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      FOUR COUNTRIES – FOUR TOURISM CONCEPTS

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      How are Bahrain, Egypt, Croatia and Georgia confronting tomorrow’s challenges and how are these countries’ tourism policies paving the way for the future? That was the topic Monika Jones discussed with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairifa, Egyptian Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa, and Georgian Vice Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishivli on Tuesday at the ITB Berlin Convention. Also taking part was Croatian Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac. The representatives of the four countries presented four effectively different concepts.
      Bahrain, said Fatima Al Sairifa, had successfully implemented the digital transformation and improved networking among actors and external marketing. It had become evident for example that by working with travel bloggers one could target certain visitor segments. The country’s concept for receiving 14 million visitors annually by 2026 comprised three key elements: marketing Bahrain, which consisted of more than 30 islands, as an island destination, a luxury destination and a MICE destination. Al Sairifa pointed to Exhibition World Bahrain which opened last November and where numerous events had already taken place.
      According to Egyptian Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa, his country had made use of digitalisation to make regulating health and safety standards better and more efficient and to ensure all actors had fair access to the market. “We want to make it easy for the private sector to unleash its potential“, said Ahmed Issa. With Egypt expecting record tourist numbers this year and aiming to attract 30 million visitors by 2028, it was important to rapidly and unbureaucratically expand the infrastructure. Thus, steps would be taken to make it easier for private investors to increase room capacity. Tourism products for individual travellers would be expanded too.
      Croatia’s new strategy in particular has sustainable tourism as its goal by 2030. Sustainability was one of the preconditions for obtaining state funding, said Nikolina Brnjac. The country was not aiming to attract mass tourism, the minister said, but instead increasingly emphasising eco, outdoor and health tourism. In tourist hotspots such as Dubrovnik and Split the focus was on better regulation of visitor flows.
      Georgia’s development of the tourism market also increasingly favours eco, nature and rural tourism. In particular, Georgia wants to present itself as the land of infinite hospitality. “Sincere hospitality is part our DNA, for here in Georgia we believe that every guest is a gift of God”, Vice Minister Mariam Kvrivishivli assured the listeners. In Berlin, this year’s host country of ITB is not only showcasing its cultural past, with its unique alphabet and being the first to grow wines, but is also presenting itself as a modern country increasingly oriented towards the West – and which thanks to its hospitality has a record number of tourists who regularly return.ADVERTISEMENT

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      THE MANY SIDES OF MALAYSIA

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      HOW CAN COMPANIES TARGET CUSTOMERS BETTER WITH THEIR ADVERTISING? More

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      THE MANY SIDES OF MALAYSIA

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      At ITB Berlin representatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism symbolically handed over three new brochures to Malaysia’s ambassador to Germany. They present a wide range of attractions for visitors with all kinds of interests:For those in search of city tours Kuala Lumpur is worthwhile, for nature lovers there are lots of sports and adventure activities in fascinating natural surroundings, while sun worshippers can find white sands and thriving marine wildlife at the beaches of this country in southeast Asia.
      This is the fiftieth time Malaysia is taking part in ITB Berlin, reason enough to present three new brochures in German translation. Representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia symbolically handed them over to Dr. Adina binti Kamarudin, Malaysia’s ambassador to Germany in Berlin. Taking as their slogan ’Malaysia – Truly Asia’, the brochures present the wide-ranging attractions awaiting travellers. One brochure is devoted entirely to Kuala Lumpur. In this pulsating metropolis with its shopping malls, museums, parks, restaurants and a flourishing cultural scene, an impressive skyline with some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers awaits travellers.
      Another brochure is devoted to Malaysia’s beaches. In particular, archipelagos such as Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor and Terengganu with their white sands and clear blue waters are an attraction for tourists. Chendor Beach near the coastal town of Cherating is one of the places one can find turtles in the wild. The third brochure is for adventurers: whether trips to mountains, rivers or caves, there are many ways to explore this country’s many-faceted natural attractions. In addition to the new brochures, the presentation also took place of a five-minute image film which conjured an impressive atmosphere. In 2023 Malaysia expects tourism numbers to increase, in particular from Europe. 68 attendees from 40 organisations are represented at this year’s ITB Berlin.

