Brazil Continues to Drive Growth in the Americas

In terms of outbound travel South Americans are ahead of everyone else in the Americas. In 2012, they undertook 12 per cent more trips abroad than last year, marking a new record. The country clearly driving growth is Brazil. This is one of the findings of the ITB World Travel Trends Report, compiled by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin. Outbound travel from the US this year is forecast to rise by about three per cent. The number of long-haul trips rose by six per cent, while short-distance travel fell by around one per cent.

Following an increase this year, in 2013 US travel figures are predicted to remain stable, at most. The unsettled economy continues to strongly affect consumers’ plans. Around 52 per cent of Americans, more than half of those polled, said the recession influenced their travel intentions, although plans for trips abroad were less affected than local travel. 23 per cent, two per cent more than in 2011, actually aimed to undertake more international trips, while only 14 per cent, previously 21 per cent, have no plans at all to travel abroad. In 2013, overall growth in the US market is expected to be zero.

Brazil, South America’s economic powerhouse, has overtaken everyone else in the Americas and currently leads the market in spending on trips abroad, which in 2010 rose by 50 per cent and in 2011 by 30 per cent. In 2012 it is forecast to rise by 16 billion dollars, compared with last year. As such, Brazil now plays a leading role in the global tourism market. The destinations most popular with Brazilians are in Europe and the US. Economic uncertainty is now also manifesting itself in Brazil. Thus, 45 per cent said the recession would affect their travel plans. Whereas last year 42 per cent said they wanted to travel more, today that figure stands at 29 per cent. Overall, in 2013 outbound travel is forecast to increase by around two per cent, compared with 2012.

The decline in trips abroad has had a positive effect on local tourism. This trend is in keeping with the anticipated increase in foreign arrivals, which Brazil is preparing for as the host of two major upcoming sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, for which it has invested heavily in its tourism infrastructure.

“In recent years Brazil, along with India, China and Russia, has been a driving force in global tourism“, says Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel and Logistics, Messe Berlin. “This trend is now weakening. The unsettled economy will also affect Americans’ travel plans next year. On a more positive note, the overall figures for outbound travel in 2013 are expected to remain stable or to marginally increase.“

Launched by the consultancy IPK International and sponsored by ITB Berlin, every year at the World Travel Monitor Forum in Pisa, tourism experts and scientists from around the world present current statistics and the latest trends in international tourism.

Details of the studies will be presented by the ITB World Travel Trends Report, which will be published in early December at www.itb-berlin.com. The report is based on the assessments of around 50 tourism experts from 30 countries, on a special IPK International trend analysis undertaken in major source markets, and on core data supplied by the World Travel Monitor®, recognised as the largest continuous survey of global travel trends in some 60 source countries.

The findings reflect trends which emerged during the first eight months of 2012. At the ITB Berlin Convention Rolf Freitag, CEO of IPK International, will present the findings for the entire year, as well as the latest forecasts for 2013.

Americans - Stressed, Time-poor and Keen to Relax

Peter Yesawich

People from all over the world seem to live very busy lives, with many hours spent working and few hours available for relaxation. The latest research of U.S.A travellers suggests they are stressed-out, remain sensitive to price and continue to suffer from a "time poverty."

The newest research by the Maitland Travel research and marketing firm Ypartnership finds that the number of Americans who say they are planning to take a leisure trip in the near future is rising, a sign that demand is returning.

When asked about their travel intentions, 61 percent of those surveyed said they planned to take a vacation by October, up from 56 percent at this time last year. About 14 percent of travellers said they plan to take at least one business trip during the same period, on par with a year ago.

"It's pretty obvious that the destiny of the travel industry is listing toward leisure," Peter Yesawich, the company's chief executive officer, told hoteliers recently during a gathering of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association.

Yesawich drew his conclusions from two sets of data: the Ypartnership/Harrison Group 2011 Portrait of American Travelers and a quarterly poll of traveller intentions.

