Publication - IFTM Daily

DAY 4
HALL 7.2 / STAND G098
EDITION
FRIDAY 23RD
SEPTEMBER 2016
INCLUS :
VOTRE DOSSIER SPÉCIAL
EN FRANÇAIS
CONTENTS
03 PROGRAMME
04 NEWS
06 SPÉCIAL MARCHÉ FRANÇAIS
07 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
08 TRADE TALK
09 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT:
A Feast for the Eyes… and Senses
IFTM Top Resa again wows tourism professionals with innovative
and breathtaking travel offerings
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
11 WHERE TO GO IN PARIS
# 06 DOSSIER SPÉCIAL MARCHÉ FRANÇAIS
MARIE
ALLANTAZ
Directrice Générale,
ESCAET
Nous avons une approche très sectorielle de
l’activité. On travaille sur du concret, on forme
nos étudiants à la réalité de cette industrie… # 08 T RADE TALK
SERENA
DONATO
HALL 7.2 / STAND C056
Roger Kacou
Minister of Tourism, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
See our exclusive interview page 7
Contracts Manager – France,
Secret Escapes
It’s the last day of the show, but for most of us, we
just can’t get enough of the incredible images that
don’t cease to keep us dreaming.
Bright colours, heady scents, azure seas, intriguing
architecture, smiling faces, soaring melodies and
swirling dancing figures succeed one another
stand after stand to create an overwhelming, aweinspiring, giddy kaleidoscope that is today’s vision
of the world at IFTM Top Resa.
It’s a veritable plethora of ideas and inspiration for
tourism professionals who then have the “mission” of
evangelising these delectable destinations, tempting
the traveller with ideas they may never have had if
left to their own devices.
A number of destinations are also touting strong
new initiatives in the field of tourism. One notable
example is the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire - back
as a destination on the world stage as the Ivorian
government makes resources available to develop
infrastructure and support international marketing
efforts (see our exclusive interview, page 7).
We hope your last day at the show will be fruitful and
informative, and look forward to seeing you again
next year!
# 11 WHERE TO GO IN PARIS
ALEXANDRE
DEBANNE
French TV presenter
Above all, what I love in Paris is the Seine.
It’s the most beautiful avenue in the city! REGIONAL
SPOTLIGHT
AFRICA
& MIDDLE EAST
International tourist arrivals in the Middle
East are estimated by the UNWTO to
have declined by 7% January through
April 2016, while in Africa, arrivals were
up 7% in the first part of the year. Within
the “big picture” there are of course a lot
of sub-trends, as sub-Saharan African
has, for example, strongly rebounded,
while North Africa recorded another
decline.
Read about this and other trends in our special
feature, from page 9.
© Rwanda Tourism
The “foodie” holidays are definitely the ones
that work best when packaged.
HALL PLAN
Hall 7.2
Hall 7.1
Hall 7.2 / Stand H015
Hall 7.2 / Stand F126
Hall 7.2 / Stand N007
Hall 7.2 / Stand K122
Hall 7.2 / Stand B073
Hall 7.2 / Stand B087
PROGRAMME
Richard Barnes
Editor-in-chief
EDITORIAL
VENDREDI 23 SEPTEMBRE
9h45 – 10h15
TOURISM…
IN THE NAME OF PEACE…
AND TOLERANCE
10h00
The President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala
Sirisena also echoes that tourism is a
vehicle for trust and goodwill, saying,
“Cultural understanding can change
attitudes and build peace. Tourism’s
role in peace building is also enacted
through its contribution to poverty
alleviation, cultural preservation and
environmental conservation.”
These statements were made recently
at the UNWTO conference entitled,
“Tourism, a Catalyst for Peace and
Development”. But they echo the
double message that Dr Rifai has been
repeating for some time. The first
message is that people who travel the
world, meeting people from different
cultures religions and beliefs, become
more tolerant and understanding.
The second, delivered at the meeting
I attended in Tunisia on Tourism and
Media, was that it is vitally important
to aid countries whose tourism has
been adversely affected by terrorism.
