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Westin Hotels & Resorts Docks in the Port City of Yokohama

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The Westin Yokohama
Lobby Lounge
Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners
The Westin Yokohama
Spa Pool
Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today unveils the latest opening in Japan – The Westin Yokohama. Owned by Sekisui House, Ltd., the 373-room new hotel is set to be the city’s haven of well-being and deliver industry-leading wellness experiences designed to empower guests to be the best version of themselves.

“We are thrilled to expand the brand’s footprint in Japan with the opening of The Westin Yokohama,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. “As the global hospitality leader in well-being for more than a decade, Westin continues to evolve and deliver its signature wellness programs to adapt to the needs of the modern traveler. The Westin Yokohama debuts as a haven of renewal, offering guests and locals a distinct experience in Japan’s new central business district and sought-after leisure destination.”

Located in the southwest of Tokyo, Yokohama is a key port in Japan – having evolved from a small fishing town to a modern and inspiring city, as well as a commercial powerhouse in the country. The Westin Yokohama is strategically situated in the new central business district of Yokohama, Minato Mirai, offering easy access to popular sightseeing spots such as Japan’s largest Chinatown and the city’s renowned Sankeien Garden. The Tokyo Haneda Airport is within a 25-minute drive and Tokyo city centre is within a 36-minute train ride from the new hotel, making it easily accessible from other regional and international destinations.

Designed by leading architecture and design firm G.A. Design of London, The Westin Yokohama design draws inspiration from the concept of biophilia, which is built on the premise that a connection to nature enhances well-being. Inspired by the hotel’s unique location with a modern residential feel, the hotel incorporates elements that reflect Yokohama’s longstanding history as a port city and its local culture. Setting the scene upon the first-floor arrival area, guests are welcomed into a tranquil urban oasis with the gentle sounds of running water, while the natural stone and timber accented with steel and metal reflect a sense of the destination. Situated on the 23rd floor with stunning views towards Mount Fuji, the lobby features a soaring indoor garden with lighting representing sunlight streaming through trees, as an expression of the Japanese philosophy of “shinrin yoku”, also known as forest bathing. In the heart of the lobby, the feature fireplace evokes a gracious sense of homecoming.

The hotel experience comes to life through the brand’s six pillars of well-being – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well – allowing guests to personalize their stay and engage in programming that best meets their needs. The 373 guestrooms feature the brand’s iconic Heavenly® Bed and are thoughtfully designed with natural materials and imagery, including leaf-shaped illuminations that cast nature-inspired shadows on the ceiling to create a sensory experience. Wide, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the cityscapes of Yokohama, creating greater connections with the hotel’s surroundings. The sleek bathrooms are fitted with Heavenly® Bath rain showers, the brand’s signature White Tea aloe bath amenities, extra-large bath towels, and plush bathrobes to help guests feel rejuvenated.

Inspired by the brand’s Eat Well pillar, the hotel’s five food and beverage outlets contribute to guests’ overall well-being by offering an array of seasonal and international cuisine with a “locally grown and consumed” approach, exemplifying the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Brasserie du Quai is an all-day dining restaurant inspired by French seaside towns, serving seasonal classical dishes such as Pâté de Campagne and Rilettes. Kissui-sen is a contemporary izakaya-style restaurant with decor and a menu that artfully balances simplicity and exquisite taste, showcasing the finest produce from Japan’s seas, rivers, fields, and forests. Complete with a private dining venue for intimate events, Iron Bay is the hotel’s signature restaurant that offers a menu with all-things perfectly grilled to order. Guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences with chefs grilling succulent meats, fresh seafood, and farm-to-table vegetables and fruits, all sourced from Yokohama and its surrounding regions on an open fire grill. Located in the hotel lobby with a picturesque backdrop of Mount Fuji and Yokohama city, Sugar Merchant serves an array of coffees and teas, including artisanal Kanagawa herbal infusions along with a selection of delicate pastries. At the hotel’s speakeasy bar, Code Bar, guests can explore a remarkable range of craft cocktails and artisanal mocktails inspired by the different areas in Japan and named according to their postal codes.

The hotel features a dedicated wellness floor of over 10,000 square feet, with comprehensive facilities including Japan’s first Heavenly Spa by Westin™ with four treatment rooms and expert therapists offering an extensive menu of relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments.

Guests looking to stay fit while traveling can make use of the heated indoor swimming pool and the brand’s state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio with TRX training equipment, all designed to empower guests to get active, and recharge their body and mind. As part of the brand’s signature Move Well pillar, a local RunWESTIN® program provides jogging maps that offer a choice of either a three or five-mile scenic route around the futuristic Minatomirai waterfront area.