When it comes to finances, travellers say they're more concerned this year about the cost of petrol, the cost of airline tickets, and the economy in general. More than a third say they're using coupons more often, and 31 percent say they're waiting for sales more frequently.

That reluctance to pay higher prices has manifested itself at Orlando hotels, where occupancy is rebounding more quickly than average room price. Hoteliers managed to raise rates 5.1 percent during the first half of the year, but average daily room rates in Orlando are expected to remain below their peaks in 2007 and 2008 through the end of next year, according to Smith Travel Research, which surveys the hospitality industry.

Scott Tripoli

"We're still seeing people looking for the best deal," said Scott Tripoli, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal. "A lot of shopping going on out there, a lot of third-party bookings."

To lure price-sensitive travellers, some in the industry have turned to time-sensitive discounts — also known as flash sales — that encourage consumers to make quick decisions when booking.

A full 20 percent of leisure travellers said they have purchased a travel service through a flash-sale email, up from 14 percent last year, according to Ypartnership. Private sales and collective buying, on websites such as Sniqueaway.com or via companies like Groupon and LivingSocial, are also catching on.

At the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel in Celebration, flash sales are a part of the marketing plan, used to drive demand during slower months such as August and September. The hotel recently offered a two-night stay in a suite, with complimentary breakfast, for $184.99 a person on Overstock.com’s vacations website.

The short-term sales, generally good for a few hours to a few days, create a sense of urgency and are effective in helping consumers focus on a purchase decision, said Deborah Farish, the hotel's director of sales and marketing.

"As long as you have a wonderful offer, something that is intriguing, something the consumer perceives as added value, … you can get great success," she said. "If you put the flash up, you often see immediate results."

While flash sales are gaining speed, Yesawich says the "long-form vacation" is losing ground. Pressed for time — something Yesawich terms "time poverty" — travellers are abandoning the weeklong escape and looking instead for close, quick getaways.

Orlando appears to be capitalizing already on that short-haul market: Last year, the destination drew more than half of its 38.3 million domestic visitors from within the Sunshine State, according to data from Visit Orlando, the area's quasi-private tourism-marketing agency.

When they do arrive at their quick getaway, travellers want to be able to relax as soon as possible. That's one reason the hotel spa is one of the hottest amenities in the industry. And with no time to spare, even during a vacation, consumers expect to have their expectations met. "Tolerance for anything going wrong today is zero," Yesawich said.

Improved American Business Travel Outlook

The American economy is still struggling, so its good to learn that business travel spending and volume remained steady in the second quarter of 2011.  It is estimated that business travel expenditure reached an estimated $62.2 billion, which represents a  growth of 6.3% compared to the second quarter of 2010.  The forecast for total business travel spending growth in 2011 also remains strong at 6.9% according to the latest “Business Travel Quarterly Outlook – United States”  from the Global Business Travel Association Foundation.

Continued business travel spending suggests improvements in the U.S. economy and despite setbacks this year including rising oil prices, natural disasters, slowing global growth, and shaky consumer confidence. Travel prices are on the rise, with growing demand providing suppliers with the excuse to boost rates.

Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director, said "By the end of 2010, it looked like the light at the end of the 'recession tunnel' was becoming brighter as the economy overall and business travel specifically were gathering positive momentum. We've now hit a soft patch in the economic revival, but business travel spend levels tell us the recovery should continue as companies invest in driving future growth. Now is the time when companies will absolutely call upon their strategic travel programs to help offset rising costs and keep travelers doing business."

Travel prices are on the rise, with increases expected to continue throughout the rest of 2011, but at a more moderate pace than earlier in the year. Airfares have swelled due to rising energy prices, constrained capacity and relatively strong demand. Higher lodging rates are also driving increases in company travel costs while corporate demand also continues to grow, particularly for luxury hotel rooms. As a result, business travel prices are expected to increase by 4.5% to 5% in 2011

As international trade continues to drive global growth, U.S. companies are upping their investment in international travel.  Total spend on trips abroad is estimated to hit $31.8 billion in 2011, a 9.1% increase over 2010 and a substantially higher rate of increase than total spending growth.  