Indeed, here in France, tourism has
been hard hit due to the recent tragic
events. But before that, Northern
Africa took a hit due to the incidents
there, and is still suffering.
Speaking this week at IFTM Top Resa
with Khalid Mimi, the director of the
French bureau of Morocco’s national
tourism authority, he pointed out
that his country is in fact very safe for
tourists, but that an “amalgam” still
causes some people to stay away.
As Dr Rifai said in Tunisia, “The powers
of darkness must not be allowed to
prevail”. It’s especially up to responsible
travel agents to advise travellers on the
safety of destinations (and of course
the places to avoid). It’s only in this way
that the great nations that have been
spited by terrorism can be put back on
their feet. Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
Atelier Techniques de Vente
10h00 – 12h00
Hall 7.2, Stand R110
Rencontres Emplois Tourisme
Hall 7.1, Salle Forum
10h30 – 11h00Formation Agents Experts : République
Dominicaine
10h30 – 11h30
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai
makes no bones about the fact that in
the face of a deficit of tolerance in the
world today, “Tourism brings people
together; it opens our minds and
hearts.”
Formation Agents Experts : Iran
Les voyageurs changent et vous ?
11h00
Hall 7.1, Salle Agora
Atelier Techniques de Vente
11h15 – 11h45
Hall 7.2, Stand R110
Formation Agents Experts : Brésil
12h00 – 12h30
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
Formation Agents Experts : Saint Martin
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
12h00 – 13h00Mieux connaître les besoins des touristes
étrangers pour mieux les accueillir
12h45 – 13h15
Hall 7.1, Salle Agora
Formation Agents Experts : Ile Maurice
13h30 – 14h00
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
Formation Agents Experts : Tahiti
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
13h30 – 14h30I Love my Job : Venez voter pour votre métier
préféré !
14h00
Atelier Techniques de Vente
14h15 – 14h45
Hall 7.1, Salle Agora
Hall 7.2, Stand R110
Formation Agents Experts : Taiwan
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
15h00 – 15h30Formation Agents Experts : Hiroshima /
Okayama Shimane / Okinawa Setouchi
Hall 7.1, Salle Tokyo
15h00 - 16h30 Tourisme Responsable – le déploiement du
label ATR-TraveLife au marché français
Hall 7.1, Salle Sydney
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IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
4 NEWS
THAILAND
Still The Real Thing
ADVERTORIAL
MORNING
BRIEFING BY
FRÉDÉRIC
LORIN
Director of Tourism Division,
Reed Expositions France
Hello and welcome to the last day of IFTM Top Resa 2016.
This day will be marked by conferences and entertainment destined
to those who are the future of the tourism industry: students.
Starting with “job dating” between employers and job seekers
organised by the “Rencontres Emplois Tourisme” - the opportunity
to meet a maximum of employers in the French tourism sector in
a minimum amount of time.
The “Travellers are changing and you?” and “Better understanding
the needs of foreign tourists to better welcome them” conferences,
aimed at students, will be moderated by the FFTST (French
Federation of Technicians and Scientists of Tourism).
The animation entitled, “They love their job and will come
to introduce it on stage!” will allow you to elect the tourism
professional that made you dream the most.
Finally, I want to take advantage of this last "Morning Briefing" to
thank all the partners of IFTM Top Resa MAP Pro for their support.
The success of these shows is also theirs.
See you next year!
Mixing Adventure
and Culture Across
the Continents
Croisières d’Exception (meaning
“Exceptional Cruises”) is a tour
operator based in Paris and
specialised in high value cruises
with prestigious guest speakers
and lecturers. Its growth has so far
been extremely impressive: up by
250% between 2015 and 2016.
According to its management,
Croisières d’Exception's should
enjoy a similar growth rate between
2016 and 2017 with more than
30 cruises been on offer next year.
