The post 76% of travellers want sustainable travel options appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Speaking at the keynote address, at ITB Asia 2024, Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director Asia-Pacific and Sr Advisor to CEO World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) talked about global trends in sustainable travel and tourism. She shared statistics from the Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2024: Global Trends and data from 2024 EIR, WTTC with Oxford Economics.

Asia Pacific 2024 Forecast

Sharing Asia Pacific numbers, she said that: “Asia Pacific Economic contribution of travel and tourism will reach 3.2 trillion, which is 5.5% above 2019 levels. Total job supported has reached 191 million, which is 3.8% above 2019. So based on these measures, Asia Pacific has finally recovered to pre pandemic levels, and the future is very bright.”

Asia Pacific Visitor Spend 2024 Forecast
She added: “In terms of visitor spend, our international spend numbers are USD 503 BN still 10.2% below 2019, but domestic which is 77% of the spend, is at USD 1.7 TN ,12.3% above v/s 2019. The future is exciting. Over the next 10 years, Asia Pacific will truly be an engine for growth globally.

Asia Pacific T&T GDP 2034 Forecast
“The sector is poised to grow to GDP 5.8 trillion and GDP will grow from 8.7% to 11.2% in terms of jobs over the next 10 years by 2034, our travel sector globally will create 104 million new jobs. 64 million of them will be here in Asia Pacific, which is exciting to see.”

She added that with these fantastic numbers and growth projections, comes responsibility to manage and balance Economic Opportunities with Environmental Sustainability.

Consumer-driven Advocacy

Rise of Resident-driven Advocacy to counter Overtourism

“We’re seeing in the headlines for some destinations, five to 10 times more reports or complaints about the effect of overtourism. There are multiple factors that contribute to overcrowding, both domestic and international travellers are facing this issue.” 76% of travellers want sustainable travel options.
In the developing nations, people have seen upfront what climate change can do. She adds: “And so, will that translate into spending more? No, we haven’t seen that pattern yet. But people choose more responsible brands, more modern brands will adopt and feed the trendsetters. Therefore, it is important that companies don’t get left behind in sustainable destination management. Companies are either expanding or creating new roles within the organization to focus on better destination management, and this is really critical, and this is an important principle that we need to make sure that our destinations are built for resiliency, and they’re ready for both the domestic and international tourism that’s going to come in.”

 

Community-based Tourism

To create sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between travellers and the host communities. “I think I’ve been in six countries in the last eight weeks, and in every country around this region. This is a big theme. Governments are looking at how they can support these models, how they can educate and ready communities to create experiences that are mutually beneficial to both the community and travel.”

Sustainability Certifications
Gone are the days or soon gone will be the days of any greenwashing. EU is leading the way in terms of Green Claims Legislation and these requirements are going to be unfolding all over. She says,: “We’re seeing that the labels that you see moving forward will need to be substantiated with certifications. Now at WTTC, we’re trying to help the industry move along, and we have a hotel sustainability basis program. So, it’s important that nobody gets left behind. And this is a critical approach to really making sure that you are putting the true actions in place”

 

Nature-Positive Tourism
“We just issued a report, 50% of global tourism is driven by nature-based experiences. Here in Asia Pacific, we’re seeing this emergence of soft adventure and interest in soft adventure in nature. 80% of revenues in travel and tourism are actually linked to nature and the environment, and so this is a critical asset for us to manage, both as global citizens and as travelling tourism leaders.” She advocates.

Wholistic Wellness Experiences
There is a rising need for wholistic wellness experiences wellness that takes care of self as well as the community. She says: “Ancient spiritual wellness practices, these are becoming more and more mainstream, things like sound healing, soft adventure experiences, hiking trips, more accessible adventure experiences that are also linked to nature must be explored.”

 

Celebrating Local Cuisine

The global appreciation and awareness of Asian players is high in the West. She adds that it’s an opportunity for the cultures across Asia Pacific to share, to educate and inform, because the curiosity is there. “So don’t assume that they just want Western food. You should actually celebrate, and this supports celebrating heritage, cooking, sustainable sourcing, and then lastly, reducing food waste. We’ve got some very progressive restaurants here in Singapore that are top level of gourmet, and their focus is zero  waste. I think we’re going to start to see this expanding further across the region and the globe.”

