Refreshed WTM Ministerial Summit to Tackle Innovation & Technology Investment
Madrid, Spain, 24 September 2018 – Investment in innovation and smart management for tourism will form the major theme of the Ministerial Summit of this year’s World Travel Market, to be held in London, UK (6 November 2018). The 2018 Summit, a joint initiative of World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will debut a revamped format
This year’s World Travel Market (WTM) will introduce a disruptive new format to the long-running UNWTO/WTM Ministerial Summit. With the private sector crucial in setting the tourism agenda, private sector leaders will be involved for the first time via a panel on investment in tourism technology. This will be followed by a round table of both ministers and private sector to discuss a way forward for tourism that includes stronger public-private partnerships and an agenda for the sector’s digital transformation.
The 2018 Summit will be hosted by CNN’s Richard Quest, anchor of Quest Means Business. Developing an innovation ecosystem, data-driven decision making, digital destination branding, and the role of government and policy in smart tourism management are among the topics to be addressed this year.
The Summit reflects on a hyper-connected and informed world where tourists are one click away from their next destination and share their interests and emotions in real-time – and where technological advances have an exponential impact on management efficiency and sustainability. It will expand its practical impact with a focus on creating and exchanging innovative ideas and partnerships that can boost investments in tourism technology.
The Summit will continue the conversation on ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation’ that is set to dominate proceedings for this year’s World Tourism Day official celebration on Thursday 27 September. The event, to be held in Budapest, Hungary, will feature sessions on the role of innovation and technology in tourism development. It will also see the announcement of the semi-finalists of the 1st UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia to give visibility to tourism startups with innovative and disruptive ideas.
UNWTO Conference: Innovative tourism experiences in urban destinations
Madrid, Spain, 19 September 2018 – Innovation, traveller demand for diverse and authentic experiences in cities, and urban tourism governance models will be the central themes of the “UNWTO Conference on City Breaks: Creating Innovative Experiences”, to be held in Valladolid, Spain, on 15-16 October 2018.
The conference will address the future of urban tourism, with special emphasis on current challenges, technology, governance and public-private partnership models, as well as generating opportunities along the entire tourism value chain of the city and integrating gastronomy and wine tourism in urban experiences.
City tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the world. It attracts both business and leisure travellers, generating income that supports socioeconomic and cultural development. In recent years, the growing popularity of city breaks has opened many urban destinations to new markets and segments, increasing the number of visitors, mainly in Europe. With the growing demand for urban tourism, it becomes crucial to guarantee the quality of tourists’ experiences, while at the same time reflecting on key issues such as sustainability, accessibility, connectivity, and infrastructure, as well as dispersing tourism.
The conference will be attended by representatives from cities such as Graz (Austria), Lisbon (Portugal), Turin (Italy) and Seville (Spain), and will serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and perspectives on the positioning of urban destinations, as well as learning how to manage emerging challenges.
The event will take place in Valladolid, a well-known urban destination in Spain that is firmly committed to a tourism strategy that prominently features adventure, wine and cultural tourism, among other segments.
U.S. Travel Lauds President’s Embrace of VWP for Poland
WASHINGTON (September 18, 2018)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on comments by President Trump during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda that the administration will explore adding Poland to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
“The U.S. travel community has long evangelized the Visa Waiver Program as perhaps the best and easiest way to strengthen economic and security ties with our strategic partners, and Poland would be a very logical next addition to the program.
“History shows that expansion of the VWP dramatically increases arrivals of secure, pre-vetted business and leisure travelers into the United States—boosting U.S. exports along with them—while enhancing anti-terrorism cooperation with the new member country. Poland, as a firmly pro-U.S. democracy with an ever-expanding economy, would make an ideal addition to the program.
“By stepping down the path of adding Poland to the VWP, President Trump and President Duda are cementing an important strategic relationship while benefiting the economies of both countries—a win-win if there ever was one.”
Bartlett Lauds Travel Agents as Valued Tourism Partners
OCHO RIOS, St Ann, Jamaica, September 17, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded travel agents as “true partners for Jamaica” as the destination consistently attains record visitor arrivals, especially over the past two years.
The accolade was showered on the travel agents on Saturday night as the Tourism Minister delivered the keynote address at the Sandals 16th Annual USA Travel Agent Golf Tournament Awards Dinner at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. He told the 150 team members from North America that their being here provided “a wonderful opportunity for us to show off who our true partners are and who are the great producers for Jamaica.”
