“Tourism will Experience Downturn over the Next Six Months” – UNWTO Resilience Committee Preparatory Meeting

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. In the face of the global economic downturn, international tourism will experience less and probably negative growth over the next six to nine months, alongside all major economic sectors. The challenges posed by the economic scenario were discussed at the ‘Conference for the Middle East and Mediterranean Region on Tourism – Responding to a Turbulent Economy’ (Sharm El Sheikh, 23-24 November)

Latest information for travelers on the airport blockade in Bangkok / TUI cancels flights up until 07/12/2008 / Special flights from Phuket bring about 750 guests back home

Hannover, 01 December 2008. The international airport in Bangkok remains closed because of the occupation. Therefore, travel to Thailand via Bangkok has been cancelled up until 07/12/2008. This concerns around 100 TUI customers. Different flight routes are being searched for customers who were planning to travel to other destinations via Bangkok. Alternatively, they can choose to be refunded or rebook for other holiday destinations without additional fees.

The Thailand Tourism Awards were first introduced by TAT in 1996 with the recognition and endorsement of the World Tourism Organisation. The awards recognise and honour tourism-related organisations in the private and public sectors which have played a significant direct and indirect role in tourism development. The Thailand Tourism Award is Thailand’s Hallmark of Excellence, a symbol of assurance in the outstanding quality and reliability of tourism products and services offered by a particular organisation or operator.

Madrid. UNWTO launches its new long-term research programme UNWTO Future Vision: Tourism Towards 2030. The study will forecast international tourism growth through the year 2030 and identify key actual and future trends and their impact on tourism development. It will combine industry data with the views of UNWTO members, tourism practitioners, trends experts and academics around the world. This initiative will update the previous Tourism 2020 Vision, which has become the definitive global reference on the future of tourism.

When the German Julia Tillmann landed at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, the woman from Düsseldorf, who arrived on the AY704, was surprised by Finnish airline Finnair, who welcomed her with a flower bouquet. Julia Tillmann was this year’s one millionth passenger, using Helsinki as a hub en route to Asia.

In light of the proposed economic stimulus package and the proposal of a permanent reduction of VAT rates for labor intensive services, Ernst Burgbacher, parliamentary executive of the FDP party, explains:

I request the federal government to finally drop its resistance against a reduction of VAT rates for the hotel industry and gastronomy in Germany. In light of the current economic situation, it is high time for an improvement of the general regulations pertaining to tourism policies.