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Global flight bookings take off

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MANILA, 25 April 2022: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys, forecast a significant increase in global international flights bookings as international travel takes off.

The booking bounce back was revealed at WTTC’s 21st Global Summit last Friday in Manila.

News of the strong recovery highlights a promising prospect for summer holiday travel, with sun and sea destinations, such as the Caribbean and Latin America, leading the international inbound bookings.

According to ForwardKeys, the countries leading the top 20 best-performing destinations ranking for the summer are Costa Rica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, which rely heavily upon international travel. These destinations lead the pack with bookings already surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Last year, the industry’s gradual recovery was significantly slowed by the surge in Omicron cases. However, the future looks brighter for 2022 with positive booking data worldwide.

“WTTC 2022 booking data from ForwardKeys is a firm signal of the strong recovery of the global Travel & Tourism sector,” said WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson. “Travel to the Asia-Pacific region shows impressive improvement as destinations gradually reopen their borders to visitors, in line with customer demand.”

ForwardKeys vice president Insights, Olivier Ponti said: “It is very encouraging that Asia has finally begun reopening, which is driving the return of both travel to Asia and within the region, both of which are clearly going to be instrumental in driving the global economic recovery.”

According to the data, Q1 and Q2 figures for this year show triple-digit growth for inbound flight bookings worldwide compared to last year, including the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Travellers are eager to spend more on travel following the loosening of restrictions, with heightened demand for premium cabin classes in 2022. Other trends seen include stronger last-minute bookings.

Further evidence of the resurgence in travel is shown in arrivals in Europe, with a massive 350% surge in international arrivals for Q1 in 2022 compared to last year.

Asia-Pacific countries also saw an increase in arrivals for Q1 of this year compared to 2021, with bookings for the region up 275%.

In Q2, we see further acceleration of the continuing recovery with a significant rise in international bookings, which have soared by 264% from the year before.

This acceleration is particularly notable in Asia, where travel restrictions are being removed. Host to the WTTC Global Summit, the

The Philippines is the fastest-growing single destination in Southeast Asia, 29% up in Q2 this year compared to Q1.

The summer travel outlook is led by the resurgence of travel to the Caribbean and Latin America, including seven out of the top 10 travel destinations.

India is also highly popular, thanks to travel mainly to visit family and friends.

Meanwhile, in Europe, destinations such as Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Spain and France are showing a strong resurgence, with travel bookings just slightly behind pre-pandemic levels.

Africa and the Middle East also feature in the top 20 list, with Tanzania, Qatar and Egypt also reaching close to pre-pandemic levels of travel.

The continued recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector in the Asia-Pacific region looks set to accelerate as destinations gradually reopen throughout 2022.

(Source: WTTC)

Norwegian Cruises sails to net-zero emissions

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SINGAPORE, 25 April 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE: NCLH), which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced on Earth Day 22 April its commitment to pursue net-zero emissions by 2050 across its operations and value chain.

The company has also committed to developing short- and near-term greenhouse gas (“GHG”) reduction targets to support its path to net zero. In addition, the company has published its first Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) Report, which provides critical transparency to its stakeholders.

“The pursuit of net-zero will be one of the most defining voyages that our company will take. The scope of our net-zero ambition spans our entire value chain as we aim to bring key partners, including our vast network of global suppliers, along with us on this transformational journey,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, president and chief executive officer Frank Del Rio.

“While we recognise that the pathway will be complex, requiring significant collaboration, innovation and technological advancement, we are committed to doing our part to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

The company’s new climate commitments broaden and strengthen its existing climate action strategy, which is centred around three key focus areas: 1) reducing carbon intensity, 2) investing in technology and exploring alternative fuels and 3) implementing a voluntary carbon offset program. The company will continue to monitor and invest in opportunities to reduce emissions, including and beyond its fleet, working closely with its partners to identify best practices and accelerate decarbonisation efforts. Last year, the company committed to purchasing three million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO₂e) offset as a measurable action to address decarbonisation gaps in the short term while the company explores long-term solutions. A key driver to achieving the company’s net-zero ambition is the development of alternative fuels along with the associated critical infrastructure at destinations globally to support the usage of these fuels.

As such, the company is committed to partnering, researching and driving discussions to identify an appropriate alternative fuel source that can also be sufficiently scaled. For example, the company is actively engaging with partners, including engine manufacturers and classification societies, to plan for a safe and effective methanol engine retrofit.