Croisières d’Exception strength
is to blend the excitement of
discovering new destinations in the
presence of personalities- generally
specialised in a topic linked to the
cruise. As an example, in May
2017, a historical cruise around
the Baltic Sea will see the presence
of French TV star Stéphane Bern
who will tell all about the history
of the area and about the struggle
of Baltic countries to gain their
independance.
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor
Marketing Europe says authenticity is a
major asset for visitors from Europe
Thailand’s popularity remains
high in 2016 thanks to a
combination of authentic
experiences,
superb
landscapes, an outstanding
gastronomy and excellent
service.
2016 will be a special IFTM Top Resa
for Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT’s Deputy
Governor Marketing for Europe. Some 20
years ago, she was head of TAT (Tourism
Authority of Thailand) Office in Paris.
IFTM 2016 is, however, her last public
appearance, as she will leave her office
by the end of September.
Over the past 20 years, the soft-speaking
Thai lady witnessed tremendous changes
in the industry, with a major evolution for
France: “the French market has now turned
into one of Thailand’s most important
European tourist sources. Last year, we
welcomed 681,000 French tourists. As
we recorded already 518,000 travellers
between January and August 2016, it
is possible that France might overtake
Germany by year end”, she says.
TAT now promotes seven communitybased destinations across the Kingdom
but also secondary destinations described
as “ Thailand’s hidden jewels”. “I think that
smaller cities such as Nan in the North,
Chanthaburi in the East or Trang in the
South are perfectly adapted to the French
market. Nan is famed for its temples and
its slow pace of life, Chanthaburi has an
old community living in what used to be a
French developed urban centre and Trang
is a charming vintage place, while its
coast has some beautiful resorts”, adds
Ms Rerngronasa.
TAT’s presence at IFTM Top Resa has
been constant since the start in Deauville
recalls the Deputy Governor. A dozen
hotels, airlines and DMC are present this
year while TAT office in Paris continues
actively to promote the Kingdom by
proposing an exclusive trip to Thailand
Fan Club members to celebrate the Thai
festival of lighting (Loy Krathong) in
Bangkok next November
» HALL 7.2 / STAND H025
In June 2017, a special cruise
dedicated to classical music on the
Danube River will be entertained
by seven musicians, including
world-known composer JeanFrançois Zygel. In 2017 Croisières
d’Exception programmes will
also explore Japan, Alaska,
Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka,
Madagascar, New England,
Patagonia as well as the North
Pole and the Antarctica. Always
with the presence of Frenchspeaking specialists
» HALL 7.2 / STAND L073
Juthaporn Rerngronasa
Deputy Governor Marketing Europe,
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
www.iftmdaily.com
NEWS 5
S
P
I
T
’
S
R
E
G
G
BLO
ADVERTORIAL
AIR FRANCE-KLM
IN AFRICA
Solène reveals the “backstage” side of travel
journalism
The creator of www.solcito.fr,
Solène talks to IFTM Daily about
how her passion for blogging was
spawned…
At the end of my studies, I went to live in Australia
on a working holiday visa. To avoid spamming
my friends and family, I created my first blog
where I told them all about my adventures. I put
it aside upon coming back to France to focus
on my first freelancing jobs. A few years later,
Solcito.fr was born. It is now 4 and a half years
that I have been talking about the “backstage”
side of the profession of travel journalist and my
unusual wanderings around the world.
What are you seeing as being the most
interesting new developments in terms of
hotel and transport infrastructure in Peru?
Attractive prices of domestic flights in the South
of the country allow one to move around easily.
Alternative cheap, safe but slower are the
“luxury” buses such as those of the Cruz del
Sur company that serves many destinations. In
terms of accommodation, tourist areas offer a
range of accommodation for all budgets, with
of many hostels for backpackers. The country
is wagering more and more on the concept
of “unusual” nights, such as a dome in the
mountains, hanging in the Amazon jungle, or
bungalows on floating islands.
What are your tips for TOs or TAs looking for
new ideas in Peru?
A visit to the South of Peru is of course essential.
