Global Scans · Travel · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: How we travel, where we travel and whether we travel at all will mean tremendous change in the decades ahead.

• A group of Syrian mercenaries who received Russian passports are currently in Ulan-Ude and will join the Russian 5th Tank Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army, Eastern Military District). Institute for the Study of War
• The French government has allocated 24 EES kiosks for St Pancras, where checks will take place for travel to the EU, but modelling has suggested that nearly 50 kiosks would be needed at peak travel times. iNews
• The dangers to shipping using the sea routes have forced many vessels travelling between Asia and Europe to divert around the southern tip of Africa instead of using the Suez Canal, increasing costs and lengthening delivery times. Kent Online
• The United States is on track to reach 91 million visitors in 2026, exceeding the five-year goal of 90 million international visitors by 2027 set in the National Travel and Tourism Strategy. TravelBizNews
• While the path of economic recovery in China remains highly uncertain, price growth is projected to gather pace in 2024 on the back of accelerating consumer spending and reviving tourism flows. Luxurious Magazine
• Promoting domestic tourism, and introducing a central rating system will encourage adoption of quality cookware and appliances to meet the demands and expectations of local and global tourists. cxotoday
• The emphasis on economic resilience societal well-being and environmental sustainability will undoubtedly shape the future of tourism in Thailand ensuring it remains a beloved destination for years to come. Thaiger
• A year on from the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in China, the eight-day Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday is expected to see a major surge in travel and consumption as people head home for family reunions or set off for a week of travel and tourism. China Briefing News
• Chinese New Year 2024 is expected to see an uptick in consumption and travel, buoyed by the extra-long holiday and economic recovery experienced after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. China Briefing News
• Rwanda will mainly count its economic projected growth of 7% on sectors such as tourism, services, trade and investment. Lusaka Times
• Almost three quarters of Americans plan to either maintain or increase their number of hotel stays in 2024 compared to 2023, and hotels remain the top lodging choice for likely travelers. Daily Lodging Report
• In Japan, we expect growth to remain above potential but to slow from about 2% in 2023 to about 1% in 2024, as one-off factors that supported activity last year fade - including a depreciated yen, strong tourism, and a recovery in business investment. Caribbean News Global
• The alternative longer route around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa has added more than 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) to the journey and close to a half-month of sailing time to each trip, significantly increasing shipping costs. Al Jazeera
• Demand for travel will remain resilient throughout 2024 with inflationary pressures on operating costs set to be mitigated through operational efficiency savings and higher pricing. World Coffee Portal
• China's transport officials said they expected 480 million rail trips to be made during a 40-day travel surge around the spring festival in the weeks before and after the Lunar New Year, a nearly 40% increase from last year. The Straits Times
• A ship carrying grain from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Kenya would have to travel 10,677 miles around the Cape of Good Hope, compared to 5,134 miles through the Suez Canal. Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
• Industry leaders are optimistic about the potential of the Union Budget 2024 to address key concerns and foster growth, innovation, and sustainability within the travel and hospitality sector, thereby strengthening India's position as a premier travel destination. ETTravelWorld.com
• The travel and tourism sector holds significant economic importance, contributing 5.8% to India's GDP in 2022 and aiming for a target of USD 1 trillion by 2047. ETTravelWorld.com
• A ship carrying crude oil from Rotterdam to Singapore, passing through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, roughly travels 8,500 nautical miles taking 26 days, while journey through the Cape of Good Hope takes 36 days to travel some 11,800 NM. BusinessLine
• The Ministry of Tourism should make favourable policies for promoting tourism all over Nepal, which has huge potential in the tourism sector. GorakhaPatra
• The Kenyan government hopes that the visa-free policy will help to create economic opportunities for Kenyans, such as jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. IPS Inter Press Service Business
• A forecast by Singapore-based China Trading Desk anticipates a 50% rise in international travel by Chinese tourists in 2024, reaching 62% of pre-pandemic levels. KGI Research Singapore

Last updated: 10 February 2024