Archive for 2003
16 Dec, 2003
WTM 2003 Report 1: Tour Operators Change With The Times
Announcements made at the World Travel Market 2003 by tour operators and marketing companies show that they are becoming more specialised, flexible and techno-oriented, even as they add new destinations and tour products.
more…14 Dec, 2003
Gathering Against Goliaths: Civil Society To Rally at World Social Forum in Mumbai
Originally Published: 14 December 2003 About 75,000 activists and non-government organisations opposing everything from imperialist globalisation to fundamentalism and militarisation are to gather in Mumbai, India, from 16 to 24 January 2004, for the fourth World Social Forum. Being held for the first time in Asia, the event will mark yet another strengthening and coming […]
more…14 Dec, 2003
WTM 2003 Report 10: Calling All Travel Agents
While many in the travel & tourism industry are trumpeting the usage of the Internet to facilitate direct bookings, at least a few companies and organisations continue to believe in the distribution role of travel agents, and still want to do business with them.
more…3 Dec, 2003
WTM 2003 Report 9: Rwanda’s Gorillas To The Rescue
In a sobering reminder to humanity of the importance of preserving culture, wildlife and heritage, Rwanda, the African country where more than one million people fell victim to one of the worst genocides of the last decade, is turning to its mountain gorillas to help it revive tourism.
more…1 Dec, 2003
WTM 2003 Dispatch 8: To Boycott, Or Not To Boycott
Some countries are still ruled by people considered by Western countries to be dictators and despots. Zimbabwe is one such country. Although it is a superb tourism destination, some say sending tourists there is tantamount to supporting an ‘odious’ regime. Others disagree.
more…1 Dec, 2003
Low Cost Airlines Set to Revolutionise Asian Travel
Like in other parts of the world over the past few years, the entry of low-cost airlines into Thailand is causing much hand-wringing amongst established players like Thai Airways International as well as struggling players like Orient Thai. However, unable to project them as potential commercial failures for the simple reason that they have proved […]
more…28 Nov, 2003
Star-Power Strikes At WTM 2003
Hollywood actor Michael Douglas turned up at the WTM 2003 to promote the Balearics, where he has a mansion. That was only the tip of a mountain of marketing efforts being made by destinations to build on star-power.
more…26 Nov, 2003
WTM 2003 Dispatch 6: MICE Events – A Twist In The Trends
While the impact of economic and technological issues on the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry has been well-documented, new research is examining the cultural and social impact of changing consumer lifestyles.
more…25 Nov, 2003
WTM 2003 Dispatch 5: In Pursuit Of Interactive Travellers
Buried deep in Tourism New Zealand’s media kit at the WTM 2003 was this research study on Interactive Travellers, the people considered most likely to visit a country located at the far end of the travel chain.
more…24 Nov, 2003
Asian Highway Pact Cleared, Set to Transform Asia’s Road Network
After years of arduous negotiations, representatives of 32 Asia-Pacific countries last week adopted an agreement that sets out the minimum terms, conditions and standards for joining, coordinating and developing the vast, 140,000-kilometre Asian Highway network. Due to be signed at the 60th ministerial session of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific in April 2004, […]
more…20 Nov, 2003
WTM 2003 Dispatch 3: Global Travel Market Report
A compilation of key trends and conclusions reached at the World Travel Monitor Forum, organised by the consulting group IPK International in San Giuliano Terme near Pisa from 29 October through 1 November 2003
more…19 Nov, 2003
Future Trends In Tourism
The European Travel Commission compiled this list of trends as a draft document for circulation to its members for comment. It was made available to Travel Impact Newswire at the WTM 2003 Forecast Forum. Reproduced with permission.
more…18 Nov, 2003
As Wars Rage, Walls Re-Emerge
Barriers to travel, widely thought to be falling precipitously in the last decade of the 20th century, are re-emerging in the first decade of the 21st century. The travel & tourism industry has no clue what to do about it.
more…17 Nov, 2003
Global Shifts, Lifestyle Changes Affecting MICE Sector
Global geopolitics, economic factors, demographic trends as well as lifestyle changes are having a major impact on the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry, according to a research report. The report, prepared for the EIBTM, an annual European trade show featuring the MICE industry, says the impact is being felt across the board, from […]
more…6 Nov, 2003
Sleeping Giant, But Not For Long
While China is seen as the “awakening giant” in terms of travel industry development, India is seen as the “sleeping giant”. But Indian hoteliers said their giant isn’t going to be asleep for much longer.
