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HEADING EAST THROUGH ONTARIO

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As inhabitants of Canada’s largest city contemplate some travels after various lockdowns, I begin to wonder if they know of the many delights awaiting them almost on their own doorstep.

It’s the region known as South Eastern Ontario; nine counties stretching from the Bay of Quinte on the western edge to the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry along the Quebec border, encompassing the regions along both sides of Highway 401.

If that description sounds rather ‘dry’, let me elaborate. Here are lakes, rivers and islands in the south, rolling hills and open farmlands to the north. There are lively and historic towns and even a city – Kingston – which played an important part in our history. And the scenery, especially in the region where the St. Lawrence River includes the 1000 Islands, is breathtaking.

Spending time on or in the water provides some great adventures. There are 1000 Islands cruises from the delightful town of Gananoque, houseboat rentals, world-class fishing, canoeing and kayaking, even scuba diving with shipwrecks to explore. And there are parks and beaches for families and those merely wishing to relax.

Hotels, inns and B&Bs abound and there are excellent restaurants throughout the region, which is renowned for its ‘farm-to-table’ scene. The local food movement is active, offering fresh produce, maple syrup and honey, lavender products, artisanal cheeses, and cider, along with microbreweries and wineries galore.

Kingston – the limestone city – is the jewel of the urban locations in the region, with its history as Canada’s first capital, its role in the War of 1812, spectacular Fort Henry and its renowned haunted walks. From it strategic location atop a hill, Fort Henry not only offers a glimpse of our history, but also lovely views over Lake Ontario entering the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands. There are art galleries, concert venues, pleasant parks and, in downtown Kingston, a truly international restaurant scene as well as great shopping.

It’s a beautiful drive eastwards on Hwy. 2 out of Kingston, mostly along the river. Gananoque is home to the 1000 Islands Playhouse … two theatre stages in an old rowing club in what must be one of the most beautifully-located small theatres in the world, and there’s fine dining in this town too. The Aquatarium is an interactive science museum in Brockville, while Prehistoric World in Morrisburg invites children to play amidst life-sized dinosaur models. The Doran Bay Model Ship Museum, between Brockville and Cornwall, offers one of the world’s finest private model ship collections along with fascinating military figurines, all set in a restored 1880s mansion overlooking the river.

This is a great area for cycling. Rolling countryside offers trails and thousands of miles of country roads and dedicated bike paths for every level of rider. The Cataraqui Trail threads quietly though the countryside, while the Waterfront Trail offers 90 km of uninterrupted cycling along a scenic route on the shore of the St. Lawrence.

For golfers there are over a dozen spectacular courses, among them the Black Bear Ridge in Belleville and Smuggler’s Glen at Glen House Resort in Lansdowne.

Almost every activity offers the opportunity for wildlife and bird watching, especially in spring and fall as the area lies on a major migratory route. My garden is often visited by foxes and rabbits and we’ve seen a coyote on Highway 2. We know many of the region’s osprey platforms, all of which are occupied this year, while a barred owl in the Cataraqui Conservation area has provided us with our favourite photo of the year so far.

After all those activities perhaps a little retail therapy is on the cards. The offerings of Kingston have already been mentioned, but local craftspeople and retailers offer a wide variety of items in specialty boutiques throughout the region.… unique items to give as gifts or keep as souvenirs. There are antiques galore and tempting clothing stores. The shops offer a pleasant shopping experience away from the hurly-burly of the big cities.

The region is an easy drive from Toronto (and from Montreal, of course … lots of Quebeckers come to enjoy this region too). It offers a complete vacation or a stop-over between the two cities. But it’s also worth a visit from other parts of Canada … there’s so much to do, the scenery is spectacular and a warm welcome awaits all visitors.

Even closer to Toronto is another summer playground for vacationers. It’s Prince Edward County, or merely ‘The County’ to those who know it. The creation of the Murray Canal to provide safe passage into the Bay of Quinte meant The County became, technically, an island, although roads cross the canal providing an easy driving getaway. There’s also a car ferry (free) from the mainland to a hamlet called Glenora, which puts drivers close to the County’s major town – attractive Picton.