Mr McCormick concluded: "Corporate and management confidence remains high, which is why we're still seeing companies put employees on the road.  We think there is good reason to maintain measured optimism about the growth of the economy."

Top 10 Cities in World for 2011

The City of Cape Town has been voted the No 1 Best City in the WORLD! The City of Cape Town has been ranked the top destination in the world in the 2011 TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Destination Awards. The top ten destinations in 2011 are:-

1. Cape Town, South Africa

With a choice of world class hotels and an International Convention Centre, Cape Town takes visitors by surprise offering great value for money, culture, scenic beauty, warm hospitality and unique experiences. Cape Town glistens at the southern toe of the African continent. Tourist brochure-views at Blaauwberg Beach and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are within easy driving distance of "The Mother City." The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve provides sweeping sea vistas, hiking trails and wildlife encounters. On a more somber note, travelers can visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years

                                                       2. Sydney, Australia

City slickers, culture vultures and beach bums alike fall in love with Sydney. Hang ten at famed Bondi Beach or stroll the calmer sands of Coogee.  Cash burning a hole in your pocket? You’ll find great shopping in the Rocks district and along George and Pitt Streets. Climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge or take a skywalk on Sydney Tower for a 360-degree view of the city. But whatever you do, don’t leave town without cuddling the koalas in the Taronga Park Zoo—they’re ridiculously adorable.

3. Machu Picchu, Peru

It's no wonder Machu Picchu is Peru's most-visited site. Dating to the mid-1400s, it's a marvel of mortar-free limestone architecture perched on a high plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle. Get there via train from Cusco or, if you're not faint-hearted, make the trip on foot via a multi-day hiking trail—you'll travel through deep Andean gullies and enjoy stunning views.

4. Paris, France

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Whether your curiosity is piqued by the International Olympic Committee’s selection for the 2016 Games, or you’re heeding the call of the famous twin beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio offers more than you can imagine, and offers it at all hours. With breathtaking views from Corcovado Mountain and breathtaking deals in the city’s endless malls and markets, Rio de Janeiro is a vacation paradise, whatever it is you travel for.

6. New York City, United States

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighborhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveler.

7. Rome, Italy

It’s nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason. In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct. Or see the same profile on a statue in the Capitoline Museum and the guy making your cappuccino. (Which, of course, you know never to order after 11 am.) Rome is also a city of contrasts—what other place on earth could be home to both the Vatican and La Dolce Vita?

8. London, United Kingdom

There's so much to see and do in London, it's easy to be overwhelmed. Major sights like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace are on most visitors' itineraries, but no matter what your interests, you'll probably find something here. Art lovers should make a beeline for the National Gallery and the Tate Modern. If military history's your thing, don't miss the Cabinet War Rooms. The restaurant scene here is fabulous.

9. Barcelona, Spain

Stroll Las Ramblas and enjoy Barcelona's unique blend of Catalan culture, distinctive architecture, lively nightlife and trendy, stylish hotels. You'll find Europe's best-preserved Gothic Quarter here, as well as amazing architectural works by Gaudi. La Sagrada Familia, considered Gaudi's masterpiece, is still under construction (your entrance fee helps to fund the project). Feel like a picnic? Look no further than the rambunctious La Boqueria market, where you can stock up on local delicacies.

10. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong's a great city for an adventurous eater. Stop at a street vendor for fish balls on a stick or stinky tofu. Bakeries offer wife cake, pineapple buns and egg tarts. Or opt for as much dim sum as you can eat. If you're tired of local and regional Chinese specialties, check out upscale offerings from some of the world's top chefs, like Joel Robouchon and Alain Ducasse.

2,000 Readers Milestone of "The Holiday and Travel Magazine"

Even though "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" website has only been going for a few months, the 2,000th person has read this website at 11.44pm on Saturday 18th June 2011. 2,000 readers, amazing! Thanks to all those people who take the time to read about the tourism topics featured about Muswellbrook and other parts of the Upper Hunter Valley in N.S.W. Australia, or an overseas destination.

