CEE MARKET Our commitment to Poland is clear. We are excited to be here and we are here for the long-haul. - HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group Central and Eastern Europe has always been an important market for us and we are glad that we are able to offer passengers from Bratislava, Prague and Sofia more possibilities to travel to Dubai. In addition, Business Class will be available on all three routes, offering passengers a premium travel experience. Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) for Flydubai. Strong growth in long- haul travel from CEE market CEE countries are located close to a major airline hubs such as Dubai, Frankfurt or Heathrow. The number of outbound trips increased by 3% and the number of overnight stays was stable, according to World Travel Monitor figures for January August 2014. Long-haul travel in Europe continued to grow faster than short-haul travel this year. 2014 has also been a year of long-haul travel by Europeans with above average growth for all overseas regions. Nowadays Flydubai and Emirates Airline connect Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia. In 2015, outbound trips in Poland and other CEE countries are expected to increase as a result of maturing travel patterns, growing GDP and strong growth in international aviation capacity and desire to explore new destination.
Market Information International tourist arrivals in Europe were up by a solid 5% in 2013, an increase of 29 million on 2012 to a total of 563 million. According to UNWTO the highest growth was recorded in Eastern Europe, with 7% more arrivals in 2013. In general outstanding growth in the economy of CEE countries simultaneously increased the number of outbound travelers. The number of people who plan to travel in 2015 has gone up slightly to 72% from 70% last year. As well Emirates Airline and Fly Dubai have launched new routes to Prague, Warsaw, Bucharest, Bratislava which underlines importance of emerging CEE market. It is a major factor which enables people to travel to desired long haul exotic destinations. Poland is a great example among CEE countries which excessively contributes to volume of international tourism. Polish participation in international tourism is significant and reached 10 million foreign touristic trips in 2012. The major purpose of their travels is leisure (43%), followed by visiting friends and family (23%), and business (28%). A large proportion of Polish tourists choose all-inclusive sun and beach options in 4 and 5 star hotels as this guarantees a high standard holiday which carries much prestige. Apart from going to the beach, Polish travelers also enjoy shopping, dining, sightseeing and visiting historical places. Poland has the largest economy in Central Europe and 6 th in EU. Since CEE countries joined the EU in 2004, the countries ambitions have been marked by the desire to fully catch up with the core of the EU in terms of economic development and living standards.
Therefore Luxury Outbound travel has enjoyed a huge increase in all Central Eastern Europe. The main destinations: Greece, Italy, Croatia, US (NYC, Miami, Las Vegas), Asia and Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives), Middle East (Dubai, Jordan, Turkey). In comparison with other European sub-regions CEE/CIS outbound travelling in 2015 expected to grow by 5,7% which is the highest number Europe.
Section A: Central and Latin America Mexico belongs among countries in Central America that have not yet been explored by travelers from CEE. Nevertheless successful national campaign Live Mexico and Did you know about? With great promotion at ITB in 2014 as well has been so far main reason which put Mexico on the list of desired destinations. Increasing popularity of Mexico among CEE travelers has been noticed by leading outgoing local DMC Exim Tour in CEE which announced that number of travelers tripled by 2012. Therefore Mexico becomes next to Dominican Republic and Cuba the favorite destinations among CEE travelers.
Section B: United Arab Emirates Middle East region was for a long time for CEE travelers impossible to visit and explore due to lack of direct flights. Firstly entered CEE market Emirates Airlines. Nowadays is CEE connected with other airlines such as Fly Dubai. A total of 508 weekly flights were recorded between the UAE and Europe. More than 160,000 EU citizens live in the UAE, and more than 1.64 million EU nationals visited the UAE, according to data collected in 2013. Therefore the connection between regions is no longer a barrier. As consequent UAE and especially Dubai became a first exotic destination for CEE travelers. Moreover Dubai became a major hub airport from which travelers explore other destinations in Asia and Indian Ocean. Section C:, Indian ocean, Oceania, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles
Czech Republic Slovakia, Poland and other CEE countries are landlocked or do not have access to warm and sunny beaches therefore people in CEE countries have great desire for travelling to warm seas and oceans. Nowadays all above mentioned destinations became among people more accessible due to Dubai airport. Great example of country which becomes thanks to good national promotion on CEE market very popular is Sri Lanka. As well Seychelles National Bureau Statistic indicates that incoming tourism from CEE market exceeded over 25,000 visitors. Per month on average from CEE countries travelled to Seychelles over tourists 1,500. Among people s minds are small islands such as Mauritius or Maldives considered as dream destination.