The Westin Yokohama offers more than 11,000 square feet of contemporary indoor and outdoor event space including a nearly 5,000 square foot Grand Ballroom and four meeting spaces to host events for any special occasion. The Westin Garden is a signature outdoor event space surrounded by lush green and with the backdrop of the city’s skyline, making it one of the city’s most scenic venues.

“With its inspiring location, sustainable dining, and array of wellness amenities, The Westin Yokohama is an urban oasis perfectly suited to health-conscious business and leisure travelers visiting this wonderful city,” said Richard Suter, General Manager of The Westin Yokohama. “We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy the brand’s signature well-being experiences during their stay.”

The Westin Yokohama will participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

To explore more, please visit Westin Yokohama.

About Westin® Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality’s global leader in well-being for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. At more than 230 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience wellness offerings that include the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly® Bed, TRX fitness equipment in the signature WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studios, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. Stay connected to Westin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit Marriott Bonvoy.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit Marriott Bonvoy.

Media Contacts

James Bardwell
Global Communications, Westin Hotels & Resorts
James.Bardwell@marriott.com

Cynthia Lai
Premium and Select Service Brands Communications, Asia Pacific
Cynthia.hc.lai@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Sets Path Towards New Tourism Governance with Jeddah Call to Action

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UNWTO Sets Path Towards New Tourism Governance - TRAVELINDEXJeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 10, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Public and private leaders have been called on to unite behind the Jeddah Call to Action, a commitment to align with UNWTO’s approach to rethink tourism governance at every level to keep adapting to the challenges faced by tourism as a global driver for recovery.

On the back of the 116th session of its Executive Council, held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNWTO set down a marker for the future of global tourism. With the pandemic having showed the systemic vulnerabilities of the sector, the United Nations specialized agency called for the construction of a new and reimagined system of governance and financing with the aim of building resilience against future shocks while also making tourism more sustainable.

Now is the time to think big. Realize tourism’s unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education

Governance and visibility

In Jeddah, UNWTO continued with its tradition of complementing the important deliberations of its Executive Council with an open discussion on the biggest challenges and opportunities for the sector. The Forum “Tourism Futures – New Governance and Advocacy”, featured two distinct sessions – “Towards a New Tourism Governance” and “Raising Tourism’s Visibility” outside of the sector.

“Now is the time to think big”, said the UNWTO Secretary-General welcoming delegates and speakers. Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need to “realize tourism’s unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education”.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commented: “We cannot recover backwards. Now is the time to capitalize on this heightened recognition and to position tourism as an essential pillar of transformation, development and opportunity.” The Minister also reiterated the Kingdom’s plans to invest US$100 million in training 100,000 young tourism workers.

Diverse voices around a shared goal

Illustrating the diversity of UNWTO’s Membership, the high-level Thematic Debate featured contributions from Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism Saudi Arabia, Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Recreation Côte d’Ivoire, Carlos Peguero, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic, Tomohiro Kaneko, Vice Commissioner of the Japanese Tourism Agency, Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism of Kenya, Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Greece, and Tonči Glavina, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Croatia.

Similarly highlighting the broadness of the sector and UNWTO’s reach of influence, the Ministers were joined by high-level representatives from business, destinations, media and communications, namely from Euronews, Ms. Sofia Panayiotaki from PRM Global, Interbrand, Netcom, Amadeus and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGGA). Referencing the shared desire to get tourism moving again, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the DGDA, noted, “We may not share the same ideology, we may not share the same theology, but we share the same biology”, highlighting a universal desire to travel and connect with other cultures.

Providing the perspective from the media, Ruth Wright, Head of Tourism and Lifestyle Verticals at Euronews stressed that viewers still demand certainty as the “perception amongst travellers is definitely still that travel is difficult and stressful.” As a result, content focused on rules and regulations remains relevant, even as human-led tourism stories becomes more popular. “Travellers are yearning to get back to the day when travel was fun, carefree and full of unexpected surprises,” she added.

From Jeddah to the world

With the discussions emphasizing the importance of taking a whole-government approach to tourism policy, with finance and interior ministries also part of the sector’s governance, Secretary-General Pololikashvili urged participants and all UNWTO Executive Council members advance this important agenda for positive change.

The Jeddah Call to Action recognizes the vital need for more and better tourism governance, with targeted investments and a focus on building resilience, advancing sustainability and expanding education and training. It forms part of UNWTO’s wider work ensuring the recognition of tourism reflects the sector’s unique social and economic importance, including through making it a key part of the work of the United Nations and securing the cooperation of governments, international organizations and financial institutions.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO: European Tourism Leaders Meet as Sector Restarts

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UNWTO European Tourism Leaders Meet as Sector Restarts - TRAVELINDEXYerevan, Armenia, Jun 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The European Member States of UNWTO have highlighted the importance of jobs, professional training and sustainability and innovation as they jointly guide the recovery of tourism across the region.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The 67th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe (Yerevan, Armenia, 1-3 June 2022) convened as the restart of European tourism gathered pace. Of the 47 countries in the world that have lifted all restrictions on travel, 31 are in Europe. Against this backdrop, Member States looked to the future to address both short-term challenges and longer-term opportunities for tourism to grow as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development.

