2012 Olympics & Paralympic Games, the Diamond Jubilee, the Torch Relay, the Cultural Olympiad and all the events of 2012 are realised by the tourism sector across the country through the delivery of a joint marketing campaign with industry.”

Ray Jones, Product Development Director at Superbreak said:

“As the UK’s leading short-break operator we are fully supportive of the VisitEngland campaign to promote domestic holidays during 2012 and beyond. Superbreak will be offering consumers outstanding value deals within the campaign all bookable online or via our call centre in York.”

VisitEngland’s research shows an increase in Britons taking breaks at home and enjoying the destination on their doorstep. 85% of respondents to the tourist board’s satisfaction survey described the destination they visited as excellent or good and 86% would recommend it to others. It is essential to use 2012 to reinforce this trend and strengthen the future of tourism, thereby supporting the economy and employment.

The ad campaign will be complemented by a number of partner marketing campaigns over the following three years showcasing England to a domestic audience and highlighting the country’s world-renowned history and heritage; pristine national parks, market and coastal towns and vibrant metropolitan cities. The overall campaign seeks to generate an additional 5.3m short break nights in England and an incremental spend of £480 million by 2015.

In addition to consumer marketing, this campaign will include a dedicated strategy aimed at the travel trade including tour operators, travel agents and group organisers. VisitEngland’s travel trade team will be engaging with this important sector to increase sales of holidays in England and extend awareness of England as a destination – encouraging operators to feature England ahead of competitor countries. Elements of the campaign include the creation of an online toolkit and collateral, training programmes, road-shows, regular newsletters and social media activity.

VisitEngland has recently secured additional funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. This funding will ensure that the national campaign will be amplified at a local level and will support destinations all over the country to grow tourism in their areas and create important job opportunities.

Editor | Nov 08, 2011 | Comments 0

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183 New Exhibitors for WTM 2011

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is proud to announce a total of 183 new exhibitors at the event for WTM 2011.

National tourist boards, destination management companies, technology companies, ground handlers, lodge owners and tour operators are all hosting their own stands for the first time from November 7-10 at ExCeL – London.

The growth has been largely driven by the technology and online travel region which will host 71 exhibitors with their own stands for the first time. The increase is symptomatic of the growth of the importance of technology in the industry. Companies making their débuts cover virtually ever aspect of the online travel world and include 3D interactive travel-guide platform 3^rd Planet, digital agency Fortune Cookie, hotel room recommendation site Room 77, online marketing specialists World Independent Hotels Promotion and tour operator booking systems provider TigerBay Software.

Following the technology region is Europe, with 32 exhibitors making their début. Coming from far and wide across the Continent, they include tourist boards the Latvian Tourism Development Agency and the Crimean Tourism Development Centre, tourist attraction the Istanbul Sapphire Observation Deck, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Spa and luxury hotel chain Aqua Vista Hotels.

Asia offers a total of 27 first-time exhibitors at this year’s World Travel Market all representing the diversity of product available today in the East. Tourist boards include Goa Tourism and Ile de la Reunion Tourisme, group travel specialists Easia Travel, Mongolia adventure specialists Selena Travel and the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group, owners of the first Ayurvedic resort in India Somatheeram.

Meanwhile, the Global Village region will see 16 exhibitors from all parts of the industry appearing for the first time. They include Bournemouth University, Travel Group Marketing, travel and tourism consultancy Tourism Intelligence International, B2B hotel booking service provider Innstant Travel and SurPrice Car Rental.

A further 15 new exhibitors will attend the show in the Africa region highlighting the continued development of African tourism. Those making their débuts include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, newly-formed ground-handling company Albrieux Africa Tours, truck touring specialist Nomad Adventure Tours, destination marketeers the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa and the Savoy Sharm el Sheikh.

The UK is next with a total of 14 exhibitors coming from across the country to make their first appearance at the event. They include tour operator Thomas Cook Sport, tourist attraction the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, tourism office Visit Guernsey, Windermere Lake Cruises and hotel operator Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.