 

Immersive, Authentic Experiences
Immersive, authentic experiences, creative travel experiences are gaining popularity. “Creative travel experiences, when you are able to engage consumers in an activity. It could be a dance, cooking, any craft or more. Research shows that when travellers do such activities, they will post seven to eight times more on social media. So, it’s a great way to market your destination and deliver an authentic experience.”
In India there was a huge resurgence, of their domestic travellers, the Indian travellers, are discovering their heritage and their history in numbers and in ways that they haven’t in the past, ensuring a sense of place and hospitality. So, tourism products whether hotels or itineraries, need to have a sense of the place where they are situated.
“And then lastly, one of my favourite mantras, eat, local, tour, local, spend local. It’s important that travel contributes to the communities that host them, and it’s important that we educate, and we give people the experience that they’re looking for. These are few of the trends that I love and advocate and  are supportive of emergence and sustainability,” Ortiguera concluded.

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The post WYSE Travel Confederation announces results of New Horizons travel study appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation announced the publication of results from its fifth global study of youth and student travel, New Horizons 5: A global study of the youth and student traveller.

The latest edition of New Horizons discovered that, on average, an individual youth and student traveller spent just under EUR 3,000 for their last main international trip. 

WYSE Travel Confederation estimates that approximately 69 percent of the total international youth trip cost is spent in destination. 

The 2023 study also revealed that fewer youth travelled alone than in 2017 and the average international youth trip duration had shortened to 41 days from 52 days.

What the study sought to find out

New Horizons is the only recurring global survey of the youth (under age 30) travel segment. 

The aim of the study is to provide a global overview of the youth and student travel market, which WYSE Travel Confederation and UN Tourism have estimated to account for 23 percent of international arrivals or more than 296 million international arrivals in 2023.

Among many questions about young travellers, the New Horizons study provides a global view of travellers aged 30 and younger, including:

• Who travels, where, why, and how
• How international trips are planned and booked
• How much is spent and on what

As such, New Horizons identifies opportunities in the marketplace, outlines tips for better understanding young travellers and reveals trends in international youth travel since the study began in 2002.

According to WYSE Travel Confederation director-general David Chapman: “Catering to the preferences of Generation Z on the environment, personal health, wellness and safety, and digital ease is key for professionals currently in the youth travel space. Visas, sustainability and affordability will be critical issues for the travel industry at large to advance in ways that are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.”

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The post Australian Travel Industry Association reveals new initiatives at Beyond Borders Summit appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) announced a series of landmark initiatives aimed at reshaping Australia’s travel sector at the first-ever Beyond Borders Summit in Sydney.

Introduced as part of Project A30, these initiatives represent a comprehensive reset for the Association and the industry, with the goal of fostering long-term growth, innovation and sustainability.

Project A30 is the culmination of a transformative three-year strategy that positions ATIA to respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities faced by the Australian travel industry.

ATIA chair Christian Hunter said of the proposals: “The initiatives announced today are the result of three years of diligent work by the ATIA Board and Executive team and mark the start of a key realignment of this organisation.”

Hunter remarked that the ATIA board focused on steering the association towards a future where it can better respond to the changing landscape of the travel industry with agility and foresight. 

Likewise the shift to a single brand reflects ATIA’s strategy to build a unified and trusted travel ecosystem. This move is expected to ensure greater engagement with consumers while simplifying the way members are represented across the supply chain. 

Hunter added: “By consolidating our identity, we are reinforcing the strength of the industry, ensuring that ATIA remains a leader in trust and reliability.”

Innovative initiatives

Among the initiatives presented to the summit attendees are:

Single-brand transition with “ATAS accredited” becoming “ATIA accredited”: ATIA will consolidate under a unified brand, retiring the ATAS brand and moving towards a singular, recognisable identity. This transition aims to strengthen consumer trust and create a trusted travel ecosystem that connects suppliers, agencies and consumers more seamlessly. The move is designed to foster deeper engagement with consumers while simplifying the identity of the organisation across the entire supply chain.

Industry-led protections: As part of its strategic commitment to the industry’s future, ATIA is developing new supplier and agency protection measures to safeguard both members and travellers. This program is designed to reduce risk, improve accountability and enhance confidence across the sector. A full proposal for industry-wide consultation is expected in 2025, signalling a collaborative approach to enhancing consumer protections without overburdening businesses with unnecessary regulations.

