Reflections on the World Travel Market 2023

 Reflections of World Travel Market 2023

I was greeted at the entrance of the ExCel Centre by a Mexican all lady Mariachi group. That set a positive tone.

I wandered around the exhibitors stands as I have done since WTM first appeared at the ExCel venue in 2002, before then it was Olympia.

Things looked familiar, the usual brightly coloured stands where each country proudly proclaimed they must be visited by the force of their display. Yet since 2020 there has been lockdowns and a WTM closure that happened in that year. A body blow from which the WTM was still recovering. Events restarted in 2021 when there was a slightly eerie feel of unreality, of caution, unease and the wearing of facemasks. WTM 2022 and things were beginning to get back as they were during 2019. Even so I had the sense of difficulties the airline and travel industry were likely to face. We lost Flybe, which is a still a huge shame. More companies and airlines were likely to find life difficult. An attempted revival of Flybe happened during 2022. Unfortunately that petered out in January of 2023, many relied on Flybe to take them to places that are not so quite adequately served even now. Flybe first ceased trading during March 2022, and that left a mark on my psychology. I had that not quite sure sense things were quite not back on track, I could have been wrong of course.

WTM 2023 was very busy, yet, that does not always mean healthy profits. One or two geopolitical events can knock things off course.

Ukraine 2022, Israel 2023/4, flights could be disrupted again, already many international flights do not cross Russia but go via a more expensive southerly route.

Generally I am a positive person but the nagging doubts about economy are still there. Watch for cautious 'penny-pinching' and airlines filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptsy Protection. Even so, the order books of Airbus and Boeing are full and have backlogs of orders. Embraer is a fairly new 'kid on the block' but now produces many capable aircraft. These three will soon be challenged by the Comac C919 from China and the MS(MC-21) of Russia. Many tourist destinations have been very full during 2024, resulting in fed up locals, who have been protesting about how this has changed their lives. A new phenomenon which allegedly began in Spain.

Back to WTM 2023, early during the day I fortunately met Joolz of Joolz guides. Yes, he really is 6ft 7inches tall (over 200 cms !) and a jolly chappie he is, wearing his distinctive Bowler hat. I highly recommend his videos on London. He also has an excellent guide to London, a book that is available.

https://joolzguides.com

https://youtu.be/xg4_nipToHE?si=2pXNc-N1ivb8thnJ

Later in the day I again met the superb Harpist Helena Ricci. She was on the Egyptian stand dressed like a Princess of the Nile. That's two huge pluses for WTM 2023. She once gave me a sublime rendition of Erik Satie's Gnossienne No 1. It was if her harp was speaking to me personally. Well done Helena !

https:helenaricci.com

 

The Bulgarian stand often has a sommelier to be able to sample some of their extremely good wines, for thirteen WTM’s, they have confirmed the quality of their wines.

 

 

WTM 23 I sampled some brilliant wines on the Croatian stand. Whatever one’s personal taste, wines from Eastern Europe take some beating IMHO.

Every WTM I gravitate over to the Brasilian stand. I fell in love with Brasilian music at about the age of 10. During 1997 I joined Quilombo do Samba, a London based school of Samba. There are others but the people there I felt a harmony. I stayed with them until 2007 when they went back to Brasil(Portuguese spelling). For ten years I had a wonderful time with them. Naturally I seek out the Brasilian stand for coffee(Cafezinho) and some tasty snacks. Am I there for food and wine tasting or serious research and networking ? You may well ask..!

Sadly in 2023 I didn’t see the old Cuban cigar roller on the Cuban stand, he had become quite a feature as had the man from the Netherlands carving his wooden clogs, also absent.

The sheer plethora of stands at WTM 23 extolling the virtues of many countries can be overwhelming in time and energy. I am particularly attracted to Japan and Thailand, then there is…...It is easy to become lost in the event and suddenly time flies.

If one is interested in travel, networking and the travel industry in general, it is the place to be. I have been visiting since the event took place at Olympia, catching up with friends and absorbing myself in the world of travel.

What of the future, there are possible more negative events on the horizon. One must stay positive and hope for the best.

 

 

https://www.wtm.com

Return to Thailand

The flight was sort of OK outbound. The return was awful. 1970's package flight to Spain seat pitch. Sardine City, dreadful food, poor service because of understaffing, a drink if one could get it....I won't name the airline but at one time they were very good. Such are the effects of the last three years.

My first impression after a gap of five years was, more expensive, again after recent times it had to be more expensive. Bangkok appeared much the same with some places disappeared and others modernised. My favourite fish restaurant 'Somboon' was just as good as before but again more expensive. I was surprised however at the demise of Pantip, the 5 floors of technology now a ghost building. Areas closed and shuttered down, with very few companies offering products. Gone are the days of the many small holdings selling allegedly copy dvd's, repair services and computer equipment sales. An 'Alladin's Cave' of modern technology. After some enquiries I discovered that many now order online. A couple of names were offered. I prefer my old Pantip, oh well such is progress? 

I found a truly great restaurant in Soi 4 , Sukhumvit. The sign advertised the Swan Club with an appropraite Swan. Restaurant, bar advertised live music. I enjoyed the food and the friendly staff. Highly recommended.

I took a taxi called Pim to Pattaya and stayed in the Na Kleaua area. Brilliant accommodation for the price. Walking around I noticed a hotel called Quba, defined as 'Boutique'. I was suddenly a long way away in the island of Cuba. I sensed the ghost of Ernest Hemingway.

