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Marriott Bonvoy Relaunches Moments Platform, Bringing Back Money-Can’t-Buy Experiences to Members

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2021 British Grand Prix, Sunday - Steve Etherington
Experiences with long-standing collaborator Mercedes-AMG Petronas will be available on the Moments platform
Steve Etherington/Daimler AG

Following more than a year of physical isolation and missed connections, Marriott Bonvoy – Marriott International’s award-winning travel program – is ushering in a refreshed version of the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform to help members who want to make up for lost time. Launching today, Marriott Bonvoy’s new offering of mind-expanding, money-can’t-buy Moments with both new and long-standing collaborators aims to serve as a vehicle for travelers to discover the world around them and be forever transformed by the places, experiences and people encountered along the way.

With 66% of people saying they were inspired to create a bucket list because of the pandemic[1], the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program gives members ways to check items off their list with those closest to them. Using Marriott Bonvoy points accumulated from travel and everyday activities such as credit card spend, ride-sharing, or food delivery, members can gain VIP access to concerts, culinary experiences, premier sporting events and more all over the globe. Members may redeem their points for either fixed-price experiences or use them to bid on experiences through auctions using the revamped, easy-to-navigate platform.

“After so much time spent unable to do many of the things we enjoy, our members are eager to get back out on the road – not just to escape, but to discover all the people, places and experiences the world has to offer,” said David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Marriott Bonvoy. “We are excited to relaunch Marriott Bonvoy Moments, which has always been one of the most beloved elements of our travel program, and to give our members access to money-can’t-buy experiences where they can make memories, forge new connections and expand their minds.”

Marriott Bonvoy Moments span a wide variety of passions, from sports to culinary, and from music to professional development and more. Moments in both virtual and in-person settings are available on the platform. Examples of Moments available for bidding at launch include:

Sports

Cheer on the start of the 2021 NFL season with an exclusive NFL Kickoff Experience

For the first time ever, Marriott Bonvoy members can celebrate the start of the NFL season with exclusive access to the NFL’s Kickoff celebrations – including tickets to the NFL’s Kickoff Eve Party the night before the game, as well as the VIP Concert Viewing Party leading up to the game on Thursday, September 9th. The experience will culminate with game tickets to watch the opening game.

Improve your tennis skills at a clinic hosted by former #1 Andy Roddick and attend the Laver Cup

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Members can bid for the chance to take part in a tennis clinic with former world number no. 1 Andy Roddick

The Laver Cup is an unrivaled men’s team competition that showcases six of the top players from Europe against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Join former world no. 1 Andy Roddick on the Laver Cup practice court for a tennis clinic in the morning. Learn how to dominate your opponent with Roddick’s trademark strokes, including his iconic wrist-snapping forehand and ultra-powerful serves. Then spend the afternoon watching some of the best players in the world compete at the Laver Cup. This is one of many unique Laver Cup-related packages available.

Music

Walk The Red Carpet at MTV’s Video Music Awards

Be among the A-List at MTV’s iconic Video Music Awards, with the opportunity to access the red carpet before you take your seats to the show.

Experience Firefly Music Festival Like a VIP

With Super VIP Weekend Passes, get the best views of main stage performances with access to the front row and the side viewing loft, as well as artist lounges with private bars and complimentary snacks. Relax at the end of a day in your glamping tent, with access to Camping Hubs — featuring additional artist performances, camping entertainment, activities, shopping and more.

Culinary

Secure A Table at The Hottest Spot in Town

Enjoy dinner at Girl & the Goat with Chef Stephanie Izard
Enjoy dinner at Girl & the Goat with Chef Stephanie Izard

Get a guaranteed reservation at top restaurants including Thomas Keller’s Per Se (New York, NY) & The French Laundry (Yountville, CA), Enrique Olvera’s Pujol (Mexico City) and Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat (Los Angeles, CA). Some packages also include a private dinner with the Chef.

Learn How to Grill Like a Master

Impress your guests at your next cook-out after a lesson from a Weber Culinary Grillmaster, the brand of grilling equipment for TownePlace Suites hotels.

Personal & Professional Development

Master Public Speaking with Training from TED’s Director of Speaker Coaching

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Learn how to master the art of communication in a virtual class with TED’s Director of Speaker Coaching
Ryan Lash/Ryan Lash / TED

Learn how to master the art of communication — whether in person or virtual — with help from TED’s Director of Speaker Coaching, Briar Goldberg, thanks to Marriott Hotels’ long-standing relationship with TED. In an online class, TED’s public speaking expert will teach valuable communication skills — along with actionable tips and takeaways — through engaging exercises that will help you identify your audience, keep them engaged and inspired and convey your message confidently.

