The latest eTravel Benchmark results from eDigitalResearch have found that creating a strong, engaging and responsive online presence is vital for travel firms to provide security and protection during the current turbulent trading times in the industry.
A spokesman for the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has predicted that the number of passengers visiting Dubai on a cruise ship will increase by 50,000 each year until 2015.
The most recent report issued by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that international tourism grew by almost five per cent in the first half of 2011, totalling a new record of 440 million arrivals. The results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010.
The popular uprisings in north Africa are proving to be a bonus for Spain’s battered tourism industry, following its downturn in the economic crisis. David Ing reports
The latest eTravel Benchmark survey results show that more travel websites are encouraging their customers to engage with them via social media, and are developing apps for use on the move, offering customers a much more constant level of exposure to the brand, allowing for deeper engagement.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published new research showing that companies that ushered their staff members into economy seats or onto budget airlines during the economic crisis, especially on short-haul flights, will not necessarily put their staff back into business class as the world’s economy recovers.
Indonesia’s tourism industry is enjoying a successful year so far, according to Sapta Nirwanda, director general of marketing at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and hopes are high that visitor numbers will exceed the seven-million mark by the end of the year.
Three of the world’s biggest airlines have agreed to co-operate commercially on flights between Europe and North America, following more than 10 years of discussions.
The results of a survey conducted by the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) in conjunction with Wanderlust magazine, 67 per cent of operators are experiencing an increase in holiday bookings with a further 15 per cent reporting similar levels to 2009. Although destination is still proving to be the most influential factor when purchasing a holiday, the study did reveal that customer service has jumped ahead of price in the importance stakes, suggesting that cheap deals are not viewed as importantly as they have been previously.
The study, which surveyed more than 60 operators, found that 90 per cent are confident that bookings will be up or at the same level as 2009, and 80 per cent reported a similar or increased level of passenger spending compared to last year. Derek Moore, chairman of AITO, commented: “2009 was a challenging year for travel companies and while Britain’s exit from the recession is slow, we know that people are less willing to forego holidays these days. It’s encouraging to see just how positive consumer plans are for travel in 2010; tour operator bookings show that the desire to take holidays in 2010 is stronger than ever.”
A new study by independent media agency Total Media has revealed that social media is becoming evermore influential for consumers when selecting holiday destinations, with less than 10 per cent saying that they visit travel agencies. The Social Travel Reportalso revealed that many consumers are booking accommodation, flights and activities online based on the reviews of strangers, rather than based on recommendations from the industry.
The study found that nearly 70 per cent of consumers use the Internet to book their holidays, compared to 23 per cent by phone and a paltry eight per cent in-store with a travel agent. Those aged between 35 and 44 we most likely to book online, with price cited as the main reason for using the Internet, together with information and convenience. However, 60 per cent of those who stated that they did still use travel agents said they did so because they ‘valued their expert advice’.
Additionally, 25 per cent of British travellers said that online reviews written by strangers helped them decide their travel plans, compared to 14 per cent for online advertisements, 13 per cent for TV travel programmes and 11 per cent for travel magazines and newspaper supplements. What’s more, almost half of travellers aged over 45 admitted they used websites to submit reviews to recommend or warn other travellers of their experiences.
Nick Oram, director of Total Media, commented on the results: “The travel industry has embraced e-commerce as a way of making the booking process far more cost effective; it must now embrace social media to ensure it’s communicating with consumers effectively, because when it comes to travel advice, British consumers would rather rely on each other than recommendations from the industry.” He continued: “Because the Internet makes it far easier for consumers to pick and choose different elements of a holiday and book their flights and accommodation direct, the opinions of amateur online travel critics can have a huge influence on the popularity of destinations and performance of travel brands.”
The report found that Expedia was the leading website for consumers planning trips of five nights or more, followed by Tripadvisor and lastminute.com. Google Earth and Google Maps were used by 14 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, but below 10 per cent of consumers used sites such as Ebookers, Lonelyplant, the Foreign Office and Teletext.
The latest eTravel Benchmark results from eDigitalResearch have found that creating a strong, engaging and responsive online presence is vital for travel firms to provide security and protection during the current turbulent trading times in the industry.
A spokesman for the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has predicted that the number of passengers visiting Dubai on a cruise ship will increase by 50,000 each year until 2015.
The most recent report issued by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that international tourism grew by almost five per cent in the first half of 2011, totalling a new record of 440 million arrivals. The results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010.
The popular uprisings in north Africa are proving to be a bonus for Spain’s battered tourism industry, following its downturn in the economic crisis. David Ing reports
The latest eTravel Benchmark survey results show that more travel websites are encouraging their customers to engage with them via social media, and are developing apps for use on the move, offering customers a much more constant level of exposure to the brand, allowing for deeper engagement.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published new research showing that companies that ushered their staff members into economy seats or onto budget airlines during the economic crisis, especially on short-haul flights, will not necessarily put their staff back into business class as the world’s economy recovers.
Indonesia’s tourism industry is enjoying a successful year so far, according to Sapta Nirwanda, director general of marketing at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and hopes are high that visitor numbers will exceed the seven-million mark by the end of the year.
Three of the world’s biggest airlines have agreed to co-operate commercially on flights between Europe and North America, following more than 10 years of discussions. 
Independent Tour Operators (AITO) in conjunction with Wanderlust magazine, 67 per cent of operators are experiencing an increase in holiday bookings with a further 15 per cent reporting similar levels to 2009. Although destination is still proving to be the most influential factor when purchasing a holiday, the study did reveal that customer service has jumped ahead of price in the importance stakes, suggesting that cheap deals are not viewed as importantly as they have been previously.
A new study by independent media agency Total Media has revealed that social media is becoming evermore influential for consumers when selecting holiday destinations, with less than 10 per cent saying that they visit travel agencies. The Social Travel Reportalso revealed that many consumers are booking accommodation, flights and activities online based on the reviews of strangers, rather than based on recommendations from the industry.