Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Major destinations and source markets across Africa are expected to end 2023 ahead of pre-pandemic values in terms of value, with domestic tourism performing strongly, reveals new research published today.The WTM Global Travel Report, in association with Tourism Economics, is published to mark the opening of this year’s WTM London, the world’s most influential travel and tourism event.
For 2023, the report predicts that African international inbound leisure will be down in volumes but up in value compared with 2019.
This year an estimated 43 million people will visit the continent, a 13% drop on the 49 million guests welcomed in 2019. However, despite the drop in volumes, the value of these trips is 103% ahead of what 2019’s business was worth.
As the report states, “the range of diverse countries has resulted in a varied picture” across the continent, and the inbound return for the three biggest markets illustrates the differences.
Market leader Egypt is slightly ahead, with 2023 at 101% of 2019 in value terms; Morocco “has made a strong recovery” and will end the year 130% ahead of pre-pandemic levels. South Africa is the region’s third largest inbound market and the one taking longest to recover – 2023 will come in at only 71% of 2019.ADVERTISEMENTDomestic tourism for the region in 2023 is positive across the board, with all the top ten domestic markets, other than Nigeria, ahead of 2019 for value. South Africa is the biggest domestic market, and is ahead 104%. Number two Egypt is 111% up; third placed Algeria 134% up with Morocco completing the top five domestic markets, registering a 110% increase. Nigeria, which comes in at number four, is at 93% of 2019.
Next year will see the region build on its post-pandemic recovery although South African inbound will continue to fall short of 2019.  However, the long-term picture for the region’s biggest market is positive. By 2033, the report expects that the value of inbound leisure to South Africa will be 143% ahead of 2024.
It also identifies Mozambique, Mali and Madagascar are high-growth markets, with increases of 161%, 167% and 162% respectively in the value of inbound leisure travel by 2033.
Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director, World Travel Market London, said: “Africa has so much to offer domestic and inbound visitors and its importance as a source market for outbound visitors to other destinations is growing all the time.
“WTM London has always supported the region’s tourism industry, and we’re determined to step up our efforts across the board and to reinforce our message that tourism can be a global force for good, and nowhere is this truer than for Africa.”

Older
Chestertons Global gallops ahead with launch of Chestertons Polo in the Park Dubai

Newer
WTM Global Report: ‘Affordable luxury’ more popular amid ‘promising’ market sentiment More

Visit Portugal is excited to announce its participation, with the largest-ever delegation of 108 Portuguese tourism companies, in the World Travel Market, one of the most influential events in the global tourism industry.
Nuno Fazenda, the Secretary of State for Tourism, stated: “I am very pleased to attend WTM this year, be a witness of the largest Portuguese participation ever in this relevant fair, in the UK, the Portugal’s primary tourism market, with proposals for every British targets. We’re committed with the development and promotion of differentiated tourist experiences, which adds value to the territories and to the tourists, making Portugal more attractive, and fulfilling our objective of growing. We have a strong purpose of welcoming everyone and respecting the differences and stands by the mission of affirming Portugal as one of the most competitive, safe, and sustainable destinations in the world.”
The increased presence of Portuguese companies at WTM reflects the keen interest of Portugal in expanding the business within the UK market, demonstrates the strong bilateral relations between Portugal and the UK and provides an ideal platform for showcasing Portugal’s remarkable appeal as a travel destination.

We highlight the relevance of the UK market that stands as the primary tourism market for Portugal, consistently delivering impressive results, so far. Comparing 2019, from January to August 2023 there is a growth in overnight stays of 5% and 11% in tourism revenues.ADVERTISEMENTAdditionally, visitors from the UK made up the largest share of international overnight stays in Portugal with an increase of over 5%. This remarkable growth cements Portugal’s position as a favourite destination among UK travellers. Furthermore, international airport arrivals also grew by 11% in 2023 vs 2019, while the year-on-year growth (2023 vs 2022) grew by nearly one quarter (24%).

As part of the strategic approach to the tourism industry, Portugal has managed to stand out and reinvent itself, introducing a rich and high-quality range of tourism experiences that encompass wine tourism, nature, cultural heritage, art, literature, architecture, and gastronomy, which are all available year-round across Portugal.

Sustainability and authenticity are also at the forefront of Portugal’s tourism plan, which is committed to funding tourism investment projects, supporting and prioritising investments in technology, infrastructures, and human resources. Portugal is dedicated to promoting tourism to the interior regions of the country, with the goal to achieving year-round tourism across the entire territory, enhancing the quality of life for locals, attracting people to the region, and revitalising kpthe places, traditions, history, and local culture.