I found the infamous 'Walking Street' disappointing, a provence of India, or so it seemed. The traditional British, American, German etc. Have now moved to LK Metro and that is where the old atmosphere of 'Walking Street' now resides. Much else is similar, with some modernisations and new places. Again prices higher but still cheap compared with Western Europe, especially the hotels. It may have been my perception but I found the party atmosphere was not quite there, numbers have returned, at least during March. Yet, that certain fun atmosphere was not quite as I remember. 

My covid19 experience on a trip to Paphos, Cyprus.

   Seemingly during late October, early November 2021, with the filling of multiple forms a trip to Cyprus would be possible? I needed some sunshine.

After much form filling including a Cyprus pass and with my vaccination passes , I would have appeared to be ready? Although the Omicron variant was beginning to raise its head.

I booked my flight with easyJet from Bristol and my hotel with Hotels dot com. All very smooth and unhindered.

With great and frustrated anticipation I headed off for Bristol. I stayed in a very small but pleasant guest house near the airport. The next morning I headed off to the airport which was close. Things went smoothly. Waiting to go through the usual rigmarole of security checks, which has taken a lot of the fun out of flying . I spoke to a young girl en-route to Tenerife, she was upset, she hadn't the correct covid19 paperwork and couldn't fly.

I had a pleasant flight to Paphos with easyJet, although I didn't appreciate the insistance on a face mask as I had an exemption. Apparently I should have filled out an easyJet form with the booking of the ticket. I was given a speedy covid test on arrival at Paphos Airport. An hour and a half later I discovered the test came back negative. The test was free.

The hotel(shall be nameless) was also very pleasant as I looked forward to a near three week stay.

Things went well although it was chilly at night. No problems, nice to be in the Cyprus sunshine.

Then on the first Sunday morning I discovered that the UK government had moved the goal posts,if, I didn't return before the coming Tuesday. I would have to have a test before I left, and perhaps on arrival. The dark spectre of quarantine loomed. I spent the day stressed. Walking along the front rolling around in my mind what should I do. I decided to return ASAP. I really couldn't take the risk. It may have been OK but how can one relax with that sword of Damocles hanging over the holiday.

Changing the air ticket with easyJet was not a problem, I was returning to Gatwick. The return flight was quite full, with a number of the passengers also making a dash for home. Again easyJet was a good flight, notwithstanding masks. Gatwick was rather quiet, a number of Gatwick staff thought I had taken the right decision, I was still not sure. Gatwick South Terminal was closed except for the entrance to the rail station. The atmosphere was eerie. Especially as I had many memories of a busy terminal.

Hotels dot com elegantly recovered the cost of my hotel.

                                                                        Classic Morris Minor

                                                                 Paphos Coast Line

                                                                Austria from the air

 

Helena Ricci at the World Travel Market 2021.

 

Helena plays Gnossiennes No. 1 by Eric Satie

Airlines, Airports, Travel and Lockdowns: The Future

 

The last 18 months + have been very difficult for the travel industry. How many companies are walking a tightrope? Will they recover, will they be allowed to get back to some form of profitability?

The many expensive PCR tests and form filling is not exactly encouraging people to travel... at the moment. 

A relative was a senior stewardess/flight attendant, she worked with the union Unite.

An experienced captain is pleased he has a new job. A delivery driver. That is how harsh things have become. In due course I expect the captain to be back where he belongs, flying airliners. With the end of furlough at the end of September, things may seem even worse. 

Another lockdown and the country will be in a place to awful to contemplate. 

There must be quite a bit of pent up demand. Hopefully this may get things back to a situation a little rosier. It depends on the actions the government takes. Don't hold your breath. 

This means lots to me............Oh Vienna !

Including Bratislava in Slovakia.

Vienna, Wien in German.

                                                            St Stephen's Cathedral
I took a visit to Vienna or Wien during the Christmas period 2018. There is literally so much to see, that the few days I was there didn't do it justice. I particularly liked the Military History museum. Which contains the car and uniform of the assassinated Arch Duke Ferdinand. The event that allegedly started the First World War, it was definitely the trigger if not the gun. The exhibit I most wanted to see however was the Heilige Lance, popularly known as the Spear of Destiny. Situated in the Hofburg, a brilliant museum that has many fascinating exhibits from the Habsburg era including the Imperial Jewels in the Imperial Treasury. Opposite the Hofburg is the Kunsthistorisches Museum, containing old masters and classical artifacts.
Christmas Day is a notoriously quiet time in most European countries, fortunately I was able to get a train to the Schoenbrunn Palace. The main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Visit and taste an amazing history.
On Boxing Day I took a day trip to Brastislava,  it is only 2+ hours from Vienna by train. Bratislava is small by comparison and also very historic. Quite a bit cheaper than Vienna with beer and food very reasonable. It certainly has an interesting night life. An attraction for stag parties apparently.
On my last day in Vienna I went to the Leopold Museum, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, marvellous. Such are the many things to see I didn't have time to visit the Ferris Wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad, famous in the film, 'The Third Man'. A good tip is to get a daily or three day travel pass, the best way to see the city. I have only scratched the surface of this wonderful city. I have missed the Spanish Riding School and the many classical musical events. I have not even mentioned the Sacher Torte, the well known chocolate cake.
My photos will only give a flavour of this amazing city.

                                                   The Spear of Destiny(Heilige Lance)

                                                                 Habsburg Jewels

                                 The tragedy of the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand

The infamous car. 

Fiesler Storch

Schonbrunn

Bratislava

  Christmas in Vienna