Macau Festival to be the event highlight for 2013 in Malaysia

By Anthony Tan | email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) representative office in Kuala Lumpur will organise its annual Macau Festival from 5–7 April 2013. This promotion, to be the main celebration highlight of the year in Malaysia, will give an opportunity for consumers to discover Macau’s attractions, activities and entertainment.

 

(Left - 25th Macau International Music Festival performance at St. Dominic Church) 

It will also be an opportunity to snap up special deals on Macau packages offered by the Amigos Macau, comprising travel agents who specialise in Macau tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Right: Tunku Iskandar welcoming new Macau Amigo Datin Melissa Ong from Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd) 



 

The Newly Appointed Macau Amigos - more ladies than men

 

 

“Looking forward to next year, we are eyeing 354,363 visitors from Malaysia to set foot in Macau, which is a 4% increase of our 2012 target,” Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, who heads the MGTO representative office in Malaysia, said in his welcome speech to thank the travel trade partners and the media at its annual MACAU Appreciation Dinner recently.

 

 

Cherrie Lee from MGTO (second from left) with

members of the media at the appreciation dinner 



Cherrie (centre) posing with editor of Corporate Events magazine

Laura Lee(left) and Dian Herly - Corporate Events magazine (right) 

at the appreciation dinner



Its Party Time, let's dance to the funky music

The MGTO had chosen the auspicious date, 12-12-12, to hold the appreciation dinner for over 120 Malaysian travel industry partners and media friends at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
 

Tunku Iskandar continued, “We do expect some challenges ahead but with your full support, I strongly believe that we will be able to attract more visitors but more than that, I hope you will be able to persuade these visitors to stay more nights in Macau. After all, there is now so much more to do in Macau.”

 

The MGTO will be celebrating two major events in 2013. Firstly, the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, to be held from 7 September–1 October, will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a Trophy Design and Photography Contest.

Secondly, the Macau Grand Prix will be celebrating its 60th Diamond Jubilee celebration from 14–17 November 2013. To increase public awareness for this, Poster Design Competition and "Souvenir Design Competition have been launched.

 

Reviewing 2012, Tunku Iskandar said the MGTO continued to promote Macau with various promotional activities and campaigns by focusing on events and festivals through aggressive above-the-line and below-the-line promotional campaign in the print and electronic media.

They include Golden Screen Cinemas’ video advertisements, television ads, outdoor billboards, online contest campaign, magazines, newspapers to support the Amigos in their efforts to promote Macau.

With all these promotions, it had produced a positive result in Malaysian arrivals into Macau, accounting for 229,706 visitors for January – October this year, which placed Malaysia as the seventh largest market for Macau.

“It is still a good a show. Of course, we would like it to be better,” remarked Tunku Iskandar, who described 2012 as a challenging year for the MGTO especially in Malaysia.

 

He also updated on the hotel developments in Macau such as Sands Cotai Central’s recent launch of three hotel brands: the Conrad, Holiday Inn and the largest Sheraton Hotel.

These integrated resorts, which will have a total of 6,000 rooms, are equipped with business facilities which, state-of-art MICE facilities, a variety of entertainment and great cuisine.

 

Tunku Iskandar said the MGTO had launched the free Audio Guiding Service (AGS) to cater for visitors with different needs and to increase visitor knowledge about Macau’s tourist attractions and its World Heritage sites.

 

The AGS is free of charge. Available from 9am to 5pm daily and in six languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese, English, Japanese and Korean, it also provides information on wine in the Wine Museum and the Macau Grand Prix in Grand Prix Museum.

(Top and bottom right picture shows the racing cars used to race at the Macau Grand Prix in Grand Prix are now on display at the Macau Grand Prix in Grand Prix Museum)

 

Also launched in 2012 was the iPhone App, Experience Macau, with the latest and popular travel information. It is equipped with the augmented reality (AR) and trip planner functions to enable users to experience Macau freely and easily anytime.

 

Check out its What's On, Plan Your Trip, Game, Map and AR View features. Selected attractions have been provided with audio introduction and 360 degrees panorama photos.

A dragon dance performance at the ruins of Saint Paul's

 

The App provides information on Macau World Heritage, Museums and Galleries, Shopping, Shows and Entertainment, Hotels and Guest Houses in English as well as traditional and simplified Chinese.

It can be downloaded from the App store in the MGTO website, www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/ezone/apps.php. The good news is the apps in Android version will be launched soon.

