How to invest better in people, planet and prosperity to deliver a greener, more resilient and increasingly future-proof form of tourism was the focus of UNWTO delegates at Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh as celebrations continue for World Tourism Day.
On the second day of the organisation’s conference, Tourism & Green Investments, UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili invited the 500 delegates from 120 countries to identify and act on the big questions being asked.
Ministers unite at the World Tourism Day celebration in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh (Photo: Kathryn Wortley)
Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of tourism Haifa Al Saud said delegates “have the power to shape the industry”, and that the industry can be “a force for good: bringing people together, bridging cultures and providing prosperity”.
Anita Mendiratta, special advisor to UNWTO, said host Saudi Arabia is providing “a benchmark for (delegates) to follow” in this regard, reflected in the nation’s US$7 trillion spending in development on six giga projects through its Vision 2030.
One project on the north-west edge of the country, Neom, is expected to attract up to five million visitors annually while another, Amaala, on the north-western Red Sea coast, aims to be a resort and wellness destination featuring 1,500 luxury hotel rooms.
Integral to all the projects is the integration of tourism with local communities as a source of jobs and economic empowerment while protecting the environment.
“Social cohesion is very important, and we need to see the resilience we have built in the past few years in our tourism plans. We need to ensure the ecosystem works together to withstand ups and downs,” said Saudi Arabia’s minister of investment Khalid Al-Falih on how tourism investment should be approached.
In building for the future, though, it is vital that stakeholders remember to think global when making green investments in tourism, but act local in retaining their own uniqueness, as people are attracted to the authenticity of a place, he concluded.
Hotel and resort design is evolving – from a temporary place to stay at, to a liveable experience that considers the land, community, culture, climate change, and a slew of other factors.
Jose Claudio Silva, design principal of Singapore-based architecture and master planning practice 10 Design, foresaw hospitality building operators, owners and designers to be increasingly “truthful to culture and unique experience within the location and its surroundings”.
Silva: things are changing and will change the way we perceive spaces
“There are places with character, places that will grow beyond just spending a night, having a good sunset (view) or (enjoying) a nice and beautiful experience,” Silva said in an interview at the recent Hospitality Philippines Conference 2023. He remarked that “destinations and hotels” should have “added value for the person”, such as providing a cultural education or more during the hotel stay, for example.
“Things are changing and will change the way we perceive spaces, the way we make social spaces, common spaces; even the rooms will change so that it is a life experience right now,” he emphasised.
However, what is relevant for building planners may not be the same in the future and the principles and preferences of the millennials – the techno-holics – may not be the same in 20 years. Silva pointed out that each generation has life-marking events, like the changes wrought by the pandemic, cyber age and accelerated digitalisation, AI, items of music, smartphones, wars, climate change, and more.
He noted that all these changes will influence not only hospitality building design but transportation, infrastructure and other facets as well, hence there is no straightforward and certain response as to what to expect in the next decade. He shared that this is an issue that the community of architects, master planners and developers are discussing, with consideration on “how to react to these changes”.
For Silva, there is no recipe for designing a hospitality building as each project is unique and the process of design and creativity involves a lot of discussion with his colleagues and clients, expectations from both sides, topographic installation, orientation situation, and the client’s vision.
For example, in conceptualising the design for a project in Davao’s Samal Island, Silva and his team had to take into account the vernacular architecture as an inspiration, and explore the maximum potential based on the value that the land offers, experiences that can be provided to guests, while always aiming to be as integrated and sustainable as possible, sensitive to nature and the project’s surroundings.
Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has introduced its Can’t Wait to Winter global campaign which offers back-to-back events that cater to all interests.
The winter line-up has been curated to suit all travellers, be they culture enthusiasts, sports fans, food connoisseurs, adrenaline seekers, or music lovers.
Abu Dhabi’s latest campaign features celebrities, such as Ranveer Singh from India, pictured
The campaign features Indian superstar Ranveer Singh, Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei, and the Gulf region’s legendary comedic duo Dawood Hussein and Hasan Al Ballam sharing their packed itineraries filled with culture, adventure, relaxation, culinary delights and shopping in Abu Dhabi.