The County is home to farmers, wine makers, artists and craftspeople, and some renowned chefs who have left Toronto for a rural lifestyle. The region’s roots lie in farming and the ‘food scene’ is vibrant and innovative. A gem among many is the Lake on the Mountain Resort with its inn and adjacent Miller house restaurant. The patio of the latter offers one of the finest views in Ontario. Add to all this the fact that the County offers 800 km of shoreline – much of it spectacular beach – and you have a true summer playground.

In fact the glorious beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park are so popular that reservations on summer week-ends are recommended. As with the region to the east, the County offers superb cycling, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Here, as on the mainland, villages and hamlets offer many boutiques and craft stores, along with restaurants and those ubiquitous ice-cream parlours! If you’re setting out to explore South Eastern Ontario, the County is well worth a visit. It is much loved by many.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IATA: Tax is Not the Answer to Aviation Sustainability

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IATA: Tax is Not the Answer to Aviation Sustainability

Geneva, Switzerland, July 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the reliance on taxation as the solution for cutting aviation emissions in the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ proposal is counter-productive to the goal of sustainable aviation. EU policy needs to support practical emission reduction measures such as incentives for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and modernization of air traffic management.

“Aviation is committed to decarbonization as a global industry. We don’t need persuading, or punitive measures like taxes to motivate change. In fact, taxes siphon money from the industry that could support emissions’ reducing investments in fleet renewal and clean technologies. To reduce emissions, we need governments to implement a constructive policy framework that, most immediately, focuses on production incentives for SAF and delivering the Single European Sky,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Comprehensive Approach

Achieving aviation decarbonization requires a combination of measures. These include:

  • Sustainable Aviation Fuels which reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. Insufficient supply and high prices have limited airline uptake to 120 million litres in 2021 — a small fraction of the 350 billion litres that airlines would consume in a ‘normal’ year.
  • Market-based measures to manage emissions until technology solutions are fully developed. The industry supports the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) as a global measure for all international aviation. It avoids creating a patchwork of uncoordinated national or regional measures such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, that can undermine international cooperation. Overlapping schemes can lead to the same emissions being paid for more than once. IATA is extremely concerned by the Commission’s proposal that European States would no longer implement CORSIA on all international flights.
  • Single European Sky (SES) to reduce unnecessary emissions from fragmented air traffic management (ATM) and resulting inefficiencies. Modernizing European ATM through the SES initiative would cut  Europe’s aviation emissions between 6-10%, but national governments continue to delay implementation.
  • Radical new clean technologies. While it is unlikely that electric or hydrogen propulsion could have a significant impact on aviation emissions within the EU ‘Fit for 55’ timeframe of 2030, the development of these technologies is ongoing and needs to be supported.

“Aviation’s near-term vision is to provide sustainable, affordable air transport for all European citizens with SAF-powered fleets, operating with efficient air traffic management. We should all be worried that the EU’s big idea to decarbonize aviation is making jet fuel more expensive through tax. That will not get us to where we need to be. Taxation will destroy jobs. Incentivizing SAF will improve energy independence and create sustainable jobs. The focus must be on encouraging the production of SAF, and delivering the Single European Sky,” said Walsh.

Promoting SAF

The most practical near-term solution to reducing emissions is SAF. Energy transitions are successful when production incentives drive down the price of alternative fuels while driving supplies up. The EU ‘Fit for 55’ proposal does not include direct measures that will achieve this. Without specific measures to reduce SAF costs, it does, however, propose a mandate to increase SAF utilization to 2% of jet fuel use by 2025 and at least 5% by 2030.

“Making SAF cheaper will accelerate aviation’s energy transition and improve Europe’s competitiveness as a green economy. But making jet fuel more expensive through taxation scores an ‘own goal’ on competitiveness that does little to accelerate the commercialization of SAF,” said Walsh.