Bring Order to Your Home with The Container Store

At most TownePlace Suites hotels, longer-stay travelers can spread out, settle in and get organized with a custom Elfa® closet exclusively from The Container Store. Now, you can get the chance to create the “Ultimate Closet” at home with items from The Container Store and guidance from one of their organizing and custom closet experts.

Arts & Culture

Make Your Special Day Extra-Special with a Made-To-Order Wedding Gown Designed by Justin Warshaw of Justin Alexander

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Have Justin Warshaw of Justin Alexander design a made-to-order wedding gown for you

No gown for your re-scheduled wedding? No problem! Come and enjoy an indulgent day helping design the wedding gown of your dreams that will be made to order from Justin Alexander.

Attend a New York Fashion Week Invite-Only Presentation

Be the first to see the fashion brand alice + olivia’s Spring 2022 Collection at an invite-only presentation during fashion week, and have the opportunity to shop the collection.

Marriott Bonvoy will continue to debut one-of-a-kind Moments in new locations around the world throughout the rest of 2021 and beyond. Members will be able to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences once again as Marriott Bonvoy resumes activations under its long-standing relationships with the NFL, Manchester United, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, the National Park Foundation and many more.

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Experiences with long-standing collaborator Manchester United will be available on the Moments platform
Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

All in-person Marriott Bonvoy Moments will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control or the equivalent in the country/region where the Moment takes place with regard to mask-wearing, testing and other COVID-19 protocols.

To explore Marriott Bonvoy Moments, please visit https://moments.marriottbonvoy.com. For more information about Marriott Bonvoy or to enroll as a member for free, visit here. Join the conversation @MarriottBonvoy and #MarriottBonvoyMoments.

[1] Expedia Vacation Deprivation Study 2021

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including expected program offerings and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. Marriott International (“we”) caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K. Risks that could affect forward-looking statements in this press release include the duration and scope of COVID-19, including the availability and distribution of effective vaccines or treatments; the pandemic’s short and longer-term impact on the demand for travel, transient and group business, and levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals have taken or may take in response to the pandemic, including limiting, banning, or cautioning against travel and/or in-person gatherings or imposing occupancy or other restrictions on lodging or other facilities; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of the pandemic’s impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; the ability of our owners and franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts of COVID-19; the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and any dislocations in recovery as a result of resurgences of the pandemic; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the effects of steps we and our property owners and franchisees have taken and may continue to take to reduce operating costs and/or enhance certain health and cleanliness protocols at our hotels; the impacts of our employee furloughs and reduced work week schedules, our voluntary transition program and our other restructuring activities; competitive conditions in the lodging industry and in the labor market; relationships with customers and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy encompasses Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of brands – including the largest collection of luxury properties, award-winning loyalty program, Homes & Villas by Marriott International, online retail shop with 13 branded boutiques, and access to endless experiences – all available through the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app. Members can earn and redeem points for stays and accelerate the points they earn with co-branded credit cards from JP Morgan Chase and American Express. For more information about Marriott Bonvoy or to enroll in the loyalty program for free and receive member benefits, visit marriottbonvoy.com and to download the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app, visit mobile-app.marriott.com. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui GM Pulido Sees Bright Future for Island

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Hyatt Regency Koh Samui GM Pulido Sees Bright Future for Island - TRAVELINDEXKoh Samui, Thailand, August  5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / With stints at high profile resorts in the Caribbean, the Middle East, China, South Korea and his native Mexico in his locker, Adrian Pulido can draw upon extensive experience in the global tourism industry.

Therefore, it counts for something when the general manager of the recently opened Hyatt Regency Koh Samui predicts a spectacular revival for Koh Samui, Thailand’s legendary paradise island.

Like other tourism destinations in Thailand, Koh Samui has been badly impacted by the global pandemic.

Things, though, are beginning to look up for the destination. The unveiling in early July of the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui — a design-forward luxury property on the north-eastern tip of the island — was a landmark debut on the island.

Ongoing plans to reopen Samui to international visitors, meanwhile, over the coming months are another positive indicator for the future.

Pulido, who makes his debut as a GM at the resort following spells in senior management with Banyan Tree, JW Marriot and, most recently, Park Hyatt, is among those convinced that it’s merely a matter of time before Koh Samui reassumes its position as one of the star attractions for tourism in Southeast Asia.

“Koh Samui is a very special destination,” he said. “It has been one of Asia’s most popular islands for decades now, yet it has never lost any of its charm. Visitors will find incredible beauty, fantastic food and outstanding hospitality. It’s all waiting here for them like it always has been.”

