Blog

February 16, 2015May 15, 2017

Cape Town positions itself as the ‘Events Capital of Africa’

Blog, Destinations

World Travel Market Africa has thrust Cape Town onto the world stage, presenting the city with an opportunity to actively position itself as the ‘Events Capital of Africa’. Cape Town ... Read more

February 16, 2015April 29, 2022

Using tourism to create shared value in Kerala

Development, Responsible Tourism

One in four new jobs in Kerala is reported to be in tourism. The state in Southern India, which remains largely unravaged by modern industry, has near universal literacy. It’s ... Read more

February 16, 2015January 23, 2017

Using tourism to create shared value in Kerala

Blog

Can tourism in Kerala help local people seeking sustainable development? Reporting from the Indian state, Professor Harold Goodwin cites an inspiring case that makes him believe it can

February 13, 2015April 25, 2022

Innovator Spotlight: exploring India’s wilderness with Wild Navigator

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

Wild Navigator is a new company set up to connect responsible travellers to authentic wilderness experiences across the Indian Subcontinent. Jeremy Smith spoke to its founder, Abishek Behl about the ... Read more

February 13, 2015January 23, 2017

Innovator Spotlight: exploring India’s wilderness with Wild Navigator

Blog

February 11, 2015January 23, 2017

The Rise and Shine of Economic Wellth

Wellness

2015 is already feeling like a big year in the world of wellness evolution. The momentum that exists is, I think, a sign of what is ahead in both public ... Read more

February 10, 2015September 18, 2017

Which is more revolutionary – Airbnb or a caravan park?

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

The cover of Time magazine for February 9, 2015 is an article by Joel Stein called ‘Tales From The Sharing Economy’. It looks at how various companies are disrupting entire ... Read more

February 10, 2015September 18, 2017

Which is more revolutionary – Airbnb or a caravan park?

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

As those in tourism wonder how to meet the challenges posed by the popularity of companies like Airbnb, might it be worth also examining the never-ending popularity of camping and ... Read more

February 9, 2015January 23, 2017

The miserable air travel experience

Aviation, Technology

Who remembers the old days, when air travel was fun and exciting, when you didn’t need to buy a Business or First Class ticket to make the trip bearable? Sadly, ... Read more

February 6, 2015January 23, 2017

Why mentoring works (and why it is never too late to start)

Women in Travel

This week I attended a travel related networking event which was great fun and while I was chatting away and old acquaintance of mine stopped me and said something along ... Read more

February 3, 2015September 7, 2015

Should Greece ban all inclusive holidays?

Responsible Tourism

The situation in Greece is very grim, with economic output more than 20% below its 2007 level and one in four workers unemployed. The Syriza party which won power on ... Read more

February 3, 2015June 22, 2017

Should Greece ban all inclusive holidays?

Responsible Tourism

The media has been filled with reports that the new Greek government might turn its back on all inclusive holidays. Harold Goodwin explores the ramifications and chances of such a ... Read more

February 2, 2015January 23, 2017

Bloggers at WTM – more than just travel

Blogging

Back in 2012, I was at WTM and arranging a travel meetup, Travel Massive, for just before it. It was here that Paul Dow and myself came up with the ... Read more

January 28, 2015January 23, 2017

Old Media and New Tricks: Money Rules

Blogging, Technology

Recently, a blogger friend told me of a trip she will take in March to Africa. Nothing new there. Except that the publication she is writing for (a very prestigious ... Read more

January 27, 2015September 18, 2017

Is a good Tripadvisor profile now more important than a good hotel website?

Certification, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing, Technology

I have just stayed at a wonderful homestay on the Malaysian island of Langkawi. My traditional wooden rice cottage had been saved from demolition, transported here and rebuilt. The food ... Read more

January 27, 2015September 18, 2017

Is a good Tripadvisor profile now more important than a good hotel website?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

Would you stay in a place with a rubbish website if it had a great Tripadvisor profile? What about if it had a great website, but that Tripadivsor profile was ... Read more

January 27, 2015January 23, 2017

Do what you love and you will never work a day!

