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    ITB Berlin 2014 kicks off in Berlin

    March 3, 2014
    Travel Conference /Marts / MICE News
    ITB Berlin 2014 kicks off in Berlin

    Berlin: A total of 10,147 international exhibitors from 189 countries are participating at the 48th edition of the world’s largest travel trade show this year’s ITB Berlin, higher than ever before.

    More than two-thirds of the exhibitors showcasing their products and services in the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds are from abroad.

    Overall, 110,000 trade visitors are expected to attend. ITB Berlin will be offering visitors a representative overview of travel products and services from around the world and of growth-intensive niche markets from 5 to 9 March 2014.

    Members of the public will have an opportunity to purchase travel products directly from exhibitors this year. The focus will be on Mexico, this year’s partner country, which will have information on its wide range of products and services in Hall 1.1.

    As the partner country of ITB Berlin Mexico will be hosting the opening ceremony on the eve of the show in the International Congress Center (ICC Berlin).

    “ITB Berlin mirrors the entire value-added chain of the international tourism industry and boasts the world’s largest attendance of international exhibitors from all parts of the globe. ITB Berlin is also a leading knowledge platform. Exhibitors and trade visitors can find out about all the latest trends and innovations, information on exploiting new markets and listen to thought-provoking views on current topics,“ CEO, Messe Berlin GmbH Dr. Christian Göke said .

    ‘Furthermore Travel Technology and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Travel (LGBT) are clearly among the growth segments at ITB Berlin.’

    ITB Summit and ITB Innovators

    ITB Berlin 2014 will be celebrating the debut of two events. Among the speakers at the ITB Summit will be Lee McCabe, head of Travel, Facebook, who will be talking about how omni-channel marketing combines new and established marketing methods. ITB Innovators is a new web platform which provides a compact overview of 100 travel and marketing innovations.

    Nils Müller, CEO of TrendONE, will cast his eye into the future and give his prediction on how people will travel in 2025.

    ITB Buyers Circle for senior travel industry buyers

    ITB Berlin will be providing senior buyers from the international tourism industry with access to an exclusive business circle which offers them numerous benefits. Around 700 hand-picked senior buyers from the international tourism industry from Europe, Canada, the USA, South America, Australia, Asia and Africa will be joining the exclusive Buyers Circle at ITB Berlin 2014. The overall purchasing power of the Buyers Circle is equivalent to 1.8 billion euros.

    International Speed Dating event for bloggers

    ITB Berlin will be staging 40 events organised by bloggers for bloggers. Taking place this year for the second time, the ITB Bloggers Speed Dating event provides a platform for hotels and destinations that enables them to meet travel bloggers from around the world.

    ITB Berlin expects around 300 participants from 15 countries to attend, almost a third more than at last year’s event.

    More Travel Technology

    With its Travel Technology segment ITB Berlin has taken on a pioneering role. Around 170 exhibitors will be showcasing the world’s widest range of travel technology products. 30 companies will be making their first appearance at the world’s leading travel trade show. They include IATI, Nor1 Inc, Accelya, Gate7 Reservation Systems, Abreu Online, Roomize and Vioma.

    The tours will focus on software for the hotel industry, travel agencies, destinations and tour operators. A Mobile Technology tour will also be on offer.

    Popular trend: Gay & Lesbian Travel

    Besides Travel Technology, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Travel (LGBT) segment also has enormous growth potential. For many years ITB Berlin has been helping to develop this booming area of the market. Besides numerous LGBT-themed events there will be a Networking Brunch for journalists, a seminar on ’Gay Pride Events“, numerous receptions and the popular TomOnTour Party.

    The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) will be hosting the largest display. Co-exhibitors will include Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, World Rainbow Hotels (UK), organisers from Tel Aviv, India, as well as Toronto World Pride, Japan and China, a newcomer to the event.

    Youth Travel, Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism

    Responsible Tourism, Adventure Travel and Youth Travel & Economy Accommodation are also expanding at ITB Berlin. More than 130 exhibitors from 35 countries will be represented and 70 exhibitors will be represented in the segment Adventure Travel & Responsible Tourism.

    India, Asia and the Arab countries are booming travel markets and will be represented at the world’s leading travel trade show in unprecedented numbers. Exhibitors from the Arab countries and Africa will be attending the show in similar numbers to 2013.
    Leading think tank of the global travel industry

    The ITB Berlin Convention is Europe’s largest and most important event in its field. 20,000 international participants will be attending 200 events featuring 400 leading speakers. Loveleen Tandan, co-director of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, will deliver a keynote speech on ’Slums, war zones and extreme regions: development potential and tourism destinations’.

    Christine Duffy, president & CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), will be showing how destinations can benefit from the booming cruise market. Bernhard Bohnenberger, president of Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas, will be talking about luxury travel and sustainable tourism in the hotel industry. The award-winning travel writer Doug Lansky will be talking about ’How to fix overcrowded destinations and attractions with new intelligent visitor management technologies’.

    The members of the Airline CEO Panel, among them Alex Cruz, CEO of Vueling, will discuss how low-cost carriers have changed the leisure industry. Jean-Claude Biver, president of the administrative board of Hublot, will be offering fascinating insights into an entirely different sector, taking a look at established luxury markets and showing how the travel industry can learn from them.

    The ITB Berlin Convention will have information on the key topic of luxury travel at the Africa Forum, which will discuss ’The prospects for luxury tourism in Africa’. At the ITB Hospitality Day the CEO Panel will also devote time to this subject and the ITB Asia Panel will be discussing ’Exclusively Luxury Travel – The Asia Definition’. ITB Berlin Convention will focus will on Asia as a source market of the future , ITB Berlin reported.

    March 4, 2014

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      This summit offers a unique platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two regions

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      UNWTO becomes “UN Tourism” 

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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.

      With 160 Member States and hundreds of private sector affiliates, UN Tourism has its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and Regional Offices in Nara (Japan) covering Asia & Pacific, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for the Middle East, as well as forthcoming Regional Offices for the Americas (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Africa (Morocco). Its priorities center on promoting tourism for sustainable development in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Global Goals. UN Tourism promotes quality education, supports decent jobs in the sector, identifies talent and drives innovation and accelerates tourism climate action and sustainability . – UN Tourism Jan. 2024

      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

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      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

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      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

      Global Medical Tourism market 

      USD 136.93 billion in 10 years

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      Furthermore, integrating digital health technologies, including telemedicine, virtual consultations, and electronic health records, can enhance the accessibility and coordination of medical tourism services. Digital platforms can streamline pre-travel consultations, post-treatment follow-ups, and information exchange between healthcare providers and patients. Introducing new and advanced medical treatments, therapies, and procedures can attract medical tourists seeking cutting-edge healthcare solutions. Countries and healthcare providers that stay at the forefront of medical innovation can position themselves as leaders in the industry.

      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.

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      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)