16 Feb, 2009
Airports Blast Airlines For Pressuring Them on Charges, Costs
The head of the global association of airports has blasted airlines for “having no commitment” to their destinations and suggested they back off from pressuring airports to reduce fees and landing charges. Speaking at the Airports Council International AGM in London last week, Angela Gittens said: “During bad times, airports vie more than ever for […]
more…2 Feb, 2009
Civil Society Groups Rue Damage Done by Tourism
Social movements and tourism watchdog groups from around the world met in the Brazilian Amazon last week to discuss the damage done by “predatory neoliberal capitalism” and the proliferation of megaresorts and real estate developments along the coastlines of tropical poor countries. Under the theme “Another Tourism is Possible”, dozens of tourism non-governmental organisations and […]
more…22 Dec, 2008
17 Americans Attend First Tour Operators Convention in Iran
TEHRAN – Seventeen American tour operators and media were amongst a group of 120 tour operators and travel media from 48 countries who attended the first international tour operators convention organised by the Iranian tourism industry late last month. They found a country which is completely different from that which they read about in the […]
more…10 Nov, 2008
PATA Faces “Major Overhaul”, says Acting CEO
The Bangkok-based Pacific Asia Travel Association has embarked upon a “major overhaul” covering just about every aspect of its internal and external structures, membership relevance and future directions, according to acting President and CEO Brian Deeson. Mr. Deeson, a former PATA chairman and secretary/treasurer, is Vice President Industry Affairs for Accor Hospitality based in Sydney. […]
more…13 Oct, 2008
“Another Tourism is Possible,” Say Civil Society Groups
Non-governmental organisations in the travel & tourism industry took advantage of World Tourism Day last month to stress that the present financial crises may prove to be a short-term phenomenon, and that the industry would still have to deal with long-term issues. NGOs in Asia and Europe used Sept 27, World Tourism Day, to issue […]
more…21 Jul, 2008
Coming Next: “Mental Health Tourism”
You’ve heard of “medical tourism” and “health and wellness tourism”. Now, get ready for a new one: “Mental Health Tourism.” A paper presented by a group of Japanese researchers at the Asia Pacific Tourism Association annual conference in Bangkok last week says that this form of tourism would be specifically targetted at urban dwellers suffering […]
more…19 May, 2008
Sports Events Tourism Benefits “Grossly Overstated”
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia — With national tourism organisations facing increasing demands to sponsor multi-million dollar sports events on the basis of their perceived tourism promotion value, a University of Victoria professor has urged that they take a closer look at the “grossly overstated” figures that are being produced to justify the money. Speaking at the […]
more…9 Apr, 2008
Aviation, Tourism In Climate Change “Danger Zone”
Six major industry sectors – aviation, healthcare, tourism, transport, oil and gas and financial services — are in particular danger from climate change risks, claims professional services organization KPMG.
more…3 Mar, 2008
OECD Report Analyses Impact of Globalisation on Tourism SMEs
Helping small & medium sized enterprises in the travel & tourism industry compete and survive in the age of globalisation is the subject of a major report on tourism in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries released by the Paris-based organisation last week. The report examines the effects of increasing globalisation on […]
more…22 Jan, 2008
Global Survey Highlights Lack Of Faith In World Leaders
The latest findings of a global survey carried out for the World Economic Forum show a lack of faith that the next generation will live in a safer world.
more…7 Jan, 2008
Backlash Against Branding Gains Ground
Imagine a tourist destination that openly brags about having no McDonalds, Pizza Huts, KFC, Starbucks, Travelodge or Holiday Inns.
more…5 Nov, 2007
UNWTO Organises Cordoba Conference to Boost Religious Tourism
CORDOBA, Spain – With millions of people now on the move for “religious tourism,” the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has begun to turn its attention towards studying and analysing the issues related to its sustainability. The growth of interest in the Buddhist circuit is one aspect of this phenomena which covers two kinds of […]
more…17 Sep, 2007
World Exclusive: UNWTO Warns Against Iran Conflict
The Deputy Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation, Dr Taleb Rifai said that further hostilities in the Middle East would solve nothing but rather create problems that could cause incalculable damage worldwide.
more…3 Sep, 2007
Sikhs Protest U.S. Airport Profiling
First it was just the metal detectors and body checks, then came removal of shoes, sharp objects and cigarette lighters followed by metal forks and knives as well as nail-clippers. Recently, water, liquids and gels have been placed on the list. Now comes the latest in a long list of insane security checks – permission […]
more…30 Jul, 2007
Private Equity Firms Face Image Problems, Transparency Pressure
Seeking to counter a growing image problem and reputation as predatory buyout “asset-strippers”, private equity companies are trying to work out voluntary guidelines to provide more “disclosure and transparency” about themselves and their mega-billion dollar deals.
