But if you forget things during your vacation trip, it would be the most disappointing thing to experience. So, instead of missing them out, that would ruin your summer vacation, then we listed the things you shouldn’t forget to prevent paying a triple price for buying these things at your destinations.

1. Wristwatch –  Today, many people wear their wristwatches on different occasions including holidays because it prevents them from being late whenever you are having a scheduled trip. You should also not forget to bring a wristwatch on your out-of-town trip! While one of the best timepieces that you should wear on your summer vacation is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona which is great for traveling because it is very durable. Even if Cosmograph Daytona Price is very expensive, it will surely be useful for your summer vacation trip! Unlike mobile phones, wristwatches offer a longer battery time that is good for scheduled trips. Another good thing about a wristwatch is that it can add looks to your outfit because you can choose different types of the watch, such as sportswear, casual wear, or any other events depending on your summer vacation attire.

2. Phone Chargers or Power Banks

If you don’t want to be interrupted on your summer vacation because of low battery devices, then bringing phone chargers and power banks would help you stay focused on your holiday trip. Nowadays cellphones are multifunctional devices that make you entertained and connected to social media platforms and also allow you to take pictures around you at the same time listening to music. That is why phones are important to us, especially when having family gatherings or holiday trips. Bringing chargers and power banks is one of the important things to remember.

3. Umbrella

Many of you may think that having an umbrella is just an added weight to your luggage, but it is also important in staying dry when unexpected rain comes along. Even if the weather forecast says that it is not raining today because it is summer, it is important to always be prepared, especially on vacation trips. Another thing that is good about having an umbrella is that when there’s a strong wind you can use it to prevent eye irritation and blowing up your clothes. Well, let’s not forget about fashion pictorial in summer vacations, it also brings looks to you whenever you are planning to have a picture to post online.

4. Bottled Water

Traveling and exploring the world, trips, and transportation may be stressful. That is why you always have to have bottled water on your backpacks to stay hydrated. It also helps you in saving your money that instead of buying water that you already have, you can buy food instead. Some places you may explore don’t have clean tap water, and having packed bottled water makes you feel safe and comfortable. Many of the bottled water has what they called “filters” that are good when you are exploring in mountains and hiking that helps to clean all the water you want to drink, especially when you want to get from lakes or any nearest available tap water.

5. Hand Sanitizers or Alcohol

Another problem you may encounter in your summer vacation is that you can’t enjoy your trip, especially when eating your food while your hands are dirty. Well, hand sanitizers will help you stay clean whenever you are in contact with other people. Outdoor trips allow you to have contact with other tourists or any objects that may have a viral infection or harmful diseases that is why hand sanitizers are needed in outdoor activities to prevent you from having it. Another good thing about hand sanitizers is that they are easy to carry, and they have a variety of well-flavored scents you may enjoy.

6. Medications and First Aid Kits

When you suffer from dizziness, Asthma, and other severe conditions, then bringing your medical supplements and kits is the most important thing you must carry. Some people who are sensitive to sunlight and have rashes must bring ointments and lotions. The same for the persons with asthma, they must bring their inhalers for any sudden attacks. Having an absence of medications on your backpack will make you feel unsafe and discomfort because anytime you may be attacked by your illnesses. If you are prone to having headaches, bringing a pain reliever is another thing that is important to consider because you don’t want to get dizzy while you are on a vacation trip. In short, to prevent disrupting enjoyable exploration, be sure to always bring your supplements and medications for emergency use.

Takeaway

To avoid your vacation trips from the worst and upsetting experiences, be sure to prepare all the things you need for a more exciting and fun adventure. We assure you that the things listed above are the most important things you must bring to prevent any disruptions. There are many ways to appreciate your summer trips just like being on time and having your phone fully charged and ready. But the essence of summer vacation is to enjoy your relationship with your family and beloved ones as you keep in touch with them. Keep all these in mind on your next vacation or trip. Stay safe and enjoy! You deserve to relax!

Greenery, beauty, and modesty. Switzerland is indeed one of the most worth-visiting countries across the globe. It clinched the rank 10 in the most peaceful countries in the world from the 2020 Global Peace Index according to Global Finance.

