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PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: World’s best bar 2022

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Attention bar flies, there’s a new horse in town. For the first time since the World’s 50 Best Bars list was created in 2009, a bar outside of New York or London earned the No. 1 spot on the list. So, without further adieu for 2022, please lift a glass to:

Paradiso, Barcelona.

Announced on Oct. 4 at a live awards ceremony in the Spanish city (banner photo), Paradiso was notably one of a trio of Barcelona bars to make the top 10 this year, including Sips and Two Schmucks, ensuring that the Catalonian capital is one of the top cities in the world to enjoy a libation.

Being The World’s Best Bar, it follows that Paradiso was also named Best Bar in Europe.

Shockingly (if one can be shocked by such things), reigning repeat winner (2021 and 2020), the Connaught Bar in London, not only dropped to eighth place, but was also second in the British capital behind Tayēr + Elementary, which held its second-place ranking from last year.

Sponsored by Perrier, the 14th annual awards is designed to “unite the global bar community in recognition of the bartenders, bar owners and brands at the forefront of the international cocktail scene.”

This year’s list features bars from 26 cities with 14 new entries spread across Athens, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dubai, Florence, Hong Kong, Lisbon, London, Naples, and New York. And for the first time, bars from Florence, Lisbon and Naples feature in the 50 Best list. (There were no Canadian entries on the list, but read on for Maple Leaf moments).

The top 10 (with additional designations):

1. Paradiso, Barcelona (Winner: Best Bar in Europe)
2. Tayēr + Elementary, London
3. Sips, Barcelona (Winner: Highest Climber)
4. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City (Winner: Best Bar in North America, Legend of the List)
5. Little Red Door, Paris (Winner: Sustainable Bar Award)
6. Double Chicken Please, New York (Winner: Highest New Entry)
7. Two Schmucks, Barcelona
8. The Connaught Bar, London
9. Katana Kitten, New York
10. Alquímico, Cartegena (Winner: Best Bar in South America)

Paradiso

Paradiso, Barcelona

Of the overall winner – last year’s No. 3 – awards organizers stated:

“Hidden behind an antique refrigerator in the back of an unassuming pastrami shop in Barcelona’s trendy El Born district, Paradiso offers a truly masterful take on the speakeasy, combining technique, precision, and creativity with an unwavering sense of fun. In stark contrast to the understated exterior, the majestic front bar welcomes guests into a strikingly playful space, complete with dramatic glass light fittings and Gaudi-inspired curved-wood ceiling.

“At the bar, myriad meticulously crafted cocktails served in outlandish vessels take centre stage. Paradiso signatures, such as the Supercool Martini, uses ‘supercooled’ gin to build an iceberg in the glass before tailoring the final product tableside for a uniquely personal guest experience.

“From creating coasters and bar tools from single-use waste to hosting the first Paradiso Sustainability Summit, owners Giacomo Giannotti and Margarita Sader and their outstanding team showcase their unwavering commitment to ongoing sustainability, both within Paradiso and the wider industry.”

Mark Sansom, Content Director of The World’s 50 Best Bars, added, “Since being named One To Watch in 2017 a year after opening, Paradiso has been a firm fixture of the 50 Best list, enhancing its ranking year after year. It is an honour to name it as The World’s Best Bar and the win is credit to Paradiso’s outlandishly inventive cocktail program, sustainable ethos, work in the global bar community and brilliant sense of fun.”

Other fun facts

• New York led the list with a whopping six bars, more than any other city in the world, including two in the top 10: Double Chicken Please at No. 6, which is also awarded the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, and Katana Kitten rising one place to No. 9. The city also has Attaboy at No. 22, Overstory at No. 34, Dante at No.36 and Employees Only at No. 47. Chicago returns to the list for the first time since 2018 with Kumiko at No.25 and Miami’s Café La Trova has risen 7 places to No.21.

• Licorería Limantour continues to spearhead the meteoric rise of Mexico City’s emerging cocktail scene at No. 4, claiming the title of The Best Bar in North America for the second year in a row as well as being named Rémy Martin Legend of the List. It is joined by neighbours Handshake Speakeasy (No. 11), Baltra Bar (No. 32) and this year’s Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award winner Hanky Panky (No. 13)

• While no Canadian bars made the Best 50 list (or were subsequently listed in the 51-100 addendum), a dedicated North America list in the summer ranked Toronto’s Civil Liberties 10th and The Keefer Bar in Vancouver, 25th; other Canadian entries included Toronto’s Mother at 38, Bar Ravel 41st, Bar Mordecai, 48th; and Montreal’s Cloakroom Bar 45th and Bar Kismet in Halifax 49th.

• London regained its position as the cocktail capital of Europe with a total of five bars on the list. After Tayēr + Elementary (2) and Connaught Bar (8), and a re-entry from Swift at No. 30, the city also saw new entries from Satan’s Whiskers at No. 23 and A Bar with Shapes for a Name at No. 37.

Voting

The list was compiled by votes from The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which comprises more than 650 drinks experts (with 50/50 gender parity), including renowned bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists from around the world. Each voter casts seven votes based on their best bar experiences of the previous 18 months (although if they were unable to travel, they could provide five votes from their home country). Voters are required to remain anonymous and voting is confidential, secure, and independently adjudicated by Deloitte.

