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

 

 

M?venpick 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