Pulido is equally bullish about the prospect of his resort being in the vanguard of this revival thanks to its broad appeal and myriad selling points.

A collaboration between three of Thailand’s biggest hotel design names — Office of Bangkok Architecture, August Design and PLandscaping — the 140-room property occupies eight acres of private coastline in the far northeast corner of the paradise island.

Deploying a design-forward philosophy, the property, which is located in North Chaweng — and is less than ten minutes from the island’s international airport— bills itself as a “vacation gallery” due to its array of visual highlights.

These include a showpiece lobby — the longest lobby arrival point in Koh Samui — plush accommodations that showcase terrific ocean views and one of the largest pool zones on the island.

“The pandemic has been a challenging time for Koh Samui as it has been for the entire tourism industry in Thailand,” he added. “That’s why we are so delighted to debut with such a special resort.

“It (the resort) embraces the island’s native beauty and its traditions through elements of vernacular architecture and careful incorporation of existing natural features. At the same time, we look towards the future thanks to contemporary design, state-of-the-art facilities and daring cuisine.

“This island has a central role in how Thailand fares following the pandemic, and it’s an honour to be leading the way as we begin to look positively towards the future.”

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma’s Back of House Tour Opens Window to Hotel Operations

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Alma's Back of House Tour Opens Window to Hotel Operations - TRAVELINDEXCam Ranh, Vietnam, August 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / With Vietnam’s virus flare-up forcing Alma to temporarily close, the resort’s team has kept busy creating a one-of-a-kind tour that answers everything you wanted to know about a hotel but were afraid to ask.

To be launched upon the resort’s reopening, Alma’s one-hour ‘Back of House’ tour will lead groups of guests through the resort’s inner workings each Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm.

Tour stops include the pastry room, staff canteen, engineering workshop, loading dock, laundry and uniform rooms, electric buggy station, generator station, air conditioner centralized plant, water treatment plant, and CCTV and fire panel room.

Participants will learn all sorts of interesting facts. To wit: 28 staff in the laundry room wash an average of 26.4 tonnes of laundry a week including 49,690 towels, 2320 bed sheets and 1160 pillow cases.

In the pastry room, eight pastry chefs and five bakers make 1200 Danish pastries, 1000 croissants, 850 bread rolls and 800 muffins per week, in addition to 50 litres of house-made ice-cream, 10 kilograms of Tiramisu and 50 Chinese egg tarts.

At the CCTV and fire panel room, guests view footage captured by 531 CCTV cameras, and learn of 3162 smoke detectors and 9548 sprinklers designed to ensure safety at the 30-hectare resort. The air conditioner plant, manned by seven air conditioning technicians, provides chilled water for 1049 air conditioning units.

“It’s fascinating to go behind the scenes and see all of the work and preparation involved in delivering a seamless guest experience at a 580-key resort,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “The resort requires 900 m3 of water a day and 46,720 kWh of power, so we have systems in place to reduce our carbon footprint including a water treatment plant, electric buggy station and recycling in our garbage room.”

The 325sqm water treatment plant deploys a reverse osmosis system to provide 70,000L weekly of drinkable water and ice for all of the resort’s kitchens. The garbage room processes about 250 kilograms of garbage a day, including compostable waste and recyclables, reselling an average of, for example, 110 litres of cooking oil weekly to non-food businesses so that it is recycled.

The resort’s 360sqm buggy station’s 36 electric buggies each take an average of six hours to charge. The 335sqm generator station is home to five generators with a combined capacity of 10000kVA in the event grid power is lost. In the engineering workshop, an average of 35 items are fixed weekly, ranging from tables and chairs to microwaves to garden lights.

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, art gallery, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Airline Industry Statistics Confirm 2020 Was Worst Year on Record

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Airline Industry Statistics Confirm 2020 Was Worst Year on Record

Montreal, Canada, August 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) publication with performance figures for 2020 demonstrating the devastating effects on global air transport during that year of the COVID-19 crisis:

  • 1.8 billion passengers flew in 2020, a decrease of 60.2% compared to the 4.5 billion who flew in 2019
  • Industry-wide air travel demand (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, or RPKs) dropped by 65.9% year-on-year
  • International passenger demand (RPKs) decreased by 75.6% compared to the year prior
  • Domestic air passenger demand (RPKs) dropped by 48.8% compared to 2019
  • Air connectivity declined by more than half in 2020 with the number of routes connecting airports falling dramatically at the outset of the crisis and was down more than 60% year-on-year in April 2020
  • Total industry passenger revenues fell by 69% to $189 billion in 2020, and net losses were $126.4 billion in total
  • The decline in air passengers transported in 2020 was the largest recorded since global RPKs started being tracked around 1950

