Recently I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Sion Rapson (at left), and industry expert of merit who has helped the world recognize excellence in the travel industry immeasurably. Rapson, Director of Global Business for the distinguished World Travel Awards, spoke candidly before and after a Q & A for Eye for Travel. The full interview and some added takeaways are cited below, followed by a brief summary.
WTM
A New Cold War Nightmare: The Big Tourism Slump to Come
Already the conflict between west and east over Ukraine is having its negative effect on travel. 2014 was shaping up as a very positive year for Europe travel, but with fewer Russians planning trips abroad, the upcoming May holidays will be the first tourism casualties of a new Cold War detentes. A just now emerging travel industry, can ill afford a slippage of bookings.
Greek National Tourism Organization Partners with WTM Latin America
The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has partnered with Word Travel Market (WTM) Latin America 2014 in an effort to boost tourism this year. The collaboration is expected to drive some 18 million tourists to Greece this year.
Serbia Wins Chinese Welcoming Award
The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia was awarded a Chinese marketing destinations award the “Chinese Tourists Welcoming Award” at the COTTM travel fair in Beijing.
If Sochi Were Disney World Headlines Would Read: “Mickey Wacked by Russian Mob”
On Monday the WTM Vision Conference in Moscow kicked off and already tourism figures for Russia emerge as a big topic. According to new research, Russia’s poor image in the western world drastically affects inbound tourism form American and western Europe as well. If Sochi were Disney World Mickey would have already been whacked by the mob.