Minister Bartlett said Jamaica was “very serious” about honouring travel agents and tour operators “because we are perhaps one of the few countries in the Caribbean that actually gives national honours to our partners both in the distributive trade as well as in other areas of tourism relationships.”
He mentioned that travel agent Edith Baxter from the Edith Baxter Group was awarded the Order of Distinction “in recognition of the work that she has done for tourism in Canada on our behalf.” In October this year, two Americans will be honoured accordingly. Bill DiMaggio of Mark Travel who has brought visitors to Jamaica for 50 years is one and the other John Mullen, now retired from Apple Vacations.
Underscoring that the travel agents’ support and marketing of Jamaica has paid off, Minister Bartlett noted that 50 years ago 400,000 people visited Jamaica as tourists and spent US$87 million compared to 4.3 million visitors last year spending US$3 billion. Additionally, the tourist industry employed 119,000 Jamaicans last year against 9,000 50 years ago. “So you see that because of you, today over 53 percent of the foreign exchange generated by the country is directly from tourism,” he told them.
The Tourism Minister said according to STATIN and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), tourism was the only industry that had grown as a percentage of GDP over the last ten years, moving significantly from 7.1 percent in 2007 to 8.4 percent in 2017. “The hard-core fact that these numbers are indicating is the economic value and impact of tourism today,” he said.
Minister Bartlett gave an assurance that Jamaica had grown over the years not just as a centre where people come to enjoy sand, sea and sun “but we have emerged to becoming a safe, secure and seamless destination.”
Minister Bartlett also commended the Sandals for its singular role in creating the world’s top hotel brand in Jamaica and the success of its travel agents golf tournament. He mentioned that as part of the Sports and Entertainment Network in the Tourism Linkages Network, a deliberate effort was being made to develop sports tourism and in that regard, discussions were held with a firm in Canada recently to bring golfers to Jamaica.
New UNWTO Report Helps Cities Manage Impact of Tourism
Madrid, Spain, 14 September 2018 – The tourism sector’s shift in focus towards innovation and experiences, and traveller demand for diverse and immediate experiences in cities, will underpin the discussions of the UNWTO Conference on City Breaks: Creating Innovative Experiences (15-16 October 2018) in Valladolid, Spain. Development of city breaks can enhance tourism’s benefits on societies and the economy, which is at the core of UNWTO’s mission.
The report examines how to manage tourism in urban destinations to the benefit of visitors and residents alike. It proposes eleven strategies and 68 measures to help understand and manage visitor growth. The report is the result of collaboration between UNWTO, the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (CELTH), Breda University of Applied Sciencesm and the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) of NHL Stenden University of Applied sciences.
The recent growth of urban tourism requires the sector to ensure sustainable policies and practices that minimize adverse effects of tourism on the use of natural resources, infrastructure, mobility and congestion, as well as its socio-cultural impact. Increased reports of negative attitudes among local populations towards visitors, due to perceived overcrowding, noise and other issues, have led to the spread of terms such as ‘overtourism’ and ‘tourismphobia’ in the media.
“Governance is key. Addressing the challenges facing urban tourism today is a much more complex issue than is commonly recognized. We need to set a sustainable roadmap for urban tourism and place tourism in the wider urban agenda,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “We must also ensure local communities see and benefit from the positive aspects of tourism”, he added.
To better understand visitor management challenges in urban contexts, particularly the relationship between residents and visitors, the report includes an analysis of residents’ perceptions towards tourism in eight European cities – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Munich, Salzburg and Tallinn.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to deal with overtourism. Instead tourism needs to be part of a city-wide strategy for sustainable development”, Dr. Ko Koens of the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (CELTH) and Breda University of Applied Sciences concludes. The report recommends a common strategic vision among all stakeholders involved, bringing residents and visitors together and adopting careful planning which respects the limits of capacity and the specificities of each destination. “The involvement and support of local residents is key in achieving sustainable tourism”, Professor Albert Postma of CELTH and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences explains. “Building shared responsibility amongst stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in tourism development is a key for ensuring long-term sustainability”, involved researcher Bernadett Papp concludes.
How Rwanda Redrock Tourism project engages visitors and reduce poverty through sustainable education programs?
Tourism can make a difference, and Greg Bakunzi from Redrock Rwanda is showing the Rwanda style approach as an example of leading the way in poverty reduction through education involving tourism and visitors.