Mandating a gradual transition to SAF is a less efficient policy compared to comprehensive production incentives, but it may contribute to making SAF more affordable and widely available in Europe, but only under the following key conditions:

  • It is limited to EU-only flights. This will limit the negative impacts on the competitiveness of European air transport and potential political challenges from other countries
  • It is accompanied by policy measures to ensure a competitive market and appropriate production incentives. The mandated use of SAF must not allow energy companies to engage in uncompetitive practices with the resulting high costs being borne by airlines and passengers.
  • It is targeted at locations which have substantial airline operations and close proximity to SAF refineries.

Concrete actions on Single European Sky are urgently needed

The SES has been on the drawing board for 20 years but has made little progress despite the promise of a 6-10% improvement in environmental performance, safer operations and reduced delays.

“Europe’s national politicians are quick to lecture airlines on the efforts industry should be making on the environment. But they are silent when it comes to areas of their own responsibility. Just recently the European Council failed to show any leadership to cut emissions by harmonizing European air traffic management. Moreover, the constant absence of political support from states on the SES proposals undermines the credibility of the ‘Fit for 55’ proposal and the credibility of Europe’s determination to drive real solutions for sustainability,” said Walsh.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Centara Confirms Management Agreement for Al Hail Waves Hotel Oman

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Centara Confirms Management Agreement for Al Hail Waves Hotel Oman

Muscat, Oman, July 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand’s leading hotel operator pushes forward with international expansion plans to become a top 100 global hotel operator within five years. Thailand’s leading hotel operator Centara Hotels & Resorts and Ibn Saleh Al Hashmi Construction (ISAHC) announced the signing of a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) for Al Hail Waves managed by Centara.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Global Hotel Operators only at Top25 Hotels

The management of the 64-key existing property will come into effect on 1st January 2022, after which Centara will start to refurbish the property to align with Centara’s brand and operational standards while it remains in operation.

“We are proud and excited to launch our third hotel in Oman, a country blessed with stunning nature, fascinating historical sites, and rich cultural heritage. The Omani government has laid out an ambitious roadmap to achieve long term goals set forth in the Omani Tourism Strategy, and with Ibn Saleh Al Hashmi Construction as our partner, we are confident that we will attract discerning travellers with our sharing, caring family values,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Founded in 1994, Ibn Saleh Al Hashmi Construction (ISAHC) is one of the fastest growing construction companies in Oman with a proven track record for an impressive portfolio including hotels, private villas, and residential buildings. Al Hail Waves managed by Centara will be ISAHC’s third project awarded to Centara after Muscat Dunes Hotel and Centara Muscat Hotel Oman.

“For our latest hospitality project in Oman, we are delighted to work once again with Centara Hotels & Resorts. We share the same position of leadership in everything we do, supported by a common vision of sustainable growth. We have confidence in the group’s international sales and marketing expertise and look forward to a continued journey of success as we offer visitors an appealing choice of top-class hotels in Oman,” said Abdullah Saleh Saif Al Hashmi, Chairman of Ibn Saleh Al Hashmi Construction.

The hotel’s 64 holiday residences include Standard Rooms (20 – 26 sqm) designed for modern living and Studios (35 – 40 sqm) which come fully furnished with facilities including a kitchenette. The largest Two-Bedroom Apartments measure 84 sqm and feature separate lounge and dining areas, as well as amenities and modern comforts for long stays and travelling families.

Other facilities at Al Hail Waves managed by Centara include an all-day dining restaurant, a swimming pool overlooking the Arabian Sea, fully equipped gym, as well as two meeting rooms to accommodate events of up to 150 guests.

Situated in the northwest of Muscat on the road connecting Al-Seeb and Al Athaiba, Al Hail Waves managed by Centara is centrally located with both The Seeb corniche and the beach within walking distance from the hotel. The premier leisure destination of Al Mouj is a short drive from the hotel, and the new Muscat International Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Global Hotel Operators only at Top25 Hotels

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 84 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2020 as an experiential luxury collection, inviting guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality starting with Centara Reserve Samui.

