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2017 declared International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

THE official launch of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 took place at the International Tourism Fair of Spain, FITUR, in January.

The event, before more than 600 international travel and tourism industry leaders, kicked off 12 months of global actions aimed at advancing sustainable tourism contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Co-presented by Max Forster, CNN, and Raquel Martínez, RTVE, the launch event underlined “the immense socio-economic opportunities brought by the sector to all societies as well as its power to advocate for mutual understanding, peace and sustainable development worldwide” according to United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

“Every day, more than three million tourists cross international borders. Every year, almost 1.2 billion people travel abroad,” Mr Guterres said.

“Tourism has become a pillar of economies, a passport to prosperity, and a transformative force for improving millions of lives. The world can and must harness the power of tourism as we strive to carry out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The event also marked the launch of the International Year campaign ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’, aimed at promoting sustainable tourism among travellers, in partnership with CNN and RTVE. 

At FITUR, UNWTO also announced the ambassadors of the International Year: President of Liberia HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; HM King Simeon II; UnionPay president Huayong Ge; Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization president Talal Abu Ghazaleh; and , and Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry president Michael Frenzel.

UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai said, “2017 is a unique opportunity for us to promote the contribution of tourism to achieving the future we want – and also to determine, together, the exact role we will have tourism play in the sustainable development agenda, to and beyond 2030. A unique opportunity to ensure that tourism is a pillar in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, Alfonso María Dastis said, “The 2030 Agenda considers sustainable tourism as a vector of development, job creation and the promotion of local culture and products. Tourism is part of the Sustainable Development Goals and contributes decisively to almost all 17 Goals through its impacts on fighting poverty, promoting decent jobs, improving gender equality and the livelihoods of young people or the fight against climate change.”

Also addressing the ceremony were high representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, assistant director-general for culture at UNESCO Francesco Bandarin, and European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elzbieta Bienkowska. 

Sponsors of the International Year:

Official Sponsors of the international year includeANA, Balearic Islands, Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Minube, Amadeus, Chimelong, Ras Al Khaimah, Ministry of Tourism of Colombia, Ministry of Tourism of Morocco, and IFEMA/FITUR

Diamond sponsors are theMinistry of Tourism of Mexico, Georgian National Tourism Board, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, The Travel Corporation, Capital Airlines, Eventísimo and Mastercard.

Gold sponsors are theGerman National Tourism Board (DZT), Turismo de Portugal, Valencian Tourist Agency, Catalunya Tourist Board, Global Geoparks Network, University of Applied Sciences HTW Chur – Institute of Tourism and Leisure and Intercontinental Hotels Group

Silver sponsors areJTB Corp and South Pole Group, while media partners are CNN, RTVE and Travel Weekly.

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Business travel: further, more often, less fun

NEW RESEARCH into Australian business travel trends has found Australian organisations are asking staff to travel more frequently, and farther afield, than any time in the past.

Business travel systems and technology group, Concur’s business development manager, Murray Warner, put it down to increased globalisation “and the distance between Australia and the rest of the world, as well as the vast distances between Australian cities”. 

“Despite technological advances that make it easier for workers to collaborate across long distances, nothing replaces face-to-face contact,” Mr Warner said. “We’re seeing organisations invest heavily in putting people in the same room.

“Last year alone, Australian businesses spent more than $1.7 billion on airfares, hotels, dining and entertainment, and ground transportation, “ he said, based on the Concur State of Business Travel 2016 report

“This trend is unlikely to slow down as Australian businesses continue to face stiff competition from local and overseas players in almost every industry. They must do what it takes to shore up existing business and attract new customers and suppliers.

“As a result, we’re likely to see the business travel industry continue to expand in 2017 in a number of key ways.”

According to Concur, four key business travel trends are set to emerge in 2017:

Increased travel overseas

The 2016 Concur ANZ Spend Management Index found the vast majority of respondents (78 percent) travel interstate and to New Zealand. A further 20 percent also travel to North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. The trend towards overseas travel is set to significantly increase as more companies expand into new global markets. 80 percent of internationally-active Australian businesses are expecting to branch out into overseas markets in the next two years, according to the 2015 report by Finsia. Asia is becoming a key Australian hub for many businesses.

