atm-blog

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019

Popular honeymoon destinations in the Middle East & Asia

They say that love is the food of life, and travel is the dessert. If that is to be believed, then it means that honeymoon (the dessert ... Read more

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

2019: the year of Culture Trip?

Social Media

SIT back and enjoy the films. No, not The Oscars silly, but a series of travel shorts from Culture Trip, the media company promising to shake up ... Read more

February 20, 2019February 20, 2019

Are your passenger rights an airlines’ best kept secret?

Aviation

Travel is a right for all people, but all too few travelers are actually aware of the passenger rights in case of disruptions. Are you aware of ... Read more

February 19, 2019February 20, 2019

Climate Change, people are demanding action, but will governments act in time?

Responsible Tourism

This year we are focussing on climate change and carbon emissions at all tour WTM shows. Some of you will recall the stark presentation made by Professor ... Read more

February 18, 2019February 18, 2019

The importance of native language reviews and trusted sites for Middle Eastern travel consumers

Destinations, Halal Tourism, Trends

The world of travel content is as vast as the globe itself. Newspaper and magazine articles, blogs and vlogs, influencers’ social media posts, TV documentaries, radio podcasts ... Read more

February 14, 2019

Most Romantic Luxury Hotel Amenities

Luxury

“Roses are red, violets are blue. Love is in the air, bring out the fondue.” It’s the month of love, and whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or ... Read more

February 12, 2019

Using tourism to give people the benefits of time in nature

Responsible Tourism

At the beginning of this month, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) published a series of detailed maps revealing that 36% of England’s population live too ... Read more

February 11, 2019August 18, 2020

SEO overload: The rise of the machine is killing your blog

Blog, Blogging, marketing

Cast your mind back… Do you remember the reason you started blogging in the first place? Maybe it was because you wanted to publish your words and ... Read more

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019

Facebook messaging integration: is dark social going to get brighter?

Social Media

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are a shady place. Lots of stuff gets shared around in these private places. That’s kind of annoying if ... Read more

February 7, 2019July 10, 2020

Episode 8 – June Sarpong on the Importance of Diversity in the Travel Industry

Podcast

Listen now on iTunes Listen now on Spotify TV presenter and campaigner June Sarpong came to the WTM to host a panel on the issue of ... Read more

February 5, 2019

Responsible Tourism in India

Responsible Tourism

I was privileged to spend last week in India, first in Kerala and then in Delhi, for the 4th India Responsible Tourism Awards – one of the ... Read more

February 5, 2019February 5, 2019

Top halal tourism trends for 2019

Halal Tourism

Halal tourism is one of the fastest-growing facets of the global travel industry. Muslim travellers around the world are hungry for travel experiences and this is driving ... Read more

January 30, 2019

Malta’s transformation

Winter 2018 Magazine

A good spread of traveller types, source markets and seasons are the aims of most destinations, and Malta offers something of a masterclass in what’s possible, with ... Read more

January 29, 2019February 1, 2019

How tourism can remove single waste plastic from its supply chain

Responsible Tourism

“Gradually, then suddenly”. It’s how a character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, describes how he went bankrupt. I was unaware of the phrase until last ... Read more

January 28, 2019

Long haul budget airline sector

Winter 2018 Magazine

It was a bold move, but Primera Air’s venture into low-cost long-haul will surely be recorded as the shortest-lived attempt to break into the market. From waving ... Read more

January 28, 2019

Blippar stops trading: the long wait for AR and VR to become a reality

Social Media

ANOTHER new year, another debate on whether virtual and augmented reality will become, well, a reality. Not delivering on what’s been promised, gimmicky ideas, a focus on ... Read more

January 25, 2019

The Luxury of Solo Travel

Luxury

Solo travel is on the rise across all markets, and you would have to be living under a rock not to notice it. Open any of your ... Read more

January 25, 2019July 10, 2020

Episode 7 – How to Capitalise on Chinese Outbound Tourism

Podcast

Listen now on iTunes Listen now on Spotify Destinations and travel businesses around the world are making great efforts to attract a larger share of China’s ... Read more

January 22, 2019January 22, 2019

The Orphanage Business

Responsible Tourism

Way back in 2011 the issue of orphanages in Cambodia was raised by Michael Horton during one of our Responsible Tourism sessions at WTM London. Michael reported ... Read more

January 21, 2019

Lesser known emirates

Winter 2018 Magazine

Of the seven sheikhdoms that together make up the United Arab Emirates, perhaps just two – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – are familiar names. But while the ... Read more

January 16, 2019

Ireland post Brexit

Winter 2018 Magazine

Whatever the final outcome of the difficult negotiations between the UK and EU over Brexit, Ireland has had to re-assess its international marketing and try to address ... Read more

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019

Will 2019 be the year tourism engages with flying and climate change?

