Wesgro’s Post

Africa Aviation: A Liveline for Tourism and Economies: New air routes are urgently needed in Africa, and national tourism boards should take any opportunity to enhance this for the economic growth of their countries. Africa only has 1.9% of global passenger and cargo air traffic. SOURCE: Africa Aviation: A Liveline for Tourism and Economies BY: eTurboNews | eTN #travelnews

Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille calls on the Airports Company of South Africa to urgently resolve operational issues “The tourism sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth and creating jobs. As such, ensuring the seamless operation of key infrastructure like OR Tambo is a shared priority. I urge ACSA to act swiftly and collaboratively, working with all stakeholders to restore confidence in our airport systems to ensure seamless travel for tourists and business travellers,” Minister de Lille said. https://lnkd.in/eh6m5FVD Airports Company South Africa

Thanks to Tourism Industry Council Tasmania for the opportunity to talk about aviation access to our state at the TICT conference in Launceston this week. Our CEO Norris Carter shared an update on our $330 million investment that’s now underway, which aims to enhance aviation access and boost Tasmania’s world-class tourism sector. This significant investment is focused on two transformative projects:   ✅ Upgrading Our Airfield - Enhancing our operational capabilities. ✅ Doubling Our Terminal Size - Expanding our capacity to better serve passengers.   With these improvements, international travellers will be able to enjoy direct, non-stop flights between Hobart and key Asian hubs, bypassing the limitations of Melbourne and Sydney networks.   Here's what this means: ✈ From Hong Kong, access 121 connecting routes and around 11,500 flights per week. ✈ From Singapore, access 143 connecting routes and around 13,000 flights per week.   We’re committed to driving growth for Tasmania’s tourism sector. Thanks to Shane O'Hare, Bernard Dwyer Kristy Malapa   Stay up to date by visiting https://lnkd.in/gRBNepei   #Aviation #Tourism #Investment #Tasmania #Travel #Infrastructure #Growth

#Africa’s tourism potential is hindered by poor #air connectivity, representing only 1.9% of global passenger and cargo traffic. Industry experts at the AviaDev Africa workshop, in collaboration with the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance, stressed the pivotal role national tourism boards can play in expanding airline routes to boost economic development. Key figures like Kojo Bentum-Williams from UN Tourism and Sylvain Bosc, former Chief Commercial Officer of SAA and Fastjet, highlighted that tourism boards can use market insights and local economic data to convince airlines of the profitability and sustainable potential of new routes. Natalia Rosa of the #SADC Business Council emphasized aviation's essential role in regional development, noting that better air connectivity enhances travel, opens new tourism markets, and strengthens economic ties. Gavin Eccles from BAE Ventures and Tim Harris of Helm Growth Advisors recommended that tourism boards provide local perspectives and coordinate regionally to support route development, stressing the need for trust-building incentives over direct subsidies. The call to action is for tourism boards to form strategic partnerships, leverage local insights, and create an environment conducive to airline investment. source: https://lnkd.in/dji2MKpA

In the first quarter of 2024, Cape Town experienced a significant uptick in tourist arrivals via air travel, with a notable 16% increase compared to the previous year, amounting to 336,268 visitors. Moreover, Cape Town International Airport observed a remarkable surge in international terminal traffic, marking a 17% year-on-year growth in March 2024, reaching 318,366 two-way passengers. Additionally, the domestic terminal witnessed an 11% increase in two-way passenger traffic during the same period, welcoming over 640,000 passengers. These figures are truly gratifying, especially considering the concerted efforts of our tourism partners and stakeholders. We've been tirelessly crafting clever campaigns to attract tourists from key source markets and fostering city-to-city partnerships aimed at enhancing both supply and demand. Our overarching goal has been to bolster the tourism economy, thereby benefitting local businesses and creating more employment opportunities within the city.

