​Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism | 05 October, 2023
The Dominican Republic is combining traditional luxury elements with sustainable ideals in its sustainable luxury tourism strategy, which centres on consolidating its position as the top Caribbean tourist destination.
The island nation has been working closely with the private sector to introduce these ideals into its top destinations, such as Punta Cana-Bavaro, Cap Cana, Puerto Plata, Samana and Santo Domingo, as well as its new tourism centres, including Pedernales and Miches.
The Dominican Republic seeks to go beyond the many natural and cultural riches that have made it a tourism hotspot in the Caribbean by inviting visitors to be a part of its conservation efforts while enjoying luxury experiences. By leveraging both its natural beauty and strong tourism strategy, the country hopes to entice a record-breaking 10 million tourists to its shores by the end of 2023.
Dominican Ministry of Tourism data suggests that this new form of luxury will attract more tourists, especially from the UK. Of the 173,728 UK tourists who visited the country in 2022, 33% chose luxury getaways. After identifying upward trends in luxury tourism and sustainability, the Dominican Republic has adapted its tourism strategy to address both.
Celebrating sustainability in Samana
As part of this strategy, the Dominican Republic has been introducing sustainable tourism offerings in its established destinations, such as the Cayo Levantado Resort in Samana. This destination combines luxury and sustainability by promoting the local culture, improving the region's biodiversity and offering a space for visitors to connect with the natural environment. Samana is also the first municipality with a Sustainable Tourism Circuit, a business association dedicated to championing sustainability. Over 70 local companies have joined.
Sharing the natural paradise of Pedernales Province
Recently, the Dominican Republic announced plans to develop a sustainable luxury tourism destination in Bahia de las Aguilas. This will be the first carried out under a public-private partnership in the region. In the project's first stage, the private sector will invest US$700-800 million to build 3,000 rooms, an international airport, a 50KW renewable energy installation and related infrastructure.
This is not the only project taking place in Pedernales. After a US$98 million investment in the Port of Cabo Rojo, the Norwegian Cruise Line has its first arrival scheduled for December 2023.
Creating an ecotourism hub in Miches
Another key destination for sustainable luxury tourism, Miches attracted US$735 million in investments for new projects, including 3,700 more hotel rooms and 2,000 residential rooms. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is considering building a LEED-certified hotel in Miches, and multiple other major hotel groups have expressed interest in the area.

IATA | 4 October 2023
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the strong post-pandemic passenger traffic trend continued in August. 
Total traffic in August 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 28.4% compared to August 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95.7% of pre-COVID levels.
Domestic traffic for August rose 25.4% versus August 2022 and was 9.2% above the August 2019 results. This is largely driven by Chinese domestic demand.
International traffic climbed 30.4% compared to the same month a year ago. All markets saw double-digit percentage gains year on year. International RPKs reached 88.5% of August 2019 levels.
“Demand for air travel performed well in August. For the year to date, international traffic has increased by 50% versus last year and ticket sales data show international bookings strengthening for travel in the last part of the year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. 
Air Passenger Market in Detail​

International Passenger Markets
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 98.5% increase in August 2023 traffic compared to August 2022, continuing to lead the regions. Capacity climbed 85.5% and the load factor increased by 5.5 percentage points to 84.2%.
European carriers’ August traffic rose 13.6% versus August 2022. Capacity increased 12.3%, and load factor edged up 1.1 percentage points to 86.8%. 
Middle Eastern airlines posted a 27.3% increase in August traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.7% and load factor climbed 3.0 percentage points to 83.1%.
North American carriers had an 18.6% traffic rise in August 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 17.5%, and load factor improved 0.8 percentage points to 87.7%, which was the highest among the regions for a third consecutive month.
Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 26.4% compared to the same month in 2022. August capacity climbed 23.8% and load factor rose 1.7 percentage points to 86.1%.
African airlines saw a 26.1% traffic increase in August 2023 versus a year ago. August capacity was up 25.5% and load factor rose 0.4 percentage points to 76.2%.
Domestic Passenger Markets ​

Indian domestic RPKs rose 23.2% compared to a year ago and have now exceeded pre-pandemic levels for seven consecutive months.
Japan’s domestic market was impacted by Typhoon Khanun which caused major air traffic disruptions in southern Japan. Domestic RPKs grew 8.7% year over year, down on the 13.4% growth recorded in the previous month. 
Air Passenger Market Overview

