Latest news with #JuliaSimpson
Tourism Breaking News
5 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
WTTC calls for Smarter Tourism Management as Destinations Face Pressure
Post Views: 39 As Travel & Tourism enters the height of the summer season, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report calling for a more balanced approach to managing tourism in popular destinations. While overcrowding is often seen as a tourism problem, many of the real pressures come from deeper issues such as underinvestment in infrastructure, poor planning, and fragmented decision-making. These challenges affect both residents and visitors and need joined-up solutions. Travel & Tourism supports one in every 10 jobs and nearly 10% of global GDP and is set to support one in three new jobs over the next decade. When managed well, it also fosters cultural exchange, global understanding, and environmental protection. But without smart planning, the benefits it brings could be at risk. WTTC's paper, Managing Destination Overcrowding: A Call to Action, explains that there's no simple fix to the problem and urges governments, local leaders, and businesses to work together to support both communities and visitors. In 2024, Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute nearly $11TN to the global economy and support 357MN jobs. That's a huge success but it also means destinations must plan to manage growth responsibly. Annually, governments around the world accrue more than $3.3TN from Travel & Tourism businesses, equivalent to 9.6% of global tax revenues. The global tourism body urges governments to reinvest this sum in vital infrastructure, and solutions to relieve pressures on already very popular destinations. The report looks at some of the root causes of overcrowding in a small number of increasingly popular destinations across Europe and offers real-world solutions that can be tailored to local needs. From using better data and planning tools, to involving residents in decisions. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said 'Travel & Tourism brings huge benefits including jobs, investment, and deeper cultural understanding. But growth needs to be managed carefully. We're encouraging all decision-makers to think ahead, work together, and focus on long-term benefits for residents and visitors alike. This isn't about stopping tourism, it's about making it work for everyone.' The global tourism body believe this is a moment of opportunity. With the right steps, destinations can protect what makes them special while ensuring that tourism continues to bring value to communities and local economies. The report makes clear there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Every destination is different, and actions must be based on local realities. But with cooperation and planning, Travel & Tourism can continue to thrive in a way that protects what makes each place special. The paper encourages leaders to think beyond short-term fixes and focus on reinvesting tourism income into critical infrastructure improvements, local services, and resident wellbeing.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian hospitality industry protected from AI but needs massive manpower
Hotel chains have partnered with reputed hospitality institutes, participate in campus placement drives but to bridge the talent gap Gulveen Aulakh New Delhi Listen to This Article India's hospitality sector is likely to remain immune to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), said industry watchers and executives, as it embarks on a CAGR growth of 9.6 per cent over the next five years, on the back of a rebound in tourism. In its latest projections, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said that the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to employ more than 63.9 million by 2035, up from 46.3 million in 2024. 'This is the only industry which may be immune to the impact of AI,' the WTTC chief executive Julia Simpson said,
Forbes
05-07-2025
- Forbes
Overtourism: Why Does Spain Face More Tourism Backlash Than France?
Provence—Why is it that France is the most visited country in the world, but has minimal backlash against overtourism? getty Tourism is booming in Europe. The George Washington University revealed that in 2024, 747 million travelers visited Europe, more than the population of Europe itself, and this inevitably puts a "strain on local infrastructure, environment, and communities." France and Spain receive the most. Yet, despite welcoming a similar number of visitors, Spain has seen far more local opposition to tourism than France. From protests in Barcelona to banners in Ibiza, Spanish locals are voicing their frustrations. Meanwhile, France, known for its frequent demonstrations against many things, has remained relatively quiet. Why? France topped the list again in 2024 as the most-visited country in the world, with a record 100 million travelers passing through its borders, resulting in a 12% year-on-year increase in tourist earnings. Furthermore, the latest data from the World Travel and Tourism Council suggests that France is on track to surpass its records in 2025. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: "France continues to set the pace for Travel & Tourism worldwide. After a historic 2024, the sector is expected to maintain its growth into 2025 and beyond." Much of this increase can be attributed to the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in summer 2024, which showcased France as a backdrop to every race. The WTTC predicts that the tourism sector will employ one in ten people in France in 2025. Spain was only six million people short of this figure, and still reached 94 million travelers and a 10% year-on-year increase in takings. So, Why Are Spanish Locals Protesting, And Not the French? So, why are Spanish locals more vociferous in their opposition to increased tourism? At the same time, France, notwithstanding a recent strike at the Louvre against unmanageable crowds, has seen relatively little protests. And this is in a country that is known for its frequent demonstrations. Throughout 2024, Spanish locals ran coordinated protests against tourists in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, as well as the bustling Canary Islands. In mid-June 2025, thousands of people took to the streets across Madrid and Barcelona to protest, shouting "Your holidays, my misery" and holding up banners that read "Mass tourism kills the city" and "Their greed brings us ruin." Protesters also took part across the country, in locations such as Ibiza, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, San Sebastián, and Granada. France Has A Very Different Tourist Set-Up From Spain There are several reasons, however, that might explain why France has seen comparatively little local resistance to tourism. Notably, a significant portion of France's tourism is domestic. French residents contribute between 50% and 70% of the country's tourism revenue, commonly spending their holidays traveling across their own country. Helped by the fact that France has access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and mountain ranges in the Alps and the Pyrenees. The rest of France's visitors arrive predominantly from Belgium, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and the U.S. The number of Asian visitors remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with Chinese visitors still 60% down from their pre-pandemic figures. Statistics sometimes inflate international tourist numbers because France serves as a significant transit hub between northern and southern Europe. The statistics also show that tourists are spending more when they visit Spain, prompting French Tourism Minister Nathalie Delattre to state in early 2025 that one of France's tourism objectives is to encourage visitors to spend more and stay longer. French visitors spent around $74 billion in 2024 (€71 billion), whereas tourists to Spain spent $148 billion (€126 billion). More extended stays might make locals more hostile? France and Spain have both been strict about