The calendar includes the return of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC Showdown Week as well as the Hyperound K-Fest music festival, concerts from pop artist Robbie Williams and singer Arijit Singh, and theatrical performances of Hamilton and Disney on Ice.
Thrill seekers can look forward to desert dune bashing, quad biking, and indoor adventure hubs – CLYMB, Circuit X and Adrenark, Snow Abu Dhabi and the newly opened SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
For those eager to immerse themselves in art and culture, they can visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, explore Emirati heritage at Qasr Al Hosn and House of Artisans, or discover the spirit of Abu Dhabi at Qasr Al Watan.
For relaxation, travellers can unwind at Saadiyat Beach Club or on one of Abu Dhabi’s many pristine beaches, and participate in sunrise kayaking through the mangroves or head to a private retreat on Nurai Island.
SiteMinder’s Changing Traveller Report 2023 reveals that the global intent to travel over the next 12 months is highest among travellers from Asia and Latin America.
In comparison to the global average of 57%, travellers from India (78%), China (76%), Indonesia (65%) and Mexico (64%) all intend to spend more time travelling over the coming year.
Travellers from Asia top the list for intent to travel as well as working during their trip
The proportion of travellers intending to work during their next trip is also highest among Asian and Latin American travellers, at 60% in India, 57% in Thailand, 53% in Indonesia, 47% in China, and 41% in Mexico. These figures drop to 31% in the US, an average of 25% in Europe, and 22% in Australia.
The findings in SiteMinder’s report is an analysis of more than 10,000 travellers surveyed across 12 of the world’s largest travel source markets, including Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, the UK and the US. They form part of the four key characteristics underpinning the travel plans and motivations that will impact the global accommodation industry over the coming year:
The enduring explorer: Committed to travelling, regardless of living costs
The digital dependent: Reliant on new technologies and bound to devices
The memory maker: Investing in experiences, in a roaring ‘20s rerun
The conscious collaborator: An open ally to accommodations and the community.
Globally, accommodation is being sought out as a destination unto itself with one-in-two travellers – notably international travellers – looking to spend either ‘most of the time’ or ‘considerable time’ at their accommodation on their next trip. This figure is again highest among travellers from Asia and Latin America, at 81% in India, 77% in Thailand, 72% in Indonesia and 62% in Mexico – a finding that perhaps correlates to the bleisure travel intent within these markets.
Above travel intent and bleisure plans, however, the report shows that the biggest area of leadership within Asia and Latin America is in digitisation. While many travellers globally believe that their booking experience and stay onsite could be better if accommodation businesses were more tech-savvy, this belief is strongest in China and Thailand (95%), Indonesia (92%), India (91%) and Mexico (85%).
In parallel, Asia and Latin America also top the list in:
● Social media influence – when it comes to discovering their accommodation, travellers from within the two regions are the most heavily influenced by social media. While 70% of travellers globally say that social media influences how they discover accommodation options, the figure rises to 97% in Indonesia, 95% in both Thailand and China, 92% in India and 87% in Mexico. By contrast, only 46% of British and 42% of Germans say the same.
● Likelihood to use AI – at least 60% of travellers in the two regions say they are likely to use AI to generate accommodation recommendations. In China, the proportion is highest at 88%, followed by Thailand at 86%. Within the UK and Germany, the proportion is as low as 24% and 23%, respectively.
● Preference for communication through a device – if given the choice between in-person or device communication when at their accommodation, travellers in the two regions prefer communication via a device more than in any other part of the world. China tops the list at 51%, followed by Indonesia at 46%. This preference is lowest among travellers from France (19%) and Germany (18%).
SiteMinder’s chief growth officer, Trent Innes, commented that the research affirms the deep penetration of smartphones within Asia and Latin America, and highlights the urgency among accommodation providers to embrace modern technology.
He said: “All accommodation businesses should be encouraged by the strength of travel intent globally, but especially in the high-growth markets we surveyed – in Asia and Latin America. However, that strong intent comes with expectations for workspaces and, in particular, digitised experiences.