The United Nations defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The last decade has seen worldwide effort, led by UNESCO, to promote ESD (education for sustainable development) that ensures social, ecological and economic viability and well-being.
According to an article appearing in Habitat for Humanity website, various global indices including the Social Progress Index and the Human Development Index show that low educational attainment is most widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. Sub-Saharan African countries often suffer from relatively unstable economies as well as and droughts which further worsen the educational crisis and poverty levels.
In Rwanda, even though the government has strived to make education affordable, still, some children, especially in rural areas are unable to go to school because their families face different challenges like poverty. Therefore, many children do not have scholastic materials to make them effectively learn.
Redrock Initiraive from Rwanda
It is in this regard that private sector players and organizations like Red Rocks Rwanda, through one of its programs called Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development have stepped in to fill this gap.
Through this program, Red Rocks engage a team of volunteers to teach the local youth and women, who were unable to go to school, and hence are hampered by illiteracy, to teach them mostly English language so that they can effectively communicate with visitors.
Red Rocks Cultural Center, where this initiative is run, is Musanze district, the hub of tourism in Rwanda. Therefore, the main purpose of the program is to teach these youth English skill to enable them interact with tourists.
The women and youth are involved in selling products like handcrafts and it’s through effective communication that they can engage with the tourists who visit local attraction sites. The locals are able to uplift their living standards and help in conservation around our parks.
The locals are helped to learn foreign international languages, housekeeping, capacity building, an international architecture, modern farming techniques and about the environment and its conservation and other skills that may uplift their living standards.
But this is not the end. Another key mission of the program is to invite professionals, teachers, educators and conservationists to educate the locals on conservation, particularly around the national parks.
“We believe that the sustainable education program initiated by Red Rocks as one of its major initiatives is going to eventually lead to community development but also environmental conservation,” says Greg Bakunzi, the founder of Red Rocks Rwanda and the initiator of the program.
He adds that they also hope, through support and volunteerism, to educate kids that come from extremely poor families.
“These children need education just like the rest of us. In this age, education for all should be given priority and everyone with ability should take responsibility to support those kids who are not able to go to school because of different challenges,” says Bakunzi.
The Red Rocks Sustainable Education programs believe that it’s through education that we can break the circle of poverty and hopeless indigence that affect many families in rural area, particularly in Nyakinama village when the center is located.
Candidates for the CTO Allied Board of Directors
The Caribbean Tourism Organization annual conference is coming up in Nassau, the Bahamas in two weeks. Elections for the allied CTO Board of Directors for the 2018-2020 will be on the agenda.
Here are the candidates:
- DAVID BAHLMAN: Vice President, Tourism & Hospitality Division ADARA
I have successfully driven hotel revenue as a Director of Hotel Sales and Marketing in Washington, DC, was appointed Deputy Director and Acting Director by Governor Bob Ehrlich for the State of Maryland, led the tourism and Hotel/ Airline partnership team as the Global Director of Destination Marketing at Orbitz Worldwide, and am currently the Vice President, Tourism and Hospitality Division at ADARA.
- BARRY BROWN: Executive Director/ Caribbean & Latin America AFAR Media
Barry Brown is an advertising and publishing professional who has been connected to the Region and the islands of the Atlantic/Caribbean for over 25 years.Barry joined AFAR Media in 2010 – the experiential luxury brand that explores destinations and travel through the insights of locals. AFAR is a long-time partner of many destinations and partners across the Region and is proud to drive increasing amounts of business to the Caribbean.
- CASEY DAVY: Consultant, co founder, VO Sales and Marketing CAPP Busy Rooms Ltd.
Casey Davy has spent the last 15 years positioning, transforming and progressing companies in Travel, Media and Marketing as both a consultant and in senior commercial/marketing roles. This has included, profitably delivering loyalty programs for IHG and driving growth in EMEA for eRevMax, one of the first channel managers.
- RICHARD CUTTING-MILLER: Executive VP Resonance Consultancy LLLP
Richard Cutting-Miller is a senior Travel & Tourism industry consultant with more than 30 years of international experience, focused on Travel & Tourism strategy, policy and planning, economic and travel trend research, policy analysis, lobbying and advocacy. He has worked in more than 65 countries and 350 destinations around the world.