The company also released today its inaugural TCFD report. As part of this process, the company engaged teams across the organisation to conduct an extensive climate risk screening and identify priority climate-related risks. A scenario analysis was then completed to estimate the impact of sea-level rise and the cost of carbon, the company’s top physical and transition risks identified through the screening, under different hypothetical climate scenarios. Using the results of the assessment, the company is further aligning its risk management and strategic planning processes with the challenges of climate change. View the full report here: 2021 TCFD Report.

“The release of our inaugural TCFD report demonstrates our desire to continually improve and expand upon our ESG disclosures to provide additional transparency to our stakeholders,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd vice president of ESG, investor relations and corporate communications, Jessica John.

 “Last summer, we published our first comprehensive ESG report, and the first Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) index in the cruise industry and our new TCFD report represents another significant step forward. We are focused on improving our resiliency, and the results of our climate assessment will assist us in further integrating climate-related risks into our strategy and decision-making processes across our company.”

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with approximately 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to approximately 500 destinations worldwide. The company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising approximately 24,000 berths.

About Sail & Sustain

Sail & Sustain is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ global sustainability programme centred around its commitment to driving a positive impact on society and the environment while delivering on its vision to be the vacation of choice for everyone worldwide. This programme is structured around five pillars developed through cross-functional collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. The pillars include: Reducing Environmental Impact, Sailing Safely, Empowering People, Strengthening our Communities and Operating with Integrity and Accountability.

(Your Stories: NCL)

Campaign reduces carbon footprint

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SINGAPORE, 25 April 2022: To mark Earth Day on 22 April, Trip.com, a global online travel agency, and Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, launched a month-long ‘Travel with a smaller footprint’ campaign that allows Trip.com users who are booking selected Etihad flights get their flight’s carbon emissions offset for free.

Valid until 22 May, the sustainable campaign went live in Singapore, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Ireland and will be followed by successive launches in APAC markets, including Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Australia.

Hundreds of Etihad flights are listed on Trip.com sites with the ‘carbon offset’ tag.

In line with this year’s Earth Day theme, “Invest In Our Planet” the carbon emissions for selected flights are based on the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator, and a corresponding investment will be made in accredited sustainable projects to offset the flight emissions. Trip.com users whose flights are included in this campaign will see their offset investment made in two key projects – the Katingan Petland Restoration and Conservation Project in Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, and the Cordillera Azul National Park REDD+ Project in central Peru. Both of these projects focus on environmental protection and habitat restoration.

Through this campaign, Trip.com users will be able to take off on their flights, knowing they are doing so with an investment to offset their journey. See below for links showing all Etihad flights with free carbon emission offsetting available today on Trip.com:

About Trip.com

Trip.com is an international travel service provider, available in 20 languages across 27 countries and regions in 31 local currencies and sites. Trip.com has an extensive hotel and flight network consisting of more than 1.2 million hotels and flights from over 480 airlines, covering 2,600 airports in 200 countries and regions worldwide.

Outrigger pursues Green Seal stamp

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SINGAPORE, 25 April 2022: Outrigger Hospitality Group announced last week that it is moving forward with the Green Seal certification process at its beach resorts in Mauritius and Fiji and at seven of its owned and/or managed properties in Hawaii.

With Mauritius and Fiji, Outrigger is the first hospitality brand to pursue the certification outside of the United States. It is currently the only hotel company in Hawaii committed to Green Seal certification.

Outrigger anticipates the properties being Green Seal certified before the end of 2022.

The 100% Green Seal designation will further solidify Outrigger’s allegiance to meeting the highest standards of protecting the health and environment for its guests and hosts. For more than 30 years, the global nonprofit Green Seal has helped to accelerate the market adoption of safer, more sustainable products and services. Its certification is based on a rigorous, independent evaluation of hotel features, operations and processes.

To earn Green Seal certification, Outrigger’s hotels and resorts must demonstrate that they:

  • Protect human health and the environment by using housekeeping products that are free of toxic chemicals and are low on volatile organic compounds.
  • Have an environmental mission and purchasing policy.
  • Conserve water through water-efficient landscaping and ground-keeping measures, and water-saving fixtures in guest rooms and public areas.
  • Preserve energy with 100% energy-efficient lighting in all guest rooms and public areas and with energy-efficient appliances and windows.
  • Reduce waste by minimising disposable food service items and seeking out reusable packaging and shipping pallets.