The full list –can be viewed HERE.

With glass purposefully in hand, we at Travel Industry Today continue our series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues. For more articles in the series, click here:

PREVIOUS ARTICLES: https://travelindustrytoday.com/pub-patio/

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Oy Como Va, Santana with Playing for Change

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Regular readers will know how much we love Playing for Change, an organization that promotes peace through music with songs (and concerts) that provide a fresh look and listen to familiar fare through a unique collaboration of global artists that are often led by, or feature, cameos by the original artists.

One of the newest PFC efforts is “Oy Como Va” (approximately translated as “How Goes It”), the now classic 1970 Latin-infused rock song by Santana. The 1962 original, a cha-cha by Latin-American jazz great Tito Puente, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

In this recent effort, Carlos Santos, joined by his wife and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, leads an inspiring PFC cast that spans the globe, from California to Colombia and Bahrain to Uruguay.

As you’ll see, it goes well!

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ministers Agree to Advance Circularity and Climate Action in European Tourism

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UNWTO - Ministers Agree to Advance Circularity and Climate Action in European Tourism - TRAVELINDEXNicosia, Cyprus, October 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Ministers of the Environment from across the Pan European region have agreed to promote the transformation of tourism, with key initiatives of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme to serve as their guiding principles.

At the conclusion of the Ninth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and held in Nicosia, Cyprus, delegates adopted a Ministerial Declaration, recognizing the urgent need to ensure the tourism sector “builds back better” from the impacts of the pandemic. Central to this will be accelerating the shift towards a circular tourism economy, while at the same time reducing waste and ensuring the sector meets its climate action responsibilities.

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched by UNWTO and partners at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, a joint initiative from UNWTO and UNEP were both referenced as key initiatives to help guide the transformation of the sector. The One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme co-hosted with UNEP and its Mediterranean Action Plan a side event on “Tourism and Circularity for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean”, where a  new repository of tools and resources focused on the circular economy and tourism was launched, alongside two new publications from the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative around measurement and procurement produced with the financial support of the Government of France.

‘An opportunity for all of tourism’

I encourage Europe’s Environment Ministers to build synergies with their counterparts in Ministries of Tourism to implement the circular economy in the tourism sector

Addressing the Ministerial Conference, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For businesses, the circular economy can bring competitive advantages. For destinations, it can build more inclusive local value chains. And for tourists, it’s an opportunity to leave a positive footprint. I encourage Europe’s Environment Ministers to build synergies with their counterparts in Ministries of Tourism to implement the circular economy in the tourism sector.”

Also speaking to the Ministerial Conference, Mario Šiljeg State Secretary for the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia, emphasized the importance of tourism to European economies and highlighted the significant benefits of “embracing innovative approaches, particularly moving away from traditional value chain relations adopting more systemic circular production and consumption patterns”.

Ministers and EU back CE in Tourism

Also in Nicosia, the Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, chaired a plenary discussion on Applying Principles of CE in Tourism’, with contributions from Switzerland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ukraine, Germany, Greece, Armenia and the European Union. The EU then delivered a statement in which they too recommended the Glasgow Declaration and Global Tourism Plastics Initiative as tools to advance intentions to make the sector more sustainable.

To conclude the Nicosia meeting, delegates signed a Ministerial Declaration in which they stated: “We will promote the transformation of the tourism sector by implementing programmes and projects oriented to applying circular models in the tourism value chain. Moreover, we will build knowledge based on existing circular tools and initiatives, with a view to enabling further dissemination and outreach across relevant ECE member States. We encourage member States and other stakeholders in a position to do so to consider joining and committing to actions under the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which unites the tourism sector behind a common vision of circular economy of plastics and the Glasgow Declaration: A Commitment to a Decade of Tourism Climate Action.”

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BYE-BYE BUFFETS?: What the pandemic taught U.S. casinos

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The COVID pandemic forced most US casinos to close for months, causing payrolls, revenue, and earnings to tumble. But the forced shutdowns and highly regulated recoveries also taught the industry useful lessons that will endure even after the pandemic is a distant memory, panelists at a major casino conference said Thursday.

Speaking at the recent East Coast Gaming Congress, executives from major gambling companies said the changes they were forced to make because of the pandemic had some benefits.

“We learned lessons that can’t be unlearned,” said Thomas Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.

“It forced us and gave us the ability to say to our guests that things that used to be viewed as an entitlement, maybe they don’t need them as much as they thought they did,” added Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “Do you need a buffet? Should you have a buffet?”

The conference was held in the Hard Rock casino in Atlantic City, whose buffet is still operating. Some of Hard Rock’s casinos in other states, including Florida, offer buffets while others do not.

David Cordish, chairman of the Cordish Companies, which operates casinos in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland, said the pandemic offered his business an opportunity “to tighten the ship.”

“We have not gone back to buffets,” he said. “It certainly wasn’t fun. Being closed for months was horrendous for employees. But there were a lot of lessons learned.

“What we did – and we may need to do it again – is when we were shut, we put in every possible type of health and safety screening you could do,” including hand sanitizers and barriers between player positions at table games, measures that were commonly adopted at casinos across the country.

