MEXICO: Tourists Canceling Mexico Trips Tour And Travel Agents Say

Eight percent of MAST Travel Network agents have clients who have recently canceled trips to Mexico, according to a member survey.
"The intensifying issues of immigration, the border wall, and trade are, in my view, going to cause some customers to think twice about a vacation in Mexico if they feel they are not welcome," said John Werner, president and COO of MAST.

"I don't believe anyone should feel that way, but based on our member survey, agents are hearing concerns from their clients."
The survey was conducted last week, and 166 members of the network responded.

Of the agents who reported clients that had canceled Mexico trips in the previous two weeks, 20% said they rebooked another destination, and 80% said their clients postponed traveling.

MAST reported that 43% of agents said clients have expressed concern about upcoming trips to Mexico.

MAST said 52% of agents have had customers say they don't want to go to Mexico when inquiring about a vacation. And, 49% said clients have expressed concern about traveling anywhere outside of the United States, not just to Mexico.

Werner said Mexico is MAST's No. 1 destination.

"Since these disputes are not going away, I feel business will be impacted," he said. "It remains to be seen how much. But we are not waiting to see how this plays out before taking action."

Last week, MAST said it held a conference call with preferred suppliers, the Mexico Tourism Board and ASTA to discuss a plan of promoting travel to Mexico.

"While a number of political events are affecting the travel industry worldwide, my concern today is Mexico," Werner said on the call. "MAST wants to work with our preferred suppliers serving Mexico in an effort to not let political events cause a big drop in American vacationers and visitors to Mexico, which all our livelihoods depend on in some way."

Werner proposed an action plan including a letter-writing campaign to legislators that are responsible for travel and tourism issues; making a list of talking points for agents to use when discussing Mexico with clients; gathering photos and testimonials from clients enjoying Mexico; and using a portion of marketing and advertising dollars on a campaign called "Why Go to Mexico."

"The conference call conveyed mixed observations from the company leaders," MAST said in a statement. "Some agreed to addressing the situation, while others did not believe this was a huge concern."

MAST said Ana Sofia Lanczyner, Midwest director of the Mexico Tourism Board, pointed out that her organization has started a new marketing campaign, "Welcome to Mexico," MAST said.

KENYA: Opportunity To Gain From Numerous Conferences In 2017

2017 will see Kenya’s tourism industry grow, with a number of international conferences slated to take place.

Confirmed hotel and conference hall bookings indicate 2017 will witness a hype of activity buoyed by 2016’s success that saw over 100 world leaders visit Kenya at different times.

In the past, election years in Kenya have attracted an intense focus by the international media, as chaos associated with this period provided fodder for the global networks.

Conflicts during electioneering period have hurt businesses and affected their ability to provide wealth and employment.

Last year, a survey by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) noted Kenyan businesses’ apprehension over the political situation as the General Election nears. Kepsa called for closer consultations between business leaders and the political class to avert revenue and job losses.

Without violence, however, sustained focus by the media during an election year could be a make-or-break opportunity for Kenya to brand herself as a must-visit destination for tourists, building onto last year’s success.

What is expected in 2017

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) annual meeting is slated for February 24 to February 26 at Nairobi’s Kenyatta international Convention Centre (KICC), bringing in its 3,000 members to sample Nairobi’s accommodation, cuisine and nightlife.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says winning the bid to host ASTA members was Kenya’s magical moment to triple tourist arrivals.

Mr Balala notes that hoteliers, tour operators, commercial and chartered airline operators and other stakeholders will use the conference to form networks for closed-circuit deals.

“ASTA members will then return home and sell what they tasted, saw and conquered. The Kenyan people, their diverse cultures, food, our cities, wildlife and our coast beaches are a sure attraction that can translate into jobs that also attract foreign exchange earnings,” he says.

Available data shows 82,363 visitors from the US visited Kenya between January and October followed by Britain’s 80,821 tourists, 54,983 (India) and Uganda (45,116).

Notable events hosted in Nairobi in 2016 include the week-long United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Nairobi, Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific Parliamentary Assemblies meeting, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICADVI) and the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF).

On January 18 to January 20, Germany’s IQPC has planned the Modern Airports Africa Conference for government ministers, deputy ministers, general managers, aviation facility director generals, finance directors and technical officers.

The two-day workshop will deliberate on technological advances on modernising the airports in Africa via development financing as well as public-private and private investments.

Power Tech Africa conference will be held in Nairobi on January 30 to January 31 where private and government energy experts will look at available sources of renewable energy equipment that can be used to fast-track implementation of smart grid/off– grid technologies across Africa.

With increased urbanisation across many cities in Africa, the "Effluent and Waste Water Management Conference" will be held at a Nairobi Hotel on February 7 to February 8 where modern technologies on handling effluent will be discussed for a better environment.

Between February 28 and March 1, 3000 senior representatives from regional governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, development banks, civil society organisations and the private sector will also meet to discuss effect of donor aid with a view to improving handling of projects for public good during the “AIDF Aid and Development Africa Summit 2017.”