But extending one’s stay allows the traveller to
explore the North and many more authentic,
less touristic areas and national parks.
In addition to the highly coveted Inca Trail,
other treks can take one to Machu Picchu, with
Salkantay offering sumptuous landscapes.
Arriving on site, focus on sporting visits
(Montaña, Huayna Picchu, or the Sun Gate) if
one is still in shape and visitors are generally
grouped in the “city”.
In summer 2016, Air
France-KLM serviced 48
destinations on the African
continent. The group has also
developed agreements with
a number of key players in
African air transport (Kenya
Airways, TAAG Angola
Airlines, Air Côte d'Ivoire,
kulula.com & Comair),
providing more than
20 additional destinations.
DEDICATED STAFF
At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, a
team of experts on the African
continent works flights to
and from Africa, taking
into account geopolitical,
commercial, regulatory, and
cultural specifics of each
country. Air France has
implemented multicultural
teams familiar with the
international customers’
expectations. Close to 5,000
passengers are welcomed
daily, and the team assists
with check-in formalities as
well as with the facilitation
of correspondences between
flights.
IMPROVED
BAGGAGE POLICY
FOR AFRICA
Air France and KLM offer a
luggage franchise that is
more generous than the rest
of the long-haul network, on
most African destinations,
enabling economy class
travellers, for example, to
register 2 x 23 kg suitcases
at no extra charge.
» H ALL 7.2 / STAND K098
© Air France-KLM
The Other Side
of The Coin
From February 28, 2017, Air
France will offer three new
flights every week to Accra
(Ghana) departing ParisCharles de Gaulle. Air France
is thus developing one of
the most important markets
on the African continent for
traffic to and from Europe
and North America.
In a world that is always faster, slow tourism
allows one to immerse oneself in a place
without running from one point to another.
Volunteering is the ideal way to learn everything
by being in contact with the local population.
How do you see the future of bloggers /
influencers?
We are all influencers at all levels, whether
bloggers or not. Word of mouth has been a
great means of communication since the dawn
of time. Blogs have taken over this concept with
a “megaphone” that allows one to be heard all
around world. With the proliferation of sites and
advice, readers need a return to core values
such as honesty, transparency and originality
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
6
SPECIAL MARCHÉ FRANÇAIS
INFORMATIONS EN FRANÇAIS
Connecter les étudiants
à la réalité du monde du tourisme
L’ESCAET est une école de
commerce for mant dans
toutes les branches des métiers
du tourisme, du voyage de
loisirs au voyage d’affaires, de
la technologie à l’hôtellerie.
Rapide tour d’horizon des
dernières évolutions de la
formation aux métiers du
tourisme.
Cela fait 30 ans que l’ESCAET dispense
ses cours aux étudiants intéressés par
les métiers du tourisme. En 30 ans
cette école est devenue une référence
de cette industrie. “Je crois que cela
vient surtout de notre spécialisation.
Nous sommes une des très rares écoles
professionnelles en France où l’unique
spécialité est le tourisme. Nous formons
ainsi des étudiants BAC +3/4/5 mais
aussi des professionnels confirmés qui
souhaitent évoluer ou des professionnels
hors tourisme qui souhaitent se
reconvertir ”, déclare Marie Allantaz,
Directrice Générale de l’ESCAET depuis
10 ans.
NOUVEAU: INTÉGRER
LA DIMENSION SÉCURITÉ
Le succès de l’ESCAET tient
probablement au pragmatisme avec
lesquelles sont abordées les formations
du tourisme. “Nous avons une approche
très sectorielle de l’activité. On travaille
sur du concret, on forme nos étudiants
à la réalité de cette industrie… comme
par exemple la dimension marketing,
les techniques de négociations directes,
les nouvelles techniques d’achat ou
encore la gestion et l’analyse du yield
management”, explique Marie Allantaz.