Cordish said those expenses paid off handsomely once the casinos were allowed to reopen in mid 2020.

“People were fed up with being cooped up and came pouring back to the casinos, particularly when we did these things,” he said. “Since we reopened, business has been terrific.”

Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing, which owns Pennsylvania’s Parx casino, said the pandemic opened his eyes to one particular liability.

“We had a restaurant that was open every day for lunch and never made any money,” he said. When the casino reopened after its pandemic-related closure, “We didn’t bring it back, and no one ever said a thing about it.”

Jeff Gural, who owns two racetrack casinos in upstate New York, had a similar experience.

“We had a Subway sandwich place that didn’t work,” he said. “Then we converted it to a pizza place and that didn’t work. Someone suggested converting it to a sushi place – and I don’t like sushi. And it succeeded.”

Gural also said closure helped him realize that spending big money on broadcast ads, billboards and car giveaways wasn’t bringing in the return he expected, making it easier to scale back spending on such things.

Daily housekeeping of casino hotel rooms has become another casualty of the pandemic in some places. In June, Atlantic City’s main casino workers’ union filed a complaint with the state that four casinos were failing to clean guest hotel rooms daily as required by law, and one admitted it did not have enough housekeepers to clean every room every day.

Hospitality industry leaders say the combination of a shortage of housekeeping workers and the reluctance of some guests to allow hotel workers into their rooms during their stay has led to the abandonment of a daily room cleaning standard in resorts across the country.

One lingering effect of the pandemic is smaller payrolls. This is due both to workers who were let go during or shortly after the closures and have not been rehired, and a continuing difficulty in attracting new workers across the gambling industry, as with many others.

Jayson Guyot, president and CEO of Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino, said he ordered a complete restructuring of the business from top to bottom during the closure – something that would have been difficult to do had it still been operating.

“It enabled us to rebuild our margins from 10 to 13% to 18-20% now,” he said.

But he also voiced a common concern: Foxwoods has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic business levels.

That is a major preoccupation for Atlantic City’s casinos, which collectively have yet to return to 2019 revenue and profit levels for in-person gambling.

Atlantic City has thousands less casino workers than it did before the pandemic struck. It, like virtually every other casino market, has struggled to attract new workers and retain existing ones.

Hard Rock recently made headlines by spending $100 million to give big raises to 10,000 non-tipped workers, most of them in the US. Other companies have given smaller raises recently. Foxwoods has raised its hourly minimum wage from $10.50 two years ago to $14.50 now, Guyot said.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Net Zero CO2 Emissions Goal Tops Achievements at ICAO Assembly

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Net Zero CO2 Emissions Goal Tops Achievements at ICAO Assembly - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXMontreal, Canada, October 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is strongly encouraged by the adoption of a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 at the 41st Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This important step forward by states aligns with both the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 resolution agreed by airlines at the 77th IATA Annual General Meeting in October 2021.

“The significance of the LTAG agreement cannot be under-estimated. The aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 requires supportive government policies. Now that governments and industry are both focused on net zero by 2050, we expect much stronger policy initiatives in key areas of decarbonization such as incentivizing the production capacity of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). And the global determination to decarbonize aviation that underpins this agreement must follow the delegates home and lead to practical policy actions enabling all states to support the industry in the rapid progress that it is determined to make,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The decision on a long-term goal at ICAO comes after intense negotiations bridging the different levels of development across the world. There was overwhelming support at the ICAO Assembly for the goal.

CORSIA

The Assembly also reinforced its commitment to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and increased its ambition by agreeing to stabilize emissions of international aviation at 85% of the 2019 level. In agreeing this, many governments emphasized CORSIA’s role as the only economic measure applied to manage the carbon footprint of international aviation.

“The Assembly’s agreement strengthens CORSIA. The lower baseline will place a significantly greater cost burden on airlines. So, it is more critical than ever that governments do not chip away at the cement which bonds CORSIA as the only economic measure to manage the carbon footprint of international aviation. States must now honor, support and defend CORSIA against any proliferation of economic measures. These will only undermine CORSIA and the collective effort to decarbonize aviation,” said Walsh.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Industry expects SAF to play the largest role in decarbonizing aviation. IATA estimates that perhaps 65% of the mitigation needed for net zero emissions in 2050 will come from SAF. While the industry purchased all one hundred million liters of SAF available in 2021, the supply remains limited and the price far higher than conventional jet fuel.

“With LTAG in mind, state efforts should now be focused on ways to incentivize an increase in SAF production capacity and thereby reduce its cost. The tremendous progress made in many economies on the transition of electricity production to green sources such as solar power and wind is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right government policies, particularly production incentives,” said Walsh.

