Category: Latest Travel News

Phu Quoc, Vietnam, July 5, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Family adventures are among our most cherished moments. For parents, they offer precious opportunities to get away from the world and spend quality time with loved ones in paradise, while for kids, they set the stage for exciting explorations, making new friends and even discovering a lifelong passion. With breath-taking pool villas, bespoke services, immersive activities and dramatic dining destinations, Regent Phu Quoc lets parents and children come together and share unparalleled experiences.

Simply stepping through the doors of Regent Phu Quoc, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ jewel on Vietnam’s “Pearl Island,” provides an escape from the everyday. From private pool villas to creative cuisine, immersive activities and so much more, this resort will transport discerning families on a journey into a tropical world of wonder.

Luxurious family sanctuaries

The artfully-designed pool villas at Regent Phu Quoc are personal havens where families can stay together in complete comfort and privacy. With between one and seven bedrooms, open-plan indoor and outdoor living spaces, glistening 25 – to 123-sqm private pools and breath-taking views on the Gulf of Thailand or the tropical gardens, these hideaways provide everything guests need to feel relaxed, revitalised, and re-energised. Private dining areas provide opportunities to share unexpected tastes overlooking the ocean, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems enable cosy moments of warmth – cuddling up with loved ones to watch a movie.

Inspiring children’s activities

Curated activities empower all families to stay and play on their own terms. On top of their private amenities, the resort’s oasis features five pools, including a kids’ pool, and provides endless opportunities to swim and splash. On the Long Beach, young guests will love the regular treasure hunts, sandcastle competitions, water gun fun and more. Parents can also leave their little ones in the expert care of the professionally-trained team at the kids’ club, who will create entertaining and educational activities, inspired by the nature, culture and spirit of Phu Quoc. To learn more about the activities for children at Regent Phu Quoc, simply click here.

The resort’s kids’ club is a haven of fun with plenty of entertaining and inspiring activities for children

Immersive aquatic adventures

The sea sets the stage for exhilarating adventures. All ages can feel the spray of the ocean with windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and dinghy sailing, and the underwater world comes alive with snorkelling trips. For truly unforgettable family escapes, Serenity, Regent Phu Quoc’s luxury yacht, offers coastline cruises to secluded bays, where guests can swim and snorkel in the sea – the ultimate experience for older children seeking a fresh view of the world. Private charters are also available.

Exotic island explorations

Intrepid explorers can also head out and uncover the hidden treasures of Phu Quoc, an exotic wilderness comprising 99 peaks, 28 islands and 20 beaches, as well as charming fishing villages that provide a unique glimpse into the culture of life in Vietnam’s “Pearl Island.” After a long day of discovery, the resort’s Health Club offers holistic wellness therapies for parents and children alike, including deeply soothing aloe vera massages – wonderfully revitalizing after a day of fun in the sun.

Creative culinary journeys

Families can embark on exciting epicurean journeys together at Regent Phu Quoc. A haven of gastronomy, this five-star resort offers a collection of artfully curated culinary venues including Oku, the signature restaurant that serves contemporary Japanese-French cuisine, and Rice Market, an atmospheric marketplace that elevates the humblest Asian ingredients – rice and noodles – to new levels of excellence. Bar Jade is a hidden speakeasy cocktail bar with a cosmopolitan vibe, and the Lobby Lounge sets the scene for relaxing daytime drinks and evening refreshments. For the ultimate sunset moments, Ocean Club is nestled on the shore and specialises in Mediterranean plates and spectacular seafood platters, and Fu Bar is perched elegantly on the rooftop, with sweeping views of the island and sea through panoramic windows.

A selection of fresh menu items have been crafted especially for families, such as Rice Market’s Blue Crab Fried Rice, which uses the best Vietnamese rice, ST25, and will transport diners’ taste buds to a traditional fishing village, and a sensational Vietnamese Wagyu Beef Salad. At Ocean Club, the Barbecued Seafood Tower showcases the world’s finest fruits de mer including whole Phu Quoc lobster, Irish oysters, Japanese scallops and much more, served with a selection of sauces, and the Australian Wagyu Beef Tomahawk, a decadent 1.3kg prime cut of beef with Vietnamese seasonings.

“At Regent Phu Quoc, we understand that every family is unique. That’s why we promise a curated collection of breath-taking pool villas, bespoke services and immersive activities for children of all ages, from tots to teens – and of course, their parents – so every family can share the most private and inspiring experiences on the island,” said Sriram Kailasam, Regent Phu Quoc’s General Manager.