Its gigantic mountain ranges are indeed breathtaking and wonderfully amazing. Some of it is covered with smoothly sprouted grasses while some of its peaks look like vanilla-coated ice cream due to snow blankets. Their water bodies are simply relaxing and worth seeing because of their unwavering cleanliness and crystal clarity. Their climate is enough to enjoy; cold breezes of air are alluring for some physical activities so that you could truly maximize your quality time with your loved ones, or even yourself alone. Of course, you don’t want to miss the chance to reminisce about Switzerland. To take with their bests, dive into this blog to unveil the top-tier Swiss products:

1. Wristwatch –   Timepieces or wristwatches are Switzerland’s products of mastery. The first thing is that they are offering affordable yet stylish and precise types of watches called “Swatch.” Just so you know, it means “Swiss” and “Watch.” And yes, you heard it right — Swatch comes from the mountainous country of the Swiss. Felt amazed? Perhaps, you should, because aside from that, they offer the undying legacy of Tissot Watches. Speaking of mountains, this wristwatch collection was first headquartered in its hometown Le Locle in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1853, from which it has adopted its Swiss identity at its innermost core; style, elegance, and material. For almost two centuries, the Tissot collection was able to clinch the peak of its horology, securing every client and customer the best wristwatch experience they can ever have. If you are bothered by the dilemma that no design might be matched with you, worry no more because the Tissot collection has lots of unique-to-each-other designs, available in several technical variations.

2. Swiss Chocolate

It is perhaps the sweet taste of Switzerland. Just to think of the soothing and rejuvenating aroma and taste of Swissmiss at a glance, you will know how exemplary Swiss chocolate is. Swiss chocolate has truly created its repute to the world for its refined smoothness and extraordinary taste. Did you just know that the country has its highest per-capita consumption for chocolate alone? Swiss chocolates come in various forms like truffles and bars. They are dubbed as having the “world’s freshest truffles.” Specifically, Zurich, a place in the country, is entitled to its numerous chocolatiers who create and offer these freshest Swiss chocolates. One of its best Swiss chocolates, Lindt, is well-known around the world for its creamy and right medley of sweetness.

3. Ice Cream –  Indeed each country has its version of ice cream as each one has its intrinsic culture, influences, geography, topography, traditions, climate, and even weather conditions. In Switzerland, they have this delectable cold sweet tooth from Mövenpick. As an ice cream collection from Nestlé, this ice cream is truly scrumptious as each scoop is a burst of pure delicacy and medley of surprising flavors. The flavors range from citrus flavors to milky and creamy ones, so you will never get stuck with the same glimpse of taste at once. Who would ever resist ice cream in the first place? How much more when it was mixed with lots of fresh food flavors and mouth-watering ingredients come from the delicate creation of its uniquely and finely-made Swiss recipes.

4. Swiss Knife

Oh no! It is yet somehow delicate for minors and kids. However, its versatility is indeed worth availing for various settings and emergencies. Many say that each Swiss man has their Swiss knife in their pocket. And at the moment, lots of people in the world are now using this as a can and wine opener, chopping herbal ingredients, and many more. One of the famous and reputable Swiss knives, Victorinox, has indeed been able to claim its identity by getting the flag symbol itself. Just so you know, it is quite well-known in the United States as they use it as accessories, essential tools, and other usages. Like multi-tool, pocket-sized knives in a diminutive collection of metals with different functions, nobody can complain about its portable and durable materials. This is also known as the Swiss Army Knife.

5. Soda Pop

Enjoy the sweet, thirst-quenching, and inspiriting soda pop of Switzerland. But wait, did you know that one from their country is made out of milk serum? You heard it right. Unique, peculiar, and strange — the heaven you can feel from the soda pop called Rivella. Many neighboring countries tried to expand their market but reported they failed. This yummy taste from the out-of-the-world mixture of lactose, lactic acid, caramelized sugar, and minerals is superb for its bizarreness yet near to the hearts, and tongue, of the people. To further shock you, these facts might surprise you. First, it comes with five flavors: Red, the classic and original; Green tea for those who want the glimpse of tea; Mango, for those wanting that citrus and refreshing taste of mango; Blue, for those who want that beverage with fewer calories; and finally, Rhubarb, for those who want the mystifying taste of it.

Conclusion

The peaceful, relaxing atmosphere and jaw-dropping picturesque geographical sceneries of Switzerland might be inviting to you. But beyond that, their culture and their novelties are important reasons to visit. Perhaps, these may just be mere bonuses. This country is perfect for snowboarding, skiing, hiking, and even swimming activities. Of course, no one could ever resist the Swiss products for their high-quality production. Specifically, Swiss watches are some of the best and worth products that boast precision, ingenuity, and durability that no one could ever resist. Tissot watches, for example, are indeed exquisite and scrutinized by watchmakers. Aside from that, you want some souvenirs from this beloved country, right? Don’t forget to drop by a Tissot store and buy timepieces for your loved ones too!