From 1 November, Tunku Iskandar said the MGTO had introduced the Wedding Incentive Scheme targeted at couples, wedding planners and companies as well as the enhanced version of the Student Excursion Incentive Scheme.

The amount under the enhanced Student Excursion Incentive Scheme has now been increased from MOP 200 to MOP 300 for each foreign student for their activities in Macau with a minimum of 50 students and two consecutive nights’ stay.

He told the audience the Incentive Travel Stimulation Scheme for organisers and incentive planners would continue.

 

Penang to have the second international standard convention centre

By Anthony Tan | email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Penang is taking a big bite into the MICE industry with another international convention centre when IJM Corporation Bhd announced the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) costing RM346 million.



Artist's impression of IJM The Light Project and Penang Waterfront Convention Centre  

 

It will be built within their ongoing integrated Phase Two development project on reclaimed land project sited near to the Penang Bridge and is expected to complete by 2017.

 



Datuk Teh
 

Overall, The Light project, with Phase One consisting of a mixture of residentials and Phase Two comprising the PWCC, hotels, shopping malls, retail lots, a marina and international shopping districts on 152 acres of waterfront land with Green Building Index certification with a RM5 billion investment.

IJM Corporation group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Teh Kean Ming said the construction work on the project will start next year at the signing ceremony between Suntec International and IJM Land.  

 

“This partnership with Suntec International on PWCC will leverage on their experience and expertise in managing convention centres.”

The project will be helmed by world renowned architect firm Vx3, which designed the Nato headquarters in Brussels and the Hong Kong Convention Centre in Victoria Harbour.

Suntec International CEO Arun Madhok said, “We are determined to establish PWCC as a world class MICE venue.

“With our proven track record of 17 years in managing Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, we will be bringing our experience in marketing, managing and operating of Convention and Exhibition Centre to ensure the overall successful operation of the PWCC.
 

“The PWCC will have a 10,000 sq m column-free multi-purpose hall that can be sub-divided or used as a single space and in a matter of minutes or even entirely converted to a 9,000-seat arena for world class concerts.”
 

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said PWCC will add another MICE venue for business tourism to the state.
 

Artist's impression of the under construction  Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) 

“It will be in addition to the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) which is currently under construction to develop into the Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (sPICE),” he said.
 



The interior of the present PISA

PISA, which is originally built as an indoor stadium and turned for multi-purpose use, is being booked almost throughout the year. When the Penang state government took the initiative to address the demand for an international conference and exhibition centre, there was a lot of protests by some group of distracters but such a centre was welcomed by event organisers and the tourism industry players.

“Even now, PISA is always full of events the whole year round and bookings have to be made a year ahead. So, it is good to have two international standard convention centres in Penang to cater to more international business events,” Lim said.

He also envisaged the two centres to not only serve Penang but also the Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) that has grown in scope to encompass more than 70 million people, 14 provinces in southern Thailand, eight states in Malaysia and 10 provinces in Sumatra, Indonesia.

"Malaysia sees MICE as lucrative sector, thriving with international business tourism visitors and (this sector) has grown by 132% since 2003."

Lim added that the income generated from convention attendees, who are considered big spenders could amount up to RM7,000 per trip, almost triple that spent by a leisure visitor."
 

 

 

Thailand targets to be the centre of exhibition industry for ASEAN Economic Community in 3 years



By Anthony Tan email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 



 

 

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation) or TCEB has set a target to make Thailand the centre of exhibition industry for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in three years with their strategic roadmap (2013-2015) with the plan to promote strong network of exhibition business operators across the ASEAN. To achieve this goal, TCEB will target industries with high production and export potential.

With this set target, TCEB hoped to boost Thai exhibition industry by 30 per cent and to generate Bt30 billion by 2015.

In making the announcement in Bangkok, Mr. Thongchai Sridama, Acting President of TCEB, said, “Exhibition is a key mechanism in driving a healthy development in ASEAN. Close cooperation between public and private sectors is crucial to the success of AEC implementation. Through exhibition, we believe close cooperation will be established.

“Thailand is in the right position to nurture such cooperation and has the capability to be the exhibition centre for the region for many reasons. The country is in a strategic location in the heart of ASEAN. We have continuous growth in infrastructure and international-standard convention centres as well as facilities nationwide, including international-standard convention centres in Pattaya which is the largest centre outside Bangkok, and Chiang Mai which will be opened in April 2013. There is a great network of exhibition business operators that enables the country can handle large and complicated exhibitions.