Increased use of the sharing economy

Qantas and Airbnb recently joined forces, letting Qantas members earn points when they stay at an Airbnb property. Business travellers are increasingly being drawn to using Airbnb. They seek the ‘comforts’ of home when travelling and enjoy mingling with the locals and exploring the different cultures this way. It adds a personal element to the ‘business’ travel. The online reviews offer  the transparency that travellers seek, so travellers know what to expect before they book.  This is expected to affect the business travel sector since hotels that traditionally targeted business travellers may need to consider attracting a new type of clientele.

The demise of ‘bleisure’

The 2016 Concur ANZ Spend Management Index also found only 23 percent of respondents actually extend their work trips with holidays, despite previous trends to the contrary.

 “This is likely to continue in 2017 as more people try to really separate work from leisure to better balance their work/life commitments,” Mr Warner said. “This is good news for organisations, since it removes the need to separate work- and holiday-related expenses in an employee’s reimbursement claim, while also reducing the chance that an employee will, mistakenly or otherwise, use their corporate credit card for personal holiday expenses.”

Duty of care

Risk management takes on new meaning when it comes to travelling employees. Organisations have a duty of care. They need to know where employees are at all times and be able to contact them in case of emergency. This is particularly crucial in cases where travellers are staying in Airbnb properties and not in company approved hotels.

 “Smart organisations are introducing new policies regarding safer travel, and are implementing new technologies to enable these policies,” Mr Warner said. “One example is Concur’s Risk Messaging, which identifies travellers’ global locations and lets the company contact them instantly via text message to deliver safety warnings, to confirm whether they are safe in an emergency situation, or to orchestrate their evacuation if necessary.”

www.concur.com

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Huge variety in Brisbane AsiaPac Film Festival

A DOCUMENTARY about Japan’s bizarre celebrity-making business, two little-people who motorcycle from Iraq to Spain to meet footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kristen Stewart as a ghost-whisperer in Paris – this is just a small sample of the extraordinary variety of screenings at the 2016 Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF).

Also in the line-up at the festival – from November 23 to December 4 — has been the celebrated Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s new taut drama The Salesman, and a documentary about the world’s best restaurant, Ants on a Shrimp. 

One of the more unusual screenings is an eight-hour Filipino epic, A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery, and the Australian premiere of low-budget Aussie serial-killer thriller Hounds of Love, which many are slating to be the next Wolf Creek.

Indian drama Parched will open the festival with an inspiring tale of female empowerment. It has won 18 international awards and toured 24 film festivals.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said BAPFF offered something for everyone.

“The festival’s third year will be its best yet, featuring 31 Australian premieres and 33 Queensland premieres in just 12 days,” Cr Quirk said.

“These films represent the exceptional talent from a region that encompasses 70 countries and areas and includes award-winning films, independents, restored classics and genre favourites.

“Brisbane, this is your film festival – I encourage you to go along and be part of it.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government supported the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival through Screen Queensland, the festival’s founding sponsor.

“Screen Queensland invests in film festivals around the state to support non-mainstream and alternative films that would otherwise not be available, and to position the state as a leader in innovative screen content production.

“Film festivals like BAPFF attract visitors and deliver a boost to Queensland’s tourism industry and local economy,” she said.

Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and BAPFF chairman Michael Hawkins said audiences would be wowed by the sheer diversity of films.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Brisbane to see the breadth of cinema on offer in our region and enjoy almost 31 of the 39 films nominated for this year’s 10th Asia Pacific Screen Award,” Mr Hawkins said.

“Many of the incredible filmmakers who are here for the awards will host Q&As at their BAPFF screenings, giving cinema lovers a chance to meet brilliant directors, actors and cinematographers.” 

BAPFF head programmer Kiki Fung was excited to unveil the program, saying “there’s so much to immerse yourself in”.

