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Return of World’s Wettest Festival

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Return of World’s Wettest Festival - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netSuspended due to Covid for the past two years, the people of Thailand will be in a celebratory mood this Thai New Year when they take to the streets to make merit, join parades, and of course, go slightly delirious with water fights. The annual Songkran Festival is back, and it will be wet n’ wild all across Thailand from April 13-15.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land for this holiday, here are a few luxury escapes:

Banyan Tree Samui
This idyllic getaway is tranquil, refined and isolated – everything you need to bodyswerve the pandemonium of the water fights. But that’s not saying there won’t be fun: Banyan Tree Samui is planning three days of frivolity for all the family, beginning on April 13 with a Splash Party on the resort’s exclusive beachfront, including free-flow drinks, snacks and ice-cream. (Price: 799THB per head; free for children under 12) The following evening, a street market will be set up on the beachfront lawn. Entertainment will include the traditional Lao Kratop Mai folk dance with bamboo rods (Price 1,550 nett per person; free for kids under 12). Finally, on April 15, a High Tea Buffet will be rolled out at Saffron Restaurant, perched high above the resort and commanding a spectacular view of the sea.(Price: 1,550 THB nett per couple, including a complimentary Sanctuary Day Pass). And throughout the week, Saffron Restaurant will host a special 5-course set menu every evening, featuring authentic Thai cuisine (2,100 nett per person). For reservations and inquiries call 077-915-333.

Meliá Chiang Mai
The first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic, Meliá Chiang Mai will make a splash when it opens its doors for business on April 10 this year. The urban hotel, that towers over the Ping River and bustling Night Bazaar, is celebrating its first Songkran with a special promotion for Thai residents and expats. Anchored by a two-night stay in a Meliá Room, Meliá Chiang Mai’s offer includes daily breakfast for two, a roundtrip airport transfer from and to Chiang Mai International Airport, and a complimentary cocktail for two at 360-degree rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar. Like a jewel in a crown, Mai The Sky Bar on the hotel’s 22nd floor features two bars connected by a glass bridge and affords spectacular views of the River Ping to the city’s east and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west. As part of the promotion, one child below 12 years of age stays for free inclusive of breakfast. With a booking period from now until April 16, and a stay period from April 10-30, the Songkran offer is priced at THB 4599 nett per room, that is then priced at THB 2760 nett when the We Travel Together campaign is applied. Call 052 090 699.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Cross Collection Boosts Balinese Charm with Two Hotels

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Cross Collection Boosts Balinese Charm with Two Hotels - VISITBALI.org - TRAVELINDEXUbud, Bali, Indonesia, April 4, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX /With Bali’s borders now open to international visitors, Cross Hotels & Resorts has given the ‘island of the Gods’ a massive boost of confidence with the continued expansion of Cross Collection, a combination of stylish resorts and hotels that appeal to a new generation of independent travellers. Joining the chic Cross Collection family are Tanadewa Resort & Spa Ubud and Tanadewa Villas & Spa Nusa Dua, two stunning properties that flawlessly portray tropical avant-garde luxury.

• Discover Bali with Bali Travel Guide, It’s Happening in Bali, go to VisitBali.org

Situated in the tranquil foothills of Bali, Tanadewa Resort & Spa Ubud by Cross Collection offers a selection of modern suites and villas with contemporary designs and Balinese accents, making it a true haven for wanderers and romantics alike. Meanwhile, Tanadewa Villas & Spa Nusa Dua by Cross Collection, is exclusively designed to embody sophisticated décor with Bali’s rustic roots. Together, the pair bring Cross Hotels & Resorts Balinese collection to four unique properties that include Away Bali Legian Camakila and Cross Bali Breakers.

“We are honoured to partner with PT. Bumi Pesona Mandiri to showcase these amazing resorts to a global audience. I am convinced this partnership will be a huge success as I believe Cross Hotels & Resorts’ expansion in Indonesia will continue to grow in strength and numbers. Our approach is epitomized in our ‘Uniquely Yours’ philosophy where an entrepreneurial approach coupled with professional teams is helping us push the boundaries and raise the bar. Cross Collection offers owners workable solutions to their business and gives them the ability to attach Cross Hotels & Resorts and Flight Centre Travel Group, our international distribution network, to their brand,” said Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Cross Collection, a white-label branding solution offered to independent hotels, is making the hospitality industry sit up and take notice as the revolutionary approach continues to gain pace following recent deals in Bangkok and Hua Hin. The latest two-hotel deal in the world-class tourist destination of Bali further cements Cross Hotels & Resorts at the forefront of inspired hospitality offerings in Asia-Pacific.

“As we enter this new and exciting partnership with Cross Hotels & Resorts, I am confident that the worldwide presence of the Cross brand and its wide-reaching distribution network, Flight Centre Travel Group, gives Tanadewa the universal appeal that travellers place their trust in. Cross Collection personifies our shared values in that it gives individual hotels like Tanadewa the opportunity to tell their own story. We can be ourselves within a bigger family. This is one of the many benefits of the Cross brand profile,” said Ricky Subrata, President Director of PT. Bumi Pesona Mandiri.