“As these travellers grow in numbers internationally, accommodation providers would do well to review each touchpoint throughout their customers’ journeys, from the planning and booking phases right through to experiencing and beyond. Today’s traveller is a digital dependent and that is truer in Asia and Latin America than in any part of the world. It is therefore important that accommodation providers seeking to attract travellers from within these high-growth regions are able to meet their expectations when it comes to a fully-digitised guest experience.”
SiteMinder’s Changing Traveller Report 2023 is available here.
Ticket booking is now live for the 43rd edition of World Travel Market (WTM) London, which takes place from November 6 to 8 at ExCel London.
After in-depth customer research carried out late last year, WTM London has announced a host of developments to improve the attendee experience and ensure that every member of the travel community extracts as much value from the event as possible.
World Travel Market London will take place from November 6 to 8 at ExCel London (Photo: World Travel Market London)
Not only are the organisers enabling visitors to book tickets well in advance, but the trade show will also open earlier this year to provide an additional hour for visitors and exhibitors to have spontaneous meetings.
There will be new, open-for-all Community Hubs right in the centre of the show, and a Networking Party that will take place within ExCel London on the first evening. WTM Connect Me – the show’s meeting booking platform – will return this year and is available for buyers, VIPs and the media. All attendees will also have access to the official WTM App.
The conference programme will cover eight themes over three different stages throughout the three-day event. The themes – Sustainability, Technology, Geo-Economics, Emerging Markets, Consumer Trends, Marketing, Diversity & Inclusion, and Experience – aim to help the global travel community succeed and thrive by informing, entertaining, and influencing their business decisions.
Other highlights include the 17th edition of the Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market, in association with UNWTO and WTTC, on November 6; WTM London’s first Diversity and Inclusion Summit on November 7; and a lunch for content creators with global destinations to support collaboration and networking opportunities on November 8.
Tickets to the three-day show will be free until October 31, after which there will be a charge of 45 pounds (US$55) per person.
Juliette Losardo, exhibition director, WTM London, said: “Developments you’ll see at WTM this year are entirely reflective of what our attendees are asking for. We’re bolstering the ways you can maximise value from your visit, with more networking, better business opportunities, a refreshed education programme and a host of new partnerships.”
Centara Hotels & Resorts has unveiled an array of promotions and privileges exclusively tailored for The 1 Members through the The 1 platform.
These exclusive offers encompass an assortment of experiences, including dining options, hotel stays, spa treatments, and more.
Centara The 1 members can enjoy dining, hotel stays, spa treatments, and more via the app
These privileges come in two distinct categories: Free and Points. The former grants immediate access to the privilege without the need for any points redemption, while the latter stipulates the number of The 1 points required to unlock a specific perk.
Once redeemed via The 1 APP, the privileges are conveniently stored in the Coupons section for future use at the respective Centara property.
Customers can easily earn and redeem points for rewards when shopping, eating and more at Central department stores, Central shopping centres and The 1’s partners.
Some highlights include a weekend international and seafood buffet, a 30-minute Neck & Shoulder massage at Cenvaree Spa at Centara Udon, and a getaway at COSI Samui Chaweng Beach.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s new river barge, the Nam Jai, is available for both group and private cruises along the Ping River. It will feature two itineraries for guests to choose from.
The Nam Jai is an antique teak rice barge which has been restored by hand and outfitted with comfortable seating for eight. Cruises will set off from the resort’s newly built private pier, Long Muan, which means “fun sailing” in the local Lanna dialect.
The barge, Nam Jai, will feature two itineraries for cruises along the Ping River
The sunrise cruise departs at 09.00 for the nearby Wat Ket Karam where guests will have the opportunity to make merit with the Buddhist monks, then cross the road to snack at the simple roadside stall Lung Kajohn which serves up delicious bite-sized steamed rice dumplings, Khao Kriab Pak Moh. From there, it is a short stroll to the pedestrian bridge of Khua Khaek for views of the river and Doi Suthep in the background.
The twilight voyage departs at 17.00, sailing north past some of the city’s most iconic bridges, and small temples. Guests enjoy free-flow sparkling wine and canapés.
