Around the world on Italy Tourism

Source: Malta Independent Online ()

The National Statistics Office has issued some figures and statistics in news releases in connection with the standard of living for January and August 2007. Some of these include: external trade, outbound tourism and employment.

When compared to August 2006, the visible trade gap narrowed by Lm14.1 million in August 2007, according to the International Trade Statistics Unit and Economic Statistic division. The decrease in imports reached Lm15 million while the decrease in exports amounted to Lm0.9 million. This decrease during August 2007 was mainly visible in the machinery and transport equipment sector.

For the first eight months of the year, higher import values were registered for fuel, lubricants and consumer goods, while industrial supplies and capital goods imports registered decreases. During this period the increase in exports was generated primarily by food, chemicals, miscellaneous manufactured articles and mineral fuels and lubricants.

The bulk of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed to the European Union during the first eight months of 2007.

According to the statistics compiled by the Tourism Statistics Unit, outbound Maltese tourists for August were estimated to be 35,836, implying an increase of 15.1 per cent over the same month last year. 88.4 per cent of these travelled by air.

A total of 29,177 Maltese tourists travelled to European Union destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK.

Between January to August 2007, the number of Maltese passengers travelling by air and sea amounted to 188,163 which shows an increase of 12.1 per cent over the same period last year. 85.5 per cent of these travelled to European Union destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK.

Male outbound travellers exceeded female ones as they account for 58.4 per cent of the total. Passengers between 25 and 44 years old comprised 45.3 per cent of outbound passengers while those …

Source: September 2007’ Taken from the Travel & Tourism … - Business Wire (press release) ()

DUBLIN, Ireland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c72046)
has announced the addition of Italy Outbound - September 2007 to their
offering.

This report is part of Travel & Tourism Analyst a bimonthly newsletter
providing an examination of the travel industry, sector by sector. Each
issue includes five objective and detailed studies on sectors and issues
of interest and importance, across the international tourism industry.

Transport - from air transport and car hire, to the cruise industry,
rail and coach travel

Outbound Markets - detailed profiles of the world’s leading tourism
origin countries

Market Segments - key sectors of the travel and tourism industry, ie
youth travel

Accommodation, Leisure and Theme Parks - the performance of the hotel
industry, resorts, timeshare, as well as developments in the attractions
market

Travel Distribution and Technology - the travel trade worldwide,
including the impact of new technology on travel distribution and
marketing

Financial Services - ranging from tourism investment to paying for travel

Occasional Studies - other significant issues, such as the role of
tourism organisations and the impact of travel on the environment.

Content Outline:

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c72046

Source: Naples Daily News ()

Lauren Embree is not full of herself. She’s confident about her tennis abilities, but doesn’t go out of her way to be the “I” in any conversation.

Just like her trip to Italy at the end of September. She was just one of only three girls to represent the entire U.S. in the International Tennis Federation Championship for players 16-and-under in Reggio Emillia, Italy.

Past Fed Cup players include Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo.

Embree’s teammates were CoCo Vanderweghe of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and Asia Muhammad of Henderson, Nev.

Embree represented the U.S. well., winning two singles and partnering for two doubles wins.

Unfortunately, on a day where Embree didn’t play, the team lost to Poland, who eventually lost to Australia for the championship.

“We were upset after the loss, but were determined to win the rest of the way,” Embree said. “We played on red clay, which is my favorite surface.”

Over the 10 days of practice and playing, Embree didn’t get much time for tourism, but did say everyone was very nice and the opening ceremonies in Reggio Emillia were special.

“It was a great experience, an awesome time, it was incredible to compete against players from all over the world,” she said. “It was a great experience, even when there were times when we couldn’t understand each other.”

Countries included Italy, Chile, Japan, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Morocco, Argentina and the U.S.

On this trip it was players and coaches.

“There were some dinner parties and a party on the final night for the kids,” she said.

With being gone that long what about homework?

“My teachers gave me home work and I am also part of Florida Virtual School where I can take courses online.” she said. “When I got home I wasn’t behind, other than a bunch of quizzes to do.” …

Source: TravelVideo.tv (press release) ()

By travelatlatinamerica.com
The latest developments in Latin America tourism.

LATIN AMERICA
Aeroflot wants to capture the market
The airline’s general manager for Latin America informed that Aeroflot will begin an ambitious plan for the modernization of its fleet and the international passenger service. He added that Aeroflot increased its air traffic from Russia to Latin America via La Habana, where it has connections with Copa Airlines. It foresees expanding from three to five the frequencies of its weekly flights to La Habana.

ARGENTINA
Aerolineas Argentinas purchases 40 aircrafts
Aerolineas Argentinas committed itself to include 40 Airbus aircraft to its fleet, among which are two A380, subject to the signing of a “five-year agreement” with the seven associations of the company. In the next few weeks, the company will also purchase 71 modern aircraft from the European company, with an investment of no less than US$ 3.000 million, as was also informed.