more…4 Nov, 2003
Asia-Pacific Hoteliers Optimistic But Cautious
About 300 of the Asia-Pacific region’s seniormost hoteliers and dealmakers wrapped up a major conference in Hong Kong last month, expressing optimism about future investment prospects but a lot of caution about the extreme volatility of cash flows due to recurring crises.
more…3 Nov, 2003
“Time for Assessment of Security Costs Facing Travel Industry”
The chairman of the Canadian Tourist Commission says it is about time global travel industry associations to start doing some serious calculations about how much upgrading security is going to cost the industry, and the impact it could have on profitability and travel patterns. In an interview last week, Mr. Doug Fyfe said it was […]
more…2 Nov, 2003
Mahathir’s Assessment Can Be Denounced, but Not Denied
Originally Published: 2 Nov 2003 The most noticeable aspect of the so-called “anti-Semitic” attack by the then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad at the Organisation of Islamic conference in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago is that it has been denounced, but not denied. The reason is simple: It cannot be. Like the fundamentalist mullahs who […]
more…29 Oct, 2003
Indian Agents Convene in Malaysia As Rush Builds for Indian Market
KUALA LUMPUR: The mass rush to attract Indian tourists to Southeast Asia has become more competitive with the convening of a landmark annual congress by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in Kuala Lumpur last week. About 1,100 TAAI member delegates turned up for the historic congress, TAAI’s first outside South Asia since 1983. […]
more…27 Oct, 2003
Security Companies Salivate at Opportunities From Terrorism
Security companies are salivating at the prospects of generating billions of dollars in business from travel & tourism as a result of the overwhelming anti-terrorism focus of the final statement issued by last week’s APEC summit. The leaders made a direct reference to travel & tourism when they agreed in the communiqué to “strengthen our […]
more…20 Oct, 2003
Thailand, Vietnam Top Youth Travel Survey
PATTAYA — Vietnam and Thailand are rapidly becoming two of the world’s most popular countries for backpackers, a survey of young travellers has revealed. The survey showed that 75% of respondents who described themselves as backpackers had visited Thailand and 87.5% had visited Vietnam on their “last big trip”. India came in third with 66% […]
more…20 Oct, 2003
Vietnam, Thailand Top Popularity Charts for Backpackers
PATTAYA — Vietnam and Thailand are rapidly becoming two of the world’s most popular countries for backpackers, a survey of young travellers has revealed. The survey showed that 75% of respondents who described themselves as backpackers had visited Thailand and 87.5% had visited Vietnam on their “last big trip”. India came in third with 66% […]
more…13 Oct, 2003
Brutal Cost-Cutting To Come as Thai Airways Cracks Revenue Whip
Thai Airways International served notice last week that its suppliers and associated can expect some hard bargaining as it strives to cut costs and boost revenues in preparation for additional privatisation in 2004. Airports, global distribution systems, travel agents and oil companies are among the groups expected to be targetted as the airline moves both […]
more…6 Oct, 2003
Head of World’s Newest Country Inaugurates PATA Travel Mart
SINGAPORE – The President of the world’s youngest country last week became the first head of state to inaugurate the annual travel mart of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and made a strong pitch for both visitors and investors to help him with nation building. President Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste told the Asia-Pacific […]
more…5 Oct, 2003
In UN Speeches, Leaders of Sri Lanka, Indonesia Assess the “Root Causes” of Conflict
Originally Published: 5 Oct 2003 The annual UN General Assembly session is often dismissed as a meaningless talk shop. To some extent, that is true. But the speakers are among the seniormost national leaders and, after clearing the diplomatic niceties, their statements do reflect strong views about the state of the world today. Their frustrations, […]
more…29 Sep, 2003
The Twin Tragedy: Those Who Lie for the Cause, and Die for the Cause
Originally Published: 29 Sept 2003 Global conflict today can be traced back to two sources — those who are ready to die for the cause, and those who lie for the cause. The distinction between the two is that those who are willing to die for the cause, actually die for the cause, while those […]
more…22 Sep, 2003
“Crisis Management” Programmes Treat Only Symptoms, Not the Cause
The recent spate of crises buffetting the travel & tourism industry have given rise to a phenomena called “crisis management programmes.” But the industry only has to look at the examples of Sri Lanka and Nepal for proof that these programmes have very limited value unless the root causes of the problems are addressed. Last […]