Green Seal certification is unique in its focus not just on environmental protection but on health and indoor air quality. Achieving certification will validate that Outrigger properties create a wellness environment where guests and hosts can stay safe from allergy and asthma triggers and reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.

“As the Outrigger brand continues to grow and evolve, we are acutely conscious of the opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet,” said Outrigger Hospitality Group president and CEO Jeff Wagoner.

“Green Seal is the gold standard of global health and environmental leadership. Outrigger is proud to implement science-based standards at our hotels and resorts, which raise the bar on sustainability.”

The 2021 Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com affirmed that 83% of global travellers feel that sustainable travel is vital. When Outrigger earns Green Seal Certification, it will appear as “Eco-Certified” in Google Travel hotel search results, making it easier for consumers to find and book a certified Outrigger property.

Participating Hawaii properties include Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger, Waikiki Malia by Outrigger, OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger and Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk.

Earlier this year, Outrigger was recognised by the Hawaii Green Business Programme for exceptional environmental stewardship.

Internationally, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Castaway Island, Fiji Resort and Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort are moving forward with Green Seal certification.

This designation by Green Seal is aligned with Outrigger’s larger ESG (environment, social and governance) plan and its global conservation initiative, Outrigger’s ZONE (OZONE), which focuses on protecting oceans and coral reefs.

The OZONE platform is known for enriching guest experiences and has back-of-house goals of reducing energy, water and waste while working alongside like-minded local nonprofit organisations.

Around the world, through local marine conservation initiatives and partnerships, Outrigger estimates it has preserved, protected and planted more than 100 football fields of coral reef fronting its resorts.

ABOUT OUTRIGGER HOSPITALITY GROUP

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has expanded from its home base in Hawaii to premier beach resort destinations in Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives.

The multi-branded portfolio includes Outrigger Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger, Kapalua Villas Maui and Honua Kai Resort & Spa Maui while also managing select properties from top international hotel brands, including Embassy Suites by Hilton, Best Western and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Find out more at Outrigger.com or visit @OutriggerResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT GREEN SEAL

Green Seal is a global nonprofit organisation with a mission to transform the economy for a healthier, greener world. Since 1989, Green Seal has applied rigorous health, environmental sustainability, and product performance standards to its certification programmes to empower better purchasing decisions. Today, the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership.

Visit greenseal.org or connect with Green Seal on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

(Your Stories: Outrigger)

The Philippines primed for recovery

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MANILA, 22 April 2022: The Philippines’ tourism industry can look forward to an annual average growth rate of 6.7% over the next 10 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council forecast during the opening of the WTTC Global Summit on Wednesday.

In the opening press conference of the 21st WTTC Global Summit, WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson noted: “Our expert analysis shows that the travel and tourism economy has turned a corner and is firmly on the road to recovery. This growth was primarily built on domestic travels and very much pioneered and led by Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.”

Photo Credit: DOT. Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat (centre), together with World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) president and CEO Julia Simpson (left) and WTTC chair and president & CEO of Carnival Corporation Arnold Donald (right), welcome delegates at the 21st WTTC Global Summit 20 April.

Simpson said the annual growth rate of 6.7% over the next 10 years would exceed the expected country’s overall economy average growth rate of just 5.6%.

“We also forecast employment will grow annually by an average of 3% over the next 10 years, generating 2.9 million new jobs, accounting for 21.5% of all jobs in the Philippines”, she concluded.

Meanwhile, Secretary Puyat commented: “In the nearly two years where international travel was put on hold, the Philippines has been busy preparing for the day when our country would be open to the world. We have put in place guidelines that will ensure the safety of our guests, our tourism workforce, and our community.” 

Photo Credit: DOT. WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson on Wednesday (20 April), shared the council’s optimistic projections for tourism recovery in the Philippines enclosed in its latest Economic Impact Report (EIR).

Considered one of the most influential Travel & Tourism events worldwide, the WTTC Global Summit is an annual gathering of the entire spectrum of the industry.

Summit sessions focused on essential topics such as the latest travel trends, sustainable investment prospects, meaningful human connections despite contactless interventions, environmental preservation, traveller confidence, seamless international mobility, and inequalities in the travel and tourism industry.

The latest World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report showed that travel and tourism in the Philippines generated USD41 billion in 2021, representing 10.4% of the country’s gross domestic product.