The Assembly’s outputs include several key areas of support for SAF. These include:

Requesting the ICAO Council to:
– Facilitate capacity building and technical assistance to states for SAF programs
– Work with stakeholders to define and promote the transition to SAF
– Facilitate access to financing for infrastructure development projects dedicated to SAF to develop the incentives needed to overcome initial market hurdles

Requesting States to:
– Accelerate fuel certification and development of SAF including feedstock production,
– Accelerate certification of new aircraft and engines to allow the use of 100% SAF
– Encourage and promote purchase agreements
– Support timely delivery of any necessary changes to airport and energy supply infrastructure
– Consider the use of incentives to support SAF deployment

Implementation

IATA emphasized the criticality of effective implementation: “Governments must not lose the momentum that has driven the outcomes of this assembly. The costs of decarbonizing aviation are in the trillions of dollars and the timeline to transition a global industry is long. With the right government policies SAF could reach a tipping point in 2030 that will lead us to our net zero goal. By the next Assembly the ‘aspirational’ characterization of LTAG must be transformed into a firm goal with a clear plan of action. That means governments must work with industry to implement an effective global policy framework capable of attracting the financial resources needed to put aviation on an unstoppable track to achieve net zero by 2050. There is lots of work to do, and not a minute to lose,” said Walsh.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dusit Hotels Opens Luxury Wellness Resort in the Tianmu Mountain

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Dusit Hotels Opens Luxury Wellness Resort in the Tianmu Mountain - TRAVELINDEX - HOTELWORLDS.comHangzhou, China, October 11, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Dusit Hotels International, a leading hotel and property development companies, has continued its expansion in China with the opening of the highly anticipated Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain, Hangzhou – the 11th Luxury Dusit-branded property in China.

Located at Tianmu Mountain, an area of natural beauty in Hangzhou city’s Lin’an District, the resort is only 60 minutes by car from the city centre of Hangzhou and a 90-minute drive from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. The high-speed rail station, which links with Shanghai, is 60-minute drive from the property.

Offering a welcome escape from city life for business and leisure travellers alike and delivering Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, the resort comprises 160 spacious villas and guest rooms on the outskirts of the Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its ancient towering trees, verdant valleys and mountain peaks, pleasant weather year-round, and the chance to spot rare and protected species, such as clouded leopards and black muntjac. Guests enjoy impressive views of the amazing mountain scenery from the comfort of their well-appointed rooms.

Alongside a Chinese restaurant and an all-day dining restaurant serving Asian and international delicacies – plus a special wellness menu featuring a wide range of healthy dishes – Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain, Hangzhou boasts an exclusive wellness centre, Dusit Wellness, featuring hot aromatherapy pools, an outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, and the deluxe Sino-Thai-inspired Namm Spa. A range of spa journeys, signature therapies, and wide array of skincare treatments are available for those seeking to relax and rejuvenate in utmost comfort, all conducted by expert therapists in elegantly appointed treatment rooms.

The resort also offers ample space for conference activities, weddings, and business and social functions, with one ballroom and two adjoining function rooms available for large- and small-scale events.

Guests will find ample opportunities to immerse themselves in nature with guided hikes of Tianmu Mountain. They also have the unique opportunity to learn about local culture and environmental sustainability by joining exclusive arts and crafts workshops at the Tianmu Mountain Nature Centre. Tianmu Mountain’s rich history as the source of the finest ceramic glazed teacups, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty, is also celebrated at the resort, with a showcase of handcrafted pottery from local kilns for guests to enjoy.

“Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain, Hangzhou has all the elements in place to deliver the memorable experiences our guests and customers deserve while uniquely linking them with nature,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “We look forward to shaping the resort into a must-visit destination that offers a luxurious gateway to this magnificent area while bringing enduring value to the broader community.”

To celebrate its opening, the resort is now offering the ‘Dusit Experience’ package starting from only CNY 999 (USD 142) per night. Specially created to provide a truly relaxing getaway, the package includes accommodation in a premier garden view room, daily breakfast for two, and a hot aromatherapy pools experience for two. Offer ends 31 December 2022.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of six brands (Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 16 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Oct. 3-7, 2022

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In last week’s round-up: WestJet and Korea Air announced a codeshare partnership; KLM implemented a huge surcharge on some European flights; TravelBrands was back with a blast at sold-out roadshow events; and more border restrictions continued to fall.

NEWS

The WestJet Group and the Government of Alberta announced a partnership focused on advancing aviation across the province. WestJet will invest aircraft capacity, designate YYC as its single global connecting hub, grow its mid-range fleet, and strengthen its North American offerings, with its commitment to double capacity in Calgary before the end of the decade.

KLM introduced a surcharge of €250 ($338) on some European flights departing from Amsterdam. The fee increase is an attempt to reduce the number of passengers travelling out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which like many European airports has been hit hard by staff shortages. The airport also introduced a cap on passenger numbers and asked airlines to reduce schedules.

The European Commission announced four shortlisted destinations for its annual EDEN awards recognizing best achievements in sustainable tourism and green transition practices in smaller destinations across Europe. Nominated for the European Destination of Excellence 2023 award are Grevena (Greece), Kranj (Slovenia), Larnaka (Cyprus), and Trikala (Greece). The winning destination will be positioned as a tourism sustainability pioneer committed to the European Green Deal objectives and will receive expert communication and branding support at the EU level throughout 2023.

BORDERS

The United Arab Emirates, home to global business and travel hub Dubai, has eased requirements imposed over the coronavirus pandemic. The wearing of face masks is no longer required in public places, except for medical facilities, mosques, and public transportation.