Women in Travel

Looking back at some of the earlier WTM blogs from Women in Travel it is really striking to see that the advice from successful women in the industry is to ... Read more

January 23, 2015January 23, 2017

World Domination – How many OTAs do we need?

Technology

Expedia has just purchased Travelocity from Sabre for $280 million in cash. This comes after Sabre’s recent sale of lastminute.com to Bravofly Rumbo for $120 million. Following the Travelocity deal, ... Read more

January 21, 2015September 18, 2017

Climate Change, Resource Efficiency and the Tourism Sector

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

The situation in global oil markets appears to deny the relevance of the arguments about peak oil. It is not so simple. There were always two arguments about peak oil ... Read more

January 21, 2015June 15, 2020

Climate Change, Resource Efficiency and the Tourism Sector

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

What impact will falling oil prices have on the tourism industry and its efforts to be more carbon efficient? Harold Goodwin explores the science and its ramifications

January 19, 2015May 2, 2022

Google Translate, a Babel Fish in your pocket

Technology

The future is here at last and science fiction aficionados will rejoice in the latest news to come out of Mountain View. The news from Google headquarters is that it ... Read more

January 13, 2015September 18, 2017

Beyond the bucket list: My dream destination for 2015

Blog, Carbon & Water, Disability, Responsible Tourism

What would be the perfect place to travel in 2015? Jeremy Smith dreams of his ideal destination, would it would contain, and wonder where it might be found.

January 7, 2015January 23, 2017

What does 2015 hold for Responsible Tourism?

Blog

Climate Change, child protection and labour conditions are all likely to be high on the agenda for those pushing for more responsible tourism. Harold Goodwin looks into how and why ... Read more

December 29, 2014June 2, 2020

#justonerhino shows bloggers and companies can collaborate for conservation

Blog, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

100 bloggers are writing a blog each over 100 days to raise funds for rhino conservation. Might the #justonerhino campaign show a way media and the travel industry can work ... Read more

December 19, 2014January 23, 2017

Interview with Julia Feuell, Managing director of Online Travel Training and New Frontiers

Women in Travel

With 2014 almost behind us and 2015 beckoning this is a time for planning and for turning your ideas into reality! So what better way to gain some insights but ... Read more

December 11, 2014January 23, 2017

Metasearch vs. OTAs – Let the battle commence

Technology

The major online travel agencies, Expedia and Priceline’s Booking.com, seem to have the travel market sewn up, sucking in customers like celestial black holes. Their large market shares are driven ... Read more

December 10, 2014September 18, 2017

Why I think the DearTripadvisor Campaign is wrong

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

A campaign has been launched calling on tripadvisor to make sustainability ratings more visible and to give its users the same control over them as for other categories.

December 3, 2014January 23, 2017

Get earned or get burned: the Oreo vlogger ruling

Social Media

A ruling by Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority last week threatens to remove a key plank from the content marketing strategies of travel companies. The ruling rapped Mondelez, the parent company of ... Read more

December 1, 2014September 18, 2017

Celebrating, debating and developing leadership in Responsible Tourism

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

What are the big issues that will define responsible tourism over the coming months and years? Each year at WTM we debate the burning topics of the day, and every ... Read more

November 24, 2014June 2, 2020

How tourism can help Africa, combat Ebola (and hear a good song)

Development, Responsible Tourism

Fears of Ebola are affecting tourism and the communities that rely on it across the continent of Africa. If your travel company does business with any of the 54 countries ... Read more

November 21, 2014May 2, 2022

Invest in Africa

Hospitality

Where should hotel investors put their money? Africa. That was the unanimous verdict from a panel of experts during the Institute of Hospitality seminar I had the pleasure of hosting ... Read more

November 18, 2014September 18, 2017

Setting the Agenda: Reflections on the World Responsible Tourism programme at WTM London2014

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

Harold Goodwin reflects on the largest ever World Responsible Tourism Programme from WTM 2014, and looks forward to the year ahead

November 17, 2014May 15, 2017

What can inspire the world to experience the real Africa?

Blog, Destinations

Africa, a continent known for its vivid tourism prospects is yet to hold a firm position on the global tourism map like Europe, Asia, North America or Latin America. Apart ... Read more

November 14, 2014January 24, 2017

Inspirational. Authentic. Determined. These are Travel Women!