Following a long stretch of stay-at-home orders, consumers are eager to get out and travel according to a new research study from Oracle and Skift. Just over half (51%) of people surveyed in both North and Latin America plan to book trips in the next six months, while 38% of those in Asia-Pacific and Europe are planning get-aways. People, however, are opting to stay closer to home with driving distance (47%) or domestic trips (44%) being favored. With so much uncertainty ahead, consumers are also demanding flexible cancellation and refund policies (76%) and are more open to considering hotels offering discounted rates (65%).

Consumers’ willingness to travel also comes with heavy caveats for hotels in terms of advancements in cleaning and technology. In response, 70% of hotels already are or are planning to adopt contactless technology for check-in, food ordering, concierge services and more. Ninety percent have or are planning to also increase cleaning and disinfecting frequency and training for staff on these procedures and safer guest interactions (89%).

“As the hospitality industry turns a corner on the road to recovery, technology will be critical to protecting travelers and workers alike,” said Alex Alt, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Hospitality. “Safety rightly remains consumers’ top priority when they consider traveling, and the hospitality industry is doubling down on technology to facilitate social distancing and reduce face to face interaction for guests’ protection.”

Shifting Demand, Changing Operations

With international border restriction and flying concerns, hotels will be welcoming new types of travelers, making the stakes high to leave a positive impression that will lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations. The survey found that:

• Border closures reshaping guest profile: More than 30% of executives surveyed said they expected to see a few more or significantly more domestic travelers, and over 60% were expecting fewer or significantly fewer international travelers. This may offer a silver lining for North American hoteliers, 57% of whom agreed that the greatest majority of their guests were domestic travelers before the health crisis, signaling a more limited impact on demand.
• New policies court travelers: Hotels are moving swiftly to abide by consumer demands with more than 80% of executives reporting that they were considering or have already made changes to allow for more flexible cancellation and refund policies.
• Safety will be the new gold standard: Unsurprisingly, space and cleanliness will remain critical, with 84% of travelers agreeing that ‘creating social distancing’ rules for hotel public spaces will be the most influential factor in their decision about which travel brands to choose for upcoming trips. Hotel executives appear ready to meet these expectations, with 82% either considering or already altering public spaces to enable social distancing.

Technology Paramount to a Positive Safer Guest Experience

Technology is enabling social distancing and cleanliness by reducing the need for in-person interactions and empowering hotels to deliver ‘high-touch’ service without the ‘touch.’ Specifically:

• Hotels go contactless: More than 70% of executives said they were considering or are already using contactless payment and digital messaging services, and close to 60% were considering/already using room keys activated by smartphone. Consumers concur, indicating that contactless payments (35%), digital room keys (26%) and digital messaging services (20%) were among the top three changes that would make them feel more comfortable staying in a hotel.
• Self-service tools let guests skip the front desk: Over 70% of executives agreed or strongly agreed that self-service technology will be important to assisting guests while minimizing unnecessary contact, with two thirds (67%) reporting they were considering or are already using self-service check-in procedures. A similar portion of consumers (70%) agreed or strongly agreed they’d be more willing to stay at hospitality businesses that implemented these types of services, with 23% citing self-service check-in via kiosk as a change that would increase their comfort.
• Ample amenities, less interaction: More than 60% of executive respondents reported they were considering or already making changes to expand room service options, and 50% are looking into expanding meal takeout/delivery options. One-fifth of guests ranked expanded room service options as a top factor for alleviating concerns, allowing them to avoid shared spaces such as hotel restaurants.

The global study, A Data-Driven Look at Hospitality’s Recovery, explored 4,600 consumers and 1,800 hotel executives’ attitudes and outlook on travel, including changes to the guest and employee experience, booking policies and distribution, and the industry’s recovery outlook.

• Proposed new airports to boost real estate – particularly tourism & hospitality – in Tier 2 & 3 Cities

• Improved connectivity will push more start-ups & IT-ITeS companies to expand their presence in smaller cities

Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chairman – ANAROCK Property Consultants

The last decade told a tale of mixed fortunes for Indian aviation, with many highs and lows. The number of operational airports increased from 82 in 2010 to 103 in 2019, while passenger traffic almost trebled from 123 million passengers in FY10 to 344.7 million in FY19. However, the decade also witnessed the closure of two of the country’s largest airlines.