It took 5 months to reach the 1,000 readers milestone, and only 3 weeks to reach the second 1,000  milestone. The monthly readership has increased from 10 people in January to 150 in February, 149 in March, 260 in April, 539 in May and 892 so far in June up to  the 2,000 reader. 2,000 readers, amazing!

"The Holiday and Travel Magazine"  readers have not only come from Australia, but from countries around the world. The figures for each country are:- Australia 1,010, China 175, USA 293, New Zealand 86, Malaysia 72, Singapore 39, Germany 34, UK 32, Canada 20, Hong Kong 20, and from countries around the world such as Ecuador, Egypt, Macau, El Salvador, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Portugal.

I am still working on ways to improve "The Holiday and Travel Magazine", so would appreciate any feedback from readers with their ideas. I am still pondering the possibility of placing paid advertisements in the Magazine, just to offset some of its production costs. I hope to travel to selected destinations in Australia and Overseas in the second half of this year and next year so that I can write first-hand articles of hotels, flights, cities, conferences & expos, and tourist attractions.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped me produce "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" website, and to every reader who has taken the time to read it. I eagerly await the 3,000th reader!

San Diego California Hosts AIPC Conference

San Diego, California, located in the southwestern corner of the United States, is the nation’s 8th largest city and is known for its laid-back lifestyle, idyllic weather and diverse economy. Its natural beauty, stretching from 70 miles of pristine beaches at the coast to the majestic mountains in the east, is sure to serve as the perfect backdrop for AIPC’s 53rd General Assembly.

With a worldwide reputation as a premier convention and meeting destination, the city is home to the AIPC-certified San Diego Convention Center. Whether you are convening in one of its state-of-the-art meeting rooms or taking a break on the sun-soaked bay terrace, it is easy to see how innovative thinking comes naturally at this waterfront facility. 

Just steps from the Convention Center is the Gaslamp Quarter, a historical district filled with world-class restaurants, unique retail shops and a vibrant nightlife. The San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Lego Land and PETCO Park are all world-renowned family attractions that visitors can enjoy year-round thanks to our average 300 days of sunshine each year.  With 11,000 premiere hotel rooms just minutes away from the Convention Center, San Diego is the perfect place to conduct business and relax, all in one stop.

Sunny San Diego is the perfect place to host AIPC as it is a top U.S. destination and understands the vital role conventions and meetings play - and the facilities that host them - in the local and global economy.

San Diego is perched on the Pacific Rim in the southwestern corner of the United States and holds a unique position in the global marketplace. As the eighth largest city in the U.S., San Diego boasts a vibrant economy and is a major gateway to international trade, business and commerce. While defense and military expenditures continue to be a major economic force in the region, tourism remains our third leading industry thanks to San Diego's world-class attractions, abundant sunshine and sparkling ocean vistas.

San Diego has outstanding amenities and an easy-going lifestyle. San Diego is the perfect place to conduct business and relax all in one trip. While San Diego is known for its near perfect climate and beautiful beaches, the region is blessed with more than just sunshine. San Diego has an exciting urban sophistication, first-class arts and culture, fine dining and attractions such as SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and Legoland California.

The 2011 Annual Conference and 53rd General Assembly of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) takes place from 28th June to 1st of July at the San Diego Convention Center, USA. The conference is themed around the concept "It's All About Change" as a reflection of the realization by centre managers everywhere that continuous change has become the new normal for facility operations. "We're living in a time when constant change is the ongoing reality, and the only logical response is to accept and adapt to the need to be anticipating and providing for changing markets, expectations and technologies on a continuing basis," says AIPC President Edgar Hirt. "An acceptance of this basic premise leads to a whole variety of new ways of looking at our approaches, and many of these are dealt with in this year's program as a means of encouraging new ways of looking at the design, operation and management of centres".

For more information about the conference see:- http://www.onetec.be/aipc2011/content/default.html

For more information about San Diego see:- http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors