Posts By :

wttc2

Premature Return to Pre-Pandemic Slots Increases Passenger Disruption

 500 294 wttc2
By:

IATA - Premature Return to Pre-Pandemic Slots Increases Passenger Disruption - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, July 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed concern that a premature return to pre-pandemic slot use rules in the EU this winter risks continuing disruption to passengers.

The European Commission has announced it intends to return to the longstanding 80-20 slot use rule, which requires airlines to operate at least 80% of every planned slot sequence. Global slot rules are an effective system for managing access to and the use of scarce capacity at airports. The system has stood the test of time and while airlines are keen to restart services, the failure of several key airports to accommodate demand, coupled with increasing air traffic control delays, means a premature return to the 80-20 rule could lead to further passenger disruption.

The evidence so far this summer has not been encouraging. Airports had the 2022 summer season schedules and final slot holdings in January and didn’t evaluate how to manage this in time. Airports declaring that full capacity is available and then requiring airlines to make cuts this summer shows the system is not ready for reviving “normal” slot use this winter season (which begins at end of October).

“The chaos we have seen at certain airports this summer has occurred with a slot use threshold of 64%. We are worried that airports will not be ready in time to service an 80% threshold by the end of October. It is essential the Member States and Parliament adjust the Commission’s proposal to a realistic level and permit flexibility to the slot use rules. Airports are equal partners in the slot process, let them demonstrate their ability to declare and manage their capacity accurately and competently and then restore the slot use next summer,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Greenwashing Linked to Most Climate ESG Violations

 500 322 wttc2
By:

Greenwashing Linked to Most Climate ESG Violations - SUSTAINABLEFIRST.com - TRAVELINDEXZurich, Switzerland, July 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / RepRisk data finds one in every five climate-related global ESG incidents linked to greenwashing – increasing to one in three in the Food & Beverage sector

Data shows the issue of greenwashing and misleading communications in ESG is widespread, increasingly pressing, and underpinned by activities such as lobbying and offsetting

Recent research from RepRisk, a leading ESG data science firm combining machine learning and human intelligence to identify ESG risks, shows that over the past two years approximately one of every five climate-related ESG risk incidents (a potential violation by a company or specific project of global ESG standards) was linked to misleading communication, or ‘greenwashing’.

This value increases to one of every three incidents when looking only at the Food and Beverage sector – indicating an industry particularly prone to greenwashing. A number of recent examples in the public domain highlight this, including criticism of organizations such as Innocent Drinks, and Coca-Cola and Unilever.

The data also shows that the frequency of greenwashing is escalating rapidly in Europe and the Americas, with companies in these regions highly criticized and recording increasing numbers of greenwashing ESG incidents since 2019.

While companies are being held accountable more regularly and earlier in the process thanks to stricter regulatory initiatives such as the SFDR and EU Taxonomy, greenwashing still holds significant risk for businesses and their investors. RepRisk believes that by spotting potential risk of miscommunication issues early, and acting on them immediately, companies and stakeholders can mitigate these risks and avoid getting burnt.

“Greenwashing is no longer a trivial offense. Those who sell their products as ‘ESG compliant’ must ensure they’re fulfilling that promise – and they can expect significant fines in the future if they don’t. This is bad for them, and bad for their investors,” said Philipp Aeby, CEO and Co-Founder of RepRisk.

“The challenge in identifying and mitigating greenwashing is two-fold: the first is looking beyond the tick-box framework manner of self-reporting which allows companies to claim ESG compliance when that may not be the case. The second is bridging the knowledge gap regarding the actual behavior of companies. This involves going beyond inconsistent ESG ratings which make it difficult to distinguish between those with truly sustainable operations, and those that are misleading and miscommunicating – for example those publicly committing to climate action, but masking continuing issues that are out of sight further down the supply chain that could reverse progress on their climate action promise.”

Lobbying and offsetting were identified as two of the major drivers around recent greenwashing incidents – with the latter under scrutiny as a near-term solution with wider ESG implications (such as tree planting initiatives linked to the displacement of communities, and logging of trees after only a few years). Lobbying often goes unnoticed and is rarely mentioned in self-disclosure, but is an ESG risk area investors need to analyze carefully to understand the reputational risk of public action versus private lobbying efforts.

With an ESG dataset dating back to 2007, RepRisk has a unique perspective on the evolution of issues such as greenwashing as the ESG industry has grown. It exclusively analyzes public sources for information, without influence from company self-disclosure or PR efforts.