Under the “Stay and Dine” package, families can now book an unforgettable escape at Regent Phu Quoc, including daily buffet breakfast plus three-course lunches and dinners at the Ocean Club or Rice Market. With every paying adult, a child under 12 can dine for free for all bookings made between now and 30th September 2023. For reservations, please visit https://phuquoc.regenthotels.com/offers/stay-and-dine

Quito, Ecuador, June 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism leaders from across the Americas committed to a more ethical, inclusive tourism as the sector bounces back to drive economic recovery across the region. The 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas brought together high-level delegations from 20 countries.

The meeting saw participants work together around shared priorities, with a focus on jobs and education, boosting investment in the sector and advancing sustainability and climate action efforts.

The Americas: Strong demand drives tourism recovery

According to UNWTO data, tourism in the Americas has experienced rapid recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

• International arrivals to destinations across the Americas reached 86% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of the first quarter of 2023. International seat capacity on planes in the region is also close to pre-pandemic levels, at 97%.

• Several destinations in the region are already above pre-pandemic levels in terms of international arrivals, including Saint Maarten (+51%), El Salvador (+26%), Colombia (+18%), the Virgin Islands and the United States (+17%), Guatemala (+14%), Honduras (+13%) and the Dominican Republic (+11%).

• Strong demand from the United States outbound market has been key to driving recovery.

Our Regional Commission meeting has made clear a shared commitment to make the most of this recovery by building a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable sector that delivers real benefits for many millions of people right across the region

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For the Americas, tourism’s recovery has been rapid and remarkable. Our Regional Commission meeting has made clear a shared commitment to make the most of this recovery by building a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable sector that delivers real benefits for many millions of people right across the region.”

High-Level Support as Regional Commission Meets

On the eve of the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, reflecting his Government’s strong support for tourism as a key pillar of sustainable economic development, both in the country and across the region. Also participating in the Commission meeting were Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism from 15 countries. Key achievements of the Commission Meeting included:

• Legal Protection for Tourists: Chile, Costa Rica, Haiti and Honduras all announced they will adhere to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark legal first is designed to provide comprehensive and harmonized legal protection for tourists, thereby boosting confidence in travel and making the responsibilities of different tourism stakeholders more transparent. From the region, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay have already adhered to the Code.

• Tourism Law: UNWTO announced plans to establish a first UNWTO Observatory on Tourism Law for Latin America and the Caribbean

• Tourism Education and Youth Empowerment: Member States were updated on UNWTO’s progress in one of its priority areas, with achievements in the region including UNWTO Academy courses held in Argentina and Mexico, collaboration on specialist tourism courses with the Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico.

• Tourism Investments: UNWTO has produced Investments Guides for Dominican Republic, Colombia and Paraguay, with seven more focused on countries in the region set to follow. In Quito, UNWTO also hosted a special Investments Seminar and announced the next step in its collaboration with CAF, the Investment Bank of Latin America.

• Collaboration: UNWTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Honduras around tourism for sustainable development.

Looking Ahead

In line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from the Americas agreed:

• Argentina and Paraguay will serve as Vice-Presidents for the UNWTO General Assembly, set to be held in October.
• The Dominican Republic will serve as President of the Regional Commission for the Americas for 2023-2025. Argentina and Paraguay will serve as Vice-Presidents for the same period.
• Colombia and Jamaica will serve on the UNWTO Executive Council for 2023-2027.
• The 69th Regional Commission meeting will be held in Cuba in 2024. Peru will then host the 70th meeting in 2025.

Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, July 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / China, the world’s leading marine fishing producer, has formally accepted a historic trade agreement for ocean sustainability at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

– China affirmed its support for World Trade Organization agreement for ocean sustainability.
– Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the ratification from Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

It will help bring into force a global deal struck a year ago by the World Trade Organization’s 164 members to work towards eliminating billions of dollars in “harmful” subsidies that are emptying the oceans of fish. The agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas. The World Economic Forum, through the Friends of Ocean Action, has been a long-term supporter of the global agreement along with businesses, ocean experts and civil society organizations.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization, received the document from Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. With an estimated 564,000 ships, China in 2020 had the biggest fishing fleet in the world, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“As the world leader in marine fish catch, China’s support for the implementation of this agreement is critical to multilateral efforts to safeguard oceans, food security and livelihoods. By curbing harmful fishing subsidies worldwide, we can together forge a path towards a legacy of abundance and opportunity for generations to come,” said Okonjo-Iweala.

Under trade rules, two-thirds of the WTO’s 164 members must ratify the deal for it to take effect. China’s support now means that 36 countries, including all European Union members, have formally accepted it, and the aim is to have the remaining countries do the same before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February next year. Members have also committed to continuing negotiations to expand the scope to include subsidies that support excessive fishing.

“The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the second multilateral agreement reached by the WTO since its establishment in 1995, and the first WTO agreement aimed at achieving the goal of environmental sustainable development,” said Minister Wang. “It is a significant agreement to boost the confidence of all members in multilateralism. China has completed the approval procedure of the agreement and will work with all members to push the agreement to enter into force before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, China will participate in the second phase of negotiations in a positive and constructive manner and look forward to an early outcome of the negotiations.”

Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, said that China’s ratification of the agreement was an important indication of the strength of multistakeholder and multilateral cooperation.

“Global challenges like ocean sustainability need global solutions. The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies shows that governments can work in common purpose for the benefit of communities, economies and the world at large.”

The news follows the UN adoption of a world-first high seas treaty protecting marine biodiversity.

Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and co-chair of the Friends of Ocean Action, said that restoring the ocean’s health is a key part of combatting global warming.

“Restoring ocean health enables people everywhere to thrive and ensures we leave a liveable planet for generations to come. I sincerely hope China’s support for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies will now open the flood gates for other countries to deposit their instruments of national acceptance. Through this historic agreement, we have a real chance to make lasting, positive changes to protect the ocean and everyone who depends on it.”

About the Annual Meeting of the New Champions
The Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) takes place 27-29 June in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, under the theme “Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy.” The meeting will renew momentum for innovation and entrepreneurship to drive growth and a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient global economy.

Bangkok, Thailand, July 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Global hotel company continues growth across chain scale segments and soft brand hotel collections. BWH Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, celebrates continued expansive growth of its 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale segment – from luxury to premium economy – adding several new properties to its global portfolio of hotels and resorts. Most recently, the company has expanded in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Travelers will be pleased to find the increased presence of BWH Hotels properties in Austria, Canada, Dubai, Ethiopia, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand and the United States.

“This summer season, we are excited to offer travelers even more convenient accommodations in key destinations around the world,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, BWH Hotels. “We are growing our global presence thoughtfully to serve our valued guests wherever their travels take them. From upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels to midscale, premium economy and extended stay brands, BWH Hotels offers properties that cater to all travel needs.”

Select hotels joining the portfolio include:

• Georgian Court Hotel, WorldHotels Elite collection (Vancouver, Canada)
• Tawa Ravadee Resort, WorldHotels Distinctive (Prachinburi, Thailand)
• KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection (Kyoto, Japan)
• Aiden by Best Western @ Hennur Bengaluru (Bengaluru, India)
• Aiden by Best Western @ San Antonio Riverwalk (San Antonio, Texas)
• Aiden by Best Western @ South Reno (Reno, Nevada)
• Best Western Ajyad Mecca (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)
• Best Western Dodoma City Hotel (Dodoma, Tanzania)
• Best Western Grantville/Hershey (Grantville, Pennsylvania)
• Best Western Iowa/Lake Charles East (Iowa, Louisiana)
• Best Western Ontario Mills Mall (Ontario, California)
• Best Western Pearl Swiss Hotel (Dubai)
• Best Western Sur (Oman)
• Best Western Plus Danat Almansak Hotel (Ahba City, Saudi Arabia)
• Best Western Plus Horseheads Inn & Suites (Horseheads, New York)
• Best Western Plus Mohali (Mohali, India)
• Best Western Premier Dynasty (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
• ​​Sure Hotel by Best Western Sarlat-la-Caneda (Sarlat-La-Caneda, France)
• SureStay by Best Western Victoria (Victoria, Texas)
• SureStay Studio by Best Western Victoria (Victoria, Texas)
• SureStay Plus by Best Western Hopkinsville (Hopkinsville, Kentucky)
• SureStay Plus by Best Western Sevierville (Sevierville, Tennessee)
• SureStay Plus by Best Western Silver City (Silver City, New Mexico)

“It is with great enthusiasm that we invite new properties to join our distinguished global portfolio,” said Ron Pohl, President, International Operations and WorldHotels. “I am particularly proud of the continued growth of WorldHotels. By becoming a member of WorldHotels, these fine independent hotels benefit from the reputation and strong global presence of BWH Hotels while maintaining their individuality. We are excited to share these new properties with travelers for their upcoming globetrotting adventures.”

BWH Hotels has maintained its momentum through the first half of the year with plans to continue its growth and development in the third and fourth quarters. The brand looks forward to further growing its diverse portfolio, which now includes approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories around the world, while providing travelers with unique offerings and experiences.

“We continue to celebrate the rapid expansion of our boutique brands like Aiden across the U.S. and other global markets, as well as ongoing growth of our timeless brands,” said Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, BWH Hotels. “We remain focused on evolving our offerings to resonate with modern travelers and developers and delivering the authentic experiences that make BWH Hotels stand out as a global hospitality company.”

For more information about BWH Hotels in Asia, please visit bestwesternasia.com.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Sichon, Thailand, July 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Southern Thailand never fails to wow the world’s travellers with its sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage. Now, a new destination is about to emerge onto the world stage as a haven of “tranquil tourism.” With the brand-new international terminal at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport set to open by Q4 2023, the coastal enclave of Sichon is poised to become a new jewel in Thailand’s tourism crown.