High-level representatives from 35 Members States and many representatives of the European and global tourism private sectors were given an overview of UNWTO’s work in the region since the last Regional Commission meeting in Athens in June 2021.

Political recognition

From the start of the pandemic and into the recovery phase of the crisis, Europe has led by example in supporting and restarting tourism

Opening the session, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Hambardzum Matevosyan called tourism a “locomotive” for recovery and opportunity, both in Europe and globally. With Armenia celebrating 25 years as a UNWTO Member State, Mr Matevosyan commended the Organization’s work in bridging the public and private sectors and making tourism a pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met personally with the President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan with the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzooyan, acknowledging their leadership and support for tourism and discussing ways in which UNWTO can further support the country as it grows its tourism in size and significance, with a focus on investments and on rural development.

Also opening the session were the Minister of the Economy for Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, and Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece and current Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission. Ms Zacharaki also commended UNWTO’s leadership through the crisis and stressed that the determination to restart tourism for economic recovery “must not outweigh our efforts to become more sustainable”.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “From the start of the pandemic and into the recovery phase of the crisis, Europe has led by example in supporting and restarting tourism. At the heart of this has been cooperation and coordination, the same spirit that must lead all European destinations forward as they use the power of tourism to drive development and growth for all.”

Ms. Sisian Boghossian, Chair of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy emphasised: “Armenia reasserts its commitment to effective cooperation with all UNWTO member states to achieve the joint goals aimed at implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Tourism is a priority sector of the economy in Armenia which is not only defined in the Law on Tourism but also expressed in the political agenda and included in the Government´s program”.

Delivering results

The Secretary-General provided an updated overview of the latest international tourism data and trends and made clear how even in challenging times, UNWTO advanced its priority areas of work, with a focus on boosting tourism investments, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, tourism jobs and education and accelerating sustainability.

UNWTO Regional Director for Europe, Alessandra Priante, highlighted current initiatives and future regional implementation of the UNWTO programme of work, stressing the importance of fostering the successful methodology of cooperation with and within the most visited region in the world: Europe. She pointed out the landmark projects focused on youth, with the first Global Youth Tourism Summit to be hosted in Sorrento, Italy, the Students’ Leagues in the various European countries and on rural development, with the 2nd edition of the World’s Best Tourism Villages following the great succusses of the initiative in 2021, and UNWTO’s technical assistance projects supporting tourism recovery to grow back sustainably and responsibly were further highlights.

As part of the high-level policy discussion, delegates highlighted the need to balance short-term measures for enabling a swift recovery of tourism, notably addressing workforce shortages, making jobs more attractive and retaining the right talent with sustainability imperatives, including measurement, investing in tourism education, and capacity-building.

Tourism and Rural Development

On the occasion of the Commission Meeting, UNWTO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the support of the government of Armenia, partnered to set the stage for a discussion about tourism’s role in rural development and how to build bigger synergies between agriculture and tourism.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

With a special focus on design thinking to enhance local experiences and add value to destinations, gastronomy and wine tourism, the event highlighted the need to work on infrastructure, governance, product development, collaboration frameworks, quality and market access, digitalization and capacity building. Counting on the participation of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the conference highlighted the value of intellectual property to protect and value of local products and processes. The event closed with a Masterclass on Gastronomy Tourism to support knowledge building and capacity for Members States and stakeholders in Armenia.

Members of the region unanimously agreed to have Bulgaria host the 68th session of the UNWTO Regional Commission in 2023.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Wilderness Safaris Supports Giraffe Conservation Research

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Wilderness Safaris Supports Giraffe Conservation Research - TRAVELINDEXHwange National Park, Zimbabwe, June 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / With giraffe populations declining throughout Africa, Wilderness Safaris is delighted to be supporting the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in Hwange National Park (HNP) with crucial field research. Wilderness Zambezi Ecologist, Innocent Mabika, used his local knowledge and expertise to assist with an initial survey in April 2022, during which a total of 2 671 individual giraffe observations were recorded over two weeks of data collection across the company’s private wilderness area in the park.

In just over three decades, giraffe numbers have dropped by almost 30% to approximately 117 000 remaining in the wild. In Zimbabwe, the GCF surveys found similar trends, with giraffe populations having declined by more than 50% during the same period, and by more than 20% in HNP over the past decade. These are alarming statistics for such an iconic African species. The biggest threat currently to the species is habitat loss. The GCF and its partners are working to secure and increase current giraffe numbers throughout Africa.

The survey was mostly conducted around Ngamo Plains, an area surrounded by camelthorn trees, which are favoured by browsing giraffe. Data was also collected around Back Pans, Wexcau, the concession’s airstrip and two waterholes.