By 2032, WTTC predicts the Philippines’ Travel & Tourism contribution to GDP could be worth in excess of USD155 billion, accounting for 21.4% of the whole economy.

(Source: Department of Tourism, Philippines)

Are cities ready to adopt sustainable tourism?

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MANILA, 22 April 2022: How prepared are the world’s popular city destinations to adopt sustainable travel and tourism growth? 

The World Travel & Tourism Council and JLL address the question in a new report released Wednesday that identifies what makes a city better prepared for Travel & Tourism growth.

‘Destination 2030: Global cities’ readiness for sustainable tourism growth’ was released during WTTC’s 21st Global Summit in Manila, Philippines.

Analysts looked at 63 global cities measuring and categorising them in one of five levels of “readiness” while providing attainable solutions to promote sustainable growth in tourism activity in each destination.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Travel & Tourism plays an incredibly important role in a city’s economy, boosting GDP and creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of those who rely on our sector.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with JLL, building on our initial report launched in 2019 with a special focus on sustainability.

“For a city to truly thrive and for Travel & Tourism to develop in a sustainable manner, stakeholders need to understand how prepared the city is for the expected growth in tourism and the resulting challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.”

“The notion of ‘readiness’ has a ripple effect throughout the hospitality and tourism industry,” said JLL Hotels & Hospitality global CEO Gilda Perez-Alvarado.

“The progression and planning that a country, region or destination achieves will impact the financial health of the industries that make up the tourism industry. This includes property values, tax generation and workforce development.”

According to the report, the “readiness” levels range from emerging to established-market tourism hubs with varying levels of infrastructure. It explains the current opportunities and challenges faced by cities and offers recommendations for building and maintaining tourism activity.

Although the five typologies will require different approaches to development, no one typology is better than another, and all will demand proactiveness in strategic planning and implementation at the destination level.

Readiness levels

Dawning Developers, such as New Delhi and Riyadh, are cities with emerging tourism infrastructure, slower tourism growth, and lower visitor concentration. Such destinations often have a clean slate in planning long term tourism development with many opportunities ahead.

Emerging Performers, such as Dubrovnik and Buenos Aires, are cities that are experiencing growing tourism momentum, enabled by emerging tourism infrastructure, and providing tremendous opportunities for strategic development. However, destinations in this category may experience pressures and challenges such as overcrowding.

Balanced Dynamics, such as Auckland and Vancouver, are cities that have established tourism infrastructure and potential for further Travel & Tourism growth across both leisure and business segments whilst balancing scale and concentration.

Mature Performers, such as Miami, Berlin, and Hong Kong, are cities with strong leisure and business travel dynamics and established tourism infrastructure. As these destinations look to further drive Travel & Tourism growth, they will need to proactively consider potential pressures and opportunities for diversification to avoid strains linked to visitor volumes.

Managing Momentum, such as Amsterdam, London, and Las Vegas, are cities with a historically high growth momentum, supported by an established tourism infrastructure. Destinations within this typology are more likely than ‘Mature Performers’ to have already reached the stage of feeling the pressures of balancing scale and concentration as they continue to benefit from Travel & Tourism.

The readiness categories were determined by analysing data on 79 indicators within eight pillars. In addition to the six pillars included in the previous report, ­– scale, concentration, leisure, business, urban readiness, and policy prioritisation – two new pillars were added: environmental readiness and safety and security.

These additions allowed for an improved focus on sustainability, social impact, and safety and security in conjunction with the more conventional indicators that continue to drive the sector.

The pandemic has shown the pressing need for a holistic view when addressing destination planning and management. The importance of cities as drivers of success cannot be undervalued, making it a priority to recommit to the future of destinations.

(Source: WTTC Summit)

To read the report in full, click here.

Royal Cliff names new GM

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PATTAYA, Thailand, 22 April 2022: Royal Cliff Hotels Group announced the appointment of Douglas Glen as the group’s new general manager with immediate effect

Glen will lead the management team of the group’s four properties comprising 1,020 rooms and suites and Pattaya’s largest convention centre.

A seasoned international hotelier his hospitality career spans the UK, Singapore, and Thailand, where he held senior management positions at The London Hilton on Park Lane, The Landmark London & Bangkok and Carlton City Hotel in Singapore.

In his new role as the general manager of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, he brings a team-focused and results-driven leadership style to the legendary property. 