Centara also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BASTILLE DAY AMIDST THE STORM

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As a host of Canadian sites from Niagara Falls to Montreal’s Ferris Wheel came alight in the bleu, blanc et rouge of France yesterday (July 14), the European nation celebrated Bastille Day in modest fashion, though still better than last year when national holiday events were curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, thousands of troops marched in a Paris parade, warplanes roared overhead, and traditional parties took place around the country, though some towns scaled down fireworks gatherings, and the number of onlookers at the parade in the capital was limited. Each person attending had to show a special pass proving they had been fully vaccinated, had recently recovered from the virus, or had had a negative virus test. Similar restrictions were in place for those watching an elaborate firework show at the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday evening.

Nevertheless, spectators converged on Paris from around France, glad to be able to see the parade in person even if frustrated with the restrictions and long lines for virus security checks.

“It’s nice to be able to get out a little bit and finally get some fresh air and think that all the people are here, and that we are getting back to normal a little bit,” said Gaelle Henry from Normandy.

Masks were ubiquitous among spectators, and de rigueur for the dignitaries watching the parade under a red-white-and-blue awning emulating the French flag.

The clatter of hundreds of horseshoes accompanied military music as uniformed guards on horseback escorted President Emmanuel Macron. Some cheers rose up from civilian onlookers as Macron rode past restaurants, luxury boutiques, and movie theatres that had been shuttered for much of the past year and a half.

Organizers of this year’s parade dubbed it an “optimistic Bastille Day” aimed at “winning the future” and “celebrating a France standing together behind the tricolour (French flag) to emerge from the pandemic.”

Leading the parade were members of a European force fighting extremists in Mali, while among others honoured at the parade were military medics who have shuttled vaccines to France’s overseas territories, treated virus patients, or otherwise helped fight the pandemic.

Mirage and Rafale fighter jets thundered past in formation and, just before the ceremony, a soldier proposed to his girlfriend in a picturesque moment on the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, earning a round of hearty applause.

Soldier proposes to his girlfriend

Canada

Meanwhile, in Canada, half a dozen national sites honoured France’s national day, which marks the storming of the Bastille prison in eastern Paris on July 14, 1789 – commemorated as the birth of the French Revolution.

They included Niagara Falls, Toronto’s CN Tower, Montreal’s Ferris Wheel, legislatures in Halifax and Fredericton, and the French Embassy in Ottawa.

“The illumination of these monuments, and particularly Niagara Falls, illustrates the place of France in Canada,” said French ambassador to Canada, Kareen Rispal. “Even though many French and Canadians have been deprived of it in recent months due to travel restrictions, we are happy to welcome them back to France in the last few weeks”

Sophie Lagoutte, Consul General of France, added, “The illumination of the Montreal Ferris Wheel, where so many French people reside, is particularly significant for us. It is a luminous symbol of the strong and ever-renewed friendship that exists between Quebec and France.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CITY OF CULTURE: Coventry takes the spotlight

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As pandemic restrictions ease in Britain, the historic but rather under-the-radar city of Coventry is ready for its moment in the spotlight having been designated a City of Culture for 2021, extending into 2022. The full-year event promises a lively program of art festivals; music, dance, and theatre performances; large-scale spectacles; and days of activism – all designed to showcase Coventry as a creative, diverse, and dynamic hub in central England.

And it’s not just Coventry, say organizers, with the entire region getting involved the “epic celebration.”

Taking place every four years, the UK’s City of Culture initiative illuminates the culture, people, and stories of a UK city and is a major driver of tourism, domestically and internationally, providing a unique and memorable reason to visit.

This year’s program – which kicked off May 15 due to pandemic delays in Coventry – includes the Turner Prize for visual artists, which will be held in the Midlands for the first time in its history; The Walk, revealing the crisis facing refugees across Europe; and musical highlights including CVX Festival and Terry Hall (lead singer of The Specials) Presents Home Sessions.