“I am thrilled to present our retrospective on Japanese Screen Legends as it’s a rare opportunity to see these iconic actresses’ works with masters on the big screen,” Ms Fung said.

“For the first time, we have included a selection of films from Europe and The Americas, consisting of this year’s most acclaimed, forward-thinking, provocative and intimate works that will surely be conversation starters.”

www.bapff.com.au

 

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Aust. Sustainable Development Goals conference in Sydney

AUSTRALIAN business, community, civil society, academia and inter-governmental agencies will converge on Sydney on November 29 and 30 to discuss ways to deliver on the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The SDGA16 conference will find pathways for Australia to deliver on the agenda of the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development global goals, adopted 12 months ago by UN member countries, aim to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all” as part of a new sustainable development agenda. 

A spokesman for SDGA16 Sydney said the key question asked by the conference is: “What is Australia doing about it?”

Sustainable Business Australia CEO Andrew Petersen said: “The SDGs can provide Australia with a robust framework and an historic opportunity for companies to harness their capital and creativity to help solve local, and global, challenges. As an engine of economic growth and employment and a source of technology and innovation, business has both a critical role to play and a vested interest in contributing to this agenda.”

WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said: “In 2030, we want to look back and see this time as a key moment in history. One year on from when Australia signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals, it’s great to see Australian business, government and civil society leading the way to develop practical and innovative solutions to these global challenges.”

SDGA16 aims to raise awareness, foster opportunities for partnerships and catalyse local Australian action around the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals – which, in a development from the preceding Millennium Development Goals, have a clear focus on domestic action in developed countries, as well as developing countries.

The 2030 SDG agenda can provide Australia with a platform to advocate for a strong focus on economic prosperity in Australia and the region, while decoupling greenhouse emissions and unsustainable resource consumption.

It can also promote priorities including gender equality, and strengthening governance and tax systems to reduce inequalities. The agenda is also an opportunity to develop new and innovative models of partnership between the private sector and civil society to achieve implementation and identify priorities for greater collaboration going forward.

SDGA16 will culminate with the Banksia Sustainability Awards 2016 on 30 November at the University of Sydney.

The conference will be held on November 29 and 30 at the University of Sydney Business School. Confirmed speakers include:

Business: Shayne Elliot, CEO, ANZ; Roberto Mercade, president, South Pacific, The Coca-Cola Company; Maria Atkinson, Greater Sydney Commission. 

Civil Society: Tim Costello CEO World Vision Australia; Dermot O’Gorman, CEO WWF-Australia; Helen Szoke, CEO Oxfam Australia; Cassandra Goldie, CEO Australian Council of Social Service; Maha Krayen Abdo OAM, United Muslim Women’s Association; Sam Mostyn, Australian Council for International Development President; Vince Perez, WWF-International Board member.

Public sector: Susan Ryan, Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

Academia: John Thwaites, Monash University professor.

www.sydney.edu.au

 

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First Blockchain conference in Singapore

BLOCKCON 2017, the first global Blockchain conference to be staged in Singapore, will focus on  blockchain and cryptocurrency related innovation.

Jointly organised by UBM Exhibition Singapore and the Singapore Fintech Consortium, the event is being held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore on March 28 and 29 next year.

Blockchain is another potential global currency which operates as a distributed public network that creates an immutable historical ledger of transaction in an efficient, transparent and secured way. 

The technology has the potential to revolutionise global finance economy, with its applications ranging from trading and payments, to security and legal ownership. It not only captures the attention of banks, but also exchanges, insurers and governments who are looking into blockchain to reshape daily operations, reduce costs and improve transparency.

The two-day BlockCon 2017 conference is expecting more than 1,000 global Blockchain innovators and professionals of diverse backgrounds -- including regulators, entrepreneurs, investors and financial industry executives.

The engagement topics revolve around blockchain's rising opportunities and challenges, regulation and collaboration, as well as its application in finance and beyond. BlockCon 2017 will also feature a series of interactive panel discussion sessions, fireside chats and live demonstrations that will probe deeper into what it takes for blockchain solutions to be successful, and how this emerging technology can be applied for data integrity, trust and accessibility.

