According to a report on the evolution of the tourism industry in 2012, drafted for the ITB Berlin event to be organized this spring, despite numerous question marks on the evolution of the international economic environment, the tourism industry recorded a positive trend in 2012, even if it has slowed down its increase.
The report indicates a total of 6.8 billion trips in 2012, going up with 2.5% compared to 2011, out of which 5.77 billion trips were domestic and 1.03 trips were international. Forecast for 2013 remains positive and anticipates an increase of 2-3%.
The report also draws some interesting conclusions on the changing behavior and typology of the travelers.
It is common knowledge that one of the effects of the economic crisis is lower remuneration for the working time, so professionals found themselves faced with working more time for about the same amount of money. Thus, holidays in 2012 were mainly shorter trips but more expensive. The total cost was of 875 billion euro, up 7% as compared to 2011. Equally, people over 35 years have traveled more than other age groups and over 54% of buyers have booked their holidays online. Only 24% of passengers have opted to book their vacations in a travel agency.
As travel destinations, the most significant increase in 2012 was of South America, with 12% more tourists, followed by Asia with an increase of 7%.
Equally, a survey conducted in autumn 2012 by Pangea Network in collaboration with The Blueroom Project based on the responses of 300 professionals in the tourism industry, highlighted the importance of long haul tourism packages for travel agencies and tour operators. Thus, 36% of the respondents confirmed that the sales of long haul destinations represent at least half of their total revenues. Also, the majority said that the tourists prefer to acquire the complete package, with airport transfers and optional excursions included.
The most sought after vacation period in 2012 was the month of August and the average length of a trip was of two weeks. Price of such vacations varies between 2,000 and 4,000 euros per person.
To conclude, event tough worldwide economies are still struggling to be back on the right track, tourism has managed somehow to adapt to this harsh economic environment and it is a major win to have registered positive results in 2012.
Source: IPK International for ITB Berlin, “IBT World Travel Trends Report 2012/2013”
