18 | TRAVEL
NEWS IN BRIEF New Brussels route sprouts
NEWS By Geoff Hadwick
EASYJET has launched its fi rst service from Brussels to the UK as part of its strategy to enhance its off ering for business travellers. There will be six fl ights a week from Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport to the Belgian Capital. Prices will start at £23.99 one-way, including taxes.
Land down under on top
AUSTRALIA has won a poll asking place travellers would most like to visit if money were no object. The survey, conducted by travel website Skyscanner, also found that Italy was perceived as the most romantic destination, and the Caribbean the most relaxing.
New fl ights to Istanbul
TURKEY’s capital could be set for a tourism boost, thanks to new direct fl ights from London, which commenced last month. Three fl ights a week will run between Ankara and London Stansted, to be operated by AnadoluJet, a trademark of Turkish Airlines. They will be on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Adults only in Cape Verde
A new resort in the Cape Verde islands is to incorporate an ‘adults only’ section. The Riu Touareg will be an all-inclusive beachfront hotel operated by Riu Hotels and Resorts, and will have three separate areas for guests: adults only, family and children, and classic. The ‘adults only’ zone will consist of 185 double rooms and 16 suites.
Palmer chips in for design
GOLFER Arnold Palmer has been enlisted by a South American developer to design golf courses for a series of schemes in Uruguay and Brazil. Developer JHSF Participacoes SA of Sao Paulo have enlisted Palmer’s company for the Las Piedras project in Uruguay, which will break ground this month.
OPP subscriber benefi ts
OPP is off ering all subscribers 12 months of free standard membership to the Best Travel Services Club, a special concierge service that guarantees the best possible price. Visit
opp.org.uk for more information.
THE overseas property industry is about to benefi t from a boom in the number of international air travellers, especially from the Far East, according to a new consensus forecast released last month by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The report says that “by 2014 there
will be 3.3 billion air travellers, up by 800 million from the 2.5 billion in 2009… and China will be the biggest contributor of new travellers.” IATA told OPP “Of the 800 million
new travellers expected in 2014, 360 million (45%) will travel on Asia Pacifi c routes and of those 214 million will be associated with China (181 million domestic and 33 million international). Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director
General and CEO said: “The focus of the industry continues to shift eastward. By 2014, 1 billion people will travel by air in the Asia Pacifi c region. That’s 30% of the global total and a 4% increase from the 26% it represented in 2009. The same is true for cargo where Asia Pacifi c will account for 28% of global volumes. “The United States will remain
the largest single country market for domestic passengers (671 million) and international passengers (215 million).” Despite some regional differences, the
www.opp.org.uk |MARCH 2011 Overseas travel will take off
Buckle up | The overseas property industry is set for a boom from increased travel
IAIA forecast indicates that “the world will continue to become more mobile. This creates enormous opportunities but also presents some challenges. In fi ve years we need to be able to
handle 800 million more passengers and … to realise the economic growth potential that this will bring, we will need even more effi cient air traffi c management, airport facilities and security programs.” “Industry and governments will be challenged to work together even more closely,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “The shadow of the global economic
recession is expected to remain over parts of the industry for some time to come. Sluggish growth rates in Europe
and North America are not only the result of being mature markets. Lingering consumer debts, high unemployment and austerity measures will dampen growth rates,” said Bisignani. Highlights in the report are: • International passenger numbers
are expected to rise from 952 million in 2009 to 1.3 billion passengers in 2014. • The fastest growing markets for
international passenger traffi c will be China (10.8%), the United Arab Emirates (10.2%), Vietnam (10.2%), Malaysia (10.1%) and Sri Lanka (9.5%). • Africa is expected to see international
passenger growth of 7.7%, the second highest of the regions. International cargo demand is expected to be 5.8%, the lowest among the regions.
Marketing measures for Mexico
REAL ESTATE professionals in Mexico have grouped together to promote investment and living in the country. More than 30 real developers, banks and other companies have formed the Mexico Real Estate Coalition (MREC). The coalition is taking a proactive
stance to promote the country and assuage people’s fears about it. Susan Kime of luxury news website Luxist. com wrote: “It’s the fi rst time a coalition like this has been created to advocate for the potential buyers and retirees interested, but yet hesitant, about buying and living in Mexico. This includes the high-end fractional and private residence club buyers as well as luxury and mid-level second
home purchasers. Together, the group is taking a proactive stance to educate Americans and others on the benefi ts of living and for some, retiring in Mexico. The coalition also directly addresses perceptions about Mexico being a dangerous country,” Speaking exclusively to OPP, Mark
Jeffery, commercial director of the Flamingo Lakes resort in Yucutan, Mexico, welcomed the move. “I think it’s an outstanding thing to do,” he said. “There’s a saying that goes “perception is reality”, and there’s a perception in the US and Canada that it’s a drug infested, war infested country, when in reality that probably only applies to less than 5% of the landmass.” Christopher Hill, the CEO of Safe waters | sending out a message
Stewart Title, Latin America, said: “It is unfair that the problems of a few areas of Mexico could be considered the problems of Mexico as a whole. It is a beautiful, peaceful country. And on MREC’s website,
www.livemexico. com, there are hundreds of people who live in Mexico, and who have retired in Mexico, who have written testimonials to that effect.”
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