“Blockchain has the potential to redefine numerous value chains, exchange platforms and business processes,” Singapore FinTech Consortium co-founder Gerben Visser said.

“We observe fascinating ‘proof of concepts’ being tested and user cases being developed not only within the financial service industry, but across other major industries and public sectors.

“Some of the key themes, topics and applications that are being explored are related to identity, authentication, fraud, record keeping, ‘smart’ self-executing contracts and various forms of transfer of digital assets, value and data,” Mr Visser said.

UBM Exhibition Singapore managing director Paul Wan said, “We believe BlockCon 2017 will provide a unique knowledge exchange platform, facilitate partnership opportunities across the Blockchain ecosystem, as well as educate financial participants and stakeholders on the potential applications.”

BlockCon 2017 has also called for ‘ground-breaking’ research papers which may be presented at the conference.

http://blockcon.co/call-for-paper/

www.blockcon.co

 

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UNWTO: international tourism exports up 4%

INTERNATIONAL tourism receipts in destinations around the world grew by 3.6 percent in 2015, in line with the 4.4 percent increase in international arrivals, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to 7 percent in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to US$ 1.4 trillion.

“Tourism is today a major category of international trade in services,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai addressing the 60th Regional Commission for the Americas meeting in Havana, Cuba.

“Despite a weak and slow economic recovery, spending on international tourism grew significantly in 2015, proving the sector’s relevance in stimulating economic growth, boosting exports and creating jobs for an increasing number of economies worldwide,” he said.

Income generated by international visitors on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods reached an estimated US$ 1,232 billion in 2015, an increase of 3.6 percent accounting for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation. International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 4.4 percent in 2015, reaching a total of 1,184 million.

Alongside international tourism receipts – which is the travel item of the balance of payments –  international tourism generated US$ 210 billion in exports through international non-resident passenger transport services, bringing the total value of tourism exports up to US$ 1.4 trillion, or US$ 4 billion a day on average.

UNWTO figures show international tourism represents 7 percent of total world exports and 30 percent of services exports. The share of tourism in overall exports of goods and services increased from 6 percent to 7 percent in 2015 as for the fourth consecutive year international tourism outgrew world merchandise trade, which grew 2.8 percent in 2015 according to recent data reported by the World Trade Organization.

As a worldwide export category, tourism ranks third after fuels and chemicals and ahead of food and automotive products. In many developing countries, tourism ranks as the first export sector.

Unusually strong exchange rate fluctuations in 2015 seriously influenced receipts for individual destinations and regions, expressed in current US dollars.

Taking into account exchange rate fluctuations and inflation, receipts in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East all grew by 4 percent, while in Europe they grew by 3 percent and in Africa by 2 percent.

TOURISM LEADERS

China, the US and the UK led outbound tourism last year, fuelled by their strong currencies and economies.

China continues to lead global outbound travel after double-digit growth in tourism expenditure every year since 2004, benefitting Asian destinations such as Japan and Thailand as well as the US and various European destinations.

Spending by Chinese travellers increased 25% in 2015 to reach US$292 billion, as total outbound travellers rose 10% to 128 million.

Tourism expenditure from the world’s second largest source market, the US, increased by 9% in 2015 to US$ 120 billion, while the number of outbound travellers grew by 8% to 73 million.

Expenditure from the UK, the fourth largest market globally, increased 8% to US$ 63 billion with 65 million of its residents travelling abroad, up 9%. By contrast Germany, the world’s third largest market, reported a small decline in spending (US$ 76 billion), partly due to the weaker euro.

France’s expenditure on outbound tourism reached US$ 38 billion, Russia’s US$ 35 billion and that of the Republic of Korea a total of US$ 25 billion.

