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WTM 2018: Travel Weekly coverage

The Travel Weekly team is reporting extensively from this year’s World Travel Market, stay up to date with the latest coverage below and on our live blog

Operators discuss Sanya tourism opportunities
Tropical Chinese destination to build on its position with visa-free access and international marketing campaign

AC Group targets outbound growth after adding destinations
Firm has started offering trips in France, Benelux and north America

Peru prioritises ‘adventure’ in tourism marketing
Northern regions are beginning to see more interest from UK tourists

‘Responsible tourism can increase companies’ profitability’
Tui and Radisson among firms to see ‘shift in consumer sentiment’ on sustainability

New QE2 hotel ‘could expand to 800 rooms’
Ship turned hotel is docked permanently in Dubai’s maritime district

Vietnam ‘must consider over-tourism’ as visitor numbers soar
Visitor numbers up 22% in first six months of 2018

South African Tourism appoints ‘trade trainer’
Steve Balderston to visit agents and host roadshows

South Africa expects UK visitor bounceback
Bumper 2019 for largest international market predicted

Gardaland targets UK market with themed family hotel
Theme park has 40 attractions including Oblivion, Raptor and Blue Tornado

Industry urged to act together on ‘planet-destroying’ climate change
South Africa’s minister for tourism highlighted Cape Town’s recent drought

‘Non-stop British Airways flights’ prompts Costa Rica tourism growth
More Britons are travelling to Costa Rica than ever before

Aqaba seeks to position itself as winter-sun destination
New seasonal easyJet flight from London Gatwick will start this weekend

Ajman announces itself to UK as ‘alternative to Dubai’
Smallest emirate recently launched its tourist board in the UK

Hong Kong offers agent training on city’s neighbourhoods
New modules, print and online content available to the trade

Buy travel insurance to avoid crowdfunding appeals, Abta urges
Around 22% of Britons are still travelling without comprehensive cover

Croatia still booming on back of World Cup success
UK arrivals rose 8% year on year for the first ten months of 2018, hitting 800,000

Travel Weekly scoops best Caribbean travel trade feature award
Destination feature about a Tobago nature tour has been voted the best

Trade fam trips promised as part of new Malaysia tourism push
National carrier and Tourism Malaysia forge two-year partnership to drive inbound travel

‘I Found RAK’ tourism push introduced by Gulf state
Gulf state aims to attract three million visitors by 2025

Uber director hails taxi firm’s worker model for travel sector
Susan Hooper says flexible system is industry’s ‘biggest opportunity’

Centara to continue expansion with 18 new properties
Hotel group to expand portfolio 50% by 2022

Tui to develop better solo-travel options for UK and Germany
Operator make trips accessible for all party sizes

Topdeck Travel targets ‘Generation Sensible’
Operator has committed to continuing agent fam trip programme

California hails UK growth as it prepares to unveil new TV ad
High brand awareness allows for ‘experimental marketing’ says Europe director of marketing

Greece set to attract record 32m arrivals
Momentum set to continue from UK with more flights in 2019

Trade fam trips promised as part of new Malaysia tourism push
National carrier and Tourism Malaysia forge two-year partnership to drive inbound travel

United Airlines shakes off PR crisis to enjoy ‘exceptional revenue environment’
Transatlantic routes performing ‘particularly well’

Barbados calls for global action on climate change
Country revamping regulations to ‘ensure resilience’

Palladium pledges more agent fams as it opens new hotels
Group keen to showcase its first Costa del Sol property

‘Tobago beyond’ brand revealed
Tourism agency to upgrade agent training programme with new rewards-based scheme

Brits urged to experience Florida beyond core favourites
Promotional push showcases Kennedy Space Centre and Sarasota

Caribbean launches region-wide marketing campaign
‘Rhythm never stops’ campaign aims to reverse 1.2m decline in international visitor numbers

‘Support countries after natural disasters with tourism’
Guatemalan minister hails ad campaign following Fuego volcanic eruption

UK travel companies ‘confident’ ahead of Brexit
Leading firms admit it has been a costly and difficult process

‘Shockingly high’ number of travel associations lagging in animal welfare guidelines
Majority of associations are “doing nothing to prevent wildlife cruelty in tourism”

Travel industry urged to adopt alternatives to smoking
Philip Morris International wants smokers to replace cigarettes with better alternatives

Las Vegas confident sporting experiences will maintain UK growth
New chief executive says he has seen no softening in the market

Hotelbeds confirms more key appointments
European wholesale teams finalised in line with expansion plans

WTTC opens up attendance to next year’s global summit
Limited number of places to be available to what was previously an invitation-only event

Sri Lanka targets millennials in tourism organisation rebrand
Digital approach revealed under So Sri Lanka name

Magaluf ‘reborn’ as family destination, says Melia boss
Investment in accommodation credited with encouraging families and couples

‘No deal’ Brexit would cause ‘five million fewer trips by 2022’
Euromonitor International says Spain would lose most revenue

Tunisia tourism ‘back on track’ as visitor numbers surge
Tui and Cook ‘driving force’ behind growth

Mӧvenpick to open ‘sustainable’ hotel in the Maldives
Private island will have 105 villas and suites

El Al announces Manchester-Tel Aviv route
Service to Israeli city to start summer 2019

Egypt ‘co-operating’ with UK over British couple’s death
Demand for Hurghada ‘very promising’ for winter season

‘Trump slump’ over, says ForwardKeys
US resurgence could lead to ‘bumper Christmas’

Qatar sees cruise visitors double in last year
Ten ships made maiden calls in Doha

Travel ‘closing gap’ in AI development [Travolution]
Cost coming down, says The Travel Corp tech chief

Demand for expert advice ‘driving agent revival’
‘Return to the experts’ among consumer trends highlighted by Mintel

GfK warns of discounting during January peaks
Analyst predicts only ‘slight’ bookings increase if UK secures Brexit deal

Anantara parent company acquires 94% stake in NH Hotel Group
Deal worth €2,327m takes group’s portfolio to 549 hotels and resorts across 53 countries

UK ‘open for business’, minister tells event
Government will push for continuation of flying and visa-free travel

January peaks warning if no Brexit deal confirmed
UK departure from EU could be ‘massive cloud’ over consumer confidence

Rotana reveals expansion plans
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and UAE targeted for hotels by the end of 2019

UK retains top source market slot for Hotelbeds
Booking data revealed at event shows Orlando as the top international destination for Brits

Role of music in tourism development to be highlighted
UNWTO report suggests ‘music is the new gastronomy’

January peaks warning if no Brexit deal is secured
Positive 2019 trends revealed but UK exit from EU could be a ‘massive cloud’ over consumer confidence new research from ForwardKeys reveals

Daytona airport to operate first international flights in 16 years
Sunwing deal ‘brings UK flights a step closer’

Special Report: Find out what to expect from World Travel Market with Natalie Marsh’s guide to the highlights

Special Report: Laura French picks out the highlights from the stands at this year’s exhibition

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