more…22 Sep, 2003
How Effective are “Crisis Management” Programmes
The recent spate of crises buffetting the travel & tourism industry have given rise to a phenomena called “crisis management programmes.” But the industry only has to look at the examples of Sri Lanka and Nepal for proof that these programmes have very limited value unless the root causes of the problems are addressed. Last […]
more…15 Sep, 2003
France Resumes Post-SARS Marketing Campaigns in Asia
Tourism executives of the world’s top visitor-receiving country last week made a promotional comeback in Asia after a three-year break, indicating renewed interest in attracting the regional outbound market after the SARS-related slump. With 76 million arrivals a year, a mere 500,000 from all of Southeast Asia is probably nothing for France. But contemporary geopolitical […]
more…15 Sep, 2003
France Resumes Asia Promotions After Three-Year Break
Tourism executives of the world’s top visitor-receiving country last week made a promotional comeback in Asia after a three-year break, indicating renewed interest in attracting the regional outbound market after the SARS-related slump. With 76 million arrivals a year, a mere 500,000 from all of Southeast Asia is probably nothing for France. But contemporary geopolitical […]
more…13 Sep, 2003
Indonesia: From Feast To Near Famine
Reports from the Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo (TIME 2003) in Jakarta, Sept 3-6, 2003
1. Indonesia: From Feast To Near Famine
2. Government Ponders Shape Of The Visa Policy
3. Look At Root Causes Of Terrorism, Says Zecha
9 Sep, 2003
Changing The Culture Of Alcohol Misuse
The travel and tourism industry espouses many noble causes — the environment, HIV/AIDS, poverty, child-sex tourism. However, it has not yet plucked up the courage to take a serious look at the widespread problems caused by alcohol abuse.
more…8 Sep, 2003
As Visa Crisis Looms, Indonesia Seek Arrivals from ASEAN Countries
JAKARTA — Facing yet another crisis in the wake of a government plan to impose visas, the Indonesian tourism industry will next month dispatch a 30-member promotion delegation to Thailand, one of the few countries that might be excluded from the visa-requirement list. The delegation is due in Bangkok on October 8 for a four-day […]
more…7 Sep, 2003
NYT Journalist’s Book Questions Rationale Behind the “War on Terror”
Originally Published: 7 Sept 2003 The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon is set to be seared in the annual calendar of memorials. As timing is everything, last week’s clockwork release of tapes recalling the panic, anguish and suffering of the victims, made sure of that. Sadly, no tapes […]
more…1 Sep, 2003
Tourism Will Need More Migrant-Workers, Posing New Challenges and Problems
A low profile meeting at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific last week focussed attention on one of the most significant elements of the global travel industry: Migration patterns. The travel industry is a major beneficiary of the huge numbers of migrants, mainly job-seekers, on the move as a result […]
more…28 Aug, 2003
The Role Of Migration In Travel
A low profile meeting at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok this week has focussed attention on one of the most significant elements of the global travel industry: Migration patterns.
more…25 Aug, 2003
Good News For The Health-Travel Industry
Traditional medicine is making a global comeback. Spas and health centres will find this upcoming document a major blessing.
more…25 Aug, 2003
Terrorism to Continue Until Arab-Israeli Problem is Solved, Says New Report
A report on the relationship between terrorism and tourism says that terrorism will never end as long as the Arab-Israeli problem remains unresolved and Israel remains in occupation of Palestine.
more…18 Aug, 2003
Asian Development Bank Loans to Aid Tourism in Asia
The Asian Development Bank has extended loans that will benefit ecotourism in Nepal and the development of inter-atoll transportation in the Maldives. Next month, it will be helping to organise a ministerial meeting of the Mekong countries, with one of the issues on the agenda being the establishment of a GMS visa.
more…18 Aug, 2003
Women-Only Travel on the Rise
A recent issue of the Canadian Tourism Monthly magazine reported on two growing trends: Hard Outdoor Adventure and Women-Only Travel. Yep, you heard right — Women-Only Travel.
more…15 Aug, 2003
Various Paths To Peace
As both terrorism and the war on terrorism continue to exact a devastating toll on global travel & tourism, the search is on for alternative paths to peace. For those seriously interested in doing something, here is a choice.