Meanwhile from the Americas and Caribbean, eight new exhibitors are attending the event including the Belize Hotel Association, tour operator Latin America Travel and luxury ecolodge the Pikaia Lodge from the Galapagos.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “World Travel Market is delighted to welcome 183 new exhibitors for WTM 2011. The number of new exhibitors at this year’s event shows the importance of WTM for generating business for exhibitors. WTM 2010 generated a massive £1,425 million in industry deals and research of our Meridian Club buyers reveals they plan to sign contracts equating to even more business this year.”

Editor | Nov 04, 2011 | Comments 0

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Poland Brings its 2012 Football FanCamp to WTM 2011

World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is pleased to welcome the Poland 2012 Football FanCamp to WTM 2011

It will tie in closely with this years focus on Sports Tourism with it being the last WTM before the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Poland 2012 Football FanCamp, in light of the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship being held in Poland, will be a feature not to be missed at this year’s WTM, a Reed Travel Exhibitions event.

The dome covered interactive FanCamp will be located on the exhibition floor at stand EM100.

Discover the history of the European Football Championships, see the authentic championship balls which have been used during official games, and participate in X-box multimedia football events played under the guidance of real X-box masters.

Along with a variety of great prizes to be won.

Each day of the event, Poland are giving visitors the opportunity to see a magnificent spectacle of music and light, titled The Organic Liquid Show – a colorful live multimedia presentation with music performed by Polish artists.

The Sports Tourism programme this year will debate the advantages and disadvantages of hosting such major sporting events as the Euros and Olympic Games providing a great insight for future host countries. The Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism from the Republic of Poland Katarzyna Sobierajska, will also be a headline panelist on the the first sports tourism session on Monday 7 November, 3pm – 4.30pm in Platinum Suite 4 entitled GAME PLAN – A 21st Century Sports Tourism Strategy.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “I am delighted to have the Poland 2012 Football FanCamp. It will be a fantastic addition to the WTM exhibition floor and fits perfectly with the event’s sports tourism theme.”

RepublicofPoland Headof the Polish Tourist Organisation Rafal Szmytke said: “World Travel Market will givePolandan excellent platform to broadcast and tell the world not only about the history of previous European Football Championships but the up and coming UEFA-EURO 2012 championships which are being held inPoland next year.

“Polandis preparing for the Championships and has ensured the relevant infrastructure is in place in the areas where the matches are being played such as modernizing stadiums and City regeneration. We hope to welcome visitors from around the world with our friendly hospitality and we hope they will see that the country has a lot to offer, not just football.

“We look forward to welcoming WTM participants to the ‘Poland 2012- Football FanCamp’ and hope this will be a fun and interesting experience to everyone that visits.”

Editor | Nov 03, 2011 | Comments 0

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Travel and Online Technology region prepares for more visitors and buyers

World Travel Market, the leading event for the global travel industry, reveals that the number of pre-registered visitors interested in technology and online travel for WTM 2011 is already 13% up on the previous year.

With a week to go until the event launches on Monday 7 November, the improvement on last year is likely to increase further.

The Travel and Online Technology (TOT) region is been a key focus for WTM 2011. This year the exhibition floorspace devoted to the region is more than 40% larger than last year.

Significantly, around two-thirds of pre-registered visitors interested in Technology said they were interested in buying technology from exhibitors. This represents a 90% increase on WTM 2010, suggesting TOT exhibitors will be conducting a large amount of business this year.

Overall WTM 2010 generated a massive £1,425 million in industry deals – a 25% increase on 2009’s £1,139 million.

World Travel Market TOT Sales Manager Jo Marshall said: “The interest in this year’s Technology and Online Travel region from pre-registered visitors and potential buyers strengthens WTM’s position as the leading global event for doing business. WTM 2011 really does mean technology!”