• Discover Bali with Bali Travel Guide, It’s Happening in Bali, go to VisitBali.org

Cross Hotels & Resorts current portfolio includes 24 hotels under five distinct brands – Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Lumen and Cross Collection – across Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan.

About Cross Hotels & Resorts
Cross Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel management company wholly owned by the ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG). FCTG is one of the world’s largest and progressive travel companies, incorporating diverse worldwide distribution, in destination travel experiences such as transport and touring as well as hotel management solutions. Cross Hotels & Resorts also delivers owner services all the way from the very early sourcing and planning stages of a development, through technical services during build, to pre-opening services and finally professional ongoing hotel management.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Indonesia to Relocate Capital to Borneo Jungle

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Indonesia to Relocate Capital to Borneo Jungle - VISITINDONESIA.net - TRAVELINDEXJakarta, Indonesia, April 4, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Parliament in Jakarta approved a bill to relocate Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to a site deep within the jungle of Kalimantan on Borneo island, the most significant advancement of an idea the country’s leaders have been toying with for years. The new state capital law, which provides a legal framework for President Joko Widodo’s ambitious $32 billion mega project, stipulates how development of the capital will be funded and governed.

Indonesia has announced that its new capital will be called Nusantara, meaning “archipelago” in Javanese. It came as parliament approved a bill to relocate the capital from Jakarta, which is rapidly sinking. The idea of building a new capital 1,300km (800 miles) away on the island of Borneo was first proposed in 2019.

But critics have said the new name could be confusing and that the move itself fails to take environmental factors into consideration.

Plans to relocate the government from Jakarta – a bustling metropolis of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods, pollution, and is sinking because of over-extraction of groundwater – have been floated by multiple presidents, but none have made it this far.

“The new capital has a central function and is a symbol of the identity of the nation, as well as a new centre of economic gravity,” Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa told parliament after the bill was passed into law.

Borneo is known for its jungles and orangutan population, mineral-rich East Kalimantan is home to only 3.7 million people, according to the most recent census.

The initial relocation will start from between 2022 and 2024, with roads and ports prioritised to enable access, with some projects operating as public private partnerships, the finance ministry said.

Plans to move the government away from Jakarta, a megacity of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods and air pollution, have been floated by multiple presidents, but none have made it this far.

Jokowi, as the president is known, first announced his plan in 2019, but progress was delayed by COVID-19.

The new city has a name chosen by him – Nusantara, a Javanese term for the Indonesian archipelago – but no timeframe has yet been set for finalisation of the project, and Jakarta will remain the capital until a presidential decree is issued to formalise the change.

Nusantara would follow in the footsteps of new capitals in other countries, notably Brazil and Myanmar.

It will strengthen supply chains and place Indonesia “in a more strategic position in world trade routes, investment flows, and technological innovation,” the government said in a statement.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy has envisioned the new capital as a low-carbon “super hub” that will support pharmaceutical, health and technology sectors and promote sustainable growth beyond Java island.

The move will cost an estimated 466 trillion rupiah ($32.4bn; £23.8bn) and will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects the Indonesian government has ever undertaken.

Nusantara will be led by a chief authority whose position is equivalent to a minister, deputy chair of the bill’s special committee, Saan Mustofa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

First Woman CEO at Pegasus Airlines

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First woman CEO at Pegasus Airlines - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXIstanbul, Turkey, Avril 4, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Mehmet T. Nane, who has been serving as CEO of Pegasus Airlines since 2016, became a Member of the Board of Directors at its Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly held on 31 March 2022, and was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Board (Managing Director) following the decision by the Board of Directors. Güliz Öztürk, who has been serving as the company’s CCO since 2010, will succeed Mehmet T. Nane as CEO. Mehmet T. Nane and Güliz Öztürk will officially begin their new roles from 1 May 2022.

The first woman CEO in the air transport industry in the history of Turkish civil aviation

Mehmet T. Nane said: “I am delighted to be passing the CEO baton, which I received in 2016, to Güliz Öztürk, who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of Pegasus for many years. I wholeheartedly believe that she will continue to wave the flag of Pegasus brightly in the skies. This appointment holds great value and significance also as Güliz Öztürk is to become the first woman CEO of an airline in the history of Turkish civil aviation…” He continued: “The aviation sector has gone through a very challenging period both domestically and globally due to the pandemic. As part of the framework of my continued role as President of Turkish Private Aviation Enterprises Association (TÖSHİD), and my role as IATA Chair of the Board, which will commence in June, I will fight for the sustainable development of the civil aviation sector; whilst in my new role at Pegasus Airlines, I will continue to work tirelessly to reinforce the position of Turkish civil aviation as a rising star in the world, and to support the growth of our company as we forge solidly ahead.”