more…8 Aug, 2003
Post-SARS Recovery Is On, Say Global Distribution Systems
In this dispatch 1. Post-SARS RECOVERY IS ON, SAY GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 2. LASTMINUTE IN BUMPER THIRD QUARTER 3. NEPAL SURGES, OFFERS FREE VISAS 4. ITALIANS VOTED WORLD’S BEST DRESSED TRAVELLERS 5. TEN PER CENT OF TREE SPECIES FACE EXTINCTION -0- 1. Post-SARS RECOVERY IS ON, SAY GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS The backbone of the Asian […]
more…5 Aug, 2003
Alcohol Summit to Convene in New South Wales
The impact of alcohol consumption in the travel & tourism industry is not well-researched. It should be. In the tradition of not wanting to bite the hand that feeds it, the industry steers clearly does not want to upset its multi-million dollar sponsors and supporters.
more…3 Aug, 2003
Alcohol Summit To Convene In New South Wales
Alcohol consumption is not a well-researched issues in the travel & tourism industry. However, there is no doubt of the close linkage between the two — from duty-free sales to wine tourism, this industry survives and thrives on it. It fills government tax coffers, livens up parties and, consumed in moderation, is known to have […]
more…13 Jul, 2003
The Lies that Led the World to War in Iraq
Revisit the statements and speeches that were used to justify the war on Iraq and it becomes obvious that it was fought on the basis of utter fabrications, lies and deception. Worse, the leaders of the so-called “international community,” the “free world”, the “democratic countries” or whatever one wishes to call them cannot be held […]
more…7 Jul, 2003
Luxury Hotels Group Sees Surge in Internet Bookings
One of the world’s most unique group of luxury hotels is reporting a sharp surge in bookings received directly over the Internet, and plans to grow those numbers further in the months ahead. The Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), whose 290 exclusive properties are frequented by the world’s rich and famous, has seen […]
more…30 Jun, 2003
Oz Airlines Seek Marketing Support to Try New Asian Destinations
Australian airlines are open to talks on flying to specific Asian destinations if the destinations can build a strong case and, uhhm, put up some money.
more…30 Jun, 2003
Aussies Seek Ways to Build Shield Against Future Shocks
MELBOURNE: High-level consultations are under way throughout the Australian tourism industry to finalise a medium to long term strategy designed to help grow the industry and better position it against future shocks. It is the first national review of Australian tourism since 1997 when a similar exercise was carried out for a plan to capitalise […]
more…26 Jun, 2003
Aussies Report No Post-SARS Price Pressure at ATE
Some doing-business issues were expected to surface big-time during the Eastern Hemisphere section of the ATE. They didn’t, at least not to any great extent.
more…23 Jun, 2003
The ATE, First Major Travel Show After SARS, Ends Strongly
Melbourne – Australia’s most important annual travel trade show, which came close to being cancelled a month ago, ended strongly last week amidst rising optimism and clear signs of a rebounding regional travel & tourism industry. The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) was the first major international travel event of the post-SARS era, billed as the […]
more…16 Jun, 2003
Cambodian Minister To Resist Visa-On-Arrival Cutback
Cambodian tourism minister Veng Sereyvuth said last week he would resist any attempts by Cambodian security authorities to alter the country’s visa-on-arrival policy as a result of the recent arrests of alleged “terrorists” in his country. “That will not be good,” he said in an interview last week. “We need tourists. We are a poor […]
more…15 Jun, 2003
Message To the American Empire: Unjust Rulers Always Fall — Always!!
Originally Published: 15 June 2003 The most basic premise of a judicial process is that a suspect is innocent until proven guilty. The second basic premise is that evidence has to be found and produced in court BEFORE a suspect can be prosecuted and convicted. Am I correct in asserting that, or not? No ifs […]
more…6 Jun, 2003
Travel Industry Trapped In A Sickness-A-Year Syndrome
With Iraq behind us, and SARS fading, a Travel Impact Newswire essay looks at ways for the travel & tourism industry to look ahead and start treating itself the same many of its customers are demanding: holistically.
more…2 Jun, 2003
Post-SARS Tourism Bunfight Starts
Over the next few weeks, Thailand’s tourism industry will be facing ferocious competition as Asian destinations mount vigorous big-budget campaigns to recoup the significant losses of the past few weeks. While 9/11 and the Iraq war hit tourism worldwide, SARS specifically struck a slew of regional destinations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, China […]
more…30 May, 2003
Racism Fears Influence Muslim Travel Destination Choice
This dispatch of Travel Impact Newswire discusses one of the most profoundly disturbing shifts taking place in travel trends worldwide.