Always a bellwether of a country’s growth and development, the aviation sector plays a vital role in promoting its economy. As the only rapid worldwide transportation network, aviation is a key factor in the growth of tourism, business and hospitality. As India gears up for the significant expansion under the UDAN scheme by FY24, the growth of aviation and its associated infrastructure plays will push the tourism and hospitality sectors – especially in smaller cities.

Regional Connectivity to Improve

Currently, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages 125 airports in the country, including 17 international airports. With airports in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru running to full capacity, there is a dire need for new airports. In the Union Budget 2020-21, the FM announced 100 new airports by FY2024 under the UDAN scheme. As per the Economic Survey, 16 private greenfield airports, 15 AAI airports, 31 heliports and 12 water dromes will be developed, and 46 idle airstrips will be revived.

To ease the pressure on existing major airports, new ones will be developed under the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – which focuses on facilitating regional connectivity – by providing financial support and infrastructure development. As per the UDAN program, airlines bid to win subsidies for operating flights linking big airports with smaller ones.

The Finance Minister has also proposed launching a separate Krishi UDAN scheme, which will improve connectivity with the country’s northeast region. Under the PRASAD scheme launched in 2015, the government has already identified and developed pilgrimage sites across the country to boost religious tourism. 

Hospitality in Tier 2 & 3 Cities to Get a Boost

These airports will place smaller destinations on the tourism map. In fact, with the increasing focus on unique experiential travel and stays, smaller boutique hotels and resorts in off-beat locations are the Next Big Thing for Indian hospitality. Also, with airports providing improved connectivity, more start-ups and IT-ITeS companies will crop up and expand in these smaller cities.

This factor will also increase the demand for quality hotels in such centres where the USPs are lower land cost and better affordability than in the top cities. We will see a lot of renewed interest from domestic and even international hospitality brands.

As has been evidenced in other parts of the world, the development of aviation was a veritable game-changer for tourism and hospitality of many world cities. Dubai is a notable example – it has become a major transit hub for those travelling between Europe, Africa, North and South America and Asia.

Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest facilities in the world and reached the major milestone of having served 1 billion passengers by the end of 2018. Not surprisingly, its airport’s emergence as a preferred transit hub for millions of travellers has induced phenomenal growth in Dubai’s hospitality sector. 

The transformation is indeed remarkable. In the early 1990s, Dubai had only a handful of hotels available for tourists; today, the city hosts every major hospitality brand and has more than 95,000 rooms. With such a strategic approach, aviation-enabled cities can result in extended stays by transit travellers, thereby becoming major tourism hubs in their own right.

Ready to Take Off?

According to the Ministry of Tourism, around 3,77,092 tourists arrived on e-tourist visas in India in December 2019, registering an annual growth of 22.3%. The Economic Survey also cited that despite a major airline suspending operations in April, airlines operators have successfully filled the void and scaled up their passenger and air cargo capacity.

Developing 100 new airports over the next five years is an ambitious target and the government must ensure that the existing aviation infrastructure is functional. Over 400 airports and airstrips were identified for the UDAN scheme in 2016, but less than 50 are currently operational.

This shortfall resulted in low target achievement for airlines that were awarded UDAN routes but could not start services on time. Before the next round of airport development takes off, the government must evaluate the performance of airlines and routes under the Regional Connectivity Scheme to ensure the future viability of the new airports.

Business Travelers Report Feeling Unsafe, With Female and LGBTQ+ Travelers Regularly Experiencing Harassment According to an SAP Concur Survey

SAP Concur is the world’s leading brand for travel, expense and invoice management solutions. The SAP Concur survey results identified concerns of personal safety while on the road and frustration that some companies seem to put self-interest ahead of employee needs.

Notable highlights of the responding 7,850 business travelers in 19 global markets include:

Travelers often feel unsafe:

• Of the respondents, 58% say they have changed their travel arrangements because they felt unsafe, while 52% of business travelers cite travel safety as the most valuable training their company could provide.
• Millennials are more sensitive to current events: In the last 12 months, 42% of business travelers in this age range have reduced travel to a location because of political unrest or health hazards, compared to 36% of Gen Xers and 23% of Baby Boomers. Nearly as many of the Millennials (40%) selected a flight based on aircraft type, compared to 33% of Gen Xers and 21% of Boomers.
• Nearly one third (31%) of business travelers prioritize their own safety as the most important factor when taking a business trip, yet over half (54%) believe safety is not their companies’ top priority.

