wtma-blog

April 25, 2017September 18, 2017

New European student travel scheme offers a vision of tourism’s future

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

If I was asked to sum up the challenge facing tourism in one sentence, I would say something like the following: Can the travel industry of the future be environmentally ... Read more

April 21, 2017September 13, 2017

Responsible Tourism and the African Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM Africa

Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

The first Responsible Tourism panel on market access for SMEs and emerging entrepreneurs drew an audience of 90 to hear Enver Mally – originally an SME and now part of ... Read more

April 11, 2017September 18, 2017

If you’re looking after the environment, you’re looking after your guests. Tell them.

Carbon & Water, Development, Human Rights, Responsible Tourism

Written above a doorway at London’s Horniman Museum is an Einstein quote that reads: ‘The environment is everything except myself.’ When I saw it last week it reminded me of ... Read more

April 4, 2017September 18, 2017

World Travel Market and the Sustainable Development Goals

Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy, Video

WTM, supported by the UNWTO, has sought to present examples of good practice to educate, inspire and challenge business and destinations to deliver on sustainability through WTM Responsible Tourism and ... Read more

March 28, 2017September 18, 2017

Tourism will be the future’s most important industry. We aren’t ready.

Carbon & Water, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing, Social Economy

Last weekend I paid for my shopping at a self-service till. I swiped my credit card across the automatic turnstile on the Underground. I streamed a movie from my Netflix ... Read more

March 21, 2017September 18, 2017

Seasonality, Cruises and Overtourism: Coping with Success

Carbon & Water, Development, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism

How does a small archipelago cope with becoming Britain’s most successful cruise destination? In 2011 there were 36,000 cruise passengers, last year there were close to 100,000, projected to hit ... Read more

March 15, 2017September 18, 2017

Why it matters what stories tourism tells to promote destinations

Human Rights, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing, Social Economy

Museums and Heritage Advisor doesn’t sound like a particularly radical or controversy-seeking website. Described as “The ultimate news, product and opinion resource for museum, gallery, cultural and heritage visitor attraction professionals”, ... Read more

March 8, 2017September 18, 2017

Does tourism really contribute to sustainable development?

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy, Video

The Resolution of the 70th United Nations General Assembly to designate 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development has shone the spotlight on tourism. Tourism will either ... Read more

March 1, 2017September 18, 2017

How should men mark International Women’s Day 2017?

Responsible Tourism, Women in Travel

I should start by apologising to all women readers of this blog. You will learn nothing new from it. I doubt I have anything to say that you don’t already ... Read more

February 23, 2017May 15, 2017

Unique Food Experiences in Cape Town

Destinations, Food Tourism

Want to sink your teeth into something unique in Cape Town? From healthy, to meaty to over-the-top sweet, here’s our list of what not to miss while in Cape Town. ... Read more

February 21, 2017September 18, 2017

Should destinations focus on yield rather than arrivals?

Development, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing

From a consumer or traveller perspective there are many answers, but it is not difficult for a traveller or holidaymaker to say why they are travelling. It could relate to ... Read more

February 14, 2017September 18, 2017

Will Transformative Tourism be more than the latest travel trend?

Development, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing, Trends

Industry leaders are discussing why ‘Transformative Travel’ will be the travel trend of 2017 after Vogue released this article in January. While 2016 was all about experiential travel, this year ... Read more

February 7, 2017September 18, 2017

Why take Responsibility for Tourism?

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism, Video

The simple answer of course is that we should, because tourism is what we make it. We can make tourism better, we can use tourism to make better places to ... Read more

February 6, 2017May 15, 2017

Travel like a local: Your neighbourhood guide to the Cape Town CBD by night

Destinations

The Cape Town City Centre is where it all happens. A combination of work and play, it is where everything comes together. During the day it is a hub of ... Read more

February 3, 2017May 15, 2017

Top 100 Cities Destination Report

Blog, Destinations

The Top 100 Cities Destination Ranking for 2015 international arrivals. Despite falling arrivals, Hong Kong remained the top city destination in the world for the seventh consecutive year, with 26.7 ... Read more

January 31, 2017September 18, 2017

How should the travel industry respond to Trump’s travel ban?

