“
Leo
Fewtrell,
ITCN
United
Arab
Emirates
“Despite
the
ongoing
turmoil
in
the
Middle
East,
Dubai
and
the
UAE
remain
a
peaceful
and
stable
des:na:on
for
tourism,
experiencing
increased
growth
month
and
month
and
bene?vng
from
another
boom
in
the
construc:on
of
new
hotels.
The
wealth
across
the
region
is
clearly
a
major
factor,
highlighted
by
a
recent
survey
which
showed
increases
across
the
board
in
the
numbers
of
ultra
high
net
worth
individuals
and
a
par:cular
increase
of
more
than
26%
in
the
total
wealth
of
Saudi
Arabia,
which
tops
the
table
at
$285
billion,
followed
by
UAE
at
$190
billion”.
Sandrine
Ledru,
ITCN
France
“As
a
snapshot
of
the
tourism
sector
in
France,
1.6
million
more
French
people
went
on
holiday
in
2012
than
in
2011
–
a
total
of
31.2
million
people
(59%
of
popula:on),
with
65%
staying
in
France
and
24%
going
abroad.
France
con:nues
to
enjoy
a
very
loyal
foreign
clientele
of
holidaymakers,
with
increased
visitor
numbers
from
key
markets
including
the
UK,
Northern
Europe,
US
and
Japan,
but
the
excep:on
of
Spain
and
Italy
due
to
the
economic
situa:on
in
these
markets.
In
terms
of
booking
vaca:ons,
6
out
of
10
French
people
now
choose
the
internet
and
TripAdvisor’s
TripBarometer
survey
reported
31%
of
French
people
book
their
accommoda:on
on
OTA
websites,
12%
on
company
websites
and
12%
by
calling
travel
companies.
Looking
ahead,
the
European
Commission
has
forecast
the
French
de?cit
will
reach
3.7%
of
GDP
in
2013
instead
of
3%
and
the
French
Minister
of
Educa:on
wants
to
reduce
summer
holidays
from
8
weeks
to
6
which,
according
to
an
IPOS
survey,
is
supported
by
53%
of
French
people”.