About RepRisk
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Switzerland, RepRisk is a pioneer in ESG data science that leverages the combination of AI and machine learning with human intelligence to systematically analyze public information and identify material ESG risks. RepRisk’s flagship product, the RepRisk ESG Risk Platform, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive due diligence database on ESG and business conduct risks, with expertise in 23 languages and coverage of 205,000+ public and private companies and 55,000+ infrastructure projects. For more than a decade, the world’s leading financial institutions and corporations have trusted RepRisk for due diligence and risk management across their operations, business relationships, and investments.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: Curaçao bar is definitely ‘dushi’

 1080 494 wttc2
By:

Sometimes, a pub, patio, or bar doesn’t constitute a destination until to itself (as much as we might imply otherwise), rather it simply compliments or enhances a place, providing a tiny, perfect piece of an otherwise marvellous mosaic.

Such is the humble “World Best Mojito Bar” in Willemstad, Curaçao, an establishment so sublime it can afford to disregard English grammar entirely in its marquee (if not the accompanying chalkboard).

World’s best mojito?

Then again, the delightful residents of Curaçao may be forgiven, as English doesn’t register as the primary language of the island (though spoken by all). It is also part of the melange that makes up the baffling local lingo, Papiamentu, which includes African creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and, of course, the island’s official language, Dutch.

But never mind, they had us at mojito, the cool Cuban concoction made of rum, lime, mint, and sugar, which, when packed with ice, goes down just as well in the scorching Dutch Caribbean as it does further north.

I tried a traditional mojito. Was it the world’s best? My sample size is not extensive enough – but it was very good, served in a pint-size glass filled with ice and liberally sprinkled with chopped mint, which permeated the entire drink, not just the top.

Touting 100 different kinds of rum sold by the bottle, that choice didn’t seem to be an option to the standard pour, but there were a large variety of flavoured options. My colleagues chose peach and strawberry respectively and pronounced them delicious.

Alcohol not for you? Not to worry, attached to WBMB is a smoothie bar, with a seemingly endless array of fruity creations, but without the booze.

Smoothie bar

Reportedly, one can purchase a drink and take it to go, but we chose to sit at one of the small tables out front, which inhabited part of pedestrian-protected Colombustraat (steps away from Wilhelminaplein square on the Punda side, where the giant Curaçao letters are). We asked a staff member to crank out the awning further, magically producing welcome shade.

Inside, the narrow bar was dark and seating was limited (and, frankly, not optimum),

So, we sat outside, in the shade, watching Willemstad go by, and come into, the rum the shop, local tunes humming in the background, before venturing out, to explore the world heritage-rated city.

Perhaps best described as mini-Amsterdam meets Miami in the Caribbean, Willemstad is famous for Dutch architecture, emblazoned in vibrant colours, street art, and a massive pedestrian bridge that connects the two sides of the city.

Which is to say, as stated earlier, that the mojito bar is not a destination unto itself, but simply a perfect launching pad to a wonderful travel destination. Or, one suspects, a place to relax at the end of a tour, or perhaps during it.

There’s a frequently used word in Papiamentu – dushi – which, while hard to precisely translate, essentially means positive vibes, or the good things in life.

Willemstad, and World Best Mojito Bar, are, in my books, definitely dushi!

Colourful Willemstad

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: Burton and Bachman at their best

 480 360 wttc2
By:

No. 1 in 1970, The Guess Who’s “American Woman” – from its iconic opening guitar riff to the memorable lines “I don’t need your war machines, I don’t need your ghetto scenes, coloured lights can hypnotize, sparkle someone else’s eyes” – is unquestionably a classic.

It has also been called the quintessential Canadian song, vocalizing the distinction we see in ourselves from our neighbours south of the border.

There are plenty of different versions of the song, including some by Americans themselves, like Lenny Kravitz, and there’s a Guess Who performance from the Ray Stevens show (remember his hit “The Streak”?) in 1970 on YouTube that will make you smile on so many levels, but I’ve chosen this cool, stripped-down version from a 2008 Burton Cummings-Randy Bachman rehearsal that provides a fresh take on the familiar song – one that maybe never really leaves the back of our minds.

And with B&B touring again together this summer, the timing seems appropriate to remember and celebrate two of Canada’s greatest musicians, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.

Lyrics

American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don’t come hangin’ around my door
I don’t wanna see your face no more

I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growin’ old with you
Now woman, I said stay away
American woman, listen what I say

American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don’t come knockin’ around my door
Don’t wanna see your shadow no more

Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else’s eyes
Now woman, I said get away
American woman, listen what I say

American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don’t come hangin’ around my door
Don’t wanna see your face no more

I don’t need your war machines
I don’t need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else’s eyes
Now woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be

Go, gotta get away, gotta get away
Now go go go
Gonna leave you, woman
Gonna leave you, woman

Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye

You’re no good for me
I’m no good for you
Gonna look you right in the eye
Tell you what I’m gonna do

You know, I’m gonna leave
You know, I’m gonna go
You know, I’m gonna leave
You know, I’m gonna go, woman

I’m gonna leave, woman
Goodbye, American woman
Goodbye, American chick
Goodbye, American broad

I don’t need your war machines
I don’t need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else’s eyes

Now woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Go, gotta get away, got to get away, now go, go, go
I’m gonna leave you, woman
Gonna leave you, woman

Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye

You’re no good for me
I’m no good for you
Gonna look you right in the eye
Tell you what I’m gonna do
You know I’m gonna leave
You know I’m gonna go
You know I’m gonna leave
You know I’m gonna go, woman
I’m gonna leave, woman
Goodbye, American woman
Goodbye, American chick

-30-

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Maslina Resort Croatia Celebrates Its Annual Lavender Festival

 500 318 wttc2
By:

Maslina Resort Croatia Celebrates Its Annual Lavender Festival - VISITCROATIA.org - TRAVELINDEXHvar, Croatia, July 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / An abundance of lavender is found in vast fields on Hvar, the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian Islands and home to the five-star Maslina Resort. Situated in Stari Grad overlooking the crystal waters of Maslinica Bay, Maslina Resort, a Relais & Chateaux property that champions a philosophy of Mindful Luxury, will offer lavender-inspired activities during the two-day festival, which takes place on the 15th-16th of July. In addition to being the sunniest island in Europe, widely recognised for its healing environment, and accorded UNESCO heritage status, the aromatic lavender fields of Hvar are emblematic of the Dalmatian way of life. During the two-day celebrations, the entire island joins together to celebrate the evergreen plant’s historical and cultural importance.

There’s nothing that says summer more than smell of emanating their signature fragrance in the warm sea island air. This native European plant is a bushy, strong-scented perennial herb with lavender flower spikes rising above its grey to green foliage. It is not only a beautiful garden plant but also has significant culinary and medicinal value. Guests staying at the resort during the festival can participate in a complimentary art workshop with a locally based artist, where they can design lavender-inspired artwork to take away as a souvenir.

During the two days, in-house and walk-in guests can also try the resort’s Michelin-recommended restaurant specially curated Lavender Menu. The tasting menu starts with bite-sized lavender macarons with goat cheese and honey, followed by octopus with lavender caviar and green essence, beef fillet with a lavender and pistachio crust for the main course, and a lavender gel bonbon with lavender-infused cream, ice cream, and strawberries for dessert. The resort’s expert mixologist will also be on hand with a special vodka-based cocktail lavished with lavender syrup.

The resort’s Pharomatiq Spa, which follows a garden-to-skin concept, already uses lavender in its regular treatments, from eye covers infused with lavender flowers, essential oils used during massages, and little lavender soaps for guests after their therapies. The spa’s signature treatment, the Adriatic Rejuvenation treatment, takes you on an unforgettable journey through the world of Adriatic fragrances. A minced olive kernel and peppermint-infused exfoliation that will energise and uplift your senses are followed by oat milk and lavender soak that leaves your skin soft and velvety, and a customised aromatherapy massage that confers a sense of deep relaxation and pampering.

The annual lavender festival dovetails perfectly with the rich cultural and natural heritage of Hvar Island. Brought to life in the cultural, culinary, and therapeutic settings of Maslina Resort, the two-day celebrations expand the boundaries of the mindful luxury ethos that honours the natural world-a celebration for the body and soul.

About Maslina Resort
Maslina Resort is a contemporary, five-star resort on the Croatian Island of Hvar, located near Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in the eastern Adriatic. Situated in the stunning Maslinica Bay, Maslina Resort is surrounded by olive groves and terraced vineyards and stretches across two hectares of lush pine forest overlooking the crystalline Adriatic Sea. Boasting 50 rooms and suites and three villas, Maslina Resort is a mindful luxury resort that holds wellness, family, culinary arts, cultural heritage, and authenticity as its core.

