World tourism organization releases latest Mexico travel stats
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/mexico/world-tourism-organization-releases-latest-mexico-travel-stats-56564
Italy fears being swamped by too many Tourists as Visitors shun crisis-like destinations like Turkey and Tunisia
Italy has always been amongst the top most visited countries in the world, yet number could rise further threatening to overcrowd some of the most popular tourist destinations. This is due to the ongoing political troubles in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia coupled with Italians’ own reticence at traveling abroad. So sites such as Venice, Florence and Naples could be teeming with tourists from newly wealthy travelers from China, India and other developing countries. As a response, authorities and marketers in Italy are promoting somewhat off beat tourist destinations so that the pressure of tourism could be somewhat shared.Marketing research conducted has clearly proven that eighty percent of visitors book online, so online portals have started a campaign to promote alternative destinations such as Ferrara or Bologna over Florence. Also most of the first time visitors will need to tick off their bucket list by traveling to the best known spots but from the second visit onwards, people do venture to other less well known but equally enchanting places.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/18/italy-fears-being-swamped-by-too-many-tourists-as-visitors-shun/
Medical Tourism to grow at 25% per Year
Tourism consulting provided by Oxford Economics has confirmed that medical tourism as an industry is set to grow at twenty five percent per year. By the year 2025, the industry will be valued total at a staggering three billion US dollars. The Medical Tourism Index (MTI) was launched which basically puts an end to all speculations about numbers. The top five destinations identified as part of this study are Canada, Israel, India, the UK and Singapore. The likes of Germany, Italy, France, Colombia and South Korea rank next in the category. USA is the top spender but over the next decade China is likely to cross the figure. An average ageing population globally is the single most important reason for the expansion of this industry.
Source: http://www.traveldailymedia.com/239101/medical-tourism-to-grow-25-per-year/
Crafting a new Market: Scotland highlights opportunities for Craft Beer and Tourism
The food and beverage tourism is one of the biggest in the world and Scotland receives a substantial chunk of the same. Traditionally gourmet travelers visited Scotland for Whiskey or salmon, but now the rise of craft breweries has added a new flavour. There are around one hundred and thirty such breweries in Scotland alone and they all use organic methods. The ‘farm to fork’ movement is further gaining ground with Scotland well poised to take advantage of the same due to its already inherent organic farming methods. Data compiled by tourism consulting body Visit-Scotland maintains that majority of such visitors come from USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and China.
Source: http://www.beveragedaily.com/Markets/Spirit-of-Scotland-craft-beer-and-tourism
US Cities are Betting on a Pokémon Go Tourism Boom
The Augmented Reality (AR) based game Pokémon Go has elicited very different reactions from differing sets of people. In some parts of the USA, like San Diego, Pittsburgh and Anaheim, the police and the authorities are cracking down on the game, even considering a ban due to the several accidents reported across the country. In New York, the Mayor has issued warnings to people to play the game but maintain safety. New Yorkers have realized that in spite of the inherent dangers, lots of benefits also exist as residents are now exploring all public buildings, museums and parks in search of the elusive Pikachu. In Las Vegas the authorities are going more aggressively to cash in on the rage and is attracting tourists with Pokémon Go related offers and deals. The Augmented Reality game is actually generating organic digital marketing for the city of Las Vegas and its tourism department.
Source http://fortune.com/2016/07/15/cities-design-pokemon-go-tourism/
Africa’s top Travel Destinations
Tourism to Africa is not only growing, numbers have reached such critical mass that the continent has become the focus of attention during travel fairs. African countries are receiving tourists from other continents but also travel between countries has witnessed an increase. As per business analysis conducted by leading South African newspaper IOL, maximum inbound travelers to Africa visit from countries in the order- UK, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and France. Within Africa some destinations are particularly popular among foreign visitors.
Source: http://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/africa/africaday-africas-top-travel-destinations-2025862
China plan hailed as model for boosting rural tourism
China is flexing its power on the tourism world map as its tourists continue to travel across the globe. As per tourism consulting provided by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism contributes more than ten percent of the total Chinese economy. This figure is greater than the contribution by education, banking or automotive industries. More than a whopping sixty six million people in the country are engaged in tourism jobs. Also Chinese nationals made a combined one hundred and twenty million foreign trips last year. This is a model that Thailand hopes to replicate in the near future. What Thailand especially wants to learn from China is traveling within the country for rural tourism. That is going to be the next big tourism innovation in Thailand with rural areas being developed for purposes of off-beat retreats. The 12 Hidden Gems plan has been developed for this very purpose.