Accompanying the initiative will be investment of over £44 million ($76.3 million) into infrastructure with newly designed city centres and railway systems, public artworks, a new boutique hotel (The Coventry Telegraph Hotel, converted from the city’s iconic Telegraph newspaper building), and huge investment in cultural institutions and public realm.

Among the current highlights (events will continue to be added) are:

• Turner Prize 2021 (Sept. 29-Jan. 12): Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery and Museum will host the exhibition of the Turner Prize’s shortlisted artists during this time, with the announcement of the winner on Dec. 1.

• CVX Festival (Aug. 12-15): A pioneering three-day arts activism event curated by young people in the city around the themes of community, unity, and social change. CVX will bring together local, regional, and national artists using their platform as role models to stand up for young people and take a stand against violence – including rapper Jay1, a lead ambassador for City of Culture.

• BBC Contains Strong Language (Sept. 23-26): The biggest poetry and performance festival ever seen in the region aims to discover the best new spoken word talent in the UK. Taking place across broadcast, digital streaming and live performance, the festival will allow audiences to listen, see and enjoy with best talent from Coventry and around the UK.

• Coventry Biennial (October – January 2022): Its third edition will take place across Coventry and Warwickshire with a four-month program dedicated to visual art and culture. Taking the title HYPER-POSSIBLE, the biennial will explore the legacies of artist-led networks, activism and ways of teaching that have emerged from and through the local area since the 1960s.

• The Walk (Oct. 27): This event will see a 3.5-m.-tall puppet of a young refugee called Little Amal voyage 8,000 km from the Syria/Turkey border, across Europe and into the UK. Arriving in October, it is a poignant and symbolic moment in The Walk, as Little Amal is welcomed into Coventry – a city of sanctuary and a city of welcome – by a participatory event designed with and for the local community.

Coventry Cathedral

Of course, there’s more to Coventry than its current festival. The one-time capital of England famous for the three spires of its skyline – Holy Trinity Church, Christ Church and St. Michaels – better known as Coventry Cathedral with its amazing tapestry by Graham Sutherland, has a rich, medieval heritage, vibrant shopping and food and drink scene, Transport Museum (the city is the former home of the British auto industry), and also sits in the middle of “leafy, green Warwickshire” (Shakespeare country).

“Coventry is a really special, unique city,” says Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry City of Culture, who notes the city’s role in the international peace movement and as a “city of sanctuary and reconciliation”; as a forerunner in the environmental movement; home of novelist George Elliot, who championed women’s rights; and birthplace of “two-tone” music (and bands like The Specials and Madness) during a time of racial reckoning in the 1970s and ‘80s, among other attributes.

She adds that the city is “fantastically diverse” and a “city of many cultures (where) we like to celebrate the way everybody has helped make the city what it is.

“And the City of Culture,” she adds, “is about bringing all of this together. We don’t want to turn away from the difficult stories, but we went to show that we’re a city on the move and always moving forward.”

Situated in the heart of the country, Coventry is also an ideal gateway, or base, for discovering neighbouring Birmingham (which will host the Commonwealth Games in 2022); Stratford-Upon-Avon; Royal Leamington Spa; the market towns of Warwickshire, including Rugby, and Kenilworth; and Warwick Castle. It is also an hour by train from London, making for an easy daytrip.

https://www.coventry2021.co.uk

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

City Leaders from Around the World Meet to Re-Imagine Urban Tourism

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City Leaders from Around the World Meet to Re-Imagine Urban Tourism

Porto, Portugal, July 14, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The mayors of some of the world’s leading destinations have met in Porto to rethink urban tourism in the post-pandemic age. Organized by UNWTO, the Government of Portugal, Turismo de Portugal and the City of Porto, the Mayors Forum on Tourism and the Future of Cities highlighted the opportunity to restart urban tourism with a focus on sustainability, innovation and inclusion.