“2020 was a year that we’d all like to forget. But analyzing the performance statistics for the year reveals an amazing story of perseverance. At the depth of the crisis in April 2020, 66% of the world’s commercial air transport fleet was grounded as governments closed borders or imposed strict quarantines. A million jobs disappeared. And industry losses for the year totaled $126 billion. Many governments recognized aviation’s critical contributions and provided financial lifelines and other forms of support. But it was the rapid actions by airlines and the commitment of our people that saw the airline industry through the most difficult year in its history,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Key 2020 airline performance figures from WATS:

Passenger

  • Systemwide, airlines carried 1.8 billion passengers on scheduled services, a decrease of 60.2% over 2019
  • On average, there was a $71.7 loss incurred per passenger in 2020, corresponding to net losses of $126.4 billion in total
  • Measured in ASKs (available seat kilometers), global airline capacity plummeted by 56.7%, with international capacity being hit the hardest with a reduction of 68.3%
  • Systemwide passenger load factor dropped to 65.1% in 2020, compared to 82.5% the year prior
  • The Middle East region suffered the largest proportion of loss for passenger traffic* with a drop of 71.5% in RPKs versus 2019, followed by Europe (-69.7%) and the Africa region (-68.5%)
  • China became the largest domestic market in 2020 for the first time on record, as air travel rebounded faster in their domestic market following their efforts to control COVID-19
  • The regional rankings (based on total passengers carried on scheduled services by airlines registered in that region) are:
    ​​​​​​

    1. Asia-Pacific: 780.7 million passengers, a decrease of 53.4% compared to the region’s passengers in 2019
    2. North America: 401.7 million passengers, down 60.8% over 2019
    3. Europe: 389.9 million passengers, down 67.4% over 2019
    4. Latin America: 123.6 million passengers, down 60.6% over 2019
    5. Middle East: 76.8 million passengers, a decrease of 67.6% over 2019
    6. Africa: 34.3 million passengers, down 65.7% over 2019

Cargo

  • Air freight was the bright spot in air transport for 2020, as the market adapted to keep goods moving—including vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE) and vital medical supplies—despite the massive drop in capacity from the bellies of passenger aircraft.
    • Industry-wide available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs) fell 21.4% year-on-year in 2020
    • This led to a capacity crunch, with the industry-wide cargo load factor up 7.0 percentage points to 53.8%. This is the highest value in the IATA series started in 1990.
    • At the end of the year, industry-wide cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs) had returned close to pre-crisis values. However, the yearly decline in cargo demand (CTKs) was still the largest since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009, at a sizeable 9.7% year-on-year in 2020.

Airline Alliances

  • Star Alliance maintained its position as the largest airline alliance in 2020 with 18.7% of total scheduled traffic (in RPKs), followed by SkyTeam (16.3%) and oneworld (12.7%)

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Conservation, Education and Climate Action, eXist

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Conservation, Education and Climate Action, eXist

Valetta, Malta, August 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Please find SUNx Malta’s latest monthly bulletin eXist, advancing our Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) system. The eXist project, a monthly bulletin to showcase the stories of SUNx Malta’s growing community battling against the climate crisis. In the second edition of eXist, editor Mark Bibby Jackson chats with Sibylle Riedmiller, Director at Chumbe Island in Tanzania.

If you share our view that we must Act Now to build Resilience to an eXistential threat that is intensifying, why not encourage a young graduate to join our CFT Summer School, for an intensive week of online learning in September. At the end they will become a “Strong Climate Champion” ready to help Tourism companies and communities to transform for a greener, cleaner future.

To read the latest monthly bulletin eXist, please click here

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Metropole Hanoi Introduces Special Mooncake Flavors for Mid-Autumn Festival

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Metropole Hanoi Introduces Special Mooncake Flavors Ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival - TRAVELINDEXHanoi, Vietnam, August 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / One-hundred-twenty years after the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi made its debut, the landmark hotel is introducing an exclusive collection of mooncake flavors and elegant decorative boxes designed to resemble a history book that pays tribute to the Grand Dame of Hanoi’s anniversary.

The hand-baked, preservative-free mooncakes are made from authentic and innovative recipes, and infused with the Metropole’s gourmet touch. The special boxes for this year’s festival, which falls on September 21, feature the hotel’s distinctive facade underneath a starry sky.