​The Bottom Line
“Heading into the last quarter of the year, the airline industry is nearly fully recovered to 2019 levels of demand. The focus, however, has not been on getting back to a specific number of passengers or flights, but rather on meeting the demand by businesses and individuals for connectivity that was artificially suppressed for more than two years. Having seen the economic, social, and personal losses when airlines could not fly during the COVID-19 crisis, this industry is determined to secure a sustainable long-term future by achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That was clearly evident at the first IATA World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) where discussions focused on how to decarbonize. We know that our customers want a world in which they can enjoy the freedom to travel sustainably. This inaugural WSS was a critical step in aligning policy makers, the aviation value chain and airlines with the concrete steps needed to deliver. And we will measure progress when we meet again in a year’s time,” said Walsh.
> Read the latest Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)

Forbes | Laura Begley Bloom | Oct 4, 2023
What are the best places to travel? If you’re like most people, the allure of new horizons and uncharted adventures keeps you constantly adding destinations to your travel bucket list. Kuoni—a Britain-based travel company— recently did a study to rank the world’s best bucket list places to visit.
Kuoni conducted the comprehensive analysis by scouring Google search data for 119 bucket list items in 219 countries. The results paint a vivid picture of travel aspirations, spanning from the breathtaking shores of the Maldives to the thundering majesty of Niagara Falls, encompassing iconic landmarks and awe-inspiring natural wonders along the way.
According to Sheena Paton, senior program manager, this is the first time Kuoni has assembled this list. “We’ve previously created travel stories that have analyzed the demand for different locations or the best landmarks to visit, but this unique study looks at every country's most popular bucket list item,” Paton told me in an interview. “We were intrigued to see how this might vary from country to country and which experiences would come out on top, so we decided to do this study to reveal what travelers around the world want to experience.”
Coming in at the top is the idyllic cluster of islands known as the Maldives—which is known for its stunning white sands, bright blue waters and incredible sunsets. It topped the list for 121 countries. “It’s great to see that a trip to the Maldives is considered a bucket list item for so many people,” says Paton. “It’s a tropical paradise popular amongst honeymooners, families and retirees alike.”
Coincidentally, in 2021 Kuoni looked at where the world wants to travel most. “The top destinations to travel to that year were the Maldives, Mexico and Bali, which is interesting because visiting the Maldives also came top as the most searched-for travel bucket list experience in this most recent report,” Paton explains.
In second place: Niagara Falls, which receives an impressive amount of searches each year, as people hope to get up close to the incredible waterfalls located on the Canadian and American border. “Getting splashed at Niagara Falls is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience which focuses on the stunning natural wonder,” Paton says.
In third place—seeing the Mona Lisa, with art lovers around the world flocking to the Louvre in Paris to admire this iconic Leonardo da Vinci painting. “It’s something that draws thousands of people all over the world just to catch a glimpse,” says Paton.
The United States has an impressive six places on the top 20 worldwide roundup—in fact, it’s the country with the most locations on the list. In addition to Niagara Falls, the experiences that made it onto the list include climbing the Statue of Liberty, seeing Times Square, visiting Alcatraz in San Francisco, visiting the White House and admiring the views at Yosemite National Park. “The vast nature that the United States affords travelers an array of travel experiences, from admiring natural wonders to iconic city attractions,” Paton highlights.
So whether you’re an intrepid explorer with an ever-expanding list of dream destinations or someone who just wants to plan the trip of a lifetime, check out this journey through the 20 most coveted travel experiences. But remember: This is just the start, since the more you travel, the more endless your bucket list will become.
Bucket List Trips: The Top 20 Places Around The World
1. Visit The Maldives
Topping the global list is the enchanting paradise of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. As Paton describes, “With its overwater bungalows, crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, it’s no wonder that this tropical haven is at the pinnacle of travel dreams.”
2. Get Splashed At Niagara Falls
Coming in at a close second is the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. “The thundering waters at the border of Canada and the United States never fail to mesmerize visitors, providing an unforgettable bucket list experience,” says Paton. There are multiple viewpoints to witness the roaring waters—Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls—but one of the best ways to experience the falls is on a boat tour like the Maid of the Mist.
3. See The Mona Lisa In Paris
Created by Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa is perhaps the world’s most famous painting and hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, among thousands of other priceless works of art. “Art enthusiasts and history buffs alike aspire to lay eyes on the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa,” says Paton.
4. Visit Bora Bora In French Polynesia
Bora Bora, another tropical paradise, ranks high on travelers’ wish lists. “Its overwater bungalows, vibrant coral reefs, and stunning lagoon draw visitors seeking an idyllic getaway,” says Paton.
5. Climb The Statue Of Liberty In New York City
“The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and opportunity,” Paton affirms. Best way to experience it: Climb to its crown for panoramic views of the city skyline.
6. See The Northern Lights
“Witnessing the ethereal Northern Lights dance across the Arctic skies is a natural spectacle that ranks high on the bucket list for many adventure seekers,” Paton shares. Some of the best locations to see them include Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland and Finland.
7. Visit Stonehenge In England
Stonehenge, an ancient stone circle in Wiltshire, England, has mystified archaeologists and visitors alike for centuries. Its origins and purpose remain a subject of debate. “A visit to Stonehenge allows you to walk among these massive stones and contemplate the mysteries of this prehistoric monument,” Paton says.
8. Visit The Taj Mahal In India
Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the world's most iconic architectural marvels and has been drawing visitors to Agra, India for hundreds of years. “It’s a testament to eternal love and architectural brilliance,” Paton explains.
9. See Times Square
Often referred to as “The Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is legendary for its annual New Year's Eve ball drop celebration. “Times Square in the heart of New York City is synonymous with vibrant city life and dazzling billboards, making it a must-see for travelers,” Paton insists.
10. See The Burj Khalifa In Dubai
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the world’s tallest skyscraper, soaring to dizzying heights of over 2,700 feet. Visitors can ascend to the observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors to take in “breathtaking views of Dubai's futuristic skyline,” per Paton, and gaze beyond into the surrounding desert.
11. Visit Pompeii
This ancient Roman city in southern Italy was famously buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Today, the remarkably preserved archaeological site offers a glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire. “Exploring Pompeii's streets, villas, and amphitheater is like stepping back in time,” says Paton.
12. Visit Sagrada Familia In Barcelona
Designed by Antoni Gaudí, Sagrada Familia's intricate façade and lavish interior is a testament to the visionary architect’s creative genius. Visitors can explore the ongoing construction and admire the breathtaking stained glass windows. “It’s an architectural masterpiece renowned for its unique blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles,” Paton notes.
13. Visit Cinque Terre In Italy
Along the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is a collection of five pretty villages perched on cliffs connected by hiking trails and a scenic railway. “The area has stunning vistas and amazing hiking opportunities,” Paton emphasizes.
14. Visit Big Ben In London
Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, Big Ben is known for its majestic clock face and melodious chimes. "This iconic clock tower is a symbol of British heritage and a must-visit attraction,” says Paton.
15. Visit Chichén Itzá In Mexico
Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is a well-preserved ancient Mayan city. It's most famous for the imposing El Castillo pyramid, which aligns with astronomical precision during the spring and fall equinoxes. "Exploring Chichén Itzá offers insights into Mayan culture and history,” says Paton.
16. Trek Through The Himalayas
From the picturesque Annapurna Circuit in Nepal to the mystical landscapes of Bhutan’s Snowman Trek, the Himalayas are a haven for trekkers seeking breathtaking vistas and cultural encounters. “Trekking through the Himalayas—a majestic mountain range that stretches across Bhutan, India, Nepal, China and Pakistan—is an adventure like no other,” says Paton.
17. Visit Alcatraz In San Francisco
Alcatraz, often referred to as “The Rock,” is a historic island prison located in San Francisco Bay, California. Once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, it’s now a popular tourist attraction. “Visitors can take a ferry to explore the prison’s eerie corridors, learn about its intriguing history, and enjoy panoramic views of San Francisco,” Paton reveals.
18. Visit The White House In Washington, D.C.
“A symbol of American democracy, the White House is open for public tours, offering visitors a chance to explore its iconic rooms, learn about its history, and witness the seat of U.S. government power,” says Paton.
19. Float On The Dead Sea
Set between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. You can effortlessly float on its surface and also bathe in the mud, which is renowned for its skin benefits. Paton describes it as “a surreal and therapeutic experience.”
20. Admire The Views At Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is filled with towering waterfalls, giant sequoias and dramatic landscapes. “Iconic sites like El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall offer jaw-dropping vistas, making Yosemite a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers,” says Paton. 