Female travelers report high levels of harassment and sexism on the road:

• More than three in four female business travelers (77%) have experienced some sort of harassment or mistreatment while traveling. Women are asked if they’re traveling with their husband (42 %), ignored by service workers (38%), or catcalled on the job (31%).
• Nearly half of young female business travelers face discrimination. Forty-six percent of Gen Z women report having been asked if they were traveling with their husband compared to 31% of Boomers. At the same time, 41% of female Millennials have been ignored by service workers compared to 23% of Boomers.

LGBTQ+ travelers hide aspects of their identity when traveling for work:

• The vast majority (95%) of LGBTQ+ travelers have hidden their sexual orientation while on a business trip, with the most common reasons being to protect their safety (57%).
• Eighty-five percent have changed their travel arrangements out of concern for their safety, compared to just 53% of their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues.

Business travel isn’t getting easier or less stressful:

• Sixty-seven percent believe their company lags behind when it comes to adopting the latest technologies to make business travel easier.
• An overwhelming majority of business travelers (94%) are willing to share personal information to improve their business travel experience – an impressive number in an age of data privacy concerns.
• Thirty-seven percent of business travelers feel the most stress before a trip when they’re planning, booking and organizing travel. On the flip side, when a traveler returns home, 24% of business travelers say they would rather have a cavity filled at the dentist than complete an expense report.

“Societal issues and employee experiences are increasingly impacting the way we travel. With these shifts come new expectations from traveling employees that shouldn’t go unnoticed,” said Mike Koetting, chief product strategy officer, SAP Concur. “While companies continue to try and maximize traveler satisfaction, the reality is that employees are hungry for more empathy, guidance and better technology as they run into both common frustrations and unique individual concerns, leaving room for improvement among organizations of all sizes.”

Download the full white paper here

The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research, a leading independent provider of quantitative, qualitative and hybrid market research, among 7,850 business travelers defined as those who travel for business three or more times annually from the following markets : Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. The survey took place July–August 2019.

Travelers across the world are increasingly prioritizing value over cost, demanding more autonomy over personalization and using digital solutions to research and manage their trips. These are among the findings of Travelport’s Global Digital Traveler Research 2019, which surveyed 23,000 people from 20 countries:

Value is more important than cost but it can be hard to find

• When booking a flight, value is a top priority for over four out of five (86%) travelers today with just one in five (18%) now booking solely on cost. This trend is apparent across all age groups led by Baby Boomers (91%) who prioritize value marginally more than younger generations. 
• To find offers of value, travelers ‘nearly always’ use a combination of travel review sites like TripAdvisor (42%), price comparison sites like Kayak.com (38%), recommendation sites like Kiwi.com (36%) and have conversations with travel consultants (31%). 
• But when shopping online, travelers have mounting frustrations when it comes to knowing which companies they can trust (50%, up 6% on 2018). They are also frustrated by not knowing whether online reviews are genuine (50%) and the time required to find the right option (43%). 

Travelers want more control and transparency when it comes to personalization

• Across all age categories, when booking a flight, travelers typically want to personalize their own experience (42%) through add-ons like extra legroom, additional baggage allowance and meal upgrades. One quarter (24%), however, prefer to receive branded offers, such as Flexi and Saver, which provide a basic level of personalization. 
• When attempting to personalize their experience, however, a growing number of travelers are getting frustrated by not being able to understand what is included as standard (52%, up 12% on 2018) and not knowing what add-ons are available to them (56%). 
• Travelers are also increasingly frustrated by companies they regularly use not remembering their preferences (35%, up 4% on 2018). Frustration with this is most prevalent among Gen Y (39%). 

A wide range of technologies are now influencing decision making 

• Nearly three quarters (71%) of travelers today consider it important whether an airline offers a good digital experience when booking a flight, up +3% on 2018. Over half (58%) also consider this when choosing accommodation, up +7% on 2018. 
• When researching a trip, three quarters (77%) of travelers have reviewed videos and photos posted by travel brands on social media, up 2% on 2018. One third (36%) of Gen Y travelers today ‘nearly always’ do this in the research phase. Facebook is considered the most influential social media platform by all age groups except for Gen Z, which puts Instagram marginally ahead.           
• Nearly half of all travelers (48%) now believe augmented or virtual reality experiences would help them better plan their trips. Demand is greatest among Gen Y (61%) travelers, though still significant among all other age categories. 

