| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/11/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 20 |
| Copyright: Other |
Consultancy tourism intelligence
Report predicts strong recovery for UK market
Report by JULIETDENNIS
THE UK travel market will bounce back from the downturn in demand following September 11 much quicker than other markets, according to a report by Consultancy Tourism Intelligence International.
The report predicts the UK market will recover within six to nine months, followed by the German market within a year and the US and Japan after 18 months. Author of the report Dr Auliana Poon said: “Britons are the most hardy of travellers. But what has happened is unprecedented and has affected civilians, which is why we believe that the US market will take longer.”
The report also attacked the US government for offering stop-gap subsidies to airlines instead of more far-reaching measures, such as increased paid holidays to encourage more Americans to travel abroad. Poon added: “They still only get two weeks’ paid holiday in the US.”
She called for a private sector/government partnership to initiate the move. Other incentives and discounts to encourage Americans to travel should be worldwide and not restricted to boosting domestic US travel, the report added.
Switzerland and Austria are among those warned not to be complacent because they face competition from up-and-coming destinations, including Hungary and Poland next year.
“Countries that have historically done well will have to reinvent themselves to cater for new markets,” Poon said.
The report also stressed the need for the worldwide travel industry to work together instead of promote individual destinations or businesses.
Slow recovery: but the UK should bounce back first