​Cancun Sun | September 26, 2023.
The Mexican Caribbean travel industry is booming – and so is the number of new hotels and resorts opening their doors to travelers in the sunny destination.
New statistics show that Cancun and Quintana Roo are home to the lion’s share of all new hotel openings in Mexico.
The local hospitality industry is responding to unprecedented travel demand by launching dozens of new properties; from towering all-inclusives in Cancun to more modest hotels elsewhere, some 5200 hotel rooms are currently under construction in the Mexican Caribbean.
As more travelers flock to the Mexican Caribbean this year, here’s the latest on the region’s ongoing hotel construction boom and what it means for travelers.
Cancun Continues To Be The Most Attractive Location In Mexico For New Resorts
Although Mexico is home to a handful of leading resort destinations, including Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, none outrank Cancun in terms of popularity. And this year, the crown jewel of the Mexican Caribbean is officially the most popular location for new hotels and resorts.
That’s according to new statistics published this week by Global Commercial Real Estate Services, a leading construction & real estate consultancy firm.
According to the company’s latest analysis, more than 7,700 hotel rooms are currently under construction in Mexico for three to five-star properties. Of that total, a whopping 4,000 are being built in Cancun, which continues to dominate the local travel industry as the most popular location for tourists.
Cancun’s Resort Zone is home to by far the largest number of hotel and resort rooms and the city’s inventory currently encompasses some 35,000 rooms. 
With the Resort Zone reaching its limit in terms of new properties, new sub-destinations within Cancun are starting to see new undertakings, including Costa Mujeres and Puerto Morelos. Offering quieter beaches and more intimate settings, these destinations are poised to rival the Resort Zone in terms of popularity in the future.
After Cancun, the Riviera Maya is officially the second-most popular region for new hotel openings in Mexico. Encompassing a long stretch of coastline from Playa del Carmen all the way to Tulum, the Riviera Maya is dotted with an endless array of resort destinations. 
The largest ones, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, both offer enchanting views of azure Caribbean waters and increasingly exciting cultural opportunities. While Playa del Carmen is famous for its vibrant city life, Tulum is trending for cultural and historical tourism.
Some 17 new properties are currently underway across Quintana Roo, and over a dozen new ones are set to join that list by 2024. All-inclusive resorts remain the most popular type of accommodation across the sunny destination, although online rentals and Airbnbs are quickly catching up. 
The launching of the Maya Train in late 2023 is expected to massively boost Tulum’s popularity as a hub for exploring Mayan ruins. With new investments in infrastructure and safety, the Riviera Maya is set to become one of the fastest-growing hotspots for travel in the years to come.
Some of the most exciting projects that have recently wrapped up in the popular region include the St Regis Kanai Resort, which opened its doors to travelers in March. Boasting a unique blend of luxury lifestyle and pristine nature, the resort is one of many that immerse guests in the Riviera Maya’s unique atmosphere. 
Meanwhile, the new Tulum International Airport, which is slated to begin operations this December, is also expected to supply new resorts with a steady flow of international guests.