“I am delighted to be appointed general manager of The Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Pattaya, one of the most iconic properties in Thailand and Asia,” Glen commented. “I look forward to taking the helm, especially at such an exciting time where recent upgrades have been done. My ultimate goal is to develop a system with my operations team to deliver superb service and hospitality. I am confident that we can bring the property to new heights and achieve more milestones in this post-pandemic world.”

Situated on a 64-acre private parkland estate overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels.

Book directly with the hotel and receive benefits including the best price guaranteed along with optional value-added extras that will enhance your hotel experience

For more details visit: www.royalcliff.com, or contact reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732. Email: [email protected].

Travelport’s new green list for Earth Day

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SINGAPORE, 22 April 2022: In celebration of Earth Day, 22 April, Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for airlines and hotels worldwide,  released a trend report about the state of sustainability in travel.

Together with two of its partners, Virgin Atlantic and Trainline, Travelport shines a light on the sector’s current initiatives, focusing on creating a greener industry for tomorrow.

Greener Skies

Airlines are constantly seeking new ways to be greener, and with a 15-year history in the space, Virgin Atlantic is committed to achieving net-zero by 2050, eliminating the airlines’ carbon emissions altogether.

“We know that, as an airline, we have a pivotal role to play in protecting the planet while connecting people across the globe and strengthening crucial trade connections,” said  Virgin Atlantic head of sustainability Luke Ervine. “For more than a decade we’ve been leading the way in the decarbonization of the aviation industry. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, our focus on our carbon targets, paired with global collaboration across the sector and beyond, will help us reach net zero emissions by 2050. There is a long road ahead, but we’re committed to pioneering change and being transparent on our progress.”

The Rise of Rail

Train travel has become the hero of a global trend focused on the entirety of a journey. Trainline customers save over 1.5 megatons of CO2 emissions each year by travelling via rail instead of the road.

“Awareness of the carbon footprint of travel is at an all-time high, and as business travel starts to resume in high numbers again, we have the ideal opportunity to encourage a significant change in travel habits,” said Trainline Partner Solutions Global Distribution Director Liz Emmott. “The decision is no longer about price alone, but also how travel is contributing to companies’ net-zero commitments. By making sure rail options are readily available and attractive, we have a great opportunity to support the switch to rail.”

Eco-Friendly Destinations

While the travel industry and the world at large continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, destinations that are viewed as environmentally friendly are gaining popularity with tourists. According to a report by ESOMAR-certified market research*, the ecotourism industry is expected to grow by 15% CAGR, surpassing a valuation of USD17 billion. Trend data released from Travelport highlights how the following destinations have become more popular with travellers when compared to their 2019 rankings by booking volume:

  • Norway:#24 (vs. #35 in 2019)
    • Moving up 11 places in the ranking, Norway’s official slogan is “powered by nature”. Eight tourist destinations have been certified as sustainable by the International Sustainable Tourism Initiative, and the country has an audacious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Currently, they are one of Europe’s largest providers of hydropower, and they fuel 95% of Norway’s power from that source as well.
    • So far in 2022, Norway has recovered more than half of its gross pre-pandemic travel activity (56%), with the top destination city, Oslo, primarily attracting solo travellers (42%) and couples (30%) with all traveller types staying 25 days, on average.
  • Denmark: #40 (vs. #44 in 2019)
    • Moving up four spots, Denmark ranks #1 on the Environmental Performance Index*. The country’s capital, Copenhagen, is on track to be carbon neutral by 2025, which is impressive even in a city where 9 out of 10 people own a bike and use it to travel at least 1 mile per day.
    • Denmark has recovered nearly half of its gross pre-pandemic travel activity (49%) so far this year, with the top destination city, Copenhagen, primarily attracting solo travellers (38%) and couples (36%), with all travellers types staying an average of 20 days per trip.
  • Ecuador: #44 (vs. #56 in 2019)
    • The World Travel Awards named Ecuador the world’s leading green destination, and when compared to its popularity in 2019, the country has climbed 12 spots. As one of the most biodiverse destinations on the planet, Ecuador offers visitors access to some of the best eco-lodges in South America.
    • So far in 2022, Ecuador has recovered two-thirds of its gross pre-pandemic travel activity (67%), with the top destination city, Guayaquil, primarily attracting solo travellers (42%) and families (30%), with all traveller types staying 28 days, on average.
  • Iceland: #69 (vs. #79 in 2019)
    • Jumping 10 places in the rankings, Iceland is almost entirely powered by geothermal energy, which makes it one of the greenest countries in the world. Their renewable energy program alone is said to produce the largest amount of green energy per capita. Visitors often come for incredible views of the Northern Lights or to soak in the naturally heated pools of Myvatn Nature Baths.
    • Iceland has recovered more than half of its gross pre-pandemic travel activity (58%) so far this year, with the top destination city, Reykjavik, primarily attracting couples (48%) who are staying 10 days per trip, on average.
  • Costa Rica: #46 (vs. #73 in 2019)
    • With one of the biggest jumps on the list, Costa Rica’s popularity has increased 27 spots. As one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, 93% of its electricity comes from renewable sources. This tropical and volcanic landscape is also fiercely protected to preserve the country’s diverse wildlife and ecology, which is said to hold around 5% of the planet’s total biodiversity. Tourists enjoy coast to coast cycling trips, exploring miles of rainforest, hiking volcanic craters, and relaxing on sandy beaches.
    • So far in 2022, Costa Rica has recovered 90% of its gross pre-pandemic travel activity with the top destination city, San Jose, primarily attracting a mix of couples (34%), families (33%) and solo travellers (27%) staying 15 days, on average.