In addition, being the production and export hub for many industries, Thailand offers greater business opportunities for exhibition operators and business owners. With these supporting actors, there is a high potential to upgrade Thailand as the major exhibition platform for the region.

“With the 3-year strategic development plan, TCEB will be in the right direction to help Thai exhibition business operators improving their capability to handle large-scale exhibitions through state-of-the-art technology and innovation implementation. We believe that this will help increase the traffic of exhibition attendants and exhibitors from other countries. We expect the overall international exhibition market in the country will grow by 30 per cent. We also expected to attract 300,000 visitors, generating income of 30 billion Baht in 2015,” said Mr. Sridama.

Mr. Sridama said, “TCEB has earlier been very successful in driving a brand strategy entitled “Bangkok, the exhibition platform of ASEAN”. Under that program, we have seen exhibition traffic in Bangkok increased by 10-15 per cent per year. In the next three years, we have drawn a new roadmap to further expand this success to cover the entire nation, not only Bangkok, and to build our own brand of Thailand. This reflects the impressive progress in nationwide exhibition industry development. As the country, along with other ASEAN nations are entering into an economic integration, we believe that by setting a new goal to make “Thailand as the exhibition platform for AEC”. Thailand will be a significant mechanism in driving success of AEC.”

In driving close cooperation among all concerned parties, TCEB will lend its expertise in business opportunity creation though exhibitions. In achieving this, TCEB will take different roles in the next three years, starting from being a Connector/Facilitator role who connects and support the private sector in growing their business network. Then in the following year, its role will be evolved to Marketer/Partner who helps operators promote their business overseas, develops marketing campaign, and provides comprehensive support and services. Finally, its role will be evolved to Creator/Initiator, focusing on attracting mega-international event organizers to hold their exhibitions in Thailand. This will help emphasise Thailand’s potential as the platform for international exhibition organizing in ASEAN.

Under the strategic road map, TCEB’s Exhibition unit, under its role as the Connector/Facilitator will focus its activities in branding, marketing communications, marketing promotion and mega event promotion and development.

Activity highlights under this framework includes marketing communication activities to raise awareness. Digital media will be mainly used as these new media directly reach target audience. Some of the tools used are mobile applications on iPhones, mobile site www.tceb.or.th/exhibitions/m /Exhibition Now online magazine. In addition, there are other marketing campaigns and activities, such as Be My Guest, 100 A-Head, The Next Best Show and the latest one to be launched late this year is ASEAN We Stand.

In 2013, TCEB has successfully attracted mega international events to be held in Thailand. Among them are ITU Telecom World 2013 which is expected to attract 20,000 participants and the World Stamp Thailand 2013 which is expected to attract 10,000 participants from all over the world.

To achieve its ultimate goal, TCEB will promote 9 major industries which have Thailand as their exhibition centres. They include automotive and machinery; construction, design and home furnishing; agriculture and food; communications technology; travel and tourism; medicine and pharmaceuticals; accessories and fashion; and energy. These are the key industries in Thailand worth around 8 trillion Baht in terms of production and exports and at the same time they are in high demand in ASEAN where development in communications and transport infrastructure, energy, education, culture, travel and tourism and society is moving at a very fast pace.

“The development of TCEB’s roles and our three-year road map will concretely upgrade and make Thailand’s exhibition industry ready to become the platform for AEC. Exhibition business will not only promote goods, service and exhibition standard upgrade, but also strengthen collaboration between business operators and related government agencies. It is with such a concerted effort between public and private sectors that the region will be developing fast and becoming the new future of the world,” said Mr. Sridama

In 2013 fiscal year, TCEB is allocated with 870 million Baht budget from the government. This is to serve its mission to strategise and promote the country’s MICE industry. Exhibition Department is allocated with a total budget of over 100 million to accomplish both operational activities and the organising of mega exhibition events.

TCEB targets to attract 792,000 people to attend all MICE events this year, which will generate over 63,920 million baht to Thailand’s economy.
 

Concerted initiatives needed to reinforce Langkawi’s tourism

By Anthony Tan email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk
 

Last December the government unveiled a very ambitious Langkawi Tourism Blueprint (LTB) from 2011 to 2015 aimed at bringing about a major transformation where the locals will benefit from the developments to its 99 magical islands.

