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UNWTO welcomes the Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory in New Zealand to its INSTO Network

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The Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory, New Zealand’s first tourism observatory, has joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Committed to regular and timely measurement of tourism and its impacts and hosted by the University of Waikato Management School, the observatory is focused on two major tourist locations in Waikato region – Raglan and Waitomo.

“New Zealand is an example of tourism sustainability and thus the incorporation of the Waikato Observatory to the UNWTO INSTO Network adds immense value to this global initiative,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

“The Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory is a wonderful initiative that will provide valuable data over time to support the tourism sector to maximize its contribution to the economy, while ensuring our visitors enjoy high-quality experiences,” said Paula Bennett, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of New Zealand.

New Zealand’s tourism sector is experiencing continuous growth and therefore requires an adequate measurement of tourism impacts. This observatory is crucial to providing tangible evidence for well-informed decision making in sustainable tourism development-related themes.

The Waikato Observatory seeks to support the strengthening of the world famous surfing town Raglan as a sustainable destination, while continuing to protect the unique landscapes and the biodiversity of Waitomo and its iconic tourist attraction the Waitomo Caves. Overall, the Waikato region received 357,000 visitors in 2015, most of whom were domestic visitors (approx. 200,000).

Due to an already existing strong sense of community and engagement of its members especially in the more mature seaside tourism town Raglan, the observatory will start with focusing its monitoring efforts on crucial socio-cultural aspects such as ‘local and visitor satisfaction’. Additional areas encompass ‘destination economic benefits’, ‘tourism seasonality’ and ‘development control’ in the short term, extending in the long-term to measurement activities related to waste management, housing issues, water supply, sewage  management, among others. 

INSTO is a network of tourism observatories monitoring the economic, environmental and social impact of tourism at the destination level, committed to regular monitoring of tourism in order to better understand destination-wide resource use and foster responsible tourism management. There are currently 18 observatories in operation worldwide.

 

Fraport Greece begins 40-year concession at 14 Greek regional airports

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The Greek state received EUR1.234 billion in an upfront payment, to which Fraport Greece will further invest about EUR400 million for improving and expanding the airports’ infrastructure by 2021. The focus will be on enhancing facilities, operational processes, and the passenger experience. This will be the single largest expansion of Fraport Group’s international airport portfolio, says CEO Schulte.

Fraport Greece (73.4 percent owned by the Frankfurt based airport operator Fraport AG and 26.6 percent by Copelouzos Group) today commenced the 40-year concession for managing and developing 14 regional airports on the Greek mainland and popular holiday islands – a mammoth investment for the country’s infrastructure and economically vital tourism sector.  Following the operational transfer of the airports, Fraport Greece today paid the upfront concession fee of EUR1.234 billion – the biggest concession fee in Greece’s history – to the state-owned Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF). Along with this upfront fee, an annual fixed concession fee of EUR22.9 million will be paid to the Greek State, as well as a variable annual fee based on 28.5 percent of Fraport Greece’s yearly operational profit (EBITDA – earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization).  Actual ownership of the airports is retained by Greece.

Dr. Stefan Schulte, Fraport AG’s executive board chairman explained: “Since being selected as the winning bidder for the Greek Regional Airports in 2014, we have remained steadfastly committed to this visionary project. We believe in Greece and its potential as one of the greatest travel destinations in the world.  The goal of Fraport Greece is to enhance the travel experience for visitors from around the world – by upgrading and expanding facilities and by improving operational processes, shopping and services. Today is a great day for Greece and its people.  It is also an important day for us because Fraport Greece is the single largest expansion of our airport portfolio and a milestone in further growing our international business.”

Currently, Fraport generates more than 20 percent of its annual revenue through its portfolio of international airports and subsidiaries, bundled in the company’s External Activities & Services business segment.  With the operational transfer of the Greek airports, the Fraport Group will significantly enlarge its international activities, further broaden its worldwide footprint and reduce dependency on the development in single regions or markets.

The 14 Greek regional airports served a total of 25.3 million passengers in 2016, an increase by nine percent year-on-year.
Fraport Greece will operate, manage and develop the airports over the next four decades – with responsibility for aviation as well as non-aviation areas.  The mainland airports include Aktion (PVK), Kavala (KVA) and Thessaloniki (SKG), Greece’s second largest city.