“Being an environmentalist should not be a competitive advantage, but rather something that the entire travel industry embraces and believes in,” said Travelport chief commercial officer travel partners Jason Clarke. “For the sector to become truly sustainable, we must first inform customers about the sustainable choices and make those easy to understand. Next, end-to-end green options must be integrated together seamlessly. Finally, we must provide the consumer with the ability to offset every mile they travel. It is crucial that the industry works together to ensure a greener path forward in the future.”

(Source: Travelport)

No Chinese outbound travel in short-term

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SINGAPORE, 22 April 2022: Like it or not, China has kept making the headlines since the advent of the pandemic in 2020, and it’s for all sorts of reasons, says ForwardKeys’ latest trends update.

Despite Covid containment and the strict zero policy that closed outbound tourism, there remains an unstoppable desire to shop and travel – even if it’s just to neighbouring Macau or Hainan.

The latest news is the lockdown of one of China’s most important financial centres: Shanghai. And now, local authorities are telling Beijing residents to stay put ahead of the famous May holiday. But is it all doom and gloom for the travel economy?

“While short-term prospects are not optimistic, there are shifts in consumer sentiment that offer a brighter outlook for the long-term,” according to Dragon Trail International’s director of marketing and communications, Sienna Parulis-Cook.

Dragon Trail’s Spring 2022 Chinese Traveller Sentiment Survey shows an increase in Chinese consumers who say they’re “eager to travel” and improved safety perceptions for international destinations the world over.

According to ForwardKeys’ China Market Expert, Nan Dai, “Forward bookings for domestic travel in the upcoming Labour Day holiday may be distressing. They are 92% behind the same period last year. However, some valuable insights may ease concerns for some luxury brands and destinations.”

Tier-2 Airports Recover Quicker than Tier-1

With Shanghai in lockdown and Beijing residents told to stay put for the Labour Day holiday, the two biggest source markets for domestic travel may make travel professionals feel uneasy.

However, fortunately, the latest air ticketing data from ForwardKeys shows that the travel recovery from tier-2 cities has been outperforming tier-1 since 2021.

In 2021, Beijing, two airports in Shanghai, and Guangzhou recovered to 59% of the pre-pandemic level, with Beijing reaching only 47% of 2019’s level, Shanghai Hongqiao at 75%, and Guangzhou at 66%, and Shanghai Pudong at 58%.

But look at the figures for non-tier-1 cities: Chengdu, with 82% recovery, and Xi’an, with 75% recovery. Chongqing and Hangzhou took third and fourth place, each with a recovery of 88% and 79%.

Another interesting trend occurred; non-hub airports increased 10% shares in seat capacity in 2021. And more revealingly, international traffic concentrated more on tier-2 cities like Xiamen, Chengdu, and Hangzhou.

Chengdu wins again with the latest government decision to shorten the quarantine period for international travellers. From 11 April until 8 May, China has started a trial to reduce quarantine from 14 days to 10 days for international arrivals to eight key cities. The selected gateways are Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Dalian, Suzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Xiamen.