As of today (Oct. 11), Individual tourists, not just authorized groups, will be able to easily enter Japan for the first time since the start of the pandemic. A cap on the number of tourists who are granted entry will be nixed altogether. And visa requirements that were imposed in response to the pandemic will also be rescinded.

Taiwan will end quarantine requirement for all arrivals in Oct. 13. The previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period and a rapid antigen test will still be required upon arrival. The current limit of 150,000 visitors allowed to enter Taiwan weekly will also be gradually relaxed.

BY THE NUMBERS

Canadian arrivals in Hawaii have almost reached pre-pandemic levels with July figures from the state showing that 25,684 visitors arrived from Canada compared to 26,939 visitors (-4.7%) in July 2019. At the same time, spending increased by 14% to US$57.1 million during the month compared to $50.1 million in July 2019 with Canadians spending $189 p.p., daily – a jump of 19.6% compared to $158 p.p. in 2019.

AIR

WestJet and Korean Air have expanded their long-standing codeshare agreement with the placement of WestJet’s codeshare on Korean’s flights between both Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Vancouver International (YVR) and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul. This is WestJet’s first reciprocal codeshare with an Asian partner.

Sunwing customers can book the Sunshine State for winter travel starting Nov. 1, with weekly direct flights on board Sunwing Airlines, including Toronto-Orlando, daily starting Nov. 1; Toronto-Melbourne, Saturdays and Wednesdays starting Dec. 10; Toronto and Miami, Sundays starting Dec. 18; Winnipeg and Melbourne, Saturdays starting Dec. 10; Montreal-Miami, Sundays starting Dec. 18; and Halifax-Melbourne, Fridays starting Feb. 10, 2023.

Blaming the high inflationary environment and ongoing impacts from COVID-19, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) will increase aeronautical rates and its airport improvement fee (AIF) at Toronto Pearson on Jan. 1, 2023. Effective Jan. 1, aeronautical rates for commercial aviation, business aircraft and general aviation aircraft will increase by 4%, while the AIF for departing passengers will increase by $5 and $1 for connecting passengers.

DEALS

GoldenEye, the lush Jamaican hideaway where Ian Fleming wrote all fourteen 007 novels is offering 30% off accommodations, plus other perks, for guests booking a minimum four-night stay from through Dec. 19. The 60th Anniversary package is one of GoldenEye’s many offers for this year. Others include License to Chill, an exclusive promotion that gives guests US$500 to put toward dining during five-night minimum stay through Dec. 19.

Clients booking their winter getaways to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America with Sunwing will save up to 40% on vacation packages and enjoy added luxuries like room upgrades, exclusive beach access at select properties and more.
The “Save More Event,” is in effect for bookings made by Nov. 6, for travel between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2023.

TOUR OPERATORS

TravelBrands team in Toronto

TravelBrands’ annual Agent Appreciation Event returned (for the first time since 2019) with two sold-out shows held in both Toronto and Montreal, with the Toronto event live streamed for travel agents across the country. Participants were able to meet with TravelBrands’ top suppliers and learn about developments in products, platforms, and packages, including a revamped Access+ agent platform, brand-new air booking engine with enhanced benefits, and close to 1.8 million hotels from which to choose. “All I have to say is wow,” said TravelBrands CEO Frank DeMarinis of the show, who added the company is seeing a healthy recovery for travel.

African Travel Inc. has unveiled its new 2023 ‘inspiration guide.’ Available digitally, the brochure includes expanded and enhanced tours, the Platinum Collection, plus new safaris, and each itinerary features at least one Make Travel Matter Experience that supports wildlife conservation or local communities. As part of its Advisor Educational Program, qualified advisors can travel with up to three guests and receive 30% saving on African Travel’s 2023 brochure safaris of seven-plus nights. Advisors also receive $200 after their first booking of seven nights or more.

HOTELS

Expected to open in 2023, Tempo by Hilton Times Square, will mark global premiere of Hilton’s newest brand. The 661-room lifestyle hotel is located at TSX Broadway, the city’s new 46-story entertainment and hospitality destination that will also be home to TSX Entertainment, a next generation entertainment company whose mandate is to “empower the world’s most innovative artists and fans to stage the moments that define pop culture.” Guests will have access to programming at the venue.

Nordic Hotels & Resorts opened its newest luxury hotel, Sommerro, located in the heart of Frogner in Oslo’s West End. The urban retreat is set within the former headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city’s original electrical company, and pays tribute to Norway’s cultural heritage. The 231-room Art Deco hotel includes seven restaurants and bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people, a 100-seat gilded theatre, wellness space with a fully equipped gym, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, and terrace.

RESORTS

On Oct. 30 Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa invites guests to join them as they don their national dress of colourful madras and commemorate Saint Lucia’s biggest cultural festival, Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day). The resort’s Bon Fete Kweyol entertainment includes traditional cultural dancers and Saint Lucian musicians playing ‘kweyol’ music on instruments including the Shak-Shak, Boom-Boom and Tambos. A Creole lunch feast is served on the Splash Lawn including Green Fig and Salt Fish (Saint Lucia’s national dish), Accra (fish cakes), Bouillon, Callaloo Soup, Dumplings and Cocoa Tea, breadfruit, Oxtail Stew and much more. On Oct. 31 Halloween hijinks will ensue.

Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in Punta Cana will now begin welcoming guests Feb. 15, 2023. The adjustment in opening date is due to delays due to Hurricane Fiona.

CRUISE

Silversea Cruises has revealed a new collection of 25 voyages for its new expedition vessel, Silver Endeavour, which will set sail in May 2023. Through March of the following year the vessel, dubbed “the world’s most advanced luxury expedition ship,” will journey to 116 of the planet’s most beautiful and remote cold-weather destinations including in Northern Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica. The series of cruises will include 24 maiden calls for Silversea.

Cruise lovers can be first on board the new MSC Seascape‘s on the vessel’s delivery trip across the Atlantic, departing from Civatavecchia (Rome) on Nov. 19 and making stops in Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda prior to arriving in New York City on Dec. 5, ahead the ships naming ceremony on Dec. 7. The new ship will then offer two different seven-night itineraries: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

Transitioning from sister line Costa, Carnival Luminosa has officially joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet today as the newest Fun Ship which will debut from Brisbane, Australia, Nov. 6, 2022.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Canadian residents can enjoy four days of theme park thrills for the price of a two-day ticket with the return of its Universal Orlando Resort’s “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free” offer. The offer is available through March 2, 2023.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Seventeen Travel Agent Next Door agents recently took part in the first exclusive FAM trip on a Celebrity ship since the pandemic. The group sailed on Celebrity Edge for seven days from Barcelona to Rome, with stops in Spain, France, and Italy. The TTAND agents were hosted by Brenda Yeomans, Key Account Manager, Canada for Celebrity Cruises. Exclusive workshops were held on board to learn about the product and help grow sales.

Expedia Group’s ‘All Inclusive Your Way’ booking promotion offers members of the Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) access to a world of all-inclusive hotel possibilities at great rates. At the same time, a grand total of $4,500 of gift cards are up for grabs (one for $2,000, one $1,000, and three $500). TAAP members will be in the running with every eligible standalone all-inclusive hotel bookings made between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 and used before April 30, 2023. The more agents book, the more chances they have to win. Five winners will be drawn and announced in December.

EVENTS

TL Network Canada is set to host three complimentary in-person regional events for its member agencies this fall. The annual PEAK (Programs, Education, Advisors and Knowledge) events will take place Oct. 26 in Toronto, Nov. 8 in Calgary, and Nov. 10 in Vancouver. Registration is currently open for each event, where advisors will have the opportunity to interact with supplier partners at a sold-out tradeshow, take part in interactive training sessions, and connect with peers.
Spaces are limited, so members are encouraged to sign up early. For more details, visit TLNetwork.ca.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Two well-known Canadian travel industry professionals – Brenda Bradley and Aaron Crawford – have joined TTC Tours Brands as members of its Ontario-based sales team. Bradley is the new Sales Manager for Northeastern Ontario (Toronto, north to Barrie and along the eastern Ontario corridor to the Quebec border), while Crawford fills the same role in the Southwestern region of the province (Mississauga, Brampton, the Golden Horseshoe and west to Windsor, as well as covering Northern Ontario). Email brenda.bradley@ttc.com or aaron.crawford@ttc.com.

Royal Irish Tours (RIT) has promoted John Fallon from the reservations department to Sales Manager, Canada. Jonathan Sargeant is now Director of Sales.

DESTINATIONSFor over 100 Years Peru’s famed “Lost City of the Incas” (photo) has been called the wrong name – Machu Picchu (“Old mountain peak” in the Indigenous Quechua language). However, the Inca who built the ancient city likely called it Huayna Picchu, meaning “new or young,” mountain peak. Believed to have been built around 1420, the settlement was an estate for royals living in Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire. Later, when Spaniards conquered the Inca, Huayna Picchu was abandoned and for centuries after, remained hidden in the Andes mountains until American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, when it became known to the world, incorrectly, as Machu Picchu.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1869, the first postcards were printed and put on sale by the Austrian government.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Best Western Named Asia’s Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand in TTG Travel Awards 2022

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Best Western Named Asia's Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand in TTG Travel Awards 2022Bangkok, Thailand, October 11, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is celebrating once again after it was named as Asia’s “Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand” in the 31st TTG Travel Awards 2022. This prestigious accolade was presented to the company in a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner recently held in Bangkok. The winners were voted for by the readers of TTG Asia, the region’s leading travel trade magazine, and its six sister publications.

BWH Hotel Group now operates a diverse portfolio of 17 brands BWH Hotel Group now operates a diverse portfolio of 17 brands covering every sector of the market, from economy to luxury. The fact that Best Western Hotels & Resorts has once again been named as Asia’s “Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand” reflects the underlying strength of the group’s midscale brands, including the core Best Western concept and innovative new brands such as Vīb® and BW Signature Collection®, which are gaining a strong reputation in Asia.