Demand continues to rise for technologies that make travel easier to manage

• Nearly half (45%) of travelers today get frustrated when they are unable to access their booking information round-the-clock on mobile devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, up 9% on 2018. When it comes to age groups, frustration is particularly high among Gen Y (50%) and Gen Z (47%) travelers but also maintained among others. 
• Nearly half (44%) of travelers have now used voice search to help manage travel, with use greatest among Gen Y travelers (61%) and lowest among Baby Boomers (12%). One quarter (25%) of Gen Y travelers today ‘nearly always’ use the technology for this use. When the technology is used by travelers, some of the most popular requests made are for information relating to the weather at their destinations (60%) and getting live traffic updates (54%).       
• Technology, however, is not always the answer. Two fifths (42%) of travelers, for example, find not being able to speak to a human frustrating, up from 38% in 2018. This view was shared consistently across all age groups, though highest among Baby Boomers (43%).

Commenting on the findings of the research, Travelport’s Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, Fiona Shanley said, “Travelers are consumers too and they want an experience from travel providers and travel agents that is as simple and engaging as the best retailers.

Travelport’s latest global research shows that technology is key to this – from serving relevant and personalized offers to providing attractive propositions from trusted sources. With increasing adoption of emerging technologies and use of new industry standards, this is precisely where the industry is heading. At Travelport, we will continue to accelerate developments in all these areas, and more, to help the industry keep pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the modern traveler”, he added.

To learn more click here.

• 72% eat healthier, 50% work out more when traveling for business

New Delhi, India, September 18, 2019 : Research by CWT, the B2B4E (Business-to-Business-for-Employees) travel management platform, shows that business travelers across the global, including those from India, are increasingly paying attention to their health while on business trips. According to the survey, 54% of business travelers from India work hard to adhere to their health and wellness routines, while 40% try but find it challenging.

Research by CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, shows that business travelers across the global, including those from India, are increasingly paying attention to their health while on business trips.

According to the survey, 54% of business travelers from India work hard to adhere to their health and wellness routines, while 40% try but find it challenging. The health and wellness amenities most commonly used by Indian business travelers include hotel gyms (58%), hotel swimming pools (48%) and in-room equipment such as yoga mats and stationary bikes (47%). 

Half (50%) of the Indian respondents surveyed also indicated that they work out more while on the road, while only 6% do not typically work out during business trips. And nearly three-quarters (72%) said they eat healthier when traveling for business – the highest number globally. 

“Sticking to your regular routine on business trips can be challenging for various reasons, such as limited options or tight schedules,” said Vishal Sinha, CEO, India, CWT. “You’re focused on your work and trying to make the most of your trip, so you don’t have time to search for a gym or affordable healthy eating options if they’re not easily accessible. By creating travel policies that factor these things in, such as allowing travelers to stay at hotels with fitness facilities and ensuring their meal allowance is enough to cover healthy food choices, companies can create a much better travel experience for their employees.”

Among regions, travelers in Asia Pacific are likely to work out more (33%) while abroad, compared to travelers in Americas (23%) and Europe (21%). On the flipside, Europe business travelers are less likely to work out while on the road (48%) vs. travelers in Americas (38%) and Asia Pacific (32%).

Meanwhile, only 7% of travelers do not adhere to health and wellness routines when traveling. The percentage is higher among Europeans (10%) and Americans (8%), while travelers in Asia Pacific are the least likely to steer away from their wellness routines (3%).

“Maintaining healthy habits while traveling is nearing the top of the priority list for travelers around the world,” said Niklas Andréen, CWT’s Chief Traveler Experience Officer. “At the end of the day, being in tune with what matters to your employees is indispensable for retaining and attracting the best talent.”

Since 2017, maintaining health and wellness routines while on the road has become an increasing priority for travelers. Across all regions, business travelers are striving to achieve their health and wellness routines regardless of where they are in the world. 

• New Digital Habits, More Mini Breaks and Travel Remains a Key Part of the Economy: 2019’s Travel Trends Revealed by Cleartrip

• The Cleartrip and Flyin 2019 H1 & Summer Travel Insights Report shows times are changing as customers look for better deals and new destinations

Technological advances, widening markets and increasing fares continue to spur the region’s travel industry, according to latest research by the region’s largest online travel agency, Cleartrip. As the region moves into a more digital age, The Cleartrip and Flyin 2019 H1 & Summer Travel Insights Report has unravelled some of the most significant changes impacting travel.

