Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008 - (Page 10)

n WTM news Where are they now? WTM GLoBAL TrENDS rEPorT IN ASSoCIATIoN WITh EuroMoNITor rEVISITS 2007 TrENDS. T Lithuania he 2008 WTM and Euromonitor International Travel Trends Report will launch at the WTM Conference, highlighting the next big trends which are set to impact the travel industry. The report will be launched to press at the Forecast Forum (Monday 10 November, 10am, Platinum Suite 4). A second presentation for both press and visitors takes place on Tuesday 11 November at 10am in North Gallery Room 8. Revisiting the 2007 WTM Global Trends Report finds the travel trends Euromonitor International predicted would be on top Eastern travel and tourism products and services for Muslims and non-Muslims, representing a huge opportunity for Halal tourism, a form of religious tourism defined as activities permissible under Islamic law. Dubai based Allmulla Hospitality is developing an Islamic law compliant hotel chain. The development will include 10 hotels by 2012 in the Middle East and Asia. In July 2008, Landmark Hotel Group announced the addition of 10 hotels. According to Arabianbusiness.com, “All properties will operate on Islamic principles, will be alcohol-free, serve halal food, and donate a percentage of profit to charity.” Low cost carriers have helped increase demand for Morocco from neighbouring Europeans. Tunisia and Egypt have benefited from a “sun and sea” and culture model to attract international visitors. As they experience greater political stability, both Algeria and Libya are poised to follow in their footsteps. Arrivals in Morocco and Tunisa grew significantly through 2006 and 2008. Morocco is expected to welcome 8.16 million visitors in 2008, up from 6.6 million in 2006. Tunisia expects 7.17 million visitors in 2008, up from 6.5 million in 2006. “The continued growth in the number of airline routes to North Africa and Morocco has contributed enormously to growth. The liberalised air agreement between the EU and Morocco permitted low cost carriers, Ryanair and EasyJet, to fly from the UK to Morocco in 2006. 2007 South America: the exotic lure of End of the World Tourism Did this come true? 2007 Africa: North Africa tourism poised for success Did it come true? The New Destination for 2009 2009 offers a major opportunity for Lithuania’s tourism development. The country will celebrate the Millennium anniversary of their name and Vilnius will become the European Capital of Culture. Moreover, at WTM the new Lithuanian National Brand will be introduced. Lithuania’s National Brand has been developed to represent a modern country with a brave history, whose people are open to challenges, and are daring and forward-looking. The new Lithuanian Brand denotes a dynamic country where a long historical heritage intertwines with modern aspirations. Individual aspects might appeal or visitors may fall in love with the whole country at once. Tourists are invited to Lithuania to experience an unforgettable adventure, something beyond their expectations. Reconstruction of the Royal Palace of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in Vilnius is the major project of the Programme for the Millennium of Lithuania. The Royal Palace is to be the symbol of Lithuanian statehood, national pride and an important historical centre. It will open to the public on 6 July 2009, Lithuanian Statehood Day (the coronation day of Lithuanian King Mindaugas). The motto of Vilnius-European Capital of Culture 2009 is ‘Culture Live’. It involves the active participation of not only professional artists, but also of ordinary residents and city guests. 300 events are planned, and half of these will be free of charge. Lithuania at WTM - Stand EM4060 Young adults, seeking to prolong their uninhibited youth, are travelling to experience out of control parties. Even as these travellers age, they continue to embrace travel as an opportunity to revisit their hedonistic youth and to spend lavishly. Long haul, exotic destinations are expected to benefit as party addicts search for the next thrill to document via social networking websites. In 2008 Maxim Magazine partnered with Bud Light to create the Bud Light Party Cruise, an age 21 and up cruise promising, “3 nights/4 days of fun aboard the Bud Light Party Cruise for only $348 dollars for two people. Taking you through the Bahamas, stopping at Nassau and a private island for a rockin’ up-close & personal VIP concert with a well-known music artist.” Did it come true? 2007 Trend - North America: Debaucherists work hard and play harder The UK’s pet population is 49 million and consumers spend £2.7 billion on pet food and pet care products. The trend for pets to be treated as a member of the family has led to demand for tailored pet travel facilities and services, providing the UK domestic tourism industry a golden opportunity to build additional revenues. The potential for pet travel in the UK is supported by the forthcoming launch of a series of books from Dog Friendly Ltd, including ‘Dog Friendly Hotels’ listing over 2,000 hoho tels. According to Caroline Bremner at Euromonitor, “the current economic downturn represents a silver lining for UK domestic tourism and travel operators that cater to the family market with pet-friendly facilities.” Slow travel offers travellers an opportunity to disconnect from their hectic lifestyles, enjoy nature and life’s simpler pleasures. The aim is to regain time. Slow travtrav ellers often opt to stay in rural accommodation and prepre fer to travel by train. The motivation is also linked with responsible tourism. According to a survey by the US Tour Operators Association and travelmole.com, slow travel began to catch on in early 2008. The launch of OzBus in 2007, with its inaugural bus journey to Australia, was a great success and well documented in the UK press, leading to services to Africa, the Hippy Trail and a new overland route, London-New York. 2007 Trend - Middle East: Halal Tourism Did it come true? 2007 Trend - Western Europe: Slow travel Did this come true? 2007 Trend - The UK: Have Pet, Will Travel The “End of the World,” Ushuaia, Argentina, is benefiting from a tourism boom thanks to media attention to climate change and the popularity of films such as “The March of the Penguins.” Baby boomers from North America and Europe are contributing to this boom as they adventure further afield to acquire unique experiences. Hotel chains and cruises are expanding their capacity in the region. Cruise arrivals during the high season jumped in 2008 to 112,144 travellers from 84,765 in 2007 (+32%). Luxury cruise ships, such as the Star Princess and Regent Seven Seas, have found great success. Cruise companies intend to send more and larger ships in the 2008-2009 cruise season. Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, which holds 3,114 passengers, is expected to sail after February 2009. 2007 Eastern Europe: niche operators benefit from Diaspora tourism Did it come true? E.U. expansion to include Eastern Europe has lead to a rise in immigration for both humanitarian and economic reasons to Western Europe. Low cost airlines have enabled these Diasporas to return frequently to their homelands. Euromonitor forecasts outbound travel from the UK to Poland to reach 3.3 million in 2008, an annual increase of 58%, underlining the pull of home, coupled with the rise of Poland as a leisure destination. EasyJet continued to expand its presence in Eastern Europe, including the launch of a new route to Bulgaria in November 2007, following Bulgaria’s EU accession. www.travelnewseurope.com Did this come true? There is currently little differentiation between Middle TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE November 2008 http://www.Arabianbusiness.com http://www.travelmole.com http://www.travelnewseurope.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008

Cover&Contents
NEWS
WTM News Pages
DESTINATIONS - Tanzania
DESTINATIONS - India
BUSINESS - Winter Holidays
BUSINESS - Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008