Blog

January 30, 2020

How the hospitality sector could get vegetarian food right (by a meat eater)

Responsible Tourism

My vegetarian wife says that when I met her 15 years ago I pretended to be a vegetarian to impress her. She says I was pretending, because within months of ... Read more

January 21, 2020

Walking & Talking in India

Responsible Tourism

I am writing this in Binsar, in the foothills of the Himalaya in Uttarakhand. I was Delhi for the presentation of the India Responsible Tourism Awards, I took the train ... Read more

January 17, 2020January 20, 2020

Time for something different…

Responsible Tourism

This New Years Eve, a group of friends and I were having dinner. At someone’s prompting, we all shared our five favourite moments of 2019. Two things stood out. First, ... Read more

January 7, 2020

The Cost of Greenhouse Gases

Responsible Tourism

There is little doubt that, assuming war does not break out, that climate change will be the dominant story of 2020. COP 25 was, to say the least, disappointing. The ... Read more

December 23, 2019December 23, 2019

How the Quest for Epic Adventures is Changing Luxury Travel

Luxury

Last November 4-6th marked the 40th World Travel Market annual tradeshow at the ExCel London. Attended by over 50,000 representatives from the tourism and travel industry all over the world, ... Read more

December 17, 2019December 17, 2019

What were the key headlines for tourism’s sustainability in 2019? Here’s 55 of them…

Responsible Tourism

I reckon the sustainability of tourism has been in the headlines more in 2019 than ever before. So for my final blog of the year, I have gathered 55 of ... Read more

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019

Kerala has been hit by flooding, a resilience challenge well beyond the capacity of tourism to address

Responsible Tourism

At best, the tourism sector can address its own resilience. We often hear talk about the resilience of a destination, its ability to bounce back from adverse circumstances. In the ... Read more

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019

Tourism, Climate Change (and why I feel like a fraud)

Responsible Tourism

Most people I know suffer from imposter syndrome. Most of us believe that any second now, we’ll be found out as frauds, hypocrites, or simply as completely out of our ... Read more

November 26, 2019November 26, 2019

Resilience requires that travel and tourism prepare for the worst

Responsible Tourism

We are failing to reduce and mitigate – resilience requires that we adapt. We have not even begun to slow the rate of growth in greenhouse gas emissions Ahead of ... Read more

November 26, 2019

Blockchain in travel: hype or reality?

Blog, Technology, WTM Latin America

By Travel Forward Blockchain is certainly causing excitement in the travel tech market. As companies and providers look for opportunities to use the technology, it is dividing opinions among specialists: ... Read more

November 25, 2019

What should Extinction Tourism look like?

Responsible Tourism

“The Bramble Cay melomys was a little brown rat,” said the director for the Wilderness Society, Tim Beshara. “But it was our little brown rat and it was our responsibility ... Read more

November 15, 2019November 22, 2019

Generation Alpha: How the World’s Youngest Generation is Already Influencing Travel

Blog, Trends, Trends and Forecasts

Our industry is growing up (literally!), and it’s no surprise that Gen Alpha, those born after 2010, are taking the attention away from their Millennial and Gen Z counterparts, with ... Read more

November 12, 2019

Future Proofing Travel and Tourism

Responsible Tourism

At World Travel Market, London this year the focus on World Responsible Tourism Day was on the challenge of decarbonising our industry. Carbon emissions from our fossil-fuelled economies are causing ... Read more

November 6, 2019

World Responsible Tourism Day at WTM – Wednesday 6th November

Responsible Tourism

Don’t miss the World Responsible Tourism Awards 11:00 – 13:00 today in the Europe Inspiration Zone 11:00 – 11:15 Opening of WRTD Europe Inspiration Zone EU80 WTM World Travel Market Means ... Read more

