The First Black Sea Partnership Forum for

Tour and Travel Operators

Tourism Trends Worldwide and in Europe

Impact of the Crisis and

Prospects for the Future

by Manolis Psarros
 Τhecurrent
Τhe currentcrisis
crisisininthe
theworld’s
world’sfinancial
financial
marketisisthe
market theworst
worstinin7575years.
years.Most
Most
significantly,ititisisthe
significantly, the21st
21stcentury’s
century’sfirst
first
globalfinancial
global financialcrisis
crisisthat
thatisisputting
putting
financialcapitalism
financial capitalismideologically,
ideologically,totoitsits
first test.
first test.

International Monetary Fund

 Even though,
Even though, thethe global
global
economiccrisis
economic crisishas
hasaffected
affected
tourism industry;
tourism industry; it’s it’s
understood that
understood tourism
that tourism
willnot
will notstop
stopbut
butwill
willflow
flowinin
aadifferent
differentway.
way.
Mostofofthe
Most thetravel
traveland
andtourism
tourism
unrestrictedexpenses
involvesunrestricted
involves expenses
sosoduring
duringeconomic
economicbreakdown
breakdown
people want
people want toto secure secure
themselves thus
themselves thus covering
covering
essentialsfor
essentials forliving.
living.
Some good news..
 Resultsthrough
Results August2010
through August 2010prove
prove
internationaltourism
thatinternational
that tourismcontinues
continues
totorecover
recoverfrom
fromthe
thedecline
declineofof4.2%
4.2%
sufferedlast
suffered lastyear
yearunder
underthetheimpact
impact
ofofthe
theeconomic
economiccrisis.
crisis.

UN World Tourism Organization

InInthe firsteight
thefirst eightmonths
monthsofofthis
thisyear,
year,
thenumber
the numberofofinternational
internationaltourist
tourist
arrivals exceeded the
arrivals exceeded the record
record
achievedduring
achieved duringthe
thesame
sameperiod
periodofof
pre-crisisyear
thepre-crisis
the year2008.
2008.

UN World Tourism Organization

 Worldwide arrivals
Worldwide arrivals between
between January
January andand
August 2010
August 2010 totalled
totalled 642
642million,
million, some
some4040
millionmore
million morethan
thanduring
duringthe
thesame
samemonths
monthsofof
2009(+7%)
2009 (+7%)and
and1 1million
millionmore
morethanthanininthe
the
sameperiod
same periodofofthe
therecord
recordyear
year2008.
2008.

UN World Tourism Organization

 Based on
Based on current
current trends,
trends, the
the number
number ofof
internationaltourist
international touristarrivals
arrivalsisisprojected
projectedtoto
increaseininthe
increase therange
rangeofof5%-6%
5%-6%over
overthe
thefull
full
year. In 2011, growth is expected to continue
year. In 2011, growth is expected to continue
atata amore
moremoderate
moderatepace,
pace,atataround
aroundthe
thelong-
long-
termaverage
term averageofof4%.
4%.

UN World Tourism Organization

 While the travel recovery in Europe has been generally broad,
While the travel recovery in Europe has been generally broad,
gains have favoured Western Europe while Northern Europe
gains have favoured Western Europe while Northern Europe
continues to lag behind last year.
continues to lag behind last year.

European Travel Commission

Oxford Economics and Amadeus buried the
lead: 

‘’Global Travel Spending Projected

to Double Between 2010 and 2020’’
All regions experience dramatic visitor arrival growth;
ranging from 40% to 65%

Europe sees the greatest increase in visitor traffic (189

million incremental visitors), with Asia-Pacific having the
largest percentage growth (65%)

78% more Asia-Pacific residents will travel abroad in 2020,

spending 179% more than 2010

Expenditures by Asia-Pacific residents traveling abroad will

spend $387 billion more on travel than in 2010
Europeans residents will continue to spend more on travel
abroad than any other region, an estimated $768 billion

