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May 14, 2008
WHTI Initiative - crossing the US Border
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Please note that the WHTI initiative in the US has greatly changes the
way we cross the US Canada border. For details please contact one of
Prométour's professional tour consultants or consult the WHTI Initiative web site.
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May 21, 2008
“Youth Travel Matters"
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(Forimmediaterelease.net) Youth Travel represents around 20% of all
international arrivals and is one of the tourism industry’s fastest
growing sectors. The average expenditure per trip has increased by 40%
among young travellers. As a result, 80% of them return home more
tolerant and respectful of other cultures. These are some of the key
findings of a new industry report published by the World Youth, Student
and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation and UNWTO.
“Youth Travel Matters: Understanding The Global Phenomenon of Youth
Travel” represents a global overview of the youth and student travel
industry. This report study reveals the latest trends in youth travel
destinations, products and innovations based on in depth studies
conducted by WYSE Travel Confederation and UNWTO over the past 5 years.
Some Key Findings
Profile of the Young Independent Traveller, 2007
• Youth Travel, representing an estimated 20% of all international
arrivals, is one of the tourism industry’s fastest growing sectors.
• Forget the ‘budget image’ – today’s young travellers stay longer and
spend overall more than mainstream tourists. Since 2002, the average
spend per trip has increased by 40% to €1,915 in 2007.
• A new generation of ‘flashpackers’ (older backpackers with bigger
budgets) is emerging, extending the ‘youth travel’ market to 30+ years.
• 70% of young people travel with a purpose – to learn a language, volunteer, work or study abroad, etc.
• 80% return home more tolerant and respectful of other cultures as a result.
Making Destinations Exciting, Accessible and Affordable
• 60% of the world’s tourism authorities have identified youth and
student travel as being “important or very important” to the future of
their tourism industry.
• A growing number of countries are therefore seeking to attract niche
markets (e.g. sports and adventure) with specific youth travel
marketing campaigns and policies.
• Key aspects of destination development are: youth budget
accommodation, cultural routes, information services, web portals, tour
packages and discount programmes.
• Australia, USA and France are currently the most popular youth travel destinations.
This year’s hottest topic – Budget Youth Travel Accommodation
• A new trend is driving growth in the youth accommodation industry.
Youth hostels worldwide are upgrading their bunk-bed dormitories and
developing innovative concepts to attract the ‘flashpacker’ market e.g.
offering hostel and hotel rooms under one roof.
• This, combined with major developments in social networking and
environmental issues, has led to a dramatic increase in the quality and
professionalism of the youth accommodation industry.
• 50% of youth accommodation suppliers have recently invested in improving their capacity and facilities.
Global Trends in Language Travel and Working Holidays
• The value of student travel has prompted many countries to ease visa
restrictions on working holidays, particularly Australia and New
Zealand - now favourite destinations for GAP Year Students.
• Demand from student travellers for a broader range of language travel
products – combined with a series of industry mergers and acquisitions
– have opened up new locations for the language travel market.
• Japan is currently the most important source market for language
learning, followed by Spain and Germany . The UK continues to be the
strongest language travel destination – with new destinations such as
Australia and China opening up.
Contents:
1. Profile of the Young Independent Traveller, 2007
2. Government Policy on Youth Travel – An International Review
3. Impact of Extended Travel Experiences on the Values of Youth Travellers
4. Profile of the Global Youth Accommodation Sector
5. International Work Experience Programmes for Youth – Participant Profile
6. Global Directions in Language Travel
7. The Future of Youth Travel
Background Info
This report has been developed within the framework of the cooperation
between UNWTO and WYSE Travel Confederation, a UNWTO Affiliate Member.
The unique motivations of young travellers makes this niche market
extremely important to the key objectives of the global tourism agenda;
and the personal social and economic value of youth, student and
educational travel is increasingly being recognised by educational
institutions, employers, official tourism organisations and governments
worldwide.
Young travellers will be tomorrow’s globally-oriented citizens; leaders
in future travel trends, and pioneers in contributing to the UN
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
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May 29, 2008
Prometour proudly offering the UK!
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Prometour is proud to announce the official launch of student group tours to England, Scotland and Ireland! Ask your tour consultant about our tailored programs today. We can now guarantee the Prometour quality you are used to having in Canada, Spain, France and Italy in the British Isles. This means all-inclusive, custom itineraries for your private student group focusing on authentic meals, top hotel locations and exciting activities.
Prometour is a group travel specialist focusing on authentic and high-quality tours for groups worldwide.
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