Récemment l’ESCAET a intégré la
dimension sécurité du voyage. “C’est
un élément qui devient indispensable
à toute formation. C’est notamment le
cas pour les étudiants qui se forment
au voyage d’affaires et qui doivent
désormais apprendre à évaluer le
facteur risque dans un voyage et agir en
conséquence”.
sur IFTM Top Resa : “I love My Job”
(Hall 7.1, salle Agora à 12h00). “Nous
invitons cinq à six anciens élèves à
venir parler de leur métier, raconter leur
expérience, donner une autre vision de
leur activité… Et donner aux étudiants le
goût et l’excitation de travailler dans cette
industrie”, conclue-t-elle
» H ALL 7.2 / STAND F063
Marie Allantaz
Directrice Générale de l’ESCAET
(École Supérieure de Commerce
spécialisée Tourisme)
Les étudiants eux mêmes ont beaucoup
changé en une décennie. “La vision n’est
plus la même. Il y a plus de détachement
vis-à-vis de l’entreprise. Généralement
ils commencent leur vie professionnelle
avec l’idée que leur relation avec
l’entreprise sera du gagnant/gagnant. On
effectue un véritable travail de pédagogie
avec eux… et les entreprises aussi, pour
rapprocher les points de vue”, dit encore
Marie Allantaz.
Aujourd’hui, Marie Allantaz anime
une opération de communication
LA QUALITÉ :
UN ENJEU MAJEUR
Du 30 octobre au 5 novembre 2016, Les
Entreprises du Voyage organisent à Colombo
(Sri Lanka) – en collaboration avec l’APST
(Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du
Tourisme), le SETO (Syndicat des Entreprises du
Tour Opérating) et Level…com (Association des
Vendeurs de Voyages en Ligne) – le Congrès des
Entrepreneurs du Voyage sur le thème “La qualité
dans un environnement instable”. Jean-Pierre
Mas, Président des Entreprises du Voyages, nous
explique en quoi la qualité est un enjeu majeur.
“Agent de voyages on- ou off-line, tour-opérateur,
réceptif, TMC, organisateur de séminaires et
congrès… nous sommes des médiateurs. La
valeur de cette médiation repose sur la qualité
des prestations que nous délivrons à nos clients ;
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
qualité qui concerne l’ensemble de la chaine
reliant le voyageur au voyage.
Alors que, pour certains, le prix semble demeurer
le seul argument à mettre en avant, défendre la
qualité peut paraître à contre-courant. Prenonsen le risque.
C’est sur ce thème que nous travaillerons à
Colombo en séances plénières alors que les
ateliers seront consacrés à la vie de vos entreprises
et aux évolutions de leur environnement.
Enfin, et ce ne sera pas le moindre de ses intérêts,
ce congrès nous donnera l’occasion de découvrir
ou de redécouvrir le Sri Lanka, perle de qualité de
l’océan indien”
» H ALL 7.2 / STAND L098
www.iftmdaily.com
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 7
WE HAVE SOME OF AFRICA’S MOST
PRISTINE RESERVES AND NATIONAL
PARKS WITH OVER TWO MILLION
HECTARES OF SAVANNAHS AND
RAINFORESTS
Roger Kacou
Minister of Tourism,
Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is
back as a destination on the world
stage as the Ivorian government
makes resources available to
develop infrastructure and support
international marketing efforts.
IFTM Top Resa is considered a priority
market for the National Office of Tourism
of Côte d’Ivoire. “We have a long-standing
historical relationship with France and it is a
natural move to be present at IFTM Top Resa
every year, especially as French inbound is
our top market next to the whole of Africa”,
explains Roger Kacou, Minister of Tourism.
“We use the opportunity of our presence at
the show to organise many meetings with
French tourism professionals, such as a
meeting to talk about marketing promotion
and cooperation with the President of SNAV,
Jean-Pierre Mas”, he adds.
Côte d’Ivoire remains a relatively small
destination when looking at numbers:
1.2 million foreign travellers in 2O15,
which includes business, leisure and VFR
travellers - but this is a steady market,
growing year after year. “Tourism is turning
into an important economic activity in our
country. Just imagine; it had a share of only
0.6% of our GDP in 2011. In 2014, it stood
already at 4.8% and we are now at over
5%”, says Kacou. “We believe that tourism
might, in the future, have a similar share of
GDP to cocoa, our largest industry, with a
GDP share of 12%”.
