WTM® Blog

Gain insight about trends, challenges and innovation across various tourism sectors from our industry leaders, on a regular basis.

Join the conversation by commenting on posts, or contact the Editor to enquire about being featured in one of our guest blog spots.

October 23, 2020October 22, 2020

South Korea offering ‘UNTACT’ travel in the era of COVID-19

Blog, Destinations

In an era where concerns about the health risks involved in travel are lodged in the forefront of everyone’s minds, South Korea has come up with a ... Read more

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

The destinations spending money on marketing campaigns now

Blog, marketing

It is easy to assume that marketing spend now is wasted money. Many countries still have not opened their borders and, at the end of September, airline ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 19, 2020

How to make the most of Travel Forward Virtual

Blog, Technology, Travel Technology

Last month we announced that Travel Forward would be a fully virtual event in November. One of the questions we were frequently asked was ‘how will the ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 19, 2020

Will we make tourism better? An interview with Taleb Rifai

Blog, Responsible Tourism

The COVID-19 crisis has created an opportunity to rethink tourism, a pause enabling us to reshape the sector and to do tourism better – if we want ... Read more

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020

How travel risk is changing in the COVID era

Blog, Travel Industry

From younger travellers to the aviation sector, to the hotel industry. Travel risk continues evolving and shaping the global travel sector during the COVID era, a time ... Read more

October 12, 2020October 9, 2020

How can we ensure a lasting recovery for tourism?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Tourism’ future won’t be saved by cleaner aviation fuels or speedier quarantine processes. These just improve the current model. They get us back to getting bigger again. ... Read more

October 8, 2020October 22, 2020

How to make the most of WTM Virtual

Blog, Travel Industry

We’re excited to be able to offer everything you would usually expect from us in virtual form. From insightful conference sessions, to the opportunity to meet with ... Read more

October 8, 2020October 7, 2020

Domestic and international tourism: learning to complement each other

Blog, marketing

If you can’t visit us, watch us. Which is what Tourism Australia said this week in producing high-quality videos reminding would-be international visitors what they are missing. ... Read more

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020

Why Should Travel Brands Get Both a WTTC Stamp and a Certification?

Blog, Travel Industry

The travel sector is proving to be ever hardy and resilient. Six months into the pandemic, and after worldwide lockdowns have taken place, destinations and certain travel ... Read more

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020

Can we make Tourism Better?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

While recognising that the pandemic is far from over and that many countries are experiencing a second wave, it is important to look beyond survival to recovery. ... Read more

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

‘Workations’: A new frontier for hybrid tourism

Blog, Travel Industry

A new tourism economy could emerge that focuses on travelling less and staying longer, whilst avoiding overcrowded locations. It’s time for the industry to launch new packages ... Read more

September 29, 2020September 29, 2020

Biodiversity, eco-system services and tourism – conflict or symbiosis?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Biodiversity loss and climate change are the twin existential challenges that we face as humanity. The responsible recovery of the travel and tourism sector after the ... Read more

September 25, 2020September 28, 2020

How to deal with the crisis, part 2: Reasons to be cheerful…

Blog, Responsible Tourism

So, at the end of Climate Week, on Friday’s for Future Global Day of Climate action, and with World Tourism Day at the weekend, here are my ... Read more

September 24, 2020September 23, 2020

How to be an Ally: 10 useful resources that can help

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion

Many people want to educate themselves more about issues relating to racial discrimination and become better allies. Here are 10 useful resources that can help you on ... Read more

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020

How to attract travellers in the current market: a tailored approach

Blog, Travel Industry

New trends within the global travel market are rising at a fast pace while others keep decelerating amid the current uncertain environment. From customers’ demographics to the ... Read more

September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Rewiring the world economy

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Neoliberalism is in retreat. In an increasingly protectionist world this affects tourism directly as travel across borders becomes less frictionless, decarbonisation becomes a political imperative and biodiversity ... Read more

September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Gen Z can save the travel industry…if we learn what drives them

Blog, marketing

One survey found that 79% of travel decisions are influenced by Gen Z – the travel and tourism industry should ignore that statistic at its peril. ... Read more

