African travel industry leaders to unite at WTM Africa 2024 this April.

The African travel industry is on the brink of a significant resurgence, with leaders and stakeholders gearing up for an event that promises to catalyze growth, foster innovation, and showcase the continent’s vast potential as a travel destination. The World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2024, scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 April 2024 in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, is set to be a pivotal gathering for professionals across the travel industry. This comprehensive article delves into what makes WTM Africa 2024 not just an event but a milestone in shaping the future of travel on the continent.

The Essence of WTM Africa 2024

WTM Africa has established itself as a leading travel and tourism event, bringing together global brands, African entities, and travel professionals from all over the world to engage in meaningful discussions, forge partnerships, and explore the latest trends shaping the industry. The 2024 edition of WTM Africa aims to build on this legacy, offering a platform for showcasing sustainable tourism practices, innovative technologies, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage that Africa has to offer.

Uniting Industry Leaders

One of the core strengths of WTM Africa 2024 lies in its ability to unite leaders from various facets of the travel industry. From tour operators and travel agents to government officials and tech startups, the event promises a convergence of ideas and expertise that is rare to find elsewhere. This gathering of minds is crucial for addressing some of the pressing challenges facing the industry, including sustainable tourism development, digital transformation, and enhancing connectivity within the continent and beyond.

Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability is set to be a major theme at WTM Africa 2024, reflecting a growing consciousness within the industry about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of travel and tourism. The event will feature discussions on how to balance tourism growth with conservation efforts, support for local communities, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Exhibitors and speakers will share success stories and best practices, offering insights into how sustainable tourism can be a powerful tool for development and conservation in Africa.

Harnessing Digital Innovation

Digital innovation is transforming the travel industry at an unprecedented pace, and WTM Africa 2024 will be a showcase for the latest technological advancements. From artificial intelligence and virtual reality to mobile platforms and blockchain technology, the event will explore how these tools can enhance the travel experience, improve operational efficiency, and create new opportunities for growth. Startups and tech companies will have the opportunity to demonstrate their solutions, highlighting the role of technology in driving the future of travel in Africa.

Cultural and Natural Heritage

Africa’s rich cultural diversity and natural beauty are among its greatest tourism assets. WTM Africa 2024 will celebrate this heritage, offering a platform for destinations to showcase their unique attractions, from world-class wildlife safaris and breathtaking landscapes to vibrant cities and ancient historical sites. The event will also highlight cultural tourism initiatives that provide immersive experiences while supporting local traditions and livelihoods, reinforcing the idea that tourism can be a force for positive cultural exchange.

Boosting Intra-African Connectivity

Improving connectivity within Africa is essential for unlocking the continent’s tourism potential. WTM Africa 2024 will address the challenges and opportunities related to transportation infrastructure, air travel, and visa policies. Discussions will focus on collaborative efforts to enhance regional travel, making it easier for tourists to explore multiple destinations and for businesses to tap into new markets. The event will serve as a catalyst for initiatives aimed at boosting intra-African travel, contributing to economic growth and regional integration.

Empowering Local Communities

The empowerment of local communities through tourism will be a critical topic at WTM Africa 2024. The event will showcase community-based tourism projects that are making a difference by providing income opportunities, preserving local cultures, and promoting social inclusion. By putting a spotlight on these initiatives, WTM Africa aims to inspire further investment in community-led tourism, demonstrating how the industry can contribute to social and economic development across the continent.

Networking and Partnership Opportunities

WTM Africa 2024 is not just about discussions and exhibitions; it is also a prime opportunity for networking and forming new partnerships. The event’s carefully curated schedule includes matchmaking sessions, networking events, and business meetings designed to connect attendees with potential partners, investors, and clients. These interactions are vital for fostering collaboration across the industry, sparking innovation, and driving collective efforts towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for African travel.

WTM Africa 2024 is poised to be a landmark event for the African travel industry, offering a unique blend of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration. By uniting industry leaders, showcasing sustainable tourism practices, exploring digital advancements, and celebrating Africa’s cultural and natural heritage, the event aims to chart a course for the future of travel on the continent. As attendees gather in Cape Town, they will not only witness the potential of the African travel industry but also play a part in shaping its evolution. The journey towards a more connected, sustainable, and vibrant travel ecosystem in Africa continues, and WTM Africa 2024 is a crucial step forward on this path.

Source: Travel and Tour World.

NEW AMADEUS RESEARCH REVEALS TRAVEL INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION PACE TO ACCELERATE

New global research from Amadeus has revealed a strong appetite for investment across the travel sector in 2024.

