A year in review

November

Wtm London Boost

World Travel Market London exceeds expected attendance with 35,800 people participating and buyer numbers up 25% compared to 2021. The event, staged at ExCeL London from November 7-9, saw ministerial representation from 55 nations across the world – up 15% on 2021 and a 165% increase in exhibiting personnel versus 2021.

World Cup Kick Off

Hosted in Qatar, the Middle East’s first FIFA World Cup™ kicks off on November 20, hotly contested by 32 national teams. Less than two weeks into the global sporting event, Qatar Tourism says the country has already welcomed more than 600,000 visitors from around the world.

Tourism Leaders Convene At Cop27

At the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the UNWTO brings leading sector stakeholders together to share practical insights into accelerating the shift to greater sustainability and reaching net zero.

December

Rwanda To Host Wttc Summit 2023

During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Rwandan capital, Kigali, is announced as the host city for 2023, marking the first time the event will be staged in Africa.

Iata Predicts Return To Profit

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it expects the global airline sector to return to profitability in 2023 as it continues to cut losses stemming from the pandemic’s impact. Airlines are forecast to post a small net profit of $4.7 billion – a 0.6% net profit margin this year. It is the first profit since 2019 when industry net profits were $26.4 billion.

20 New Ships In 2022

It was a good year for ship building with 20 new cruise vessels delivered in 2022, according to Cruise Industry News, ranging from large ships to smaller expedition and luxury ships. Some 16 cruise lines debuted new ships including Carnival, P&O, Viking and MSC. The largest ship delivered was the 5,400-capacity MSC World Europa weighing in at 205,000 tonnes and now sailing in the Middle East and Europe.

January

BEYONCÉ IN ATLANTIS GRAND REVEAL

Global music icon Beyoncé performs to 1,000 VIP guests at Atlantis The Royal as part of the hotly anticipated hotel’s ‘grand reveal’. The official opening of the property, which is sister to the original pink Atlantis mega resort on The Palm Jumeirah, takes place the following month (February).

TRAVEL ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL: UNWTO

Based on forward-looking scenarios for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, the ongoing recovery of travel in Asia and the Pacific and the evolution of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, among other factors, says the UNWTO.

Sustainable Tourism Demand On The Up

A major new report by the WTTC, Trip.com and Deloitte reveals a heightened appetite for sustainable tourism amongst consumers, with 69% of travellers actively seeking sustainable travel options. Data also finds three quarters of high-end travellers are willing to pay extra to make their trips more sustainable.

February

Singapore Eases Covid Rules

Singapore drops requirements for travellers who are not fully vaccinated to show COVID test results or purchase coronavirus travel insurance from February 13, the government’s virus taskforce said on Thursday. Masks will also not be required to be worn on public transport, says the health ministry, and members of the public no longer need to use COVID tracing apps.

Saudi Ups Stakes To 25mn

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, says the kingdom is targeting 25 million international arrivals in 2023, up from 16.4 million in 2022. One of many visitor incentives, complimentary four-day (96hour) e-visas are introduced for passengers of national airlines Saudia and Flynas.

Jet2holidays Overtakes Tui

Jet2holidays overtakes Tui to become the UK’s largest tour operator by Atol size. Data published by the Civil Aviation Authority reveals Jet2holidays is now licensed to carry 5.8 million passengers, over half a million more than Tui, which has a licence for 5.3 million.

Jet2holidays Chief Executive Steve Heapy thanks independent travel agents for the “integral role” they have played in the operator’s success and growth.