Getting There
Many airlines including British Airways, Easy Jet, Jet 2, and Whizz Air fly from many regional and London airports direct to Split. The flight time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes. From Split Airport, the transfer by speed boat takes 60 minutes. Dubrovnik and Brač airports are also nearby. Private car and speedboat transfers can be arranged from any of these locations.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Large London Hotel Owner Operators Joins Zero Carbon Forum

 500 283 wttc2
By:

Large London Hotel Owner Operators Joins Zero Carbon Forum - SUSTAINABLEFIRST-TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdon, July 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / PPHE Hotel Group, an international hospitality real estate company, which operates the Park Plaza hotel brand in Europe, has taken another significant step towards achieving its net zero status by joining forces with Zero Carbon Forum.

Zero Carbon Forum is a non-profit organisation, empowering members to reach sustainability targets with greater speed, efficiency, and profit as a united effort. With defined roadmaps backed by peers, government, and leading sustainability experts — together it helps hospitality organisations, of all sizes, progress at pace to a net zero future.

Now with close to 40 members, a membership base that’s doubled in 12 months, PPHE Hotel Group is the latest, and second largest, hotel group to sign up to the forum.

With external and internal support, including from the forum, PPHE Hotel Group will develop its net zero strategy through the course of this year. Zero Carbon Forum will share its knowledge, insights, innovation and best practices to help the hotel giant on its priority to deliver a long-term, sustainable model.

Inbar Zilberman, Chief Corporate and Legal Officer at PPHE Hotel Group said: “Joining Zero Carbon Forum is another positive move in our commitment to achieving net zero status. Last year we formed a new ESG committee to help set targets for carbon reduction, launched our Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reporting for the first time, and made our owned and managed hotels in the UK, Netherlands and Germany wholly reliant on electricity generated from 100% renewable sources.

“Now, with guidance from the forum, we will be able to define a strategy that sets manageable targets, reduces our carbon footprint, and makes our business ever more sustainable.”

As a hospitality real estate owner and operator that develops, owns and manages many of its properties, PPHE is in a unique position when it comes to integrating sustainability into its business, from the point of development, all the way to day-to-day operations. Other recent environmental initiatives introduced or supported by the Group include Carbon Negative Meetings in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group, reducing water usage and recycling more.

Mark Chapman, CEO of Zero Carbon Forum, said: “We need to act now and at pace. It’s great to have PPHE on the forum so that together we all play a part in building a zero-carbon world. Partnerships are crucial to this mission, to strengthen our strategic approach in helping organisations reach net zero in their own operations and across their value chains, and well in advance of the Government’s 2050 target.”

The UK government’s ‘Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener’ is a strategy that sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet a net zero target by 2050. With the hospitality industry accounting for 1% of the world’s carbon emissions, and with global emissions set to increase as the demand continues to grow, the hotel industry must reduce its carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 to stay within the 2˚C threshold agreed at COP21.

Through collective action and tools such as its freely available net zero roadmap, Zero Carbon Forum’s mission is for the hospitality industry to meet these targets much sooner, to eliminate operational emissions by 2030 and reach net zero across supply chains by 2040.

About the Zero Carbon Forum
The Zero Carbon Forum, is a non-profit organisation which builds on 10 years of carbon reduction collaboration in the UK’s hospitality sector. It enables members to reach their decarbonisation targets faster, more efficiently and more cost effectively than acting alone.

The Zero Carbon Forum will publish a publicly available roadmap to achieve net zero carbon ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November 2021.

Members pledge to work collaboratively, by sharing carbon reduction plans and initiatives. By combining expertise and resources the Forum helps to identify all possible actions to decarbonise operations across tens of thousands of outlets and their supply chains.

The Zero Carbon Forum is endorsed by government and backed by trade associations UK Hospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association. Members include leading UK and global hospitality organisations, including Adnams, Azzurri Group, Boparan Restaurants, Brewdog, Burger King UK, Cote, Fuller’s, Greene King, InterContinental Hotels Group, JD Wetherspoon, KFC, Marston’s PLC, Mitchells & Butlers PLC (MAB), Nando’s UK and IRE, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut Restaurants UK, Revolution Bars, Shepherd-Neame Ltd, St. Austell, Stonegate, The Restaurant Group (including Wagamama), WSH, and Young & Co. Brewery, PLC.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

La Rioja Host of UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism

 500 256 wttc2
By:

 

Vivanc La Rioja Host of UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism - TOP25VINEYARDS.com - TRAVELINDEXLa Rioja, Spain, July 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 7th edition of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in La Rioja in 2023. This new edition was presented at the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, with the participation of Concha Andreu, President of the Government of La Rioja; Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism; and the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili.