September 17, 2020September 15, 2020

Why improving the customer journey and user experience is the new priority for travel organisations

Blog, Travel Industry

Companies within the global travel sector have identified the improvement of these two digital elements as their main priority for the next 12 months. ... Read more

September 15, 2020September 14, 2020

How do we really deal with the crisis facing us all?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Last week I learned that 2020 is the second hottest year on record, after 2016. (For the record, that makes it the second hottest year in the ... Read more

September 14, 2020September 17, 2020

Why destinations should reinforce responsible tourism within their strategies

Blog, Destinations, Responsible Tourism

In the new normal, destinations should place sustainability at the core of their strategies as it is the main element that underpins their resilience and tackles impacts. ... Read more

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

How do we build travel back better?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

At WTM Virtual in November we shall be addressing the core challenge that confronts our sector: How do we build back better after the damage done to ... Read more

September 8, 2020September 8, 2020

Two-thirds of consumers are concerned about climate change, why aren’t travel businesses doing more?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

We can take steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19, but we cannot self-isolate from climate change. ... Read more

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020

What can we do to revive the travel industry?

Blog, Travel Industry

As travel restrictions slowly begin to be lifted, and traveller’s confidence rebuilds, there’s one question that needs to be answered: what can we do to revive the ... Read more

September 7, 2020September 4, 2020

Ripping up the travel marketing manual for 2021

Blog, marketing

Travel marketing, March-September 2020: Close down, think short-term, salvage remains of the summer season, lose staff, realign, change marketing strategy completely for 2021. ... Read more

September 3, 2020September 1, 2020

The Resilience of Hospitality: Hotel PR & Marketing in the first COVID-19 phase

Blog, Hospitality, marketing

The return to normalcy for each hospitality brand has been a complicated equation, based primarily on domestic recovery. ... Read more

September 2, 2020September 2, 2020

How can aviation influencers help the industry to rebuild confidence?

Aviation, Blog, marketing

Aviation influencers take pride in educating their audiences on the flight experience. The airlines that are able to leverage their influence will likely have an advantage once ... Read more

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020

8 best places to enjoy autumn in the UK

Blog, Destinations, Travel Industry

If you’re planning a staycation for the next couple of months, here’s eight places you can visit to make the most of autumn… ... Read more

September 1, 2020September 7, 2020

Which trends should guide tourism’s recovery?

Blog, Resilience and Recovery, Responsible Tourism

As we imagine our new place in the world, how might such trends change the world? How should they influence our planning? Are we trying to build ... Read more

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

Join the UK travel industry’s fight to #SaveTravel

Blog, Resilience and Recovery

The #SaveTravel campaign seeks to make the UK government recognise and respond to the unique challenge facing travel companies large and small. ... Read more

August 26, 2020August 25, 2020

What can we learn from Sicily as they invest in tourism?

Blog, Destinations, Travel Industry

COVID has been a ‘total disaster’ for tourism to Sicily, as it has been for many destinations. But now the Italian region is investing millions of euro ... Read more

August 25, 2020August 26, 2020

How are biodiversity loss and human disease affecting tourism?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

SARS, MERS and Ebola originated in wild animals. There is a growing awareness of the links between animal health and the health of our planet.

August 21, 2020September 3, 2020

How Allyship can foster diversity and inclusion in the travel industry

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion

Allyship matters because once we acknowledge that we have privileges, we need to ensure that we use these privileges to improve the lives of others. ... Read more

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020

The set of skills needed by travel professionals after COVID-19

Blog, Travel Industry

New abilities are required for the ultimate professional within the travel and tourism sector. While the industry focuses its efforts on adapting to the new normal, knowledge ... Read more

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

Travel Talk and Insight: Adventure Tourism Post-COVID and Beyond

Adventure, Blog, Resilience and Recovery

To help us navigate the terrain of adventure tourism post-COVID, I sat down with a legit adventurer, CEO and Tour Manager of Outdoor Activities in Romania, Mr. ... Read more

August 18, 2020August 19, 2020

How travel brands can use social media in 2020

Blog, marketing

Travellers use social media at every stage of their trip and now is the time for travel brands to make sure they are getting the most out ... Read more

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020

Cancelled. Where must tourism travel next?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

All this is – too late, and too slowly – coming to a head. How fragile and unjust is the system we have designed. How it relies ... Read more

August 11, 2020August 26, 2020

COVID-19 isn’t all bad

Blog, Responsible Tourism

COVID-19 maybe, for now, the new normal. But, there is some good news too.