​David Jessop: Caribbean Council
Despite the Cuban Government’s best efforts to restore tourism to previous levels, data produced by Cuba’s national statistical office ONEI suggests that hotel occupancy rates remain low, and the country may struggle to achieve its projected 2.5mn visitors this year.
The Government said previously that it hoped to see the sector play a significant role in stimulating national recovery, economic growth, and playing a major part in contributing to foreign exchange earnings.
According to ONEI, the overall total number of travellers to Cuba in the first eight months of this year stood at 2.1mn, of whom 1.66mn were international visitors, a term used by ONEI to classify all those arriving who reside abroad, including tourists and returning Cubans. The hoped for international visitor arrivals figure for 2023 of 2.5mn compares with pre-COVID arrivals of 4.3mn in 2019, and 0.97mn in 2022.
Statistics produced for the period between January and June of this year indicate that hotel occupancy stood at just 28%, far below that of other competing Caribbean destinations. Although Cuba continues to believe that tourism will rebound and new markets such as Russia, Latin America and China will emerge, the weak arrivals numbers up to the end of August suggest that the country will struggle in the remaining months of this year to achieve the international visitor numbers needed to meet the Ministry of Tourism’s (MINTUR) plan for 2023.
While arrivals to the island continue to be led by Canada - Cuba’s most important tourist market - in the first eight months with 0.7mn visitors, recent Canadian government travel advice (Cuba Briefing 11 September 2023) may negatively affect high season arrivals when most Canadians choose to visit.
At 241,115 arrivals, the Cuban community abroad, a group Cuba categorizes separately, have for the time being made up for the loss of Russian visitors (106,529 by the end of August) following the discontinuation of direct flights in April, after the invasion of Ukraine and the introduction of western sanctions. However, arrivals from Russia are now expected to rise as Russian airlines including Aeroflot and Rossiya have resumed direct services, albeit involving longer flying times to avoid EU airspace.
ONEI’s figures show that arrivals from the US increased to 111,100, placing it in third position, but that arrivals from Europe remain weak, with Cuba recording 62,415 visitors from Spain; 45,318 from Germany; and 40,516 from France in the first eight months of 2023. Arrivals from the UK were recorded at 35,053.
The Cuban government recently indicated its concern about the impact of Washington’s decision to require all visitors to the US previously able to use its ESTA visa waiver programme, but who visited Cuba after January 2021, to now seek a visa if they wish to travel to the US.
Despite the weak arrivals outcome to date, Cuba continues to construct new hotel rooms - a possible factor in the low occupancy rates recorded - in the belief that the sector will recover in 2024 or 2025. 