– Seafront enclave in Nakhon Si Thammarat to start welcoming international flights
– Travellers able to explore the authentic cultural and natural heritage of the region
– Former Laguna Phuket CEO, Ravi Chandran, heralds huge potential of the destination
– Sichon Beach is recognized among Top 10 Beaches in Thailand by Lonely Planet

Sichon is a serene and peaceful destination where travellers can embrace Thailand as it has existed for centuries. Buddhists pay their respects in ancient temples, fishermen pull their catches up onto the beach from emerald green waters, farmers wrestle coconuts down from soaring palms and artisans patiently work looms to weave materials dyed by natural colours derived from local fruits. There is a community life that hums along at its own pace and to the beat of its own drum.

All is framed at the front by the translucent waters of the Gulf of Thailand, and Sichon beach in particular, recognized by world-renowned travel guide Lonely Planet as one of the best 10 beaches in Thailand, while behind is the imposing Khao Luang mountain range, a terrain intersected by waterfalls traversing its sides and up which travelers can hike to discover awe-inspiring views from its summit. And while it is blissfully off the beaten track, it is all 40 minutes from the new international airport.

One man struck by the potential of the destination is Mr. Ravi Chandran, the former CEO of Laguna Phuket (part of Banyan Tree Holdings) who was part of the leadership team that played a role in the transformation of Phuket’s former tin mining district into Southeast Asia’s leading integrated resort destination.

Now, as Senior Advisor to Urasaya, a residential and hospitality development concept which will be unveiled on Sichon beach in the coming months, he is charting a course for the destination as a beacon of carefully-managed, eco-conscious, locally-inspired tourism.

“Sichon is quite something. Far from the tourist crowds, this is life in southern Thailand as it was 30 years ago – naturally beautiful, culturally authentic and perfectly peaceful. This is the Thailand visitors want to see and it is somewhere people will want to live,” said Mr. Ravi Chandran. “I really think that this is a new beginning for the south of Thailand and it is a chance to get it right first go – by embracing a future defined by heritage, nature and sustainability.”

Sichon is not a new mass tourism hub now, or in the making. High-rise hotels are not expected to rise along the coast and the buzz of banana boats and jet skis will not be heard offshore. Instead, the ambience will remain highly in tune with life as it is now. And in that lies its greatest attraction.

Visitors are able to explore the local beachfront market, stroll through coconut groves, and swim in the cool waters of the Gulf of Thailand with the island of Koh Samui in full view and the pods of pink dolphins on the horizon.

Travellers can uncover the rich heritage for which the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat is well known within Thailand. The provincial capital, also called Nakhon Si Thammarat, is one of Thailand’s oldest cities with a history that dates back over 1,200 years, with its focal point Wat Phra Mahathat, the Kingdom’s oldest temple and an annual destination for Buddhist pilgrims.

Active adventurers and wildlife lovers can discover the lush landscapes of Khao Luang National Park, home to the 1,780-metre Khao Luang mountain, Thailand’s second highest peak, and a wide variety of flora and fauna including 300 types of orchid, 340 species of bird and even mammals such as tapirs, leopards and porcupines.

“Naturally, sustainability will underpin every aspect of Sichon’s future development,” adds Mr. Chandran. “The concept is already ingrained in the area’s heritage, as local people have been practicing responsible, eco-sensitive crafts for centuries. Take Kiriwong Village where materials are hand-woven and organically dyed using the local fruit from indigenous trees, including mangosteens. Or head to Pak Phanang river and watch fishermen cast their nets. This is the most authentic and natural destination I have seen in Asia.”

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In the last few years, the African tourism industry has seen growth not only in international arrivals, but most importantly, also in an incredible airlift to the continent from the source markets.

While the growth is not the desired numbers for the continent, it is nevertheless good progress to talk about.

With African destinations showing positive signs of recovery, as captured in the latest UNWTO Barometer – which indicated that 88 per cent of the pre-Covid figures recovered only 2 percent shy of the benchmarking Europe region – the development posits well for the region’s tourism recovery.

However, the recovery is still not commensurate with the access and airlift to the countries. According to IATA, Africa accounts for 18% of the global population, but just 2.1% of air transport activities (combined cargo and passenger).

One of the issues, which Africa needs to address urgently, is the need for joined-up thinking between aviation, tourism, and the economy as a whole. Airports are often seen as an easy fix – a convenient source of income – for governments, rather than being seen as an enabler of tourism that benefits the economy and trade.

The tourism sector as we know it and has been pontificated by experts, academics and many stakeholders, can only function at an optimum level through collaboration and partnership. Anything short of that will only deliver short-term results.

