Visa: Brits Biggest Card Spenders In UAE

According to the report Tourism Outlook: UAE, Brits are the top spenders on their Visa cards (over $441.2 million) – almost 10 per cent more than in 2009. They are followed by Americans ($302.9) and Russians ($238.1 million). Chinese are the toppers in per capita spending, with an average 2010 transaction size of $542.77. The other top average spenders included tourists from Angola ($536.69 per transaction), Kazakhstan ($518.50) and Russia ($443.32).
The spend by international visitors on Visa cards in the UAE in 2010 grew by 20.3 per cent year-on-year to $3.1 billion.

Source: emirates247.com, 14 August 2011

• The base volumes are higher, so smaller increases still add substantial numbers 
•  Lower GDP growth, as economies mature
• A lower elasticity of travel to GDP
• A shift from falling transport costs to increasing ones

UK: Major Source Market For Over-fifties

According to the World Travel Monitor, the most important source market for the over fifties is the United Kingdom with 16.1 million trips. Foreign travel by over-fifties from Britain has risen by 28 per cent since 2005.Though Germany is in the second place with 15.3 million trips, the market has stagnated. France (7.2 million trips) and the Netherlands (6.9 million trips) are the other source markets. These four countries alone account for almost 60 per cent of all travellers in the over-55 age group.

Source: World Travel Monitor Report

South Asia Inbound: Srilanka Leads

South Asia’s inbound growth performance has surged to 14.9% from January to May 2011 with Sri Lanka (+40.2%) in the lead. Sri Lanka welcomed 48,943 arrivals in May 2011, a 39% increase when compared to May 2010. Growth in the main source markets came from Western Europe and North America.
Other destinations with double digit figures are Nepal (+22.9%), Maldives (+16.9%) and  India (+11.5%). These results were due mainly to a strong rebound in arrivals from Europe and North America and continued strength in Asian and Middle East source markets.

Source: PATA, June 2011

Asia Pacific, Middle East: Hot Spots For Inter-Regional Travel

Asia Pacific and the Middle East are the global hot spots for inter-regional long distance air travel, according to Amadeus. Demand for air traffic between Asia Pacific and the Middle East grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 13 percent to almost three million passengers a month in the first quarter of 2011. Dubai remains the most prominent origin and destination amongst the fastest growing city pairs, such as Dubai-Mumbai, Dubai-Karachi and Dubai-Delhi.
Traffic between the Middle East and Europe has surged 10.7 percent CAGR over the last two years, creating a market of approximately 2.4 million passengers a month. Dubai, London and Paris are the chief contributors, with London-Tel Aviv, Paris-Cairo, and Dubai-London being the rapidly growing city pairs. European demand to and from Asia Pacific added 4.8% CAGR to a traffic flow which is already the strongest, worldwide (3.5 million passengers). The top city-pairs contributing to this growth are London-Bangkok, London-Delhi and London-Hong Kong.

Source: Travelmole, 07 July 2011

Russian Outbound Up 7.4 Percent In Q1 2011

According to ATOR Analytical Service, Russian outbound increased by 7.4 percent in Q1 2011. The growth amounted to 20.6% if compared with 2008. According to the results of the first quarter of 2011, Thailand received 300000 Russian tourists (+6 percent); China, 281000 (+16%) and Finland, 213000. Egypt went down to the 4th place with 202000 (-65%). Germany remained 5th with more than145000 Russians (+40%). The other countries which received more Russian tourists were Italy (116000, +44%), UAE (112000, +38%), Turkey (103000, +68%) Czech Republic (68000), Israel (almost 50000), Spain (59000), Austria (54000), the USA (22000, +54%), Cyprus (18000, +60%) and Cuba (17000, +130%).