Responsible Tourism

While it is always risky to make public predictions, I think this year we will see a lot more discussion about aviation and climate change. The reason ... Read more

January 14, 2019

An interview with Ted Stimpson

Winter 2018 Magazine

There can’t be many brands that boast a global market share in excess of 65% but whose boss argues he has not yet reached more than 1% ... Read more

January 10, 2019May 13, 2019

What’s hot in travel for 2019, according to everybody

Social Media

As a travel writer, I can tell the time of year just by looking at my email inbox. At Easter, the subject lines are usually filled with ... Read more

January 9, 2019

China beyond the gateways

Winter 2018 Magazine

Tourism to China has traditionally been based around Beijing and Shanghai, but that could be in for a shake-up thanks to a boom in flights to regional ... Read more

January 3, 2019January 7, 2019

The Caribbean islands’ numbers game

Winter 2018 Magazine

Many holidays to the Caribbean are all about palm trees and gleaming white sands – and with options ranging from mega-resorts to B&Bs, villas and luxury hotels, ... Read more

December 21, 2018

Tunisia’s Recovery

Summer 2018 Magazine

Tunisia’s recovery from the impact of two devastating terrorist attacks three years ago has gathered pace during 2018. Figures from the country’s tourism ministry show that visitor ... Read more

December 20, 2018

Earthrise, Limits to Growth and Responsibility

Responsible Tourism

Fifty years ago on December 24th 1968 the Apollo 8 astronauts took the famous Earthrise photograph as they orbited the moon, the first image of Earth captured ... Read more

December 20, 2018

The retro resurgence in travel and tourism

Social Media

When travelling around America in the 1980s, helpful signs directed you to park the car and photograph a view. With a camera back then, not a smartphone. ... Read more

December 18, 2018

The year in review – key moments in tourism and sustainability from 2018

Responsible Tourism

In a year where the accelerating breakdown of the world’s climate got yet more headlines (if not yet enough action), the travel industry also discovered that it ... Read more

December 17, 2018August 14, 2020

The place for (entrepeneurial) women is…… in the kitchen!?

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion, Women in Travel

Social Enterprising is quickly becoming a buzz word and I have written about it before. One of the most recent trends however is how quickly food and ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018

The Disloyal Customer

Technology

I was at a conference the other day and, whilst awaiting the first speaker’s presentation, I was chatting with the lady next to me. I am not ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018

Is YouTube’s hugely disliked Rewind 2018 round-up the most expensive tourism ad ever?

Social Media

In six days, a video has raced up YouTube’s trending charts thanks to, at the time of writing, some 113 million views. It is not the latest ... Read more

December 11, 2018December 11, 2018

Decarbonisation and the Travel and Tourism Industry

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

In 2018 there has been very little discussion in the Responsible Tourism programme across WTM’s portfolio of trade shows in Cape Town, Dubai, London, Sao Paulo about ... Read more

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018

Responsible Tourism Podcast Sessions

Responsible Tourism

Catch up on the Responsible Tourism sessions from WTM London right here… 1. Business Taking Responsibility for Security, Health and Safety At the heart of the responsibility ... Read more

December 7, 2018

Why you should visit Puglia

Destinations

Travelling affects quality of life. For beyond your customary trip, Puglia is the most effective cure to rejuvenate, enhance yourself and become aware of the world. Rather ... Read more

December 7, 2018July 10, 2020

Episode 6 – 100 Years of Suffragettes: Gender Balance in Today’s Travel Industry

Podcast

Listen now on iTunes Listen now on Spotify 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of British women gaining the right to vote and WTM London held a ... Read more

December 3, 2018

What can tourism learn from David Attenborough and the People’s Seat Initiative today?

