ITB Berlin News 2018 - Preview Edition

24 SPECIAL FEATURE

24 SPECIAL FEATURE ADVENTURE TRAVEL SLEEP OUT UNDER THE STARS The ultimate wilderness experience; sleep out under the stars in the spectacular and extremely remote Luwi dry river bed. Experience the thrill of the first safari pioneers, as they discovered the wonders of the South Luangwa. Guests venture out on foot from the remotest bush camps in the afternoon, find a spot to camp, make the camp fire for a braai supper, which they can help to cook themselves. Then, having shared adventure stories around the fire – sleep out under the magnificent African sky whilst the guide and scout keep watch. These light and spacious units are all set on slightly raised wooden decks; each has an en suite open-air bathroom and private veranda overlooking the bush and river bed. The National Park is unfenced, so unexpected visitors may come calling in any camp! Open from May 20 to October 31, there are four guest chalets, located a 2.5 hour game drive from Mfuwe Airport Chongwe Sleepout © Time + Tide Ras Al Khaimah’s New Zipline Declared World Record Breaker Ras Al Khaimah has achieved a Guinness World Records title for its latest adventure tourism product, Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline. The official certification was handed over today to HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, by Hoda Khachab, the official adjudicator from Guinness World Records. HH Sheikh Ahmad bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi was the first to trial the zipline, following the official certification by Guinness World Records. Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “This is a great achievement for Ras Al Khaimah’s international tourism ambitions. We are now receiving our largest-ever number of visitor arrivals and are confident that Jebel Jais Flight: the world’s longest zipline, will earn the UAE’s emirate of Ras Al Khaimah considerable recognition on the local, regional and global stage and propel the destination into the major leagues of global adventure tourism “The Jebel Jais Flight will become Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship tourism product and will cement Jebel Jais as the adventure tourism hub of the Middle East. We are expecting to see an increasing number of adventure tourists coming from across the globe to try this bucket list experience.” The world’s longest zipline, 2.83 kilometres long, the equivalent to more than 28 football pitches, and spanning the chasm of Jebel Jais, the UAE’s largest mountain peak at over 1,680 metres above sea level. Thrill-seekers will travel at speeds of up to 120kph to 150kph and the world’s longest zip-line features cable weighing in at over six tons. The Ras Al Khaimah zipline is operated by Toro Verde Ras Al Khaimah. Ricardo Lizano, Toro Verde’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Toro Verde brings to Ras Al Khaimah immense zipline management experience earned through previous projects in Central and South America, including Toro Verde Puerto Rico, the ‘Monster’ which, at 2.2km previously held the zipline record now claimed by this ambitious emirate” Hall 2.2 / Stand 103 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 1 st March 2018 www.itb-berlin-news.com

SPECIAL FEATURE YOUTH TRAVEL 25 YOUTH TRAVEL AT ITB BERLIN Once again, Hall 4.1 is the place to head for Youth Travel & Economy Accommodation. This year there is a focus on digitalisation and youth travel certification, which the Rockin’ All over the World Festival will be open on the public days. Visitors to Hall 4.1 will get comprehensive information on youth travel, with tourism associations, organisations and tour operators presenting their services and latest products. The displays are next door to the Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism segment where hotels for backpackers, budget hotels and designer hotels as well as youth hostels, internet websites and associations will be presenting their services for young people. From Wednesday, March 7 to Friday, March 9, a wide range of events on youth travel awaits visitors to the stage and the Youth Incoming Germany (YIG) Lounge. On Thursday, March 8, from 12pm to 3.30pm, under the heading of Youth Travel Destinations, visitors can find out how regions can obtain certification from the travel network Deutscher Fachverband für Jugendreisen. The Arberland and Schliersee regions, the first two destinations to have received certification, will relate their experiences and success. The travel network will also have w ide-ranging information on procedures as well as benefits and marketing opportunities for interested destinations Organisers Herald Launch of Startup Forum Digitalisation Youth Travel Travel start-ups are being given the chance to promote their products and services to a broad audience of industry experts at this year’s ITB Berlin. The Startup Forum Digitalisation Youth Travel will take place on Wednesday, March 7, from 12pm to 3pm in Hall 4.1, and is organised by Juvigo, Germany’s leading platform for youth travel. Björn Viergutz, Founder and CEO of Juvigo, said that by setting the focus on young organisations related to youth travel, Juvigo is pushing the industry’s digitalisation forward. Viergutz said: “Mutual trust builds the foundation of sustainable co-operation with all kinds of partners in the field of youth travel” Attracting Millennials and Gen Z While global growth of youth travel seems certain, one factor remains critical for attracting more members of the Millennial and Z generations to your destination. According to the New Horizons IV survey of more than 57,000 young travellers globally, the most important motivations to travel relate to desires to experience destinations and their cultures and increase self knowledge. More traditional holiday motivations, such as relaxing, are less important to young travellers. David Chapman, Director General of the World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation, said: “Many destinations ask me how they can tap into the power of youth travel, how they can attract more Millennials or prepare for Gen Z travellers or even Alphas. “My answer to them is usually in the form of a question: Have you looked at your country’s policies around cultural exchange?” WYSE Travel Confederation, the organisation that conducts the New Horizons survey of global youth travel, has observed that the top five destinations for young travellers have remained fairly consistent since 2007, with the two interesting exceptions: the USA and Australia. The USA has been the top destination visited by young travellers since 2007 and remains so today, however, its TOP 10 YOUTH TRAVEL DESTINATIONS, 2007-2017 (source: New Horizons, WYSE Travel Confederation) share shrunk considerably in 2017 when compared to 2012, dipping down close to its 2007 proportion. Back in 2007 Australia featured in the top three destinations visited by young travellers, but by 2012 was not even registering within the top ten youth destination. In 2017, it re-entered the top 10 list, in front of only Thailand and Austria. Chapman said: “More caution and consideration seem to be the trend for youth choosing a travel destination. While political and social unrest are not stopping young people from travelling, issues of political and social nature have them thinking about where they are welcome. “Recognising the value of cultural exchange through policies and programmes that allow young people to learn in your destination is a futurelooking foundation that every destination should establish.” Conducted once every five years, New Horizons provides an overview of the youth travel market, which WYSE Travel Confederation and UNWTO have estimated to account for 23 per cent of international arrivals annually 2007 2012 2017 United States 7% United States 15% United States 9% France 7% France 7% Spain 7% Australia 5% Spain 6% France 7% Italy 5% Italy 6% Italy 6% Spain 5% United Kingdom 5% United Kingdom 5% United Kingdom 4% Germany 4% Germany 5% Germany 3% Canada 4% Netherlands 3% Thailand 3% China 3% Australia 3% Canada 2% Thailand 3% Thailand 2% New Zealand 2% Netherlands 2% Austria 2% Malaysia 2% Australia 2% Greece 2% ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 1 st March 2018