Between 2010 and 2020, Europeans will take an incremental

283 million trips abroad, representing a 51.1% of global travel
abroad

In 2020, Latin America will pass North America to spend the

highest average amount per trip, $1,611

North America will receive $110 billion more in travel

spending from visitors compared with spending by its
residents traveling abroad
However..
European Travel Commission
Top Tourism & Travel
Trends for 2011
 • 69 percent of travelers plan to take international trips next year;
• 69 percent of travelers plan to take international trips next year;
• 47 percent are considering a stay in a vacation rental home.
• 47 percent are considering a stay in a vacation rental home.
Top Five Vacation Activities:
Top Five Vacation Activities:
• Visiting an historic site
• Visiting an historic site
• Visiting a museum
• Visiting a museum
• Visiting a national park
• Visiting a national park
• Attending a festival
• Attending a festival
• Hiking
• Hiking
• 47 percent of respondents will consider eco-friendly factors such as their
• 47 percent of respondents will consider eco-friendly factors such as their
carbon footprint or “green” hotel policies.
carbon footprint or “green” hotel policies.
• 20 percent expect to be more environmentally conscious in their travel
• 20 percent expect to be more environmentally conscious in their travel
decision and choices.
decision and choices.
more specific..
#1. Multi-Destination Vacations

Because travellers want to get the most out of their

Because travellers want to get the most out of their
vacations, there has been an up tick in multi-destination
vacations, there has been an up tick in multi-destination
vacations
vacations
#2. The Revival of Group Tours

With the economic recovery still in progress, many

With the economic recovery still in progress, many
travellers are looking for the same exotic travel
travellers are looking for the same exotic travel
experiences at a lower price point.
experiences at a lower price point.
#3. Contemporary Cultural Travel
A history-laden location is no longer
A history-laden location is no longer
enough to satisfy today's intrepid
enough to satisfy today's intrepid
travellers.
travellers.

2011 will see a desire for more meaningful interactions

2011 will see a desire for more meaningful interactions
with artists, trendsetters and experts local contemporary
with artists, trendsetters and experts local contemporary
culture.
culture.
#4. The Resurgence of Travel Experts

Although Internet remains a great resource for travel

Although Internet remains a great resource for travel
information, it has become so oversaturated with non-
information, it has become so oversaturated with non-
relevant information that sorting through the mass of travel
relevant information that sorting through the mass of travel
sites, reader reviews and booking engines has made
sites, reader reviews and booking engines has made
booking exceptional travel experiences a dicey process at
booking exceptional travel experiences a dicey process at
best.
best.
#5. Not Just Seeing but Learning

The popularity of educational travel will continue to thrive in 2011. Travellers are
The popularity of educational travel will continue to thrive in 2011. Travellers are
interested in learning and doing, not just seeing.
interested in learning and doing, not just seeing.
#6. Alternative Transport
Driven by the increased cost of
Driven by the increased cost of
flying, travel will begin to develop
flying, travel will begin to develop
alternative options. A number of
alternative options. A number of
new luxury trains have launched in
new luxury trains have launched in
the past year, causing a renewed
the past year, causing a renewed
interest in rail travel that will
interest in rail travel that will
increase throughout 2011.
increase throughout 2011.

Rail travel is an easy and comfortable way to maximize

Rail travel is an easy and comfortable way to maximize
travel time, allowing travellers to see a large number of
travel time, allowing travellers to see a large number of
sites without having to pack up and fly or drive between
sites without having to pack up and fly or drive between
these locations.
these locations.
#7. More Custom Packages for Younger
& Older Travellers
more families with young children
more families with young children
are also eager to take their little
are also eager to take their little
ones overseas to enjoy their
ones overseas to enjoy their
formative holiday experiences in
formative holiday experiences in
foreign countries.
foreign countries.

Holiday bookers reporting a surge in the number of

Holiday bookers reporting a surge in the number of
older travelers choosing holidays.
older travelers choosing holidays.
#8. ‘’Bucket-List’’ Experiences

2011 will see in increase in extremely

2011 will see in increase in extremely
unique, "bucket-list" experiences in
unique, "bucket-list" experiences in
far-flung destinations.
far-flung destinations.

Travellers are looking to tick those

Travellers are looking to tick those
must-see travel experiences off their
must-see travel experiences off their
lists and are now seeking the
lists and are now seeking the
experiences that will allow them to
experiences that will allow them to
return home with bragging rights
return home with bragging rights
among their friends.
among their friends.
#9. One 0f Kind, Specialty Experiences

Niche travel will continue to grow

Niche travel will continue to grow
throughout 2011. From culinary tours to
throughout 2011. From culinary tours to
yoga retreats, travellers are looking for
yoga retreats, travellers are looking for
specialized itineraries catering to very
specialized itineraries catering to very
specific interests. 
specific interests. 
#10. New Upcoming Destinations

Travellers are always looking for the next hot spot.

