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.

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

April 17, 2019April 25, 2019

5 new and luxurious resorts that encourage the indulgent

Luxury

Unlike hotels where guests can sometimes book nights out of necessity, resorts are an entirely different business wherein guests book simply because they want to indulge. From equine therapy to ... Read more

April 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Carbon moves up the political agenda – action is overdue

Responsible Tourism

The strikes by school children demanding government action in climate change are growing, reflecting the next generation’s concern about the impact on their future, as they become voters expect to ... Read more

April 11, 2019

Connecting South Africa to unveil its hidden tourism gems By Dr. Nomvuselelo Songelwa

Blog

Today’s travellers are looking increasingly for the ‘perfect’ and ‘authentic’ travel experience to share with their friends and followers on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. But finding these unique and hidden ... Read more

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019

Marketing to the modern Muslim traveller

Halal Tourism, Trends

While some Halal tourism networks showcase outstanding promotional services to their audiences, many travel professionals still struggle to address their Muslim travellers’ needs. A panel of thought leaders in the ... Read more

April 10, 2019May 16, 2019

Netflix’s new David Attenborough series Our Planet shows us what tourism’s future might be

Responsible Tourism

“Hamstrung by the idea that any mention of eco-problems would make audiences switch off, and the broadcasters’ preferred strategy of hoping that sharing incredible sights around the world would inspire ... Read more

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

Halal Tourism Becomes Mainstream

Halal Tourism, Trends

Halal tourism is amongst the fastest developing sectors in the travel industry, gradually becoming more conventional. Global travel companies are thus implementing business models to be included into this growing ... Read more

April 3, 2019May 13, 2019

The Painting of Money Grabbing Influencers

Blogging

If influencer bashing had begun a while ago, we’re certainly in full swing now. Only if you’d been sleeping under a rock (or in one of those deluxe Fyre festival ... Read more

April 2, 2019May 16, 2019

2019 World Responsible Tourism Awards are now open

Responsible Tourism

Beware of Greenwash – Why Awards Matter. The World Responsible Tourism Awards open today for nominations. The judges can only choose from amongst those that apply. So, if you know ... Read more

April 1, 2019October 13, 2022

A vision of the future

Aviation, Blog

A lot has changed in Brazil, and the country’s skies will never be the same again. We can safely say that that “country of the future”, which was carefully and ... Read more

April 1, 2019

Thula Thula Exclusive Private Game Lodge

Luxury

Rediscover Nature in great style and true to the African safari camp of a past era at the Thula Thula Luxury Tented Camp, where the peaceful essence of the African ... Read more

March 27, 2019May 16, 2019

Success of Rent a Finn and Palau Pledge campaigns show how sustainable tourism stories can work

Responsible Tourism

Some good news for a change. Two high profile marketing campaigns, for two very different destinations, show the time is increasingly right for stories about sustainability to inspire. For a ... Read more

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019

Shaping the Luxury Travel Experience for a New Generation

Halal Tourism, Trends

As current children under the age of 18 are capable of booking holidays on their own, the access to digital technology has made children sharper and more advanced than ever ... Read more

March 21, 2019May 13, 2019

Will Instagram let us shop for travel?

Social Media

Instagram has taken another step forward in becoming a key marketplace for people to buy things. This week the company announcemenced the rollout of something called Instagram Checkout, which will ... Read more

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019

How luxury hotel brands cater to female travellers

Luxury

March is a month that celebrates women. It is Women’s History Month, an annual commemoration to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. On top ... Read more

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019

Why should the hospitality industry care about sustainability?

Hospitality

“Sustainability” is the word on everybody’s lips these days, and not without reason. Far from being just another passing online trend, sustainability – or the lack thereof – is having ... Read more

March 19, 2019May 16, 2019

Why the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards Matter

Responsible Tourism

In a crowded market place it’s important to stand out from the crowd. WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Awards enable you to do just that. In a market place where increasing ... Read more

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019

Marketing to Female Travellers in the Middle East

Halal Tourism, Trends

Upon the recent news that women make 80% of all travel decisions, the future of travel certainly appears to be female. But how do travel professionals speak up and get ... Read more

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019

WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards 2019 launches

Press Releases, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism Spotlight, WTM London