Crafted by Metropole Hanoi’s culinary team, the mooncakes come in six exquisite flavors in 2021: Traditional Mix; Black Sesame and Coconut; Caramel with Dried Fig and Candied Orange; Green Bean with Dried Apricot and Salted Egg; Lotus and Mixed Dried Fruits; and Pineapple with Matcha and Salted Egg.

Metropole Hanoi’s mooncakes are available in four elegant box options this year: a four-piece box (each piece is 250g) priced at VND 1,980,000; a six-piece box (each piece is 100g) priced at VND 1,980,000; a six-piece VIP box (each piece is 100g), along with one special 250g mooncake and one Metropole lotus tea priced at VND 4,660,000; and a six-piece VIP lacquer box (each piece is 100g) along with one special 250g mooncake and one Metropole lotus tea priced at VND 6,060,000. Prices are inclusive of 10% VAT.

The hotel is also offering special promotions for orders placed before August 22, 2021. Orders of 20 boxes or more receive 25% off (Accor Plus members receive an extra 5% off). Orders of 10 boxes or more receive 20% off (Accor Plus members receive an extra 5% off). For orders of fewer than 10 boxes, the hotel is offering one complimentary box for every four boxes purchased (the complimentary box must be the same kind as the item purchased). Accor Plus members may buy four boxes and receive one complimentary box or 10% off the public price.

Orders placed after August 22, 2021 are entitled to the following promotions. Orders of 20 boxes or more receive 15% off (Accor Plus members receive an extra 5% off). Orders of 10 boxes or more receive 10% off (Accor Plus members receive an extra 5% off). For orders of fewer than 10 boxes, the hotel is offering one complimentary box for every six boxes purchased (the complimentary box must be the same kind as the item purchased). Accor Plus members may buy six boxes and receive one complimentary box or 10% off the public price.

The mooncakes are available at L’Epicerie du Metropole from August 5 to September 21.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated annually on the 15th day of the 8th month in the East Asian lunar calendar, is a time for families to come together to enjoy delicious teas and mooncakes, while giving thanks and praying for good fortune in the year ahead. Known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, the festival traditionally signifies the end of the harvest season.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Cruise Industry Leaders to Put Focus on Sector’s Revival in Australasia

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Cruise Industry Leaders to Put Focus on Sector’s Revival in Australasia - TRAVELINDEXSydney, Australia, August 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Cruise industry leaders from across the globe will put a focus on the sector’s revival in Australasia and Asia this month as Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) hosts a Virtual Cruise Forum.

In lieu of the postponed Cruise360 Australasia Conference in Sydney, the August 27 forum will provide an essential update for the region’s cruise community, offering important insight as the industry navigates a path to recovery.

CLIA announced speakers for the online event, which will combine the global perspective of international leaders with the insight of key regional executives working on cruising’s resumption locally. Speakers will include:

– Kelly Craighead – CLIA Global President and CEO
– Gianni Onorato – CEO, MSC Cruises
– Ellen Bettridge – President & CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
– Jason Montague – President & CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
– Colleen McDaniel – Editor in Chief, Cruise Critic
– Annie Chang – Director, Cruise Development, Singapore Tourism Board
– Gavin Smith – CLIA Australasia Chair; VP & MD Australia & New Zealand, Royal Caribbean
– Sture Myrmell – CLIA Advocacy Committee Chair; President, Carnival Australia
– Sarina Bratton – Chairman Asia Pacific, Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions
– Michael Londregan – Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Virtuoso.

Other speakers will be announced soon.

CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the Virtual Cruise Forum was open to all CLIA Australasia and Asia members at no charge and would feature live panel discussions and interviews.

“At a critical time for our industry, this online forum will give travel agents valuable insight that will help ensure they benefit from cruising’s recovery,” Mr Katz said. “It has never been more important for our cruise community to unite around our common goals, and with the help of global industry leaders this forum will help define our path forward.”

Topics will include a State of the Industry update on cruising’s road to recovery; how the cruise sector is working to rebuild confidence; how travel agents can achieve new relevance as cruise specialists; and how close collaborations have resulted in the successful resumption of operations overseas.

The Virtual Cruise Forum will run from 10am to 4pm AEST (12pm to 6pm NZST) on Friday August 27, 2021. For further details and registration, CLIA Members can visit Virtual Cruise Forum.

CLIA invites you to join our Virtual Cruise Forum on Friday 27 August 2021, offering essential insight from regional and international speakers as our industry navigates a path to recovery.

To be held in lieu of the postponed Cruise360 Australasia Conference in Sydney, this forum will provide important updates and an opportunity for our cruise community to unite at this critical time.

