On the World Tourism Day (WTD) 2018, the theme is aptly “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”. Developments with technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms and Big Data is impacting the travel and tourism industry in a big way. One of the major effects is the personalized data that is now available on customers’ behaviours, experiences and interactions. This allows for digital marketing with a targeted approach for separate segments. Personalized services can also be afforded now. Customers’ time can be saved by using voice-activated searches and chatbots powered by AI. Some travel players have even installed biometric identification system. Delta Airlines is one such prominent example. Conversion of prospective travelers has also been improved drastically using Virtual Reality (VR) which is allowing the potential travelers to view the offerings on a video platform before finalizing. Supplier payments are also now being handled using the power of technology. B2B solutions now abound such as the use of virtual cards.

Source:https://www.itproportal.com/features/exploring-the-digitisation-of-the-travel-industry-this-world-tourism-day/

Uploaded Date:06 November 2018

Dallas-based travel company Travelocity has developed its first ever Augmented Reality (AR) suite as part of mobile app. Business research has confirmed that about 60 percent of travelers share their photos on social media while traveling. This percentage jumps up to 97 when accounting for millennials alone. The brand’s popular spokesperson The Roaming Gnome can be used as part of these pictures. Weather filters, geotags, sound effects, photo frames and 3D props may also be used. Travelocity is part of the Expedia Group, and several brands within the group have started using technology in a big way. The Roaming Gnome is a hugely popular ambassador for Travelocity. This is leveraged for the company’s digital marketing efforts thanks to its great number of followers on Twitter and Instagram.

Source:https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/travelocity-launches-first-augmented-reality-experience-within-its-mobile-app-1027667099

Uploaded Date:06 November 2018

Skal International is a unique organization bringing together different stakeholders of the travel and tourism sector, enabling them networking opportunities with the broader business community. It was a business innovation far ahead of the times when founded back in 1932. Now, Skal has more than eighteen-thousand members across eighty-seven countries where it is present. Its Orlando chapter extends its warm support to the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in the city. The medical centre is renowned for providing medical care to those who need while visiting Orlando. The Orlando unit has been voted as one of the best ten Skal centres worldwide.

Source:https://www.eturbonews.com/233054/skal-international-orlando-continues-travel-and-tourisms-commitment-to-giving

Uploaded Date:05 November 2018

The World Travel Mart (WTM) will see the soft launch of the African Tourism Board. The idea is to bring the various stakeholders of the travel and tourism industry from the continent of Africa together. This will bring together the various ministers of tourism, CEOs of tourism boards, and industry leaders of private travel and tourism companies, both within Africa and outside. Certain tourism industry celebrities too will attend. The theme for the event will be “where Africa becomes one destination”. The event will also share latest updates on the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC). The ITIC is a tourism consulting platform that brings together bankers, tech experts, law firms, private equity firms, tourism policy-makers, investors, experts and CEOs from private and public sector firms.

Source:https://www.eturbonews.com/236424/reshaping-african-tourism-at-world-travel-market-in-london

Uploaded Date:31st October 2018

Just before the World Tourism Day celebrations, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) launched the new Travel and Tourism Power Performance report. The day celebrates the 313 million tourism jobs globally which account for more than a tenth of global GDP. China, the USA and India take up the top three spots followed by Mexico, the UK and Spain. Turkey, Canada and Indonesia complete the top nine, with Australia and the UAE tied for the tenth spot. Another index was created to record the improvement in their performances over a seven-year period. Myanmar tops that ranking followed by Iraq, Georgia and Rwanda. Iceland finds itself 5^th followed by Nicaragua and Qatar. Congo, Armenia and Ivory Coast complete the top ten.

Source:https://www.eturbonews.com/233918/tourism-powerhouses-identified-in-new-wttc-travel-tourism-country-power-ranking

Uploaded Date:31st October 2018

Dubai has retained its 2017 ranking of being the world’s 4^th most visited city with nearly 16 million visitors annually. Bangkok finds itself right on top with more than 20 million of them, followed by London and Paris. This data has been provided post a tourism consulting assignment taken up by Mastercard titled Global Destination Cities Index. Completing the top ten in this list are Singapore City, New York City, Kuala Lampur, Tokyo, Istanbul and Seoul. Dubai however emerged as the number one destination in terms of average spend above Paris in 2^nd spot. The CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) states that newer attractions added to the city, especially on the retail front, have helped attract more visitors. Fellow Emirate Abu Dhabi has emerged as the fastest growing city in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with an 18.2% CAGR between 2009 and 2017 in terms of overnight visitor arrivals.

Source:https://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/tourism/dubai-fourth-most-visited-city-globally-1.2282572

Uploaded Date:31st October 2018

Zimbabwe is an example of a country no longer surviving in bare essentials, but actually on the path to relative prosperity. One of the key drivers towards this is tourism. The World Trade Organization (WTO) puts the figure of tourism as ahead of other industries such as automotive, oil and food products. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is now playing an increasingly vital role in expanding the scope of tourism. The branding is taking place with a view to leveraging on the existing attractions. A catchy tagline and registered logo are key part of tourism players’ digital marketing strategies. Many such players are also in the process of acquiring certification marks in order to further legitimize their unique offerings. IPR also includes Geographical Indications (GIs). Food, wine, beers, fruits, handicrafts and even industrial products could form part of the GI depending on the region. A GI tag also helps in building up the cohesion among the producers. Tourism-driven GI tags received includes Georgia wine, Thai silk and tequila, plus others. Industrial designs could be both the physical trademarks or intangible systems at place.

Source:https://www.chronicle.co.zw/intellectual-property-and-competitiveness-in-the-tourism-industry/

Uploaded Date:27 October 2018