Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007 - (Page 1)

TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE The information you need to make decisions September 2007 Issue 76 NEWS I I INAUGURATION OF ITB ASIA EMIRATES TO SERVE SHANGHAI TWICE DAILY WTM TO HOST SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE STRONG WORLD TOURISM GROWTH IN 2007 he United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) registered a higher than expected growth in world tourism for early 2007. Between January and April, international tourist arrivals worldwide rose by over 6% to 252 million, representing an additional 15 million arrivals compared with the same period in 2006. Asia and the Pacific (+9%) achieved the strongest growth, followed by Africa (+8%), the Middle East (+8%) and Europe (+6%). Although arrivals to the Americas (+4%) showed the slowest growth rate, this performance is nevertheless very positive as the region doubled the 2007 forecast growth of +2%. UNWTO is confident that worldwide growth in excess of 4% forecast for 2007 will be achieved. Drivers of tourism growth Continuing world prosperity has been a main driver. Emerging markets and developing economies, especially those of Asia, maintained their extraordinary strength. In Europe economic growth has picked up. With increasing disposable income and the continued development of low cost airlines, international tourism seems on track for another year of above average growth. UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli stated “growing recognition of tourism’s contribution to economic growth and job creation means that it is being given more and more attention by national governments, especially those in developing regions. Increased investment in infrastructure, marketing and promotion, development of domestic markets, liberalization of air transport, and a growing number of public-private partnerships are key factors that have helped the tourism industry to expand”. Regional outcome I T INTERVIEW Ziad Tantawy General Manager HILTON TABA RESORT page 11 DESTINATIONS SOUTH ASIA RECORDED HIGHEST INCREASE IN ARRIVALS Egypt BUSINESS page 12 Spas & Wellness page 16 Golf Exhibitions page 18 page 20 Europe’s (+6%) arrivals growth rates in 2005 and 2006 were not far short of the worldwide average. The sustained boom in the world economy supports continued growth and Europe is currently experiencing higher rates of GDP growth in the eurozone. Asia and the Pacific (+9%) was the best performing region in the world, confirming its role as one of the motors of international tourism expansion. South Asia recorded highest increase in arrivals (+12%), while South-East Asia and North-East Asia (both at +9%) sustained a healthy growth in 2006. Only Oceania (+2%), resisted the strong growth trend. The Americas (+4%) began 2007 by doubling last year’s overall results. Central America (+7%), South America (+9%), and North America (+4%) are already ahead of last year’s 1% growth. However, the Caribbean (-2%) recorded a decline, reflecting the impact of decreased arrivals from the USA. Preliminary results point to an increase in international tourist arrivals in the Middle East (+8% compared with +6% for 2006). Egypt (+14%) posted extraordinary growth rates. This trend may vary, as available data is still limited. Africa continued its strong growth (+8%), though at a slightly lower rate than in 2006. In Sub-Saharan Africa there is particularly strong cause for optimism, with increasing emphasis on human resources and product development to help tourism contribute to poverty alleviation. Outlook UNWTO has a high level of confidence in tourism’s prospects for 2007. Due, in part, to economic growth expected at almost 5% for 2007 and again for 2008. Europe and North America are approaching high season. Given the current European and world economic prospects and consumers’ enthusiasm, there is no reason to expect a slowdown in the growth of international tourism to European destinations in the next few months. The Caribbean and parts of North America are anxious about the 2007 hurricane season and the uncertainty of developments in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In Asia and the Pacific, the outlook looks promising. Short-term prospects for Africa also look positive, while in the Middle East they vary sharply across the region. Nevertheless, good results were achieved during 2006 and early 2007 by Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf countries.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007

Cover&Contents
NEWS
- INAUGURATION OF ITB ASIA
- INAUGURATION OF ITB ASIA TWICE DAILY
- WTM TO HOST SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
INTERVIEW: Ziad Tantawy
DESTINATIONS: Egypt
BUSINESS
- Spas & Wellness
- Golf
- Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007