The Travel Technology Investment Trends research, which looks at eight sectors across the end-to-end journey in 10 markets – found that nearly all (91%) travel companies surveyed said that they expect ‘moderate to aggressive’ increases in investment in their organisations this year, while two thirds (67%) of senior decision-makers in the sector expect to increase investment specifically in technology this year when compared to spend in 2023.

Airports lead the way with an average percentage increase of 17%, followed by corporate travel managers with 15% and hotels on 14%. Airlines were fourth with a 13% increase, followed by travel agencies and travel payments on 13% and 12% respectively.

Smarter retailing, personalisation and driving digital efficiency are the top priorities for 2024 as full-service airlines expect to see an 18% increase in revenue from switching to modern retailing and are said to be optimistic that the transition to ‘Offer & Order’ will take place within the next four years.

NDC will be the top technology for implementation by leisure travel agents over the next 12 months as 40% of the agents surveyed said this is their focus.

In total, 60% of airports expect to roll-out biometrics across the complete airport experience in the next five years, including check-in, bag-drop, lounge and boarding.

In the hospitality sector, 85% of respondents anticipate personalization could help them to deliver more than 5% growth in incremental revenue.

It found that a third of corporate travel managers said its organizations intend to digitize the complete end-to-end expense management process over the coming 12 months, while a travel payments leaders confirmed its organizations are planning to better manage global payments flows by implementing payments orchestration in the next 12 months.

Decius Valmorbida, president, travel of Amadeus, said: “The findings match our on-the-ground experience with customers – every area of the travel industry is increasing investment in digital transformation. It’s crucial this spending delivers maximum impact and improves the traveler experience across the travel ecosystem.

“Existing technologies, such as biometrics, are already helping to make trips more contextualized and relevant.

“At the same time, the emergence of Generative AI promises to increase the pace of change still further. Travelers will experience significant improvement to the on-trip experience in the coming years, with commitment, investment and collaboration across the ecosystem combining to make travel work better.”    

Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, president, hospitality of Amadeus, added: “We know that the right technology is the key to connecting and unlocking the value of our travel ecosystem. Hoteliers, airlines and the whole sector are right to be ambitious about the next generation of technology that we are building together.

Travel providers can see huge potential for a better customer experience as well as significant growth and control if they get their investment strategies right now. We can see clear ambition and commitment to evolution from this research and are excited to be at the forefront of this journey with our customers.”

The survey which was conducted online in Q4 of 2023 found the Top priority technologies for 2024 to be machine learning, data analytics, digital payments, digitalisation and cloud computing.

By 2029, respondents said their most important technologies will still be machine learning but this time it will be followed by Generative AI.

Cloud computing shoots to third most important, from last in 2024, followed by digital payments and data analytics as their smallest priority.

The results of Travel Technology Investment Trends will be launched in Extended Reality in an Amadeus Lounge created in collaboration with Amadeus’ strategic partner Accenture.

During the first half of this year 2024, Amadeus will release in-depth reports examining each sector explored in the research.

Source: Travolution

Emirates and AIDA Cruises Extend Partnership, Elevating Dubai’s Maritime Tourism Status.

Solidifying Dubai’s place as a major maritime tourism hub, Emirates and AIDA Cruises have renewed their partnership for a further two seasons.

The renewed partnership was signed on the sidelines of the first day of ITB Berlin and is in line with Dubai’s efforts to significant grow its cruise capacity. Dubai continues to attract the biggest players in the industry through offering a seamlessly integrated maritime hub, with state-of-the-art handling facilities supported with unrivalled air connectivity.

Emirates will explore a number of opportunities with AIDA Cruises for joint marketing, operational alignment and strategic planning around flight schedules from across its network, in addition to enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International Airport and Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.

The partnership will continue to focus on sharing relevant data and insights to improve service delivery, providing dedicated support teams for cruise passengers, and facilitating a smooth check-in process at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. The airline will also dedicate capacity for the next two seasons to ensure continued momentum to meet the demand for cruise packages to Dubai.

The MoU was signed by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline; and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.

Adnan Kazim commented on the renewed partnership: “We’re proud of AIDA Cruises’ long-standing commitment to Dubai, when they were one of the first cruise liners to home port in 2006.  We are readying the business for another robust cruise season in Dubai, and through the support of partners like AIDA Cruises anchoring in our home city and hub, we’ll continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as an attractive gateway for winter cruising.”