The eleven island airports are located in Kerkyra/Corfu (CFU), Chania/Crete (CHQ), Kefalonia (EFL), Kos (KGS), Mytilene/Lesvos (MJT), Mykonos (JMK), Rhodes (RHO), Samos (KGS), Santorini (JTR), Skiathos (JSI) and Zakynthos (ZTH).

Alexander Zinell, Fraport Greece’s CEO, emphasized: “Today marks the beginning of a new era for the 14 Greek regional airports.  Within only twelve months we have created Fraport Greece, a world-class airport operator with over 500 highly motivated staff eager to move each of the 14 airports forward into the future. We will develop and manage the airports for the benefit of passengers and airlines – for all stakeholders. These mainland and island gateways will act as a catalyst of growth for Greek tourism as well as other industries. Well-managed airports have been proven to serve as dynamic economic engines for their regions.  We appreciate the outstanding support received throughout Greece and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Under the concession agreement, Fraport Greece will be investing about EUR400 million for improving and expanding the airports’ infrastructure over the next 48 months.  Hence, Fraport Greece recently signed an agreement with the Greek-based Intrakat construction and engineering company to refurbish, expand and build new facilities at the 14 airports – including five new passenger terminals.  In subsequent years, Fraport Greece will make investments for maintenance and demand-driven capacity expansions.

Approximately EUR1 billion in long-term financing for the Greek Regional Airports project is being provided by a consortium of leading financial institutions. Some EUR280.4 million of the total loan will be used to finance construction projects at the 14 airports, while EUR688 million will be used as part of the upfront concession payment to HRADF. Fraport Greece recently raised its total equity capital to EUR650 million.

For further information about Fraport AG please click here: http://ots.de/OlNxn

Leading bed bank on top in Middle East

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Fast-growing B2B travel company continues to increase presence in the Middle East market and looks forward to the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.

Travellanda has recently been reporting growth in all sectors, and the Middle East is no exception. The region has always been of great interest to the company, and exhibiting at ATM continues to be a success year-on-year.

According to Travellanda, its end of fiscal year report saw sales revenue grow over 30% from Middle East clients. As a result, the company aim to invest more resources into the market for the year ahead. For the new fiscal year, Travellanda expect an ambitious target of 79% growth. The confidence in success in Middle eastern market is due to agreements freshly finalized with key players in the region.

Arzu Sutcu, Head of Online for Travellanda said, “The Middle East is a core market for us, with an Average Transaction Value (ATV) almost double compared to that of Europe, we are delighted that it continues to grow for us.”

The strategy Travellanda have been developing has not just been about pushing sales in the region, but also enhancing its product range. Arzu went on to say, “We have been investing a lot in sales activity and account management, but we are also very focused on sourcing new and diverse products, which ultimately enable clients to provide much more choice for passengers travelling in and around the region.”

Travellanda are exhibiting at ATM and you can find them in Hall 1, Booth TT1760. If you would like to find out how it can help your travel business grow, get in touch via its website www.travellanda.com or send an email to arrange a meeting at ATM to marketing@travellanda.com

About Travellanda Ltd.

As a leading B2B Accommodation Wholesaler, Travellanda is the travel industry’s fastest growing company. Through cutting edge technology, it provides highly competitive wholesale rates on an inventory of over 200,000 hotels worldwide. Using the Travellanda XML Connectivity, Online Reservation System or White Label solution, travel agencies, tour operators, B2B online systems and OTA’s have access to a wide range of hotels. Travellanda’s head office is in London and has local offices in Bangkok, Istanbul, plus representatives in over 10 countries.

Queen Elizabeth cruise ship welcomed at Port Victoria

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Seychelles welcomed the grand and luxurious Queen Elizabeth cruise ship at Port Victoria yesterday. With 1,950 guests onboard and over 1,000 crew members, the cruise ship arrived in Seychelles yesterday morning and left at 9 pm the same day.

The ship left Southampton and traveled to a few ports in Australia, Japan, China, Singapore, and Sri Lanka before cruising to Seychelles. Queen Elizabeth is now on its way to visit 2 other Vanilla islands – Reunion island and Mauritius – before heading to Cape Town and the Mediterranean. The 4-month cruise will end back in Southampton which is a port city on England’s south coast.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, visited the cruise ship yesterday shortly after it had docked at Port Victoria. Minister Loustau-Lalanne was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune; Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Garry Albert; Seychelles Tourism Board’s Chief Executive, Sherin Francis; and Seychelles Ports Authority Chief Executive, Colonel Andre Ciseau.