Güliz Öztürk said, “I am honoured to receive the baton from Mehmet T. Nane. As Pegasus Airlines, we have accomplished many firsts and pioneering projects under his leadership since 2016, and we have made our country proud many times in the international arena. Together with all my colleagues, we will work tirelessly to progress our company further and crown its achievements. Investing in two important areas will continue to be the architect of our success: technology and people. As Turkey’s digital airline, we will continue to offer digital technologies and unique innovations that will enhance the travel experience, with our approach that focuses on guest experience. Without compromising the basic principles of our business model, we will continue to manage our operations and activities with a sustainable environment approach. One of the issues on which we will also be most focused will be gender equality. We will make every effort, institutionally and individually, to contribute to the equal participation of women and men in all areas of social life and to enable women to express their full potential. As a company, we have been committed to gender equality for many years, and we have been at the centre of the struggle. This change is also proof of the importance our company attaches to gender equality.”

About Mehmet T. Nane
Mehmet T. Nane graduated from Boğaziçi University’s department of International Relations, then received a full scholarship for his graduate degree from the department of International Banking and Finance at Heriot Watt University in Scotland and completed the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program.

Mehmet T. Nane held positions in various business units at the Türkiye Emlak Bankası, Demirbank and Demir Invest between 1988 and 1997, respectively; then joined the Sabancı Group in 1997 and held positions, including Vice President of the Strategic Planning and Project Development department, Director of the Retail Group and General Secretary of Sabancı Holding within the Sabancı Group, until 2005. After serving as Teknosa Vice Chairman of the Board between 2000 and 2005, Teknosa CEO between 2005 and 2013, and CarrefourSA CEO between 2013 and 2016, he became the CEO of Pegasus Airlines in 2016.

Mehmet T. Nane has served as Founding Chairman of Asia Pacific Retailers Federation (FAPRA), Founding Chairman of the Turkish Federation of Shopping Centres and Retailers (TAMPF), President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Retail Council, Chairman of the Board of the SEV Health and Education Foundation, and Chairman of the Association of the Harvard Business School Turkish Alumni Association. He currently holds the following positions in various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs): Board Member and Chair Elect of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Private Aviation Enterprises Association (TÖSHİD), Vice President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Civil Aviation Council, Vice President of the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), Member of the Board of Trustees and Board Member of the TOBB GS1 Turkey Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of the SEV Health and Education Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees and Board Member of the Boğaziçi University Foundation. Mehmet T. Nane is a Founding Member of the Yanındayız Association and Women in Technology Association (WTECH) and he joined the Professional Women Network (PWN) Equality Ambassadors as a part of the Manifesto of Gender Equality Supporting CEOs by PWN Istanbul.

About Güliz Öztürk
Güliz Öztürk is a graduate of Kadıköy Anadolu High School and the Department of Psychology at Boğaziçi University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Columbia Business School. She began her career at Turkish Airlines; from 1990 to 2003, Güliz Öztürk served as Manager of International Relations and Contracts, Alliance Coordinator, and Sales and Marketing Director at Turkish Airlines. During that time, she managed key strategic projects such as launching the first code-share flights, managing the alliance projects, launching the airline’s loyalty and bank card programs and its first website, as well as implementing online ticket sales for the first time. Between 2003 and 2005, Öztürk served as Aviation and Tourism Project Coordinator and Director of Human Resources at Ciner Holding. Güliz Öztürk joined Pegasus Airlines in 2005 as Head of Sales and Marketing, to manage the launch of the airline’s scheduled services, and in 2010, she was appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), with responsibility for the commercial department, which includes Sales, Network Planning, Marketing, Revenue Management and Pricing, Cargo and Guest Experience.

A member of the Board of Advisors of Özyeğin University’s Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences, Güliz Öztürk is also co-chair of the Women in Sales (WiSN) social project, which was established in 2019 to further gender balance in company sales departments, under the umbrella of the Sales Network platform.

About Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus Airlines was launched in 1990, and adopted a low-cost business model in 2005, upon its acquisition by ESAS Holding. As Turkey’s leading low-cost carrier, Pegasus offers its guests the opportunity to travel affordably and on young aircraft under the auspices of its low-cost airline model with the belief that “everyone has the right to fly”. Since 2018, Pegasus has adopted the motto “Turkey’s Digital Airline” and operates a network of 124 destinations in 47 countries, including 36 domestic destinations in Turkey and 88 international destinations; it operates connecting flights between Turkey and Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Turkey. With its approach that focuses on guest experience, Pegasus continues to offer digital technologies and unique innovations to enhance the travel experience. Pegasus manages its operations and activities with a “sustainable environment” approach.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: March 26-April 04, 2022

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Among last week’s headlines: COVID protocols continue to fall, notably for Canadians and cruisers; First Nations dancers made an impression at the Vatican; travel organizations are stepping up to help Ukrainian refugees; and Air Canada has a new interline partner.

NEWS

Effective April 1, Canada dropped the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country. The new measure does not apply to unvaccinated travellers, and arrivals are subject to random testing at airports.