• Discover Rioja and the World’s Best Vineyards at TOP25Vineyards.com.

The Conference has become a leading international forum on trends, tools and opportunities to advance wine tourism. It provides an opportunity for experts and professionals, as well as consolidated and emerging destinations in this tourism segment to exchange knowledge and experiences.

During the official presentation, which was hosted at the Vivanco facilities in Briones, Pololikashvili thanked Spain and La Rioja for hosting the 2023 edition of the Conference, and highlighted the potential of wine tourism as a driver of the growth of local economies and as an engine of social change: “This is a sector that can lead a positive change,  especially in many rural communities, creating jobs and opportunities in the most depopulated areas, boosting economic growth and preserving the natural and cultural environment.”

This is a sector that can lead a positive change, especially in many rural communities, creating jobs and opportunities in the most depopulated areas, boosting economic growth and preserving the natural and cultural environment

The minister stressed that wine tourism “contributes to economic, social, environmental sustainability, adds value, de-seasonalizes product offerings and allows us to visit the rural environment”.

• Discover Rioja and the World’s Best Vineyards at TOP25Vineyards.com.

The President of La Rioja, for her part, pointed out the recognition that the holding of the Conference implies for the tourist development of the region: “La Rioja possesses a unique and diverse heritage, both material and intangible, related to wine as food and as a product, and, in turn, that heritage constitutes a leading tourism offering that can and should be further enhanced.”

The 2022 edition the UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in Alba, Italy, from 19 to 21 September.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Rediscover Koh Lanta at Thailand’s Eco-Sensitive Five-Star Sanctuary

 500 298 wttc2
By:

Rediscover Koh Lanta at Thailand's Eco-Sensitive Five-Star Sanctuary - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXKoh Lanta, Thailand, July 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / What do you dream of when you imagine escaping to a tropical Thai island? Do you long to discover unspoiled beaches and hidden coves, and swim in crystal clear seas surrounded by colourful fish? Do you desire to trek through the lush rainforest? Does your body ache for a soothing Thai massage or do your taste buds crave the country’s famous food? At Pimalai Resort & Spa, the five-star sanctuary on the serene shores of Koh Lanta, all of these activities and experiences lie in wait for European travellers.

Unlike Thailand’s busier resort destinations, Koh Lanta has retained its authentic charm. Tourists have been almost completely absent for the last two years, but this downtime gave Pimalai a unique opportunity to enhance its facilities and replenish the environment. Now, this luxury resort is ready to welcome guests back to paradise! Nestled in 100 acres of jungle, cascading down to a 900-metre-long beach, Pimalai has always strived to preserve its surroundings. Filled with exotic plants and native species such as hornbills and flying squirrels, the resort feels like a private nature reserve. A new free-of-charge walking tour lets guests uncover this eco paradise, including its cashew nut trees, and two trekking trails allow intrepid explorers to hike to Klong Chak waterfall or Lam Tanode, where Koh Lanta’s famous lighthouse awaits. A professional guide can be arranged.

For those who prefer offshore adventures, Pimalai has crafted two dreamy day trips. The “Emerald Cave & Koh Ngai Excursion” offers the chance to swim in a stunning hidden lagoon and relax on a pristine beach, surrounded by unspoiled jungle, while the “Talabeng Scenic Cruise” lets explorers uncover Koh Talabeng, which has been nicknamed “Little Halong Bay” due to its dramatic limestone karsts, cliffs and caves. Unlike the Vietnamese seascape however, this enchanting archipelago is wonderfully secluded with few tourist boats. Both excursions let guests swim in the sea, savour snacks and cool drinks aboard the boat, and end in Koh Lanta’s old town, which is filled with traditional shophouses and seafood restaurants. Alternatively, a mangrove tour lets guests head out on a gondola boat and delve deep into this environmentally rich coastal forest.