Innovators and pioneers working in tourism are encouraged to enter this year’s WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards. Today (Tuesday 19 March) the six categories, chosen to highlight those companies, organisations ... Read more

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

Thailand is paving a sustainable, responsible tourism path that’s both admirable and effective

Destinations

Thailand is making moves in the right direction to protect its vast natural and scenic beauty, having instigated a range of environmental initiatives and green-minded programmes in different industry and ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 13, 2019

Chile eyes up the Brazilian market

Blog, Destinations

We’re already well into 2019 and with figures from the Subdepartment of Tourism to hand, Chile is already assessing where to focus its eyes and efforts for improving the growth ... Read more

March 12, 2019May 16, 2019

Why tourism should support the Children’s Climate Strike this Friday

Responsible Tourism

A wave of climate protest is sweeping the planet, and those of us working in tourism would do well to reflect quickly on how it will impact our industry, and ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 26, 2019

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Technology

By Francesca Benati, Amadeus Senior VP Online Travel Channels, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa Planes, Trains and Automobiles. That’s not just the title of the 1987 comedy starring mismatched ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 26, 2019

The Five Future States of Content

Technology

By Dr Kevin Ashbridge, VP Global Travel, Leisure & Hospitality Solutions, SDL There is great interest in the travel industry around artificial intelligence (AI) and in understanding how it can ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 12, 2019

Muslim travellers of the future

Halal Tourism, Trends

Gemma Greenwood, Director of Content Inc. panelled a discussion to gain insight into pivotal market trends and how the industry is going to evolve and move on from the Muslim ... Read more

March 7, 2019May 13, 2019

The rise of the influencer in residence

Social Media

“What is work, Mummy?” “Oh it was just something we used to do before AI and robots started doing everything for us, darling.” “And what did you do?” “Oh I ... Read more

March 7, 2019March 18, 2019

Popular metrics to increase sales in the travel industry

Trends

Day by day the travel industry is improving and people are learning about more features and innovations that they didn’t know before. Technology makes the daily technical processes easier, but ... Read more

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019

From the Cradle of Humankind to the Cradle of Human Culture

Blog, Press Releases, WTM Africa

Wesgro’s Destination Marketing Unit in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Cradle of Humankind World ... Read more

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019

Emirates – a new direction?

Aviation

As ATM 2019 rapidly approaches, I’m delighted to say that Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, will be our first guest for the aviation programme. Sir Tim’s words are always ... Read more

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019

The Middle East Travel Landscape of the Future

Business Travel, Halal Tourism, Trends

Raymond Vrijenhoek, Vice President of the Sabre Travel Network caught up with Antono Fellino, Vice President of Retail and E-commerce for Dnata, to hear about his observations of the future ... Read more

March 5, 2019May 16, 2019

Going Beyond Trickle Down or Creating Shared Value

Development

In the Responsible Tourism Awards each year we see many examples of businesses which have made real efforts to benefit local communities by sourcing goods and services in the local ... Read more

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Top 5 destinations for food around the world in 2019

Food Tourism

Just two months into 2019 and it’s clear to see that food travel is well and truly on the menu for this year’s travel agenda – and it’s here to ... Read more

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

From adventure to art, Cape Town offers it all

Adventure

From adventure to art, there is never a dull moment in the Mother City. One of the unique features of Cape Town is that it allows the tourist a variety ... Read more

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

What’s on in February in Cape Town

Events

February in Cape Town means long summery evenings and plenty of fantastic events. So get out there and celebrate summer in style! Here are a few of our top picks ... Read more

February 27, 2019May 16, 2019

Four questions for tourism businesses about climate change risk

Responsible Tourism

This blog takes a different approach to normal, because when it is 20 degrees on a February morning in London, apparently the hottest February day ever in the UK, things ... Read more

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019

Popular honeymoon destinations in the Middle East & Asia

Destinations, Halal Tourism, Trends

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 after the wedding) ... 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 travel. Consciously being ... 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 your passenger rights? ... 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 Kevin Anderson at ... 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 – and not ... 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 not, I think ... 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 far away from ... 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 experiences, to help ... Read more