CLIA’s Virtual Cruise Forum is open to all CLIA Members at no charge and will feature live panel discussions and interviews – each designed to keep you informed and ensure you benefit from cruising’s recovery.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Phuket Sandbox a Model for Asia-Pacific Reopening

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Phuket Sandbox a Model for Asia-Pacific Reopening - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, August 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism leaders at Phuket Sandbox Summit urge European governments to recognise Phuket’s status as a safe haven for international travellers. As Bangkok grapples with rising numbers of Covid infections, leading tourism voice KP Ho, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Group, has told European envoys, airlines, senior officials and business leaders, that for Phuket Sandbox to succeed it is imperative for Phuket to be given “green” destination status.

• Discover gastronomy destination Phuket and the Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Speaking at the Phuket Sandbox Summit held at Laguna Phuket, KP Ho called on policy-makers in Europe and around the world to support Phuket as a separate “green” zone.

Phuket has the potential to lead the global tourism recovery, as the historic Phuket Sandbox initiative sets the standard for other destinations to follow, he said. But, to succeed, governments need to recognise it as a safe, self-enclosed destination, rather than combining its travel status with the rest of Thailand.

KP Ho’s position was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at the Phuket Sandbox Summit. Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americans, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, said: “We are trying to propose Phuket to the UK government to be on the green list of destinations, even though Thailand is on the amber list. We are optimistic about Phuket Sandbox. Phuket is safe and we will never compromise anyone’s safety.”

He confirmed there were almost 300,000 rooms booked until the end of August in SHA Plus hotels, with nearly 13,000 arrivals and 124 flights after 28 days, with many more scheduled. Top markets are the US, UK, Israel, Germany, France, the UAE and Switzerland with an average length of stay 11 days.

As anxiety grows across Southeast Asia’s key travel destinations struggling with infection numbers, the Phuket Sandbox model is rapidly becoming the standard bearer of hope for the tourism industry.

Launched on 1st July 2021, the Sandbox enables fully-vaccinated international visitors to fly directly to the destination and stay on the island quarantine-free. Hotels need to ensure at least 70% of their staff have received vaccines – the same inoculation rate as Phuket’s population, creating herd immunity against Covid-19. While the high level of protection doesn’t prevent people from catching Covid-19, it does significantly reduce the likelihood of serious infection and hospitalization.

“Infections and re-infections are not what really count; it’s hospitalisation rates and ICU rates that count. The Thai government have to emphasise those new numbers and shift the narrative towards ‘how many people are really getting sick?’, not ‘are the numbers going up?’,” added Mr Ho.

By reporting this new data, he said, it should be possible for Phuket to be set apart from the rest of Thailand and placed on the ‘safe list’ of destinations to visit. This is not without precedent; the UK government for example, has put the island of Madeira on its green list, while the rest of Portugal remains on the amber list. The same rule applies to Denmark and the Faroe Islands.

“What’s really important is that EU countries – the national governments, spurred on by travel agents, the media and other people – recognise that it’s necessary to disengage the perception of Phuket from the rest of Thailand. It should be a situation where Thailand could be a red alert zone but Phuket could be a green zone,” said Mr Ho. It could be possible to create a series of Sandboxes in other destinations, such as Koh Samui (which recently launched Samui Plus), Bali and Phu Quoc. As long as that Sandbox is well-organised, as it is in Phuket, it should be separated from the rest of the country.”

Vice Governor of Phuket, Mr Piyapong Choowong, added: “I would like to confirm we support Phuket Sandbox. We are making sure people on the island and all visitors are safe so we can run the Sandbox smoothly and continue to welcome more tourists to Phuket.”

• Discover gastronomy destination Phuket and the Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Presenting the most up-to-date data, C9 Hotelworks Managing Director, Bill Barnett, added: “There is a lot at stake but what is clear is that Phuket Sandbox is alive and well, and it’s working.”

The Phuket Sandbox Summit was held at Laguna Phuket, attended by:

– Phuket Vice Governor, Piyapong Choowong
– Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor, Siripakorn Chaewsamoot
– Banyan Tree Group Executive Chairman, KP Ho
– Laguna Phuket Managing Director, Ravi Chandran
– Phuket City Development CEO, Nipon Aekwanich
– British Honorary Consul, Martin Carpenter
– Honorary Consul of Germany, Anette Jiminez Höchstetter
– Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Seven Smulders
– S Hotels and Resorts Senior Vice President Operations, Stefano Alberto Ruzza
– Dusit Hotels and Resorts Vice President Sales, Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk
– Singapore Airlines Station Manager Phuket, Louis Tan
– Emirates Airlines Airport Services Manager, Thanakorn Srihamart
– Qatar Airways Airport Services Manager, Warunee Saiboonjun

