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    Travel and Tourism in a fast-changing world : new trends

    November 6, 2013
    Opinion / Blog
    Travel and Tourism in a fast-changing world : new trends

    Euromonitor International released  the 2013 World Travel Market Global Trends Report at World Travel Market (WTM), the leading event for travel and tourism globally. The report, produced for the eighth year running by Euromonitor, presents the nine key emerging travel and tourism trends in the world, looking at how the industry is developing in a rapidly changing global economic and social environment.

    The report identifies the key tourism trends set to shape the travel and tourism industry in seven regions and two core strategies:

    Americas PANKS – A New Demographic
    UK Travel Happiness Index
    Europe Next Generation Peer-to-Peer Travel
    Middle East Low-Cost Goes Upmarket
    Africa The Big Five with Your Little One
    Asia Fight for Cruise Control in China
    India The Travel Social Shake-Up
    Travel Technology Mobile Concierge
    Global Village Vacancy on Demand – Chasing the 24-hour Traveller

    Americas: PANKS – A new Demographic

    The US travel industry is targeting PANKs – ‘Professional Aunt, No Kids’ – who collectively spend billions on travelling with nieces and nephews. As of 2010, just over 42% of women in the US aged 15 to 44 were childless, as women have children later in life or choose not to have children at all. Travel firms aware of the power of PANKs’ spending can tap into this lucrative, expanding market.

    UK: Travel Happiness Index

    Brits are leading the way in Europe to find happiness above the clouds, or at least on board their flights. US-based flight meta-search website, Routehappy.com, is leading this quest for contentment. Launched in April 2013, it provides a unique measurement of customer satisfaction via its ‘happiness scores’ for airlines, helping consumers select flights based on comfort and suitability. With more than 100,000 unique visitors at launch and over 30% of visitors returning in July 2013, the site is a unique offering with the UK as its leading European source of demand. Airlines are working hard to move away from air travel being a commoditised, price and schedule-only decision. It is to be seen if other transportation modes, as well as hotels and travel retail players, will follow this model in future.

    Europe: Next Generation Peer-to-Peer Travel

    Europe continues to struggle with low GDP growth. As Europeans seek cheaper travel options to counteract continued austerity, the sharing economy offers opportunities at lower prices than ever before. The range of accommodation is very diverse, thanks to the growth of brands such as Airbnb, HouseTrip and HomeAway. TripAdvisor has embraced the concept by acquiring Flipkey, as well as listing HouseTrip and Airbnb as trusted partners for rentals. Tours, guiding and unique travel experiences are offered by sites such as Touristlink and Vayable. Car sharing services are also growing in Europe, where Avis bought car-sharing company Zipcar for US$500 million in 2013, while Blablacar.com had more than three million members in 10 European countries. The future of peer-to-peer holiday rentals depends on legislation, but is proving successful and is expected to grow.

    Middle East: Low-Cost Goes Upmarket

    Middle East travellers with a taste for the high life are seeing a few more frills on their budget airlines. Consumers in the region have a penchant for luxury. However, a surprising twist is the introduction of luxury services aboard low-cost carriers. Jazeera Airways was the first to introduce a business class in 2009, whilst keeping lower prices and achieving profitability. In 2013, Flydubai is following suit with its new business class services. Will this hybrid model expand to low cost airlines in other regions? The Flydubai experience will show us how sustainable the model really is.

    Africa: The Big Five with Your Little One

    Child-friendly safaris in Africa are becoming more popular, as more grandparents and children join in with family holidays. Hollywood hits such as Madagascar and the Lion King mean that kids around the world now want to see the ‘big five’ for real. Previously, safaris have been considered unsuitable for youngsters but safaris in Africa now avoid long game drives – which suits kids’ shorter attention spans. Multi-generational holidays in Africa could expand beyond safaris to volunteerism and more sustainable holidays, as well as cruises.

    Asia: Fight for Cruise Control in China

    It’s full steam ahead for the Chinese cruise market, which is on course to become the second largest global cruise market after the US by 2017. Cruising in China is still in its infancy, yet it is registering buoyant growth. Royal Caribbean said its Chinese passengers quadrupled from 25,000 to 100,000 between 2011 and 2012, with numbers predicted to reach 200,000 in 2013. The Chinese government has also spotted cruising’s potential and declared 2013 as Marine Tourism Year, with the latest five-year plan dictating that cruising is an industry with exciting growth potential.