Travellers are always looking for the next hot spot.
#11. Last-Minute Vacations

Last minute vacations growing in popularity

Last minute vacations growing in popularity
being green
#12. Slow Travel
We'll gradually see an
We'll gradually see an
appreciation of 'slow travel', with
appreciation of 'slow travel', with
journeys made by train, boat and
journeys made by train, boat and
bike gaining in popularity. People
bike gaining in popularity. People
will gain a greater appreciation for
will gain a greater appreciation for
the journey itself, as opposed to
the journey itself, as opposed to
the restless striving for the next
the restless striving for the next
destination.
destination.

Expect to see more businesses promoting slow, memorable

Expect to see more businesses promoting slow, memorable
travel where “getting there” is an important – if not the most
travel where “getting there” is an important – if not the most
important – element of the holiday.
important – element of the holiday.
#13. Voluntourism
Travel in 2011 is going to be
Travel in 2011 is going to be
all about the experience –
all about the experience –
maximising the positive
maximising the positive
impact of travel as well as
impact of travel as well as
minimising the negative.
minimising the negative.

“Voluntourism” or volunteer tourism Expect to see more volunteer activities

“Voluntourism” or volunteer tourism Expect to see more volunteer activities
enables tourists to contribute and integrated into green and sustainable
enables tourists to contribute and integrated into green and sustainable
benefit local communities while seeing travel programs through 2011 – and not
benefit local communities while seeing travel programs through 2011 – and not
the world and is destined to increase as just those aimed at backpackers and gap
the world and is destined to increase as just those aimed at backpackers and gap
travellers look for more meaningful year students.
travellers look for more meaningful year students.
ways to travel and contribute to local
ways to travel and contribute to local
communities.
communities.
#14. Green Accommodation
Climate change is not going away
Climate change is not going away
and tourism is one industry in
and tourism is one industry in
particular that is at risk from the
particular that is at risk from the
threat of global warming. We’ve
threat of global warming. We’ve
started to see the first zero carbon
started to see the first zero carbon
hotels open in Europe over recent
hotels open in Europe over recent
months.
months.

As governments introduce incentives for green

As governments introduce incentives for green
businesses and pressure grows on the travel
businesses and pressure grows on the travel
industry to green-up its act, expect to see more
industry to green-up its act, expect to see more
travel businesses focusing on eliminating,
travel businesses focusing on eliminating,
reducing and measuring their carbon footprint
reducing and measuring their carbon footprint
from 2011 and beyond.
from 2011 and beyond.
#15. Local Travel Movement
The local travel movement aims
The local travel movement aims
to connect tourists with local
to connect tourists with local
people while on holiday,
people while on holiday,
ensuring enriching experiences
ensuring enriching experiences
for both parties.
for both parties.

We’ve already seen movements like couch surfing gain

We’ve already seen movements like couch surfing gain
ground over the past few years. Proponents of local travel
ground over the past few years. Proponents of local travel
believe it is the only truly green way to travel, as it ensures
believe it is the only truly green way to travel, as it ensures
you respect local traditions and culture as well as the
you respect local traditions and culture as well as the
natural environment.
natural environment.
#16. Green Travel Networks

As social media provides more opportunities for like-minded

As social media provides more opportunities for like-minded
travellers to connect online and in real life, expect to see more
travellers to connect online and in real life, expect to see more
green travel networks developing and expanding.
green travel networks developing and expanding.
going digital
#17. Consumers are ready for mobile,
are you?
43% of mobile phone users are carrying smart phones, and more than a third of
43% of mobile phone users are carrying smart phones, and more than a third of
mobile users plan to book travel on their phones in the next year
mobile users plan to book travel on their phones in the next year

#18. The young and the wireless

Close to half of smartphone users are under 35 years old
Close to half of smartphone users are under 35 years old

#19. You may have an app for that, but…

Less than a third of touch screen smartphone users are carrying iPhones
Less than a third of touch screen smartphone users are carrying iPhones
#20. A lot of consumers are fans of
travel, but not travel companies
While over half of social network users are "fans" of companies, less than two in 10
While over half of social network users are "fans" of companies, less than two in 10
are "fans" of travel companies
are "fans" of travel companies