For travellers who love learning new skills, Pimalai has relaunched its popular Thai cooking classes. The resort’s chefs will escort visitors on a tour of the organic gardens to pick fresh herbs, before using them to craft a delicious dish. Non-motorised water sports, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, are available free-of-charge, Thai boxing sessions offer invigorating workouts and yoga sessions promote mindfulness in a stunning setting, with panoramic sea and sunset views.

Alternatively, wellness seekers can soothe their senses at the award-winning Pimalai Spa, which has now unveiled four new massages that embrace ancient Thai healing wisdom. The 60-miniute “Pregnancy Massage” is full-body treatment that has been used in Thailand for centuries to cater to the unique needs of mothers-to-be, while the 90-minute “Hot Bamboo Fusion Massage” uses gently-heated bamboo to stimulate circulation. The 90-minute “Hot Stone Massage” involves placing a series of warm basalt stones to promote relaxation, and the 30-minute “Oriental Scalp Massage” is a centuries-old therapy that eases tension in the upper body.

Guests can also make a difference to the lives of local communities in Koh Lanta during their stay. The resort’s beach cleaning sessions let travellers come together with staff members and islanders to keep Koh Lanta’s coastlines free from litter, which often washes ashore and can pose a danger to marine life. It is no surprise that Pimalai was accepted into Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) Considerate Collection, an exclusive community of only 26 socially responsible and eco-conscious five-star hotels worldwide.

With just 121 stylish rooms, spacious suites and breath-taking villas with up to three bedrooms and private pools, every visitor can unwind in blissful seclusion at Pimalai. Named as the best hotel in Thailand in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards in 2022, this heavenly hideaway also features world-class restaurants, a superb Sports Centre with tennis, badminton and basketball courts, a running track and cycling trails, and two infinity pools that appear suspended in the forest canopy, overlooking the ocean. Children will be inspired, educated and entertained at the Kid’s Corner.

“Ever since Pimalai was founded, our goal has been to highlight the best experiences Koh Lanta has to offer and let guests enjoy them sensitively, without any of the negative side-effects of tourism. The last two years have allowed us to take a step back and re-examine our operations. As a result, we have devised a new 10-year plan for preserving the environment and designed a series of new activities and excursions that highlight the beauty of Koh Lanta. We can’t wait to welcome our cherished international clientele back to Pimalai for their dream tropical Thai vacation,” said Charintip Tiyaphorn, Pimalai’s Owner Representative.

Pimalai is now inviting European guests to book early and benefit from significant savings for their next vacation. Under the “Early Bird Promotion”, discounts of 10-30% are available for bookings made in advance. Rates start from THB 5,820 net. Alternatively, the “Long Stay Promotion” starts from THB 8,315 net and includes up to seven free nights if guests stay for seven or more nights. Both offers are valid from now until 31st October 2024.

About Pimalai Resort & Spa
Koh Lanta’s first five-star resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa has been redefining luxury hospitality on this idyllic Andaman island since it launched almost two decades ago. This property cascades through 100 acres of tropical jungles easing its way towards one of Thailand’s best beaches: Kantiang Bay. It’s here that guests while the days away lounging on what often feels like a private beach or spend action-packed afternoons out in the cerulean sea scuba diving, snorkelling or simply relaxing on a sunset cruise. A smattering of local bars and restaurants line the beach, but its Pimalai’s onsite eateries that tend to steal the show.

The legendary Rak Talay beachfront bar and restaurant is as loved for the sumptuous Thai-style seafood as it is its sunset setting, while nestled in the resort’s jungle interior, Seven Seas serves up Michelin-chef-conceived menus throughout the evening. Guests can also indulge in an array of onsite wellness experiences, ranging from traditional Muay Thai classes to early evening tennis matches and pampered afternoons at the signature Pimalai Spa. With no immediate neighbours, the 121-room resort is a serene sanctuary where guests can feel completely at peace in their private surroundings. From Hillside Ocean Pool Villas that command vistas of the stunning scenery through to the Beachside Villas, situated only a few short steps away from the shoreline, rooms at Pimalai cater to all tastes with spacious layouts and designs that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sabre Accelerates NDC Rollout with Qatar Airways

 500 258 wttc2
By:

AIRLINEHUB.com - Sabre Accelerates NDC Rollout with Qatar Airways - TRAVELINDEXDoha, Qatar, July 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Travel agencies to shop, book and service NDC offers through Sabre Red 360 as well as the technology provider’s Offer and Order APIs. Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology company powering the global travel industry, has successfully integrated IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from Qatar Airways (QR) to its global distribution system (GDS). After a pilot phase with agency customers in Australia and Sweden, the offers of Qatar’s flag carrier will now be rolled out successively to travel agencies across the globe starting on July 7, 2022.