The April HNP surveys focused on observations of the population dynamics of giraffes across various habitats. Data was also collected on their dietary preferences and was compared to how much favoured browse was available to the animals. This was determined by conducting 12 vegetation transects across different habitats in Wilderness’ area. The animals’ activities were also observed and recorded, to determine how much time was spent on each activity, at what time of day, and how external factors such as temperature, habitat type and herd size affected this activity.

63 population-dynamics observations were recorded. Initial data suggest that giraffe herds in HNP tend to be smaller in less favourable habitats, where resources are harder to come by, with larger herds found in favourable habitats. Around the Ngamo Pans area in HNP, with its many camelthorn trees and abundant water, the giraffes formed particularly large herds, often with more than 20 animals. It was also observed that different herds of giraffes would merge together at the Ngamo Pans to drink water, feed and interact, then split up and move off in different directions. Giraffe do not form stable herds and make use of fission-fusion dynamics, which is the separation and reuniting of smaller groups in a larger social network. This allows giraffes to adapt their herd size in response to environmental challenges.

916 dietary preference observations were made in the survey, indicating a strong partiality to specific tree species which make up the majority of the giraffes’ diet in HNP. Four – Dichrostachys cinerea (sicklebush), Diospyros lycioides (bluebush), Faidherbia albida (ana tree) and Vachellia erioloba (camelthorn) – contributed to more than 60% of the giraffes’ diet during the late rainy season.

1692 activity observations were confirmed. Giraffes have an extremely large body mass and spend a lot of time browsing to satisfy their nutritional requirements. Initial results indicate that they feed more actively in the early mornings and late afternoons, when temperatures are moderate. As temperatures rise during the day, giraffes become less active and spend more time ruminating in the shade of a tree. Interestingly, they seemed to favour a specific time of day to frequent the watering holes. The majority of these trips were done at midday, between noon and 2pm, and lasted up to an hour, with the animals drinking every few minutes. As predators are more active at night, especially around watering points, giraffes are most likely utilising the waterholes at this time as it is safer.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Banana Island & Discover Qatar Launch Whale Shark Excursions

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Banana Island & Discover Qatar Launch Whale Shark Excursions - QATARTOURISM.org - TRAVELINDEXDoha, Qatar, June 11, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has partnered with Discover Qatar to provide once-in-a-lifetime excursions to view whale sharks – the gentle giants of the ocean. The newly launched experience takes travellers in Qatar to view one of the largest congregations of whale sharks that can be found on the planet.

• Discover Qatar and the latest updates on the FIFA World Cup 2022 at QatarTourism.org

From April to September, the cooler waters off the country’s north-east coast provide the perfect location to see large numbers of whale sharks that gather to feed. The unique excursion takes guests on a high-speed catamaran to view these majestic creatures. A whale shark expert is on board to help educate guests, along with a professional photographer to capture guests’ experiences.

In addition, Banana Island announces the reopening of its surf pool. After a full renovation, the surf pool once again adds to the wide selection of watersport activities available at the resort. Guests can now enjoy two wide surfing lanes simulating ocean waves, with private surfing lessons available and the lanes bookable exclusively for friends and family.

• Discover Qatar and the latest updates on the FIFA World Cup 2022 at QatarTourism.org

Located just off the coast of downtown Doha, Banana Island is the perfect luxurious escape from the city offering a wide range of accommodation options and vast facilities for guests to enjoy.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Targeted Financing Crucial for Ocean Health and Achieving SDGs

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WEF - Targeted Financing Crucial for Ocean Health and Achieving SDGs - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, June 10, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / A new white paper, published on World Ocean Day by the World Economic Forum, outlines critical steps to channel funding to support the health of the ocean and those who depend on it.

SDG14 Financing Landscape Scan: Tracking funds to realize sustainable outcomes for the ocean highlights the fragmented nature of current data on ocean financing and points to the need for innovative tools to track commitments towards and investment in the Sustainable Development Goal for the ocean, SDG14, with better traceability and granularity of information on financial commitments for the ocean.

SDG14 remains the least funded of all 17 global goals, yet achieving it will have significant exponential benefits for people and the planet. Key targets in SDG14 include ending overfishing and harmful fisheries subsidies, tackling marine pollution and minimizing ocean acidification, protecting and restoring ocean ecosystems, and supporting artisanal fishers and Small Island Developing States.

“When accomplished, SDG14 will have impacts that extend far beyond the ocean itself, by boosting food and job security, bolstering our ability to tackle the climate crisis, strengthening coastal defences, and enhancing health and wellbeing for people everywhere,” said Kristian Teleki, Director of Friends of Ocean Action at the World Economic Forum. “We cannot afford to waste precious time or money, and need to direct financing to the areas that need it most. This landscape report is intended to help us do just this.”