August 10, 2020August 20, 2020

Travel and Tourism: Embracing Transformation to Move Beyond Coronavirus

Blog, Travel Industry, Trends

Travel and tourism have transformed beyond recognition since Coronavirus (COVID-19), going from a juggernaut of constant growth to a shadow of its former self. ... Read more

August 7, 2020August 20, 2020

Camping: this summer’s hot holiday

Blog, Destinations

The months of lockdown have left a spectacular pent-up demand for a simple, safe place to relax and breathe. And that place is a field. ... Read more

August 5, 2020August 20, 2020

8 motivations for booking a wellness trip revealed

Blog, Wellness

Wellness has been a popular trend within the tourism industry for a while now. It allows travellers to use their holidays, and precious time off work, to ... Read more

August 4, 2020August 26, 2020

Will 2020 define the future of tourism?

Blog, Resilience and Recovery, Responsible Tourism

Cut emissions in half by 2030. This is what defines the future of tourism. Not what tourism looks like in 2020, but what it needs to look like in ten ... Read more

August 3, 2020August 20, 2020

The incalculable value of ‘staycations’

Blog, Destinations, Travel Industry

The rise of staycations means a transformation in the way we approach travelling. By going on these holidays, people can avoid crowded places and attractions while they ... Read more

July 30, 2020September 25, 2020

Hydrogen will power the next generation of planes

Aviation, Blog, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism Spotlight

Aviation Week earlier this month concluded that “from 2030 onward to 2050, renewable hydrogen production technologies should reach maturity, the strategy says. Hydrogen and hydrogen-derived synthetic fuels ... Read more

July 27, 2020August 19, 2020

Will video be vital in getting people to trust in the cleanliness and hygiene provisions for booking a holiday?

Blog, Hospitality, Resilience and Recovery

A growing number of travel and tourism companies are turning to video to get their safety and hygiene messages across. ... Read more

July 23, 2020August 19, 2020

How destinations should communicate trust: the case of Gran Canaria

Blog, Destinations

To communicate the safety of both Gran Canaria and the whole of the Canary Islands as a tourist destination, several initiatives are involving different industry’s stakeholders. ... Read more

July 22, 2020August 19, 2020

Why is it essential for luxury travel and sustainability to have a harmonious future?

Blog, Luxury, Responsible Tourism

Harmony should be created between luxury travel and sustainability. Here’s the reason why… ... Read more

July 21, 2020August 18, 2020

Emergence Of Niche Travel Post COVID-19

Blog, Technology

Several experts in the travel business have expressed confidence that we will likely see significant growth in niche travel driven primarily by the confidence of travelling in ... Read more

July 21, 2020August 17, 2020

COVID-19, the good, the bad and the ugly

Blog, Responsible Tourism

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, but it is unevenly spread around the world. In some countries the worst has passed for now, in others the situation is ... Read more

July 17, 2020August 17, 2020

How will luxury travel preferences shift in a post-Coronavirus world?

