Tourist boards get creative with their campaigns, while overtourism hits the headlines
JANUARY
Innovative destination marketing campaigns came to the fore at the start of the year as the Advertising Standards Authority rejected complaints against Lithuanian capital Vilnius promoting itself as ‘the G-spot of Europe’. South African Tourism unveiled a
new campaign with local guides at its centre to celebrate the country’s diversity. In the Caribbean, MSC Cruises revealed details of its private island off the Bahamas, Ocean Cay, while Beaches announced it was to close its Turks & Caicos resort for a revamp in September and October.
FEBRUARY
The Foreign Office dropped its advice against all but essential travel to Nicaragua, which had been in place due to an outbreak of violent protests. The Balearic Islands announced all rental cars on the islands must be non-polluting by 2035; by May, the islands’ eco-tax was reported to have raised €200 million for 156 ‘green’ schemes.
MARCH
Spain overtook the US as the world’s second-largest tourist destination, behind France. World Travel & Tourism Council figures projected its numbers would rise at a rate of 2.8% in 2019, ahead of the 2.5% European average. Majorca announced a crackdown on
cheap alcohol promotions and outdoor drinking, with fines of up to €3,000. Days later, Abta called a proposed ban on alcohol in all-inclusive hotels in the Balearics “misguided”. A damning report by the Travel Foundation, Destinations at Risk, highlighted the “hidden costs of tourism” and warned against overtourism.
APRIL
Tourism to Sri Lanka suffered following terrorist attacks that prompted Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel. Six weeks later, on June 6, the FCO relaxed its advice, and the tourist board and operators urged the trade to support the country’s tourism industry, hosting a Sri Lanka Revival event in London with Aito, the Specialist Travel Association.
MAY
Royal Caribbean opened its first Perfect Day private island, CocoCay, in the Caribbean, while Sandals parent Unique Vacations appointed a business development manager for a new sales region covering the northwest, north Wales and the Isle of Man. In Asia, Thai authorities extended the closure of Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi to 2021. On May 31, Star Wars land Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland Park, California. The 14-acre expansion was the largest-ever at the theme park.
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A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
“The Globes is the ultimate travel industry awards night and we are pleased to be a sponsor once again. Travelzoo’s mission is to inspire our members to get off the couch and experience something new. We love to share what’s new or different about destinations through our website and signature Top 20 emails, so what better way to show our support than to vote in the Destinations category? We’re looking forward to a fabulous night.” James Clarke, general manager, UK, Travelzoo
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
travelweekly.co.uk
November 2019 41
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