WTM: North Africa set to boom
Libya and Algeria are the latest countries predicted to have the potential to share in the boom that neighbouring countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are enjoying.
This is the prediction from the World Travel Market Global Trend Report 2007 released today (Monday), and published in partnership with market intelligence company Euromonitor International.
Clement Wong, Euromonitor International’s Global Travel and Tourism Research Manager, says: “There is an optimism that both Algeria and Libya can learn and benefit from the successes of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
“The British traveller and holidaymaker have a reputation for searching out new destinations and experiences so we expect both countries to feature on the worldwide tourism map in the coming years.”
Libya and Algeria have been neglected by international visitors mainly due to domestic political tensions.
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Both governments are now embracing tourism development as a means for economic growth and have started to build the necessary infrastructure as well as welcoming foreign investment, particularly from Middle East countries.
The combination of culture with ‘sun, sand and sea’ has already attracted a number of international hotel groups.
The Corinthia Group operates a five-star hotel in Tripoli, while the Italian company Gruppo Norman is building a resort to accommodate up to 3,800 people on Farwa Island.
Accor Group plans to open 36 hotels in Algeria by 2015, while Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are doing business in Algeria with further development projects submitted to the Ministry of Tourism.
The WTM Global Trends Report 2007 also highlights Ushuaia (u shay a), known as “End of the World,” has become an increasingly attractive destination for tourists.
It has been boosted by the media attention the Antarctic region has received over climate change - and this has been enticing travellers to the dramatic landscapes of the Tierra Fuego National Park and further into Antarctica itself.
Popular films such as The March of the Penguins’ and more recently ‘Surf’s Up” have also played a part.
Ushuaia is seeing considerable investment with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotel Corp and Carlson Companies announcing plans to open luxury hotels in the next three years.
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