Blog, Luxury

If history is believed to repeat itself many times over, then it is predicted that the luxury market will be the first to come out of the ... Read more

July 14, 2020August 20, 2020

Catch up – Industry Interview: with Chiara Quaia, Mastercard

Blog, Events, Travel Forward, Travel Forward Online, Travel Technology, Video, Webinars

Speakers Chiara has been working in the travel and payments industry for the past 20 years and is currently the Vice President Market Development Travel, within the ... Read more

July 14, 2020August 20, 2020

Catch up – Paying for travel: the customer impact during and post Covid-19 experience

Blog, Events, Technology, Travel Forward Online, Travel Technology, Video, Webinars

Speakers Brian Quarrie is a management executive with 20 years specialist knowledge within the payments industry. Having worked across multiple geographies (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and ... Read more

July 14, 2020August 20, 2020

Catch up – Keynote Opening Address

Blog, Technology, The Travel Tech Show, Travel Forward, Travel Forward Online, Travel Technology, Video, Webinars

Speakers Paul Charles is a former BBC News Presenter, former Communications Director to Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Atlantic and at Eurostar, and now runs The PC ... Read more

July 14, 2020August 17, 2020

The Pandemic and Tourism in Africa

Blog, Responsible Tourism

The pandemic has hit tourism to Africa hard. The Gambia, in West Africa, has a population of just over 2 million, with many living in rural poverty. ... Read more

July 13, 2020August 17, 2020

We should reinvent hotels to be living labs for the future

Blog, Hospitality, Responsible Tourism

Can hotels help us live more sustainably? Can they help us prepare and adapt for a life that will increasingly be defined by an ever-worsening climate emergency? ... Read more

July 7, 2020

Travel Forward expands reach with series of online mini-conferences

Press Releases, Technology, Travel Forward

Payment processes, chargebacks and refunds will be discussed at length in the first Travel Forward Online, a new imprint designed to bring a digitised Travel Forward experience ... Read more

July 3, 2020August 17, 2020

5 rules for handling guest email addresses

Blog, Technology

The law, the tools on the market, and the automation options are all finally aligned. You have everything you need to collect your guest email addresses and ... Read more

July 3, 2020August 17, 2020

What should post-pandemic adventure travel offer?

Adventure, Blog

There has been a lot of talk lately about adventure travel being one of the sectors that does better in whatever tourism comes next. ... Read more

June 30, 2020August 12, 2020

WTM symposium showcases the science of zero-carbon aviation fuels

Press Releases, Responsible Tourism

WTM Portfolio is leading the way in tackling the climate crisis by hosting a symposium of top scientists who are working on ways to decarbonise aviation. Harold ... Read more

June 30, 2020August 17, 2020

Climate Change – Flying is not the problem

Aviation, Blog, Responsible Tourism

The global pandemic has revealed how important tourism is to so many developed and developing countries. COVID-19 has had very different impacts on guests and hosts. ... Read more

June 29, 2020August 17, 2020

Racism in tourism, decarbonising aviation and the pandemic

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Learning to live with the threat of COVID-19 will take time. As this month’s Responsible Tourism News goes to press some states in the USA are halting ... Read more

June 28, 2020August 17, 2020

Seven Points for Tourism Management Organizations to Consider as the Industry Recovers

Blog, Resilience and Recovery

The WTA’s Nine-Point List of Assets & Attributes for Wellness Destinations, along with how each point might apply to any geographic destination as the industry recovers, is ... Read more

June 26, 2020August 17, 2020

Now is the time for technology that works

Blog, Technology

As the travel industry has moved online to work remotely with the ongoing global crisis, technology plays an important role in assuring our continuous connection to the ... Read more

June 26, 2020October 13, 2020

Saudi Arabia will be ready to welcome the world

Blog, Destinations

Tourism may be on hold, but Saudi Arabia is working hard to ensure we are ready to receive visitors again when international travel resumes. ... Read more

June 26, 2020August 17, 2020

How black influencers think the travel industry could combat racism

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion, marketing

This month has brought new focus to Black Lives Matter, and the everyday racism many black people still experience. When it comes to the travel industry, there’s ... Read more

June 26, 2020August 17, 2020

Will influencer marketing help brands to bounce back post-coronavirus?