​UNWTO | 19 September 2023
International tourism has continued to recover from the worst crisis in its history as arrival numbers reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023, according to the latest data from UNWTO. The Middle East, Europe and Africa lead the global sector's rebound.
Tourism on Track for Full Recovery
Tourism demand continues to show remarkable resilience and sustained recovery, even in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges. The new issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer tracks the sector's recovery over the course of 2023 up to the end of July. The UNWTO Barometer shows:

• By the end of July, international tourist arrivals reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels.
• 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and July 2023, 43% more than in the same months of 2022.
• July was the busiest month with 145 million international travellers recorded, about 20% of the seven-month total.

IATA | Geneva | September 6 2023
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the post-COVID recovery momentum continued in July for passenger markets.
Total traffic in July 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 26.2% compared to July 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95.6% of pre-COVID levels.
Domestic traffic for July rose 21.5% versus July 2022 and was 8.3% above the July 2019 results. July RPKs are the highest ever recorded, strongly supported by surging demand in the China domestic market.
International traffic climbed 29.6% compared to the same month a year ago with all markets showing robust growth. International RPKs reached 88.7% of July 2019 levels. The passenger load factor (PLF) for the industry reached 85.7% which is the highest monthly international PLF ever recorded.
“Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveler confidence remains high. And there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Air Passenger Market in Detail

International Passenger Markets
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 105.8% increase in July 2023 traffic compared to July 2022, continuing to lead the regions. Capacity climbed 96.2% and the load factor increased by 3.9 percentage points to 84.5%.
European carriers’ July traffic rose 13.8% versus July 2022. Capacity increased 13.6%, and load factor edged up 0.1 percentage points to 87.0%.
Middle Eastern airlines posted a 22.6% increase in July traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.1% and load factor climbed 0.3 percentage points to 82.6%.
North American carriers had a 17.7% traffic rise in July 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 17.2%, and load factor improved 0.3 percentage points to 90.3%, which was the highest among the regions for a second consecutive month.
Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 25.3% compared to the same month in 2022. July capacity climbed 21.2% and load factor rose 2.9 percentage points to 89.1%.
African airlines saw a 25.6% traffic increase in July 2023 versus a year ago, the second highest percentage gain among the regions. July capacity was up 27.4% and load factor fell 1.0 percentage point to 73.9%, the lowest among the regions. For a second month in a row, Africa was the only region to see capacity growth outrun traffic demand.
Domestic Passenger Markets 

China’s domestic traffic jumped 71.9% in July compared to a year ago and is now 22.5% above July 2019 levels, which was the strongest gain against pre-pandemic levels among the domestic markets.
US airlines’ domestic demand climbed 11.1% in July and was 3.0% above the July 2019 level.
Air Passenger Market Overview

The Bottom Line
“The Northern Hemisphere summer is living up to expectations for very strong traffic demand. While the industry was largely prepared to accommodate a return to pre-pandemic levels of operations, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our infrastructure providers. Performance of some of the key air navigations services providers, for example, has been deeply disappointing for many reasons from insufficient staffing to the failure fiasco of NATS in the UK. These must be promptly corrected. Even more worrying, however, are political decisions by some governments—among them Mexico and the Netherlands—to impose capacity cuts at their major hubs that will most certainly destroy jobs and damage local and national economies. The numbers continue to tell us that people want and need air connectivity. That’s why governments should be working with us so that people can travel safely, sustainably and efficiently,” said Walsh. 
> Read the latest Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)

​Susan Laborde | Tech Writer | August 14, 2023
Tourism has been an essential revenue-generating sector, providing over 320 million jobs globally. According to statistics, the Tourism industry employs many women, representing 54% of the workforce. But the industry was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Countries dependent on tourism felt the impact longer than other nations with diverse sources of revenue. In countries like Barbados, the pandemic halted the sector, significantly affecting the country’s income. This article provides information on the impact of Covid- 19 on the tourism industry.
Let’s take a look.
Global Impact in 2020
The pandemic affected the tourism industry negatively, and the unemployment rate increased.