more…25 Jul, 2007
Next Big Thing: The “Happiness Business”
Bangkok – Is the phrase “travel & tourism industry” now outdated? If a rebranding is long overdue, how about the “happiness business”? Becoming arguably the first travel trade editor to cover a conference on promoting happiness organised at the UN regional headquarters in Bangkok last week, I was struck by the extent to which the […]
more…10 Jul, 2007
Global Businesses Face “Trust Gap,” Need To Reset Their “Moral Compass”
Global business leaders have been warned by a McKinsey Company survey that they are facing a “major trust gap” in how their companies are viewed by employees, consumers and the public.
more…2 Jul, 2007
Indonesians Blast European Ban on Garuda
Indonesian aviation and tourism authorities have been put on the defensive by last week’s European Union ban on Indonesian airlines, but are also beginning to question the timing, methodology and motivation of the move. Although the initial reaction has been again to plead their case before the EU Transport Commission and cite all the various […]
more…25 Jun, 2007
Beware the “Brutal” Private Equity Funds, Unions Warn
Continuing its campaign to warn governments and workers about the growing power of private equity funds, the federation of international unions in the hotel, catering, food and farm sectors has issued a report seeking to expose the funds’ inner workings and get them placed under greater public scrutiny. Produced in response to a growing number […]
more…11 Jun, 2007
Whither Tourism Brands In a World of “Homogenised Culture”
KUALA LUMPUR — National tourism boards need to start speaking out “against turning every country town into a showcase for global brands,” the chairman of VisitBritain warned last week. In a keynote presentation at the World Tourism Summit convened here by the UN World Tourism Organization, Mr Christopher Rodrigues said, “The more global companies and […]
more…7 May, 2007
Middle East Hotel Survey Says “Market Correction” Awaits
DUBAI: With about 82,000 rooms projected to open across the Middle East and North Africa region over the next four years, “a market correction is likely to happen with lower occupancy levels and declines in average rate,” according to the latest Middle East Hotel Survey for 2007 by the HVS consultancy company. The report says […]
more…26 Mar, 2007
Brand-Name Hotels More Likely to be Attacked, Say Security Consultants
Internationally-known brand name hotels are more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack than less well-known properties, two security consultants told a travel industry luncheon group last week. Speaking to the Skal Club of Bangkok, Tom Coghlan, CSP Managing Director and Fred Alimusa, CSP Training Director and Managing Director of Kerberos Co Ltd., […]
more…12 Mar, 2007
Another Tourism “Beauty Contest”, the WEF Competitiveness Index
BERLIN: Countries will soon be parading in yet another international beauty contest following the release of the World Economic Forum’s first Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) last week at the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show. Designed to “provide benchmarking tools that enable countries to identify key obstacles to competitiveness, and to […]
more…8 Feb, 2007
Asean Tourism: Diverse, But Disunited
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the most diverse multi-country region on the planet. But its once powerful joint tourism marketing campaigns are no more.
more…11 Dec, 2006
Luxury Travel Targets 2% of World’s “Uber-Wealthy”
CANNES, France — The world’s growing list of “uber-wealthy” were the target of a luxury travel market organised here last week, with more than 2,500 delegates seeking a piece of the action estimated to be worth more than US$ 44 billion in travel expenditure. Deluxe yachts, private jets, remote islands and lavish resorts were among […]
more…20 Mar, 2006
Pakistan Seeks Tourism Dividend from Peace With India
BERLIN: Seeking to cash in on the peace dividend with India, Pakistan is also going on a tourism promotion offensive, a move that could give a big boost to Thai Airways’ flights to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. Hashim Khan, Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, told a press conference at the ITB Berlin that although […]
more…29 May, 2005
Australians Rage Over Schapelle Corby Verdict in Bali
The following is a roundup of reactions in Australia after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing on drug smuggling charges in Bali. I’M GOING TO BOYCOTT BALI TOO, SAY CALLERS May 28, 2005 http://www.theage.com.au/news/Corby-Case/Im-going-to-boycott-Bali-too-say-callers/2005/05/27/1117129896430.html Talkback callers were quick to voice their disgust yesterday after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing. Many vowed to boycott Bali as a destination, including one Melbourne […]
more…24 Jun, 2002
As Aviation Security Costs Soar, Key Question Is: Who Will Pay?
As the airline industry faces billions of dollars in additional costs to security and insurance concerns, and the major question is: Who is going to pay, and how? For years, airlines resisted attempts to impose any kind of taxes, surcharges or levies, be it to protect the environment or boost government revenues, but today faces […]
more…10 Jun, 2002
Victimised TAT Governor Exonerated, Walks Away With Head High
Former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Pradech Phayakvichien last week walked away from his job legally exonerated of the charges against him, with the added confirmation that he was indeed the victim of a political conspiracy hatched by TAT insiders in collusion with Cabinet ministers. In a statement of rebuttal over the “ethical” as against […]
more…3 Jun, 2002
Australia Launches $3 Million, Multi-Language Tourism Website
BRISBANE: The Australian Tourist Commission last week launched a new multi-language tourism website designed to help potential visitors cut through the clutter of thousands of individual websites and give a major hand specially to small and medium sized businesses. Three years and A$3 million in the making, the website, australia.com, is referred to as “the […]
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