Blog, marketing

Influencer marketing is often described as ‘accelerated word-of-mouth’. The direct relationship between consumers and influencers allows brands to communicate in a way that feels authentic and in ... Read more

June 24, 2020October 13, 2020

World Tourism Cities Federation: Case Experience Sharing on Restarting Urban Tourism after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Blog, Destinations, Resilience and Recovery

The global COVID-19 pandemic has severely hit the healthy and sustainable development of world tourism. How to support the recovery of tourism market after the pandemic is ... Read more

June 23, 2020August 17, 2020

South Africa’s Responsible Tourism: Challenges & Opportunities

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Last week I was able to interview Derek, I began by asking him about how important tourism was to creating a more just and equal society post-apartheid. ... Read more

June 22, 2020October 13, 2020

Ultra high net worth individual travel post-COVID-19

Blog, Luxury, Travel Industry

While commercial aviation giants are facing unprecedented times as a result of the COVID-19, the private aviation industry is anticipating a boom. ... Read more

June 20, 2020October 13, 2020

Future Travel Booking Habits

Blog, Resilience and Recovery, Travel Industry

ForwardKeys, the world’s leading travel analytics company, latest air bookings data shows the road to recovery is plausible for the Middle East to kick-start this year, despite ... Read more

June 19, 2020August 14, 2020

Understanding and successfully reaching the LGBTQ+ traveller

Diversity & Inclusion, Video

Speakers Prior to joining IGLTA, John has worked for Delta Air Lines, the Washington D.C. Convention Bureau, and the Human Rights Campaign. He was born in Massachusetts, ... Read more

June 19, 2020August 17, 2020

How can luxury brands respond to post-coronavirus behaviour?

Blog, Luxury, Travel Industry

With some countries now starting to ease their lockdown regulations due to COVID-19, there have already been signs of revenge spending with luxury brands. ... Read more

June 19, 2020August 17, 2020

Stringent hotel protocols unveiled as hospitality industry re-opens

Blog, Hospitality, Luxury, Resilience and Recovery

Cleanliness is the new godliness. This is the path that the hospitality sector is headed as major hotels chains and resorts make their re-opening plans known. ... Read more

June 19, 2020September 30, 2020

Could Virtual Reality be a way for hotels to differentiate?

Blog, Hospitality, Technology

Virtual Reality, and other rich content tools, could be the means to turn lookers into bookers for hotels. ... Read more

June 18, 2020October 13, 2020

Italy, the closest to heaven experience: Travel safely to the core of Italian authenticity

Blog, Destinations, Travel Industry

The unique experience in the Italian lifestyle drives the strategies of the Italian Tourist Board for recovery. ... Read more

June 17, 2020August 17, 2020

What’s in the future for tour operators?

Blog, Travel Industry

Travel has gone from a position where it represented more than 10% of global GDP, employing or supporting more than 300 million people, to a virtual standstill ... Read more

June 16, 2020August 14, 2020

How can destinations support domestic tourism?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

Now as our industry enters a different phase, where we are tentatively reopening again, it is good to see examples appearing of governments and private sector initiatives ... Read more

June 15, 2020October 13, 2020

Domestic tourism to the rescue

Blog, Resilience and Recovery, Responsible Tourism Spotlight, Travel Industry

As international travel comes to a standstill with closed borders and struggling airlines, experts around the world are looking up to domestic travel as a means to ... Read more

June 12, 2020August 14, 2020

Millennials, Travel Tech and Post-Pandemic Travel

Blog, Technology

For travel providers, it’s now more important than ever to use technology that resonates with millennials. Because these digital natives aren’t just an important group in their ... Read more

June 8, 2020

WTM Global Hub extends range to cover Tech Opportunities and Tour Operators

Press Releases, Technology

WTM Global Hub’s ongoing series of business-focused webinars will feature two sessions this week, looking at where technology will make the difference in the post-COVID-19 new normal, ... Read more

June 5, 2020August 14, 2020

Could Zoom be the future for travel agencies?