1. Globally, the travel and tourism industry generated $396.37 billion in revenue in 2020. This was a 42.1% decline in growth from 2019.
2. In 2020, there was a decline in the patronage of tourist accommodations in the European Union by 51%.
3. In 2019, 243 million Europeans made at least one tourism trip, but this reduced by 21% to 193 million in the preceding year.
4. The travel and tourism industry lost a minimum of $1.2 trillion of gross domestic product globally after 4 months of being shut down during the pandemic.
5. UNCTAD estimated that for every $1 million lost in international revenue, there is a reduction by a minimum of $2 million in a country’s national income.
6. Travel and tourism are responsible for 1 in 10 jobs. This implies 330 million jobs and a contribution of 10.3% to the global gross domestic product.
7. International tourism had a projection to decrease in 2020 by 60 to 80 percent. Tourism revenue generation will likely not return to how it was before the pandemic until 2024. This puts 120 million jobs in the sector at risk.
8. Tourists in 2020 took about 1 billion international trips globally. This is 30% less than the estimated 1.46% of trips for the year due to travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
9. Women make up 54% of the tourism workforce.
10. Tourism represents over 20% of the gross domestic product for some countries.
11. In 2019, tourism made up 7% of global trade.

United States Tourism

1. The travel and tourism industry provides 15.8 million American Jobs. The tourism and travel sector gives jobs to one in every 10 Americans.
2. There was an increase of 3.5% in the unemployment rate due to Covid-19. Retrenchment of employees caused the United States unemployment rate to increase from 3.5% to 7.1% in barely two months during the pandemic.
3. The United States was projected to lose revenue above every other country.
4. The US lost more than other countries in dollars, twice China, which stands in second place.
5. Tourism represents 21% of Hawaii’s economy. Visitors in 2012 spent over $14 billion in Hawaii. This industry fell by 95% during the Covid-19 pandemic as residents of states were mandated to stay home.
6. In the first quarter of 2020, Florida experienced a decline in tourism activities by 10.7%. This decline in Florida’s tourism sector caused a loss of $ 67 billion in its economy.
7. Hotels in Austin had a 3% booking in April 2020. Hotels in Austin-Texas experienced a significant reduction in the number of rooms booked from 10,777 in 2019 to 342 in 2020.
8. There was a reduction in US spending on tourism by 31%. Due to the pandemic, the United States experienced a 31% reduction in travel expenses. This means a decline in travel expenses to $355 billion in 2020.

Air Travel

1. 217 countries imposed travel restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Lockdown measures were imposed by many governments when the pandemic was at its peak.
2. The travel and tourism industry had the most significant casualty. The pandemic greatly affected the travel and tourism industry.
3. Passenger airlines revenue declined by 55% from 2019. According to the International Air transport association, the tourism industry fell by $314 billion.
4. 97 countries representing 45% of destinations, implemented partial or total border closure.
5. 39 countries representing 18% of destinations, implemented border closure to specific goals.
6. 65 countries representing 30% of destinations, suspended flights partially or totally.
7. 16 countries representing 7% of destinations, required visitors to follow quarantine measures.
8. Report from Flightrader reveals a decline in the average number of commercial flights. In January and February 2020, commercial flights were reduced by over 100,000. The sector experienced a further reduction to 78,500 in March and 29,400 flights in April.
9. Passenger revenue was projected to decline by $314 billion in 2020. According to the air travel report, 2020 experienced a 55% reduction in revenue generation from its 2019 record.
10. International flights were reduced by 80%. On May 4, 2020, there was a reduction of 80% in the number of international flights. The majority of airlines closed operations due to borders closure.
11. In June 2020, International Air Transport Association reported a loss of $84.3 billion globally by airlines. Income in the aviation sector was projected to be negative throughout 2021 as countries are recuperating and slowly lifting barrier bans.
12. International Air Transport Association predicts a 50% increase in the price of plane tickets. The cost of plane tickets with social distancing measures was expected to increase by 50% globally.

Lodging and Hotel Sector

1. Airline ticket fares rose by 13.75% and 10.9% yearly. At the height of the Covid -19 pandemic, the price of airline tickets of a company increased by 13.7% and 10.9% between April 13 and May 4.
2. Hotels in the United States have lost over $46 billion in room revenue. Hotel experts state a loss of $400 million daily due to low patronage of hotel rooms.
3. AHLA speculates room occupancy to be below 20%. For most hotel business owners, an occupancy rate of 35% and below means closing up business.
4. According to McKinsey analysis, the pandemic is most likely to cause a shift to digital bookings. Travelers will be more flexible on booking options and likely make last-minute changes. For instance, in China, over 90% of trip bookings were made within seven days of the trip.
5. Revenue per available room was projected to fall by 20% in 2023. In the worst-case situation, RevPAR is estimated at 20% in 2023.
6. Luxury room Revenue per available room is the slowest to return. The RevPAR of the luxury room is the slowest to return as it involves higher semi-fixed costs and variable costs.
7. 51% of Americans are likely to frequent a hotel. According to the Ipsos survey, 51% of Americans will likely keep a lodge in the same hotel. The hospitality sector has been experiencing an improvement in the rate at which customers frequent their service.
8. Airbnb has been experiencing some challenges. 64% indicated concerns and were unsure of undergoing their intended booking due to the pandemic.
9. 47% of hosts felt unsafe renting out lodges to guests.