November 4, 2019April 22, 2020

Always Have A Long-Term Plan

Technology, Travel Forward, Travel Technology, Video

“Always have a long term plan and be ambitious where you want to take your business from a technology point-of-view” Chris Crauford from @HeathrowExpress shares his advice for the travel ... Read more

November 4, 2019April 22, 2020

Leveraging New Technologies With CWT

Technology, Travel Forward, Travel Technology, Video

“How organisations can leverage new technologies to make travel easier, fun and more efficient” Utpal Kaul from @my_CWT shares his insights

November 4, 2019April 22, 2020

Innovation Should Be Focused On Travel Needs

Technology, Travel Forward, Travel Technology, Video

“Innovation should be focused on travel needs” Evantia Guimba from Amadeus shares key points for innovation to be successful in the travel industry.

November 4, 2019November 6, 2019

Responsible Tourism at WTM London – Monday

Responsible Tourism

We have a full programme of Responsible Tourism events today with some of the most high profile panels on The Challenge of Building Sustainable Hotels with the International Tourism Partnership ... Read more

November 1, 2019November 1, 2019

Responsible Tourism Centre Stage at WTM London next week

Human Rights, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism Spotlight

WTM London is the largest Responsible Tourism event in the world. We focus on the solutions with a programme designed to help businesses and destinations thrive in increasingly difficult circumstances ... Read more

October 30, 2019October 31, 2019

Airports: Moving into the Digital Age

Aviation, Blog

Unless, like me, you’re a bit of an avgeek and enjoy spotting the planes, most of us don’t like going through airports. They are simply an unavoidable means to an ... Read more

October 25, 2019October 9, 2020

Big Data: Strategic for Tourism in the Digital Age

Blog, Technology, WTM Latin America

By Marta Poggi In the digital age, the strategic use of technology and specifically of data becomes a decisive factor for companies in all economic segments. It is no different ... Read more

October 25, 2019October 30, 2019

The Hard – Hitting, How Many Elephants Exhibition will be Showcased in the Responsible Tourism Cafe at WTM London

Responsible Tourism

Do you love adventure? Does African wildlife inspire and amaze you? Do you want your children’s children to be able to see wild elephants? Yes? You sound a lot like ... Read more

October 23, 2019October 25, 2019

My way of being one with nature

Destinations

As a leading sustainable holiday destination, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) has long since believed in using tourism as a force for good – raising awareness for the environment, supporting ... Read more

October 23, 2019October 23, 2019

Should Tourism Declare a Climate Emergency?

Responsible Tourism

On 5 December 2016, the Australian city of Darebin, a municipality in the suburbs of northern Melbourne, was the first place in the world to declare a climate emergency. Since ... Read more

October 22, 2019October 22, 2019

Environmental pioneers: A new era of tourism

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By John Pagano, CEO of The Red Sea Development Company We have entered a new age of travel. An age in which technological advancements making travel even more attainable, coupled ... Read more

October 22, 2019

SA looks to China and Japan to grow arrivals

Blog, Economy, Incentive Travel

As South Africa intensifies its efforts to grow arrivals from the Asia Pacific region, Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane is scheduled to visit China and Japan, two of South Africa’s key ... Read more

October 21, 2019November 6, 2019

Tourism with aquatic animals: the tide is changing

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By João Almeida Watch dolphin shows, swim with pink dolphins in the rivers of the Amazon region, touch these animals and take selfies with them. It all sounds harmless, but ... Read more

October 21, 2019November 6, 2019

Sustainable Tourism Certification: What does the next generation of certification look like?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By Teresa Llusá There is growing evidence that consumers expect business and destination governments to ensure that consumers are offered more sustainable holidays. According to World Travel Market, 76% of ... Read more

October 18, 2019October 24, 2019

The Amazon fires: how did the travel and tourism industry act for support and change?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By Gustavo Pinto The day São Paulo became ‘night’ at 3P.M.: only after the biggest city in South America felt direct impacts from the Amazon fires with the smoke and ... Read more