“The Arabian Gulf is one of our most popular winter destinations due to its moderate flight times, pleasant summer temperatures and many hours of sunshine. Combined with the new state-of-the-art terminals at Dubai Harbour within easy reach of the city’s attractions and excellent airport connectivity, our cooperation with Emirates will further enhance the attractiveness of this destination for our guests with tailor-made flight options,” said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.

AIDAprima has been operating to Dubai Harbour since 2021 and can accommodate up to 3,200 passengers. This season, passengers embarking and disembarking from Dubai can look forward to diverse itineraries that include destinations like Muscat, Doha, Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai has been a first mover in joining up the entire travel and tourism ecosystem to facilitate hassle-free entry and visas for cruise passengers, seamless handling at ports which includes access to Emirates check-in desks at Dubai Harbour along with a host of other amenities dotted across the entire air and ground journey. Travellers have the added advantage of disembarking at one of the world’s most iconic tourism destinations, with landmarks and attractions that suit every taste, age and budget.

The 12 Emirates check-in counters in Dubai Harbour allow passengers who are disembarking from their cruise ships to fully check-in up to 4 hours before flight departure with the convenience of exploring Dubai without their luggage before heading directly to the airport and breezing past most formalities before their flight.

Last year, Emirates transported around 400,000 cruise passengers using Dubai cruise terminals. The city welcomed over 166 ships during the last cruise season, making it the region’s biggest port of embarkation and most popular call for cruise liners. The city expects an increase of 23% more cruise passengers for the upcoming season.

Source: Breaking  Travel News

Meetings Africa 2024 Ignites Collaboration and Sustainability

Meaningful connections were made at Meetings Africa 2024, solidifying its position as the continent’s go-to platform for the business events sector, with more than 380 exhibiting companies from 22 African nations participating.

Hundreds of industry professionals, including 371 international, regional and local buyers, converged in Sandton, Johannesburg, to strengthen Africa’s position as a premier business events destination within the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)sector.

The three-day trade show concluded on Wednesday, 28 February, at the Sandton Convention Centre, marking a successful event with fruitful engagement and trade. Industry trends, including sustainable tourism, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous sector professionalisation, were prominent themes at Meetings Africa 2024.

The trade show left a lasting impression on newcomers, who raved about the event’s professionalism and rich future prospects.

Paul Chibwe from Willch Travel and Tours (Zambia), attending the event for the first time, expressed his high praise for the organisation of the event. “This event has not only met but exceeded our expectations,” he remarked. “Everything was impeccably organised, fostering a conducive environment for networking and exchanging thoughts and ideas. It has truly met our expectations.” Another newcomer, Baityr Diaw, the Commercial Director for the Mangalis Group of hotels (Côte d’Ivoire), stated, “The experience has been really amazing. From as early as 9 am, we have been meeting people and building what I believe are very important relationships with future partners.”

Meetings Africa also provided a platform for returning participants like South African businesswoman Lihle Mahlangu to showcase their work. “Business has been good,” she said, “I have networked with some people from here and Europe. I see great prospects ahead.”

With positive feedback from newcomers and returning participants, Meetings Africa 2024 cemented its role as a valuable platform for networking, professional development, and showcasing the diverse offerings of the African tourism industry.

This positive sentiment was echoed by Minister Patricia de Lille in her opening address. Emphasising Africa’s readiness to host events of all sizes, she declared, “I have no doubt that even here at Meetings Africa, it will be clear for all to see that the African continent is the best place to bring all meetings, events, expos, and indeed incentive trips.”

At the show’s educational programme, South Africa’s Tourism Deputy Minister Mahlalela emphasised Meetings Africa’s vital role in knowledge exchange and innovation within tourism. He highlighted the event’s evolution as a premier platform, fostering crucial connections between buyers and exhibitors.

He underlined the essence of knowledge exchange as a driver for innovation, collaboration, and skills development. “The time has come for us to rewrite the narrative on Africa,” the Deputy Minister said, advocating for a vision that portrays the continent not as a land mired in wars and poverty but as a vibrant and dynamic player on the global stage.”

South African Tourism’s commitment to sustainability shone through South African Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, who announced a partnership with the Event Greening Forum (EGF) to assess the exhibition’s greening initiatives. This commitment extends beyond individual actions, as Meetings Africa features the Sustainability Village, showcasing locally produced goods fostering economic sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Meetings Africa in Numbers

2024 Meetings Africa saw a remarkable increase in attendees, reaching 3,480, compared to 2,987 in 2023, marking a significant uptick and the highest attendance since 2019. This growth underscores the event’s growing appeal and its critical role in bringing together industry professionals from across the globe.