As competition increases across some routes, it has triggered price drops of up to 25%. Routes from Riyadh to Dammam saw an average decrease in airfares of 25%, while Dubai to Jeddah airfares decreased by 12%. Short breaks continued to grow in popularity with new and classical destinations proving resilient, including Istanbul, Amman and Beirut, while the biggest drop was seen in traditionally popular cities, London (13%) and Paris (10%).

The UAE’s savvy travellers proved to be the biggest users of coupons and deals in 2019, and one third of travellers were happy to book with as little as one week or less notice. In Saudi, a massive 63% of travellers booked within a week of their travel date. While mobile bookings continue to boom, Saudi Arabia remained strong, seeing transactions rise by 145%. Elsewhere, in Kuwait, mobile transactions grew by 287% in the first half of 2019, and Oman, 181%. It has been a challenging year for many reasons, meaning market growth has been slower than previous years, with KSA growing by 7% and the UAE by 1%. 

Stuart Crighton, CEO, Cleartrip, said, “It has been a very interesting year, and we are pleased to see that some of the region’s major players, are still growing, in spite of the various challenges 2019 has brought. What we’re witnessing here is a massive shift towards digital habits. In the current climate, not only are there changes with where people want to go and what they want to experience, but how and when they book is changing. We have seen that short trips and last-minute bookings are more common, as people become increasingly curious for undiscovered destinations in the region.

This is an era of rapid change. Trips are now readily available in the palm of people’s hands and they are increasingly affordable with ever more routes opening. What this latest report shows us is that whatever is happening in the region, travel remains a key part of the economy here, regionally and internationally.”

• Klook sees over 30 million visitors every month ; · Klook sees over 30 million visitors every month Targets to double headcount in over 30 offices by 2020.

• Klook sees over 30 million visitors every month Announces plans to expand offerings for global rail network and 2020 global sporting event in Tokyo.

Klook, a world-leading travel activities and services booking platform, marks its 5th anniversary today. As one of the fastest-growing companies in the travel industry, Klook has achieved numerous milestones while connecting travelers with local operators.

“Since day one, Klook has envisioned to bring the world closer together by connecting travelers with the best of any destination,” said Ethan Lin, Klook CEO and Co-Founder. “When we started the business five years ago, we faced a major roadblock due to the fragmentation of in-destination travel services. We’ve not only overcome the challenge but also transformed the sector in the process through innovative digital solutions, collaboration with local tourism authorities, championing talents who share our vision, and empowering operators for a healthier and more diverse local tourism ecosystem.”

Continuing its momentum, Klook is pleased to unveil an ambitious global expansion plan. The company expects to expand its current workforce from 1,200 to over 2,500 in over 30 offices by the end of 2020 as well as grow its footprint worldwide by deepening its roots in Asia-Pacific and accelerating growth for European markets.

Increasing investments to better serve travelers’ needs everywhere

Since launching in 2014, Klook has spearheaded  Asia-Pacific’s in-destination sector. Today, the company offers localized services in nine languages, supports 41 currencies, and multiple payment methods on its website and award-winning app.

Building on this strong foundation, Klook will continue to invest in Asia-Pacific which is the world’s fastest-growing market for tourism. With the diverse needs of the region’s travelers in mind, Klook plans to further its ability to provide customized things-to-do recommendations for travelers based on their search and booking behaviors.

With its first few European outposts already set up in 2019, Klook aims to better serve European travelers with multiple languages including French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and German launching in the coming months.

“Asia-Pacific and Europe are both extremely diverse and inter-connected. Adopting a hyper-localized go-to-market strategy is the key to Klook’s success in Asia,” said COO and Co-Founder of Klook, Eric Gnock Fah. “As the pioneer of applying cutting-edge mobile-first technology to the in-destination sector, we hope to replicate our strong growth in Asia-Pacific and empower European travelers to discover, book and experience the best things to do anywhere, anytime.” 

Empowering tourism with technology and innovation for local operators

Klook is dedicated to the success of its local operators, offering various resources powered by internally developed technology. Klook plans to innovate and elevate the digitization of in-destination supply by optimizing its operational procedures from booking and redemption to post-experience reviews. It also aims to equip individual operators with connectivity to AI-powered voice assistants including Actions on Google. 