The Caribbean, Central and South America show strong growth in international tourism receipts

The Americas continued to enjoy robust results both in international arrivals and receipts in 2015, with a strong US dollar fuelling outbound travel from the United States and benefiting many destinations across the region. The Caribbean, Central America and South America all recorded 7% growth in receipts, while North America saw a 3% increase.

“As prices of raw materials have decreased, tourism has shown a strong capacity to compensate for weaker export revenue in many commodity- and oil-exporting countries,” said Mr. Rifai. “Tourism is increasingly an essential component of export diversification for many emerging economies as well as several advanced ones,” he added.


The United States, China, Spain and France remain the world’s top tourism destinations

The United States (US$ 178 billion), China (US$ 114 billion), Spain (US$ 57 billion) and France (US$ 46 billion) continue to be the top destinations both in international tourism receipts and tourist arrivals.

The above data is preliminary and subject to revision. 2015 has shown some unusual strong appreciation of the US dollar to many currencies, rendering receipts earned in these currencies lower in US dollar. Furthermore, China revised both its international tourism receipts and expenditure series substantially in 2015 and retrospectively for 2014 due to methodological changes.

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

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Meter Maids plan food service to Surfers Paradise beachgoers

THE ICONIC Gold Coast Meter Maid service – originally set up 50 years ago by Gold Coast Mayor Bruce Small, as a novel promotional service to feed parking meters for visitors – is about to create another Australian first.

Just when the bikini-clad Meter Maid service has begun struggling to make ends meet in their tourist ambassador roles, and with meters on the Gold Coast going electronic – they have innovated again by combining with mobile food ordering company AirService to serve patrons on Surfers Paradise Beach. 

The service will utilise local Surfers Paradise restaurants and food outlets and has the blessing of the local tourism industry. Opposition to the plan may come, ironically, from the current Gold Coast City Mayor, Tom Tate and some councillors.

The service will allow beachgoers to order and pay for food via the Maid to Order app, powered by the AirService platform. Customers will then have their order delivered directly to their spot on the beach by the iconic bikini-clad Meter Maids. 

It will initially be available on the main Surfers Paradise beach with the aim of rolling out to other beaches within the area over time. 

The service provides long-time local vendors with a new way to connect with their customers, offering a true premium service and convenience. 

“Imagine you’re a family on the beach with children, or in particular a single parent. Now if you want to order lunch, or even just some ice-creams and drinks, you don’t need to drag the kids off the beach, carrying all your gear,” AirService co-founder and CEO Dominic Bressan said.

“You just place your order, and the Meter Maids will deliver it straight to you.”

In addition to helping local businesses thrive, the app also provides a different direction and purpose for the Gold Coast Meter Maids, giving them a new way to relate to and serve the local community.

“The 90s were controversial years for the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids, so too will be 2016. Trying to keep up with changing times and social attitudes, the Meter Maids decided to branch out and do something different - deliver food to the beach,” Meter Maids owner and manager Roberta Aitchison said.

“We are trying to keep up with the times and as our business is to support our community first and foremost, what better way to do this than help local restaurants keep their heads above water with the Maid to Order app and also take the Meter Maids in a new and exciting direction.”

Mr Bressan said the launch catapults the Gold Coast’s beaches ahead of other global beachside tourist hotspots — using technology for the ultimate in beachside food delivery. 

Food delivery services are available at some of the most exclusive beaches in the world, including the Nikki beach clubs across Europe, South East Asia and the US, and Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, where bars and restaurants will serve patrons on the sand.

“None of these, however, do so with the convenience of the Maid to Order app, where customers don’t have to flag down waiters to take their orders, or worry about having cash or their credit cards on them,” he said.

Theo Kostoglou, the owner of the Greek Street Grill at Surfers Paradise gave his support to the venture: “Surfers Paradise is a tourist destination for the whole of Australia, so it should be in line with the rest of the world where food is served and delivered to the beach. We’re behind the times.

“It’s better that the Meter Maids are taking food to the beach than forcing patrons to cross the road, which is more dangerous. It also means that tourists get to enjoy the beach longer. This app could increase customers by up to 15 percent.”

www.airservice.com/maid-to-order/

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