8 emerging travel destinations picked by the experts - NY Daily News

8 emerging travel destinations picked by the experts

Vietnam topped a list of emerging nations chosen by US tour operators

Monday, June 18, 2012, 3:10 PM

Chris Howey/shutterstock.com

Panama City.

Need some inspiration for your summer getaway? Relaxnews offers some picks of emerging destinations from the predictions made by travel experts from around the world.
Uganda
This country has endured much in recent years, but the tourists are beginning to return, wrote Lonely Planet earlier this year. The stunning wildlife is beginning to make a return after decades of overhunting, and the 50th anniversary of independence has focused attention on the capital Kampala.
Lebanon
Frommer's clocked the rise of Beirut, already well-known among tastemakers, for the first time this year, noting that Lebanon's capital is 'far from your "regular" Middle Eastern city.' History, culture, music and beaches are listed as among the reasons to visit the city.
Vietnam
Still sufficiently off the beaten track, Vietnam topped a list of emerging nations chosen by US tour operators, the body predicting that it was the top “off-the-beaten-path” destination that will gain popularity in 2012.
Argentina
'People are just waking up to what Buenos Aires is all about,' noted the Financial Times in its 2012 hot list. Tourists can choose between beaches and wildlife during the day and tango until they drop in the evenings, all while staying in one of the city's impressive choice of hotels.
Albania
The Albanian Riviera was described as a 'still-wild stretch of the Mediterranean' by Rough Guides, the tourists are only just beginning to discover this stunning coastline. Transport isn't easy, but stretches of unspoilt sand and sky-blue sea will make it all worthwhile.
Sri Lanka
With the conflict over, Sri Lanka is on the cusp of a tourism boom, wrote Travel+Leisure. The beach-lined coast draws the most tourists, said the magazine, although there are plans to develop new resort destinations in the North.
Panama
'Go for the canal. Stay for everything else,' wrote the New York Times, as the economy of Panama booms and the country welcomes more expatriates and tourists. Look out for spectacular new hotels and the transformation of city quarters from dilapidated districts to arts and culture hubs.
Sudan
Sudan makes up eight percent of Africa but is woefully undervisited, pointed out Wanderlust. Filled with ancient deserted ruins and swatches of unexplored land, the country is home to tribal communities increasingly hard to find in the modern world, making it the magazine's top emerging destination this year.

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Sin city of the Middle East 2009

Lebanon has seen it all: a bloody 1975-1990 civil war, military occupation, high-profile assassinations, and unending political instability. But today, Beirut is earning a reputation as the sin city of the Middle East.


“From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls,” the city is attracting all types, says the Sydney Morning Herald.


A record one million-plus tourists visited Lebanon last month alone, according to the tourism ministry, which is expecting more than two million tourists by the end of 2009, a figure roughly equivalent to half the country's population.


“Clubbers don't bat an eye in popping $1000 for a bottle of champagne to guarantee attention at a trendy nightspot, where less is more as far as women's wear is concerned, and fireworks displays regularly light up the skies,” says the newspaper.


Prices for a bottle of champagne at some clubs run from $200 (USD$243) to a staggering $15,000 (USD$18,250), but regulars at places like Palais Crystal -- modelled after the famed Palais Club in Cannes – told the newspaper it is worth it.

Testing Times for Tourism | Travel

Testing Times for Tourism

David Morgan

Friday, 24 July 2009 15:13

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer international tourism declined by 8% between January and April compared to the same period last year. Despite an overall decline, unsurprising given present global economic conditions, several destinations still reported encouraging results for the first four months of the year, including many in the Arab world. The Arab countries reporting positive results include Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa, as well as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. With the exception of Africa, all regions recorded a decrease in arrivals for the first four months of 2009, the June edition of the UNWTO barometer reports. Tourism trends in the Arab world have been mixed, the report shows. Although the decline in the Middle East is significant (-18%), complete data is not available and arrivals are still expected to be well above the 2007 levels. Meanwhile, positive results in Africa (+3%) reflect the strength of North African destinations around the Mediterranean, the UNWTO says. Destinations worldwide recorded a total of 247 million international tourist arrivals in those four months, down from 269 million in 2008. Given the changes in the outlook UNWTO has revised its forecast for the full year 2009. Taking account of the results for the first four months of the year and the current market conditions, international tourism is now forecast to decrease by between -6% and -4% in 2009, as the pace of decline is expected to ease during the remainder of 2009. In Europe (-10%), the impact was high, as the majority of source markets have struggled with recession since the end of 2008. Moreover, outbound tourism of the second largest market (UK) has endured the depreciation of the pound sterling. Overall, the Americas (-5%) have suffered due to the slowdown of the USA both as a source market and a destination. Still, South America was the only sub-region outside of Africa to buck the general downward trend, registering +0.2%. For Asia and the Pacific (-6%) the decline in demand has been faster than expected and is particularly severe when compared to results from recent years. The negative trend in international tourism that emerged during the second half of 2008 intensified in 2009. In view of the rapidly deteriorating global economic situation, economic growth prospects have repeatedly been adjusted downwards over the past six months. While at the time of the previous UNWTO forecast in January, the International Monetary Fund was still counting on positive growth over 2% for the world economy in 2009, a decline of 1.3% is now expected. Tourism is seriously impacted, given the sharp reduction in business activity, decreasing disposable income and associated increased unemployment, particularly in key tourism source markets. Exchange rate fluctuations have added to the general uncertainty and business and consumer confidence have yet to recover. Furthermore, the level of advanced bookings, coupled with the reduction in airline capacity, make recovery before 2010 difficult. There is additional uncertainty regarding the future of the influenza A (H1N1) virus and its effect on demand in the short to medium term. It should be stressed, however, that at the moment no restrictions on international travel are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Taking account of the results for the first four months of the year and the current conditions, worldwide growth in international tourist arrivals is expected to end up between -6% and -4% for the full year. The pace of decline is expected to soften in the remainder of the year, with the months May-August projected at between -6% and -4%, and September-December between -5% and -3%. International tourism receipts rose by 1.8% in 2008 (in real terms), virtually equalling growth in international tourist arrivals (+1.9% to 922 million). UNWTO estimates that worldwide receipts from international tourism reached US$ 944 billion last year, up from US$ 857 billion in 2007. Last year’s substantial increase in absolute terms is to some degree a reflection of the weakening of the US dollar, which boosted receipts expressed in the currency. In euro terms, receipts increased to 642 billion, from 625 billion in 2007. In 2008, there were only slight changes in the rankings of both international tourist arrivals and receipts. In arrivals, France remains the world’s major tourism destination (79 million tourists) and in receipts third. The USA is first in receipts and now second in arrivals after regaining the position it lost to Spain after the events of 11 September 2001. Spain ranks third in arrivals but has firmly maintained its position as the second worldwide earner and the first in Europe. China, fourth in arrivals, is still fifth in terms of receipts, while the reverse is true for Italy. Travel and tourism can support short-term stimulus actions, namely those aimed at creating and sustaining jobs, as well as the long-term transformation to a green economy, the UNWTO says. Tourism is one of the largest employment sectors in most countries and a fast entry vehicle into the workforce for young people and women in urban and rural communities, directly, or through its strong multiplier effect on related services, manufacturing or agriculture. Action is needed to boost trade promotion, simplify regulation, build infrastructure and rationalise taxes, which in turn encourage companies to invest, innovate and stimulate demand. According to the UNWTO, public-private sector collaboration should be strongly advanced within and between all states as it will help build resilience and recovery across economies.

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