In addition to its current engineering hub in Shenzhen, China, Klook will expand its innovation capabilities to Singapore, with a focus on adopting connectivity integration and data science in the immediate future. Drawing from the rich pool of tech talents in Southeast Asia, this dual-hub will allow Klook to glean more behavioral insights through data analytics to improve the experience for both customers and merchants.

• Keynote sessions to explore practical applications for businesses to keep pace with technological developments in the travel industry
• Keynote session on Day Three will also highlight evolving opportunities presented by the new Chinese traveller

Singapore, September 2019 6, 2019 :  ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’ is set to deliver a series of keynote presentations over the event’s 16-18 October dates, in line with 2019’s conference theme, ‘Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves.’ The keynote sessions will focus on sharing innovative ideas, where attendees can expect to gain knowledge on practical applications to keep pace with industry changes. Recognising the revolutionary impact of technology on the travel industry, speakers from leading online travel agencies (OTA), travel-related partners and technology companies will share their perspectives on how businesses can innovate and leverage on technology as they tackle the challenges of this era. Prominent keynoters include senior representatives from the likes of Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, KAYAK, OYO Hotels & Homes, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more.

“By bringing together leading industry experts in the keynote sessions, ITB Asia will get to the heart of today’s complex travel issues. We will discuss major game-changing issues within the industry and strategies on innovating business models in order to remain competitive. As the industry continues to evolve, attendees want to gain more than just insights of what leading businesses do to remain at the top. Through our sessions, they will be equipped with actionable steps on how to drive their business forward,” said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.

ITB Asia 2019 to open with keynote session on managing industry’s biggest pain points

The first keynote session on 16 October brings together experts from Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com and IBM. They represent three of the biggest pillars in the travel industry – accommodation, distribution and technology. Addressing the industry’s common challenges, topics will include how businesses can ready themselves for the next
wave of growth; rethinking and reinventing distribution strategies; and how the travel industry can capitalise on the digital revolution to succeed.

“Technology plays a critical role at every phase of a personalised traveller journey, helping to deliver a seamless, connected trip by enabling localisation and consumer insights,” said Angel Llull Mancas, Vice President and Managing Director for Asia-Pacific for Booking.com. “Constant innovation in how we optimise the customer experience will be key to continued growth and expansion in the highly competitive and diverse Asian Market.”

Day Two’s keynote panel to discuss actions to adapt to evolving industry

ITB Asia 2019’s keynote panel on 17 October, ‘The Future of Travel Distribution,’ will identify business solutions for challenges faced by the sector during a time of uncertainty. The discussion will be led by senior executives from Agoda, Expedia Group, Hotelbeds, KAYAK, and TripAdvisor. They will answer the big “where to next?” question, as they explore the rapidly changing travel industry, new technological advancements, and implement diverse distribution strategies to improve the consumer experience.

“People make up to 50 searches before deciding on a flight, and shopping around for value is the norm for many global leisure and business travellers. Making it simpler to compare fares, understand inclusions, recognise value adds while also delivering unique ways to save remains core to our technology development. As an industry we’re working towards a more personalised experience for travellers, and a more integrated and seamless supply distribution relationship ahead,” said Demi Kavaratzis, Partner Marketing Director, Commercial Strategy and Services, Expedia Group.

Maximising opportunities from the new Chinese traveller

In addition to the discussions of the travel industry’s three pillars, ITB Asia 2019 will also feature a keynote panel on 18 October focused on the new Chinese traveller, of which their overseas consumption is predicted to grow as large as $120 billion as preferences evolve. Titled, ‘The New Chinese Travellers,’ industry leaders will examine the growing significance of this market. Amongst notable industry experts are Booking.com, OYO Hotels &
Homes, Thomas Cook China and Tujia, who will analyse the preference shift in the range of destinations, products and brands of interest, as well as maximising opportunities from this market.

Themed sessions as part of ITB Asia’s full conference programme

Aside from the keynote sessions, ITB Asia 2019’s conference will also deliver a series of themed sessions, including Corporate Travel, Destination Marketing, Muslim Travel and Travel Technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience over 200 sessions led by more than 260 speakers. Alongside this event, ITB Asia 2019 will share the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at the Marina Bay Sands with its inaugural co-event, MICE Show Asia. At MICE Show Asia, attendees will get to hear about forecasts for the global meeting and events industries in 2020, and how the industry is transforming.

For more information on ITB Asia 2019, visit at :  https://www.itb-asia.com/