About Laguna Phuket
Laguna Phuket resort is home to 7 deluxe hotels; Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Cassia Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort and SAii Laguna Phuket – all sharing 1,000 acres of tropical parkland along a 3-kilometre stretch of the pristine Bangtao Beach. Facilities and services include 18-hole award winning golf course, world-renowned spas, shopping village, tour operators and MICE-certified event and facilitator teams. With inter-resort transportation allowing guests to travel anywhere within minutes via shuttle bus or ferry.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CARNIVAL MAKES WAVES WITH MARDI GRAS LAUNCH

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Carnival Cruise Line’s celebrated a return to cruising from Florida after a 16-month pandemic pause with the launch of the maiden voyage of its new flagship ship, Mardi Gras, on Saturday from its home base in Port Canaveral. Cruise line president Christine Duffy and ship captain Giuseppe Giusa led a “Back to Fun” ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcoming guests on board.

“Mardi Gras has been five years in the making so to finally welcome guests on board to experience this one-of-a-kind ship is something that we’ve been looking forward to for a very long time,” Duffy said.

As the line’s newest flagship, the 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first to feature a roller coaster. The 180,000-ton ship boasts six distinct themed zones with a variety of food, beverage, and entertainment options, including dining venues from Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, Rudi Sodamin, and its “Chief Fun Officer” (and former basketball great) Shaquille O’Neal.

Foremost among the zones is the “Ultimate Playground,” encompassing the ship’s top three decks and featuring the largest water park in the fleet, along with three slides, a suspended ropes course, and mini-golf course.

It is the setting for the first-ever roller coaster at sea: BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, an all-electric coaster an all-electric roller coaster encompassing an elevated track across Mardi Gras upper decks with 245 m. of twists, drops and turns, including a hairpin turn around the ship’s funnel. Riders can achieve speeds of up to 65 kph as they enjoy views to the sea 57 m. below.

On Saturday (July 31), Mardi Gras set sail from Port Canaveral for a week-long cruise with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Nassau. It is the fifth Carnival Cruise Line ship to resume service with additional vessels set to restart operations soon. By Oct., 15 Carnival anticipates that it will be sailing more than half its fleet.

Carnival Mardi Gras

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:July 26-30, 2021

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Canadian airlines and cruise lines are soaring and sailing again; three’s the charm for travellers in Quebec; WestJet and KLM make news; and a flip-flop at Pearson…

NEWS

The Quebec government says fully vaccinated residents who have received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can receive a third dose of an mRNA vaccine before travelling, but recipients are on their own for weighing the risks of doing so. The extra shots are being offered because some countries don’t recognize the version of the vaccine made at the Serum Institute of India, and Canadians who have received it could find themselves barred from entry.

Both Transat and Sunwing launched their first flights Friday after a six-month pandemic pause.

ENTRY UPDATES

From Aug. 1, tourists who have received their two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be required to show proof of their travel medical insurance policy to enter Costa Rica. People under the age of 18, as well as those who are fully vaccinated can enter Costa Rica as tourists, providing they have received their second dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival in the country. Approved vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson and travellers will need to show proof of vaccine that includes the full name of the person, the date of each dose, the formula, and the lot number.

To the benefit of Canadians, the government of Antigua & Barbuda’s has approved the mixing of the AstraZeneca vaccine with either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or the mixing of a Moderna and a Pfizer vaccine. As such, visitors who have had mixed doses of vaccines as noted above will be able to enter the country. Antigua & Barbuda had already been welcoming fully vaccinated travellers who have received both doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved two-dose Covid 19 vaccine.

AIR

WestJet is strengthening its codeshare relationship with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines through the placement of its “WS” codeshare on KLM-operated flights. Clients will now have access via Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) to 18 cities across Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK. The enhanced partnership builds on the airline’s new non-stop 787 Dreamliner service between Amsterdam and Calgary.

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport says it will longer be splitting passengers coming from the US or other international destinations into vaccinated and partially or non-vaccinated queues to help streamline the border clearance process. The process proved to show little benefit, said the airport.

DEALS

Sun-seekers booking with Sunwing by Aug. 9 can take advantage of last-minute deals, including complimentary Price Drop Cash Back of up to $800 per couple, reduced deposits of just $100 p.p. and the flexibility to change or cancel their plans with ease.

Through Aug. 4, Contiki clients can save up to 25% off worldwide trips with the brand’s “Bucket List Sale.” A deposit of $99 is required.