It is now a growing trend that aside from the last-minute invitations issued by the aviation authorities/ government imperative to have key parastatals line up to welcome new aircraft to destinations, there are almost no efforts by many Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) to make the case for the inherent part of tourism and aviation planning, and to lobby airlines to choose their respective destinations.

For a region whose tourist/business arrivals are almost 70 per cent by air, one will think the slightest opportunity available will see managers of the various destinations engage, plan, and understand the route development of their destinations.

In this instance, the small island states (SIDs) like the Seychelles have an enviable record of a strong working relationship with the aviation stakeholders to attract and ensure the airlines stay, which means ensuring the destination is accessible and inadvertently competitive.

South African Tourism, the national marketing agency for tourism in South Africa, has more than shown not just the will but instituted measures to drive projects, which has seen them engage airlines, C-level aviation professionals and airports – to see more access to the rainbow nation.

These initiatives are further seen with a continent-eye view to grow travel in and out of Africa. South Africa receives more than 70% of arrivals from the rest of the African continent.

SA Tourism has in the last 5-10 years been an active participant in aviation-centred events and engaging the critical stakeholders to see how they continue opening up the destination to their source markets. Particular mention of this active participation has seen it taking on a DMO front role at the AviaDev Africa conference, which has been held in the country three times.

The agency has been consistent with not just participation but rallying all the provinces to see the immense value in being proactive around air access.

Speaking on the need for synergy between the aviation and tourism industries at the IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nomasonto Ndlovu, Acting Chief Executive Officer, of South Africa Tourism, noted that such collaboration, particularly in her country, would boost efforts at making South Africa an attractive destination on the African continent.

“It was quite interesting that the conference was attended by airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports companies, travel agencies, and other aviation specialists and experts, but the DMOs were missing in action yet they are an important part of the aviation sector,” she observed.

At the IATA conference, the SA Tourism acting CEO hinted at the need to develop the African aviation sector, which she said is very critical for the growth and development of the African tourism sector and contribution to the growth of African economies.

It is fair to mention that the Western Cape’s lead with the Wesgro Air Access programme has seen some domino effect, and delivered incredible access from the key source markets to the Cape Town International Airport. In its last report, the province reported an encouraging 15 African airlines now having direct access from the beautiful Mother City. At the recently held AviaDev conference, there was Durban Direct, another SA province, leading and joining the aviation stakeholders to convince them to see the value in putting them on the map of the tourism world.

You can market and have all the fanciful campaigns to make your destination top of mind but a single difficulty in accessing the destination will be a huge disincentive for the would-be traveller.

It is worth mentioning that in the last two years, SA Tourism has used any opportunity it has through its activations to make aviation a must-feature. At this year’s Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba, the two Pan-African trade shows featured an airline pavilion. For the first time, they also hosted sessions dedicated to aviation including an exploration of their services and products available to spur tourism.

Generally, the tourism industry we know in many African destinations is suffering from inadequate financing as they are seen as a non-priority sector, but if DMOs can make that step by being part of the aviation engagement it will go a long way to not only creating access to their source markets but through the partnership, help shape the campaigns the airlines and airport companies embark on.

It will also give the industry some wonderful insights into the potential of markets and their power to change tact.

It is time for DMOs in Africa to take the lead and be the change needed to make destinations a desired bucket list for tourists or business travellers.

First published at VoyagesAfriq

Goa, India, July 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals India’s Travel & Tourism sector is in strong recovery and will be within touching distance of the pre-pandemic peak this year.

Speaking today to Ministers at the G20 Summit in India, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, highlighted the sector’s resilience, growing at twice the rate of GDP not only in India, but across all G20 nations.

WTTC research forecasts Travel & Tourism contributing INR 16.5TN to the Indian economy this year, just 3.5% below 2019.

The sector is forecast to create over 1.6MN more jobs this year, recovering almost all of the jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic to reach almost 39MN, with around one in 13 workers in India in the Travel & Tourism sector.

International visitor spend in India is forecast to reach more than INR 2TN with domestic visitor spend forecast to reach more than INR 12.6TN.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The G20 Presidency provides India with the opportunity to highlight the economic and social value of Travel & Tourism, at a critical moment for the global economy.

“Minister Reddy has shown great leadership, rallying the G20 Ministers under the Goa Roadmap, showing the world that Travel & Tourism boosts economies whilst meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Travel & Tourism creates great job opportunities, providing exciting career opportunities for young people to be part of sustainable tourism under Travel for Life. WTTC has brought a panel of private sector leaders to the G20 to talk candidly about the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

“Growth will be double GDP, but we need governments to focus on reliable energy and sustainable aviation fuel production”.

A look back on last year

Last year, the sector’s GDP contribution grew by almost 90% to reach more than INR 15.6TN, representing 5.9% of the economy, edging closer to the 2019 high of 7% of the economy.