Source: TravelDailyInternational, 27 June 2011

UK Outbound Flat; Expenditure To Recover

The Travel Industry Global Overview reveals UK outbound departures are likely to remain flat at around 60 million in 2015 as compared to 66.9 million departures in 2008. UK outbound figures will not return to pre-crisis levels until 2017.This could be due to Brits switching to domestic travel which is performing well with four to five percent increases. Euromonitor’s latest prediction for 2011 is for 56.2 million Brits to head overseas, slightly up on 2010’s 56 million. The London Olympics year will see 58.3 million departures; 2013 will increase slightly to 58.7 million with a better jump in 2014 to 59.6 million. UK outbound receipts in 2014 would hit $38.6 billion, topping 2008’s $38.4 billion. The return to 2008 receipts levels would be due to a change in mindset for the UK overseas holidaymaker looking for value instead of price. Destinations such as Turkey, Greece and Spain would remain popular.

Source: Euromonitor International, 26 May 2011

Europe: Overall Hotel Spending Up By 7 Percent In 2010

According to American Express Business Insights, overall hotel spending in Europe grew 7 percent in 2010. The UK hotel sector led spending growth in Europe in 2010, growing at a healthy 10 percent, followed by France (7 percent) and Germany (4 percent). Visitors to Europe drove double digit year-on-year growth in 2010 and spend on average 88 percent more per trip than European tourists. Business travel grew by 10 percent across the region over the same period. On average, spending at luxury hotels grew by 9 percent across Europe, while spending at upscale (4 star) and midscale (3 star and below) hotels only grew at 3 percent and 2 percent respectively. Gen Y travellers are spending 20 percent more on lodging today with more than half of them staying in a luxury or midscale hotel.

Source: Ehotelier.com, May 22, 2011

Arrivals To Asia And The Pacific Up 5% In Q1 2011

According to The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for Q1 2011 is up 5%, year-on-year. South Asia(+13%) and Southeast Asia(+10%) had a strong quarter. India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand reported double-digit growth.
Growth was supported by the key origin markets of China, South Korea and India as well as by the strong intra-regional flows in the Southeast Asia sub-region. The long-haul origin markets performed well too, with arrivals from Europe growing by a relatively healthy six per cent for the first quarter. However, results were mixed for the leading European origin markets – the Russian Federation (+25%), France (+9%), the UK (–5%) and Germany (–1%). Arrivals from the US grew by five per cent, while overall arrivals from the Americas increased by about seven per cent.

Source: TravelDailyAsia, 20 May 2011

UK: Staycation Trend Continues In 2011

According to Travelodge study, Brits continue the staycation trend in 2011 as 41% of them still feel financially challenged. The British tourism industry will be boosted by £7.2 billion with 35% of Brits holidaying across the country. Cornwall and the Lake District continue to be the top domestic travel destinations. Rising household costs, Government cutbacks, higher exchange rates and persisting economic uncertainty are reasons for staycation.

Source: Traveldaily.co.uk, 17 May 2011

Europe: 3 Percent Increase In Arrivals Expected

According to the report European Tourism in 2010 – Trends and Prospects, Europe's tourist boards expect at least a 3 percent increase in overnight visitors in 2011, followed by 4 percent growth in 2012. The number of overnight visitors to Europe increased year-on-year in 2010, to 922.1m. Overnight visitor numbers for 2012 are forecast at just over 1bn. Arrivals from key markets such as Japan and Russia increased. Intra-regional travel continues to comprise the bulk of arrivals to Europe. 

Source: e-tid.com, 18 February 2011

Asia Pacific: 17 Percent Surge; $53 Billion Online Bookings

The Asia Pacific (APAC) travel market surged 17 percent in 2010, surpassing the U.S. to become the second-largest regional travel market worldwide, according to PhoCusWright. APAC grew faster than all other regions to reach $255.8 billion in 2010. At more than $53 billion in 2010, APAC's online leisure/unmanaged business market will reach $70.6 billion gross bookings in 2012. In more mature markets such as Japan and Australia/New Zealand, online penetration gains are slowing, while emerging online markets like India and China are driving growth across the region.