Responsible Tourism

Today at the UN Climate Conference in Katowice Poland, David Attenborough’s People’s Seat initiative will see the 92yr old naturalist use his position to share the voices ... Read more

November 30, 2018

Emerging Luxury Destinations for 2019 and Beyond

Luxury

True or False: When we think of luxury destinations, images of overwater villas in the Maldives and luxury hotels and cars in Monte Carlo may come to ... Read more

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018

Draining the swamp of fake influencers: can it be done?

Social Media

The analysis of an influencer’s worth is deepening daily, as brands turn away and genuine influencers turn on their wannabe colleagues. Two influencers in the past week ... Read more

November 27, 2018June 2, 2020

Progress on Overtourism

Overtourism

There is more coverage of the issue of overtourism in the mainstream press than in the trade press. Understandably destination marketers and many governments dislike the word ... Read more

November 23, 2018

All Together Now

Technology

I quite often give presentations explaining the characteristics of our future consumers – Generations Y and Z when actually, they are just about all grown up now. ... Read more

November 20, 2018November 21, 2018

Could Black Friday offer a teachable moment for tourism?

Responsible Tourism

Few people see Black Friday as a day for reflection. Along with its online sibling – Cyber Monday – It’s the apotheosis of consumption – a no-holds-barred ... Read more

November 13, 2018November 13, 2018

Responsible Tourism is an inclusive agenda

Responsible Tourism

The Responsible Tourism programme of talks, presentations, discussions and interviews held across all four WTM shows reflects the broad agenda of Responsible Tourism. At WTM London last ... Read more

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018

Smoke-free products opening new avenues

Destinations

Technological advancement has been improving our everyday lives as well as public health, from refrigerating food in the 19th century, through seatbelts, to airbags and other innovations. ... Read more

November 7, 2018November 7, 2018

World Responsible Tourism Awards 2018

Responsible Tourism

Organised by WTM London To become a Finalist in the World Responsible Tourism Awards is a significant achievement, it marks you out as a leader in Responsible ... Read more

November 7, 2018November 28, 2018

Megatrends Shaping the Future of Travel

Trends

Travel is booming, with international trips expected to grow by 5 percent in 2018. We live, however, in an ever-changing world, and the travel industry needs to ... Read more

November 3, 2018

Venice floods show that overtourism is a climate change issue

Overtourism

Few people can have missed this week’s pictures of a flooded Venice, and the video of the pizza restaurant that channeled the Titanic’s violinists and kept serving ... Read more

November 2, 2018November 6, 2018

Just a Drop 20 years -Turning Inspiration and Business into Life Transforming Reality by Fiona Jeffery OBE

Charity

It seems incredible that 20 years have passed since I launched Just a Drop at World Travel Market 1998. At the time, I was a new Exhibition ... Read more

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018

Exploring previously unexplored regions

Autumn 2018 Magazine

Almost 104 million visitors travelled to Latin America in 2017, a figure expected to grow to 122.5 million by 2022, according to Euromonitor International. The US still ... Read more

October 30, 2018

Leaders in Responsible Tourism at WTM London

Responsible Tourism

Every year many of the world’s leaders in Responsible Tourism gather at WTM London and participate in the Responsible Tourism programme which forms a major part of ... Read more

October 29, 2018

How does Marriott aim to continue progressing?

Autumn 2018 Magazine

A $12.2 billion price tag is a hefty one, but understandable when you consider what Marriott bought back in 2016 when it purchased Starwood. The combined company ... Read more

October 26, 2018October 26, 2018

Is Multi-Modal the next big thing?

Technology

Quite a few years ago (pre-Internet) I was commissioned to carry out a feasibility study for a large telecommunications organisation. The idea was to test the concept ... Read more

October 26, 2018October 26, 2018

Expo 2020 Dubai: a world of possibilities

Blog

Millions of visitors from across the globe will enjoy an exceptional experience at Expo 2020 Dubai, as the world comes together for a celebration of human ingenuity, ... Read more

October 25, 2018

Travel Wholesaling – a sector to watch?

Autumn 2018 Magazine

It has been a busy time in the wholesale sector in the past year or so, with some major deals cementing the hold of the big two ... Read more

October 25, 2018

Ready, Steady… Women In Travel Meetup 2018!