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      MORE THAN PALMS AND PYRAMIDS

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      MORE THAN PALMS AND PYRAMIDS

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      Egypt wants to attract more tourism by expanding flight routes, bed capacity and offering travellers an even better experience. At ITB Berlin Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa outlined his concept for the sector for 25 to 30 per cent growth over the next few years. He would like to focus more on those taking individual tours as well as families. A new campaign targeting mainly 12 European countries aims to portray the country’s wide-ranging attractions.
      With its historical sites, beaches and rich cultural past, Egypt is among Germans’ favourite destinations in North Africa. The country boasts 365 days of sunshine a year and is therefore a magnet for northern Europeans, particularly in winter. Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa would welcome even more visitors in the future. The new campaign focuses on various ways to holiday, with Nile cruises, sports and desert tours on offer, along with beaches and relaxation.
      For Ahmed Issa it is not just about growing tourist numbers. He also wants them to enjoy a better-quality experience. That begins at home with making arrangements and obtaining a visa, continues with arriving at the airport and ends with staying at a holiday destination. He regards the mainly privately owned hotels and tour operators as important partners. The minister sees digitalisation as being a big opportunity too. In Egypt, 90 per cent of tickets to see attractions are now sold online, which makes life a lot easier particularly for those undertaking individual tours.
      Fans of Egypt are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, whose facades are a tribute to the pyramids of Giza. Issa announced the tourist highlight was due to open in late 2023 or early 2024.

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      PRIORITY FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION IN TOURISM

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      USA Basketball Showcase Abu Dhabi set for August

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      USA Basketball has announced an agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
      Under the terms of the deal, the United States will host three games in Abu Dhabi featuring the men’s national teams from the United States, Germany and Greece.
      The USA Basketball Showcase Abu Dhabi represents USA Basketball’s first men’s national team activity in the United Arab Emirates.
      In preparation for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, the United States men’s national team will host Greece and Germany on August 18th and 20th, respectively.
      Germany and Greece are set to play on August 19th.
      “USA Basketball is thrilled to work with DCT Abu Dhabi to bring the USA Basketball Showcase to Abu Dhabi.
      “This is the first time our Men’s national team will play in the UAE and we’re excited to engage with fans from across the globe, while also offering our players and coaches memorable on- and off-court experiences,” said Jim Tooley, chief executive of USA Basketball. ADVERTISEMENT“We are grateful to the national federations of Greece and Germany for their participation as we prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, arguably the toughest international tournament in basketball.”
      Tickets will go on sale this spring, but fans can register for updates by clicking here. 
      Saleh Al Geziry, director general of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “It’s set to be an unforgettable summer in Abu Dhabi and it’s an honour to host the first USA Basketball Showcase in the UAE.
      “We look forward to welcoming players and fans from the USA, Germany and Greece, to cheer on their national teams and to discover a wide range of experiences in Abu Dhabi that inspire, excite and restore.”
      Additional USA Basketball Showcase details, including team rosters, broadcast information and training camp dates, will be announced later.
      More Information
      The United States officially qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup last month.
      One of seven teams set to represent FIBA Americas in the 32-team field, the USA will play all its games in Manila as the tournament is set for August 25th to September 10th, in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
      The World Cup draw is set for April 29th, in Manila.
      For more information, click here.
      The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of the culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
      Find out more on the official website.

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      Domes Resorts to open Domes Noruz Kassandra in Halkidiki

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      READ NOW! Breaking Travel News ITB Berlin 2023 Special Edition – ISSUE 3 More

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      Miral Destinations presents key developments for award-winning destinations

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      Miral Destinations, the trusted one-stop trade and promotional partner for Saadiyat Island and Yas Island Abu Dhabi, is highlighting key developments presented by both award-winning destinations at ITB Berlin, taking place from March 7 – 9. The company presented key trade initiatives for 2023 at the exhibition, along with recent updates on Yas SeaWorld ® Research & Rescue, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi , which has recently opened its doors earlier in February this year.
      Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations said: “We are pleased to participate in yet another edition of ITB Berlin as we continue to provide our guests with best-in-class leisure, tourism and entertainment experiences. We recognize the critical role that travel professionals play in promoting and selling both Yas Island and Saadiyat Island and are committed to working closely with them to create unique and authentic experiences for their clients all over the globe. At this edition of ITB Berlin, we are showcasing a range of products and services designed specifically for travel partners. We look forward to engaging with industry partners and leaders to share ideas and best practices, to explore ways we can work together to reaffirm our commitment to the global tourism industry.”
      Abu Dhabi’s fascinating beach destination Saadiyat Island spans across the Arabian Gulf with its breathtaking views and glittering turquoise waters and is only a short drive away from Abu Dhabi’s downtown area. The island is home to tranquil and idyllic beaches and for the 11th consecutive year, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi has been crowned as the “Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination” by the World Travel Awards, reaffirming its spot as the Middle East’s Best Beach destination.