On March 31 the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) supported the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Rome by closing their week-long historic meeting with Pope Francis with a powerful dance performance, and a strong message regarding the role of tourism and reconciliation. The performance was created to showcase the strength, resilience, and pride of Indigenous Peoples to the world. It also provided a glimpse into the culture and tourism experiences that supporters can take part in to learn about the impact of residential schools in order to better support decolonization efforts.

WAR

Holland America Line reports that its Volendam vessel will be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Netherlands and City of Rotterdam government officials. The ship will dock in Rotterdam for three months to provide a temporary home for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who fled the war in their homeland.

Transat A.T. has launched a fundraising campaign to assist SOS Children’s Villages, its long-time partner, which has rapidly scaled up its response in Ukraine to meet the critical needs of approximately 500,000 vulnerable children and families affected by the conflict with Russia. The campaign calls on its employees, as well as those of the nearly 300 travel agencies that make up its distribution network. Air Transat passengers are also being invited to make a donation on board its flights.

BORDERS

Canada has once again been added to Korea’s visa-free/waiver list. Canadian passport holders entering for leisure purposes will be granted entry to Korea for up to 180 days, as it was prior to the pandemic. As of April 1, travellers entering Korea are required to complete a variety of new steps to gain entry such as K-ETA (electronic authorization), Quarantine or Quarantine Exemption, and PCR testing within 48 hours prior to departure. Korea Tourism Organization Toronto Office Assistant Director Randy Snape said, “We will be restarting FAM trips, co-promotions, webinars and much more in support of our partners’ Korea products. We look forward to working with all travel agents in the near future.”.

The Ministry of Health in Anguilla has released new guidelines for Anguilla’s entry protocols, effective April 1: All fully vaccinated travellers 18 years and older no longer need to apply for permission to enter the island via the travel portal at IvisitAnguilla.com. They will still need to present evidence of full vaccination status with an approved vaccine and a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel or a rapid antigen test taken within two days of travel. Other protocols apply and can be found online.

All international visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis arriving by air can now enter the country with a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within the 24 hours prior to arrival. This is a revision of the previous requirement, which only allowed for RT-PCR tests.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

To meet growing demand, Megabus.com, will resume cross-border bus service between Canada and the United States effective May 11. With routes from Toronto to a dozen US cities, the new schedule will also include significant seasonal service increases between Toronto and Montreal, Niagara Falls, and Ottawa. For information and tickets, visit https://ca.megabus.com/

AIR

Air Canada and Aeromar have announced the launch of an interline partnership for customers between destinations in Mexico and Air Canada’s global network via Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun. Customers are now able to book flights on both airlines on a single ticket itinerary and experience the benefits of seamless check-in, boarding, and baggage transfer throughout their entire journey. Tickets can be booked online and through travel agents. Aeromar’s connecting destinations include Acapulco, Aguascalientes, Colima, Ciudad Victoria, Flores/Tikal, Guadalajara, Havana, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Ixtepec, Piedras Negras, Puerto Escondido, Tepic, and Villahermosa.

Passengers flying Turkish Airlines with a stopover duration of 20 hours or more can once again take advantage of the carrier’s Stopover Accommodation Service, which will provide a one-night stay in a 4-star hotel for economy class and a two-night stay in a 5-star hotel for business class passengers with a hotel voucher that is issued after the ticket purchase. In addition, passengers will also have the option of staying at contracted hotels with prices starting at US$49.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) announced that it is playing a leadership role in environmental sustainability by becoming a launch member of the newly formed Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF). The council’s mission is to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Canada to ensure that the Canadian aviation sector remains competitive as it transitions to a net-zero future. C-SAF membership includes a consortium of 60 airlines operating in Canada, as well as key stakeholders in the Canadian aviation ecosystem.

BY THE NUMBERS

In a bid to avoid Russian airspace, Cathay Pacific’s New York-Hong Kong service will become the world’s longest flight. The 16,618-km. route overflies the Atlantic Ocean, the UK, southern Europe, and central Asia, making it the longest commercial flight measured by distance. The new flight path will take around 17 hours beating the current longest flight – Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-New York route (15,349 km.) – by 1,269 km.

DEALS

Sunwing is offering customers savings of up to 30% on escapes to the tropics when they book by April 17 for travel between May 1 and Oct. 31, 2022.

‘Spring Adventure Savings’ from UnCruise Adventures range from cruising discounts to no single supplements on a variety of Alaska cruises when booked through June 15. The sailing season starts April 8 out of the small ship cruise line’s Juneau homeport. E-mail at sales@uncruise.com for individual offers.

TOURS

Public tours of the White House in Washington DC will resume April 15 after a more than 14-month hiatus due to the coronavirus. Tours of the executive mansion were suspended indefinitely by President Joe Biden when he took office as he tightened virus protocols in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The free tours must be requested through a congressional office and will resume on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Collette is now booking travel to Australia and New Zealand for departures beginning in September, following a nearly two-year-long pause due to Covid-19. South Pacific opened to travelers earlier this week after closing its borders for more than 700 days. A variety of itineraries are being offered throughout the countries, including a new small group explorations tour, the 22-day “Australia and New Zealand Uncovered.”