Women in Travel

Wow. I am just back from moderating an amazing session on ‘Secrets of successful female tra-preneurs’ as part of the new Women in Travel Programme at WTM and I am ... Read more

November 10, 2014September 18, 2017

10 things I learned from WTM 2014 and its responsible tourism programme

Blog, Carbon & Water, Disability, Responsible Tourism

From poaching to climate change, profitability to accessibility, the topics being discussed at WTM 2014 were the most varied yet. Here are my highlights…

November 10, 2014January 24, 2017

“Wellness is making a noise … albeit a calming one” Daniel Pearce – TTG

Wellness

WTM is always a marathon week. For many, Pro Plus, Red Bull and copious cups of (terrible) coffee are the stalwart of sustainable function – in the name of wellness, ... Read more

November 3, 2014September 18, 2017

How will you mark World Responsible Tourism Day? Inspirations from around the globe

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

World Responsible Tourism Day supporters around the world – from Brazil to Burma, Athens to Andalusia – are staging their own events to mark the day.

November 2, 2014September 18, 2017

WTM’s responsible tourism programme is more pertinent than ever

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism

With the IPCC new report into climate change, we are reminded of the impacts of choices we make. Join us to discuss making the best choices throughout WTM.

October 31, 2014September 18, 2017

Greenhushing: why companies fear talking the sustainability walk

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

To learn how to talk about sustainability to customers, come along to our clinics at WTM. Find out more about the topic and where to find us

October 29, 2014September 18, 2017

WTM 2014 Responsible Tourism programme speakers’ twitter addresses

Blog, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

Join in the discussions at WTM’s responsible tourism programme on twitter and comment on what speakers are saying using this list of twitter addresses

October 29, 2014September 18, 2017

Collaboration is the only way forward for sustainable destination development

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism

To successfully manage and develop sustainable destinations, partnerships with the local communities should not just be an obligation, they should be seen as good business sense

October 24, 2014January 24, 2017

Investing in local talent in emerging markets

Hospitality

Investing in the training, development and IT of local middle managers is vital in growing tourism destinations such as Sri Lanka, says Peter Ducker FIH, chief executive of the Institute ... Read more

October 20, 2014January 24, 2017

Volunteering Abroad – how to pick the best programmes

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Issues around overseas volunteer programmes have been widely discussed in recently. The key is to find programmes that suit the volunteer and the community

October 15, 2014January 24, 2017

Wellness is the New Black

Wellness

The ‘cultural cauldron of wellness’ that is destination, regional and global authenticity abound; is hotting up and spearheading a sea change in how wellness is understood, communicated, collaborated upon and ... Read more

October 14, 2014September 18, 2017

What do you get if you cross sustainable tourism with a sense of humour?

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

Could humour help engage guests and staff in your efforts to act responsibly? What examples are there of the use of humour in sustainable tourism communications?

October 7, 2014January 24, 2017

Open Destinations: Celebrating 15 Year of Travel Technology

Technology

Introduction Celebrating its 15th year in business, Open Destinations is provider of travel technology solutions for tour operators and wholesalers worldwide. The flagship travel booking system, Travel Studio, provides a ... Read more

October 7, 2014January 24, 2017

Innovator Spotlight – sustaining rural Russian lifestyles with Absolute Siberia

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Alexey Nikiforov talks to Jeremy Smith about the responsible tourism company he founded in the Lake Baikal region of Russia, Absolute Siberia.

October 6, 2014January 24, 2017

Women for Women International: Developing a Burgeoning Tourist Industry

Women in Travel

This week my guest blogger is Nora Russell, WTM Women in Travel panelist and Marketing Manager at Women for Women International an organisation dedicated to supporting women in countries affected ... Read more

October 6, 2014September 18, 2017

Sustainable Destinations: How can we partner for better tourism?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

How can outbound operators best work with destinations to make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit?