      Standing as the Middle East’s leading and award-winning beach destination, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi delights guests with inspiring beach experiences, guaranteed to take them on a transformative journey. Guests can expect captivating natural surroundings, pristine white sandy beaches, thriving wildlife and marine life, luxurious resorts, and a vibrant culture and entertainment scene.ADVERTISEMENTNeighboring premier and entertainment hub Yas Island is no stranger to success, with 2022 being a pivotal year for the destination. Yas Island offers year-round offers and packages for visitors from every continent, with the F1 Grand Prix race topping the list for racing fans in Germany and delighting thrill-seekers who flock from all over the world to be part of the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, with this year’s highly anticipated event scheduled from November 24 – 26. The destination also offers a unique lineup of events and world-class performances at the Etihad Arena, which continue to entertain visitors of all ages and interest.
      Yas Island is set to expand its portfolio with the highly anticipated addition of SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which is on track to open in 2023. The next-Marine-Life Theme Park, tells a captivating ‘One Ocean’ story that uncovers the interconnectivity between life on earth and our oceans, inspiring a deep commitment to conserving our planet. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to deliver fun, engaging, and immersive family-friendly experiences through eight uniquely themed realms inspiring entertainment, as well as unmatched dining and shopping experiences, all under one roof.
      Earlier in February, Miral Destinations had announced the opening of Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue, , the first-of-its-kind dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center in the region, serving as an advanced marine science knowledge hub and a key contributor to marine life conservation in the region and beyond.
      Yas Island also offers visitors unique all-inclusive packages such as the ‘Stay & Play’ offering, which will soon include SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, offering travel agents the chance to purchase the packages from Miral Destinations’ booking portal or through their preferred travel partner.

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      Flight cancellations and schedule changes occurred with much shorter notice in 2022 than in 2019

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      Flight cancellations and schedule changes occurred with much shorter notice in 2022 than in 2019

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      Emilie Dumont, Managing Director of Digitrips
      Digitrips has revealed flight cancellations and schedule changes occurred much closer to departure in 2022 than in previous years, highlighting the severe impact of staff shortages and strikes on airlines and airports worldwide.
      The multi-product travel provider, which owns French B2B OTA MisterFly, found that passengers received an average of 39 days’ notice of changes or cancellations in 2022, compared to 54 days in 2019.
      Emilie Dumont, Managing Director of Digitrips, said: “Our figures from MisterFly revealed that the proportion of our travellers who experienced flight cancellations or changes prior to their departure date remained significantly higher in 2022 than pre-Covid – with 40% of our travellers affected, compared to just 25% in 2019.
      “But most importantly, changes and cancellations happened at much shorter notice than before the pandemic. In 2019, passengers were notified on average 54 days prior to departure that their flights had been changed or cancelled. In 2022, that average was just 39 days.
      “This year is likely to be even busier and, with staff shortages and strikes continuing to cause disruption worldwide, we expect the cancellations window to shrink even further. Therefore, the travel industry must act swiftly to adopt technology that can help minimise the impact of these disruptions on travellers. This could include implementing automated rebooking and refund tools, or even AI-powered customer service systems.”ADVERTISEMENT

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      ACTIVELY SHAPING CHANGE IN TOURISM

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      Miral Destinations presents key developments for award-winning destinations More

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      ACTIVELY SHAPING CHANGE IN TOURISM

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      The tourism industry is back and on course worldwide to reach pre-pandemic levels. On Tuesday at the ITB Berlin Convention, Harald Pechlaner, university professor of Tourism from Eichstätt, discussed the challenges currently facing the industry and how to deal with digitalisation, the skills shortage and a much talked-about trend, sustainability.Taking part in the event were Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Alessandra Priante, regional director, Europe, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Sören Hartmann, president of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) and Dr. Eduardo Santander, executive director and CEO of the European Travel Commission (ETC).
      Sören Hartmann (BTW) was of the opinion that the industry’s recovery could not signify business as before. In future, the focus would be on creating values for destinations and travellers alike. It meant travellers would have to get used to paying more for their holidays, while benefiting from more interesting and insightful experiences at their destination. “We need to transform our thinking and sell our products above value, not above price”, Hartmann said.
      “This is not about returning to the past but about now and the future“, said Dr. Eduardo Santander of the ETC. He stressed that it was not about predicting but instead shaping the future. Europe had an important role to play as a coordinator, Santander said. The introduction of the Europe-wide COVID vaccine pass had shown that. It was necessary now to create a platform for more eco-friendlier action – with eco-friendlier aviation fuels, better waste management and a combined energy mix.
      According to Alessandra Priante of the UNWTO, one of the most important challenges now was to strengthen the basic workforce in tourism. “If we lose people we lose the heart and soul of our business“, Priante warned. That was why it was important to build trust among young people, to offer them training and to promote tourism as an industry with good career prospects.
      According to Julia Simpson of the WTTC, another key to making the industry more attractive was presenting tourism’s carbon footprint in rational rather than emotive terms. “Greenhouse gas emissions from using smartphones were the same as air travel worldwide”, Simpson said, adding that the tourism industry’s carbon emissions were at 8.1 per cent. She emphasised that the tourism industry had now succeeded in reducing its carbon footprint and decoupling growth from CO2 emissions. “In many places tourism is a kind of guardian of nature”, Simpson said.ADVERTISEMENT