New exhibitors include Triometric, e-GDS, Ixaris Systems, Spa Travel, FACT-Finder Travel, TravelSim and Thermeon Worldwide.

The important hospitality sector is represented by IDeaS Revenue Solutions, EZYield, FastBooking, Vertical Booking, RateTiger – eRevMax, Bookassist, Guestline, Xn Hotel Systems, Globekey, hotel.info, RateGain, CRS Bookings, ReviewPro, SiteMinder, ParityRate and TrustYou.

There will be two new pavilions within the TOT section, one dedicated to Mobile Technology, with exhibitors including AppiHolidays, AQ2 and Ecocarrier, the other for New Exhibitiors to the event – including Fortune Cookie, SustainIT Solutions, TigerBay Software, Rezopia and Grupo1000 Lugares – who is also the pavilion’s sponsor.

The focus spreads into the content and seminar programme, where a number of high profile speakers from leading brands will be taking the stage throughout the four-day event. The Tuesday TOT seminar programme has been moved to the larger Platinum Suite rooms to cope with demand.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “I’m delighted with the increase in both Technology and Online Travel exhibitors and those visitors interested in TOT region for WTM 2011.

“The exhibition floor space for TOT has increased by more than 40% with lots of business poised to be conducted in the region at WTM 2011. With almost 50 New Exhibitors there are lots of exhibitors for those buyers interested in technology to do business with.”

Editor | Oct 31, 2011 | Comments 0

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BRICS FUEL TOURISM EXPLOSION

The leading BRICS countries, which are driving a dramatic increase in global tourism, will be in the spotlight at a keynote World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, session.

Stephen Sackur, presenter of BBC World’s flagship news and current affairs programme, HARDtalk will host the panel discussion on Wednesday 9 November.

Senior representatives will be present from government and tourism organisations of all five BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said the BRICS countries represented significant potential for the future, bringing huge economic benefits for markets that are prepared for the new arrivals.

“Given sound political decisions and some good luck, the BRICS economies together could become larger than those of the world’s six most developed countries in less than 40 years,” said Jeffery. “That is why this is such an important session for the future of the international industry.

“Of the current G6, only the US and Japan may be among the six largest economies in US dollar terms in 2050.

“An estimated two billion new middle class consumers are expected to come into the markets from these emerging economies over the next 20 years”, she added.

“However, critics say the industry is simply not preparing ahead sufficiently to maximise the numerous opportunities.”

China outbound travel market is growing by an estimated 20% increase every year. A total of 58 million Chinese travelled outbound last year last year.

The Chinese, for example, has set their sights on the Caribbean — and particularly the region’s tourism business — as a significant investment target. Governments in the region, as well as the private sector, are welcoming them with open arms.

“The Chinese government has already made several substantial direct investments and aims to do more”, said Dr. Adam Wu, Chief Operating Officer of China Business Network.

“There’s no myth to the reasons for the Chinese interest in the Caribbean,” added Wu. “Diplomacy and geopolitics lead to trade and investment.”

A formal invitation was made earlier this year by the BRIC countries for South Africa, as the continent’s leading economy, to join them. It was for this reason that five countries have been invited to be represented at World Travel Market’s forum called ‘Power Talk: Investing in BRICS Tourism’.

“The meeting will investigate how the industry can take advantage of the BRICS economies booming growth with a top-line panel of speakers”, added Jeffery.

Speakers include: Jeanine Pires, Director of Pires & Associates, President of the Tourism and Business Council of FECOMERCIO in Sao Paulo and former President of Embratur, Brazil; Sergey Stanovkin, Director of Dars Consulting, Moscow, Russia and H.E. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa’s Tourism Minister.

World Travel Market’s ‘Power Talk: Investing in BRICS Tourism’, hosted by the BBC’s Stephen Sackur is at 4.00pm on Wednesday 9 November at Platinum Suite 4, ExCeL London.

Editor | Oct 28, 2011 | Comments 0

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