Human Rights, Responsible Tourism

The rules of engagement are being changed. According to established social media thinking, the lifespan of a tweet is 18 minutes. Yet one of the tweets currently getting the most ... Read more

January 31, 2017February 21, 2017

Disintermediation & Destination Management session review

Responsible Tourism, Video

World Travel Market, Travel Tech Theatre, Monday 7th November 2016 Panel member and CEO of Barcelona Tourism Board, Jordi William Carnes discusses why he attended WTM London and the key ... Read more

January 24, 2017September 18, 2017

Creating shared value for local communities – the Kerala Experience

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

In 2008 when the Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was held in Kerala there was overt and mounting hostility to the tourism industry in some of the ... Read more

January 19, 2017September 18, 2017

Will South Africa eradicate irresponsible captive animal practices in 2017?

Development, Responsible Tourism

‘‘JHB airport to remove cub-petting images from its international arrivals corridor’ read the headline in South Africa’s Citizen newspaper on January 13th. I’ve started 2017 – the UN’s International Year ... Read more

January 18, 2017September 18, 2017

Going beyond trickledown

Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

Responsible Tourism is about using tourism to make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit. 2017 is the UN’s International Year of Sustainable ... Read more

January 4, 2017September 18, 2017

A New Year, anti-globalisation and tourism

Carbon & Water, Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

2016 brought the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump to be the next President of the USA, the full impact of these momentous changes in the government agendas ... Read more

December 22, 2016September 18, 2017

Reality has to be on tourism’s bucket list for 2017

Development, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism

About six months ago my plans to write about a press trip to Jordan were disrupted by the Brexit vote, and I had to write about that instead. Today, my ... Read more

December 20, 2016September 18, 2017

Tourism at the End of the Earth….

Development, Responsible Tourism

Well almost. Thanks to the UK government’s Newton-Picarte science funding and the Economic and Social Research Council’s Impact Acceleration fund I was invited, through Bangor University, to Puerto Williams in ... Read more

December 13, 2016September 18, 2017

How to ensure your hotel isn’t used by traffickers… just got easier

Human Rights, Responsible Tourism

It would be safe to assume that most people working in hotels do not want their businesses used for human trafficking. And it would be just as likely that most ... Read more

December 13, 2016September 18, 2017

Cape Town hotel’s bucket brigade recycles water in the CBD

Carbon & Water, Responsible Tourism

Capetonians in the CBD may have noticed men and women watering plants on traffic islands with buckets. They are the staff members of the Townhouse Hotel on the corner of ... Read more

December 13, 2016May 15, 2017

Food and Wine Pairing

Food Tourism

Creative Food and Drink Pairings in the Cape Devil’s Peak Craft Beer and food pairings (sausages, ribs, pulled pork, lamb, cheese etc.) Cape Grace Bascule Bar single malt whiskey and ... Read more

December 6, 2016September 18, 2017

The joy of travel – other peoples’ places

Development, Responsible Tourism

We travel to enjoy other peoples’ places, the brochures and websites show us images of their natural and cultural environment the buildings and cafes the landscapes and wildlife. Increasingly those ... Read more

November 29, 2016September 18, 2017

Why partnership has to be the buzzword for sustainable tourism in 2017

Development, Responsible Tourism

2016 has not been a year that many people will look back on that fondly. But as we begin to look forward to 2017, I’d suggest there are some less ... Read more

November 24, 2016September 18, 2017

Airbnb, disintermediation and communities

Development, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

Airbnb is only one of many new distribution channels which are creating new opportunities for suppliers and consumers. Like previous disruptors it will probably face competition from other web based ... Read more

November 15, 2016September 18, 2017

8 Challenges for sustainable tourism posed at WTM London 2016

Development, Overtourism, Responsible Tourism

I spent the whole of World Travel Market sat in the lecture halls, listening to the women and men most committed to developing sustainable tourism discuss the greatest challenges as ... Read more

June 1, 2016May 15, 2017

Groot Constantia Facts

Destinations, Food Tourism

Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine farm – in existence for 330 years this year. Wine has been produced on the estate without interruption since 1685 when Commander Simon ... Read more

May 23, 2016May 15, 2017

Carol Weaving Column

Blog

Facilitating and organising a large trade fair is exciting work but takes a great deal of expertise, knowledge, and an enormous amount of careful and resourceful planning in order to ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