HOTELS

Located in the west of the Egyptian capital, Crowne Plaza West Cairo-Arkan is the first premium hotel in the heart of Sheikh Zayed, strategically located for both business and leisure travellers. The property is the first for IHG Hotels & Resorts in the country, and includes a host of amenities for business travellers, such as a combination of flexible working and relaxation spaces, food and drink options, and five meeting rooms and event spaces available for hire along with an exclusive Club Lounge.

Co-founded and run by the local indigenous Quechuan community, StarDome Peru provides curious travellers with first-hand cultural immersions and transformational experiences led by locals. Located in the Sacred Valley near Machu Picchu, the geodesic dome houses five guest suites with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and vivid views of the valley and mountains. The property opened recently and just started taking reservations at the beginning of February. The hotel offers “spiritual encounters for those seeking not just to travel, but to heal.”

RESORTS

Now that vaccinated individuals travelling or returning to Canada are no longer required to submit a negative COVID-19 test upon entry, the AMR Collection or resorts says is will no longer offer free COVID-19 antigen testing for guests staying in a club level room category. However, guests who require a COVID-19 test will be able to schedule their test for a fee with the concierge on-property.

CRUISE

The US Centers for Disease Control have dropped the warning they had attached to cruising since the beginning of the pandemic, leaving it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship. The news was welcomed by industry trade groups, but the CDC noted “cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

After a successful pilot of its VeriFLY digital health app allowing vaccinated guests to easily submit pre-embarkation information, Carnival has launched the app fleetwide for all ships in all of its US homeports. Guests who use VeriFLY can expect the time it takes to complete the health assessment process during embarkation to be cut in half. Guests who choose not to complete the VeriFLY process are still able to complete their pre-cruise tasks on Carnival.com and present required COVID-19 documents during their embarkation.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

It’s official! Super Nintendo World, an innovative and immersive land, will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, and will be the first Super Nintendo World to debut in the US, following its debut in Japan last year. Based on the popular video game, the themed land, located within  a newly expanded area of USH, will be “a visual spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity,” and feature ground-breaking rides and interactive areas suitable for the whole family.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

As an incentive to check out Sunwing’s newly enhanced agent portal, for the month of April agents will have even more opportunities to earn STAR Agent Rewards Points with the ‘One Million STAR Points Contest.’ Those registered with the STAR Rewards Program, as well as those who register at Sunwingagents.ca in April, can increase their chances of winning one of 10 weekly 25,000 STAR Points prizes that can be redeemed for cash, simply by logging in and interacting with the portal. Chances of winning points increases the more you log in and interact with various elements of the platform. Visit Sunwingagents.ca.

EVENTS

Tourism Ireland welcomed delegates to its annual travel trade fairs Meet the Buyer and Meitheal 2022 last week. The annual events provide a platform for Irish tourism providers from around Ireland to meet new contacts and to do business with buyers from around the world, including Canada. 2022 marks the first in-person conferences of their kind since 2019. Photos: left – John McGrillen, CEO, Tourism Northern Ireland; right – Sandra Moffatt, Manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada, with Conor Duffy, VP, Royal Irish Tours.

There are still a small number of spaces available to the complimentary industry launch events in Toronto (April 7) and Vancouver (April 5) for “The Last Tourist” documentary film produced by G Adventures, and featuring leading travel and tourism visionaries including Dr. Jane Goodall (Jane Goodall Institute, United Nations Messenger of Peace), Lek Chailert (Save Elephant Foundation), Gary Knell (National Geographic), Meenu Vadera (Sakha Cabs For Women) and Melissa Matlow (World Animal Protection). Contact the tour company for details. The doc will also be available on Apple TV and Amazon starting this week.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Transat A.T. Inc. has announced the appointment of Chrystal Healy as Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, a newly created position in the company. Healy will assume her new role on April 4.

There’s a trio of new faces at The Travel Agent Next Door: Joining the organization are Annabelle Seow, formerly of Merit Travel and Travel Cuts, as Director, Marketing; Pamela Shaw and Rebecca Mueller as support staff based in Alberta; and new to the travel industry, Alaina Salita, as travel agent co-ordinator.

Long-time Direct Travel employee Ian Race will now lead the travel management company’s corporate sales team across all of Canada. Race will continue in his current role as Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Business Development, for both the company’s Canada West and Canada East regions.

DESTINATIONS

The San Francisco Travel Association has opened a dedicated COVID-19 testing facility at Moscone Center to provide quick and easy testing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. seven days a week. Provided by a certified COVID testing provider, the centre offers 10-minute rapid antigen tests for US$40 and 30-minute rapid PCR tests for $150. San Francisco Travel is believed to be the first DMO in the US to provide the service. Appointments are recommended but not required and can be booked online at https://calendly.com/rokketmedtesting.