Women in Travel

With two weeks to go before WTM London, I am proud and delighted that this year we will celebrate our 5th Women in Travel Meetup under the ... Read more

October 24, 2018October 24, 2018

A bumper harvest of airlines at this year’s WTM!

Aviation

It’s been an amazing 5 years since we last had easyJet in the interview hot seat at WTM! Then Carolyn McCall had not long arrived as the ... Read more

October 24, 2018October 24, 2018

Luxury Brand Innovation in Aviation: The Interesting Case of Etihad Airways

Luxury

According to American economist Theodore Levitt, the difference between creativity and innovation is: “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” Due to a ... Read more

October 23, 2018October 24, 2018

Travel Leaders UK Travel Markets – What to Expect in 2019

Blog

As the clock continues to count down to the UK’s official Brexit day, on 29 March 2019, the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union ... Read more

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

The destination with solutions to overtourism, climate change and wellbeing

Development, Overtourism, Social Economy

Last week Bhutan held only its third general election. And for the third time in a row, the Bhutanese people voted in a different party. And though ... Read more

October 22, 2018October 22, 2018

Matera to become a European Capital of Culture

Autumn 2018 Magazine

It was once a diseased, poverty-stricken southern town where many inhabitants lived in caves, but such is the transformation of Matera that next year sees it become ... Read more

October 19, 2018

Luxury ‘trendsetters’ are ‘setting the bar high’ in International Travel & Tourism Awards

Events

Four “excellent” shortlisted finalists will be going for gold in the ‘Best in Luxury’ category at the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM. The ... Read more

October 18, 2018October 18, 2018

Destinations Praised for LGBT Offering at ITTAs

Events

LGBT guests are in demand and the destinations that make the effort are in competition to be top choice for the LGBT traveller. The inaugural International Travel ... Read more

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018

A winning streak:

Autumn 2018 Magazine

France’s World Cup win will hopefully mark a positive turning point in the country’s global profile, following dark times around the terrorism attacks of recent years. The ... Read more

October 16, 2018

Ethical or Responsible Tourism?

Development

Tomorrow is Global Ethics Day, inspired by Earth Day and established by the Carnegie Council. It is an opportunity to explore the meaning of ethics in international ... Read more

October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

Combining Purpose, Passion and Profit: Kate Webb and Orbis Expeditions

Women in Travel

For this latest blog I am delighted to interview another inspirational woman in travel, Kate Webb Co-Founder of Orbis Expeditions who will be speaking at the Women ... Read more

October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

Judges select the right ingredients for Food Tourism shortlist in Travel & Tourism Awards

Events

Shortlisted candidates are hoping they have the recipe for success in the ‘Best Food Tourism’ category of the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM ... Read more

October 12, 2018October 12, 2018

Judges hail innovation by digital influencers vying for International Travel & Tourism Awards

Events

The rapidly evolving world of digital influencers will be recognised with a prestigious honour from the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM London. Contenders ... Read more

October 12, 2018October 12, 2018

Matches made in heaven

Autumn 2018 Magazine

A wedding or honeymoon overseas is often the most luxurious holiday a couple will have in their lifetime, and tapping into this market can be lucrative. WTM ... Read more

October 11, 2018June 2, 2020

Killer Tips for Transitioning into a Digital Nomad

Blogging

As some of you out there might know, I’ve been toying with the idea of traveling more and working remotely. Also sometimes referred to as being a ... Read more

October 10, 2018October 10, 2018

Shortlisted candidates hail their success in ITTA Regional/City Campaign category

Events

Tourism campaigns in line to win an honour in the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM, say that being shortlisted is already a great ... Read more

October 9, 2018

How will the Everything as a Service (XaaS) business model transform tourism?

