TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Hope and optimism remain foremost in the minds of the travel trade as our industry continues to navigate through the pandemic and related challenges. Internationally, excitement is revolving around the 20-month border closure finally being lifted on November 8. The timing of this announcement coincided with the kick-off of U.S. Travel's IPW conference in September. More than 2,600 attendees from 52 countries gathered in Las Vegas for the 52nd annual IPW—the travel industry's largest generator of international travel to the United States. Visit Greater Palm Springs, along with our partners from the Desert Region, conducted over 60 one-on-one appointments with tour operators, buyers and wholesalers from around the world.
Our international offices in the U.K., France and Germany are busy conducting destination trainings, holding client meetings and uncovering marketing opportunities with our key clients. Most markets are experiencing large spikes of inquiries and bookings through 2022, as consumers holding billions of dollars in travel credits and extra savings built up over the past two years are eager to travel long-haul once again. In conversations with our international clients, most are forecasting a 60-70% return to pre-pandemic levels next year while a full rebound most likely occurring by 2024.
We continue our strong efforts in the domestic markets as well with trade marketing and in-person trainings and client events. Most recently we hosted a lunch and training event in San Francisco for the local ASTA chapter and spent a week in New York meeting with top clients to promote Greater Palm Springs to visitors in the Northeast. As we close out 2021, we will be traveling to San Jose, Sacramento and Seattle for more client meetings and destination trainings.
Despite any lingering uncertainty in travel recovery, consumers remain inspired and committed to travel. They are researching and speaking with travel advisors, and have the resources to travel. Current bookings are showing not only robust short-term patterns but also well into 2022 and 2023. Travel managers are encouraging clients to book soon, as fears of inventory and experiential shortages may continue to threaten tourism's rebound. Therefore, please ensure your rates and inventory are managed and optimized effectively to secure new bookings not only in the near term but also through all of 2022 and even into the first half of 2023.
If you have any questions about Tourism Development, please contact:
Gary Orfield, Director of Tourism Development
gorfield@gpscvb.com | 760.969.1335