October 18, 2019

Thomas Cook’s remarkable journey

Economy

The outpouring of grief on social media over the weekend of 14-16 September resembled the response to a national disaster. Yet no lives had been lost – the sadness was ... Read more

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019

Middle East’s tourism growth potential in focus at WTM London 2019

Arabian Travel Market, Blog, Press Releases

With Expo 2020 on the horizon and the Middle East continuing to represent high growth potential for the travel industry, delegates from the region are heading to WTM London 2019 ... Read more

October 16, 2019October 16, 2019

The Hospitality Tech Landscape: What Does the Future Hold?

Technology

The Future of Hotel Tech: What Does It Hold? For a long time, hotel tech didn’t give investors much to get excited about. Why? Many technology companies didn’t create anything ... Read more

October 15, 2019

WTM London Responsible Tourism Programme 2019

Responsible Tourism

This year at WTM London, we are addressing some of the major sustainability challenges and asking who can do what about them. We need businesses and destination governments to step ... Read more

October 10, 2019October 14, 2019

Thomas Cook and the travel industry’s warm heart

Economy, WTM Team

The demise of Thomas Cook was a sad and sobering event for all of us in the travel industry, and has prompted some remarkable acts of kindness towards those affected. ... Read more

October 10, 2019November 29, 2019

From the CEO – John Tanzella: Strengthening South African Connections

Blog, LGBT

For many world travelers, including me, South Africa is a favorite destination. Its major cities—Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg—are rich in culture and ripe for discovery. Along with the frequent ... Read more

October 7, 2019November 18, 2020

Turn Flightshame to your advantage – Promote train travel

Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Social Media

A friend of mine called last week for holiday advice. It’s not the first time someone has done this, but it is the first time that a friend has done ... Read more

October 3, 2019October 7, 2019

The Wonder of Travel Starts Here

Technology

By Evantia Giumba, Head of Travel Media and Startup Programme, WEMEA Online, Amadeus. It all starts with an idea. The electric light, the telephone, even the humble sandwich. Yes, there was ... Read more

October 1, 2019

Emerging Leaders in Responsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism

We announced the finalists in the 2019 World Responsible Tourism Awards two weeks ago, they will be presented with Gold or Silver Awards at WTM London on November 6th, and one of ... Read more

September 24, 2019September 25, 2019

Airlines: survival of the fittest

Arabian Travel Market, Aviation, Blog

There is the usual share of volatility making it rough going for airlines as this year’s WTM approaches. When exactly a particular challenge will rear its head isn’t predictable, but ... Read more

September 12, 2019March 9, 2022

The Green City of the Future – Floriade Expo 2022

Blog, Exhibitor News, Responsible Tourism

The preparations for the Floriade Expo 2022 are in full swing. Everyone is working hard on the realization of the 7th International Horticultural Expo, together with the Municipality of Almere ... Read more

September 2, 2019September 11, 2019

Ecotourism: the What, Where and How

Adventure, Blog, Trends

The International Ecotourism Society defines ECOTOURISM as the following: “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. ... Read more

August 28, 2019November 18, 2020

Shambala Festival: What tourism should do next

Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Social Media

To imagine what tourism should do next in my ongoing quest for ‘tourism’s new stories’, I found that the Shambala Festival is one of the best examples around

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019

Smart Tourism Destinations

Blog, Technology, Trends

By Marta Poggi The Smart Tourism Destinations project was created in Spain in 2002 with the aim of improving the positioning of Spanish destinations globally by making them “smarter” and ... Read more

August 23, 2019August 27, 2019

“We take our holidays in other peoples’ homes.”