“We are deeply honored to have been voted as Asia’s “Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand”Asia’s “Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand” in the TTG Travel Awards. We strive to maintain a strong relationship with our esteemed travel industry colleagues, so I am delighted to see that, despite the challenges of the last two years, this bond remains as strong as ever. I would like to thank TTG Asia and the entire travel trade for their enduring support. Best Western is dedicated to collaborating closely with our partners for many years to come,” commented Mr. Olivier Berrivin, Vice President of International Operations – Asia-Pacific, BWH Hotel Group.

Best Western currently operates a collection of 56 hotels and resorts across nine countries in Southeast Asia, Japan and Pakistan. This portfolio will expand rapidly in the coming months, with at least 18 properties set to start welcoming guests by the end of 2023, including multiple new openings in Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.

Organized by TTG Asia, with the support of TTG India, TTG China, TTGmice, TTGassociations, TTG-BTmice China and TTG Asia Luxury, the TTG Travel Awards have been recognizing the best of Asia Pacific’s travel industry since 1989. The 31st Annual TTG Travel Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner was held at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Bangkok, on September 22, 2022, and was attended by leading figures in Asia’s travel and hospitality industry.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels and Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 17 brands and approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through the acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive, and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio are SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection®, and SureStay Studio® franchises**. For more information visit www.bestwestern.com, www.bestwesterndevelopers.com, www.worldhotels.com

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Unites African Tourism for Growth and Opportunity

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UNWTO Unites African Tourism for Growth and Opportunity - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXKilimanjaro, Tanzania, October 10, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 65th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa brought together around 25 Ministers of Tourism and high-level representatives from 35 countries as well as leaders from the private sector. Taking place in Tanzania just days after UNWTO celebrated World Tourism Day, the Commission meeting embraced that day’s theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’, with a focus on innovation, branding, jobs and education and partnerships.

But we must look beyond just the numbers and rethink how tourism works so that our sector can deliver on its unique potential to transform lives, drive sustainable growth and provide opportunity everywhere in Africa

Welcoming delegates, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili provided Members with an update of the Organization’s activities and accomplishments in the 12 months since the previous Commission meeting. He said: “Tourism in Africa has a long history of bouncing back. And it has shown its resilience again. Many destinations are reporting strong arrival numbers. But we must look beyond just the numbers and rethink how tourism works so that our sector can deliver on its unique potential to transform lives, drive sustainable growth and provide opportunity everywhere in Africa.”

Tourism recovery underway in Africa

The Regional Commission of Africa meeting was held as tourism’s recovery gets underway across the continent. According to the latest UNWTO data, for the first seven months of the year, international arrivals across Africa were 171% up on 2021 levels, driven largely by regional demand. To help Members capitalize on the sector’s return, and to build greater sustainability and resilience, UNWTO is prioritizing jobs and training alongside greater and more-targeted investment in tourism. On the eve of this week’s meeting, UNWTO launched a set of Investment Guidelines focused on Tanzania, designed to support foreign investment in the country.

Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassanof Tanzania warmly welcomed all delegates and UNWTO officials, calling on them to “embrace sustainability” and highlighting the work Tanzania has been undertaking to protect the natural habitats and wildlife that help make it a popular destination while also increasing inclusivity in the sector. Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Pindi Hazara Chana, also noted that the country is looking to diversity its tourism sector in order to boost arrival numbers and revenues over the next five years.

Short-term recovery and long-term transformation

Discussions at the the Commission meeting focused on both the immediate and longer-term recovery of tourism across the continent, including through redefining the roadmap of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa 2030. Key topics highlighted by the high-level participants included accelerating tourism for inclusive growth, advancing the sustainability of the sector and the role of public-private partnerships in achieving both of these goals. Alongside this, the heightened relevance of air connectivity, including low-cost air travel within Africa, as well as the pressing need to support small businesses (SMEs) in gaining the digital tools and knowledge they need to compete, was also discussed.

To conclude the meeting, Members voted to hold the 65th session of the UNWTO Commission for Africa in Mauritius.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Silversea Reveals Line-Up of Experts for Inaugural Sailing of Silver Endeavour

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Silversea Reveals Line-Up of Experts for Inaugural Sailing of Silver Endeavour - TOP25CRUISES.com - TRAVELINDEXMonte-Carlo, Monaco, October 10, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, has named its line-up of experts for the inaugural voyage of new ship Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship. Departing round-trip from King George Island on November 21, 2022, Silver Endeavour will host qualified historians, marine biologists, anthropologists, naturalists, filmmakers, and more on her maiden voyage, enriching guests’ experiences with informative lectures, workshops, and excursions as they journey deep into the White Continent. In celebration of the milestone occasion, Conrad Combrink—Silversea’s SVP Expedition, Destination and Itinerary Management—will accompany travelers on the seven-day fly-cruise sailing.

“The world’s most luxurious expedition vessel, Silver Endeavour has broadened Silversea’s polar offering—the most diverse in ultra-luxury expedition cruising—to unlock all-new experiences for guests,” said Conrad Combrink. “Marking my 78th journey to the continent, I am excited to accompany our guests as we fly on an exclusive, Silversea-curated, chartered DAP Antarctic Airways flight directly into Antarctica, embarking Silver Endeavour at King George Island, before spending seven days discovering this frozen world. Our industry-leading expedition team will design an exceptional line-up of experiences to showcase the very best of the continent’s icy landscapes and captivating wildlife during Silver Endeavour’s inaugural season, while Captain Niklas Peterstam and his crew will ensure an exceptional service throughout—having served aboard the ship since September 2021.”

