International tourism declined by 8% between January and April compared to the same period last year, according to UNWTO World Tourism Barometer- June edition. Destinations worldwide recorded a total of 247 million international tourist arrivals, down from 269 million in 2008. With the exception of Africa (+3%), all regions recorded
a decrease in arrivals, Europe (-10%), the Americas (-5%), Asia Pacific (-6%) and Middle East (-18%, from available data). International tourism is now forecast to
decrease by between -6% and -4% in 2009.
(UNWTO Press Release, 02 July, 2009)
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Singapore recorded a decline of 13 percent in tourist arrivals in May 2009 compared to 2008. 730,000 visitors came to Singapore (May’09) compared to the 834,000
(May ’08). Visitor days in May were estimated at 3.1 million days, a decrease of 10.6 percent in comparison to the corresponding month last year. Indonesia (129,000),
India (90,000), Australia (59,000), Malaysia (55,000) and China (52,000) were Singapore’s top five visitor-generating markets, accounting for 53.1 percent of visitor arrivals. Among the top 15 markets, Vietnam (+12.1 percent), Malaysia (+5.1 percent) and the Philippines (+1.4 percent) registered growth. A decline in visitor arrivals from China
and Japan were seen.
(Travel and Tourism Industry News, 27 June, 2009)
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Worldwide gross medical tourism revenue is projected to grow from US$56 billion to reach US$100 billion by 2012, with Asia as a major driver of this growth. Patients who choose Asia can pay just 10% of the cost of comparable treatment in the US or the UK. Rising healthcare standards together with the demand for more affordable treatment
will keep the Asian market for medical tourism buoyant. Hospitals, especially in Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Singapore, have implemented state-of-the-art medical technologies to improve patient care.
(Asia Travel Tips, 17 June, 2009)
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The US hotel industry’s posted declines during the week of 28 June-4 July 2009, according to data from STR. Occupancy fell 6.0 percent to finish at 57.7 percent; average
daily rate (ADR) dropped 7.4 percent to US$95.16 and revenue per available room(REVPAR) fell 13.0 percent to US$54.94. New York led the ADR decreases, dropping 23.9 percent to US$178.20.
The Luxury segment was the only segment to experience an increase in any of the key metrics, rising 2.0 percent in occupancy to 60.8 percent.
(Travel Daily News International, 13 July, 2009)
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Wyndham Hotel Group, has launched the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand in China with the opening of the brand’s first property- Wyndham Xiamen hotel a 588-room
luxury hotel.
The introduction of the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand in China fulfills a strategic objective to develop the chain and Wyndham Hotel Management capabilities in Asia.
(Hotel Interactive, 23 June, 2009)
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InterContinental Hotels Group invites preferred business accounts across Asia Pacific to move to a dynamic pricing model. Preferred accounts will negotiate a set percentage discount off the best unrestricted, daily market rates at any of its hotels in Asia Pacific. The appeal of dynamic pricing to corporate travellers has grown.
(TravelDailyNews International, 23 June, 2009)
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Moscow is the next major outpost for Asia-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. The chain will open a 400-room hotel in 2010 in the Russian capital. Shangri-La’s move into Moscow is part of a long-term campaign to transplant its ‘Asian brand of hospitality’ to destinations outside of the region.
(Business Traveller, 19 June, 2009)
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The aviation industry contributes to 8% of the world economy, says research report - Aviation: The Real World Wide Web, Oxford Economics.
Air transport, both passenger and cargo operations employs over 5.5 million people and contributes US$425 billion to global GDP. When supply chain and dependent industries such as tourism are included, aviation supports over 33 million jobs and US$1.5 trillion GDP.
“It does appear that global economic growth is correlated with and dependent on growth of aviation. We have reached the conclusion that aviation has a special role in raising living standards” said Adrian Cooper, Oxford Economics Managing Director.
(e-Travel Blackboard, 17 June, 2009)
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Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be integrating the rail inventory of luxury trains - The Golden Chariot of Karnataka and Deccan Odyssey of Maharashtra onto the IRCTC website - railtourismindia.com.
Sunil Kumar, Deputy General Manager – Portals, IRCTC said, “…The luxury trains will be marketed through our website, our wide network of travel agents and international sales channel.”
The integration will expand the reach of these trains to end consumers.
(Travel Biz Monitor, July 01-15, 2009)
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Starwood Hotels, which has 21 operational properties in India, will open 14 more hotels by 2011. Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which has brands like Sheraton, Le Meridien and the Luxury Collection in India, plans to bring its global luxury brands St Regis and W. The current year will see three more hotels from the group coming up, under the Westin brand in Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
(Financial Chronicle, 25 June, 2009)
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Mid-market branded hotels will be the biggest growth driver for Indian hospitality players. Corporate travellers are shifting to these hotels as part of cost-cutting measures. Mid-market properties require lower investment in construction and can be easily taken to tier-I and II cities, unlike luxury hotels. It can also be flexible with pricing and still make profits. International hotel brands such as Accor and Global Hyatt Corporation are also building their India expansion strategy on a similar plank.
(The Economic Times, 20 June, 2009)
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Destination web sites play a significant role in the travel planning and shopping process, according to PhoCusWright’s report - Destination Marketing: Understanding the Role and Impact of Destination Marketers. Travelers are looking for local insight into activities, events and attractions. Eighty one percent visitors to DMO web sites cited ‘information on activities and events’ as important, 80% favor ‘information on special promotions and offers’ while only 70% find ‘accommodation’ as integral to a destination website. Well over half of destination web site users report that a site influences their activity selection.
(PhoCusWright, 23 June, 2009
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By 2020 every second German vacationer will be over 50 years of age (best agers), according to ADAC Reisemonitor. On an average, best agers spend over 1,800 euros per person on a trip. ‘Health & Wellness’ vacations tend to be popular among best agers. They also stay longer - more than 50 percent book for at least two weeks, and almost 20 percent for three weeks. The over-65 generation relies on brochures (23.1 per cent) and on the internet (25.8 per cent) as the basis for its holiday decisions.
(Travel Daily News International, 14 July, 2009)
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Australia is the favourite vacation destination outside the US for Americans – if cost was not a consideration. Italy, which was number one last year, dropped back to number two. The next most popular countries are Great Britain, France, and Ireland .
Italy is the favourite for Echo Boomers (aged 18-32), Gen X (aged 33-44) and Baby Boomers (aged 45 - 63) while Australia is number one for Matures (aged 64 and older) according to the Harris Poll in a nationwide survey of 2,177 US adults. Australia is number one for male travellers while it is Italy for women.
(finchannel.com, 10 July, 2009)
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Corporates in Asia Pacific are modifying their travel programs and preferred hotel programs to include 3.5 and four star hotel properties, according to FCm Travel Solutions. Corporates want maximum value for money on supplier products and services and are renegotiating products due to downgraded air class travel and hotel accommodation. More inclusions such as free-wireless and discounted dining are requested. Corporate deals with airlines, hotels and cars are also under review this year.
(Asia Travel Tips, 29 June, 2009)
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Business travel is holding up in Europe. Fifty-two percent of travellers expect to continue with their current level of business travel over the next 12 months, 22% believe it will actually increase while 26% expect it to decrease, a survey commissioned by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) confirmed. 62% of travellers cited convenience as the most important factor while booking travel, compared to 25% who said cost, while 36% indicated cheaper travel. Twenty percent of travellers have never used conference call services, while of those who have, 50% use them to complement face to face meetings.
(Travel Daily News International, 29 June, 2009)
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