    India: the Travel Social Shake-Up

    Only 12% of the Indian population is online yet Facebook claims to have 82 million users in the country, making India its third largest global market after the US and Brazil. India’s online travel agencies are prioritising social media to woo young urban consumers. The Indian Ministry of Tourism has recently started using social media to promote tourism sites throughout the country, and 70% of all four- and five-star hotels in the main cities have established their social media presence.

    Travel Technology: Mobile Concierge

    By its very nature, travel is a mobile activity – so the travel trade is using mobile devices as a sales and customer service channel and have developed mobile concierge services. Travellers now expect real-time answers and greater customisation, wherever they are and at any time, before, during and after the trip. Online travel sales recorded another strong performance in 2012 growing by 8.4% globally to reach US$524 billion. World online travel sales growth is expected to continue steady in the next five years at a 9.5% CAGR.

    Global Village: Vacancy on Demand – Chasing the 24-hour Traveller

    Hotels are increasingly renting rooms to business and leisure guests for ‘microstays’ during the day. More business guests are seeking day-use rooms for various reasons, including a chance to relax between appointments or flights, or workspaces for meetings at the hotels. Hotels will become ‘offices of the future’, and this is very much likely to become a global trend.

     ( Euromonitor International is the world’s leading provider for global business intelligence and strategic market analysis with more than 40 years of experience publishing international market reports, business reference books and online databases on consumer markets.) 

    Nov.5 , 2013

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      UN Tourism: Transforming tourism for a better worldTo achieve this goal, UN Tourism engaged the services of Interbrand, the leading global branding agency. Interbrand successfully translated the Organization’s renewed vision for tourism into a new visual identity and brand narrative.

      This involved renaming the Organization, transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism. At the same time, a new brand narrative was meticulously crafted, one that seamlessly aligns with UN Tourism’s central mission and priorities. This narrative pivots around three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement.

      Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism

      By moving away from acronyms, UN Tourism adopts a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN”, signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all. This change has been endorsed by the Organization’s membership, highlighting its united support for the profound transformation and reinvention of UN Tourism in recent years, as it has become more agile, visible, and ever closer to its Member States, partners and the sector as a whole.

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      TAT launches

      “Thais Always Care” Campaign 

      “The Tourism Authority of Thailand launches ‘Thais Always Care’ campaign in collaboration with other organizations to ensure tourists’ safety and enhance positive image.”

      The “Thais Always Care” online communication campaign was officially launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Tourist Police Bureau, Grab Taxi (Thailand), and Central Pattana (CPN) to ensure the safety and welcome of tourists from around the world. The campaign aims to provide seamless travel experiences for visitors to Thailand while also reinforcing the positive image of the country as a safe destination.

      The campaign reflects Thailand’s renowned hospitality and warmth to visitors, showcasing the country as a desirable destination for tourists. “CARE” stands for Compassion, Assistant, Relief, and Elevate, encompassing the generosity of the Thai people and their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for tourists.

      Partners involved in the campaign have strengthened their safety measures and are utilizing technology to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand. This includes installing CCTV cameras, implementing strict security checks at department stores, and utilizing technology like the “POLICE I LERT U” application to offer emergency assistance to international visitors. The campaign will also involve working with international KOLs to enhance the positive image of Thailand’s tourism assets and reinforce the country’s reputation as a safe destination. -Tourism Authority of Thailand

      China’s resort island receives

      90 m tourists in 2023

      More than 90 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China’s tropical island province of Hainan in 2023, up 49.9 percent year on year, local authorities said .

      Hainan’s total tourism revenue surged 71.9 percent year on year to about 181.3 billion yuan (about 25.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

      Last year, Hainan experienced rapid development in cruise tourism. Cruises to the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea saw 400 trips, up 277.8 percent year on year, and received 149,400 domestic tourists, up 405.33 percent.