The largest free blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival, returns this year featuring a diverse line-up celebrating blues past, present and future, as well as spotlighting the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, hip hop, gospel, rock and more. The three-day event takes place June 9-12 in Millennium Park and citywide. The Chicago Jazz Festival, meanwhile, is set to take place Sept. 1-4.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hyatt Place Kyoto Celebrates Official Opening

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Hyatt Place Kyoto Celebrates Official Opening - HOTELWORLDS.com - TRAVELINDEXKyoto, Japan, April 4, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 239-room Hyatt Place hotel opens in central Kyoto with convenient access to many attractions in Japan’s ancient capital. Hyatt Place Kyoto, the first Hyatt-branded select service hotel in Kyoto, is officially open, expanding Hyatt Place brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter the most to guests and World of Hyatt members. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food and beverage offerings.

Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy-to-navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Hyatt Place Kyoto is located in central Kyoto at the southwest corner of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and close to Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel is directly connected to the Marutamachi station on the Karasuma subway line and is about 10 minutes from Kyoto station by subway or car. Hyatt Place Kyoto also provides business travelers with convenient subway access to the Kyoto International Conference Center, a major conference facility for international meetings and where the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997.

“As Japan’s international borders start to reopen, we are excited to welcome guests to the first Hyatt Place hotel in Kyoto,” said General Manager Takuma Yoshimura. “Our hotel’s central location makes it easy for our guests to travel around Kyoto, visit the city’s many cultural and traditional sites as well as attend business appointments. With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work, play and sleep areas, our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road.”

Hyatt Place Kyoto offers:

– 239 spacious guestrooms including three suites, with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper
– The Kitchen featuring hot breakfast items, fresh fruit, steel-cut oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and more
– Lobby Bar serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night, and also featuring specialty coffees and premium beers as well as wines and champagne
– Necessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
– Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel and guestrooms
– Fitness Room featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens

About Hyatt Place
Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Guests can enjoy thoughtfully designed guestrooms featuring distinct zones for sleep, work and play, and free flowing social spaces that offer seamless transitions from work to relaxation. With more than 365 locations globally, Hyatt Place hotels offer freshly prepared food around the clock, efficient service and differentiated experiences for World of Hyatt members.

Read original article at Hyatt Newsroom

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Luxury Lodge Onguma Camp Kala to Open in Etosha

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New Luxury Lodge Onguma Camp Kala to Open in Etosha Namibia - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXEtosha National Park, Namibia, April 2, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / As Namibia celebrates 32 years of independence its tourism offering is growing each year. November 2022 will see a new high-end lodge opening on the eastern border of the famous Etosha National Park called Onguma Camp Kala. With its conical, mud plastered central tower resembling a termite mound and the whole camp elevated on wooden stilts, it is set to raise the benchmark to a whole new level.

The thatched camp will offer front row seats to all the wildlife action at the floodlit waterhole – with numerous vantage points to take it all in – be it the comfortable lounge, the intimate cocktail bar or the beautiful deck – shaded by day and warmed by a fire pit at night.

The dining area has an interactive ‘show’ kitchen and all-day pantry to ensure everyone feels right at home. Guests can while away the hours in absolute comfort in the water-level photographic hide. There is a fully equipped gym and spa treatment room with a quiet yoga deck to enjoy between game drives and bush walks. “Onguma Camp Kala‘s design has been inspired by the termite mounds so prolific in this part of Namibia as well as the textures and tones of Etosha Pan to ensure an authentic sense of place. We have brought in some of the best architects and interior designers to ensure the new camp is truly exceptional, has a light footprint on the earth and celebrates our incredible location” says Onguma Managing Partner Fritz Vorster.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Invites Applications for Best Tourism Villages 2022

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UNWTO Invites Applications for Best Tourism Villages 2022 - TRAVELINDEXCairo, Egypt, April 2, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative will return for a second year as it establishes itself as the world’s leading network focused on tourism for rural development.

Launched in 2021, Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO promotes and enhances the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, knowledge systems, and local values and activities, including gastronomy. At the same time, the initiative also promotes transformative approaches to the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Member States invited to present candidates

I look forward to seeing examples of villages working to realize tourism’s unique potential to foster sustainability and create opportunities for all

Following on from the success of pilot project in 2021, UNWTO has announced the return of Best Tourism Villages for 2022. In 2021 over 40 villages from more than 30 countries across the five world regions (from over 170 applications) were recognized as Best Tourism Villages and a further 20 villages were selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme. Now, UNWTO Members States are invited once again to present candidacies through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs) . Applications will be open until 28 June 2022 and the chosen villages will be announced at the end of the year.

The initiative has three components:

  • The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental. The recognition is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development.
  • The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme assists a select number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the recognition. The villages receive support from UNWTO and Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
  • The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as those participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge.

Applications will be evaluated by an external independent Advisory Board consisting of experts in the different fields based on the nine evaluation areas covering natural and cultural resources as well as initiatives in the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental.

Tourism for rural development

Announcing the launch of the second edition on the occasion of its 48th Commission meeting for the Middle East in Cairo, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism brings immense opportunities to communities around the world to build new businesses, promote and protect their culture. I look forward to seeing examples of villages working to realize tourism’s unique potential to foster sustainability and create opportunities for all.”

