WH AT’S H OT I N 2013
WHAT’S HOT IN 2013
From new fl ights (Sri Lanka and Korea) to sporting events (Australia) to movie releases (New Zealand), destinations around the globe are looking forward to a healthy 2013, says Peter Ellegard
D
estinations around the world enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2012. The continuing
repercussions from the Arab Spring affected some countries, while others were hit by a spate of natural disasters – the most recent being ‘Superstorm Sandy’, which wreaked havoc along the East Coast of the US after causing destruction in parts of the Caribbean, although its effect on tourism is likely to be short term. For 2013, the UK’s controversial APD tax and the weak economy are among factors likely to depress demand to some destinations while others are bucking the trend and expect to see visitor numbers remain level or even increase thanks to factors like more fl ights, increased interest generated by major events and fi lms, a favourable exchange rate and increased UK
marketing.This is what the industry sees for 2013:
Australia/Pacifi c Having endured a diffi cult period after the devastating earthquake in Christchurch in 2011, New Zealand should gain a huge boost as a result of the new Hobbit movie, fi lmed
16 December 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
on location in the country, hitting UK cinema screens this month. Meanwhile, sport will put Australia in the spotlight in 2013, with the British and Irish Lions rugby tour in June and July followed by cricket’s highly- anticipated Ashes Series in November and December, 2013, culminating in the fi nal Test in January 2014. Australia’s advertising campaigns with Emirates and Singapore Airlines will be on TV screens until February. Bookings for Austravel next June and July to Australia are up by more than three times those of last year because of the rugby. An Austravel spokesperson said:
“We’re already seeing strong interest for New Zealand in anticipation of The Hobbit movie. The South Pacifi c has been extremely popular with bookings up 20% this year, particularly in Fiji. More customers are opting for a stopover destination and areas in the South Pacifi c are proving a popular choice.” The tiny South Pacifi c nations of
Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands boosted their profi les with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in autumn 2012.
TOURISM TALK RODNEY HARREX Manager UK and Northern Europe Tourism Australia
“I think our visitor numbers will be up next year – people have had a gut-full of this recession. “We are targeting 50 to 69-year- olds and 18-30s on working holiday visas. Older people have helped their kids and now they are saying ‘we want a holiday’ – they have got the available time and the money.” “Events are a great catalyst for
tourism and the Lions come to Australia only once every 12 years. “The UK is one of our longest-stay
markets; the average length of stay is 21 days. There is real money to be made by agents, which is why we are committed to the Aussie Specialist Programme. In May 130 UK agents will be coming to Corroboree in Cairns, and there will be a choice of an accompanying 22 fam trips.”
WHERE TO BOOK – AUSTRALIA/PACIFIC AUSTRAVEL – 0800 988 4834
www.austravel.com A nine-day Sydney and Reef holiday
in Port Douglas is from £1,599pp, in May 2013. This includes return fl ights from Heathrow with Etihad, three nights in Sydney at the Cambridge Hotel and fi ve nights at the new QT Hotel in Port Douglas, Queensland.
Caribbean Caribbean destinations remain the most vocal opponents of APD, with the tax partially responsible for tourism receipts from the UK being down 25% on the levels of 2008. British Airways has cut capacity to the region but Carnival is investing more than $60 million on a new cruise port at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, opening early 2014. There are also several new hotels opened or planned in the resort of Punta Cana and the capital Santo Domingo. On the downside, Thomas Cook has dropped Puerto Plata, cutting its capacity to the Dominican Republic by a third. Saint Lucia has seen record levels
of bookings by accredited Saint Lucia Expert agents since the launch of a specialist online directory by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board earlier this year. For 2013, the tourist offi ce will
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