      This year, Hainan aims to receive 99 million tourists and its tourism revenue is expected to reach 207 billion yuan. The province aims to receive more than 1 million inbound tourists in 2024.

      China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. – Xinhua

      Vietnam  to welcome 17-18

      million tourists  this year

      Việt Nam’s tourism industry has set a target to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic record in 2019 when COVID-19 had yet to disrupt global travel.

      In 2023, the figure hit 12.6 million, surpassing the initial target set earlier in the year (before China, which accounted for a third of foreign arrivals to Việt Nam pre-pandemic, announced reopening plans) by 57 per cent and achieving the adjusted goal of 12-13 million.

      The number of domestic travellers, meanwhile, stood at 108 million, up 6 per cent compared to the set target. Tourism activities generated about VNĐ678 trillion (US$27.85 billion) in revenue, 4.3 per cent higher than the yearly plan.

      Despite substantial recovery in 2023, the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the domestic tourism recovery will still face challenges in the year ahead. This is particularly true in the context of the unpredictable global developments stemming from economic uncertainties, regional conflicts and climate change.

      Việt Nam’s socio-economic conditions remain stable; the economy continues to grow and inflation has been kept in check. But the persistent threat of disease and natural disasters are likely to create uncertainty affecting production, business activities and the daily lives of citizens.

      According to forecasts from the UN World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel activities may fully recover by the end of 2024, reaching the levels achieved in 2019. However, the recovery is expected to be uneven across different regions.

      The ever-changing demands of international tourists require higher standards in product quality, diversity and unique experiences. The trends of integrating information technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are envisioned to drive the emergence of new forms of tourism.

      Based on these analyses and projections, Việt Nam aims to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic visitors this year, with an expected total revenue from tourism nearing VNĐ840 trillion.

      To achieve the stated objectives, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng has instructed the VNAT to continue focusing on advising and improving the institutional framework, policies, reviewing identified deficiencies for adjustment, and international commitments in the field of tourism. Collaboration with other ministries and sectors is emphasised to formulate policies for developing various types of products such as agricultural tourism and digital transformation in tourism. He also noted the need for attention on strengthening tourism statistics and digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of data collection, providing reliable figures to efficiently support tourism policy planning.

      The ministry also calls for enhanced training for tourism officials and workers to meet requirements of new situations, especially in terms of language proficiency and technology expertise. — VNS

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      USD 136.93 billion in 10 years

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      In addition, customized and personalized medical tourism packages catering to individual patient’s unique needs and preferences present an opportunity for service providers. Tailoring experiences that include cultural activities, recovery retreats, and concierge services can set providers apart in a competitive market.

      Besides, wellness tourism, including genetic testing and personalized health assessments, is gaining traction. Medical tourism destinations can offer specialized wellness packages, including genetic evaluations and preventive health screenings, to attract individuals interested in proactive healthcare.

      China eases visa application for US tourists

      BEIJING: China will simplify visa applications for tourists from the United States from Jan 1, cutting the documents required, according to a notice on Friday (Dec 29) on the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington.

      The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the world’s second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Tourist visa applicants in the US will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassy’s notice said.

      Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from Dec 1.Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days. China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

      The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the country’s strict COVID-19 control policies.

      China’s visa-free policy facilitates

      travels from 6 countries

      Around 214,000 people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia entered China in December 2023, an increase of 28.5 percent compared with November, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

      China’s unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these countries took effect on December 1, facilitating inbound travels from there.

      Of these inbound trips, 118,000 were made by ordinary passport holders without a visa, accounting for 55.1 percent of all inbound trips from the six countries during this period. Around 91,000 visa-free entries were made for travel and business.

      Thanks to the visa-free policy, ports in the southern Chinese city of Nanning welcomed many inbound travelers. Data showed that 121 inbound travel groups of nearly 2,800 people entered China through ports in Nanning in December.

      Since the inception of the visa-free policy, ports in Beijing had, by December 31, witnessed more than 12,000 visa-free entries from the relevant countries.

      The NIA pledged more optimized entry-exit management policies for foreigners to facilitate their business, study, work, and life in China.

      International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID-19 restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60 per cent of 2019 levels. – Xinhua

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)