Blog, Technology

We are becoming accustomed to video apps like Zoom, both in our social lives and our business lives. ... Read more

June 4, 2020August 17, 2020

What we are looking for in World Responsible Tourism Award entries

Blog, Responsible Tourism

As many of you will already be aware, we opened entries for the World Responsible Tourism Awards a couple of weeks ago. The aim of this year’s ... Read more

June 4, 2020August 14, 2020

I have glimpsed the future of tourism – and it’s not at all bad

Blog, Resilience and Recovery

Tourism and travel employs one in 10 of the world’s working population and is estimated to be worth a staggering US$8.9 trillion – that’s 10.3 per cent ... Read more

June 3, 2020September 30, 2020

Does the COVID-19 emergency mean over-tourism is over?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

For our industry, where much of the conversation of the last few years in tourism has focussed on the issue of over-tourism, this question is especially pertinent. ... Read more

June 1, 2020September 30, 2020

Data-driven Decisions In Times Of Uncertainty

Blog, Technology

It’s easy in times of crisis and uncertainty to be led by our emotions, and to make decisions which we wouldn’t normally make. Your best defence in ... Read more

May 29, 2020August 14, 2020

Virtual events vs physical events – which is best?

Blog, marketing

Over the past couple of months the events industry has changed dramatically. Events that are usually attended by thousands of people in huge conference centres have been ... Read more

May 28, 2020September 25, 2020

Airlines in Crisis: The Prognosis For The Aftermath of COVID-19

Aviation, Blog

It’s hard to believe that only a few months ago everything looked normal in the airline world. Well as normal as it ever is, there is always ... Read more

May 26, 2020August 14, 2020

Travel Technology Trends For A Post-Coronavirus World

Blog, Technology

From a historical perspective, five years from now, we will look back on this period and simply conclude that travel technology was already ushering the future of ... Read more

May 26, 2020August 13, 2020

Serving the travel industry with tech solutions is necessary nowadays

Blog, Technology

The business-critical importance of next generation technology in travel and hospitality was made crystal-clear. ... Read more

May 26, 2020August 13, 2020

New travel initiative is shining a light on travel companies helping during COVID-19

Blog, Resilience and Recovery

A newly launched initiative is shining a light on those travel companies helping during the COIVD-19 outbreak. ... Read more

May 25, 2020August 13, 2020

Is now the time to embrace wellness tourism?

Blog, Wellness

For hospitality brands and destination management organizations, this may be the time to consider breaking into the wellness space. Here’s why… ... Read more

May 22, 2020

Industry Experts to share tips on Technology, Customer Loyalty and COVID-19 in webinar for WTM Global Hub

Press Releases, Technology

WTM Global Hub – WTM Portfolio’s new online portal – and Travel Forward – the leading travel technology event in travel & hospitality – are hosting a ... Read more

May 22, 2020August 12, 2020

WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards 2020 are dedicated to recognising tourism’s efforts to respond to COVID-19

Press Releases, Responsible Tourism

The World Responsible Tourism Awards 2020 are dedicated to acknowledging those in travel and tourism who have taken remarkable steps to address the multiple challenges brought to ... Read more

May 22, 2020August 13, 2020

Contactless Hotel Operations Have Moved from Nice-to-Have to a Necessity

Blog, Hospitality, Technology

The idea of contactless technology in the hotel industry is not new, though until now it has been regarded as an operational ‘luxury’ rather than a must-have. ... Read more

May 19, 2020August 13, 2020

World Responsible Tourism Awards 2020

Blog, Responsible Tourism

In this year when the world faces a global pandemic, it seemed inappropriate to continue with the World Responsible Tourism Awards as usual. ... Read more

May 18, 2020August 13, 2020

The Cruise Industry Feels the Brunt of the Coronavirus-led Travel Shutdown

Blog, Resilience and Recovery

Travel bans imposed across the globe, hundreds of thousands of flight cancellations, thousands of cancelled cruise voyages and port closures have led to a sharp drop in ... Read more

May 18, 2020August 13, 2020

The Future is Electric: Exploring the World in a Two Seat Solar Powered Airplane

Blog, Technology

While Tesla and other car manufacturers are changing the way we commute, prototype electric airplanes are set to change the way we fly in the future. ... Read more

May 15, 2020August 13, 2020

Air travel shown to rebound quickly once travel restrictions lifted

Aviation, Blog

As countries slowly move out of lockdown mode and reopen their economies, there is a big unknown as to how long it will take for air travel ... Read more