The sector also created 14.6MN more jobs in 2022 to reach 37.2MN jobs nationally – one in 13 jobs across India.

Last year also saw a 125% increase in international visitor spending in India, reach more than INR 1.6TN.

Domestic visitor spend grew 86% last year to reach more than INR 12.3TN. It is now just 1% behind pre-pandemic levels.

What does the next decade look like?

The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to INR 36.8TN by 2033, approximately 7% of the Indian economy and will employ over 58.2MN people across the country, with one in 10 working in the sector.

Asia-Pacific

In 2022, the Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism sector contributed USD $1.6TN to the regional economy, but this is still 50% behind the 2019 peak. WTTC forecasts the region’s GDP contribution from the sector will reach more than USD $2.6TN in 2023 – just 16% below the 2019 highpoint.

The sector employed over 155MN people across the region in 2022, an increase of 8.7MN from the previous year but still 15% behind pre-pandemic levels. WTTC forecasts the sector will fully recover the jobs lost during the pandemic by the end of 2024.

Quito, Ecuador, July 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO further strengthened its cooperation with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean as it brought together public and private sector leaders to advance investments in the tourism sector.

Against the backdrop of the meeting of its 68th Regional Commission for the Americas in Quito, Ecuador, UNWTO hosted the Seminar on Sustainable Investments to explore the main challenges and opportunities around this topic in the region.

Tourism Investments: A defining priority

The latest data from UNWTO shows that tourism in the Americas is steadily recovering, with international arrivals reaching 86% of 2019 levels by the end of the first quarter of this year. Moreover, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the tourism sector, which had experienced a decline, is now showing signs of revitalization:

• Registered projects investment projects rose by 185% between 2022 2021. These projects accounted for a total value of 192.6 billion USD, reflecting rising investor confidence in the region’s potential.

• Additionally, in 2021, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surged to US$134 billion, a 56% year-on-year increase, reclaiming a substantial portion of the ground lost in 2020.

To realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Americas, attracting investments that actively support their achievement is of utmost importance. It is crucial to establish a robust multilateral regulatory framework that fosters sustainable investments, further propelling the region’s progress towards the SDGs.

Quito Seminar Provides High-Level Platform

The Seminar on Sustainable Investments: A Strategy towards Competitiveness invited tourism ministers, traditional and non-traditional investors, multilateral funds, regional economic communities, tourism technology start-ups and the media to share good practices and knowledge. Highlighting the level of high-level political support for UNWTO’s work in this area, the Seminar counted on the presence of Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Puerto Rico and Vice Minister of the Dominican Republic. The focus was on:

• Encouraging strategic frameworks that facilitate the climate of doing business in the region, including measures to safeguard, attract and promote tourism investment projects to accelerate economic recovery and build resilience.

• Fostering cooperation for the application of sustainable investment frameworks for the promotion of tourism investments and job creation, including through the promotion of incentives focused on innovative financing instruments.

• Promoting regional cooperation for streamlining sustainable tourism investment mechanisms, through economic recovery and diversification instruments with multiplier effects.

Contributing to the discussions were high-level representatives the Development Bank of Latin American and the Caribbean (CAF), fDi Intelligence of the Financial Times, IDB – Inter-American Development Bank and, representing investors and the private sector, Hotel Jama Campay, WAYRA (Telefónica), IMPAQTO, UnTours,  Maraey, Metropolitan Touring, GHL Hoteles and the Confederación Panamericana de Escuelas de Hotelería, Gastronomía y Turismo, amongst others, sharing sustainable investment models in innovative infrastructure.

UNWTO and CAF

In January 2023, UNWTO and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) announced a new partnership to promote and retain investment in tourism across the Latin American and Caribbean region. In Quito:

• UNWTO and CAF released the first of a series of investment guidelines titled “Tourism Doing Business¨. The first edition, “Investing in Ecuador” aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ecuador’s tourism sector by showcasing the country’s favorable conditions and solid economic recovery post-pandemic, demonstrated by a favorable 2.9% growth in 2022 alongside a 21.7% growth in FDI between 2021 and 2022 .
• The partnership includes the development of tourism investment guides for five countries: Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Uruguay

Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today called on governments around the world to “get serious” on incentivizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and set ambitious targets to produce adequate quantities.

Without meaningful quantities of SAF, the global tourism body says the aviation sector cannot decarbonise on a scale that will allow it to reach Net Zero by 2050, as committed to by the industry and supported by ICAO Member States.

The aviation industry expects to reach net zero carbon emissions by

• Delivering the maximum reduction in emissions at source, through the use of SAF and innovative new propulsion technologies like hydrogen and electric
• Deploying modern fuel-efficient aircraft fleets
• Operational efficiency improvements (in air navigation, for example), and
• Out-of-sector solutions like offsetting or carbon capture.