Emerging from this new landscape scan is the need to improve the resolution and integration of current data systems and in parallel move towards outcome-based financing. Doing so will require a substantial shift across multiple institutions that track and report on funding. It is also essential to improve SDG14 data capacity at the national and trans-national level. Existing funding streams for SDG14 must be optimized, and critical resources for ocean health must be directed to promote gender equity, target least developed areas, and efficiently leverage funding across sectors to support a sustainable blue economy.

“Our research shows that we must shift to tracking output rather than boosting input in order to overcome the challenges of transparency, traceability, optimization and personalization of financing data,” said Jillian Conrad, Lead Author of the report and Student Fellow at the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center at UW EarthLab. “The ocean needs ambitious funding and results if we are to promote equitable development of marine systems to benefit coastal communities and stop the decline in ocean health, which has knock-on detrimental effects on us all.

“With a dynamic tool tracking how financing ties to impact, the global community can better direct SDG14 funding with greatest possible positive impact for people and the ocean alike,” she added.

A Friends of Ocean Action statement released earlier this year – No Healthy Planet without a Healthy Ocean – also calls for global action around critical opportunities in 2022 to advance progress for a thriving ocean and stop the decline in its health.

The global community is convening for the UN Ocean Conference from 27 June to 1 July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal, co-hosted by the governments of Portugal and Kenya. This is a critical opportunity to advance ocean financing and progress towards achieving SDG14.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AND THEY WEAR IT WELL: Naked bike riders take to the streets

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Riders in a total of 200 cities took part in a Naked Bike ride for an annual event raising awareness for safer cycling on June 11. The cities include London, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Vienna, Sao Paolo, Vancouver, Toronto, Copenhagen, Paris, Thessaloniki, Tel Aviv and Tokyo.

The 18th World Naked Bike Ride has been going every year, except 2020, since 2004, and the event is a global protest in cities all around the world where bikers gather to protest the over usage of oil, urban pollution, cycle safety on roads, and encourage body freedom for everyone.

The campaign also protests to curb ‘car culture’, obtain better rights for cyclists and demonstrate their vulnerability on city streets.

However just the action of riding naked on a city street seems to seriously increase both vulnerability and discomfort.

Whether you want to let it all hang out or just want to ride in your bathing suit, the dress code is “As bare as you dare.”

Wearing body paint and running shoes – and little else – scores of activists bravely take to their saddles to take part the ride. Many covered their naked bodies in glitter, painted slogans and fancy dress for the annual event.

Last year, the World Naked Bike Ride in London had almost 1500 riders despite the Covid-19 risk reduction measures. In Mexico City, participants wore Day of the Dead masks for the celebrations.

In Toronto the ride was scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, following a route along several major streets in the downtown core, biking through the University of Toronto, Kensington Market, Yonge-Dundas Square, City Hall, and other landmarks.

The route ended at the Jack Layton Memorial Ferry Docks where riders could choose to take the ferry to Hanlan’s Point Beach, where clothing is optional.

Riders in London

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LOS CABOS: Kudos to Quivira Golf Club and Puebla Bonito Resorts

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Los Cabos (nicknamed Cabo) on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, has become one of the world’s top golf, fun and sun destinations. When the spectacular Quivira Golf Club opened in 2014, I was one of the fortunate journalists invited to meet its legendary designer, Jack Nicklaus, attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and play the seaside marvel. I had a hunch that Quivira would be lauded.

Sure enough, during my last visit in May (What better place to celebrate one’s birthday?) Golf Digest announced that Quivira had just received a 2022 Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award in the ‘Best Mexico & Central America’ category. This is the seventh consecutive year the club has been singled out for recognition by the sport’s most respected and widely read publication.

The magazine’s description of Quivira sums up the layout’s enduring appeal.

“At the tip of Baja (California) Sur is the newest of more than a dozen Jack Nicklaus layouts in Mexico, and perhaps his most compelling, with holes along and atop granite cliffs and sand dunes overlooking the Pacific,” the report stated. “Several lodging facilities nearby offer access,” notably Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, a deluxe all-inclusive, adults-only beachfront property favored by golfers.

Opened to acclaim in 2014, the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Quivira is recognized as one of the most memorable and challenging resort venues in the hemisphere. Created as an exclusive amenity for guests of Pueblo Bonito Resorts and the centerpiece of the Quivira Los Cabos residential development, this bold risk-reward design, marked by vertical cliffs, massive dunes and rolling foothills, features panoramic views and dizzying drops from tee to fairway. In a sun-splashed destination renowned for its unique ocean-desert-mountain ecosystem, Quivira offers more oceanfront exposure than any other course in Los Cabos. An unforgettable test from any set of tees, this scintillating layout may be the most daring and eclectic course Jack Nicklaus has ever built. Since its debut, Quivira has become a ‘bucket list’ course for golf aficionados from around the world.”