CRUISE

Arnold Donald, President & CEO Carnival Corp., Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, and Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line, in front of Majestic Princess in the Port of Seattle.

The 2021 Alaska season kicked off for Holland America with Nieuw Amsterdam setting sail July 24, while for Princess Cruises, Majestic Princess sailed on July 25. Each line will operate 10 cruises sailing out of Seattle through September. The departures marked the return to cruising and Alaska for both lines, which combined have more than 125 years of experience sailing to the state. Historically, one in two guests who cruise to Alaska sail on Princess or Holland America.

Carnival, which also began its Alaska season out of Seattle last week, launched both its newest ship, the Mardi Gras, and cruises out of Florida again on Saturday.

Norwegian Cruise Line commemorated its cruise comeback with a double debut: Norwegian Jade was not only the first of its 17-ship fleet to welcome guests after 500 days in July 25, it also made NCL history as the first vessel to homeport in Athens (Piraeus).

The official restart of river itineraries in France by Viking, marking the latest milestone as the company resumes operations in Europe. Guests are now embarking on journeys on the Seine and Rhône rivers for the “Paris & the Heart of Normandy,” “Lyon & Provence,” and “France’s Finest” itineraries. Viking’s voyage in Bordeaux, “Chateaux, Rivers and Wine,” will resume in August.

HOTELS

Chicago’s newest Vista Tower skyscraper, the third-tallest building in Chicago, is being rebranded as The St. Regis Chicago, including a luxury hotel that will open later this year. Amenities will include a fine dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace, an all-day restaurant and lounge overlooking the Chicago River, and a bar with an outdoor terrace as part of the luxury hotel.

AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea is the first AC branded property in Hawaii and one of the state’s newest hotels. The property features 110 guestrooms, an infinity-edge pool, ocean-view bar and restaurant offering guests international- and Hawaiian-inspired cuisine. The hotel also includes a library and 24-hour fitness centre. Guestrooms feature hardwood floors and a private lanai.

RESORTS

A multi-million-dollar complete renovation of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, phased over the past three years and marking the most significant investment the resort has undergone since its inception in 2010, will be completed this summer. Enhancements includes a “mountain chic” refresh and remodel of all hotel guest rooms, plus redesigned lobby and all public spaces. Located in Vail village at the base of Vail Mountain in the Colorado Rockies, the resort is a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport.

BY THE NUMBERS

New research from Expedia Group suggests the influence of inclusion and diversity on post-pandemic booking decisions. The global survey, which included Canadians, said nearly two-thirds of travellers (65%) say they are more willing to book accommodations that have policies focused on diversity and inclusion. However, there is a significant generational gap when it comes to how much booking choices are influenced by whether or not accommodations have inclusive policies: 57% of respondents over the age of 40 say they are likely to book inclusive accommodations, while 77% of those under the age of 40 say that they are likely to do the same.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The Dollywood Company is embarking on an ambitious investment strategy that will see the Smoky Mountain vacation destination invest more than half a billion dollars over the next 10 years across its properties. One of the first projects is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, a 302-room property currently under construction and due to open in 2023. Adjacent to Dollywood near Knoxville, Tenn., it will serve the three million annual visitors to the Dolly Parton theme park and Splash Country water park.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Discover the World Canada is now representing Cobblestone Freeway Tours, a small group tour operator specializing in culturally rich tours to Central and Eastern Europe, and agents are invited to take part in a nine-day fam to the Ukraine departing Oct. 9 designed to introduce the company and the country. Details at discovertheworld.com or by calling 1-800-684-7014.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Former Toronto Tourism president and CEO David Whittaker, who served in the city for eight years from 2007 before taking a similar role at Choose Chicago is now heading home to Miami, where he spent 17 years (1990-2007) at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). He returns as president and CEO starting in August.

DESTINATIONS

Tourists are once again able to hike Peru’s Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu. After more than a year closed, the reopening of the hiking route is part of a new stage in the tourist reactivation of Cusco and Peru. The Inca Trail joins other hiking trails in the region, most of which reopened in July 2020, that are part of the Qhapaq Nan – a network of roads that once united the far reaches of the Inca empire.

NYC Restaurant Week has returned to in-person dining after 18 months. Continuing through Aug. 22, the program includes nearly 530 participating restaurants offering more than 50 distinct cuisines in 75 neighborhoods across all five New York boroughs, as well as updated, inclusive pricing with lunches priced at either US$21 or $39 and dinners priced at either $21 or $39 (both inclusive of one entrée and at least one side and aligned to the individual restaurant price points). Check out the website HERE.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News