Workforce-development Initiatives: ATIA will introduce a suite of programs aimed at attracting and retaining talent in the travel industry. This includes a Gap Year program that will invite school leavers to experience careers in travel, as well as the Travel Career Kickstart Training Program aimed at providing new starters with the skills they need to enter the workforce. These initiatives are critical in addressing the industry’s skill shortages and creating pathways for future generations of travel professionals.

Modern-slavery-reporting solutions: ATIA is also leading the charge on streamlining compliance with Modern Slavery regulations. Working with partners, the Association will develop a bespoke solution that integrates with existing accreditation processes, reducing the burden on businesses and helping the industry address this critical issue more efficiently.

Data Insight Series: Finally, ATIA announced the launch of its Enterprise Benchmarking Reports, a new data insight series that provides members with tailored performance comparisons against industry peers. This tool, leveraging de-identified ATAS and economic data, will offer valuable insights into market trends and member performance, allowing businesses to make informed decisions based on both historical and current data. It builds on ATIA’s monthly Travel Trends Reports.

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The post Tourism Authority of Thailand holds Goosebumps Festival for Halloween appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding a spine-chilling event titled Thailand Goosebumps Festival 2024: Goosebump Market for Halloween this year.

The event takes place at the Makkasan Factory of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) from Saturday, 26th October to Thursday, 31st October.

This exciting pop-up event follows the success of previous festivals, including the Wiang Ping Goosebumps Festival in Chiang Mai and the Ancient Capital Goosebumps Festival in Ayutthaya. Each attracted nearly 200,000 visitors and generated over 500 million Baht in combined revenue.

In Bangkok, the festival will showcase more than 80 local vendors across a historic area spanning 20,000 square metres, creating an eerie atmosphere that embodies Thailand’s rich cultural beliefs.

A chilling experience

Thai minister for tourism and sports Surawong Thienthong said: “The Royal Thai Government has launched a quick-win policy to invigorate tourism during the low season, transforming every period into a peak time for tourism in Thailand. This aligns with the IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM vision, aimed at revitalising the tourism sector, boosting the economy, and enhancing the quality of life for local communities. To this extent, the Goosebumps Festival plays a crucial role in this vision, focusing on cultural heritage and belief-based tourism to enrich the economy while delivering thrilling experiences.”

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool added: “The Goosebumps Festival aims to captivate thrill-seekers and promote local tourism while providing an entertaining and culturally enriching experience. This event will significantly help boost local economies, generating substantial revenue and encouraging travel during the low season.”

TAT expects the Goosebumps Festival to set a new trend for tourism in the country, drawing in faith-based tourists, stimulating spending, and generating over 300 million Baht in income for local businesses, shops, and communities within the event area and nearby.

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The post Volunteers from Sands China assemble hygiene kits for Clean the World appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Over 350 Sands China team members and local community group volunteers joined forces to assemble more than 30,000 hygiene kits for international social enterprise Clean the World.

The initiative was held on Thursday, 24th October, at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, marking the expo’s 11th consecutive year.

Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd, said of the initiative: “This annual initiative is an important part of our commitment to address environmental and community issues in our strategies. By working together, we believe we can contribute to helping our world become a better place and support people in need. Our gratitude goes to Clean the World, our team members, and our community partners who have cooperated with us over the years to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities, while recycling resources and practising sustainability.”

Shawn Seipler, founder and chief executive officer of Clean the World, likewise remarked: “I am thrilled that Sands China has accomplished the incredible goal of building 30,000 hygiene kits in one day, bringing their total to an astounding 385,700 kits since we began our partnership in 2014. This milestone reflects Sands’ unwavering dedication to improving global health through hygiene and sanitation. Their commitment over the years has made a real difference in the lives of countless individuals, and I couldn’t be more pleased with what we’ve achieved together. I look forward to continuing this impactful partnership and reaching even greater heights in the future.”

Working side by side

At the event, Sands Cares Ambassadors and other Sands China team members joined volunteers from four organisations: local green enterprise Macau ECOnscious, Green Future, the Bosco Green Store of Bosco Youth Service Network, and the University of Saint Joseph. 

Volunteers worked together to build hygiene kits, whose supplies are essential for good health and personal hygiene in order to prevent the spread of disease in populations in need around the globe. 

The completed kits will be distributed to 15 community groups, including the Philippines to provide families in need with critically needed hygiene supplies during natural disasters and other times of crisis, as well as distributed to NGO members in need in Hong Kong and Macao.