Beverage and Food

1. 70% of guests had concerns about staying at Airbnb.
2. 44% of hosts predicted a reduction in revenue from June to August.
3. Daily rates decline to $90.
4. $236 million was reportedly lost by Hyatt in the second quarter; this indicates a 376% reduction in income from 2019.
5. Full-service restaurants in the United States saw a decline in reservations in March by 41% across the country during the pandemic. Open table reservations crash to 41% across the US as coronavirus spreads.
6. Working hours in local restaurants dropped by 40%. There was a decline in the number of working hours on March 17 by 40% in local restaurants and bars and an overall reduction of hourly workers by 45%.
7. Out of 3 restaurants lose their jobs. National Restaurant Association reports that the pandemic has incredibly hit workers. 
8. 91% of the hourly workforce was laid off. James beard foundation discovered that 91% of the hourly workforce in restaurants was laid off, with 70% of salaried employees due to Covid-19.
9. Dining industry to lose$240 billion in 2020. National Restaurant Association forecasted the dining industry to lose $240 billion at the end of 2020.
10. The restaurant’s biggest challenge was reopening. According to a James Beard Foundation survey conducted during the epidemic, 41% of restaurants had gradual consumer returns, 35% needed money for vendors, and 16% needed new personnel.
11. 33% of consumers increase takeout. The rate of takeout by consumers reached 33% after the pandemic.

Attractions and Tour

1. 90% of cultural institutions closed business doors. Due to the pandemic, about 90% of cultural institutions shut their doors, and about 13% may never resume activity.
2. Metropolitan Opera lost $60 million. The New York giant had to cancel its season show at the end of March, thereby incurring an estimated loss of $60 million in revenue.
3. Safari experienced a decline in bookings by 75%. The pandemic greatly impacted the revenue of Africa’s US$12.4 billion safari industry. Due to the restriction policy, it experienced a 75% decline in bookings.
4. 80% of ships had cases of covid-19 on board. The CDC issued a standing order that ships within the United States jurisdiction should not set sail between March and October.
5. Master cards experienced a 45% reduction in travel-related transactions. The credit company had a 45% decline in its usage for travel-related transactions.
6. 77% of the America Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) predicted no business activity for six months. Members of ASTA forecasted nonexistent business for about 6 months due to the pandemic.
7. Watt Disney lost about $5 billion. During April, May, and June, the theme parks of Watt Disney Co were closed, causing a loss of revenue.

Business Travel

1. Global business travel was predicted to lose $810.7 billion in revenue in 2020. According to estimates, the pandemic will hit worldwide sales by $810.7 billion, with China’s travel spending predicting a $404.21 billion drop.
2. The US travel economy lost $250 billion. Due to the pandemic, the United States lost $250 billion at the beginning of March.
3. 5 to 10 business travels lost due to remote work tools. Experts predicted increased loss of business travel due to a shift to virtual meetings.
4. 89% reduction in business travel occurred due to the pandemic. The decline in business travel was far more significant than during the great recession and 9/11 losses. Half of all businesses canceled travel arrangements due to the pandemic.

International Tourism Prospect in 2023

1. Tourism travel to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic. According to UNWTO research, the travel industry may return to 80 to 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels by 2023, with the Middle East and Europe expected to play critical roles in the recovery.

Conclusion
The third-largest export industry in the world economy is tourism. Some nations’ gross domestic product is 20% of it. Millions of individuals in developed and developing economies are employed in this sector. The tourist sector employs one person for every ten employees. However, one of the Covid-19 epidemic areas was most badly damaged, hurting opportunities, public services, and lifestyles in various countries.