THE WHITE CONTINENT VIA ANTARCTICA BRIDGE

For the inaugural voyage of Silver Endeavour, Silversea’s guests will fly directly to Antarctica in European business-class comfort through Antarctica Bridge, the cruise line’s fly-cruise offering, embarking the ship on King George Island on November 21, 2022. Some of the destinations that guests might experience include the Antarctic Sound, where travelers may be greeted by towering ice formations as they approach the northernmost point of the Antarctic Peninsula. They will have the opportunity to explore the landscape, with hiking excursions, Zodiac tours, and kayaking, hosted by the expedition team. Days will be spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with sightings of vast penguin colonies and other wildlife species, including whales, various other bird species, and seals. Following in the footsteps of famous explorers, Silversea plans to call in the South Shetland Islands, before returning to King George Island where guests will board a flight back to Punta Arenas.

AN INDUSTRY-LEADING TEAM

Captain Niklas Peterstam, who has served aboard Silver Endeavour since September 2021, will welcome guests as the ship’s Master for her inaugural season—together with his Senior Officers and an experienced crew. Strengthening Silversea’s destination leadership, the cruise line’s industry-leading expedition team will enrich the voyage with topical workshops, lectures, and guided tours. Led by Expedition Leader Marieke Egan, the team will embark the ship ahead of her maiden sailing and will remain on board for the duration of her inaugural Antarctica season. As well as benefitting from the presence of Silversea executive Conrad Combrink, guests traveling aboard Silver Endeavour’s inaugural sailing will also enjoy lectures on Ernest Shackleton and the HMS Endeavour from Nicholas Crane, the former President of the Royal Geographical Society.

Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s SVP of Expedition, Destination and Itinerary Management
From the moment in which Silversea Cruises became the first ultra-luxury cruise line to offer expedition voyages in 2008, Conrad Combrink has been tasked with creating and coordinating many aspects of the cruise line’s expedition program, with the aim of unlocking unique experiences for guests across all seven continents. As SVP of Expeditions, Destination, and Itinerary Management, Conrad leads a multinational and diverse, passionate team that is tasked with creating authentic, unique destination experiences. His work encompasses an active role in the strategic planning of all Silversea itineraries, program development, community engagement, and regulatory processes. In addition, Conrad oversees the shore experience program in more than 900 destinations, as well as all aspects of turnaround operations. Conrad and his team lead all Silversea’s itinerary development of more than 350 voyages, visiting all seven continents. He has an inspiring passion for expedition and cruise travel, which has taken him to over 150 countries, across all seven continents.

Marieke Egan, Expedition Leader
Marieke grew up in the Netherlands, but spent a lot of time in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, learning to cross glaciers before she could tie her own shoelaces. Developing her adventurous spirit, she took up speed skating, winning medals in the Dutch National Championships. After completing a degree and career in Psychiatry, she decided to explore the world, feeding her soul with new adventures. She trekked extensively through the Nepal Himalaya and High Andes in South America. Marieke migrated to Tasmania, where she found her calling as a Naturalist, developing and sharing her knowledge and love for pure wilderness. This continued with forays into the Kimberley region of Tropical Australia, leading 4WD tours. Today, she enjoys sharing nature’s best, from the bottom to the top of the world, thriving as an Expedition Leader in the expedition cruise industry – from Antarctica to tropical Seychelles, Indonesian and Pacific Islands to the High Arctic’s Greenland, Svalbard & Russian Far East.

Captain Niklas Peterstam, Master of Silver Endeavour
Captain Niklas Peterstam started his maritime career in 1979, moving into expedition cruising in 1991, navigating areas such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Russian Far East, among others. After gaining experience at the helm of larger ships in Asia, Captain Peterstam returned to Europe to deliver three mega cruise ships from a shipyard in Germany. Various stints with reputable cruise lines, both ashore and at sea, ensued until 2018, when Captain Peterstam returned to the position of Captain full time. Captain Peterstam has been aboard Silver Endeavour since September 2021, and has already undertaken voyages to Antarctica aboard the ship.

Nicholas Crane, Former President of the Royal Geographical Society
Nicholas Crane is an author, geographer, and cartographic expert. He is the recipient of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Mungo Park Medal in recognition of outstanding contributions to geographical knowledge, and of the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness Award for popularizing geography and the understanding of Britain. Between 2015 and 2018, Nick was the elected President of the Royal Geographical Society. Nick has presented many acclaimed TV series on BBC2, among them Map Man, Great British Journeys, Town, Britannia and Coast. He has also been the lead presenter on more than 80 BBC films.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Dawn?, Silver Shadow?, Silver Whisper®, Silver Spirit®, Silver Muse®, and Silver Moon? – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Endeavour?, Silver Origin®, Silver Wind®, Silver Explorer®, and Silver Cloud®, Silversea’s itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of two new ultra-luxury Nova-class ships—Silver Nova? and Silver Ray?. Silversea Cruises is one of five cruise brands owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 64 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award-winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of June 30, 2022.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News