Visit Portugal extends a warm invitation to all attendees to visit their stand at WTM 2023, where guests can explore the myriad offerings of Portugal and engage with representatives from a diverse and dynamic tourism industry.

Visit Portugal looks forward to welcoming visitors at Visit Portugal stand N4-200.For more information, please visit: www.visitportugal.com

Older
Increased airlift will cement Barbados as ‘must-see’ destination

Newer
ETIHAD AIRWAYS UNVEILS STUNNING NEW LOUNGES AT ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL’S NEW TERMINAL A More

A new tourism campaign, Andalusian Crush, uses the region’s rich cultural identity to showcase the area to potential future visitors, with a Game of Thrones theme
Andalucía heads to its most important travel fair next week with a clear plan. The region’s stand will open at the World Travel Market in London on Monday to the sound of Andalusian Crush, its striking new tourist promotion campaign.
Images from the Games of Thrones-style campaign will also go outside the ExCel centre, where the fair is held, to reach the general public with advertising in iconic locations such as Leicester Square, Westminster Bridge, Camden Town and Portobello Road.
The Junta de Andalucía’s main goal this year is to attract new tourists and aims to promote the region as an ‘influencer’ destination, with a focus on the so-called Generation Z.
After the new campaign video was released this week, the regional tourism minister Arturo Bernal said on Thursday that their aim at the WTM was to “continue to break moulds”.The objective is to attract new profiles of visitors, putting a focus on young people who will be the tourists of the future, said Bernal.ADVERTISEMENTThe minister added, “The promotion is aimed at people born between 1995 and 2010, who in 66% of cases already make the decision about where their family goes on holiday and in a few years’ time will be customers themselves. We have to take strategic positions with the Generation Z. The new campaign is essential for that,” said the regional minister.
Six million visitsFor this new campaign, the Junta de Andalucía wanted to focus solely on the deepest feelings that the culture of Andalucía evokes in visitors, rather than landscapes.
The theme of the one-minute video dubbed ‘Andalusian Crush’, refers to the inner impact a culture so rich leaves behind in its visitors. Its message is that no one remains the same after experiencing this destination, as warned at the beginning of the video by the voice of actor Peter Dinklage, one of the main characters in Game of Thrones.
Source: https://www.surinenglish.com/

Older
Victory for Vattanac Golf Resort West Course at World Golf Awards 2023

Newer
Increased airlift will cement Barbados as ‘must-see’ destination More

A new strategy for managing tourism on Majorca is to be unveiled this week during World Travel Market.
The Balearic island’s tourism board and its council under new leadership will present the plans to UK and international markets.Details of a “unique initiative” that will shape the strategy of Majorca’s leading industry is due to be outlined tomorrow (Tuesday) at the show in London.
The plan is designed to position the island as a “secure, innovative, and sustainable” destination in the British market.
The island’s delegation will also meet with key stakeholders in the UK tourism sector, including Abta, Tui, EasyJet, British Airways, Jet2, Expedia, Your Holidays and Travelzoo.
Majorca’s presence at WTM “represents a significant opportunity to strengthen the destination’s tourism strategy in a new leadership era for the island’s tourism,” according to the tourism board.ADVERTISEMENTThe tourism management strategy is due to be outlined by top officials including Antònia Roca, vice president of the island’s council and the highest-ranking official in its culture department.
Representatives from the four Balearic islands will also be present for a discussion panel today (Monday).
Source: https://travelweekly.co.uk/

Older
EASYJET IS ALL SET TO LAUNCH S.FLEET PERFORMANCE +

Newer
Victory for Vattanac Golf Resort West Course at World Golf Awards 2023 More