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      CTO reports promising outlook for the region in 2023

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      Flight cancellations and schedule changes occurred with much shorter notice in 2022 than in 2019 More

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      CTO reports promising outlook for the region in 2023

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      CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan (left) and Acting CTO Secretary General Neil Walters are pictured at today’s press conference in Barbados.
      Despite global pressures such as high inflation, the war in Ukraine, the ensuing energy crisis, and an impending economic recession, the outlook for Caribbean travel and tourism is favorable, according to the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
      Delivering the region’s 2022 “Tourism Performance and Outlook Report” in Bridgetown today, Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO, confirmed that the Caribbean had one of the quickest recovery rates globally in 2022, with 28.3 million registered tourist visits in 2022. This represents 88.6 percent of the visitors who arrived in 2019, which served as the baseline year for typical tourism activity before the pandemic.
      He reported that international travel is expected to contribute to the region’s substantial gains already registered thanks to the robust United States market, which continues to drive the region’s recovery.
      There was an estimated 28.1 percent increase in visitors coming from the U.S. market in 2022. At the end of the year, 14.6 million American tourists visited the region, 3.2 million more than the 11.4 million in 2021.
      Arrivals from the European market increased by 81 percent in 2022 when compared to 2021. The 5.2 million tourists from this market were almost double the 2.8 million in 2021. This represented 18.3 percent of all arrivals in 2022,ADVERTISEMENTDue to travel restrictions in early 2022, the Canadian market has recovered more slowly at 60 percent, while the lack of availability of intra-regional airlift has negatively impacted regional connectivity.
      “Nearly 90 percent of the region’s travel demand for 2019 has already been recovered,” reported Walters, with destinations such as Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands already surpassing their pre-pandemic levels.
      Caribbean destinations can expect this recovery to continue into 2023, albeit at a slower rate, Walters explained, predicting that growth will be uneven among the destinations, with additional countries and territories exceeding their 2019 levels.
      According to STR, the average daily rate at hotels increased by 21.7 percent to US$290.60 in 2022. The revenue per available room surged by 66.4 percent to $176.46, and the number of available rooms (up 4.4 percent) as well as room income (up 73.6 percent) increased. After two challenging years for the aviation industry, global air passenger traffic recovered significantly in 2022.
      It is estimated that visitors to the Caribbean region spent between $36.5 and $37.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 70 to 75 percent compared to 2021.
      It is expected that overall arrivals to the region will increase by between 10 and 15 percent when compared to 2022, with 31.2 to 32.6 million tourists visiting the region this year. The cruise industry is also anticipated to continue recovering and expanding to meet increasing demand, with 32 to 33 million cruise passenger visits expected – a five to 10 percent increase over the pre-COVID baseline figure.
      Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism, Kenneth Bryan, who also serves as the Cayman Islands’ Minister of Tourism and Transport, summarized that in the face of the devastating blows delivered by the pandemic, “as a region, we have responded with hope, strength and the determination to prevail.”
      Minister Bryan reiterated that great strides have been made in Caribbean tourism, a clear indication that the sector is bouncing back, and hopes are high that the robust pace of recovery will continue into 2023 and beyond. “So although we have not yet surpassed 2019’s numbers across the board in every jurisdiction, the needle is certainly moving in the right direction,” he commented.
      The chairman envisioned 2023 as a period of growth and development for the CTO, and he and his team were laser-focused on growing the membership, including countries, territories as well as allied partners. “It is also my intention to strengthen the relationships with other organizations, such as the United Nations World Travel Organization, the World Travel and Tourism Council, and even the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA), to foster greater collaboration,” said Minister Bryan. Consideration is being given to the restructuring of the organization and reforming its strategic vision and direction for the next five years, which includes the appointment of a new Secretary-General, he confirmed.Minister Bryan announced the return of CTO’s Caribbean Week in New York, to be held in “The Big Apple,” from June 5 to 8 this year, and disclosed that his team was committed to addressing the nagging issue of air connectivity, a complex one that has been exacerbated by the reevaluation of airline business structures and the global pilot shortage. “It would be illogical for me to promise a solution to this issue during my tenure as chairman. But what I can and will commit to is getting the players around the table to forensically examine what we need to do as a unified region to improve this scenario and start the ball rolling towards the solution.”

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      Hyatt Hotels Corporation Sees Continued Growth in EAME Markets

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      ACTIVELY SHAPING CHANGE IN TOURISM More