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Discuss this article (0 Comments)Global travel trends revealed
by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Wednesday, 02 January 2008
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The report revealed that Algeria and Libya were currently considering which local tourist development model to emulate, opting for either the Tunisian or the Egyptian model.
Tunisia has implemented the "sun and sea" model, targeting the European mass market, while Egypt has combined inexpensive "sun, sand and sea" packages with its traditional cultural tourism.
The Algerian government considers tourism development one of its key priorities for its economic policy and is addressing the lack of infrastructure, which is considered one of the main obstacles to attracting wider source markets.
And, according to Euromonitor, "a dramatic change is expected in the Libyan tourism market".
"Following an end to international isolation and economic sanctions, the government has identified tourism as a key area for investment in order to diversify its economy," it said, noting that oil revenues were being pumped into infrastructure and incentives for foreign travel groups.
But the report did warn that both countries needed to improve security and visa requirements in order to attract tourism business.
A dog's life
Euromonitor also identified key travel trends for North and South America, the UK, Europe and Asia, providing insight into potential money-spinners for travel and tourism related companies worldwide.
Pet power was pinpointed as the latest trend to hit the UK, with demand for pet-friendly holiday and facilities escalating thanks to the 49 million pets now residing with their owners in households across the country.
"The trend toward treating animals as family members means consumers are no longer content in leaving pets behind when on holiday," said the report.
"[Travel and tourism] players catering to pets will be best placed for dynamic returns in the next five years."
Euromonitor hinted at the need for niche operators to cater to pet tourism and hotels to offer pet-friendly facilities.
Moving across to Western Europe, the concept of slow travel is emerging, where slow travellers opt for stress-free holidays, often in a rural and eco-friendly environment.
"Slow travel is the polar opposite of the standard package tour, jam-packed with must-see stops and trips. Instead, slow travellers choose to spend a holiday of one week or more renting a property in a quiet location," the report explained.
It said slow travellers considered the impact of their holiday on the local community and environment and advised tour operators to not only offer rural stays and accommodation, but to introduce the "slow concept" into their standard packages, "allowing their customers to take things slowly and enjoy a more authentic experience".
A faster pace was noted in Asia Pacific where mobile phone technology is set to become the leading marketing tool for airlines and travel companies alike, said Euromonitor.
"The number of mobile phone owners in almost every Asia Pacific market exceeds the number of internet users presenting a potentially lucrative channel for travel and tourism players to focus on," the report said.
It noted that SMS communication was the way forward to book and confirm travel, with Singapore Airlines already sending SMS ticket confirmations, while mobile blogging was allowing travellers to post pictures of their travel experiences on their phone to share with other users.
Key issues and trends noted
Middle East: Halal tourism offers potential
There is currently little differentiation between Middle Eastern travel and tourism products and services for Muslims and non-Muslims. This represents a huge opportunity for Halal tourism - a form of religious tourism defined as activities permissible under Islamic law.
It is important for Halal tourism to grow alongside domestic tourism infrastructure, giving rise to organic and adapted products and services that appeal to Middle East tourists.
There is also great scope to attract Halal visitors from outside the Middle East from Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia and from the growing Muslim populations in Europe and the US.
Hajj and Umrah packages for pilgrims offer potential for Halal tourism products and services.
North Africa: Tourism poised for success
As they experience greater political stability, Algeria and Libya are potential tourism powerhouses, following in the footsteps of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
The governments of both Algeria and Libya have embraced tourism development as a means for economic growth and have started to build the necessary infrastructure and make bids for foreign investment.
The UK: Have pet, will travel
The trend for pets to be treated as a member of the family has led to a rise in demand for pet travel facilities.
There is currently a lack of supply to meet this untapped demand for pet travel and services.
Western Europe: Slow travel builds momentum
Slow travel is the antidote to life's stresses and strains, said the report, offering consumers the chance to disconnect from their hectic lifestyles and experience direct contact with nature.
The aim is to regain time - a luxury in today's fast-moving world.
Slow travellers opt to stay on farms or in rural areas and are often advocates of responsible tourism.
The trend offers opportunities for hotels and operators to offer "slow packages".
Eastern Europe: Niche operators benefit from diaspora tourism
The expansion of the European Union to include Eastern Europe has lead to a rise in immigration for both humanitarian and economic reasons to Western Europe.