 

The cable car that takes you up to Gunung Mat Chincang

that gives with a good of view of the west coast of Langkawi

 

Under the LTB, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is tasked with overseeing the implementation of 77 initiatives.

 

 

Its target is to woo investments of up to RM5 billion, have three million tourists and generate a revenue of RM3.8 billion by 2015.

The industry players are all for the LTB, a master plan which Langkawi badly needs. Langkawi’s rich natural endowments, which are its key attributes and strengths, can certainly be harnessed more effectively.
 

One of the areas recommended in the LTB is to position Langkawi as a meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions destination with emphasis on the island’s assets as a nature and eco-destination.

 

The clarion call to get the right people to do the right things to help Langkawi get the buzz back as an international tourist destination has never been stronger.

Currently, there are about 20 flights daily bringing in visitors to Langkawi from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Low-Cost Carrier Terminal, Subang and Penang besides charter flights from the medium and long haul markets.

 

The Langkawi International Airport is usually busy during

the weekends and school holidays only.

The other access to Langkawi is by ferry from Penang, Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Satun, which is sited on mainland of southern Thailand, thus making this legendary island to be easily accessible.

The January to May data showed the number of visitors to Langkawi increasing to 614,000 from 549,000 for the same period last year while visitor arrivals through the Langkawi International Airport reported 11% increase for the first five months this year.

Ever since Langkawi was declared as tax-free destination in 1989, high hopes have been pinned on it being able to attract more tourists, in particular shoppers, but this is gradually losing its appeal as more than 300 items much sought after by tourists have been declared duty free nationwide.

 

Langkawi is left with the advantage in duty free items for

glassware, chocolates, cigarrette and tobacco, liqueur and beers.

The numerous modern shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, Johor Bahru (with the opening of Johor Premium Outlet) and Kota Kinabalu offering international renowned brands have posed stiff competition for Langkawi.
 

LADA chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli, who has been eight months in office, assured that the authority had set up a delivery management office to monitor and keep track of the implementation progress of the initiatives under the LTB.

“These initiatives involve various aspects such as connectivity, flight schedules and matters pertaining to direct flights to the island, transportation and services, among others.

“Some are already completed and implemented like the board walks, which have been developed on several islands of Langkawi."

 

 

While certain investors have committed to inject significant amounts of money to build new hotels and come up with other forms of offerings, the existing hoteliers are also pumping more funds to upgrade and rebrand their products.


 

Langkawi has many international standard and beautiful

resorts like this one nestle in the tropical rainforest with

manicure landscaping

Seri Cenang Resort & Spa Langkawi’s recent soft opening is expected to place Langkawi within the radar of being an international spa resort destination.

Given this new sense of hope in the air, good times are expected to return to the island, which has been left languishing for a few years.

 

 

Langkawi International Laksa Carnival

 

One of the initiatives by LADA to attract more tourists to the island was through events like the Langkawi International Laksa Carnival (LILAC).

Held from 25-27 May, this inaugural event featured the famous laksa from Kelantan, Langkawi, Kuala Perlis, Penang, Sarawak, Johor and Pahang, mainly from Malaysia. Except for the Siamese laksa, whose origin is from our Thai neighbour but presented by the Kelantanese, there was nothing much very international about this event.

 

Laksa, a rice noodle dish served with slightly sour and spicy mashed fish gravy with some variations of its preparations in the different states of Malaysia, was originally a simple village dish. Today, it is popularly featured on the menus of many of the five-star hotels in the country.

 

Malaysia’s Penang assam laksa has been voted by CNN as the seventh out of the world’s 50 most delicious food in a global poll.

 

Australian-born film actor cum-director Mel Gibson, who considers laksa as one of his favourite food, is said to able to prepare this Malaysian dish.

 

LILAC suffered the same fate of many local and international events organised in Malaysia, that is,

insufficient public awareness and pre-publicity.

 

Let me introduce you to "Laksa Sarawak"

 

 

The Langkawi International Formula Jet Ski Super Series, which took place in April, was no better in terms of publicity.

Many tourism industry players from hoteliers to taxi operators are wondering when will Langkawi be able to be on par with other resort islands like Phuket, Koh Samui or Bali, in term of tourists arrivals if not better.   

Third Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2012 Expects To be Bigger

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Malaysia International Shoe Festival (MISF) has been a success since it started in 2010. It is expected to have more exhibitors and visitors than last year. It will be held from March 29 to April 1 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur and the first day it is only open trade visitors. From March 30 to Apr 1 it is open to the general public from 10.3Oam to 8.3Opm with free admission.