According to Dragon Trail’s latest research, quarantine remains the biggest obstacle to outbound travel, with 46% of respondents saying they would consider outbound travel when there is no longer any need to quarantine on either end of the trip. Compared to a previous survey in September 2021, those wishing quarantine to be stricter have dropped from 36% to now 28%. Instead, those preferring that it stays the same have grown from 28% to 32%.

Chengdu, the rising origin market for affluent travellers to Hainan

When examining the booking patterns for travel to Hainan, we see travellers flying in premium classes were up by 2% in Q1 2022 compared to last year, while economy class bookings are down by 3%.

“If we break down the performance for its top source markets, Beijing and Shenzhen were the top markets for premium cabins. However, affluent travellers from Chengdu jumped to the third position, with significant growth of 74%,” says ForwardKeys’ analyst Nan Dai.

Shanghai’s performance was affected by the recent lockdown, but a general 4% growth in Q1 was thanks to an increase of 48% in January and February. Is this the waft of opportunity for the luxury market?

While more than a quarter of respondents in Dragon Trail’s survey said that shopping was a reason to visit Hainan, this was not the main motivation for most travellers. 57% said their reason for visiting would be relaxing on the beach, with 51% choosing water sports, 42% choosing romance, and 27% seeing the island as a family holiday destination.

“This Labour Day holiday period may not show great signs of promise as forward bookings are down, but we’ve learned from this pandemic that the local tourism market in China is resilient and that last-minute bookings have become the norm. Most bookings these days are made less than four days before departure,” says ForwardKeys’ analyst Nan Dai.

“Even more promising in China is the growing importance of Tier-2 airports on domestic and international travel. In 2021, we even saw several designer fashion brands open flagship stores at once-deemed rural airports.”

Improved perceptions of outbound destinations

Dragon Trail asked survey respondents to rank the safety of 15 outbound destinations. Except for Hong Kong, travellers’ perceptions of outbound destinations as being “unsafe” have decreased across the board, with increasing numbers categorizing the destinations either as “safe” or “unsure”.

Japan saw the most significant increase in safety perception. Even the US – which has ranked as most “unsafe” in all of Dragon Trail’s sentiment surveys – has seen an improvement, with 7% categorizing it as “safe,” compared to 69% as “unsafe.” Just six months earlier, 87% saw the US as “unsafe”. As in previous surveys, Singapore was ranked as the safest destination beyond Greater China.

“It’s heartening to see that while other countries around the world are dropping Covid restrictions and opening to international travel, this is not negatively affecting their perception by Chinese travellers. Safety ratings have improved for every country in our survey over the last six months,” added Dragon Trail International’s director of marketing and communications, Parulis-Cook.

A Dragon Trail International and ForwardKeys webinar on 28 April will release more data on China travel trends. To register, check the link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__M0KYjg2S_SJGJ8dDBKxLQ

Etihad flies a mission to cut emissions

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TTR WEEKLY
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ABU DHABI, UAE 22 April 2022: Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is undertaking a week of research and testing on over 30 flights to evaluate operational efficiencies, technology and procedures that will reduce carbon emissions.

The week-long programme launched on Earth Day, 22 April, and includes over 20 commercial flights operating across Etihad’s network to test contrail avoidance technologies in partnership with SATAVIA, a UK-based green aerospace company.

The airline will also operate up to 13 dedicated ‘EcoFlights’ testing a range of flight and engine optimisation initiatives, with successful trials to be incorporated into scheduled operations. Etihad will use its fleet of fuel-efficient A350 and 787 aircraft for the flight tests

Most of the tests conducted over the week are part of a year-long partnership with SATAVIA to enable contrail prevention, integrating atmospheric modelling with operational flight planning to prevent contrail formation. Aircraft contrails, or condensation trails, are clouds made up of aircraft-generated ice crystals, which cause a net surface heating effect globally by trapping atmospheric heat. Contrails cause up to 60% of aviation’s total climate impact, the equivalent to 2% of all human impact.

In addition to contrail avoidance R&D flight tests, Etihad will operate up to 13 dedicated EcoFlights.

These flights will test operational initiatives to evaluate and confirm learnings from past eco-flights for flight path optimisation, including optimised climb and continuous descent, optimal departure runway, last-minute engine start-up, and single-engine taxi procedures network-wide and fight deck technology solutions.

Etihad published its first Sustainability Report on Earth Day 2022, a publicly-available report covering the previous two years of the airline’s sustainability efforts. 

Visit: www.emirates.com

(Your Stories: Emirates)

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