With a strong focus on the future of wine tourism, the 7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in La Rioja, Spain (22-24 November 2023), one of the world’s leading wine regions. This event will gather diverse industry players around data, governance, innovation, sustainability, and skills.
Co-organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of La Rioja and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the Conference will emphasize the pivotal role of this sector in promoting rural development, sustainable practices, and regional regeneration.
Innovation: Bridging Tradition and Technology
Against the backdrop of a landscape where tradition converges with technology, the Conference will shine a light on the seamless integration of wine tourism with the evolving preferences of tourists. The programme will address innovative digital tools and the exploration of new strategies to amplify outreach via social media platforms, reaching larger audiences and increasing visitor flow.
Skills: Cultivating Excellence in Wine TourismADVERTISEMENTThe Conference will underscore the importance of identifying and fostering skills development to enhance expertise, knowledge, and service quality, as a precursor to crafting a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive wine tourism industry.
Data: Guiding the Future
Data can play a significant role in shaping wine tourism. Attendees will explore the mapping of existing metrics and methodologies to quantify wine tourism to create common frameworks.
Governance: Crafting Partnerships for Growth
The complex network of stakeholders in wine tourism requires adapted governance, including the significance of fostering public-private collaboration. The Conference will spotlight community engagement and coordination, both at local and national levels, as essential drivers for the sector’s sustainable growth.
Nurturing Sustainability and Rural Development for a more Inclusive Tomorrow
Sustainability is at the heart of wine tourism’s future. Destination managers and experts will showcase sustainable practices that embrace the principles of the circular economy. The Conference will also address the pivotal role of wine tourism in supporting rural development, revitalizing overlooked regions, tackling demographic challenges, and nurturing entrepreneurship for rural growth.
In the midst of the famous wine tourism hub of Barrio de la Estación in the city of Haro, a series of masterclasses will offer attendees an immersive journey into the art of wine pairing across various domains. These sessions will explore the fusion of wine with gastronomy, art and culture, its synergies with communication, branding, technology, events, and sustainability, promising enlightening and enriching experiences.
To further enhance the experience, participants will also have the opportunity to discover the renowned Vivanco Museum, recognized for its pioneering role and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rich wine culture.

Older
Emirates Group Unites Diverse Workforce to Honor UAE Flag Day and Promote National Unity

Newer
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali, Launches ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ Wellness Program More

With a solid Greek presence from the political leadership of tourism and entrepreneurs in the sector, the world’s largest tourism exhibition, World Travel Market, opens on November 6 at the London exhibition centre, Excel London.
Among other things, this year’s event, which will last until November 8, is expected to reveal the global trends shaping the tourism industry in a particular discussion held at noon on the first day of its event.
WTM is the first barometer for all international destinations for the next tourist year. The presence of our country at the exhibition is always of particular importance as Britain is consistently among the two most important markets for Greek tourism.
Indicative is that in the ten years, 2014-2023, the British spent more than 20 billion euros on their holidays in Greece. In the first nine months of this year, the travel expenses of the British in our country reached 2.36 billion euros. In total, by August, more than 3 million Britons had visited our country.
The political leadership will see the exhibition of tourism, while the EOT, on the sidelines of the event, will hold two events.ADVERTISEMENTThe first event, entitled “Sustainability Marathon,” concerns the sustainability of Greek tourism. In the second event, entitled “Greek Women Mean Business”, Greek women who innovate in the tourism business will participate. At 900 sq.m. of the Greek pavilion, there will be 72 co-exhibitors at the exhibition.
In detail, WTM is set to present the first exclusive WTM Global Travel Report, which has been compiled in collaboration with leading researchers from Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics firm, and analyses how the needs and wants of leisure travellers are changing while shedding light on light on the emerging and growing destinations of 2024 and beyond.
As part of the presentation, attendees will gain valuable insights into the changing travel landscape and become familiar with consumer demands, with the critical objective of shaping their business and planning for its future.
Further, the research considers the impact of challenges, such as inflation and the rising cost of living, while comparing the different conditions of different regions and markets. It also delves into the drivers of post-pandemic demand, looking at how and why travellers prioritise vacations over other types of spending and looking at the outlook for different demographics.
During the panel, industry executives will share their thoughts on how trends will impact their marketing, sales, innovation and investment plans in the months and years ahead.
In this regard, Ms. Juliette Losardo, Director of the WTM London exhibition, said, among other things, that the first WTM Global Travel Report survey demonstrates WTM’s commitment to ensuring that the travel community has the freshest insight into the trends shaping the industry.
At the same time, Ms Losardo pointed out that the collaboration with Oxford Economics, a leader in tourism and economic data, resulted in the extraction of findings from an international survey, which was carried out on an extensive data bank covering almost 185 countries as destinations and as source markets and all significant bilateral tourism flows in terms of visits, overnight stays and spending, as well as unique industry insights, offering a comprehensive perspective on tourism.
Ms Losardo also commented that the global perspective and vast, informative findings will provide invaluable insights for tourism people to ensure they are always one step ahead.
Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/

Older
Disney After Hours Events Usher In More Nighttime Magic January 2024

Newer
SAUDIA TO SHOWCASE LATEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OF ITS NEW ERA AT THE WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2023 More

