What kind of travel risks is triggered in British Travelers? If you were travel professionals in Islamic Tourism Destinations, what will you do to reduce the risk?

‘Summer of Discontent’ has transformed Britain’s travel habits 

Source:  http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/68343/lsquo-summer-of-discontent-rsquo-has-transformed#sthash.YP5XQYqV.dpuf

Tatiana Rokou - 05 October 2015, 11:08

"New study shows half of Britons are changing their holiday plans following the migrant crisis, Tunisian terrorist attack and chaos at the Channel Tunnel. Three-quarters (75%) said they are now actively avoiding Islamic countries for holiday destinations"

LONDON - British tourists are becoming increasingly concerned over their personal safety and the safety of their families when abroad, according to research by Travelzoo. When asked how events had impacted their willingness to travel abroad, just over half said recent acts of terrorism (54%) and the migrant situation (51%) had directly influenced how they feel about taking overseas holidays.When commenting on the impact specific events have had on their travel habits: Three-quarters (75%) said they are now actively avoiding Islamic countries for holiday destinations 73% said the migrant situation has put them off travelling through the Channel Tunnel or by Eurostar Over half (54%) admitted that the Tunisia terrorist attack has put them off planning/booking a holiday anywhere abroad. "Usually when Britain has a cool and wet summer, we are keen to take holiday somewhere warm. The events of this summer, however, have impacted the choices British consumers are making about where to go. This is particularly true, at least in the short term, for some of the previously popular tourist destinations amongst British tourists," said Yeganeh Morakabati, Academic in Risk and Tourism at Bournemouth University. "What is clear from the research is that the relative levels of risk perception have increased uncertainty and this has left the door open to fear. As a result British travelers are finding it increasingly difficult to decide on the safest destination for a holiday abroad."The research found over half (54%) feel confused and overwhelmed about where is safe to travel to, and nearly a third admitted they are not aware which countries have been put on high alert by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for British tourists. The knock-on effect for travel habits is clear: countries that would have appealed to British tourists for a winter getaway this time last year are being avoided by 50% of travelers in favor of destinations perceived to be safer that they 'would not otherwise have chosen to visit.'

Louise Hodges, Travelzoo's spokesperson, said, "It's clear that after a turbulent year with many high-profile incidents in tourist destinations, safety and security is paramount for British people making choices about where to travel to for the rest of 2015 and into 2016. Websites such as that of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are now being cited as a place 70% of British consumers would look at when assessing where they might book."Winter-sun holidays for British tourists have typically been to the Canaries or the North Africa region, where the short flight time and guaranteed heat holds enormous appeal. The Canaries are looking popular again this year, however we know people are actively avoiding North Africa, opting instead for destinations they believe are safer. Islamic countries in particular are causing potential British visitors concern."The study found that UK consumers feel most secure travelling to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean or Australia for winter sun this year. For travel over the next 12 months, British people are most confident booking Italy, Spain, France, Portugal and the USA.Working with consumers and travel agents, Travelzoo identified Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Greece and Thailand as the traditionally popular tourist spots British people are now most afraid of visiting. In fact, after the tragic terrorist attack in June this year less than 1% of UK tourists said they would consider visiting Tunisia, even if the travel ban were lifted in the next few months.Hodges concluded, "While in general the desire to travel shows no sign of abating, we are seeing changes in the considerations people make when selecting their holiday destination. British tourists right now want to travel to places they feel are removed from the recent troubles in the Middle East and parts of Europe, and almost two-thirds are looking at destinations they would not have considered before in the quest to find 'safe' holiday locations."

What are generational differences you see in workers of different generations? If you work for a preferred online travel agency, what kind of accommodation type you should propose to these groups of traveler?

Nearly half of U.S. international business travelers use extended stay accommodations
Tatiana Rokou - 13 October 2015, 09:38
Source: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/68488/nearly-half-of-u-s-international#sthash.rTNj2suy.dpuf

"Millennials (18-34) use extended stay accommodations more than any other group, with 72 percent staying at one for international business travel in the past year. Only 48 percent of generation Xers (35-54) and an even smaller 26 percent of baby boomers (55+) used an extended stay accommodation during the same time period"

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Nearly half (48 percent) of all U.S. business travelers have used an extended stay accommodation in the past 12 months when traveling internationally for business, according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).The study, Extended Stay Accommodations: Awareness, Supply and Demand, produced in partnership with WWStay, also revealed interesting differences across age groups when it comes to extended stay accommodations. Millennials (18-34) use extended stay accommodations more than any other group, with 72 percent staying at one for international business travel in the past year. Only 48 percent of generation Xers (35-54) and an even smaller 26 percent of baby boomers (55+) used an extended stay accommodation during the same time period.In addition, 60 percent of business travelers who use extended stay accommodations book it themselves with many of that group booking through an online travel site (41 percent) or directly on the extended stay website (38 percent). Booking outside of a company tool could potentially mean the traveler is not compliant with company travel policy. More importantly, the company may not be able to locate their traveler if an emergency occurs.

Preferences & ChallengesThe top reasons business travelers said they prefer extended stay accommodations are fully equipped kitchens (45 percent), amenities (40 percent) and the residential feel (36 percent). However many U.S.-based international business travelers note that they have challenges booking their own extended stay accommodations with minimum stay requirements (29 percent), limited number of accommodations (21 percent) and lack of reviews from previous guests (20 percent) topping the list of woes.“This study showed a clear demand for extended stay accommodations,” said Joseph Bates, GBTA Foundation Vice President of Research. “To ensure demand continues to increase, companies that provide extended stay accommodations should address the challenges noted by becoming more flexible with minimum stay requirements, providing an up-to-date website listing amenities and guest reviews and increasing the supply of extended stay accommodations available.”Satisfaction An overwhelming majority of business travelers (91 percent) are very satisfied or satisfied with their lodging experience on their last international trip of 5 or more days regardless of what type of lodging was used. Major differences are revealed however, when looking at satisfaction levels by type of extended stay accommodation, with much higher satisfaction levels at extended stay hotels (94 percent) and corporate furnished accommodations (87 percent) compared to accommodation rentals (74 percent).

“International extended lodging, especially in the form of corporate furnished apartments are really the final frontier in business lodging,” said WWStay CEO Rajeev Goswami. “Travelers are ‘doing their own thing’ and getting frustrated largely because they and their companies aren’t aware a solution exists to search, book and track thousands of furnished apartments around the world. We believe this sector represents a huge opportunity for multi-national corporate travel managers to lean in and take control of this mostly unmanaged lodging channel, whilst providing better traveler service, cost control and duty of care compliance.”