Source: PhoCusWright

European Outbound: Shorter Trips Increase, Nordic Markets Stronger

Europeans are taking shorter trips; the average length of stay declined 7% to 8 nights, with a 10% rise in the number of short trips (1-3 nights). In terms of major outbound markets, Nordic markets are stronger with 5-8% growth; the British market is trailing badly with a 6% decline and Germany is stagnating with 0% growth. France, Spain and Italy have low growth of 2-4%. The number of trips taken by Europeans rose 1% from January to August, 2010 but the numbers of room nights dropped 2% and spending was 3% lower, according to the European Travel Monitor.
The IPK Travel Index indicates 1% to 2% growth in 2011 for European outbound.
Russians, Austrian, Swedes and Belgians are most optimistic about 2011 outbound travel; while Germans and British are the least confident.

Source: World Travel Trends Report

Asia Leads Global Tourism Rebound For First Half Of 2010

According to UNWTO World Tourism Barometer’s August Interim Update, the global tourism rebound is led by Asia Pacific and the Middle East, with 14% and 20% growth, respectively. Destinations countries in North East Asia (+16%), South-East Asia (+12%) and South Asia (+14%) have recorded double digit increases. Asian countries such as Sri Lanka (+49%), Japan (36%), Vietnam (35%) and Myanmar (35%) registered strong results, propelling Asia to become the second-most visited region in the world. International tourist arrivals increased by 7% for the first half of 2010. On a month-by-month basis, May(+10)), March(+9%) and June(+8%) were the strongest. The positive growth rates, together with the improving global economy, suggest that year-end results may exceed UNWTO’s forecast of 3% to 4%.

Source: UNWTO, September 2010

3.3 Billion Air Travelers In 2014: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that by 2014 there will be 3.3 billion air travelers, up by 800 million from the 2.5 billion in 2009. International passenger numbers are expected to rise from 952 million in 2009 to 1.3 billion passengers in 2014. The fastest growing markets for international passenger traffic will be China (10.8%), the United Arab Emirates (10.2%), Vietnam (10.2%), Malaysia (10.1%) and Sri Lanka (9.5%). By 2014, the top five countries for international travel measured by number of passengers will be the United States (at 215 million, an increase of 45 million), the United Kingdom (at 198 million with an increase of 33 million), Germany (at 163 million with an increase of 29 million), Spain (123 million with an increase of 21 million), and France (111 million with an increase of 21 million).Domestic passenger numbers are expected to rise from 1.5 billion in 2009 to over 2 billion in 2014. By 2014 the five largest markets for domestic passengers will be the United States (671 million), China (379 million), Japan (102 million), Brazil (90 million) and India (69 million). Countries with double digit growth include China(13.9%), Vietnam (10.9%), South Africa (10.6%), India (10.5%), and the Philippines (10.2%). By 2014, 1 billion people will travel by air in Asia Pacific; 30% of the global total.

Source: IATA, 14 Feb 2011

Price-Cautious European Markets: Russia, Germany, Spain

Europeans are spending less on their holidays. According to World Travel Trends Report, Russia, Germany and Spain are the most price-cautious European markets. The largest proportion (44%) plan the same amount of travel in 2011 as in 2010. 57% plans to spend about the same on travel next year, while 37% plan to reduce travel spending. Spending per trip dropped 4% to €874. The financial crisis is expected to impact the travel behaviour of 65% of Europeans in 2011.

Source: World Travel Trends Report

Chinese, Singaporeans Most Likely To Increase Vacation Spend

According to Survey Sampling International, the Chinese and Singaporeans are most likely to increase their vacation budgets, with almost half of respondents in those countries anticipating spending more on their upcoming vacations. About a third of New Zealanders and Australians are investing more this year in their vacation plans. In contrast, just 10% Americans and Japanese, 11% of French and 12% of Germans plan to boost their vacation spend.

Consumers in Asia-Pacific seem to be likely to travel during their vacations, with about 90% of Chinese and Singaporeans and 85% of Australians, South Koreans and New Zealanders planning overnight trips.

The majority of Singaporeans (90%), Germans (60%), British (58%) and Chinese (53%) are looking forward to international trips. Americans (82%), Japanese (82%), South Koreans (80%), French (68%) and Australians (62%) are most likely to travel in their own countries.

Source: Survey Sampling International, 05 August 2010