MISF 2012 will be open by Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah Hamidun.

Last year, MISF attracted over 55,000 visitors and the cash register machines rang up with total sales of RM6.2 million transacted over the three days.

The MISF is jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA).

At the soft launch, Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said “When buying a pair of shoe, it should be selected because it looks good and trendy fashionable shoes but it is important to make sure your health is not compromised.

Shoes can cause you to have backache and knee problem because your feet are supporting your whole body weight.”

She added “This year, MISF will focus on shoes and wellness. There would be talks by experts for visitors to learn more about ways to take care of their feet and ankles. There will be experts to help visitors on how to select the right pair of shoes to be worn according to the person body structure and foot health care.”

The Tourism Minister said MISF has been added to the Tourism Calendar together with Citrawarna Malaysia, Contemporary Art Festival and Fabulous Food Festival.

“In order to ensure our programmes are well-known, we must fix a date to inform the world and travel agents will be able to sell holiday packages to coincide with the various festivals,” she told a media conference after the launch of the shoe festival at the Malaysian Tourism Centre.

The festival is aimed at establishing Malaysia as the “Shoe City of Asia” by providing an ideal platform for shoe industry players to showcase their craftsmanship, latest designs, shoe-related products and services to become world renowned brands.

“This will turn Malaysian-made shoes are among ‘must-buy’ items for tourists during their trips here and we hope to establish Malaysia as the ‘Shoe City of Asia’,” Dr Ng said.

Also present at the soft launch were Tourism Ambassador and world famous shoe maker Prof Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo, Secretary General of the Ministry Dato’ Ong Hong Peng and president of the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA) Tony Ting.

The 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival (1MISF) which has been held since two years ago has made it into the Malaysian in a move to introduce and strengthen the position of the festival in the world.

The four-day festival this year, the organisers are targeting to attract 60,000 local and international shoe buyers with about RM6.5 million in sales turn over.

Ting said “There will 150 booths with more than 100 local and overseas shoe manufacturers from Asean countries, United Arab Emirates and Germany. About 90 per cent of the participants are local.”

According to Jimmy Choo, “The Malaysia manufacturers are good in making summer footwear as our country has a hot and wet climate throughout the year. That is why sandals are very popular here. That is why many tourists that come here, will shop for summer footwear.”

Among the highlights of MISF 2012, there will Jimmy Choo’s “Sogno”Gallery to showcase special design couture collection, a collection of conventional and unconventional bridal footwear, theme after the dragon year.

There will also be a shoe fashion show, shoe painting competition, miniature shoe design competition and the Clog Shoe-Making Gallery’ showcasing the work of physically challenged shoemakers.

The popular Shoe History Gallery’ will highlight the Rainforest Shoe Wonderland’ a gigantic 13-feet- tall rainforest shoe vying for the Malaysian Book of Records.

The 5th Malaysia Footwear Design Competition 2012 held concurrently MISF will announce the winners on March 29 with the winner will get the chance to attend the Guangzhou International Footwear Design Competition.

As a promotional gimmick, a Perodua Viva with a large Red lady high heel shoe placed on its roof will be driven around Kuala Lumpur to shopping malls, university, colleges and tourist attractions in a road show with interactive games and give away freebies to promote the shoe festival which Ng flagged off at the soft launch.

For more details and update, logon the MISF official website: www.malaysiafootwear.com

5th Thailand Trade Show 2012 at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre Kuala Lumpur

By Anthony Tanemail: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Opening Speech by Mrs Nannatee Wiboonchutikula – Minister Counsellor (Commercial) at the Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur

The 5th Thailand Trade Show 2012 (TTS 2012), an annual international trade fair organised by the Office of Commercial Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur. It is a division under the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce.

TTS 2012 is a trade and consumers show with its objectives aimed to create trade & business opportunities for Malaysian importers and wholesale entrepreneurs to promote Thai products and services. It is also to expose such products and service on display to reach out the general publics’ five senses, to see, touch, taste, smell and hear to understand Thai products and services better.

This year, there are over 65 Thai companies with a wide range of industries e.g. food and beverage, toys, textile, jewellery, garments, fashion accessories, cosmetics, beauty and health care, herbal products, handicrafts, gifts items, home deco, household products, kitchenware, auto parts and tourism.