SAF is expected to deliver the majority of greenhouse gas abatements needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Unfortunately, SAF production rates are insufficient to meet demand and prices remain high, despite the recent exponential increase in production.

The time for action is now. Without SAF, governments will struggle to meet their climate goals as set by the Paris Climate Agreement and their commitments to economic growth, which is heavily reliant on aviation for tourism, trade, and connectivity.

To address this urgent issue, WTTC calls on governments to

• Provide strong incentives to encourage investment in SAF production, including tax credits, grants or other financial incentives
• Work with the sector to set ambitious SAF production targets
• Coordinate their actions through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the specialised UN agency for aviation, to ensure global uniformity in SAF regulations, sustainability standards, procedures, and organisation.

An example of a successful incentive programme is in the United States. The recent Inflation Reduction Act which, through the Tax Blender Credit, created tax incentives for SAF production that are already bearing fruit.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “It is time for governments to take bold action and prioritise the production of sustainable aviation fuel. We are calling on all governments to act now.

“The demand for SAF has never been higher, airlines all over the world want to use SAF and have used every molecule ever made. However, current SAF production only meets 0.1% to 0.15% of requirement, despite a 200% increase in production in 2022 vs 2021. This leaves a massive gap that can only be filled through rapid and sustained investment.

“At today’s prices, SAF is on average three to five times more expensive than traditional fossil fuels. Governments must address this cost disparity by providing financial support and incentives to make SAF more accessible and affordable. Without those targets and without those incentives, the sector cannot decarbonise.

“The G7 leaders have an opportunity this week to deliver critical leadership on this issue by following-up on the commitment of their Climate, Energy and Environment ministers to accelerate efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry, including through the promotion of SAF. Turning the words of a communique into concrete policies to scale up SAF production would give aviation’s decarbonization a critical boost.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently launched a new policy aimed at accelerating SAF production, SAF Deployment. The policy calls for governments to take a leading role in facilitating the scale-up of SAF production. It also underscores the need for policies which are harmonized across countries and industries to provide a level playing field for the global civil aviation industry, while being technology and feedstock agnostic.

The IATA paper draws attention to the need for policies to address both near-term and longer-term SAF deployment and provide the necessary certainty for producers and investors to allocate existing biofuel refinery capacity to SAF as well as to develop new infrastructure.

WTTC in partnership with ICF is today launching a white paper, demystifying the impact and benefits of SAF for tourism destinations around the world. The white paper, ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuels: The Implications & Opportunities for Tourism Destinations’, sets out three critical actions destinations are advised to undertake to address the challenge and embrace the opportunities of SAF.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After a decade of progress, the global energy transition has plateaued amid the global energy crisis and geopolitical volatilities, according to a new World Economic Forum report, Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023. The report suggests that while there has been broad progress on clean, sustainable energy, there are emerging challenges to the equity of the transition – just, affordable access to energy and sustained economic development – due to countries shifting their focus to energy security.

– Major emerging economies with high future energy demand including China, India, Brazil and Indonesia, have made significant improvements on the energy transition, according to the report, Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023
– As many countries shift their focus to energy security at the expense of equity, a much speedier and more inclusive transition is still required to deliver a sustainable, secure and equitable energy future
– Sweden tops the Energy Transition Index, followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland
– The U.S., Germany and the Republic of Korea are among the G20 countries that have made strong progress on the energy transition, despite the global energy crisis.

The 13th edition of the report, published in collaboration with Accenture, draws on insights from the Energy Transition Index (ETI). This year, the ETI used an updated framework reflecting emerging shifts in the global energy landscape to benchmark 120 countries in two areas: the performance of their energy systems in the dimensions of equity, energy security and environmental sustainability; and the readiness of the enabling environment for energy transition. This edition also evaluated countries’ “transition momentum” for the first time to highlight the urgency of consistent progress on timely and effective transition.

Enabled by increasing volumes of clean energy investments, improving regulatory frameworks, technological innovations and urgency to address the climate crisis, some long-term trends of global energy transition are positive. Over the past decade, 95% of countries have improved their total ETI score, with improvements more pronounced for countries that consume a large amount of energy, including China, India, Republic of Korea and Indonesia.

Broadly speaking, however, ETI scores have plateaued in the past three years. This speed of transition is not sufficient to meet the Paris Agreement targets in an inclusive and secure way. The geopolitical and macroeconomic volatilities that prompted the recent global energy crisis shifted countries’ focus to maintaining secure and stable energy supply at the expense of universal affordability and challenge progress observed in the past decade.

Indeed, ETI scores declined for approximately 50% of the countries in the past year, which disproportionately impacted vulnerable consumers, small businesses and developing economies. Moreover, the growth rate of energy access has slowed and, at the current pace, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access for all by 2030 will likely be missed.