There’s more. As per Quivira’s original 36-hole blueprint, Nicklaus will return to build a second course at the dazzling Land’s End site. It will be the Golden Bear’s eighth design effort in a destination he describes as “one of my all-time favorite places.” Ground breaking of the second Jack Nicklaus Signature course is expected to begin by the end of 2022.

Los Cabos Takes Care

When COVID-19 took the world by storm in 2019, the Cabos tourism gurus took a pro-active approach to the disease, resulting in the destination becoming the world’s first VERIFIED™ travel destination.

Los Cabos with Care – A Safer Way to Get Away is Los Cabos’ health and safety protocol system in place for fighting against the spread of infection. The seven-step system evaluates and strictly implements health and safety protocols across the airport, transportation, accommodations, restaurants and bars, tour activities, the beach and throughout the local community. The system is implemented in partnership with Intertek Cristal, the highest standard of health and safety protocols in the industry. Los Cabos is the first destination in Mexico to begin working with Intertek Cristal in implementing Protek Destination Assurance.

At the onset of COVID-19, all Pueblo Bonito Resorts closed for three months, but C.E.O. Alberto Coppel and the management decided that all 4000 employees would keep their jobs.

“We were able to keep up maintenance standards at our properties and when vaccines became available, we worked with the government on a campaign to encourage them,” says Pueblo Bonito Resorts Operations Manager, Armando Garcia. Ninety per cent of our employees have at least two vaccines. We also continued staff training and our Human Development Department made available psychologists, doctors and therapists to assist employees during the stress and hardships of the pandemic,” he adds.

“It was a brave decision, but we were rewarded when travel opened up again,” says Garcia. When tourists began to arrive, we were ready for them. We came back stronger.”

Congratulations to the folks at Pueblo Bonito Resorts for taking a proactive approach to Covid, garnering increased staff and guest loyalty and coming back stronger!

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: June 06-10, 2022

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There was big border news for both Canada and the US last week; now there’s monkeypox, for which the Canadian government issued traveller advice; also, in the round-up, hopeful travel recovery numbers, the wrap on IPW in Orlando, and Transat has returned to Greece.

NEWS

The Public Health Agency of Canada is warning travellers to be extra careful abroad because of the potential threat of catching monkeypox. A level two travel health notice was issued warning people travelling outside the country to take extra precautions, adding that travellers could find themselves subjected to isolation or other measures to limit the spread of the virus. The notice applies to several countries, including the UK, Spain, and Germany.

Nearly 4,800 attendees from more than 60 countries – including Canada – attended the 53rd annual IPW in Orlando last week (June 4-8). The event is the US Travel Association’s signature international travel marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the United States. This year’s gathering was also the first truly post-pandemic version of the show since 2019 (though Las Vegas hosted a delayed version last September).

During IPW, US Travel Association released an updated international travel forecast, which projects 65 million international arrivals to the US in 2023 (82% of pre-pandemic levels). The forecast projects that international arrivals and spending will fully recover to 2019 levels by 2025. The USTA said this year’s strong attendance at IPW signals a desire to resume robust inbound travel to the United States.

BORDERS

Canada temporarily suspended random testing at its airports until the end of the month to help calm customs chaos, and the US dropped the requirement for vaccinated visitors to take an antigen test pre-departure. (Read both stories in today’s publication).

The German government dropped its “3G” rule, which stated that tourists had to either show proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 or provide a negative test when entering Germany. The measure will be reviewed at the end of the summer.

The online entry portal for permission to travel into Anguilla has been discontinued. All persons over the age of five years travelling to the island still require a valid, negative PCR or NAA test administered within three days of arrival, or a Rapid Antigen test, which must be taken no more than two days before arrival. This information must be presented before boarding and on arrival in Anguilla, along with evidence of full vaccination status.

BY THE NUMBERS

Stronger-than-expected results – three times as many global arrivals in the first quarter of 2022 over 2021 – plus a significant increase in flight reservations, have prompted the UNWTO to now suggest that tourism’s international tourist recovery will reach 55% to 70% of 2019 levels this year.

AIR

Turkish Airlines is strengthening its onboard internet service. Previously activated only when the aircraft was above 10,000 feet, the service will now be ‘Gate to Gate’ internet service. The upgrade has started on some aircraft and is being rolled out across the fleet.

