TOURISM IN EUROPE Nick
TOURISM IN EUROPE Nick Greenfield Head of Tour Operator Relations, ETOA ON SINO-EUROPEAN RELATIONS AND BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT WALLS A big topic for the European tourism association this year and next year is the build-up to the 2018 EU-China tourism year. We asked Nick Greenfield, Head of Tour Operator Relations at the association to tell us more… In conjunction with ETC, we won the tender to host some events this year and one of these is “World Bridge Tourism” – a project supported by the European Union aiming to increase the flow of visitors from China to the EU, to be held just before ITB China on the 9 th -10 th May 2017. The event is suited for European SMEs in particular, who deliver product such as accommodation, attractions, destinations and the like, who can go over there and be hosted - to meet directly with travel industry professionals in China. Meanwhile, another concern at the moment in Europe is that there is a tendency to mix up issues about security and immigration with people being able to travel. There is an idea that only by putting up barriers and halting reforms that are being made to the visa process – such as the possible introduction of a long-haul visa waver project – we can have security. All the great reforms that are taking place are on ice at the moment for political reasons. Our argument would be that rather than imposing barriers or freezing all the good work that’s already been done in the Schengen area, surely intelligence is where the money should be invested. We have thus written an open letter to the President of the European Parliament asking that delays to reforms be reconsidered, and that this work, which is essential to the healthy growth of tourism across the continent, continues.
INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGIES Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport SPECIAL ISSUE #08 March 2017 25 © iStock - chombosan THE DAY OF THE ROBOTS Hospitality technologies are advancing in leaps and bounds, and for most hoteliers, keeping up with technology is still one of the biggest headaches, while at the same time being one of the greatest opportunities. Front and back of house software, PoS, PoI, guest facing (in room) technologies… they are all forging ahead and in many cases merging. However, one that will really be a game changer, that was not part of the equation before, is that of robotics. In cleaning, welcoming and who knows how many other roles, one thing is sure. Robots have already in many cases become part of the hotelier’s everyday life, and will become increasingly essential in years to come!