What’s in the kits?

The hygiene kits contain soap that has been collected from Sands China’s integrated resorts and then recycled and sterilised through Clean the World’s remanufacturing process, giving new life to used hotel supplies. 

Each kit also comes with shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an encouraging message from Sands China and Clean the World.

In 2014, Sands China became the first integrated operator in Macao to launch this type of sustainability initiative. It is an initiative of Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS), and helps Clean the World distribute emergency response hygiene kits to assist with on-the-ground, immediate needs in times of crisis and disaster.

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The post G Adventures’ new yachts to set sail in the Greek isles appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

G Adventures is getting ready to get travellers sailing aboard state-of-the-art vessels as it announced the launch of five new yachts for the 2025 European sailing season.

These new vessels were purpose-built for the small group adventure operator and will be plying Greek waters.

The five boats will be deployed in Greece between now and June ahead of the 2025 season running from April to October.

Away from the crowds

Each sailing adventure is led by a qualified G Adventures chief experience officer (Skipper CEO), who knows the islands like the back of their hand, and is passionate about sharing hidden spots that are far away from the well-known tourist spots. 

The shoreside excursions are all quintessentially local and ensure travellers interact with local people and support local communities that may not usually see a lot of tourists on their shores.

Spacious and stylish

At nearly 57 feet in length, the five boats are spacious and stylish with each vessel carrying 10 travellers in five cabins that can be configured to be either twin or double, and are all equipped with bedside reading lights and USB ports. 

The vessels also feature a fully-equipped galley, a comfortable communal area designed to build connections with fellow travellers, and a sun-drenched deck perfect for lazy sea days, which is also fitted with an outdoor shower to hose off after swimming. 

Sustainability on board

Vince Donnelly, director of global sailing at G Adventures, says the new vessels also embody G Adventures’ commitment to sustainability and community tourism.

Donnelly said: “All five boats have been fitted with solar panels and state-of-the-art engines and generators that minimise environmental impact without sacrificing performance. Recycled and natural materials have been prioritised in the boats’ construction, ensuring all materials used are free from harmful substances.”

He added that this commitment to the environment and spreading tourism dollars to lesser-visited communities on smaller Greek Islands really sets the bar high for operators in the region, and ensures we’ll deliver an incredible experience for travellers that is simultaneously kind to the planet and its people.

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The post Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang releases promotional film “This is Ili” appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

China’s Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang is boosting its tourism promotions through the short film This is Ili.

This is Ili is divided into four chapters: culture and inheritance, vitality and hope, poetry and painting, and openness and development. This essentially entices viewers to appreciate the beauty of the region’s magnificent scenery, harmony, and prosperity. 

The film also offers a panoramic view of the prefecture’s unique natural resources: the picturesque Nalati, the vast and magnificent Kalajun, as well as the beautiful and colourful Xiata.

The vast grassland of the area serves as the backdrop for heartwarming folklore, as well as numerous regional crafts that include creative paper cutting and embroidery.

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The post Indigenous Philippine cuisine takes centre stage at the Hotel and Restaurant Tourism Weekend appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Indigenous cuisines and local specialities take centre stage at the Hotel and Restaurant Tourism Weekend in Baguio City in the northern Philippines from today, 24th October, to Saturday, 26th October.

The event features competitions for cooking the best version of native dishes like pinkpikan (Cordillera chicken soup), pinakbet (Ilocano stewed vegetables), as well as pork and chicken adobo among others. 

Around 400 hospitality and culinary students, professional cooks, and chefs from different parts of the Philippines will be participating in these competitions.

According to Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) executive director Mary Lou Galiste, winners of the HRT weekend competitions will be fielded in national food showdowns. 

Galiste said: “That is the reason we have added in the competition areas for traditional and modern cooking and food preparation, traditional cuisines, desserts, and drinks.”

A taste of comfort

HRAB president and general manager of the Baguio Country Club Anthony De Leon remarked that more people now opt for comfort food over fine dining.

De Leon said: “We are in an era where people are more into comfort food and casual dining. Nobody does fine dining anymore, it is all about casual dining and casual food. And, in our case as Filipinos, our comfort food is our local cuisine.”

De Leon said the hotel and restaurant industry want to emphasise that Filipino comfort food can be in the international cuisine setting and can be competitive. Indeed, Filipino cuisine is gradually being recognized by the global food  community.

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