Formed in April 2019, the Mayors Forum provides a unique platform for cities and other key players to share tourism policies and best practices. The international forum works to advance tourism’s role in the urban agenda and harness the potential of the sector to provide economic opportunity and promote cultural links. The Porto meeting was embraced as a chance to rethink urban tourism and keep delivering on its proven potential to benefit both residents and tourists.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Return of tourists ‘brings hope for cities’

The return of tourists to cities around the world will bring more than just jobs and economic recovery

Urban tourism has been among the hardest hit parts of the sector and may be the last to recover. For this reason, “the return of tourists to cities around the world will bring more than just jobs and economic recovery”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “It will bring hope, confidence and help revive what makes urban life so exciting, from culture to gastronomy to entrepreneurship and new ideas.” In this context, the Secretary-General also commended Portugal’s National Support Plan for Tourism recovery as well as its recently launched Sustainability + Strategy.

Pedro Siza Vieira, Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition of Portugal said: “Now is the time to reflect on how important management of flows of tourists is in our cities. Digital technologies and continued investments in new attractions will allow us to provide a better experience for the millions of people who are eager to resume travel and who will come to visit our cities in the future.”

As host of the Forum, the Mayor of Porto Rui Moreira said: “Cities must know how to transform themselves, turning the old into new, rehabilitating and promoting their heritage, material and immaterial, and simultaneously creating new poles of interest to serve and welcome residents and visitors.”

Organized by UNWTO, the Government of Portugal, Turismo de Portugal and the City of Porto the Forum welcomed mayors and vice-mayors from Athens, Belgrade, Braga, Bruges, Brussels, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Florence, Madrid, Moscow, Podgorica, Prague, Samarkand, Sao Vicente, Skiathos, Tirana and Venice. Joining them were leaders from UN Habitat, the European Committee of the Regions and the Unión Ciudades Capitales Iberoamericanas (UCCI), as well as representatives from key private sector stakeholders, including Expedia Group, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Airbnb.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Porto Declaration on Future of Cities

Participants adopted the Porto Declaration on Tourism and the Future of Cities, which reaffirms cities’ commitment to growing tourism sustainably and responsibly. This includes placing tourism on the urban recovery agenda, with policies aligned with the United Nations New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Declaration also states that signatory cities will promote multi-stakeholder cooperation for fostering innovation and using digitalization and big data to enhance both the tourist experience and the sector’s positive impact on residents. Furthermore, the Declaration recognizes the importance of cities building bridges with rural areas so that the benefits of tourism are employed more widely.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Qatar Airways Joins IATA Turbulence Aware Platform

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Qatar Airways Joins IATA Turbulence Aware Platform

Doha, Qatar, July 14, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Qatar Airways and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Qatar Airways will become the first airline in the Middle East to join the IATA Turbulence Aware platform.

IATA’s Turbulence Aware helps airlines mitigate the impact of turbulence, a leading cause of passenger and crew injuries and higher fuel costs each year, by pooling and sharing anonymized turbulence data from multiple participating airlines and thousands of daily flights. The real-time, accurate information enables pilots and dispatchers to choose optimal flight paths, avoiding turbulence and flying at optimum levels to maximize fuel efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 emissions.

Qatar Airways was the first Middle Eastern airline to participate in the Turbulence Aware initiative when it was launched as a pilot project in December 2018. Turbulence Aware has since expanded into a fully operational platform with over 1,500 reporting aircraft sharing real-time turbulence data. With today’s announcement Qatar Airways has equipped 120 aircraft with the Turbulence Aware platform, with plans to expand to the rest of its fleet.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With safety and environmental sustainability as our top priority, we show our commitment towards responsible flying. We continue to innovate as one of the world’s leading airlines by adopting this new solution that combines technology and big data for more efficient flight planning not only to ensure a smooth journey, but also to reduce fuel burn, in turn lowering our carbon emissions. To make flying safer and more sustainable, the airline industry must leverage such digital innovations, and work together to share turbulence data for more precise forecasting.”

IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, said, “We welcome this major commitment from Qatar Airways in becoming the first Middle East airline to join the Turbulence Aware program. This will significantly increase the coverage area for this important safety and operational initiative, providing real-time turbulence information not only to Qatar Airways aircrew, but to all the other participating airlines. Qatar Airways has a long history of working with IATA and supporting us on multiple industry initiatives.”