- JULE GUAGLARDI : Partner ZLMN
I have spent much of the past 25 years of my career working toward the betterment of Caribbean Tourism through my efforts as a member of the press – writing and photographing features for 12 different magazine publications and newspapers, through marketing – representing various Caribbean based entities to the US market.
- JACQUELINE JOHNSON: CEO Global Bridal Group
Jacqueline Johnson, CTC holds the distinction of being a pioneer in the publishing industry as the only minority to head up her own Media Company. A Media Company (Global Bridal Group) that provides comprehensive Bridal & Honeymoon guidance through interactive-target marketing.,
- SOLOMON LUKE: Founder & CEO Strategia Solutions, LLC
As the Founder & CEO of Strategia Solutions, LLC, Solomon Luke is responsible for the strategy, vision and direction of the firm. Solomon has over 17 years of information technology experience and is known for the development and implementation of his firm’s IT strategy, the judicious use of resources for his clients, and the ability to tailor pragmatic resolutions. Solomon is currently on contract as an Information Technology Specialist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he manages FEMA’s most complex core financial systems.
- BARBARA MAGRO: Director of Business Development Florida & Caribbean: Questex Travel Group
Barbara Magro was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City. A graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder with a BA in English, she began her career as a media professional in Los Angeles, California. She has worked in advertising sales for premier food and travel magazines in the United States and Australia.
- JENNIFER NUGENT-HILL:Director Government & Community Affairs Tropical Shipping
Jennifer Nugent-hill began her career in shipping and trading at tropical shipping in 1995 on St. Croix US Virgin Islands. Prior to her joining tropical shipping she served the people of the US Virgin Islands thru the post-recovery period from the devastation of category 5 hurricane Hugo as the first female Commissioner of Housing, Sports, Parks and Recreation. She received unanimous confirmation by the Virgin Islands legislature who supported her appointment by Governor Alexander Farrell and served with him thru the end of his tenure as governor in 1994.
- CHERYL RICOSSA, CHME: Regional Director Elite Traveler
Cheryl Ricossa is a 25+ year hospitality industry professional with a concentration in travel marketing/advertising. She is currently employed by Elite Traveler. Graduated from University of Tennessee, Summa Cum Laude with BS in Hotel and Tourism Management. Cheryl earned the Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) designation through Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association Int’l.
- RACHEL SANDERS: Senior Integrated Partner Strategist, BlueGroup Media
Now in my 6th year with Blue Group Media proudly representing Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, and many more National brands within the Meredith portfolio, I manage the lion’s share of the advertising relationships in the Caribbean, from my base in Miami.Travel and destination promotion are at the core of my profession and my being. I’ve visited 47 countries and counting to date. There are plenty in the Caribbean that fuel my wanderlust to discover much more in our region!
- JOHN LAWRENCE SPEERS: Strategy and Client Service Director The Concept Farm
John moved to New York 2 years ago after a 17-year run in Sydney developing tourism strategy for clients including Tourism Tasmania, Hayman Island, Australian Capital Tourism, Hayman Island, Norfolk Island and Flinders Island. John develops strategic marketing plans, communication strategy and digital innovation across creative, technology, eCRM, social media, content and influencer channels.
- JUERGEN T STEINMETZ: President & Publisher, eTN Corporation, publisher of eTurboNews, eTN, TravelWireNews, Meetings, Aviation, WorldTourismWire, Wines, and Gaytourism.
Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1979), beginning as a travel agent up through today as a publisher of eTurboNews (eTN), one of the world’s most influential and most-read travel and tourism publications. He is also Chairman of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP), and founder of the African Tourism Board.
Data & Digital Platforms: Driving Tourism Growth in Asia Pacific
BANGKOK, September 17, 2018 — Over nine million new jobs can be created within Asia Pacific destinations over the next five years by fully embracing digital platforms and data driven innovation in the tourism sector, according to ‘Data & Digital Platforms: Driving Tourism Growth in Asia Pacific’, a new research report published by PATA and Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, with the support of Google.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that organisations obtain a thorough understanding of current technologies and innovations to make smarter and more informed decisions. This comprehensive report on digital platforms and data driven innovation from our newest Preferred Partner, Oxford Economics, provides important insight into the need for embracing the disruptive and technological changes occurring within the travel and tourism industry,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “At PATA, we believe that both the public and private sectors must adopt policies to support a thriving digital ecosystem and work in partnership to enhance access to digital products and services and facilitate cross-border data flows.”