Travel agencies will be able to shop, book, and manage NDC offers from Qatar Airways. Access to Qatar’s content will be available through Sabre Red 360, Sabre’s agency point-of-sale tool, as well as its NDC-enabled Offer and Order Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

“We’ve been actively engaged in Sabre’s Beyond NDC program for several years and we’re proud to be the first carrier based in EMEA to make our products and offers available to the global travel agency community through Sabre’s marketplace,” said Matt Raos, Senior Vice President Global Sales at Qatar Airways. “With NDC as a part of our strategy to evolve our offering and enhance ancillary sales, we believe effective distribution in the indirect channel will become more important in the future.”

With Qatar Airways’ extensive network of destinations, access to the carrier’s unique NDC content is expected to be relevant to travel buyers across the globe in the post-COVID-19 recovery period and beyond.

“As the corporate travel sector continues to recover, customers are looking for enhanced shopping experiences and improved content in their marketplace,” said John Bukowski, Vice President of Distribution, Content and Sourcing at American Express Global Business Travel. “Our objective is to ensure that our customers and travelers have access to the broadest content and an unrivaled travel experience. We are excited about collaborating with Qatar Airways and Sabre to continue to evolve our customers access to content while delivering the servicing and experience they expect from American Express GBT.”

NDC is one aspect of Sabre’s strategic goal to create a new marketplace for personalized travel, with some key developments expected for 2022. Dynamic air pricing for NDC offers is anticipated to become available with the recently launched Air Price IQ ™ product within the Sabre Retail Intelligence suite, which will enable airlines to optimize offers in real-time with machine learning and data analytics capabilities based on airlines’ unique strategies and needs. As an NDC aggregator and airline IT provider, Sabre is now included in the Airline Retailing Maturity (ARM) index from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Radixx, which provides solutions for low-cost carrier airlines, is also expected to become certified under the ARM index later this year as an airline IT provider.

“We’ve always said that NDC is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Kathy Morgan, vice president, Channel Delivery, Sabre Travel Solutions. “We believe that realizing the potential of NDC is a collaborative effort, and we are excited about the progress we are making with carriers like Qatar Airways. Alongside strategic efforts like Sabre Travel AI ™, as well as the launch of our Retail Intelligence suite of products, these NDC achievements expand and progress our opportunities to advance personalized retailing.”

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading technology provider to the global travel industry. Sabre’s software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, including passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, which processes more than US$120 billion of global travel spend annually by connecting travel buyers and suppliers. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organization. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Advancing Safe Mobility for Stronger Recovery

 500 301 wttc2
By:

UNWTO - Advancing Safe Mobility for Stronger Recovery - TRAVELINDEXIbiza, Spain, July 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Spain in the recent High-Level Meeting on Safe International Travel held in Ibiza on 7-8 July.

The High-Level Meeting focused on the lessons learned from the impact of the pandemic on international mobility and tourism, to build resilience to face future crises.

“The progress during these past two years, alongside increased coordination among governments, have prompted the basis for a strong recovery”, said Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. Underscoring that “vaccine equity remains a big challenge”, he stressed that “implementing what we have learned is critical for how we deal with future pandemics, as we work to consolidating how we grow back better”.

Participants recognized that the recovery of cross-border travel requires easing and lifting COVID-related travel restrictions as far as possible, while ensuring public health considerations

The progress during these past two years, alongside increased coordination among governments, have prompted the basis for a strong recovery

Chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, Reyes Maroto, the meeting gathered health and the tourism sector representatives of over 30 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other UN agencies such as the International Organizational for Migration (IMO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The High-Level Meeting on Safe International Travel was held in support of the G20 Indonesian Presidency of 2022.  Backed by key stakeholders such as OECD, WHO, ICAO and UNWTO, participants encouraged the Indonesian chair to incorporate the main points into the relevant initiatives of the G20 process,, namely the G20 Health Working Group’s priority on Harmonizing global health standards focused on the Harmonization of COVID-19 and other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) Certificate Recognition at the Point of Entry.

On the occasion, UNWTO and OECD released an impact assessment of the pandemic on tourism showcasing how the sector was among the most affected.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News