Something for everyone at this year’s Cape Town Summer Market

Blog, Destinations

The City of Cape Town has pulled out all the stops to ensure that this year’s Cape Town Summer Market is bigger and better. There will be something of interest ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

Cape Town’s Big7

Uncategorised

Name Cape Town’s most iconic attractions, and chances are, you’ll be naming the Cape Town Big 7. The Cape Town Big 7 officially represents seven of the most-visited and loved ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

Cape Town: New & Noteable Experiences

Destinations

Cape Town is not only an iconic destination but is also at the forefront of innovation, new activities, attractions, restaurants and bars are constantly opening. Below are a few of ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

CAPE TOWN New and Unique

Destinations

Experience Cape Town’s new and unique offerings Cape Town is not only an iconic destination but is also on the forefront of innovation. New activities, attractions, restaurants and bars are ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

City Walk FAQ

Destinations

What is the City Walk? The City Walk is a collaborative community placemaking project facilitated by the Cape Town Partnership. Starting in the Company’s Gardens, continuing down St George’s Mall ... Read more

March 22, 2016May 15, 2017

Experience the ambiance of the Mother City at Cape Town International Airport

Destinations

Whether you’re arriving or departing, you’ll experience a sense of place at Cape Town International Airport. The airport’s international arrivals terminal was recently renovated to include recreations of key city ... Read more

March 13, 2016May 15, 2017

Cape Town Facts and Figures

Destinations

Population Approximately 3.7 million people live in Cape Town, South Africa’s second most-populated city. Total area 2, 461 km2 Number of households 1 068 572 Total length of coastline 294 ... Read more

February 25, 2016May 17, 2017

Cape Point

Blog

Located at the southwestern tip of Africa, in the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point has captivated travellers for centuries with its dramatic ... Read more

February 15, 2016May 15, 2017

Cape Town – Africa’s film destination of choice

Blog, Destinations

Cape Town is a popular destination for international film makers, not least of all because of the reliable weather, unrivalled variety of spectacular locations, stunning scenery and great value. The ... Read more

February 15, 2016May 15, 2017

SATSA Rap – Statement from Minister Hanekom

Blog, Destinations

New visa rules will facilitate tourism growth Issued by the Ministry of Tourism, 15 Feb 2016 Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom has welcomed the recently-announced changes in visa applications as a ... Read more

March 19, 2015May 15, 2017

City Walk Cape Town To Launch in CBD

Blog, Destinations

A City Walk will become a new addition to Cape Town’s multi-faceted central city experience when the route launches on Saturday, 18 April 2015 at the first of what will ... Read more

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

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

March 19, 2014May 15, 2017

Crushing Expectations on Ibo Island, Mozambique

Blog, Destinations

After an indescribably long journey from the U.S. to this untouched corner of Africa, I was happy to finally reach my hotel on Ibo Island, Mozambique The trip began like ... Read more

March 18, 2014May 15, 2017

Coming to Cape Town? Here are a few handy things to know

Blog, Destinations

Cape Town International Airport has repeatedly been awarded Skytrax rankings and is served by more than 50 international airlines, as well as national carriers, so getting to Cape Town is ... Read more

March 5, 2014May 15, 2017

Poaching – The unjustifiable destruction of natural heritage

Responsible Tourism

Macabre Rhino Massacre The massive increase in the slaughter of southern Africa’s rhino population over the last seven years or so evokes a profoundly emotional response in many. There are ... Read more

March 5, 2014May 11, 2017

Travel Blogging

Blogging

For almost four years Travel Bloggers Unite have been privileged to be at the forefront of an exciting and burgeoning industry such as travel blogging. We have seen it grow ... Read more

February 14, 2014May 15, 2017

Cape Town, a top leisure destination and so much more…

Blog, Destinations

Cape Town recently claimed the top spot on the prestigious New York Times’ list of 52 Places to visit in 2014, ahead of destinations such as Los Angeles, the Vatican ... Read more

January 30, 2014May 15, 2017

CTICC, Cape Town

Blog, Destinations

For a unique event experience, Cape Town and CTICC is the perfect destination Situated at the foot of one of the world’s most iconic mountains, in the heart of South ... Read more