October 3, 2014January 24, 2017

A Valuable Networking Tool at WTM

Blogging

A valuable new networking feature for exhibitors and travel trade visitors will be introduced to World Travel Market this year. The WTM Bloggers Speed Networking event, taking place on Thursday ... Read more

October 1, 2014January 24, 2017

Pioneering the Next 50 Years, Today

Adventure

Tourism needs pioneers. And, tourism needs pioneers today. Why? Because the tourism industry and its current dominant path of development is stuck in a rut. The current model includes a ... Read more

September 30, 2014September 18, 2017

Everyone working in responsible tourism can learn something from watching golf

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

Rather than dismissing golf for its negative impacts, those working for more sustainable tourism should seek out its more positive stories and champion them

September 29, 2014January 24, 2017

Wellness Tourism – growth, impact, momentum

Wellness

The autumn season always feels like the busiest of times and this year is no exception. I’ve recently returned from the Global Wellness Tourism Congress and Summit in Marrakech and ... Read more

September 26, 2014January 24, 2017

Is another hotel crash on its way?

Hospitality

The latest data shows that an upturn in European hotel performance is stimulating the transaction market again. For the UK hotel market in particular, the recession is a thing of ... Read more

September 22, 2014January 24, 2017

How can tourism best help the animals people go on holiday to see?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Animals like elephants, dolphins and lions are some of the biggest draws in tourism. As issues like lion petting and dolphin shows become more prominent, what can the industry do ... Read more

September 19, 2014January 24, 2017

Are blogs the future?

Blogging

After 10 years plus, I am putting my hobby website, travelfromHere.com, up for sale. Take a look and you will see that it is a very straightforward directory of websites ... Read more

September 16, 2014January 24, 2017

Pearls of trav-preneurship wisdom!

Women in Travel

As the (UK) Shine Awards night approaches on 16th September– in which women from across the hospitality, travel and tourism industry will be crowned as outstanding professionals, managers and business ... Read more

September 15, 2014September 18, 2017

How to create great holiday experiences by engaging with sustainability (this recipe includes fish)

Blog, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

It’s easy to excite tourists about your efforts to act more responsibly if you can connect your work with their pleasure. All it takes is a good story.

September 10, 2014January 24, 2017

Addressing wildlife tourism and poaching at World Travel Market

Blog, Responsible Tourism

This year WTM is putting issues around tourism and wildlife centre stage with some of the world’s key voices gathered to discuss what can be done.

September 5, 2014January 24, 2017

Women, women everywhere

Women in Travel

As a long standing advocate for women in the sector (amongst other things, I co-launched the Shine Awards for Women Achievement in Travel Tourism, Events and Hospitality in 2004 now ... Read more

September 2, 2014September 18, 2017

Airbnb claims homesharing more sustainable than going to a green hotel

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Homesharing website airbnb is publicising findings claiming homesharing is more sustainable than saying in green hotels. So why hasn’t it released the report?

August 29, 2014January 24, 2017

Innovator Spotlight: sustainable tourism in remote mountain communities with Andean Lodges

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Andean Lodges develops sustainable tourism itineraries in the remote Andes in partnership with indigenous rural communities otherwise excluded from society. The company’s administrative manager Juan Carlos Flores speaks to Jeremy ... Read more

August 27, 2014January 24, 2017

Cancelled flights and the fight against Ebola

Aviation

The correct information and stringent hygiene procedures are needed to avoid panic amongst passengers and airline crew. Hotels and airlines are constantly dealing with ever-changing large volumes of guests. In ... Read more

August 22, 2014January 24, 2017

Reputation is Everything

Social Media, Technology

Image: Dilbert Some news in the last few days has reminded me of one of the subjects I was addressing at my World Travel Market seminar back in 2010. The ... Read more

August 20, 2014September 18, 2017

Was TBEX right to cancel its dolphin ride tours? I’m not sure.

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Travel blogger conference TBEX has removed a dolphin tour from its programme. Despite objecting to the very existence of such tours, I am not sure how pleased I am.