Lost cost airlines have enabled these "Diasporas" to travel frequently to their homelands and niche travel agencies are cropping up to cater to heritage tourism - heritage tourists returning home to learn more about their ancestry.
Asia: Asians go mobile
With some of the cheapest SMS tariffs in the world, Asia has entered the era of text revolution and travel and tourism operators are embracing SMS as a communication tool providing services such as SMS ticketing services and promotions.
Exciting developments are taking place in "m-commerce" for mobile phone payment technology and will prove a key distribution channel for travel and tourism operators in the next five years.
North America: Debaucherists work hard and play harder
Young adults seeking to prolong their uninhibited youth are following in the footsteps of tabloid celebrities and travelling to experience out-of-control parties - a trend called "debaucherism tourism".
Las Vegas thrives on catering to these "debaucherists" with hotels hosting pool parties and cruise liners offering cutting edge music acts.
South America: The exotic lure of ‘end of the world' tourism
Considered the "End of the World", Ushuaia, Argentina, is benefiting from a boom in tourism thanks to media attention to climate change and the popularity of films such as The March of the Penguins.
Hotel chains and cruise companies are expanding their capacity in this region - a response to increase demand from baby boomers in North America.
For more information visit www.wtmlondon.com.
Middle East: Halal tourism offers potential
There is currently little differentiation between Middle Eastern travel and tourism products and services for Muslims and non-Muslims. This represents a huge opportunity for Halal tourism - a form of religious tourism defined as activities permissible under Islamic law.
It is important for Halal tourism to grow alongside domestic tourism infrastructure, giving rise to organic and adapted products and services that appeal to Middle East tourists.
There is also great scope to attract Halal visitors from outside the Middle East from Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia and from the growing Muslim populations in Europe and the US.
Hajj and Umrah packages for pilgrims offer potential for Halal tourism products and services.
North Africa: Tourism poised for success
As they experience greater political stability, Algeria and Libya are potential tourism powerhouses, following in the footsteps of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
The governments of both Algeria and Libya have embraced tourism development as a means for economic growth and have started to build the necessary infrastructure and make bids for foreign investment.
The UK: Have pet, will travel
The trend for pets to be treated as a member of the family has led to a rise in demand for pet travel facilities.
There is currently a lack of supply to meet this untapped demand for pet travel and services.
Western Europe: Slow travel builds momentum
Slow travel is the antidote to life's stresses and strains, said the report, offering consumers the chance to disconnect from their hectic lifestyles and experience direct contact with nature.
The aim is to regain time - a luxury in today's fast-moving world.
Slow travellers opt to stay on farms or in rural areas and are often advocates of responsible tourism.
The trend offers opportunities for hotels and operators to offer "slow packages".
Eastern Europe: Niche operators benefit from diaspora tourism
The expansion of the European Union to include Eastern Europe has lead to a rise in immigration for both humanitarian and economic reasons to Western Europe.
Lost cost airlines have enabled these "Diasporas" to travel frequently to their homelands and niche travel agencies are cropping up to cater to heritage tourism - heritage tourists returning home to learn more about their ancestry.
Asia: Asians go mobile
With some of the cheapest SMS tariffs in the world, Asia has entered the era of text revolution and travel and tourism operators are embracing SMS as a communication tool providing services such as SMS ticketing services and promotions.
Exciting developments are taking place in "m-commerce" for mobile phone payment technology and will prove a key distribution channel for travel and tourism operators in the next five years.
North America: Debaucherists work hard and play harder
Young adults seeking to prolong their uninhibited youth are following in the footsteps of tabloid celebrities and travelling to experience out-of-control parties - a trend called "debaucherism tourism".
Las Vegas thrives on catering to these "debaucherists" with hotels hosting pool parties and cruise liners offering cutting edge music acts.
South America: The exotic lure of ‘end of the world' tourism
Considered the "End of the World", Ushuaia, Argentina, is benefiting from a boom in tourism thanks to media attention to climate change and the popularity of films such as The March of the Penguins.
Hotel chains and cruise companies are expanding their capacity in this region - a response to increase demand from baby boomers in North America.
For more information visit www.wtmlondon.com.
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