“The recent turbulence in energy markets has exposed how interconnected energy prices are with macroeconomic and social stability. This can, and has, put developing countries at risk of losing their momentum gained before the energy crisis on access to affordable, sustainable energy,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of Energy, Materials and Infrastructure, World Economic Forum. “It further demonstrates the importance of balancing improvements in energy security, sustainability and equity – at the same time – to enable an effective energy transition.”

When it comes to progress on energy transition, the gap between advanced economies and emerging and developing countries in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa has gradually narrowed over the past decade. As advanced economies and large emerging economies such as China and India push the boundaries of energy transition, propelled by ambitious industrial policy packages, progress in clean electrification, technology-intensive solutions for the decarbonization of heavy industries and advanced nuclear, there is a risk of that gap widening again. Multilateral collaboration is more important than ever to ensure an equitable, inclusive energy transition across the world, in which emerging economies are active participants rather than late entrants.

“Over the past decade, significant strides have been made but not at the pace required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Stephanie Jamison, Senior Managing Director and Global Resources Industry Practice lead, Accenture. “The focus must shift to helping more populous, developing nations make faster progress, which, while committed to decarbonization, lack the financial and technological capability to fully develop their renewable energy resources. Through greater collaboration and support we can enable a more equitable and sustainable future.”

Muqsit Ashraf, Senior Managing Director and Global Strategy Lead, Accenture, added: “The window of opportunity for reaching net-zero targets is closing and countries must move urgently to cleaner energy systems. Leveraging technology – both physical and digital, including data and AI – will be essential. By pushing the boundaries of disruptive technologies, like generative AI, countries and companies can realize what was previously thought impossible and simultaneously bolster not just sustainability but also better enable energy security and affordability.”

Sweden (1), Denmark (2) and Norway (3) lead the ETI 2023 rankings and have been the top three countries each year for the past decade. Despite their diverse energy system structures, they share common attributes, such as high levels of political commitment and stable regulatory frameworks, investments in research and development, increased renewable energy deployment and carbon pricing schemes to incentivize investments in low-carbon solutions.

France (7) is the only G20 country in the top 10, followed closely by Germany (11), the US (12), and the UK (13). Strong performance by the world’s largest economies, supported by the rapid development of renewable energy infrastructure and rising levels of investments in clean energy, is a signal of progress on the energy transition. Exposure to gas price volatilities is a risk factor to the inclusiveness of the energy transition, as demonstrated by the recent energy crisis and its fiscal and monetary implications, especially for European countries.

Brazil (14) and China (17) are the major emerging economies to appear in the top 20. Due to abundant hydroelectricity capacity and leadership in biofuels, Brazil scored high on energy security and environmental sustainability, accounting for 7% of renewable energy production worldwide. China leads on renewable energy investments and capacity development, supported by mature domestic supply chains, and in the incubation of industries such as electric vehicles and energy storage.

The long-term goals of the energy transition require sustained momentum in the wake of the current near-term volatilities. India (67) and Singapore (70) are the only major economies showing true momentum by advancing sustainability, energy security and equity in a balanced way. For example, despite continued economic growth, India has successfully reduced the energy intensity of its economy and the carbon intensity of its energy mix, while achieving universal energy access and effectively managing affordability of electricity.

Looking at each facet of energy system performance, fuel-exporting nations – Oman (90), Canada (19), Saudi Arabia (57) and Qatar (59) – scored among the highest in equity and inclusiveness, providing affordable energy for households and industries and leveraging the energy sector to empower economic growth. Notably, the US, Sweden, and Israel (28) also score high on this dimension, largely due to cost-reflective energy prices and leadership on trade in low-carbon technology products.

Advanced economies – the US, Australia (24) and Estonia (10) – scored highest in energy security, measuring the resilience and reliability of supply. A highly diversified energy mix, low dependence on fuel imports and limited interruptions in energy supply were contributing factors. Notably, they were closely followed by an emerging economy, Malaysia (35).

The report revealed that many countries – amounting to over 90% of global emissions – are prioritizing sustainability, focusing on policies and programmes that promote energy conservation, renewable technologies and innovation in energy storage and grid modernization. Latin America led the way, with low levels of carbon intensity in energy supply, low per capita emissions and a high share of clean energy in final demand. Paraguay (34), Costa Rica (25) and Uruguay (23) in particular reaped the advantages of their abundant hydroelectric potential.

“The response to the global energy crisis has opened new opportunities for countries to reduce the energy intensity of their economic growth and increase the resilience of energy systems,” said Espen Mehlum, Head of Energy Transition intelligence and Regional Acceleration, World Economic Forum. “Together with the continued pressure to transform energy systems to respond to the urgent need to address climate change, it provides strong foundations to further accelerate the global energy transition.”