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the post-COVID recovery momentum continued in June for passenger markets.
Total traffic in June 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 31.0% compared to June 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 94.2% of pre-COVID levels. For the first half of 2023, total traffic was up 47.2% compared to the year-ago period.
Domestic traffic for June rose 27.2% compared to the same month a year ago and was 5.1% above the June 2019 results. Domestic demand was up 33.3% in the 2023 first half compared to a year ago.
International traffic climbed 33.7% versus June 2022 with all markets showing robust growth. International RPKs reached 88.2% of June 2019 levels. First half 2023 international traffic was up 58.6% over the first half of 2022.
“The northern summer travel season got off to a strong start in June with double-digit demand growth and average load factors topping 84%. Planes are full which is good news for airlines, local economies, and travel and tourism dependent jobs. All benefit from the industry’s ongoing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Air Passenger Market in Detail

International Passenger Markets
Asia-Pacific airlines had a 128.1% increase in June 2023 traffic compared to June 2022, easily the largest percentage gain among the regions. Capacity climbed 115.6% and the load factor increased by 4.6 percentage points to 82.9%.
European carriers posted a 14.0% traffic rise versus June 2022. Capacity rose 12.6%, and load factor climbed 1.1 percentage points to 87.8%, which was the second highest among the regions.
Middle Eastern airlines’ June traffic climbed 29.2% compared to June last year. Capacity rose 25.9% and load factor improved 2.0 percentage points to 79.8%.
North American carriers saw traffic climb 23.3% in June 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 19.5%, and load factor rose 2.7 percentage points to 90.2%, which was the highest among the regions.
Latin American airlines had a 25.8% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. June capacity climbed 25.0% and load factor rose 0.6 percentage points to 84.8%.
African airlines’ traffic rose 34.7% in June 2023 versus a year ago, the second highest percentage gain among the regions. June capacity was up 44.8% and load factor fell 5.1 percentage points to 68.1%, lowest among the regions. Africa was the only region to see a decline in the monthly international load factor compared to the year ago period.
Domestic Passenger Markets 

Australia’s domestic traffic slipped 1.7% in June compared to a year ago. It was the only domestic market to see a year-over-year traffic decline in June, although traffic remained 3.9% above pre-pandemic levels.
Indian airlines’ domestic demand climbed 14.8% in June and was 1.3% above the June 2019 level.
Air Passenger Market Overview

​The Bottom Line
“As strong as travel demand has been, arguably it could be even stronger. Demand is outrunning capacity growth. Well documented problems in the aviation supply chain mean that many airlines have not taken delivery of all the new, more environmentally friendly aircraft they had expected, while numerous aircraft are parked awaiting critical spare parts. And, for the fleet that is in service, some air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are failing to deliver the requisite capacity and resilience to meet travel demand. Delays and trimmed schedules are frustrating for both passengers and their airlines. Governments cannot continue to ignore the accountability of ANSPs in places where passenger rights regimes place the brunt of accountability on airlines,” said Walsh.

TravelBoom | July 26, 2023
Study reveals customers are making up for lost time.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., July 26, 2023 — TravelBoom, the leading data-driven digital marketing agency for hotels, resorts, and vacation rental companies, released its annual Leisure Travel Trends Study after recently surveying approximately 2,000 travelers in 2023. The findings uncover the influence of an ever-changing economy on travel choices, increases in online bookings, an increased frequency of vacations, and the most sought-after amenities when booking.
The study explores the step-by-step process travelers undergo when navigating a selection of locations, planning, and booking a vacation. It encompasses the influence of social media on bookings and the changing expectations regarding the non-negotiables for holidays. TravelBoom’s 2023 Leisure Travel Trends Study offers valuable insights, such as:
•  Leisure travelers are changing their habits in light of the overall economy. Results show a staggering 3 out of 4 travelers making changes to their vacation planning due to inflation.
•  Travel is returning to pre-COVID numbers. COVID-19 is largely behind today’s travelers and has no impact or only a minor influence on travel decisions.
•  Reviews can easily disqualify a property, but reviews alone can’t entice a visitor to stay. This year, reviews came in last when looking at the most influential booking factors, with location and price coming in first.
•  A surprising leap is ahead for loyalty programs. Compared to 45% in 2022, 68% of travelers indicated loyalty programs influenced them in 2023.
•  Hotels could be considering whether to give up on social media marketing. Social media is shown to have very little ability to inspire the initial travel decision. However, we have uncovered several social media strategies that can be successful and drive revenue for hoteliers.
“The data is clear; Covid is a concern of the past for today’s leisure travelers. However, a new “c” word has taken its place, “cost,” said Pete DiMaio, COO of TravelBoom. “The data shows significant leisure travel planning changes due to rising costs and economic uncertainty. The positive news is that travelers are still looking to get away, though it will differ from past years. This study has revealed insights into exactly what today’s independent hotelier should do to capitalize and maximize occupancy in a very uncertain time.”

For full study click below