Human Rights, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism

As the UK’s Tourism Concern pointed out in a long-running campaign “We take our holidays in other peoples’ homes.” Way back in 1994 Colin Marshall, at the launch of the ... Read more

August 22, 2019August 26, 2019

What overtourism are we talking about in Latin America?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto The rules for visiting Machu Picchu changed in 2019. One of the top cultural destinations in the whole of Latin America (which in 2018 received more than ... Read more

August 16, 2019

Saving the Rhino – a worthy campaign close to all our hearts

Blog

If this is news to you, you must have been living under a rock for the last 6 years or so! Saving the Rhino’s has become a ubiquitous phrase for ... Read more

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

6 Simple Things in the Hospitality and Travel Industry that create a Luxurious Difference

Luxury, WTM Team

It is a well-known fact that it’s the little things that make a big difference – especially when you are in the travel industry. When a client’s experience is comprised ... Read more

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

What should tourism’s new stories be?

WTM Team

“Can tourism help us find the stories we need?” I posed this question in my previous blog for this site. Since then several people have asked me what I think ... Read more

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

The impact of technology on business and leisure travellers

Technology

There is a convincing argument that the travel industry invented e-commerce. In the 1960s, American Airlines and IBM developed the first-ever computerised customer reservation system. Fast forward to the first ... Read more

August 15, 2019September 11, 2019

Saving the Rhino – a worthy campaign close to all our hearts

Blog, Trends

If this is news to you, you must have been living under a rock for the last 6 years or so! Saving the Rhino’s has become a ubiquitous phrase for ... Read more

August 14, 2019October 24, 2019

WTM Latin America publishes the results of the 7th Edition of the Satisfaction Survey

Press Releases, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

Overall indices in terms of satisfaction and return to the event are up WTM Latin America, the leading B2B event for the Latin American travel industry, presents the indices in ... Read more

August 14, 2019

Saving the Rhino – a worthy campaign close to all our hearts

Blog

If this is news to you, you must have been living under a rock for the last 6 years or so! Saving the Rhino’s has become a ubiquitous phrase for ... Read more

August 13, 2019November 29, 2019

Three reasons for you to put yourself forward for the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards

Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto The first edition of the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards is taking place in 2020. This widely-renowned award has been held since 2004 during WTM London ... Read more

August 7, 2019August 18, 2020

We’re in 2019 and blogs haven’t died

Blog, marketing, Social Media, Technology, Trends

Search the web and it’s not difficult to find articles announcing the end of blogs. Texts from times as far away (in internet times) as 2008 were already claiming that ... Read more

August 5, 2019October 8, 2019

Tourism needs new stories

Carbon & Water, Social Economy

Across Europe, the beginning of August signifies the beginning of the long summer holiday. Children are all off school for several weeks. Parliaments shut for a while. Stuck for anything ... Read more

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

Digital transformation in tourism: how to begin?

Blog, Technology, Trends

By Marta Poggi We’re experiencing a digital transformation in tourism, as are many sectors in the economy, and there’s no turning back. We know that this transformation goes far beyond ... Read more

July 25, 2019September 11, 2019

WATER: Our Dwindling Resource

Blogging

I’m sure most of you think Cape Town when you think of a drought crisis. Think again. South Africa is facing a water crisis across the country, as is the ... Read more

July 24, 2019July 30, 2019

Take responsibility “don’t turn a blind eye to child abuse.”

Human Rights, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism

The Archers will be familiar to many UK readers of this post. It a radio soap with over 5 million listeners and a further million listening online. Launched in 1951 ... Read more

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019

Accessible tourism matters for everyone, not just the wealthy

Disability, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism

For a long time, those making a case for accessible tourism for people with disabilities have argued that there is a large market composed of those with special needs and ... Read more

July 12, 2019August 12, 2019

Blockchain in travel: hype or reality?

Technology

Blockchain is certainly causing excitement in the travel tech market. As companies and providers look for opportunities to use the technology, it is dividing opinions among specialists: does it create ... Read more

July 9, 2019August 14, 2020

Making Strides In LGBT+ Tourism with Ian Johnson

Diversity & Inclusion, Previous Podcast

Listen now on iTunes Listen now on Spotify In a competitive industry like travel and tourism, how can companies ensure that they appeal to all demographics? This month’s Pride ... Read more

July 4, 2019August 8, 2019

Blockchain in travel: hype or reality?