With travellers increasingly using online platforms before, during and after their trips, the report highlights several policy recommendations that destinations and policymakers should embrace to support the digital ecosystem and maximise growth opportunities for their stakeholders, including:
Continue to invest in digital infrastructure to improve competitiveness;
Encourage widespread use of digital platforms, and promote data driven innovation;
Ensure skills shortages are addressed;
Address digital use and skills in SMEs to ensure competitiveness in international markets; and
Avoid restrictive policy, such as data localisation policies.
According to the report, the economic benefits are clear for businesses and destinations, as well as for travellers. Over the past five years, arrivals are 5 percent higher than would otherwise be the case due to digital interactions as businesses are better equipped to connect with potential travellers. This impact is higher in destinations which have embraced digital travel interactions.
By adopting the policy recommendations as outlined in the report, there is potential for destinations within the Asia Pacific region to grow GDP by up to one percent, generating over 9 million new jobs over the next five years.
A Global Success: 1st UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition in Collaboration with Globalia
• More than 3000 projects from 132 countries were presented
• It constitutes an initial mapping of entrepreneurial and pioneering talent on disruptive innovation for sustainable tourism businesses
• The 20 semi-finalists will present their projects at the official celebration of World Tourism Day to potential investors and partners
Madrid, Spain, 13 September 2018 – The first edition of the UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in partnership with Globalia, the leading tourism group in Spain and Latin America, is the world’s first and largest initiative devoted to identifying new companies that will lead the transformation of the tourism sector and fostering innovation ecosystems through tourism. The semi-finalists have been invited to present their projects in the framework of the official celebration of World Tourism Day in the presence of global leaders in the sector (27 September 27, Budapest, Hungary). The finalist projects will be presented at the next edition of the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur), in January 2019.
The competition was focused on the search for innovative startups capable of transforming the way people travel and experience tourism, while adhering closely to the principles of sustainability (economic, social, environmental). The projects addressed areas such as the future of travel (33%), the tourism experience (32%), community development (29%) and environmental impact (6%).
“Today, innovation is one of the main drivers of sustainability, and tourism must continue to be at the vanguard as one of the leading sectors in new business models and relationships between people, and also as a steadfast and successful ally in promoting sustainable development throughout the world,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Each solution’s uniqueness, viability, potential impact, business model and scalability, along with the profile of the team, were the criteria for selecting the 20 semi-finalists.
“The large number of companies that have presented their innovative proposals and projects reflects a true revolution in the way we travel and enjoy tourism,” said Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo. “As a global tourism group, we are delighted to lead and spearhead this initiative together with the World Tourism Organization and we want to work together to lead the transformation of the tourism sector and become a benchmark.”
This group is notable for embodying entrepreneurial talent that offers pioneering proposals in the implementation of emerging and disruptive technologies that generate new sustainable business models.
Therefore, among the semi-finalists we find innovative projects that redefine the how trips are planned and how tourism is experienced, projects that promote sustainability and community involvement, as well as projects that use technology to revolutionize business models and the management of companies in the sector.
Those selected for the next stages will gain access to the leading actors in world tourism,
providing visibility and networking opportunities, as well as opening up financing and business development possibilities.
African Tourism Board is calling to join its steering committee
Where Africa becomes one destination. This is the tagline for the newly found African Tourism Board (ATB), a public priate partnership initiative by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)
The African Tourism Board currently has 168 members in the following countries:
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- China
- Comoros
- Congo (Rep of the)
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Germany
- Ghana
- HongKong
- International
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Reunion (France)
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sudan
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- UK
- USA
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The African Tourism Board has a board of dedicated leaders ready to work on a united African approach to make tourism a leading force in economic development, investments, promotions for Africa. Board members include ministers of tourism, private stakeholders in Africa and around the world.
The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.
In partnership with private and public sector members, African Tourism Board (ATB) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to-from-and-within Africa.
The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.
The Association is expanding on opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting and establishing niche markets.
Current activities include Tourism security and wellness summits in member countries, PR & Marketing, Media outreach, Trade show participation. Road shows, Webinars, MICE in Africa, building a network and partnerships. The African Tourism Board is seeking the support of leaders in the global travel and tourism world, both in the public and private field to participate in a steering committee. To join the Steering Committee click here
For more information on the African Tourism Board and to join go to www.africantourismboard.com