European News

Astana, Kazakhstan / Madrid, Spain October 2009 - The conditions of the tourism market are starting to indicate stronger prospects for a recovery in 2010. These include macroeconomic upward revisions from the IMF together with preliminary international tourism figures until August this year. This suggests some moderation in the declining results of the first half of this year. In addition, the UNWTO Panel of Experts Confidence Index reflects stronger confidence in market conditions. International arrivals declined by 4% in July this year, a relative improvement when compared to decreases of 10% in May and 7% in June. Many destinations show a similar pattern of a gradual change for the better, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The International Bodrum Cup celebrates the end of the cruising season every October

iPhone and Blackberry obsessed travellers are increasingly relying on e-services from airlines to get them to their destination.

Tour operator The Adventure Company has launched its new Family Adventures brochure for 2010/11. Additions to the brochure include five new family trips; advice on the best destinations for different times of year; and a new feature highlighting the suitability of trips for children of different age groups. The brochure now contains over 70 trips, including eight dedicated Teen Adventures.

In view of the current influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, UNWTO held a two-day review and preparation exercise on 'Travel and Tourism under Pandemic Conditions' in Madrid 26-27 August. The workshop was convened to anticipate the challenges the virus will bring over the next few months and ensure that the travel and tourism sector is fully prepared for the evolving pandemic.

ETOA is closely monitoring the Boycott Scotland campaign by protesters in the USA angered by the release of the Libyan Basset Ali al-Megrahi, the only man convicted of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie. The website BoycottScotland.com is an anonymous Internet protest calling upon Americans to avoid Scotland and Scottish products in protest at al-Megrahi’s release

Roll the dice to discover your ideal vacation destination

A hard-hitting report from the British Chambers of Commerce has opened up the debate about Government support for tourism. The BCC report, entitled Backing UK Tourism: Destination Recovery, calls for tourism policy to be removed from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and placed in a big-hitting government department with a full-time minister.

Åsa Torstensson the Swedish Minister and EU Council President responsible for Transport, Tony Depledge, Chairman of the UITP EU Committee emphasised the strong support of UITP for the Swedish Presidency’s overarching priority towards an eco-efficient economy

The year 2009 is being tipped as the ‘Year of the Deal’ when online travel in Asia will come into its own. Online Travel Agencies operating in the region are still reporting growth in transaction volumes albeit yields are down. Low cost carriers taking advantage of the economic downturn and trading down of consumers, are expanding and aggressively promoting cheap fares on their websites. Premium airlines such as Singapore Airlines are also pushing special fares online.

Experience the Magic of Lake Garda, Sorrento and Lido Di Jesolo with the Italian Specialists this August & September

Accor proved that it’s the people that really make the difference in the hotel business, taking out several ‘people’ prizes at the 2009 HM Awards, including the most prestigious award of the night, Hotelier of the Year, going to Vice President Simon McGrath.

Irish Ferries, the low fares ferry company, has announced that, for the autumn and winter, it will be offering a £69 one-way fare to Ireland.

WTTC says the revised UK Airport Departure Tax will discourage long-haul travel, reducing UK spending in emerging markets, and thereby undermining the government's support of the Millennium Development Goals

Accor has joined forces with Rail Europe in a worldwide online promotion, offering discounts of 10% on the best available rate of the day at Pullman, Novotel, Mercure and Suitehotel and 5% on best available rate at Sofitel and Hotels Barriere.

6th European Bus and Coach Forum will debate low-emissions zones and EU passenger rights legislation and award the IRU City Trophy 2009 at Busworld Kortrijk.

The tourism authorities in Croatia had expressed concern that unqualified and untrained “guides” were operating in the cruise ports and other heritage sites. ETOA was invited to give its opinion on the subject at a workshop on Tour Guiding organised by the Croatian Chamber of Economy in Zagreb.

With Massive Savings & Free Child Places – take your pick of Portugal, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria or Italy & head to the sun for less!

The Spanish subsidiary of the AVIAREPS Group, AVIATOURISM España S. L., and the Portuguese General Sales Agent (GSA), Fly Team, have agreed on a strategic alliance. The companies will work together on these markets with immediate effect, offering representative management of airline and tourism customers. This will allow representation on the Portuguese tourism market for customers of the AVIAREPS Group. The corresponding sales and marketing campaigns are managed through the Fly Team office in Lisbon.

APG-GA has signed a European commercial agreement with Venezuelan airline SANTA BARBARA AIRLINES (SBA), as General Sales & Service Agents (GSSA) in Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, the Nordic & Baltic countries, France and the United Kingdom.