The principal shareholders of Colombia’s Avianca and the controlling shareholder of Brazil’s GOL have signed a landmark agreement to create a leading air transportation group across Latin America under a holding company structure named Abra Group Limited. Subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, the Abra Group will control Avianca and GOL and bring together their iconic brands under a single holding.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

Air Transat is back in Greece after a long period of forced suspension due to the COVID-19. Three times weekly route to Athens will continue through the end of October from Montreal and Toronto at the height of the season. The carrier also resumed service to Lamezia from Toronto for the first time in over three years

DELAYED/CANCELLED

Citing “global challenges,” Virgin Voyages reports that it is deferring the upcoming launch of its third Lady Ship to Q2 2023. Initially scheduled to set sail from Athens mid-August of this year, Resilient Lady will remain in Genoa getting on-board work completed, hitting the high seas next spring. The cruise line is currently operating two ships, its first, Scarlet Lady in the Caribbean and second, Valiant Lady in the Med.

DEALS

Agents can help their clients kick off the summer solstice when they book an all-inclusive vacation package down south during Sunwing’s “Dive Into Summer” sale. Customers can save up to $1,200 per couple when they book at popular hotel chains Princess Hotels & Resorts, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Royalton Luxury Resorts and more when booking by June 26, for travel by Aug. 27, 2022.

TOURS

Emirates Vacations, the tour operating arm of Emirates Airline, has officially rolled out its offerings to the Canadian market, marking a step in the expansion of Emirates’ service offering to Canadian travellers by offering travel packages to Dubai and beyond. Flights, hotel stays, and local experiences can all be planned by agents with destination expertise, and who are available on a 24/7 basis for support. With a deposit of CDN$99, travellers can choose between a variety of destinations, accommodations, and experiences, including beach or city vacations, trips for the family and honeymoon getaways. Value-added benefits may include guaranteed savings and complimentary upgrades. Visit emiratesvacations.com/ca.

G Adventures has released its trip departure list for July, and the number of trips available to book increases to 1,300 trips in more than 50 countries. This represents the highest number of trips operating since the onset of the pandemic and heralds a welcome return to tourism for local communities in the countries visited. In July, Laos also returns, which means the reopening of G’s’ popular ‘Indochina loop’ experiences in Asia, taking travellers to Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam in one trip. Clients booking with G Adventures by July 5 can save 20% for travel before July 31.

HOTELS

AC Hotel Clearwater Beach

The new AC Hotel Clearwater Beach a 144-room, lifestyle-branded property located between the shores of Clearwater Beach, Fla., to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, is scheduled to open this summer. Guest rooms will feature water views and a rooftop gathering space will offer nightly artisan libations and fare. A chic European-inspired brand, AC by Marriott properties are designed with modern travellers seeking an experience-driven atmosphere in mind.

The highly anticipated Aman New York will welcome its first guests on Aug. 2. The culmination of a monumental transformation of the iconic Crown Building in Manhattan, the 83-suite hotel, located on the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue is the second in a new, pioneering generation of Aman properties in urban settings, following in the footsteps of Aman Tokyo and taking the brand to 34 properties worldwide.

RESORTS

Marriott International, Inc. has announced the signing of Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun to join its growing all-inclusive portfolio. Expected to open in late 2022, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun is owned and managed by Blue Diamond Resorts and will join the All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, which includes close to 30 immersive getaways in eight locations across the Caribbean and Latin America. Owned by Sunwing Travel Group, Blue Diamond Resorts’ other 20 properties are also part of the collection.

Construction has started on Jamaica’s seventh RIU property, Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle, in Falmouth, Trelawny. The 700-plus room resort will have 24-hour all-inclusive service and feature its own exclusive waterpark. The brand’s first hotel in Trelawny is set in historic Coopers Pen – an area full of culture, nature, and stunning beaches. It’s also home to Glistening Waters, considered to be one of the most luminous lagoons in the world for witnessing bioluminescence, and is just five minutes away from the Martha Brae River rafting descent in the rainforest. Falmouth is now the fastest growing tourism area in Jamaica, and the resort will be a short 35-minute drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport.

CRUISE

MSC Cruises reports that its entire fleet of 19 ships is back at sea following MSC Musica’s return to water last week. MSC Musica set sail for the first of her planned 23 seven-night summer 2022 voyages to Katakolon in Greece, the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini, as well as Bari (Italy), before she returning to her seasonal homeport.

Viking Cruises has kicked off its Great Lakes season with the launch of the new purpose-built Viking Octantis. Designed specifically for the region, the ship recently completed a roundtrip through the Welland Canal – a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie – making it the largest passenger vessel ever to transit the canal. The ship will remain in the Great Lakes until early October, sailing a variety of itineraries between Toronto and Duluth. A second expedition vessel, the Viking Polaris, will debut later this year and will join the Viking Octantis in the Great Lakes for the 2023 season.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Now open for the season, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in Niagara Falls, Ont. offers guests an action-packed ride through Niagara River’s whitewater rapids. Passengers can choose between two experiences – wet or dry. Guests in open-topped jet boats are guaranteed to return to the dock soaking wet, doused with water while their boat pilot powers them through the rapids at high speed and expertly spins them through the chop in a complete 360-degree turn.

Those who’d prefer to stay dry can go for a spin on Whirlpool’s Freedom Boat, which features a selection of seats protected from the elements by a glass dome, as well as a number of seats on the front deck where riders are sure to get splashed.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Encore Cruises

TravelBrands Encore Cruises, along with Norwegian Cruise Line, hosted 70 travel agents (photo) for Seminar at Sea May 22-29 aboard the Norwegian Joy. Departing from New York, the cruise also called in Norfolk, Va., and Bermuda. “We are so happy to be back with our annual Seminar at Sea this year,“ said Nathalie Tanious, COO, TravelBrands. “Travel agents, as much as our staff members, loved the opportunity to connect, learn and enjoy their time at sea.” Next year’s SeaU will be held on the Celebrity Beyond from March 26, 2023, for seven nights with more details to come.

EVENTS

ACTA will host an advocacy town hall meeting (English) on June 20, 1 to 2 p.m. EST, with guest presenter and senior accountant Mike Libbey, who will discuss ways that independent travel agents can organize their business to manage risk from future emergency events. The session will highlight important “lessons learned” during the pandemic and explore specific steps independent travel agents can take, should there be renewed border measures. Cost is free for ACTA members and $25 for non-members (which can towards a new 2022 ACTA membership. Register .

The conclusion of IPW last week, US Travel announced that its 54th annual IPW travel trade show and marketplace will take place May 20-24, 2023, in San Antonio, the first time the Texas city will serve as IPW host.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Transat A.T. Inc. has announced the appointment of Julie Sareault to the position of Commercial Director – Québec, succeeding Karine Gagnon who was recently promoted to General Manager of Transat Distribution Canada (TDC). The move takes effect July 4. Sareault is currently Manager, National Sales for Air Transat.

Vision Travel has announced the addition of three new management positions in Western Canada: Vancouver-based Zabeen Kara, regional manager for British Columbia, was most recently Vision’s manager of leisure supplier relations and national sales support. She can be reached at zabeen.kara@visiontravel.ca.
Regional manager for Alberta is Calgary-based Katie Kewley, katie.kewley@visiontravel.ca. And, responsible for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Angie Bree will be based in Winnipeg, angie.bree@visiontravel.ca.

DESTINATIONS

On Oct. 14, the Jordan Trail will introduce new Thru-Hikes. These guided hiking experiences will include licensed guides, transportation, meals, accommodations and more. Travellers can enjoy any section of the hike for as little or as much as they want to, and meet Jordanians as they meander through more than 70 villages.

Divers and snorkellers can promote reef protection and explore the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef during a one-of-a-kind underwater concert scheduled in the Florida Keys, July 9. The 38th annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately 10 km south of Big Pine Key.

Music broadcast by a local radio station is piped underwater via speakers suspended beneath boats above Looe Key Reef, and several hundred underwater enthusiasts typically submerge to enjoy the ethereal undersea melodies. The “only in the Keys” listening experience is paired with diver awareness announcements that emphasize ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing environmental impacts.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Boss the cherry on new Mellencamp classic

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By:

John Mellencamp has always been one of my favourites, especially when his early heartland style of rock began to incorporate Appalachian overtones in the mid ‘80s with such instruments as dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, penny whistle, and especially accordion. That style deliciously returns here on his latest single, “Wasted Days” – with one more amazing addition: Bruce Springsteen.

Apparently the two great singer-songwriters have been pals for awhile and have performed together live in the past, but this is their first official collaboration.

And while I’ll concede that Mellencamp’s voice at age 70 has aged noticeably (in a gruff though not grating way), the 72-year-old Springsteen sounds better than ever.

“Wasted Days” (penned solely by Mellencamp) appears on his album “Strictly a One-Eyed Jack,” released last September, though it could easily fit on “The Lonesome Jubilee” (No. 1 in Canada in 1987). The album also features The Boss on two other tracks – “Did You Say Such a Thing” and “A Life Full of Rain.”

In addition to being a musical throwback, the song also shows the Indiana native at his lyrical best, as simple, poignant and insightful as ever (remember haunting lines like “Life is short, even on the longest days,” or, “Oh yeah, life goes on/ long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”?)

Together the words and music add up to a song as good as anything he’s done before. And Springsteen is just the cherry on top of the icing on the cake.

Lyrics

How many summers still remain
How many days are lost in vain
Who’s counting out these last remaining years
How many minutes do we have here?

Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away to
More wasted days

How much sorrow is there left to climb
How many promises are worth a dime
And who on earth is worth our time
Is there a heart here that I can call mine?

Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away to
More wasted days

How can a man watch his life go down the drain
How many moments has he lost today
And who among us could ever see clear
The end is coming, it’s almost here

Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away to
More wasted days

Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away to
More wasted days

Wasted days
More wasted days
We watch our lives just slip away to
More wasted days

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News