ICTP (International Council of Tourism Partners) is a supporter of Routes, which is why our Chairman Juergen Thomas Steinmetz is attending this event. "Routes has always been an original, practical and successful way of bringing airlines and airports together to expand markets profitably and its recent inclusion of Tourism Ministries is a good way to help break down traditional silos and help create wealth and jobs where it matters - in the visitor economy.”

Francisco, July 11, 2011
Today, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), a global leader in payments, released a new report that shows the effects of mega-sporting events and the impact they have on tourism spending in the event host countries. The report analyzes Visa cardholder spending patterns, known as VisaVue Travel data, of three recent mega-events: 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM), the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. According to the report, events of this scale create significant increases in expenditure and give host countries a chance to shine on the global stage.

To say that the recent string of violent demonstrations in the United Kingdom comes as a surprise is to admit that one has not been paying attention to the signs of rising tension among Brits - youths, in particular - which has been building in recent months.

Last November in London, during the yearly World Travel Market (WTM), thousands of college students took their frustrations to the streets. According to reports, approximately 30,000 to 52,000 protesters attended that initial demonstration on the streets of central London. These students were reported to have come from various parts of the country including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Flashed on the television screens all over the media center at ExCel Exhibition Center, where the WTM was being held, were sporadic acts of violence and vandalism. Some protesters and police officers had to be hospitalized, according to various reports.