The Business Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) saw 1,535 attendees, offering a dedicated session for networking and collaboration ahead of the main event.

The number of exhibiting companies also rose to 382 in 2024 from 355 in 2023, indicating a healthy interest in the event as a platform for showcasing products and services.

Moreover, the event attracted 371 buyers, a notable increase from 273 in 2023, highlighting the event’s effectiveness in drawing key decision-makers and influencers within the industry.

The media presence remained strong, with 179 media representatives attending, mirroring the 2023 figure and demonstrating sustained interest in covering the event and its impact on the industry.

Source:  Tourism News Africa

IATA: Airlines to soar with $25.7bn net profit in 2024 despite challenges.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed a positive outlook for the airline industry, projecting improved profitability in 2023 and stabilisation in 2024. However, concerns arise as global net profitability is expected to fall significantly below the cost of capital in both years, revealing substantial regional variations in financial performance.

2024 outlook highlights

In 2024, net profits for the aviation industry are forecasted to reach $25.7 billion, a marginal improvement from the projected $23.3 billion in 2023, resulting in net profit margins of 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively.

Return on invested capital is expected to lag behind the cost of capital by 4 percentage points in both 2023 and 2024, primarily due to a global increase in interest rates driven by heightened inflationary pressures.

Operating profits for the airline industry are on an upward trajectory, projected to rise from $40.7 billion in 2023 to $49.3 billion in 2024. Total revenues are anticipated to experience robust year-over-year growth of 7.6%, reaching a historic high of $964 billion. On the expense side, projected growth is slightly lower at 6.9%, resulting in a total expenditure of $914 billion in 2024.

Exceptionally, 4.7 billion individuals are expected to engage in travel in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019. Cargo volumes are predicted to increase, reaching 58 million tonnes in 2023 and rising to 61 million tonnes in 2024.

Willie Walsh, Iata’s director general, acknowledges the industry’s resilience, stating, “Considering the major losses of recent years, the $25.7bn net profit expected in 2024 is a tribute to aviation’s resilience.” He underscores that the recovery has come at the cost of about four years of growth.

Revenue and passenger trends

Industry revenues are expected to reach $964bn in 2024, with an inventory of 40.1 million flights, exceeding the 2019 level of 38.9 million. Passenger revenues are set to reach $717bn in 2024, reflecting a 12% increase from $642bn in 2023. Passenger yields are expected to improve by 1.8% compared to 2023, driven by high demand and limited capacity due to persistent supply chain issues.

Efficiency levels remain high, with the load factor expected to be 82.6% in 2024, slightly better than 2023 (82%) and consistent with 2019.

Cargo and expenses

Cargo revenues are projected to fall to $111bn in 2024, impacted by the growth of belly capacity and international trade stagnation. Yields are expected to decline by -20.9% in 2024.

Expenses are anticipated to grow to $914bn in 2024, with fuel prices averaging $113.8/barrel (jet). Airlines are expected to consume 99 billion gallons of fuel in 2024. The aviation industry is increasingly focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and carbon credits to reduce its carbon footprint.

Industry CO2 emissions in 2024 are expected to be 939 million tonnes from the consumption of 99 billion gallons of fuel. SAF production is estimated to rise to 0.53% of airlines’ total fuel consumption in 2024, adding $2.4bn to next year’s fuel bill. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is estimated to incur costs of $1 billion in 2024.

Regional roundup

At the regional level, North America, Europe, and the Middle East are expected to post net profits in 2023, with Asia Pacific joining the group in 2024.

However, Latin America and Africa are expected to face challenges, remaining in the red in 2024.

Global economic factors and risks

Global economic developments, wars, supply chain issues, and regulatory risks pose potential risks to industry profitability.

The aviation industry’s recovery is commendable, says Walsh, yet challenges persist, and profitability remains below average. Addressing regulatory burdens, infrastructure costs, and supply chain challenges will be critical for sustained resilience in this vital global industry.

Source:Bizcommunity.

CORPORATE TRAVEL IS BACK IN BUSINESS. BUT WHAT’S CHANGED?

Since the pandemic ended, there’s been lots of speculation about the future of traveling for work. But in 2022,according to GBTA, global business travel expenditure increased by 47%, topping over one trillion US dollars. And that growth shows no signs of stopping. Spending is predicted to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024 — faster than the previously projected mid-2026 forecast.