August 19, 2014January 24, 2017

Responsible Blogging – a Quick Industry Guide

Blogging

This month saw the launch of the 2014 WTM Responsible Tourism Website and along with other developments within our community over the past few months, I found myself thinking once more ... Read more

August 15, 2014January 24, 2017

Wellness and Wellness Tourism – the need and reason for demand is increasingly more obvious

Wellness

Wellness and wellness tourism is an enormous segment. It encompasses more than what may readily spring to mind and certainly, today, depression, resilience, stress, anxiety and general mental health issues, ... Read more

August 12, 2014June 22, 2017

World Responsible Tourism Awards Long-list published

Blog, Responsible Tourism

For the first time the Responsible Tourism awards long list has been published to create an opportunity for people to comment and share their views

August 11, 2014September 18, 2017

Heroes of responsible tourism take one step closer to Awards

Disability, Press Releases, Responsible Tourism, WTM London

Debate over who will win the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014, sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism, begins in earnest today as the official Longlist is released. ... Read more

August 11, 2014August 28, 2015

World Responsible Tourism Awards Long-list

Responsible Tourism

The presentation of the World Responsible Tourism Awards at World Travel Market on World Responsible Tourism Day at Excel each year is a red letter day; an opportunity to see ... Read more

August 5, 2014September 18, 2017

What should smart travel companies do about elephant rides, dolphinariums and orphanage visits?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Issues around tourism and dolphins, elephants and orphanages have been in press recently. How should smart travel companies respond?

August 1, 2014January 24, 2017

How long can we go on drinking bottled water?

Hospitality

Any business that is serious about its sustainability credentials should seriously look at how it sells water, says Peter Ducker FIH, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality Bottled water ... Read more

July 31, 2014January 24, 2017

Innovator Spotlight: discover authentic rural Italy with Terra Tua

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Terra Tua introduces guests to authentic Italian village life. Jeremy Smith spoke to Elena Riccioni about her company’s responsible tourism approach.

July 29, 2014September 18, 2017

How to ensure destinations and guests benefit from tourism

Development, Responsible Tourism

Managing tourism to maintain quality of life for local people and a quality visitor experience is a challenge in increasing numbers of destinations.

July 25, 2014January 24, 2017

Airlines, Hotels: Why are you giving away your mobile customers?

Technology

Image: TepWireless I make no apologies for getting back to the subject of mobile. It is simply the most important issue that is affecting travel right now. It is vital ... Read more

July 22, 2014September 18, 2017

Where are the best places to discuss responsible tourism online?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and various websites provide many ways to discuss sustainable and responsible tourism online. Do you agree with our favourites?

July 22, 2014June 15, 2020

WTM’s Responsible Tourism Programme Includes The Biggest Companies In The Industry

Disability, Press Releases, Responsible Tourism, WTM London

World Travel Market 2014’s, the leading global event for the travel industry, Responsible Tourism Programme includes some of the biggest names in travel including Tui, Thomas Cook, Kuoni, Virgin Holidays ... Read more

July 18, 2014January 24, 2017

Revelation and Education in Wellness Tourism

Wellness

It’s been a sociable and revelatory few weeks. I was very privileged to be invited to the newly opened Woburn Forest Center Parcs in Bedfordshire last week, to see the ... Read more

July 16, 2014January 24, 2017

4 Blogger Benefits at WTM from TBU

Blogging

Since 2011, Travel Bloggers Unite have been working in partnership with World Travel Market to further the blogging industry. This year’s collaboration sees the greatest range of opportunities for bloggers ... Read more

July 15, 2014September 18, 2017

Meeting the many challenges of child protection for tourism

Blog, Human Rights, Responsible Tourism

Issues around tourism & child protection are wider than paedophilia. This year WTM looks at the issues at their widest level yet.

July 7, 2014September 18, 2017

How to make a difference using social media marketing for tourism

Blog, Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

Social Media gives travel companies an incredible opportunity. How can we use the tools better and provide leadership as well as noise?

July 4, 2014January 24, 2017

Welcoming Chinese travellers

Hospitality

With a new simplified visa process, the UK is expected to welcome more Chinese visitors. Peter Ducker FIH, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, explores how operators can best ... Read more

July 4, 2014January 24, 2017

WTM & Just a Drop – New Challenges

Charity

As you all know, this January we headed out to 2 schools in Kenya that had successfully had water tanks installed for them, funded by WTM and implemented by Just ... Read more