In parallel to the announcement, the kick-off meeting of the BTV Network will be held online on 30 March 2022 with more than 60 current members to take part in shaping its identity, objectives and approach. The calendar of activities within the Network (training, webinars, masterclasses, etc.) will also be expanded from April to December 2022. The Network will be enlarged with new members of Best Tourism Villages 2022 and forthcoming editions with the aim of becoming the largest international network focusing on tourism for rural development.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Basketball Pro Tony Parker Partners with French Entrepreneur Michel Reybier

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Basketball Pro Tony Parker Partners with French Entrepreneur Michel Reybier - TOP25VINEYARDS.com - TRAVELINDEXLe Luc, Provence, France, April 2, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / French-American basketball star Tony Parker, who holds four NBA championship titles, is embracing his other passion—wine—and partnering with visionary entrepreneur Michel Reybier, owner of Château La Mascaronne in Provence and champagne brands Michel Reybier and Jeeper.

For Parker, Reybier is an inspiration in this new chapter, and the two share similar values of leadership and excellence, letting quality guide the way for any venture. “We both share a passion for wine, but also for sport,” Reybier explains. “I’m from Lyon and particularly admire the dedication Tony shows for the LDLC ASVEL [French basketball team in Lyon], and I am in just as much admiration of how he has been carrying out his career with success.”

As an entry into this entrepreneurial life, Parker will be involved with Reybier’s wineries in Champagne, as well as Château La Mascaronne, an iconic estate in the village of Le Luc in Provence. Here, on the ring-shaped property, olive trees border the château’s ancient stone walls, and, as Reybier says, “there is a particular energy… A special kind of alchemy that puts you at ease.”

Convinced by the winery’s potential, Reybier purchased the estate in 2020. With terroir and conditions ideal for producing an outstanding rosé wine, Château La Mascaronne crafts expressive and balanced wines solely from the estate’s grapes. “Our joint commitment will allow us to go even further in the wineries’ development,” Reybier says. “I am very happy to be able to share this entrepreneurial adventure with fans of our products all over the world.”

Parker is excited to join forces with Reybier, and says: “the plan to move forward on a common project was obvious. I am committed to investing myself alongside him and taking these exceptional wines and Champagnes to the next level. ”

Michel Reybier
Michel Reybier is a French entrepreneur and businessman who is the founder and owner, along with his family, of La Réserve hotels in Paris, Geneva, Zurich and Ramatuelle, as well as Domaines Reybier, which includes wineries such as Cos d’Estournel, Domaine Impérial Tokaj-Hétszölö, Champagne Michel Reybier, Champagne Jeeper, and Château La Mascaronne.

Tony Parker
Tony Parker is a professional basketball player who played for Paris Basket Racing before joining the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. As their starting point guard, he went on to win four NBA championship titles and become the first French player crowned NBA champion, and the first European player to receive the title of NBA Finals MVP in 2007.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Next Frontier in Hotel Service

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The Next Frontier in Hotel Service - TRAVELINDEX - HOTELWORLDSHong Kong SAR, April 1, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Self-service technologies (SSTs) have simplified many aspects of everyday life. However, their relatively recent introduction means that the pros and cons of SST adoption in the hotel industry are still being explored. The potential advantages of SSTs notwithstanding, hotels in China seem to have some reservations, say Professor Kam Hung of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her co-researcher. Without a clear understanding of how preferences for SSTs over human staff are formed, hoteliers are perhaps right to be wary. Moving beyond previous work, this ambitious study integrates individual-level and organisational-level data on the construction of SST preferences. The researchers’ comprehensive findings offer a starting point for hoteliers wishing to effectively introduce SSTs.

SSTs allow customers to enjoy services completely free of interaction with service providers. They are “high-tech and ‘low-touch’ interfaces”, explain the researchers, “in contrast with traditional interpersonal encounters, which are generally high-touch and low-tech”. Self-check-in systems, robots, smart speakers and self-ordering gadgets are becoming increasingly common in hotels. Some are even testing AI-based SSTs such as facial recognition check-in kiosks. In China (and beyond), the pandemic has undoubtedly also accelerated hotels’ SST adoption in attempts to limit customer–employee contact. “As of October 2020, more than 3000 hotels in China were equipped with robots from Yunji Technology, a service robot provider”, report the authors.

SST interfaces allow hoteliers to provide services in the physical absence of service employees, with the clear benefits of reducing operating costs and increasing profits. Whilst some have predicted a continuing boom in these technological trends, SST adoption in hotels has remained surprisingly low, perhaps because it all but eliminates customer–employee interaction. “As a people-oriented service industry, hotels face difficult decisions regarding whether to introduce SSTs,” say the researchers. For hotels to make more informed decisions, it is crucial to discover what influences SST preferences. This new knowledge could in turn help ease the technological transition to SSTs for both hoteliers and guests.

