THE World Travel Market (WTM) Global Trends Report, in association with Euromonitor International, has a history of being on the money when it comes to the latest trends to impact the travel and tourism industry.
The launch of the 2010 WTM Global Trends Report, taking place on Monday, November 8, at WTM, will be no exception when the key trends to hit the sector will be shared with international media.
Correctly predicted trends from the 2009 report include:
The ‘Obama Effect’ and its impact on African tourism was highlighted as a key trend to watch with the study anticipating a surge in interest in ‘roots tourism’ or visits from Africans living abroad following the election of Barack Obama, the first US president with African heritage.
Experts widely believe the ‘Obama Effect’ has helped drive interest in the region and international tourism increased five per cent in 2009 bucking the downward trend in most other destinations.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa, also helped spark interest and figures released in July showed foreign tourist arrivals up about 25 per cent to 1.02 million from June 1 to July 1 compared with the same month last year.
The report tipped pop-up hotels as a key trend and this was borne out in events such as the ‘Only In London’ event in March when the world’s smallest pop-up hotel was set up in key tourism landmarks across London.
Female-only accommodation was also highlighted and London’s Dukes Hotel launched its Duchess Rooms targeting female business and leisure guests to capitalise on this trend.
Economic growth and increasing disposable income in Latin America has sparked demand for long-haul travel for tourists in the region, a trend highlighted in the 2008 report. In June this year, Qatar Airways began daily flights to Brazil and Argentina tapping into this trend.
And growing demand for pet facilities from airlines and destinations was another trend identified in the 2007 report. Since then Lufthansa has opened a luxury lounge for pets at Frankfurt Airport. In addition, Walt Disney World, Florida, is now offering Best Friends Pet Care, a full-service pet resort accommodating up to 300 pets and including a grooming salon.
World Travel market chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “The launch of the 2010 World Travel Trends Report will provide the latest insight into the big trends for the year to come making it a must-attend event for the travel and tourism media.”