- By : Mr. Satpal Multani
- Date: 07-12-2013
- Views : 1656
- [Gotugjogv, Faroe Islands]
Despite various regions continuing to experience economic difficulties ’s tourism industry remains buoyant. This is one of the findings of the annual ITB World Travel Trends Report, conducted by IPK International and commissioned by the world’s leading travel trade show, whose figures confirmed rising travel numbers to and from. From January to August figures for outbound tourism grew by 2.5 per cent, compared to 2012.
Overnights increased by two per cent. By contrast, the amount spent by tourists at holiday destinations rose by only one per cent. Averaging 7.9, the number of overnights per trip fell by two per cent. Putting this decline into perspective, however, was the fact that in recent years Europeans have tended to take more short breaks, combined with fewer long holidays, the report stated.
The figures for source markets varied widely. The Russian market boasted a healthy increase of 12 per cent. Despite economic difficulties, the market in grew by five per cent, followed by Sweden, the UK, Belgium and Switzerland. The German market expanded by two per cent. Spain and Italy were low down in the rankings, as was Ireland. Trips undertaken by Italians fell by up to five per cent.
South America and the Pacific benefited most from an overall unabated growth in travel and reported a nine and six per cent increase in trips respectively. The North American market remained relatively stable, whereas the market shrank by eight per cent. A look at the respective travel industry segments reveals a three per cent increase in holiday trips, while business travel decreased slightly. In the leisure travel market smaller segments, in particular winter breaks and trips to rural destinations, were increasingly popular, while major segments such as city breaks and beach holidays maintained their share of the market. As regards to booking channels, online reservations increased, growing by 12 per cent, whereas traditional agency bookings made up only three per cent.
Positive forecasts for next year
The forecasts for travel in 2014 are very positive, according to the report. 38 per cent of those polled, two per cent more than in 2012, said the economic situation affected their holiday plans. Despite this 28 per cent, the same figure as last year, said they intended to travel abroad more. Around 42 per cent said they aimed to continue travelling as they did this year. Only nine per cent (2012: 11 per cent) said they would be travelling less abroad. Overall, the forecasts predict three to four per cent growth in 2014. In this respect Russian travellers are expected to top the rankings. They are forecast to increase by ten per cent.
The Swiss, Britons, and Swedes also expressed their desire to travel. At three per cent, growth in the German market will remain stable, while expansion in the French, Dutch and Spanish markets will be moderate. The latter will finally return to growth. The Italian market’s decline is forecast to continue.