Most research on SST adoption has focused on the individual-level factors that underpin technology acceptance, such as a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. However, this completely overlooks the possible consequences of external or managerial actions. “Most technology adoption situations involve phenomena at multiple levels, including individuals, organisations, industries, and societies”, stress the authors. Yet theories based on individual-level data have often been applied to organisational contexts. To tackle this problem, the researchers built a hierarchical framework to better reflect the multi-level situation of SST adoption and bridge the micro–macro divide.

The researchers conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 30 hoteliers who had implemented innovative SSTs in their hotels and 29 customers who had used hotel SSTs. The SSTs discussed included robots, check-in and check-out kiosks, mobile tablets, and smartphones. The majority of the 59 face-to-face interviews were conducted in Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Hong Kong. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, allowing the researchers to conduct a thorough content analysis to identify and categorise major themes contained within the interviews.

The four major themes that influenced customers’ and hoteliers’ SST preferences were environmental factors, the organisational context, service task attributes, and customer experiences. Environmental factors included public familiarity with SSTs, government regulations, and concerns about environmental protection. The organisational context included the relationships between hotels, technology companies, and other hotel stakeholders. The theme of service task attributes reflected how customers co-produced services with the service channel, be that SSTs or service employees. Finally, customer experiences during service encounters included aesthetic, affective, cognitive, actional, and social experiences.

As an initial finding, the interviews revealed that for both hoteliers and guests, the preference for SSTs was swayed by the belief that SSTs are environmentally friendly. However, another environmental factor posed a problem for hoteliers. “The Chinese government mandates that hotels upload guests’ identifying information in real time”, the researchers explain, “making self-check-in impossible without government approval”. Both the hoteliers and the customers were sceptical about introducing technologies to the service industry. “Many commented that hotel service is a human-oriented business”, say the researchers. “The use of emotionless technologies may result in indifference”.

Within the theme of organisational context, both hoteliers and customers spoke of the economic benefits of SSTs for hotels, such as decreased workload and enhanced efficiency. They considered SSTs to be better suited to new, business-focused and non-luxury hotels with more rooms, especially in the case of check-in and check-out kiosks. “Moreover, SSTs were seen as conducive to brand marketing,” report the researchers. For example, both hoteliers and customers agreed that innovative SSTs such as robots can be a selling point to attract guests.

Concerning service task attributes, both hoteliers and customers criticised SSTs for their lack of customisation and personalisation. Both groups also noted instances in which SSTs fell short of human-delivered services, largely owing to the lack of any two-way communication. That said, both groups regarded SSTs as reliable, punctual, available 24/7, and less likely to make mistakes than service employees. “Hoteliers stated that SSTs do not need rest, cannot fall ill, and cannot resign; rather, they are always on call, enabling hotel guests to receive service at any time”, add the researchers.

Within the theme of customer experiences, the preferences of both hoteliers and customers were influenced by whether the SST experience was superior to that of human services. Customers’ preferences were also guided by the device’s appearance and voice, its usefulness, convenience, and cleanliness, as well as its ability to evoke pleasure, surprise, and relaxation. Respect, trust, safety, and privacy were also major contributors to SST preferences in both groups, although customers’ opinions on this were more divergent. “In some cases, they felt relieved and safer when tackling problems on their own rather than depending on service employees”, the researchers explain. “Others, however, worried about their personal safety or the privacy of their information”.

In pinpointing differences between customers and hoteliers, the researchers were able to provide critical observations that might be instrumental for efficient SST introduction. In some cases, hoteliers placed importance on factors not even mentioned by customers. Moreover, hoteliers paid more attention to environmental and organisational factors, such as incompatibility with existing features and technology company contributions. Guests tended to focus on customer differences and the importance of consistency far more than hoteliers did. Hoteliers wishing to deliver desirable consumer experiences should pay more attention to guests’ opinions, the authors conclude.

Armed with this formidable body of data, the researchers then developed a hierarchical framework that integrated both individual- and organisational-level variables to explain the development of SST preference. This framework reflected the interplay between the external environment, the organisational context, internal service encounters, and core customer experiences in the development of preferences for SSTs over human staff.

“The findings can help hotel practitioners make more rational SST adoption decisions”, conclude the authors, such as collaborating with technology companies, involving other hotel stakeholders in SST promotion, thoroughly testing SSTs before procuring them, and giving consideration to the time needed to introduce SSTs.

This innovative study could support the introduction and implementation of SSTs in the hospitality industry in China. Its findings call for hoteliers to promote SST features that are desirable and important to their guests. The novel framework presented by the authors provides a springboard for hotel managers to better market SST-infused hospitality services and promote customer acceptance. Certainly, if service management can successfully consider customers’ SST-based experiences, this will “contribute to organisational profitability and success in a competitive marketplace”, note the authors. Beyond that, the proposed hierarchical framework is the first attempt to explain the multi-level determinants of technology adoption, and could potentially be adapted to specific innovations and individual or organisational situations.

Liu, Chun and Hung, Kam (2021). A Multilevel Study on Preferences for Self-service Technology versus Human Staff: Insights from Hotels in China. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 94, 102870.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News