Development

Every single person reading this line is currently benefiting from the Everything as a Service (XaaS) business model, whether we realise it or not. No one is ... Read more

October 8, 2018October 8, 2018

Progressive Destination Marketing – Responsible Tourism the Slovenian way

Blog

As a leading green destination, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) is well versed in using tourism as a force for good – to raise awareness for the ... Read more

October 3, 2018October 3, 2018

Best in Responsible Tourism shortlist

Events

Four initiatives which help wildlife and the environment are contenders to win the responsible tourism honour at the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM. ... Read more

October 2, 2018October 8, 2018

2018 Finalists in the World Responsible Tourism Awards

Responsible Tourism

The judges have deliberated long and hard after reviewing all the applications, longlisting and then shortlisting, the finalists for this year’s World Responsible Tourism Awards have finally ... Read more

October 1, 2018October 1, 2018

Surviving troubled waters

Autumn 2018 Magazine

It is portrayed as a tropical paradise in holiday brochures and is the Philippines’ top tourism hotspot, but Boracay hit the news for all the wrong reasons ... Read more

October 1, 2018

‘The bar is set high’ say experts judging the ITTA National Tourism Board/Destination Marketing Organisation category

Uncategorised

Nine ‘stand-out’ national tourism campaigns are vying to win at the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM. One of the experts on the judging ... Read more

September 28, 2018October 2, 2018

WTM reveals ‘Best Tourism Marketing Agency’ shortlist

Events

The inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards will shine a light on the Best Tourism Marketing Agencies out there from around the globe, highlighting outstanding and thought ... Read more

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018

Bulgaria – the new European capital of culture?

Destinations

This new season Bulgaria will welcome tourists with hundreds of cultural events and a European capital of culture — Plovdiv 2019. The country will be a stage ... Read more

September 26, 2018

High hopes in Malaysia

Autumn 2018 Magazine

Marvellous, multifaceted and thrillingly multicultural: Malaysia offers travellers an almost unbeatable range of experiences. Spread across Peninsular Malaysia, northern Borneo and scattered islands in between, the country ... Read more

September 26, 2018

Innovative Technology Enhancing Tourist Destinations

Events

Global destinations are constantly striving to improve their technology offering to tourists in order to enhance the overall travel experience as well as help make a destination ... Read more

September 25, 2018

How can the digital revolution be used to better transform tourism?

Development

How can we better understand the growing economic, societal and environmental impacts of technology and innovation in tourism? That’s the question posed by the UNWTO on its ... Read more

September 25, 2018September 26, 2018

Rwandair helps place Rwanda on the map

Aviation

Africa is the most challenging continent for air transport development, facing lack of infrastructure, a failure by many governments to adopt supportive policies to encourage growth, frequently ... Read more

September 24, 2018September 25, 2018

New Travel Awards shine a light on the Best PR Campaigns

Events

The inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM London, celebrate the success of national, regional and city tourist boards and recognises outstanding private sector companies ... Read more

September 21, 2018

100 Years of Suffragettes: International Perspectives for the Travel Industry

Women in Travel

This year marks the 100th anniversary of British women gaining the right to vote and I was honoured to be asked by team at WTM London to ... Read more

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018

The art of visitor attractions

Autumn 2018 Magazine

Abu Dhabi’s neighbouring emirate Dubai has been grabbing the headlines over the past couple of years with the opening of a host of major theme parks. But ... Read more

September 20, 2018September 25, 2018

New International Travel & Tourism Awards Recognise Seven Stand-Out Digital Campaigns

Events

The most popular category by far in the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, saw a whopping 27 organisations enter, leaving it up to the panel of ... Read more

September 18, 2018September 18, 2018

Loving National Parks to Death?

Overtourism

Most of the focus on overtourism has been on cities, but it is also a challenge in rural areas. I am writing this at RTD14 which is ... Read more

September 18, 2018September 18, 2018

Must Have Web Technologies for 2019

Technology

This year at WTM London I will be running a Genesys Session called Must Have Web Technologies for 2019. I see travel as an information industry. When ... Read more

September 4, 2018

Tackling Overtourism

Overtourism

While there is little discussion of overtourism in the travel trade press and many destinations are in denial, the issue is hot in the national and local ... Read more

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018

The trends driving car rental

Summer 2018 Magazine

Changing consumer habits and technological advances are driving the car hire market into the digital age. Jenny Southan reports. At the end of last year I spent ... Read more

August 21, 2018August 21, 2018

Making Tourism Better

Overtourism

Jost Krippendorf is the father of Responsible Tourism. In his seminal work on Holiday Makers, published in 1987, he foresaw the growth of the new form of ... Read more

August 17, 2018August 17, 2018

Information Banks – A Vision of the Future

Technology

Catalysed by the recent hive of activity surrounding General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a few strands of thought from the past and present have come together in ... Read more