GCC Aims for 129 Million Tourists by 2030 with Unified Visa Initiative The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is embarking on a visionary path to transform the region's tourism landscape, setting a target to attract 129 million visitors by 2030. A cornerstone of this ambitious plan is the proposed unified GCC visa, which would enable seamless travel across member states. This initiative stands to redefine regional tourism, promoting easier access and encouraging residents to explore neighboring countries with fewer barriers, fostering a connected and diverse Gulf travel experience. This development represents a strategic move to enhance intra-GCC tourism, with wide-reaching economic and cultural benefits. By simplifying cross-border travel, the GCC is not only expanding opportunities for tourism but also supporting its broader objectives for sustainable growth and diversification. As residents and international travelers gain easier access to the region’s rich heritage, modern attractions, and natural wonders, the GCC is poised to become a top-tier destination on the global tourism map. With integrated policies and streamlined travel experiences, this initiative could set a benchmark for regional cooperation and inspire a new era of tourism in the Gulf. #GCC #TourismGoals #UnifiedVisa #GCC2030 #RegionalCollaboration #TravelIndustry #MiddleEastTourism #EconomicDiversification #SustainableGrowth

The rampant inflation of international plane tickets since before the pandemic has failed to dampen the attractiveness of Queensland to visitors from abroad, with spending from this demographic in the Sunshine State now nominally higher than pre-COVID levels. Data released today by Tourism Research Australia found that in the 12 months to the end of March Queensland’s visitor economy reached $34.1 billion in overnight expenditure, which equates to $93.2 million on average per day. https://lnkd.in/gbzPGUdi Tourism and Events Queensland Queensland Tourism Industry Council Brisbane Airport Corporation Gold Coast Airport City of Gold Coast Brisbane City Council Michael Healy Patricia O'Callaghan Queensland Government #QueenslandTourism #VisitorEconomy #OvernightExpenditure #TravelSpending #BrisbaneAirport #TourismData #TravelIndustryNews #PostPandemicTravel #DomesticTourism #InternationalVisitors #TravelTrends #SunshineState #TravelStatistics #BusinessNews #BusinessNewsAustralia #TourismGrowth #TravelAustralia #BrisbaneTourism #SunshineCoast #Whitsundays #GreatBarrierReef #FraserCoast #OutbackQueensland

#SaudiArabia has emerged as a compelling destination for businesses operating in the #travel and tourism sector, exemplified by #Travelex's recent announcement to expand its presence in the Kingdom. The country's rapid #tourism #growth, fueled by a significant rise in air passengers and overall visitor numbers, has made it an attractive market for companies like Travelex ▪️This growth is a testament to #SaudiArabia's concerted efforts to diversify its #economy and open its doors to the world. The #expansion of #aviation networks, substantial #investments in infrastructure, and proactive government initiatives have collectively transformed the Kingdom into a thriving #tourism #hub. ▪️Travelex's decision to expand underscores the confidence in the #Saudi #market's potential. With a flourishing tourism sector and increasing religious pilgrimages, the demand for #foreign exchange services is expected to surge, creating lucrative opportunities for businesses like #Travelex. The Kingdom's commitment to economic diversification and its ambitious #Vision2030 #plan further reinforce its attractiveness as a promising destination for #investment and #growth.

South African Airways is back with a bang, relaunching its daily flights connecting Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam. This move is expected to strengthen business ties and tourism between South Africa and Tanzania, offering passengers greater convenience and connectivity. The relaunch highlights the airline’s strategic focus on revitalising operations and fostering regional collaboration. It also reflects growing demand for air travel across Africa as economies recover and expand. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcG_r_jC #SouthAfricanAirways #AviationNews #DailyFlights #JohannesburgToDar #TravelAfrica #TourismBoost #SouthernAfricanTimes #RegionalConnectivity #AirlineRelaunch #AfricanTravel #TanzaniaSouthAfrica #BusinessTravelAfrica #TourismRecovery #AviationTrends #AfricaTourism #FlightConnectivity #EconomicGrowthAfrica #AviationIndustry #PassengerDemand #AirlineInnovation #RegionalCollaboration #AfricaRising #TourismOpportunities #TravelTrends #AviationUpdates #SouthAfricaTanzania #SAARebound #AfricanEconomy

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism is set to make its highest economic contribution ever in 2024. After reaching pre-pandemic levels in 2023, the sector is forecasted to hit a record $265.5BN, making up 10% of Australia’s economy. As Perth, Western Australia gears up to host the WTTC’s 24th Global Summit this October, the sector is anticipated to sustain strong growth over the next decade, mirroring the global economy's pace. By 2034, Travel & Tourism in Australia is expected to surpass $345BN. Exciting times ahead for the Australian Travel & Tourism industry! #Tourism #Economy #Australia #WTTC #GlobalSummit #travel #world #placestovisit #beingunlimited #GDP #Growth