more…26 May, 2003
Throwing Marketing Money at Crisis May Not Prove Effective, Industry Execs Say
While there is a good deal of support for the government’s move to launch multi-million baht roadshows to address the short-term need to bring back visitors this low season, there is concern that the money is being spent in a highly imbalanced way that overlooks simpler and more long-term solutions. Interviews with industry leaders indicated […]
more…25 May, 2003
Saudi Arabia Opens Its Doors — Carefully
The first Saudi in space, Prince Sultan bin Salman, is to lead Saudi Arabia’s first tourism promotion drive. The conservative kingdom is going about it very, very carefully, and with good reason.
more…19 May, 2003
All-Economy Airline, Gulf Traveller, Launched
DUBAI: Gulf Air, the Bahrain-based carrier owned by the governments of Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched the Middle East region’s first all-economy class airline, Gulf Traveller. The airline is to start flying on 1 June 2003 out of a new hub to be developed in the UAE state of Abu […]
more…18 May, 2003
As “Holy Days” Became “Holidays”, Partying Replaces Praying
Originally Published: 18 May 2003 Somewhere through the passage of time, a small but significant change occurred in societies and communities that converted holy days into merely holidays. The original objective of a holy day was largely religious, a day of worship, meditation and prayer. Rest was designed to soothe the mind, nourish the spirit, […]
more…12 May, 2003
Putting More Balance Into The Business
Emirates Holidays, one of the Middle East’s most prominent wholesalers, is pushing ahead with a major strategy to balance its over-exposure to the UAE and Gulf country markets as source of revenues.
more…12 May, 2003
SARS Scare Dries Up Business for Thais at Arabian Travel Market
Seriously tainted by the erroneous perception of coming from a SARS-affected country, Thai hotels and tour operators found themselves in the highly unusual position of twiddling their thumbs at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) last week. The lack of buyers was made worse by a poorly-managed communications counter-campaign that saw Thailand being clearly eclipsed by […]
more…28 Apr, 2003
SARS Strikes, Leading To Worst Fall in Thai Tourism History
International visitor arrivals at Bangkok airport have plunged by 41% in first three-week period of April 2003 over the same period of 2002 due to the SARS crisis, the biggest fall ever in the history of Thai tourism. Figures made available to this columnist last week showed that arrivals at Bangkok airport, the country’s major […]
more…24 Apr, 2003
Are Balinese Leaders Smarter Than Indian Leaders?
Bali and India share a common historic Hindu heritage. That, unfortunately, is where the similarity ends. When it comes to tourism and preserving the peace, Indian leaders have much to learn from Balinese leaders.
more…20 Apr, 2003
Orwell’s “Animal Farm” Warnings on How Totalitarianism Creeps In More Relevant Than Ever
Originally Published: 20 April 2003 No student of the history of totalitarianism can afford to ignore the monumental literary works of British author George Orwell, whose 100th birth anniversary is being commemorated this year. Well worth revisiting today are Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ (1946), a brilliant satire about the failure of communism, and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949) […]
more…19 Feb, 2003
Whatever happened to “There is No Justification for Killing Innocent Civilians”?
Originally published: 19 Feb 2003 Hands up those who agree: There is no justification for killing innocent civilians. That statement resounded vigorously after 9/11 and rises in volume each time Palestinian suicide bombers strike in the streets of Israeli cities. I stress the words “no justification”, free of any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. Now, according to […]
more…6 Jan, 2003
Thai Aviation Department Rebuts Claims of Air Traffic Decline
After listening silently for more than a year to complaints about the decline in airline frequencies to Thailand, the Aviation Department has struck back, releasing figures which show exactly the opposite. In the current winter season 2002/2003, Thailand is being served by 79 foreign airlines operating a total of 670 weekly scheduled international flights, up […]
more…5 Jan, 2003
2002: The Year TIME Magazine Recognised Whistle-blowers
Originally Published: 5 Jan 2003 On Sept 22, 2002, the Soul-Searching column was headlined “Let’s Hear it for the Whistle-blowers.” In it I paid tribute to the morally correct choice whistle-blowers make, at great personal risk and doubtless after a great of soul-searching, to blow the whistle on wrongdoings in their companies and institutions. I […]
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