Optimism is bright before global travel event opens
The International travel industry looks set for further growth around the world in 2018, according to new research from World Travel Market London, the leading global event for the travel industry, released today (Monday 6 November) at the event.
Much of this growth will be fuelled by business deals sealed as a result of WTM London, which will host more than 51,500 senior travel industry professionals this week at ExCeL London (6-8 November).
The World Travel Market London 2017 Industry Report, released today (6 November) found that three quarters (74%) of the travel delegates asked expect the industry to grow, with 56% hoping for ‘slight growth’ and 18% expecting significant growth.
Out of the 1,622 responses, only 1% of the extremely optimistic audience predicted a decline and 14% predicted the trade would remain steady in 2018.
This positivity was also reflected in the amount of bookings their company or organisation plans to achieve in 2018, with almost 80% predicting an increase in 2018. This compares to last year when the same question was asked, with only 67% expecting an increase in 2017 bookings. A sure sign that the industry is on the up.
WTM London will be responsible for generating around £3 billion of travel industry contracts, with Italy (54%) and Greece (35%) identified as the top countries to do business with at WTM London.
WTM London’s Paul Nelson, commented: “The report’s findings echo the feedback we are getting from exhibitors, most of whom anticipate they will do more business at WTM London 2017 than WTM London 2016.
“We estimate that deals worth around £3 billion will be signed from almost one million on-stand business meetings.
“With about eight out of ten senior industry professionals expecting the industry to grow next year, it bodes very well for a lucrative and productive three days here at ExCeL.”
Major tourism organisations and leading travel groups have also issued positive messages about the state of the industry, despite headwinds such as terrorism attacks and concerns about the eurozone.
According to the 2018 Global Travel Forecast, travel prices are expected to rise sharply in the coming year, reaching nearly 4% increases in some sectors. Released this summer, the fourth annual forecast, by the GBTA Foundation in partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and with the support of the Carlson Family Foundation, shows global airfares are expected to rise 3.5% in 2018; hotel prices are expected to be 3.7% higher; and ground transportation such as taxis, trains and buses are expected to rise only 0.6% – significantly less than the 3% inflation forecast for 2018.
“The higher pricing is a reflection of the stronger economy and growing demand,” said Kurt Ekert, president and CEO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. “The global numbers from this forecast should be considered strong leading indicators of what 2018 will mean for global businesses, as we anticipate higher spending.”
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) have reported that International tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 6% in January-April of 2017 compared to the same period last year, with business confidence reaching its highest levels in a decade. Sustained growth in most major destinations and a steady rebound in others drove results. Prospects for May-August 2017 remain high.
David Scowsill, former World Travel and Tourism Council President and Chief Executive, commented “For the sixth successive year, growth in the sector outpaced that of the global economy. The outlook for business and leisure travel in 2017 remains robust. Over the longer term, growth of the travel and tourism sector will continue to be strong, as long as governments continue to invest in the necessary infrastructure.”
Furthermore, the Tui Group is predicting a 10% growth in profits for the full year, despite the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
They’ve suggested that overall performance is positive, with revenues booked to date up 7% and customer volumes up 3%. They’ve experienced good growth in bookings for Cape Verde, Cyprus, North Africa and Thailand, although they are seeing some impact on demand for some parts of the Caribbean and Florida as a result of the recent hurricanes.
In the UK, booking and selling price performance are in line with Tui’s expectations, given the very strong start in prior year trading (when bookings were up 22%) and impact of currency inflation on selling price.
Chief executive of Tui Group, Fritz Joussen, said: “As we near the end of the third financial year post merger, our results and trading performance show that we are consistently delivering our growth strategy.
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About World Travel Market
World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises of five leading B2B events across four continents generating more than $7bn of industry deals. The five events are;
WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 51,500 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media embark on ExCeL – London every November generating around £2.8 billion of travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/. Next event: 6-8 Nov 2017 – London.
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) now in its 20th edition, is the meeting place for the global B2B golf travel community. More than 600 golf tourism suppliers join 350 pre-qualified buyers and 100 international press for four days of unmissable pre-scheduled appointments, exclusive networking opportunities and invaluable industry and trend updates. Taking place in a different destination every year, IGTM brings together 1,400 golf tourism professionals from over 65 countries. http://igtm.wtm.com/. Next event: 11-14 Dec 2017 – Cannes.
World Travel Market Latin America now in its fifth edition attracts about 9,000 unique senior executives. The event generates US$ 370 million of new business. Taking place in Sao Paulo Brazil, this show attracts a global audience to meet and shape the direction of the travel industry. More than 7,000 unique visitors attend the event to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry news. http://latinamerica.wtm.com/. Next event: 3-5 April 2018 – Sao Paulo.
World Travel Market Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors. http://africa.wtm.com/. Next event: 18-20 April 2018 – Cape Town.
About Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. The 24th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history. www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com Next event 22-25 April 2018 – Dubai.
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than 7m participants.
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.
More information, please contact:
Paul Nelson – WTM Portfolio PR Manager
E.: paul.nelson@reedexpo.co.uk
T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510
Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio PR Executive
E.: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk
T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)74 0336 7331