p14 wtm nov14 12/11/08 18:25 Page 14
news wtm 2008 destinations
ttglive.com
World Travel Market • November 10-13 • ExCeL, London
Exhibitors
WTM had
more than
5,200 exhibitors
this year
OUTLOOK.
Egypt unfazed by
loss of XL Airways
EGYPT’S growth as a UK holiday destination will
not be slowed by the economic crisis nor the
absence of XL Airways, its tourist board claimed.
XL was one of the main carriers to Egypt until
it went bust in September. Representatives on the Panama stand at WTM: SuperClubs opens its first property in the country next year
Amr El Ezabi, chairman of the Egyptian Tourist
Authority, said that while XL’s closure had had a
AIRLIFT.
big effect on tourism initially, the capacity had
been absorbed by other carriers.
Looking ahead to next year, he said: “We are
Caribbean ‘lacks flights’
seeing that people may drop going on long-haul
holidays, but will continue going to mid-haul
Rupert Murray.
planes,” he said. “Jamaica is all right, but the
destinations, so we can capitalise on that.” SUPERCLUBS has warned there will not be Bahamas, for example, is in need of seats.”
UK visitors to Egypt have jumped by 17% year- enough airlift to meet demand for Caribbean and Pennicook added: “Our South America
on-year in 2008, compared with just 5% in 2007. South American destinations next summer. properties have no charters in place, but these
UK visitor numbers this year have now The Jamaica-based all-inclusive operator will are being discussed. What little influence we
reached 900,000 and are predicted to end the enter Panama for the first time next year with a have we will use, but really it is up to tourists
year at about 1.2 million, up from 1.05 million 300-room Breezes resort in Bijao on the south- boards to do most of the pushing.”
last year. ern Pacific coast. It is due to open in mid-2009. SuperClubs executive chairman John Issa said
SuperClubs’ new president of international the Panama resort was a key part of its expan-
lifestyles, Paul Pennicook, said the company sion strategy in Latin America.
IMAGE.
would be “heavily involved” in discussion about Breezes Busios resort in Rio de Janeiro is also
Barbados aims to target
getting more capacity to Panama. due to open next year, featuring a spa, roller-
Be he fears there will not be enough flights skating park and convention facilities. In addition
midmarket travellers
from the UK to meet demand for the region as a to rooms and suites it will also house 110 villas.
whole next summer. This will be SuperClubs’ second property in
THE BARBADOS Tourism Investment agency is to “Room capacity is exploding and with our Brazil after the Breezes Costa Do Sauipe in Bahia.
be revamped to encourage more hotel capacity on expansion plans there will be a need for more In total it operates 11 resorts in seven countries.
the island and attract a wider range of visitors.
Richard Sealy, the country’s tourism minister,
GATWICK LINK.
said he planned to change the image of Barbados
so it appeared more accessible to midmarket
St Kitts welcomes BA’s new service
travellers.
He also plans to encourage visitors to eat and A NEW British Airways flight between Gatwick St Kitts and Nevis tourism minister Ricky
drink in local outlets to see more of the country. and St Kitts will be key in developing upmarket Skerritt said BA’s inclusion of Club World seats
“The perception of Barbados in the UK is tourism on the island, its tourism minister said. meant it would be easier for UK operators to sell
of an upmarket destination, the preserve of BA will start operating the Saturday flight to both islands.
wealthy individuals, professional athletes and Antigua and St Kitts from January 10. It will fly “This timely BA service reinforces a key part
entertainers,” Sealy said. a Boeing 777 with 40 Club World, 24 World of the tourism strategy for St Kitts which is to
“But anyone can have a quality experience rel- Traveller Plus and 216 World Traveller seats. increase high-end tourism,” he said.
atively affordably. It is not going to be as cheap as St Kitts and other islands were badly hit by the “I applaud BA for expanding its Caribbean
packages to mass destinations, but we are more collapse of XL Airways. They hope European pas- itinerary at a time when other airlines have been
authentic and offer a diversity of attractions.” sengers will make up for a big drop in US visitors. reducing capacity.”
14 14.11.2008
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