Buenos Aires, the Best Tourist City of America
Buenos Aires was elected the “Best Touristic City of America” by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

LAN has new flights to the south
LAN Argentina started to operate the Buenos Aires-Ushuaia-Calafate route with four weekly frequencies.

URUGUAY
Pluna would fly to Rosario and Cordoba
Pluna will shortly open the Montevideo-Rosario-Cordoba route. The passage would be carried out by the new Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft whose arrival is expected in February 2008.

PARAGUAY
Delta Air Lines inaugurated offices in Asuncion
Delta Air Lines inaugurated commercial offices in Asuncion, appointing Aeromar as commercial representative in Paraguay. The new office is situated in the center of the capital to facilitate the access and the quick purchase of tickets for the Buenos Aires-Atlanta and San Pablo-Atlanta or New York routes.

BRAZIL
Varig signs …

Source: Express TravelWorld ()

The
Italian Tourism Board recently launched a 70-page coffee-table book called ‘Romancing
the Peninsula’ to promote popular Italian destinations like Rome, Milan and
Florence as well as lesser-known destinations like Sienna to Indian travellers.
The travel book was launched in collaboration with Kuoni Holidays.

The tourism board is channeling its efforts to sell Italy
as a standalone destination. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Salvatore
Ianniello, representative of the Italian State Tourist Board in India, said,
"We have come a long way in bridging the gap between Indian and Italian
tour operators. Earlier, the only means to secure a holiday package to Italy
was through English tour operators. In 2007 itself, more than 60 Indian operators
were hosted by us and participated in our educational programmes. We plan to
invite an additional 30 to Italy in the coming six months." The year 2006
recorded 1,30,000 Indian travellers to Italy.

The new edition of the travel book, that lists unexplored
areas as well as fashion and gastronomical treats, was launched on September
26. The board also plans to launch an ‘Italian pavilion’ in Mumbai to educate
people about Italy. It is also keen to promote India in Italy and has planned
a special programme called ‘Namaste India’ from September 3-27. "The challenge,"
Ianniello commented, "Is to make an impact in a diverse country like India."

Source: AllAfrica.com ()

Kenya's tourism earnings are projected to peak at US$939 million by year end, buoyed by expected tourist arrivals from China and Iran, following plans by two airlines from the two countries to introduce direct flights, officials said here.

The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), the country's state-owned tour marketing entity, said in its third quarter report that earnings for the last nine months hit US$742 million, driven by increased arrivals from the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.

KTB Managing Director Achieng Ong'ong'a said here Tuesday the international arrivals surge would be sustained at 20% 'due to dynamics' being observed in the international arrivals as opposed to earlier projections of 10% for the year.

Chinese tourists, billed as the high-spending group as opposed to budget travellers from Europe and the US are expected to lead the new tourism surge in Kenya with the planned introduction of direct flights by Air China and Air Iran.

Kenya attracted 1.3 million tourists in the third quarter compared to the 1.2 million tourists who visited the East African country during the same period last year. 'The earnings from the foreign visitors, which prop the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 12.8%, is a direct result of marketing and promotional activities carried out in Europe and the US markets since 2003 following a tourism slump in 1998.

Kenyan authorities received a tourism boost from the European Union (EU) which provided the seed money required to sustain a campaign to attract in new tourists.

Dr. Ong'ong'a said the board plans to concentrate its search for new visitors within the African market, with South Africa, which contributed 22,973 visitors, being one of the targets.

Source: Earthtimes.org ()

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ — At 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, a new page will be written in El Salvador’s history of commercial and tourism aviation. Flight LM 195, belonging to Italian company Livingston Air, will touch down at El Salvador’s International Airport en route from Milan’s Malpensa International Airport as the first flight linking Central America and Europe.
The Airbus A330-200, with a total of 297 seats between business and coach class, will transport the first group of passengers on the Milan-El Salvador- Milan inaugural route. After departing from Italy, the flight will stop in Cancun, Mexico, before arriving in El Salvador.
Starting Sunday, Oct. 21, and continuing every Sunday until the end of the year, the plane will land in El Salvador, remaining on the ground to refuel and board new passengers. At 5:55 p.m. of the same day, the plane will take off for Milan on a direct non-stop flight. Arrival time in Malpensa will be 12:10 p.m. local time on the following day.
The route, the first to connect El Salvador directly with Europe, will be the only one to operate between Central America and Italy. Customers will enjoy the advantage of not having to go through third-country customs and immigration checkpoints. It will eliminate the necessity for Central Americans to obtain visas, as Italy does not require them. The new route also does away with the obligatory checks at U.S. airports such as Miami, New York, Houston and other stopover cities.
The new route is the culmination of nearly a year of negotiations between Livingston Air, the Central American airline TACA and El Salvador’s Tourism Ministry. By means of the agreement, signed earlier this year, TACA would transfer passengers arriving in El Salvador on Livingston Air to any of their destinations. "The idea is for these passengers to stay in our country longer," said Ruben Rochi, El Salvador’s Minister of Tourism. …

Source: The Canadian Press ()

A Medusa's head is seen amongst archaeological fragments at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna in Libya. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ben Curtis/FILE

1 day ago

CYRENE, Libya - From thousands of kilometres of pristine Mediterranean coastline, to sweeping desert sand dunes and ancient ruins that rival Greece and Italy, Libya has a lot to offer travellers looking for a rare off-the-beaten path destination - but obstacles remain.