Why? First and foremost, because business travel is a logistical necessity for many people, like sales reps, client service managers, consultants, conferences and events staff, construction workers, circus folk etc. For these folks, being on the road is part and parcel of their role, and it’s budgeted for even more in the most uncertain of economic climates. Because nothing beats being face-to-face time with customers. And the others? They travel because their organizations want them to, remaining steadfast in the belief that meeting in person drives performance and growth. What might surprise you is to hear that almost nine out of ten (87%) of business travelers agree with them.

87% of employees think business travel is important to company growth.

Source: Uber and GBTA report

Nonetheless, many companies are still struggling to get employees moving, and that’s because many are still working from home. In fact, by 2025 it’s projected that 32.6 million US employees will be remote workers. Since that changes the very nature of what ‘work’ looks like, there are also knock-on consequences for business travel, too.

Balancing what everyone wants and needs is a delicate act, and many companies are turning to TMCs to help them do it. So here are six key things you need to know in 2024.

Source: Travelport

Swissport joins IATA Africa initiative

Cargo handler Swissport International has announced its participation in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Focus Africa” initiative.

The initiative is a major commitment to support the transformation and growth of aviation in Africa.

As a partner of the IATA “Focus Africa” initiative, Swissport will aim to improve connectivity, safety, and sustainability in African aviation.

“Swissport recognizes the immense potential of the aviation industry in Africa and is committed to creating a positive impact”, says Dirk Goovaerts, chief executive Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa, and global cargo chair of Swissport International.

“Together with IATA, we aim to support passengers and cargo customers and ultimately promote the continent’s economic development.”

Africa’s aviation sector holds vast economic opportunities. However, it also faces significant challenges such as limited infrastructure, high operational costs, regulatory issues, and the urgent need for sustainable practices.

“Africa’s aviation industry has the potential to transform lives and economies. Through collaboration with partners like Swissport, across the aviation industry we aim to confront these challenges head-on, building a more sustainable and prosperous aviation ecosystem together,” added Kamil Al-Awadi, regional vice president, Africa, and Middle East of IATA.

“Swissport’s commitment to support the Focus Africa demonstrates a shared vision for the future of African aviation.”

IATA’s Focus Africa initiative has outlined six key focus areas:

Safety: Improve operational safety through a data driven, collaborative program to reduce incidents and accidents.

Infrastructure: Facilitate the growth of efficient, secure, and cost-effective aviation infrastructure.

Connectivity: Promote the liberalization of intra-African market access through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Finance and Distribution: Accelerate the implementation of secure, effective, and cost-efficient financial services and adoption of modern retailing standards.

Sustainability: Assist the African aviation industry in achieving Net Zero by 2050.

Future Skills: Promote careers in aviation for a steady supply of diverse talent to meet future industry needs.

Swissport has been actively expanding its presence and services across the African continent to 31 airports in six countries in areas including cargo handling.

Source: Aircargo News

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism hosts networking event to highlight export and manufacturing opportunities

Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), a subsidiary of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), held a successful ‘Exporters’ Gathering’ last week, under the banner ‘From Dubai to the World: Global Market Mastery’. The event provided a dynamic networking platform for key stakeholders and partners to gain a deeper understanding of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 and the city’s pro-business environment. It also emphasized the numerous opportunities available for exporters and manufacturers to tap into global markets.

The exclusive networking event outlined the visionary D33 Agenda, launched in January by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy within 10 years and further consolidate the emirate’s status as one of the top three global cities. The event outlined Dubai’s position as a leading destination for business and investment, raising awareness of the emirate’s thriving business environment, export systems, processes and services.

Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, COO of Manufacturing & Export Development at DEDC, said: “The Exporters’ Gathering seamlessly aligns with the goals of the D33 Agenda, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s manufacturing and export sectors, transforming the city into a vibrant hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. A key priority within the D33 Agenda is to scale manufacturing value addition and exports by promoting advanced modes of production within a world-leading, business-friendly and sustainable environment. This networking event provides a platform for exporters and manufacturers to connect, learn and explore new horizons. Whether you are an exporter seeking new markets or a manufacturer looking for strategic partnerships, our city has much to offer. We are consistently striving to establish an ecosystem that not only supports your business aspirations but also nurtures them.”