#21. Word of mouth gets a megaphone

Nearly a third were at least somewhat influenced by comments from people in their
Nearly a third were at least somewhat influenced by comments from people in their
online social network when making travel purchase decisions
online social network when making travel purchase decisions

More than two thirds are at least slightly influenced by traveler-generated ratings
More than two thirds are at least slightly influenced by traveler-generated ratings
when making purchase decisions
when making purchase decisions
#23. The Internet may be ubiquitous,
but it still isn't everything
Less than one fourth do all their travel shopping on websites
Less than one fourth do all their travel shopping on websites

#24. Even mom is on Facebook

Seven in 10 are members of an online social network, and membership is stronger
Seven in 10 are members of an online social network, and membership is stronger
among females than males Nearly nine in 10 social network users log on weekly or
among females than males Nearly nine in 10 social network users log on weekly or
more often.
more often.
corporate travel
#25. Customizable Mobile Apps
In addition to audience response software, an increase in the use of mobile apps for
In addition to audience response software, an increase in the use of mobile apps for
individual events and programs will emerge (itinerary, maps and breaking-news
individual events and programs will emerge (itinerary, maps and breaking-news
announcements).
announcements).

#26. Hybrid Meetings

Growth of "hybrid" meetings, or meetings that have both face-to-face and virtual
Growth of "hybrid" meetings, or meetings that have both face-to-face and virtual
components (live broadcasts/video streamings). The cost savings is a major factor in
components (live broadcasts/video streamings). The cost savings is a major factor in
this trend, along with the importance of a meeting's environmental responsibility."
this trend, along with the importance of a meeting's environmental responsibility."

#27. Green Meetings

Increasingly, clients are expecting every aspect of a meeting to include an environmental
Increasingly, clients are expecting every aspect of a meeting to include an environmental
component, from biodiesel vehicles and biodegradable materials to the use of locally
component, from biodiesel vehicles and biodegradable materials to the use of locally
sourced food and reusable plants for centerpieces in lieu of cut flowers
sourced food and reusable plants for centerpieces in lieu of cut flowers
#28. Social Media Interaction
Continued growth in the use of social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to
Continued growth in the use of social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to
market meetings and events, communicate with meeting attendees, and connect
market meetings and events, communicate with meeting attendees, and connect
planners and clients during the meeting planning process.
planners and clients during the meeting planning process.

#29. Corporate Social Responsibility

Many of the companies are incorporating CSR community service outings in lieu of or in
Many of the companies are incorporating CSR community service outings in lieu of or in
addition to standard tours. Another popular trend is incorporating CSR into a team-
addition to standard tours. Another popular trend is incorporating CSR into a team-
building event."
building event."

#30. Luxury Meetings Recover

While 2009 and 2010 were about modesty and frugality, 2011 will see a gradual return of
While 2009 and 2010 were about modesty and frugality, 2011 will see a gradual return of
meetings to high-end resorts.
meetings to high-end resorts.
 Challenges & Opportunities
for the Black Sea Region

Challenges
Challenges
Improve Quality of Tourism Products/Services
Improve Quality of Tourism Products/Services
Improve Black Sea Region Image
Improve Black Sea Region Image
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure Development
Government Support through Legislation, Promotion & funding
Government Support through Legislation, Promotion & funding
Embrace Sustainable Tourism Development and Green Tourism
Embrace Sustainable Tourism Development and Green Tourism
Applications
Applications
Engage with Digital Technologies & the Web
Engage with Digital Technologies & the Web
Attract Visitors with Higher Disposable Income
Attract Visitors with Higher Disposable Income
Launch Joint Initiatives for Crisis Management
Launch Joint Initiatives for Crisis Management
Increase Intra-Regional Travel
Increase Intra-Regional Travel
 Challenges & Opportunities
for the Black Sea Region

Opportunities
Opportunities

Large number of potential tourists close via traditional source markets

Large number of potential tourists close via traditional source markets
Developing LCCs
Developing LCCs
EU Funds for Infrastructures and environmental friendly apps
EU Funds for Infrastructures and environmental friendly apps
Value for Money
Value for Money
Growing Demand for Experiential Tourism Packages
Growing Demand for Experiential Tourism Packages
Natural & Cultural Resources
Natural & Cultural Resources
Geographical Position
Geographical Position
New Countries with undiscovered destinations
New Countries with undiscovered destinations
 Thank You

ManolisPsarros@gmail.com
aboutourism.wordpress.com