Value Retail joined the travel and tourism industry’s most senior executives and government representatives at this year’s World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit, which took place in Abu Dhabi this week (9 and 10 April). This year marks the first time that the relatively new, ‘shopping tourism’ sector, of which Value Retail is both a leader and pioneer, has been included in the Council’s summit, which focuses on consistency and improvements in the industry.
Desirée Bollier, Chief Executive Officer for Value Retail, participated in panel discussions alongside industry leaders from travel partners to infrastructure giants, to discuss ‘Common problems, common solutions’. The panel sought to present solutions to issues ranging from barriers to entry, such as inconsistent visa applications, to infrastructure and stability, which may have impacted on a cited 83 million outbound travellers from China alone, resulting in just 6% of that number visiting Europe and an even smaller 1.25% visiting the US in 2012.
Commenting on the panel, Ms Bollier said, “From emerging markets, especially, we are seeing double-digit transaction increases year on year. Visa costs can be off-putting. With increasing prices, it then becomes an investment for a family looking to travel, which is then offset against retail or leisure spend. It is short-term gain impact on an entire economy.”
“How are we saying ‘welcome’ or ‘have a nice trip home’ when we are making entry and exit processes so tough? We need to move our mind-set to being customer-centric as countries, whilst not jeopardising security,” she added.
Value Retail is the developer and operator of Chic Outlet Shopping®, a unique concept that specialise in luxury shopping destinations as part of a Collection of nine Villages across Europe. The Villages have become international tourist destinations in their own right as a result of their strategic locations, offer, services and understanding of European markets.
In 2012 the Villages received an estimated 30.5 million visits, with an increase in the number of visits from Middle Eastern consumers who, according to tax refunded data, are among the top three visiting non-EU nationalities, and the number one non-EU nation at Maasmechelen Village in Belgium and Fidenza Village in Italy.*
This is the first year the World Travel and Tourism Council has held its summit in Abu Dhabi and included guest speakers such as 42nd President of the United States of America Bill Clinton, American actress and environmentalist activist Daryl Hannah, and James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer for Etihad Airways.
Source: tax refunded data supplied by Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, Tax Free Ireland, Tax Free UK and Fexco:
About Chic Outlet Shopping®
Chic Outlet Shopping® is the luxury outlet shopping experience available at the Collection of Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail, the only company to specialise exclusively in the development and operation of luxury outlet shopping villages. The Villages offer the authentic previous seasons’ collections of leading luxury fashion and lifestyle brands with savings of up to 60%, and sometimes more, on the recommended retail price, all year round. Within easy reach of some of Europe’s and China's favourite gateway cities – London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Bologna, Brussels, Antwerp, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and, coming soon, Suzhou and Shanghai – the Villages are defined by high fashion, superior service and hospitality, a calendar of celebrated events, and exceptional value for money. Located in regions of cultural and historic renown, the Villages have become international tourist destinations in their own right. Value Retail's new venture to bring its distinctive Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages to China will see its first Village – Suzhou Village™ – located in historic Suzhou, 50 miles west of Shanghai. As with other members of the Collection, Suzhou Village™ will be defined by its offer of international luxury fashion and lifestyle brands, together with an exceptional level of service.
Contacts
Michelle Hogan
+971 4 455 6155
michelle.hogan@havasprme.com
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