The Côte d’Ivoire government leverages two
main fields for the promotion of tourism.
First, the country has, since 2011, identified
the regions able to support the development
of the destination. “They are basically
ten areas ready to welcome international
travellers. Abidjan and its metropolitan area
is one, with Grand Bassam, a colonial city,
which is now listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage and is a precious cultural tourism
asset. We then have our 550 km long
coast, which is ideal for the development of
seaside tourism. It starts from Jacqueville,
in the proximity of Abidjan and stretches up
to Sassandra and San Pédro, two important
seaside resort cities”, adds the Minister. San
Pédro is already the country’s second most
important port and now has an international
airport. “Our coast is made of lagoons and
bays, offering safe conditions for travellers”,
explains the Minister.
Chimpanzees”. The clever animals are even
able to crack nuts with a nutcracker! Another
important natural asset, and also a UNESCO
World Heritage site, is Comoe National Park
with its rare endemic animals. “We might not
be Kenya, but we have some of Africa’s most
pristine reserves and national parks with
over two million hectares of savannahs and
rainforests”, smiles Kacou.
The Minister says that to accompany the
development of tourism, the country’s
infrastructure has been greatly improved
Turning the Côte d’Ivoire
Into a Major Tourism
Destination in Africa
In the north, the government has identified
Kong and Korhogo as key cultural
destinations. Kong has a number of centuriesold mosques while Korhogo is a destination
for the discovery of the Senoufos ethnic
people, who, says the Minister, are famed for
its dances as well as their handicrafts. “We
have indeed over 60 different ethnics living
in the country and we now work to see how
to promote this diversity.”
The Republic has also some beautiful national
parks. Taï National Park, in the south, is
probably the best known in the country. It is
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and
has some of the last families of “intelligent
since 2011: “We now have a motorway
linking Abidjan to Yamassoukro and are
currently building one between Abidjan and
San Pédro. We also opened six regional
airports within the country, all linked to
Abidjan by our national airline, Air Côte
d’Ivoire.”
The Ivorian people are an asset unto
themselves. “We have a great sense of
hospitality and also a good sense of humour.
I promise that we know how to make our
guests at ease and give them the best of our
country. Everyone is truly welcomed in our
country. I believe this is our most precious
asset”, concludes Kacou.
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
8 TRADE TALK
Secret Escapes @ IFTM Top Resa
Secret Escapes is a members-only online travel agent specialising in handpicked luxury travel
offers. Their ability to generate new sales revenue from discretionary bookings has made
them a vital marketing channel for a global network of partners. We asked Serena Donato –
Contracts Manager – France – to tell us more…
Serena Donato
Contracts Manager – France,
Secret Escapes
Secret Escapes is a popular and
trusted lifestyle brand, with an
impeccable reputation, consistently
inspiring customer confidence. We
keep on growing and launching in
several territories across the globe,
namely UK, Germany, Sweden,
Norway and Denmark, USA, Italy,
Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland,
Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, and France.
What are you seeing as being the key
areas of interest this year from the
public in terms of geographic regions?
The Paris and Ile de France has
picked up again after a very slow start
of the year, however our presence
in the German market is bringing
a significant success to the Alsace
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
region in particular. PACA (eds:
Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur) remains
a major destination but still very
seasonal.
“FOODIE”
HOLIDAYS ARE
DEFINITELY THE
ONES THAT WORK
BEST WHEN
PACKAGED
What “kinds” of travel styles (i.e.
adventure, weddings, gastronomy)
are emerging?
The “foodie” holidays are definitely the
ones that work best when packaged.
What are your key reasons for coming
to IFTM Top Resa?
Finding new potential partners in
France but also networking and
seeing what potentials are available
for the future of Secret Escapes as we
become global.