Welcoming the delegation onboard were the captain, Aseem Hashmi; hotel general manager, Naomi McFerran; entertainment manager, Amanda Reid; and hotel operations and retail manager, Jonathan Leavor. Gifts were exchanged onboard the ship before Minister Loustau-Lalanne and his delegation were given a tour of the ship by the social host onboard Queen Elizabeth, John Consiglio.

Giving the delegation a brief overview on the ship, Mr. Consiglio said Queen Elizabeth was built in Italy back in 2010, and it took about 6 months to build. The cruise ship’s biggest market is the United Kingdom.

Queen Elizabeth is the second cruise ship from the Cunard line to dock at Port Victoria, with the first being Queen Victoria last year.

PATA to hold first event in United Arab Emirates

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The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 will take place in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al Ain is one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 is a three-day niche event with both conference and travel mart components, bringing together public and private sector tourism professionals involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism. Key elements of this annual event are environmental protection and social sustainability with special focus on empowerment of local communities. This is the first Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) event to be held in the UAE and the only event to be staged in West Asia in the last 14 years.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for PATA members and for the adventure travel sector at large. Al Ain is a truly fascinating destination with a wealth of culture, heritage and opportunities for adventure travel,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “Connectivity is easy via the award-winning Abu Dhabi International Airport. Al Ain, together with the surrounding landscape, has so much to offer travellers of all ages. This event provides an exceptional platform for travel trade professionals to learn much more about this compelling city and region.”

Commenting on the selection of Al Ain to host the event, HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the government body responsible for the promotion of the emirate said: “Abu Dhabi has experienced significant growth in guest arrivals from countries within the PATA region in recent years, especially from India and China, and since joining the association we have been working with PATA members to place greater emphasis on seeding growth in visitor arrivals from these priority source markets.

“Over the past few years, Abu Dhabi has built up a successful track record in hosting and securing international meetings, including annual congress meetings from international travel associations. Delegates attending the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 in Al Ain will enjoy the diversity of mountain, desert and oasis landscapes and exhilarating adventure attractions, all complemented by rich historical sites, a state-of-the-art conference centre and outstanding hotels of all categories,” he added.

Al Ain is known as the heritage heartland of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The city has become an increasingly popular business events destination, boasting 18 hotels and hotel apartments with over 2,000 rooms and dedicated facilities at the Al Ain Convention Centre.

Located at an important historical crossroads of trade, different locations in Al Ain are now classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, including its six oases and the archaeological sites of Hafeet, Hili and Bida bint Saud. Al Ain oasis – with its cool, shady walkways and a 3,000-year-old falaj irrigation system – is the first component of the UNESCO World Heritage site to open to the public,

Al Ain city abounds in picturesque forts, including one of the United Arab Emirates’ most historic and picturesque buildings, Al Jahili Fort, erected in 1891 to defend the city and protect precious palm groves;  Qasr Al Muwaiji, a world-class museum and birthplace of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; Al Ain Palace Museum, the former home of the late UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the redeveloped Al Qattara Fort which is now home to a brilliant arts centre and gallery. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the city’s rich culture and heritage with a visit to Al Ain National Museum which displays various aspects of UAE life, including archaeological finds, Bedouin jewellery and traditional musical instrument collections.

The city skyline is dominated by the dramatic rocky heights of Jebel Hafeet. Rising to a height of 1,240 metres, this is the Emirate’s highest peak and the second highest in the UAE. With the mountain as a backdrop Al Ain Zoo’s man-made African safari also features the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and a dedicated mini-museum with galleries of interactive, immersive, and informative exhibits exploring themes of environmental and species conservation.

Visitors can also take a trip to Wadi Adventure, the region’s only man-made white water rafting, kayaking and surfing facility built in the foothills of the majestic Jebel Hafeet. The park’s 3.3 metre man-made surf wave is the world’s largest and its 1.7 kilometre kayaking channel network is the world’s longest. For a taste of the fast track, Al Ain Raceway features a 1.6 km go-kart circuit.

The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart is an annual event that offers a platform for sellers and buyers involved in the world of adventure travel and responsible tourism to secure new business and to consolidate existing contracting relationships via PATA’s well-proven system of pre-matched appointments. It is an excellent opportunity to create new experiences and to share new opportunities with global tourism professionals.