Prices start from 1,800 baht (US$49) per person for the sunrise cruise and 2,800 baht per person for the twilight voyage.
Satair has appointed Richard Stoddart as its new chief executive officer and head of Airbus Material Services, effective October 1, 2023.
Richard joins Satair with a wealth of experience from the Airbus Defence and Space and Commercial Aircraft divisions, where he has led various customer-oriented programmes. He most recently headed Airbus’ transformation towards a decarbonised future.
UNWTO has marked World Tourism Day (WTD) with official celebrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which saw the attendance of some 500 public and private sector leaders, including 50 ministers of tourism, from 120 countries.
Opening the two-day conference, held over September 26 to 27 on the theme of Tourism and Green Investments, the country’s minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb shared his goal of all countries being able to benefit from tourism through global collaboration.
UNWTO’s Zurab Pololikashvili speaking during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Riyadh (Photo: Kathryn Wortley)
“About 70 per cent of travel and tourism is supported by 10 per cent of countries; why can’t this sector grow in a more balanced and fair way?” he asked. “I believe we can all advance together – every single country in this room, every corner of the globe. It needs to be done responsibly and sustainably, but the opportunity is there if we pull together.”
“Tourism matters to everyone,” agreed UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili, noting the power of tourism to change lives, economies and societies. “On this World Tourism Day, we celebrate tourism’s ability to drive growth while also highlighting the vital need for investments to ensure such growth is inclusive and sustainable.”
The need is urgent, explained UNWTO executive director Natalia Bayona – up to 25 per cent of tourism staff in the EU have only low-level qualifications; only 26.3 per cent of accommodations globally have climate action plans; and only 2.2 per cent of global venture capital has been invested in tourism start-ups between 2018 and 2022.
However, UNWTO’s comprehensive new investment framework based on the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can act as an engine for sustainable global tourism growth, she said, adding that “it’s time to diversify and promote investment in all regions of the world”.
This framework, centring on the three pillars of investment for people (in education), for planet (in sustainable infrastructure) and for prosperity (in technology and entrepreneurship), is the focus of WTD, which has been held since 1980.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled its latest global campaign, Made in Singapore, to inspire travellers to choose Singapore as their next travel destination.
The campaign puts a fresh spin on the Passion Made Possible destination brand, which was launched in 2017 by STB and Singapore Economic Development Board. Replacing STB’s SingapoReimagine international recovery campaign launched in November 2020, Made in Singapore will spotlight quintessentially Singapore experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems, and how ordinary moments are turned into extraordinary experiences in Singapore.
The new campaign will spotlight unique Singapore experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems; Peranakan houses, pictured
Kenneth Lim, assistant chief executive (marketing group), STB, said: “The Made in Singapore campaign is anchored on our Passion Made Possible destination brand, which embodies the Singapore spirit of fulfilling individual passions and creating new possibilities. Through this latest campaign, we would like to reinforce Singapore as a destination that turns imagination into reality. Our goal is to showcase how everyday ordinary moments are made extraordinary and unforgettable – experienced only in Singapore – to inspire travel here.”
The campaign aims to keep Singapore top of mind and connect across different travellers by showcasing the country’s key attributes – an inspiring City in Nature destination that is not only vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also rooted in strong multicultural heritage.
To build emotional affinity and inspire travel to Singapore, the campaign adopts a bolder and playful approach to convey the spirit of Made in Singapore. From “forest bathing” at the unexpected setting of Jewel Changi Airport’s Rain Vortex, to working up a sweat dining at Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, and witnessing a colourful “air show” at the all-new Mandai Bird Paradise, Singapore turns imagination into real and inspiring experiences for travellers.
Made in Singapore will roll out across key markets globally including China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the UK and the US. Beyond film and social, the campaign will include in-market activations, industry partnerships, collaborations with content creators, as well as familiarisation trips to immerse media and influencers in Made in Singapore experiences.
Richard joins Satair with a wealth of experience from the Airbus Defence and Space and Commercial Aircraft divisions, where he has led various customer-oriented programmes. He most recently headed Airbus’ transformation towards a decarbonised future.