clamping down on Airbnb and other short-term rentals, but geography also plays a part. They are around the same size in terms of land; France is only 9% larger. In terms of population, France had approximately 69 million residents and Spain had just over 46 million in 2021. However, there are large swathes of Spain that lie uninhabited because they are simply less hospitable to residents than other parts of Spain, and this puts an undeniable pressure on resources in cities and along the coast. While France has many of its residents in the Ile-de-France region (around Paris), it also has more cities distributed across the center of the country, such as Lyon, Toulouse, and Strasbourg. Due to its geography and history, might it also have a more diverse tourist base? They visit Paris, yes, but also different regions for the Champagne, the castles in the Loire, the skiing in the Alps, and they head to Provence and the Mediterranean. So, while the bulk of tourists visit the same sites, such as Paris, Étretat, and Mont Saint-Michel, perhaps it's less of an issue overall? MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The Five Safest Countries In The World, Per 2025 Global Peace Index By Alex Ledsom Forbes What It Means To Be Wealthy In Brazil By Alex Ledsom Forbes Portugal Golden Visa: Government Plans To Enhance Incentives By Alex Ledsom
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US is the only country facing tourism decline as Trump policies to cost $29 billion in visitor revenue: study
Donald Trump's policies risks alienating millions of international travelers and could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars due to a sharp drop in tourism, a damning report says. Amid the president's immigration crackdown, travel bans and sweeping global tariffs, the U.S. is expected to be the only one out of 184 countries to see foreign visitor spending fall in 2025, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. The study suggests that the U.S. economy is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international spending this year alone – but the actual shortfall might be much greater. Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics, had originally forecast a nine percent increase in foreign travel earlier this year before revising its estimate to reflect 'polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric.' Based on the research firm's original projections, the U.S. economy was expected to gain $16.3 billion in revenue, according to an analysis by Forbes. Instead, the total deficit may be as high as $28.8 billion. 'This is a wake-up call for the U.S. government,' Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, said in a statement in May. 'While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the 'closed' sign.' The projected decline is driven by an estimated 20 percent drop in Canadian visitors through 2025, who spent $20.5 billion and made up almost a quarter of foreign tourists who came to the U.S. last year. Meanwhile, Mexico's tourism industry is expected to boom with WTTC projections for 2025 indicating a record $281 billion uptick to the country's GDP. The potential backward slide comes amid alarming reports of foreign tourists having their travel plans upended, with some even detained by U.S. authorities. It included Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepère, 18, from Rostock, Germany, who had their hopes of island-hopping Hawaii dashed and were denied entry into the U.S. despite allegedly holding the required Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Total foreign visitors were down 12 percent year-on-year in March, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. That drop marked one of the steepest declines on record outside of the Covid-19 pandemic. Western European visitors experienced a 17 percent drop-off, spearheaded by fewer British and German visitors – 14 and 28 percent, respectively. Americans' appetite for foreign travel also appears to have been impacted. U.S. citizens appear more concerned about being detained or harassed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents when they re-enter the U.S. The Trump administration has repeatedly warned that agents have searched the electronic devices of U.S. citizens at the border. 'All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection,' the CBP's website reads. 'On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a traveler's mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process.' Last week, Los Angeles political consultant Rick Taylor was pulled aside by border agents, separated from his family and placed in a holding room with several Latino travelers for nearly an hour, according to the LA Times.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
US is the only country facing tourism decline as Trump policies to cost $29 billion in visitor revenue: study
Donald Trump's policies risks alienating millions of international travelers and could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars due to a sharp drop in tourism, a damning report says. Amid the president's immigration crackdown, travel bans and sweeping global tariffs, the U.S. is expected to be the only one out of 184 countries to see foreign visitor spending fall in 2025, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. The study suggests that the U.S. economy is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international spending this year alone – but the actual shortfall might be much greater. Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics, had originally forecast a nine percent increase in foreign travel earlier this year before revising its estimate to reflect 'polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric.' Based on the research firm's original projections, the U.S. economy was expected to gain $16.3 billion in revenue, according to an analysis by Forbes. Instead, the total deficit may be as high as $28.8 billion. 'This is a wake-up call for the U.S. government,' Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, said in a statement in May. 'While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the 'closed' sign.' The projected decline is driven by an estimated 20 percent drop in Canadian visitors through 2025, who spent $20.5 billion and made up almost a quarter of foreign tourists who came to the U.S. last year. Meanwhile, Mexico's tourism industry is expected to boom with WTTC projections for 2025 indicating a record $281 billion uptick to the country's GDP. The potential backward slide comes amid alarming reports of foreign tourists having their travel plans upended, with some even detained by U.S. authorities. It included Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepère, 18, from Rostock, Germany, who had their hopes of island-hopping Hawaii dashed and were denied entry into the U.S. despite allegedly holding the required Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Total foreign visitors were down 12 percent year-on-year in March, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. That drop marked one of the steepest declines on record outside of the Covid-19 pandemic. Western European visitors experienced a 17 percent drop-off, spearheaded by fewer British and German visitors – 14 and 28 percent, respectively. Americans' appetite for foreign travel also appears to have been impacted. U.S. citizens appear more concerned about being detained or harassed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents when they re-enter the U.S. The Trump administration has repeatedly warned that agents have searched the electronic devices of U.S. citizens at the border. 'All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection,' the CBP's website reads. 'On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a traveler's mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process.' Last week, Los Angeles political consultant Rick Taylor was pulled aside by border agents, separated from his family and placed in a holding room with several Latino travelers for nearly an hour, according to the LA Times.