Disney After Hours events return to Walt Disney World Resort starting January 2024 with tons of nighttime Disney fun. On event nights, guests can enjoy an extra three hours of magic-making at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Guests attending the separately ticketed events get more time to experience fan-favorite attractions, character greetings and unlimited complimentary snacks, including select beverages.  Extra magic awaits after hours at select Walt Disney World theme parks
Disney After Hours events allow a limited number of guests to enjoy Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT after the parks officially close for the day, offering shorter wait times for select attractions and character experiences. Guests can also indulge in ice cream novelties, popcorn and beverages –– all included in the cost of the ticketed event. Early arrivals can access the parks starting at 7 p.m. to squeeze even more moonlight joy out of their visits.
Booked guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting Nov. 7, 2023, by calling 407-W-Disney. Event tickets can be purchased online by all guests starting Nov. 14. 
Disney After Hours ticket prices range from $155 to $175 (plus tax) at Magic Kingdom Park and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney After Hours ticket pricing at EPCOT ranges from $149 to $159 (plus tax). Specially priced tickets are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.
More time and less waiting for your theme park favorites ADVERTISEMENTThese special nights will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Jan. 10 through April 10, 2024, where guests can play in Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, join the resistance with Chewbacca in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and embark on a whimsical adventure aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, among other favorite experiences.
Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the thrilling new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Jungle Cruise on select nights starting Jan. 11 through April 8, 2024. A standby queue is planned for TRON Lightcycle / Run during these events only.
The nighttime fireworks spectacular, Enchantment will return exclusively to Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom. Guests arriving early on event nights will have the opportunity to see both Happily Ever After, currently showing during regular park hours, and Enchantment! 
Welcomed by the colorful glow of Spaceship Earth, guests can delight in EPCOT at night with favorite attractions including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Soarin’ and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Events at EPCOT will take place on select nights starting Feb. 2 through April 4, 2024. 

Whichever park event guests choose, they’ll find unlimited novelty snacks and select beverages available complimentary throughout the event nights to cure those late-night cravings. 
Guests can learn more about Disney After Hours events by visiting DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours.
Theme Park closing times vary. Admission to this event requires a separately priced ticket valid only for a specific event date and select hours. Attractions and offerings are subject to change without notice.

Older
Radisson Hotel Group opens first Radisson RED in Finland

Newer
How much did the British spend on holidays in Greece in the last 10 years? More

During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Kigali, Western Australia was announced as the host for 2024, marking the first time the event will visit Oceania.The 24th Global Summit will be taking place in Perth in late 2024, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.
WTTC closed its first ever Global Summit in Africa today with more than 1,200 delegates attending the event in Kigali, Rwanda.
The global tourism body’s Global Summit saw speakers such as global economist and renowned business commentor Justin Urquhart-Stewart; Administrator of the United States Transport Security Administration, David P. Pekoske; and Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal Football Club, Juliet Slot.
The most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar, WTTC’s Global Summit, was attended by more than 45 countries.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The success of this year’s Global Summit in Kigali is testament to the power of Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. Through Rwanda, the continent has well and truly put itself on the map.ADVERTISEMENT“We are so excited to be heading ‘Down Under’ next year. Western Australia and the beautiful city of Perth have always been popular destinations and we’re sure attendees will enjoy a real taste of quintessential Australian hospitality.”
Tourism WA Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull said hosting the 24th WTTC Global Summit presents a significant opportunity for WA to demonstrate its growth ambition and investment opportunities to WTTC’s members, which includes the CEOs of key travel businesses such as airlines, global hotel operators and investors, and cruise lines.
“The effect of hosting this event goes far beyond the immediate economic impact generated from delegate spend; this event will open avenues for conversation around inbound trade and product investments, new inbound aviation routes and the development of high value tourism product business opportunities.
“Business delegates attending this event will be encouraged to extend their stay and explore further afield, so they can experience our dreamlike landscapes, world-class experiences, and expert tourism operators firsthand.”
During its Global Summit in Kigali, WTTC launched its Africa report highlighting some of the challenges Travel & Tourism faces in the region and the opportunities to address them.
WTTC also launched its groundbreaking Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging report which tracks DEIB in the Travel & Tourism sector and highlights effective practices and recommendations for the future.
The Global Summit was moderated by Thami Nkadimeng who was recently selected as a 2023 Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under 40 in support of the United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237.

Older
Survey Says: Event Goers Prefer In‑Person Over Virtual Gatherings

Newer
Wyndham Adds to Strong Asia Pacific Footprint with Debut of Wyndham Grand in South Korea More