In this issue:
First Off, We’re Moving Online!
With this issue, the Inbound Report will migrate to a free subscription, online product—check out which will allow us to expand our editorial content and make our articles both easier to read and share. (read more)
Online Giant Amazon To Sell Package Tours
Worldwide online retail behemoth Amazon is about to cause a major shakeup in the way travel product is sold worldwide. The company has contacted travel suppliers and travel tour operators in the U.S. asking them to be a part of the new venture that is expected to become operational shortly. (read more)
Kuoni Disposing of Tour Operator Business
In a Jan. 14 announcement that came as a shock to the travel and tourism industry worldwide, Zurich-based Kuoni, which Is the oldest and one of the largest tour operators based in continental Europe, announced that it was selling off its tour operator division, explaining that the move was part of a plan to “focus the company’s activities… (read more)
Former Employee Sues Brand USA Under the Whistleblower Law
Mary Ellen Curto, once the vice president of operations of Brand USA, has sued the agency for wrongful dismissal. (read more)
Welcome To China 2.0
The launch on Nov. 14, 2014 of the agreement between the United States and China increasing the validity of tourist visas to each other’s nation from one year to ten years and of student visas from one to five years will likely be the most significant boost to increased visitor arrivals from China... (read more)
Germany
Two reliable industry barometers tell us that German tour operators are sanguine about the prospects for business in the coming year. (read more)
United Kingdom
The decision by the UK government to abolish the Air Passenger Duty (APD) for children has led to immediate demands that the government go further. (Effective May 15, 2015, the UK will drop the APD for children under 12 years old traveling in economy class. (read more)
USA is Clear Long Haul Favorite For Key APAC Markets
Annual results of a member survey conducted by online travel company Travelzoo Asia Pacific shows that, despite the distance, the USA is a favored destination. (read more)
Fresh Insights Into the “BIC” Growth Markets
The San Francisco Travel Association’s recent International Travel & Tourism Forum offered those who attended a treasure lode of heretofore proprietary data designed to help tourism and tourism-related businesses in the greater San Francisco area take advantage of the increasing number of visitors coming to the region… (read more)
USA Still Losing Market Share
In the last issue of Inbound, we noted that the USA will increase the number of arrivals for the next five years at double digit percentage rates. (read more)
Operator News
Following the merger of TUI Travel with its parent company, TUI AG, TUI Travel Accommodation & Destinations has changed its name to Hotelbeds Group (read more)
Airline News
Lower oil prices and stronger worldwide GDP growth are helping boost global airline profitability and should trigger a drop in passenger fares. (read more)