Blog

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019

Tourism is not working. And that’s a good thing.

Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

Most of our time is defined by work. It is how we afford the things we need and want. But more than that – it’s assumed as a measure of ... Read more

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

The industry needs to focus on implementing solutions: WTM London & the Awards

Responsible Tourism

As the sector bumps up against the limits to growth in a finite world, we need to focus on solutions. From global warming to overtourism, from flooding and potable water ... Read more

June 21, 2019

A Spotlight on the High-Spending Chinese Tourists

Luxury

There is a Chinese proverb that goes, “When the wind of change blows, some build walls, while others build windmills.” When you’re in the tourism and travel industry, you know ... Read more

June 19, 2019April 22, 2020

WTM Latin America 2019 – Travel changes lives

Travel Industry, Video, WTM Latin America

We all know that travel has the power to change lives. We asked our exhibitors how it has changed theirs.

June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

Why every tourism company should join the new Climate Perks holiday scheme

Responsible Tourism

Climate Perks is a new pilot scheme that has just been launched by 10:10, the UK-based climate solutions NGO. As its new website explains, “Climate Perks employers offer paid ‘journey ... Read more

June 12, 2019

We need to talk about carbon emissions in the travel and tourism industry in Latin America

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto M.A. in Responsible Tourism – Manchester Metropolitan University, UK Advisor in Responsible Tourism for WTM Latin America Director of Inverted America Journeys The travel and tourism sector ... Read more

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019

The WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards are launched

Blog, Responsible Tourism

June 11, 2019June 11, 2019

Plastic: Going Beyond Straws

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

The problem is not plastic, the problem is waste plastic. Attenborough’s Blue Planet exposure of plastic waste in our oceans has raised awareness of the issue, and there has been ... Read more

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019

What can tourism learn from other industries?

Responsible Tourism

Not a lot apparently. Next week is the annual Responsible Business Summit Europe. Organised by Ethical Corporation, it brings together senior executives from some of the biggest companies in the ... Read more

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

10 reasons to enter the International Travel & Tourism Awards

Professional Development, WTM Team

The International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM London take place on Tuesday 5 November 2019 at Magazine, London and are now open for entries. Here are ten reasons why ... Read more

May 28, 2019

Why the Doughnut is a Problem for Tourism

Responsible Tourism

It is official. Yesterday the 34-member Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) determined that we have now entered, in geological terms, the Anthropocene: the Age of Man. The group is still to ... Read more

May 24, 2019October 13, 2022

Rethinking hospitality: 3 main trends that are transforming the industry

Blog, Hospitality

By Carolina Sass de Haro Market Specialist, Latin America, Phocuswright Before we get to the trends, it is important to understand what the hospitality industry represents. According to Phocuswright’s travel ... Read more

May 23, 2019

Realising Augmented Reality’s potential

Social Media

On September 1, the Cranborne Chase will launch an app using augmented reality to promote its wares. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AoNB), largely in West Wiltshire and ... Read more

May 23, 2019May 23, 2019

How to make the most of your ITTA win

Events, Wellness

Case study: Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) We recently spoke with Maja Pak, Director at the STB and Frank Marr, from AM+A Marketing and Media Relations, who represents the STB to ... Read more

May 21, 2019May 23, 2019

My four least favourite phrases that tourism should stop using

Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

Last Friday, the Guardian newspaper announced that it was updating its style guide “to introduce terms that more accurately describe the environmental crises facing the world.” The paper’s editor Katherine ... Read more

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

How Can Travel Brands Make Things More Personal For Luxury Travellers?