There are fun games & activities for the whole family as part of the stage programmes. There are great bargains for shoppers as the exhibitors are not going to take their products back home after the show as they would incur extra cost.

Tourism Authority of Thailand is presenting cultural dances, umbrella painting and Thai desserts as well as promoting Thai holiday destinations.

One of the items that is in popular demand is the body massage oil and other essential oils

The Thais are also strong in the manufacturing of herbal products like hair dye, bath soap, hair tonic and other toiletries.

TTS 2012 is open to public with free admission at Hall 3, Level 3 Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur from March 8-10, from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. Please take note, it is open from 10.30 am to 7pm on Sunday March 11.



Kevin S (in black shirt), regional sales director of KPN Material Co Ltd from Suphanburi was promoting a hair tonic made from Thai-Chinese herbs with 120 years' history.

He was having a busy time at TTS 2012 with his stocks almost run out by the second day. He claimed his other product, DNA Essential is a close second to Estee Lauder anti-wrinkle cream.


Another tourism industry related link by MICE Malaysia Beyond:http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/

WTTC forecast to pass 100m jobs and USD2 trillion GDP in 2012

Travel and Tourism is set for a milestone year as the industry’s direct contribution to the global economy is expected to pass $2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs.

According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global Travel & Tourism industry will grow by 2.8% in 2012, marginally faster than the global rate of economic growth, predicted to be 2.5%.

This rate of growth means that Travel & Tourism industry is expected to directly contribute $2 trillion to the global economy and sustain some 100.3 million jobs.

When the wider economic impacts of the industry are taken into account, Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute some $6.5 trillion to the global economy and generate 260 million jobs – or 1 in 12 of all jobs on the planet.

In 2011, Travel & Tourism’s total economic contribution, taking account of its direct, indirect and induced impacts, was US$6.3 trillion in GDP, 255 million jobs, US$743 billion in investment and US$1.2 trillion in exports. This contribution represented 9% of GDP, 1 in 12 jobs, 5% of investment and 5% of exports.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “In 2012, when international travellers are expected to surpass one billion for the first time, the industry will pass two other major milestones: a direct contribution of $2 trillion to the world economy and 100 million jobs. But these numbers are dwarfed by the total forecast contribution of our industry – $6.5 trillion to the global economy and 260 million jobs.”

Over the medium-term, the prospects of the industry are even more positive with average annual growth expected to be 4% through to 2022 by which time Travel & Tourism will employ 328 million people – or 1 in 10 of all jobs on the planet.

David Scowsill continued: “It is clear that the Travel & Tourism industry is going to be a significant driver of global growth and employment for the next decade. Our industry is responsible for creating jobs, pulling people out of poverty, and broadening horizons. It is one of the world’s great industries”.


Other selected highlights from the research show:

• South & Northeast Asia will be the fastest-growing regions in 2012, growing by 6.7%, driven by countries such as India and China where rising incomes will generate an increase in domestic tourism spend and a sharp upturn in capital investment, and recovery in Japan

• After an extremely challenging 2011 when civil unrest and violence had a dramatic impact on demand for Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, North Africa is showing signs of recovery in 2012 with Travel & Tourism direct GDP growth forecast at 3.6%. Morocco (8.3%) will be the star performer of this region as negative perceptions of security continue to affect tourism in Egypt and Tunisia

• In the Middle East, where civil unrest and violence in some countries continues, growth will be more subdued (3%), although there are stark differences at country level. Qatar will grow fastest at 13.2% while Syria will likely see another dramatic fall, estimated at 20.5%, as the political situation worsens, increasing concerns over security. It is worth noting that 14% of all international arrivals in the Middle East in 2010 were for Syria, the second most important destination in the region after Saudi Arabia

• The mature economies of North America and Europe will continue to struggle in 2012 North America, which is saw a slight upturn in the USA’s economic situation at the end of 2011, should see growth of only 1.3% in Travel & Tourism direct GDP over the year

• The prospects for Travel & Tourism growth in Europe in 2012 are precarious. Current forecasts suggest a 0.3% increase in Travel & Tourism direct GDP for the region overall, but this will be propped up by newer economies such as Poland and, of course, Russia. A decline of 0.3% is expected across the European Union. Consumer spending is set to tighten as austerity measures kick in, and there continues to be considerable uncertainty around the future of the Eurozone and peripheral economies of Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Source: World Travel & Tourism Council – Press Release

Another tourism industry related link by MICE Malaysia Beyond: http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/