UN sanctions kept tourists from visiting this North African country for more than a decade. Now the former pariah state best known for its eccentric leader, Moammar Gadhafi, is slowly opening its doors as it tries to shed its rogue state status.

A new airport is in the works for the capital of Tripoli. The national airline, Afriqiyah Airways, is buying new Airbus planes, and in September, one of Gadhafi’s sons announced a sweeping plan to promote ecotourism in the pine and olive-tree filled Green Mountains in northeastern Libya, saying it was time for the oil-dominated country to diversify its economy.

“Libya used to be just oil, but now we have another way for the future - tourism. And Libya is still virgin,” said Ibris Saleh Abdussalam, a Libyan tour guide.

Despite the plans and promises, however, tourists seeking a convenience-filled, luxury vacation should beware - Libya’s tourism industry is still far behind its Mediterranean neighbours. ATMs are scarce and often unreliable, the decor of many hotels is straight out of the 1970s.

And forget about having a glass a wine with dinner: alcohol is forbidden in Libya, even in Tripoli’s high-end Corinthia Bab Africa hotel.

“Libya has tremendous potential. … But Libya is still in its infancy and needs to develop infrastructure and facilities,” said Amr Abdel-Ghaffar, of the UN World Tourism Organization in Madrid.

Once the United States’ sworn enemy, Libya is embarking on a political and economic U-turn that includes boosting its …

Source: Independent ()

Silvano Pistis will soon be hard at work. Lambing time at his farm on the island of Sant’Antioco, off the south-west corner of Sardinia, is a few weeks away. Then comes the busiest time of year as Mr Pistis, his two brothers and their parents buckle down to the task of getting the lambs weaned and fattened for Christmas. Farming is in their blood and no task is more traditional in Sardinia than raising sheep – but for the Pistis family, however, these days it is a dead loss.

“We can’t go ahead,” Mr Pistis says, flatly. “The big companies that buy our sheep’s milk for cheese pay 70 cents per litre – the price hasn’t gone up for 30 years. But the prices of everything else have soared. We used to receive a subsidy from the EU – ¿4,000 or ¿5,000 a year – but last year they stopped it. There is no way we can carry on. We are not making any money at all. The way things are going, we’ll end up with no work, no farm, out on the street.”

Today, Mr Pistis, a 27-year-old with a jutting chin and a grave expression on his ruddy face, is in Rome. For a week, he and other Sardinian farmers and fishermen staged a hunger strike in the municipal offices of a village in southern Sardinia, trying to get regional and national governments to notice their plight.

Now they have brought their struggle to the Italian capital because Mr Pistis’s dire predictions are about to come true. He and his family could lose everything they own – their sheep, their farmhouse, the pens, the fodder, the barns, the lot. Everything is to be sold at auction to pay back at least a fraction of the ¿120,000 (£83,900) they owe banks.

The root of their problem is that in 1988 the Sardinian regional government gave them a cosy deal typical of those offered to Europe’s farmers in the heyday of the Common Agricultural Policy – large loans at a low, fixed interest rate to modernise their farms. Four years later, the deal went …

Source: AllAfrica.com ()

As part of The Gambia Tourism Authority's endeavour to commence the winter tourist season earlier than expected, the first batch of tourists arrived on Thursday, 4 October on board a First Choice flight from the United Kingdom (UK). The flight brought 233 visitors out of which 188 are tourists. The SoS for Tourism and Culture who was at the Banjul International Airport welcomed the newly arrived tourists.

Speaking to reporters, SoS Angela Colley said they are expecting a high winter tourist season this year. She said she was expecting the first flight to arrive on 7 October. She said the early arrival of tourists is a sign depicting that the season would boom . She added that it is also an improvement on last year's season.

SoS Colley noted that 120,000 tourists visited the country last year, noting that this year they are expecting more than that number because of the fact that tourists have decided to come earlier than expected. She pointed out that the hospitality of The Gambian people motivates tourists to flood into the country. "We are the best product of our country.. The reason why many tourists decide to visit the country over and over is because of the pleasant and conducive environment that they found in the country. Once they come, they would always want to come again; she said.

According to Mr. Kaliba Senghore, this is the first time the first batch of tourists arrived in early October. Mr. Senghore said they normally expect the first arrivals in late October to early November every year. Mr. Senghore pointed out that First Choice broke the ice by increasing the number of flights and commencing operation earlier than expected. He noted that there would be an extra flight in late November to be followed by more flights during the course of the season. He lamented that their only worries are how to turn the low season into a high season. Mr. Senghore asserted that this is the first time that the first batch of tourists has …