Luxury

When talking about travel trends, ‘experience’ has been the keyword in trends across the travel industry. As a whole, consumers are choosing to spend on things that enhance their lives ... Read more

May 14, 2019May 14, 2019

How tourism operators can protect thousands of wild animals

Blog, Charity

By João Almeida – Wildlife Manager of World Animal Protection The exploitation of wild animals for entertainment is still a sad reality around the world. Behind events that appear to ... Read more

May 14, 2019May 16, 2019

Tourism can be a force for good on biodiversity

Responsible Tourism

Just yesterday we heard that Victor Vescovo had descended some 11km to the deepest place in the ocean, the deepest dive ever. He discovered new species of prawn-like crustaceans and ... Read more

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019

Innovate or Renew?

Blog, Technology

By Vitor Bauab – CEO of the BBG Brasil Group The importance of innovation in organizations is a topic that is becoming increasingly more frequent in the corporate environment. Particularly nowadays, ... Read more

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

ITTA Awards prove they are the Industry Stamp of Approval

Blog

Shortly after the International Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTAs) evening last year, we reached out to all the winners as we wanted to find out if winning an award meant ... Read more

May 8, 2019June 6, 2019

Small Ways Tour Operators Can Create Big Changes for the Environment

Blog, Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

By Sharon Conceição Addressing climate change in the adventure travel industry isn’t an easy task. At times, it can even be quite overwhelming, especially for tour operators running small businesses. ... Read more

May 8, 2019October 13, 2022

Trends and Innovation in Tourism and the Hotel Trade

Blog, Technology

By Marta Poggi The increasing use of new technologies has changed consumer behaviour and had a direct impact on tourism business. The 4.0 traveller uses a mobile phone at every ... Read more

May 7, 2019May 16, 2019

The week when everything changed

Carbon & Water

I wanted to write about May Day. I wanted to write about working less and remaking our connection to the earth. I really didn’t want to write about climate change. ... Read more

April 30, 2019May 16, 2019

The aviation industry is our sector’s Achilles’ heel.

Responsible Tourism

Last week the UK’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Michael Gove, admitted that “we have not done nearly enough” on man-made climate change. Gove went on, “Suddenly in the ... Read more

April 29, 2019May 3, 2019

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism; Mega Projects and a New Vision of Openness to the World

Blog

Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is an opportunity to promote Saudi Arabia’s tourism products, services and destinations, as well as its tourism investment opportunities. The annual world-renowned event also contributes ... Read more

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019

Uber + Zoom: great employee experiences, good for business too

Blog

How to build a future-proof travel policy Is your company travel policy prepared for changes in traveler trends and tech? For travel managers, the day-to-day responsibility of managing a travel ... Read more

April 25, 2019

Facing down challenges and seizing opportunities in the airline business

Aviation

The airline industry has always faced its share of challenges. The key to survival is a rigorous management of costs whilst being versatile in adapting to shifts in market conditions ... Read more

April 22, 2019May 16, 2019

How should tourism mark Earth Day 2019?

Responsible Tourism

This Monday – April 22, is Earth Day. It’s the 49th anniversary of the event, first celebrated in 1970. And this year, the theme is “Protect our Species”. What should ... Read more

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

Case Study: The future of distribution

Technology, Uncategorised

In this interview, Nayan Peshkar, SVP of Digital, Distribution & Revenue Strategy at Millennium Hotels & Resorts presents a case study on how his brand has worked successfully with distribution, ... Read more

April 18, 2019

3 Multi-city Trends and Why You Should Care

Technology, The Travel Tech Show, Uncategorised

The travel industry is absolutely massive ($1.6 trillion in 2017)! But, with a massive market comes massive competition. The industry that thrives on beautiful Instagram photos and elite festivals (Fyre ... Read more

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

Making A Difference In The World With International Marine Volunteers

Blog

At International Marine Volunteers our mission is to inspire our volunteers to make a difference in the world around them by providing them with life-changing opportunities and experiences, and creating ... Read more