In addition to emphasising the importance of the D33 Agenda, the ‘Exporters Gathering’ focused on providing significant updates, including the initiatives led by the Ministry of Economy regarding Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA), the Etihad Rail project and its potential contribution to the logistics sector, and the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ mark, further emphasising the nation’s commitment to promoting homegrown products. The event also featured a presentation titled ‘Alibaba Dubai: Capitalising on E-commerce B2B Opportunities’ with representatives from the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) and Alibaba speaking about their collaboration in establishing the Dubai Pavilion on Alibaba.com, offering promising opportunities for cross-border trade.

A highlight of the forum was a panel discussion on ‘Innovative Trade Finance Solutions’.  The panel provided valuable insights and solutions for exporters seeking financial support to expand their businesses. These discussions underscored Dubai’s dedication to facilitating a conducive environment for exporters and entrepreneurs.

About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade.

Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.

DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. The DET portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).

Source: Zawya

Gov’t suspends all non-essential travel for public officers

The government has suspended all non-essential travel for public officers in new austerity measures aimed at reducing public expenditure.

In a circular issued on Monday, October 2, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the move was in line with the constitution’s demands on prudent and responsible utilization of taxpayers’ money.

The categories of foreign travel that have been frozen include benchmarking and study visits, training and related capacity-building initiatives, research, academic meetings and symposia.

Others are conferences and meetings of general participation, side events, showcase events and exhibitions, and caucus and association meetings and events.

“Art. 201(d) of the Constitution demands the prudent and responsible utilization of public money, a principle that remains the guiding anchor of the Government’s current fiscal consolidation and monetary policy strategies. A key outcome of these interventions has been the reduction of the resource envelope available to undertake the wide-ranging activities that have been planned in pursuit of respective governmental mandates at both National and County levels.

“This has necessitated the need to scale down and prioritize spending, focusing on the critical operations and activities that are essential to service delivery to the citizen,” Koskei said adding that the decision follows an advisory from the National Treasury.

At the same time, Koskei announced restrictions for the delegations accompanying state officers for foreign trips including the President, First Lady and Deputy President.

In the new guidelines, the delegation accompanying the President, the First Lady and the Deputy President will be limited to approved officials with a direct role in the scheduled activities.

Further, officials accompanying Cabinet Secretaries and Governors shall not exceed three persons including the head of the delegation while delegations headed by Principal Secretaries have been restricted to two.

“Where the Cabinet Secretary is to be accompanied, at least one (1) of the delegates shall be a technical officer specialised in the subject matter of the foreign engagement, with no security or personal assistants/logistics officers other than as exempted,” the communiqué reads.

“It is reiterated that Cabinet and Principal Secretaries in the same ministries shall not be away on foreign travel at the same time, unless the foreign engagement expressly demands the same.”

The period of official visits has also been capped at a maximum of seven days including the travel days.

Source: People daily

Business Travel Is Back

Business travel is rising again, particularly for corporate events and on-site visits. However, it’s essential to prioritize efficient travel arrangements.

According to a Deloitte survey, business travel spending has decreased by 24% compared to 2019 due to the pandemic. However, it is predicted that by 2024, the pre-pandemic level of business travel spending will be restored. The latest survey by Accor worldwide on business travel also supports this prediction, with 57% of the companies surveyed anticipating an increase in their travel budgets for 2024 compared to 2023. The main focus is on saving costs while still facilitating travel experiences. Additionally, 46% of respondents have no plans to restrict business travel for the remainder of the year.

Balancing expectations and environmental protection

It is widely recognized that face-to-face meetings are precious. Industry experts estimate that such meetings generate up to 25% more sales. However, there are other factors to consider. Employee interaction during such meetings is also critical for maintaining good mental health and job satisfaction. Consequently, each trip is carefully evaluated to ensure it is worthwhile regarding both ROI (Return on Investment) and ROE (Return on Expectation). It will only happen if a trip offers an equivalent value.

Many travelers consider environmental protection an important issue, including corporate customers surveyed by Accor. Over half of these customers (54%) listed reducing carbon emissions as their top sustainability priority. Sustainable practices will likely play a significant role in determining which hotels and travel providers will be chosen in 2024. The “Masters of Travel” delegation is also willing to pay a premium for accommodations prioritizing environmental balance.

“Bleisure” – the trend of maximizing travel

Business travelers increasingly opt for “bleisure” trips, combining work and leisure to make the most of their travel. This trend is still in its early stages, but both panel participants and their employees consider it highly valuable for the future. Young workers are most interested in this approach, but it will likely become more widespread. In a 2022 Accor survey, 67% of business travelers said they extended their stays. However, tour operators advise caution from an insurance perspective, as insurance coverage often doesn’t include partners or families, and bill sharing can be complicated.

Source: Tourism review