Maritime industry players, including top government officials, port authorities, contractors, technology providers, suppliers of port equipment and port engineers will congregate in Mombasa for the African Ports Expansion Conference scheduled to take place on March 20 to March 21 where they will discuss the biggest challenges on cargo handling.

The Africa Mobile and Digital Banking Summit slated for March 22 to March 23 brings aboard influential players in the banking sector to look at emerging challenges that threaten their businesses and chart effective responses that will emphasise on the use of technological innovations to counter the challenges.

Last year, Mykar Events Hong Kong held its first East Africa Retail Summit and have confirmed a second Sales-Driven Summit to be held on April 5-6 in Nairobi.

Other conferences bringing professionals, policy makers, traders and equipment makers to Nairobi are the 2nd East Africa Education Conference 2017, the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit 2017, Power and Energy Summit Kenya, 2017, Oil and Gas Kenya, Solar Africa, AutoExpo, Mine Expo and the Africa Internet Summit.

The planned conferences mean a number of hotels will boast of an array of advance bookings, which is a boost for Kenya tourism.

However, the political climate during the electioneering period will have a bigger effect on tourism growth, given the influence of politics on overall business growth.

Katherine Pinar Ozbilge Is Chief Business Development Officer At COSMORAMA

Katherine Pinar Ozbilge has been appointed as the Chief Business Development Officer at COSMORAMA.

Ozbilge was previously working as managing director of Intra Travel & Mice.

COSMORAMA operates in worldwide inbound and outbound products in the field of tourism. With the additional support of its branch offices and direct contracting mentality throughout the world, COSMORAMA now offers a large group of tourism products from moderate to luxury.

“It is my hope with this change that I will be better able to serve my existing and future friends in all kind of product needs, at the present time as well as in the future,” said Ozbilge.

Katherine Pinar Ozbilge has recently named the new President of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) in Turkey.

KENYA: Hotelier Joseph Muya Of Lake Nakuru Lodge Wins Trip to Spain

Veteran hotelier Joseph Muya has won an all-paid trip to Spain for his contribution in nurturing the tourism sector in Kenya.

Mr Muya, who has for decades managed the Lake Nakuru Lodge, received the award during the inaugural meeting of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Kenya Chapter at KICC’s Aberdare Hall when Kenya’s bid to host ASTA’s global meeting in February 2017 was launched.

“Kenya has shown its vitality to bounce back as Africa’s pearl on matters tourism. Ebola, Al-Shabab, bomb blast, Garissa, Mandera, Kikambala, Gikomba among other ills had a negative effect on its tourism but we are now showing signs of withering the current storm,” he said.

Mr Muya urged the government to inject more funds to ease the financial burdens currently being experienced by lodges that had taken loans to fund expansion projects.

The government funds should later be charged lower interest rates, he said.

“The government should also consider waiving taxes and other visa charges that hinder tourists’ desire to savour Kenya’s beaches, cities, geographical features and wildlife and luxurious facilities.

“Other countries have done it and are now enjoying dividends from their deliberate policies to help restore the vibrancy of the tourism sector,” he said.

Mr Muya expressed optimism that ongoing efforts by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala to promote Kenya’s tourism will bear fruit.

He said CS Balala had captured the tourists’ minds globally by his recent antics that led to his being christened the ‘skyrocketing CS’ by world media.

Mr Balala recently participated in a parachuting event in Watamu in the Coast after tourists labelled it as the world’s leisure capital.

Mr Muya said Kenyans must deliberately join hands in securing all areas so as to lure tourism billions that are currently being spent elsewhere.

“Kenya has beautiful people whose cultures excite interest across the world. What of the folk songs and dances that are a must have at our lodges?” he posed.

The veteran hotelier, who also runs Naivasha Crescent Camp, will be hosted at Seville, France during the 2016 ASTA meeting and will join ASTA president Zane Kerby and ASTA-Kenya President Samson Some in vouching for Kenya’s bid to host ASTA’s global conference in 2017.

ASTA’s Vice President Susan Cheats said engaging America travel agents would give Kenya a chance to restore its global fame as the preferred tourist destination, especially with its recent branding as Africa’s commercial capital for the business traveller.

“We have been telling tourists to visit our President’s (Obama) home and meet his people.

“We need to directly engage with the travel agents and tell them Kenya is a democratic nation whose sole interest is to do business and foster development through creation of more jobs,” said Ms Cheats.

Mr Muya observed that the downward trend in tourism has seen many hotels retrench staff while others now faced imminent closure due to bad debts.

The Kenya Tourism Trust Fund, he said, must meet with hospitality members and plan for a revamp by giving out cheap loans.

“We have always gone out there to lure tourists to visit Kenya and it is time the government engaged us to chart the way forward.

“We know the markets and all that is needed is closer co-operation to change the global media hype that Kenya is a terrorists’ den,’ he said.

Mr Muya has been ASTA’s member for the past 30 years.