The challenge of managing turbulence is expected to grow as climate change continues to impact weather patterns. This has implications for both safety and efficiency of flight. Turbulence Aware is a significant improvement in turbulence reporting and avoiding excess fuel consumption.

Qatar Airways also see this as a contributor to helping the aviation industry tackle its carbon targets, alongside other initiatives like carbon offsetting, sustainable aviation fuels, electric aircraft, and general awareness about the impact of flying.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

MOVING RIGHT ALONG: Porter expansion could significantly shake up Canada’s airline industry

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When Porter Airlines resumes operations on Sept. 8 after an 18-month pandemic pause, it plans to do so with a bang, not a whimper. The Toronto-based airline says it will spend billions to introduce up to 80 state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 aircraft into its fleet starting in the second half of 2022. Significantly, the planes have transcontinental range, which will enable Porter to reach potential markets coast to coast in Canada, along with destinations in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Porter is Embraer’s North American launch customer for the E2 with the total aircraft order valued at up to US$5.82 billion for 30 firm commitments and 50 purchase right options.

The agreement also includes the ability to convert purchase rights to smaller E190-E2, which would provide opportunities to introduce non-stop service in markets where connecting flights are often the only option today, as well as enabling higher-frequency service for routes with greater demand.

Porter intends to operate the E2s to popular destinations from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and Toronto Pearson International Airport, with specific routes to be determined in advance of aircraft deliveries.

“We believe that now is the right time to make this investment as the pandemic resets the aviation landscape,” says Porter president and CEO Michael Deluce. “Adding a diverse selection of popular business and leisure destinations to our network means that we are better positioned to serve the needs of many more passengers.”

Despite establishing service from Pearson Airport for the first time, flights from Porter’s existing hub at downtown Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport will remain core to its business and will continue with high-frequency regional service on turboprop aircraft. Service is confirmed to restart at Billy Bishop on Sept. 8, following a temporary shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions.

Porter maintains that the Toronto island airport is essential to its immediate plans for re-establishing flights and developing future routes and that it will not operate E2s from there.

“Our commitment to Billy Bishop Airport is not changing,” says Robert Deluce, Porter’s founder and executive chairman. “Our corporate headquarters at Billy Bishop is being maintained and we will continue serving the same network of regional markets from downtown Toronto.”

He adds, “We are moving beyond this existing footprint to welcome more travellers across North America.”

Belonging to the most environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft family, measured by sound and CO2 emissions, the E195-E2 is 65% quieter than previous generation types.

The aircraft accommodates between 120 and 146 passengers and fits Porter’s traditional service offering, with a passenger-focused design with an aisle or window seating for every passenger, large windows and overhead bins, and cabin mood lighting.

The airline is currently finalizing its preferred configuration and additional passenger experience details, such as in-flight entertainment and onboard service.

Combined with Porter’s existing De Havilland Dash 8-400s, Porter says it will have one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable commercial aircraft fleets. Funds for the purchase are being raised privately from shareholders, as well as through aircraft sale-leaseback agreements.

Airline analyst Robert Kokonis, president of airline consulting firm AirTrav Inc., says Porter’s expansion is a “bold move” that will surely illicit a strong response from Canada’s two largest airlines, especially as it prepares to land “in the jaws of the dragon at Pearson, which is Air Canada’s main base of operations and the second-largest base for WestJet Airlines.

“WestJet and Air Canada are not going to take this sitting down,” he says, adding, “They’re going to put a very robust response on the marketplace because everybody’s suffered through the pandemic.”

But Kokonis doesn’t believe Porter will try to become Sunwing, Transat, or Air Canada Rouge by appealing mainly to the leisure crowd. Instead, he expects it will continue to cater to business travellers who have taken advantage of the Toronto island airport’s quick access to the country’s largest city, in addition to leisure travellers.

Porter’s growth has always been limited by available slots at the island airport. Its effort to add jet service was quashed in 2015 when jets were barred.

