Tony Loeb

🏕 By the end of 2024, the planet will have fully recovered from the Covid-induced crisis, with tourism numbers hitting 1.1 billion in the first nine months, equating to 98% of pre-pandemic levels. Italy showcased double-digit growth in tourism revenue compared to pre-Covid earnings. The UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the positive impact on jobs and small businesses. The Middle East leads growth with a 29% increase in arrivals, while Qatar saw a 141% jump compared to 2019. Japan topped the list with a 59% rise in tourism revenue for 2023, followed by Turkey at 41% and France at 27%. The UK, Canada, and Australia also reported significant gains in the first half of 2024, with the US seeing a 7% increase from January to September.

📅 In Lecce, the first biennial ITS course for 'Travel Office manager' commenced, organized by the 'ITS Academy Regionale della Puglia per l’Industria della Ospitalità e del Turismo Allargato,' Aidit Federturismo, and Confindustria Lecce. Aimed at training professionals capable of traditional tourism organization roles, it includes tasks pertinent to agency desk personnel, hotel staff, tourist info points, and corporate travel offices. Stefania Mandurino of Aidit Federturismo emphasizes the necessity of professional training for modern tourism businesses, particularly due to informed customers and technological changes in product development and sales.