How important is the show in terms of
finding new ideas, contacts etc?
This show is definitely relevant for the
reasons I just outlined and this is even
more crucial for a company like Secret
Escapes, which is constantly growing
and opening up in new territories;
France being one of the most recent
with the new brand “Evasions
Secrètes”
www.iftmdaily.com
REGIONS 9
AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST
TRAVEL TRENDS
Africa & Middle East
MIDDLE EAST
AFRICA
International tourist arrivals in the Middle East are
estimated by the UNWTO to have declined by 7%
January through April 2016 according to available
information, having grown in 2015 by an estimated 3%
to a total of 54 million.
The IPK World Travel Trends Report for its part underlines
that inbound international travel to the Middle East has
been seriously impacted in recent years by turmoil and
conflicts in the region, which have driven down visitor
numbers to many countries.
In the first four months of 2016,
the UNWTO reports that in Africa
(+7%), international tourist
arrivals experienced a clear
rebound in Sub-Saharan Africa
(+13%), while in North Africa
results were down by 8%. This
followed a 3% decrease in
international arrivals in the full
year 2015, - a total of 53 million.
MOROCCO
in 3 USPs
NEW VISA REGULATIONS
IN SOUTH AFRICA
On the other hand, Nigel Vere
Nicoll of the African Travel and
Tourism Association points out
that two feeder markets are
being hard hit by the move:
“Both the Brazilian market
and the Chinese market have
gone to virtually zero, because
it’s virtually impossible to get
biometric passports in those
countries.”
Cross border tourism is
becoming increasingly
important in fostering tourism
growth. Another factor is the
growing middle class in Africa.
Vere Nicoll underlines the fact
that GDP growth in Kenya,
Tanzania and surrounding
areas is running at around seven
percent: “In manufacturing
and IT industries, Africa is
beginning to replace China as
a serious supplier. The midmarket of people involved in
these industries will be the big
travellers of the future. If I were
a betting man I would put my
money on mid-market hotels in
city centres”
PROXIMITY
Firstly, in geographic terms, as France and Morocco
are very close and a number of regions in France have
direct flights to different Moroccan destinations. But more
important than that is the cultural proximity with France.
Over generations, a great complicity has developed with
France, in linguistic terms, but also when it comes to
gastronomy and general culture. Indeed, Morocco is the
number one non-European destination for French tourists.
FRIENDLINESS
© McKay Savage
Since November 2015, visa
applicants for South Africa need
to have a biometric passport
before their application will be
considered. WTTC president
David Scowsill has welcomed
the changes, saying, “WTTC
is extremely pleased that the
South African government has
decided to adopt new visa
policies that ensure a smoother
visa application process for
business and leisure travellers
that are looking to visit this
great destination.”
There’s so much to do in Morocco, it’s hard to think of
the “top three” reasons to go. So we asked Khalid Mimi,
Director – France – of the Moroccan National Tourism
Office, what he felt were the key selling points of his
country…
Tourists are not clients, they are friends. One of the first
reflexes of French people when they travel is to head for
Morocco. In this sense, many tourists seek lodgings
outside of usual “hotel” infrastructure, to live in Moroccan
style with the Moroccans. Tourists of all categories can
find what they want in this respect, from ultra luxurious
lodgings to simple Riads and guesthouses.
SAFETY
Morocco is very safe, and its people are very tolerant
and open. The current geopolitical context has meant
that the country has been somewhat stigmatised and
amalgamated through confusion. But events like the
Timitar Berber festival of tolerance is one example of how
Morocco is “making a statement” to the contrary. Even
more important was strong message given in the recent
speech by King Mohammed VI, where he underlined that
“Those who engage in terrorism, in the name of Islam,
are not Muslims
Midès canyon, Tunisia
» H ALL 7.2 / STAND M041
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
10 REGIONS
WEST AFRICA
Local Market
Knowledge is a Must
IFTM Top Resa hosts Forum for Tourist
Investments in West Africa, with
specialists giving the keys to success
AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST
West Africa might not be the first
destination investors are looking at,
but opportunities exist and it would be
a mistake not to consider them. That
message was conveyed by participants
in an IFTM round-table in the presence of
Roger Kacou, Minister of Tourism of Ivory
Coast and supported by Horwath HTL.