The airline placed a conditional order in 2013 for Bombardier CSeries planes, now known as Airbus A220, but let that order lapse within the past year and switched to Embraer’s latest product after reviewing its expansion plans.

Kokonis says the Embraer plane is a great option for Porter, which has an extremely strong brand presence and customer base in Eastern Canada.

He adds: “It’s a very, very bold and decisive market action they’re taking… And I think they might just have a fighting chance to make it all work.”

Porter currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston and Washington (Dulles), and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Muskoka, Ont., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Stephenville, N.L.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Centara Hotels to Open Luxury Centara Reserve Samui in August

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Centara Hotels to Open Luxury Centara Reserve Samui in August

Koh Samui, Thailand, July 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / First resort of the group’s Centara Reserve brand to feature one-of-a-kind dining, social, and service experiences. Centara Hotels and Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces the much-anticipated opening date of Centara Reserve Samui in August 2021.

• Discover Samui and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

Centara Reserve is Centara’s sixth brand, complementing the group’s five other industry-leading labels including Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI.

Marking the start of a new era of experiential luxury hospitality, Centara Reserve offers personalised travel experiences for individuals seeking a meaningful escape with experiences crafted with a personal touch. Each Reserve property is set in a uniquely curated destination, inviting guests to explore a world reserved for them.

Set at the tranquil end of Chaweng Beach, Centara Reserve’s flagship resort on Samui will comprise 184 brand-new luxury rooms, pool suites and beachfront pool villas. Guests can enjoy five unique dining experiences and the world’s first Reserve Spa Cenvaree, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, yoga pavillion, children’s zone, and diverse event spaces.

Travellers are invited to be among the first to experience the curated spaces and unique services at Centara Reserve Samui, the first resort in Centara’s new collection of luxury hotels and resorts.

• Discover Samui and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

From a short Samui sojourn to an extended escape, and for those who enjoy the good life, to those who enjoy the suite life, a trio of experiences have been wonderfully crafted for guests. Choose from a selection of introductory offers to complement your travel lifestyle from THB5,900++ per night inclusive of breakfast, complimentary room upgrade and much more.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 84 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2020 as an experiential luxury collection, inviting guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality starting with Centara Reserve Samui.

Centara also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO: Tourism Takes Action on Plastic Waste and Pollution

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UNWTO: Tourism Takes Action on Plastic Waste and Pollution

Madrid, Spain, July 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism businesses and destinations are stepping up their commitment to sustainability. Aimed at reducing waste and pollution across the sector, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) is welcoming 32 new signatories, with every global region represented behind the shared goal.

The Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses, governments and other tourism stakeholders to lead by example in the shift towards a circular economy of plastics. Among the 32 new signatories  are organizations such as TUI Group, AC Hotels by Marriott, Palladium Hotel Group, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Hostelling International, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association  and Visit Valencia. These new additions bring the total number of signatories up to 93 companies and organizations. These include organizations from stages of the tourism value chain, including accommodation providers, tour operators, online platforms, suppliers, waste managers and supporting organizations.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Andreas Vermöhlen, Manager for Sustainability, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development at TUI Group said: “Together we can make important steps towards less unnecessary single-use plastic in the world and shift towards a circular economy.”

Addressing plastic pollution is essential to sustainably restart tourism, preserve destinations and contribute to climate action

To mark the confirmation of the new signatories, UNWTO and the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, held a special  panel discussion with the theme Eliminate. Innovate. Circulate. Strategies from the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Participants included Accor Group, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Palladium Hotel Group, Chumbe Island Coral Park and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General said: “Addressing plastic pollution is essential to sustainably restart tourism, preserve destinations and contribute to climate action. We are proud to see the number of signatories growing continuously since the launch of the initiative.”

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Alongside this, a keynote presentation on “A Life Cycle Approach – Key messages for tourism businesses” further highlighted the aims of the GTPI, with a special focus on innovation and the importance of context-based approaches to ensure plastics are circulated back into the economy rather than thrown away after use.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News