Afghanistan, Iraq and Sierra Leone. Former war zones…and possibly, your next holiday destination.
I’m currently knee-deep in putting together our second special report, which will focus on adventure travel, and be released next week. One of the big trends I’ve heard is how more consumers are opening their minds around countries that are traditionally seen as controversial and challenging.
In fact, according to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer website, the Middle East is seeing the strongest relative growth of all continents, with international arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 exceeding pre-pandemic levels by a whopping 36%, and Africa welcoming 5% more arrivals in Q1 of 2024 than in Q1 of 2019.
Off the back off that, earlier this year, Intrepid launched its first women-only tour to Saudi Arabia, with a big focus on supporting and empowering female-led businesses within the community.
I chatted about this new trend to David Smyth, founder and Director of Forward Travel, a boutique travel consultancy in NSW, that is seeing more of their clients immersing themselves in the Middle East. David pointed out that plenty of these clients are in their 70s and see themselves more as travellers, rather than tourists.
“Many travellers are drawn to these destinations to experience the aftermath of conflict and to gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and resilience of the local people. With many regions of the world suffering from overtourism, these once forbidden destinations offer an authentic and adventurous experience, appealing to those seeking off-the-beaten-path travel,” David said to me.
“Cultural and heritage tourism is another factor, as war leaves behind museums, memorials, and battle sites that attract those interested in history and education. The increasing media coverage, documentaries and social media exposure of these regions is challenging mainstream perceptions and has made them more accessible and appealing to travellers.”
This led me to think about comments that I heard from Wendy Wu MD Simon Bell on the Travel24 stage last week.
During his panel discussion, Bell tackled a tricky question from moderator and Travel Daily Editor Adam Bishop, who asked about what it’s like supporting markets that are experiencing volatility and conflict, like China and Russia. I was really impressed with his thoughtful response.
“The people on the ground in these countries are so far removed from what the government does. They’re so far removed from the media’s portrayal [of them], or whatever Vladimir Putin is doing,” said Bell.
“The ordinary people on the ground are just trying to make a living doing what makes their heart sing. And so I think that for the recovery in these places, it is really going to rely on the support of people like us that can move beyond the politics and the media, and think about the people on the ground.”
I have to admit, I agree with Bell’s observations wholeheartedly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that former war zones are everyone’s cup of tea and that they replace a less challenging holiday, like lying by the beach in Hawaii or going on a cruise to the Caribbean. This is 100% not about shaming travellers into picking certain kinds of holidays that might not suit their needs or desires.
But in a world where there’s so much misinformation and noise, it’s so easy for us to forget about the humanity that lies behind careless social media posts, various politicians’ ignorant rants and an overall lack of education.
After all, isn’t travel one of the very best ways for us all to learn about other communities and open our minds about the world around us?
Moving on from Russia to Rex. The last time you and I met here, I wrote about my concern for regional Australians and the impact that Rex’s demise would have on their connection to metro areas. Fortunately, it was revealed this week that they will still be able to book Rex flights during the administration process – and if those flights do not go ahead, they will receive full refund as part of a new government Regional Flight Booking Guarantee.
“This guarantee is about assuring customers and communities that they can, and should, continue booking regional flights with Rex, flights that allow them to stay connected with their family, their friends, their healthcare and other services, while also helping to maintain regional aviation in Australia,” Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said.
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) chimed in today, asking for the government to extend their assistance to the wider travel ecosystem, which has obviously been impacted by the situation. In fact, travel businesses are carrying an exposure of $11.5 million as a result.
“While the guarantee for Rex bookings is a vital measure, it is equally important to recognise the burden being shouldered by travel advisors across Australia,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long.
“These professionals have not only faced substantial financial exposure but have also taken on an increased workload, ensuring that travelling Australians receive the support they need during this difficult time.”
Shifting from the skies and onto the seas, this week, Cruise Weekly broke the news of the government’s extension of the Coastal Trading Act. This arrangement, which was originally meant to end at the end of 2025, allows international cruise lines to operate in our waters - that has now been extended until 31 December 2025.
It’s a move that was applauded by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
“The exemption is an important regulatory provision in Australia and supports cruise operations worth more than $5.6 billion a year to communities around the coast,” a CLIA spokesperson said.
“Cruise ships made almost 1,400 port calls around Australia in 2022-23, creating an economic impact that supports more than 18,000 Australian jobs.”
On that note, it’s time for me to log off. See you next week!
Over and out, Jo.
