The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) partnered with Hotelbeds to bring sector leaders together in Palma, Mallorca, to delve into the ever-evolving dynamics of global Travel & Tourism.
Titled “Global Trends in the Tourism Sector”, the event provided a platform for attendees to gain valuable insights into the current state of Travel & Tourism through presentations and discussions led by Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, and Hotelbeds’ CEO Nicolas Huss.
The event acknowledged the thriving tourism landscape, both on a global scale and within the Balearic Islands. In 2022, global Travel & Tourism experienced an extraordinary growth rate of 22 per cent, primarily driven by the lifting of pandemic restrictions and a surge in spending by foreign visitors.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Today, we witness a thriving Travel & Tourism sector, not just in the Balearics, but worldwide, with strong performance in Spain.
“Post pandemic leisure travel is booming. But travel patterns are changing. In the Balearics we are seeing a longer season. Luxury travel is particularly strong with hotels leading with new products for this market.
“Travelers want to travel more sustainably. Travel & Tourism can grow and protect the planet. Let us come together to shape a sustainable future for travel and tourism.”
During the event, held at the TravelTech Lab in Hotelbeds’ headquarters in Palma, Spain was recognised as a global leader in tourism, with the sector, contributing significantly to its economic landscape. Projections indicated that by the end of 2023, this sector will represent a remarkable 14.6 per cent of Spain’s GDP and provide employment to nearly three million Spaniards, underscoring its crucial role in job creation.
Nicolas Huss, Hotelbeds CEO, said: “As we come to an end for the summer season, we should reflect and celebrate what the sector has achieved this year. The strong commitment of companies throughout the tourism ecosystem to work together with external partners, including those in the innovation sphere, will be critical to ensure Travel & Tourism continue to thrive.”
The CEOs also spotlighted the sector’s shift from corporate to leisure travel, with the latter currently accounting for a significant 88 per cent of travel spending in Spain. This transformation is expected to continue, further strengthening the leisure travel segment.
Balearic Islands, an international tourism model
Hotelbeds’ data shows that this summer the traditional flows of travelers have not only been maintained but also increased, coming from the United Kingdom (+17 per cent) and Germany (+29 per cent) to the Balearic Islands. In addition, countries including France and Portugal have seen growing demand to the islands while long-haul markets out of Europe, such as the United States, are also growing.
Palma, a rising role in international travel
Meanwhile, according to WTTC’s latest Cities Economic Impact Research, Palma’s Travel & Tourism contribution to the city’s GDP saw an incredible 128 per cent jump, reaching more than €1.5 billion, representing 6.3 per cent of the local economy.
In terms of employment in Palma, last year the sector supported nearly 20,000 jobs, representing 6 per cent of the local workforce, although this figure still trails 2019 by 11,000 jobs.
Tourism trends
Hotelbeds predicts that three trends that will continue to define the traveler of the future, namely:
- Trips that combine leisure and business supported by the shift to remote working in recent years
- Sustainable travel, driven largely by Gen Z who are more conscious of their environmental footprint. Both companies are committed to this shift and have signed an agreement for Hotelbeds to join the WTTC’s Sustainability Basics program to raise awareness and encourage properties to be more environmentally friendly
- The rise of personalized travel; While people want to be able to book their trips at the click of a button, technology is being increasingly used to deliver tailored experiences, often supported by artificial intelligence
The breakfast event fostered an environment for local leaders to engage in thoughtful discussions about the future of Travel & Tourism. Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, setting the stage for continued collaboration and growth.