February 8, 2019October 13, 2022

Women in the tourism industry

Blog, Women in Travel

The tourism industry generates income and employment worldwide, and it’s no different for Brazil. The segment drives the aviation, hotel, gastronomy, entertainment, and leisure industries and many others; in other ... 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 you work in ... 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 family of awards ... 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 the sector’s phenomenal ... 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 week. Yet when ... 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 escapism – a ... 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 favourite social media ... 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 that tourism was ... 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 I say this ... 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 puns along the ... Read more

January 8, 2019January 11, 2019

Responsible Tourism and the Market in 2019

Responsible Tourism

Over the last twenty years there has been a marked change in the significance of the European source markets. While there is a global market for travel and tourism there ... 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 by humans from ... 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. These viewpoints were ... 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 was responsible for ... 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 drink focussed social ... 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 sure how it ... 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 Bieber or BTS ... 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 the decarbonisation of ... 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 agenda is taking ... 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 than a destination, ... Read more

December 5, 2018July 10, 2020

Episode 5 – Johan Lundgren CEO easyJet – Exclusive WTM ‘Meet the Experts’

Aviation, Previous Podcast

Listen now on iTunes Listen now on Spotify Johan Lundgren took over as CEO of easyJet in December 2017 and, since joining the airline, has set out a significant ... 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 of the many ... 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 mind. Answer: True. ... 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 called out others ... 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 “overtourism” being associated ... 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. Gen Y were ... Read more

November 22, 2018November 28, 2018

WTM London inspires global markets

Blog

WTM London is undoubtedly a global showcase event. The show has brought together strategic players from the travel and tourism market for decades and also established itself as an arena ... 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 scramble to ‘get ... Read more

November 19, 2018August 14, 2020

5 Years of Women in Travel Meetups: Reflect, Resolve & Be Resilient!

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion, Women in Travel

The Women in Travel meetup celebrated its 5th year this year in London with an even bigger and bolder event. When I first raised the idea of starting a woman ... 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 week there were ... 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. Why would this ... Read more

November 7, 2018November 7, 2018

#WTMLDN 2018 – The Final Day

Adventure, Blog, Business Travel, Destinations, Technology

It may have been the third and final day of WTM London 2018, but that didn’t mean things slowed down at all. ExCel London was once again packed with travel ... 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 Tourism; it carries ... 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 adapt continuously. Euromonitor ... Read more

November 6, 2018November 6, 2018

#WTMLDN Day 2 – #IdeasArrivedHere

Blog, Events

Ideas certainly did arrive here on day two of WTM London 2018, as industry experts continued to inspire audiences across The WTM Global Stage and the brand-new Inspiration Zones. You ... Read more

November 6, 2018August 14, 2020

LGBT Travel Market: Annual Spend Now Exceeds USD$218 billion

Diversity & Inclusion, WTM London

London — November 6th, 2018 (OUTNOW/WTM) — The annual value of total spending on travel and tourism by lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people is being revealed today ... Read more

November 6, 2018

Sardinia, a unique land, timeless & boundless

Destinations

A unique land, timeless and boundless, an endless island. His ancient story steeped in charm and mystery, beyond comparison with other Mediterranean and European civilizations, which has generated a strongly ... 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 pizzas with the ... 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 Director and a ... Read more

October 31, 2018January 11, 2019

A new look at technology and the traveller’s experience from the point of view of the aviation

Blog, WTM Latin America

* By Adriana Cavalcanti The aviation market is constantly evolving. Whether it is focusing on transporting leisure passengers or events and business passengers, the transformation is fast and constant. Today, ... Read more

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018

Tourism set to thrive in Nepal

Events

Tour the conglomerate capital city of Kathmandu for a peek into the microcosm of Nepal’s colorful heritage and culture. Visit the quaint Pokhara city and replenish. Discover peace Lumbini, the ... 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 the show, culminating ... Read more

October 29, 2018October 31, 2018

Is Travel the Blockchain Beachhead?

Technology

Blockchain, so we are told, is a solution without a problem. Repeatedly, articles in the media say how Blockchain doesn’t have a real role, how it is being over-promoted, how ... 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 of an electronic ... 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, culture and creativity. ... 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 theme of ‘Make ... Read more