“We must look at West Africa in a long
term perspective”, said Gael de la Porte du
Theil, President of Interface Tourism. “We
know that tourism has strong resilience
and the ability to bounce back from crisis.
As West Africa lags behind other parts of
the world in tourism development, there
is now a need to catch up with other
countries”, he added.
In 2015, Africa recorded 53.3 million
international arrivals, down 3.3% over
2014. That represents a market share of
5% of all international arrivals worldwide.
However Sub-Saharan Africa showed
resilience with arrivals growing by 2%.
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016
EVALUATING RISKS
Investing in West Africa thus requires
a good knowledge of local market’s
conditions: “It is of utmost importance to
have the right team to negotiate and have
a good knowledge of the social-economic
situation”, explained Alexis Janoray,
Director of Development for AccorHotels in
Sub-Saharian Africa.
Political stability, taxes, construction time
and safety issues are part of the evaluation.
“It is very important to know a person who
can master the timing in planning and
construction and then react to adjust in
case of a problem”, added Janoray.
The right finance partner is another
strategic element. “Generally, local banks
have limited financing capacities to follow
on a project, especially in the case of
a delay or inflated costs. It is then wise
to have a strong international financial
institution”, added Erwan Garnier, Director
of Development Africa and Indian Ocean
for the Rezidor Hotel Group
www.iftmdaily.com
© Emilio del Prado
WHERE
TO GO
Paris
IN
HOSPITALITY
/
RESTAURANTS / BARS
CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE
Paris – Through the Eyes of
Alexandre Debanne
Alexandre Debanne is a French TV host – known
largely for his “globe trotting” programmes. He
has been gracing the aisles of IFTM Top Resa,
as among other things, he is coordinating the
upcoming “Amazones Raid” in California.
We caught up with him on the Visit California
stand, and asked him – as a Paris resident –
what he loves most about this great city…
extremely convivial. You feel as though you’re out in the
I have a number of “favourite” places in Paris, and
A favourite museum?
although it’s not very original, I must say that Montmartre
is magnificent. Even if it’s very touristic, it retains its charm.
But above all, what I love in Paris is the Seine. It’s the most
beautiful avenue in the city! Crossing the city on the Seine
Alexandre Debanne
French TV presenter
is sumptuous. There’s something a lot of Parisians don’t do,
country, in the middle of Paris.
Something fun?
Rollerblading or running along some of the avenues
alongside the Seine on the weekend when they are closed
to traffic. Paris without cars is particularly pleasant.
The Musée du Quai Branly, near the Alma Bridge, which
was inaugurated by Jacques Chirac, and which features
indigenous art and cultures from around the world. Then
there is the Musée d’Orsay as well, which is in an old
train station.
because they think it’s old hat, and that’s going on a dinner
cruise. I however advise everyone to try this. It’s best in the
A favourite monument or building?
month of June when the sunsets are amazing, and bring a
One monument that must be seen is an amazing building
special light to the city. Notre Dame de Paris is magnificent
that was built around 1890 to host major artistic events and
seen this way, but even in September it’s well worthwhile.
went on to host regular equestrian events: it’s the Grand
Palais, just near the Champs Elysées, with its incredible
A favourite restaurant?
glass roof. For me, it’s the most beautiful, extraordinary
It’s called Le Petit Poucet (Hop-o’-my Thumb) on La Jatte
building in Paris. It’s still an exhibition space today, and
Island – in between Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret.
there’s always something happening there. Whatever the
It’s right at the end of the island. The restaurant’s been
event, you should go, just for the pleasure of being in that
there forever, and the food is excellent. But above all, it’s
mythical place!
IFTM Daily • Friday 23rd September 2016