Global Travel News

Focusing On Sustainability And Well-Being, Key To Future Of Mountain Tourism

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Andorra la Vella, Andorra, March 25, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Sustainability, premium tourism, product development and training were the main themes of the second day of the 12th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism, held over the last two days at the Andorra la Vella Congress Centre. Experts from the mountain tourism sector stressed the importance of the joint involvement of all public and private stakeholders to consolidate the sustainable dimension of the tourism offer.

• Professionals in the mountain tourism sector stress the need to consolidate the sustainable dimension of the tourism offer.
• This year’s edition is carbon neutral, after having calculated the carbon footprint of the Congress and offset the tonnes of CO2 in the Andorra National Greenhouse Gas Offset Market.
• The parish of Ordino takes over as host of the next edition to be held in 2026.

The first talk on the second day of the Congress was given by Sandra Carvao, Director of Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at UN Tourism, under the title Sharing is Living. An interactive reflection in which attendees at the Congress Centre and those who followed the day via streaming were asked to participate to understand their impressions of mountain tourism, what they believe to be the main challenges for the future, and what actions they are currently implementing to face each of these challenges. Climate change, flow management and ensuring that the benefits remain in the communities were some of the challenges identified as key challenges for the development of mountain tourism.

Working with passion and offering a quality product are essential for premium tourism.

Premium tourism in mountain areas and how to boost its growth all year round was the focus of debate at the first round table, with the participation of Hermann Fercher, General Director of Lech Zürs Tourism in Austria, Caroline Couret, CEO of Creative Tourism Network, Daniel Soucaze, General Manager of Pic du Midi in France and Carme Vidales Molina, Expert on initiatives, businesses and gastronomy, under the moderation of Betim Budzaku, CEO of Andorra Turisme. In his introductory remarks, Budzaku pointed out that “this market segment is looking for quality, safety and experiences. In the case of Andorra, it is growing and, to maintain this line, it is necessary, first, to define the product, but also to have a communication and international marketing plan, strategic partners such as National Geographic or Disney, and to offer a calendar of unique events”, he explained.

“It is not about status and prestige, but about quality of life, individual and collective wellbeing, with greater importance given to time, health and sustainability,” Fercher explained. “We must do something that makes us different, and we must do it with passion because the client values this passion and exclusivity”, continued Vidales, who gave the recipe for premium gastronomic tourism: “a unique ingredient, the premium standard made up of four elements: people (talented professionals), the environment (which must be sustainable), the spaces (welcoming places where you can feel at home), and the story (which must be one of enjoyment)”. Caroline Couret, for her part, spoke of creative tourism as part of the solutions to the future challenges of the sector: “It is a trend under which tourists want to get to discover the local culture by participating in creative and artistic activities with local actors, thus moving on to vocational tourism where the destination is chosen according to hobbies”, she pointed out.

Before the midday break, a round table on tourism products and emerging products was held to discuss how to create and diversify the mountain tourism offer. The round table was moderated by Michel Julian, Senior Programme Officer at UN Tourism, with the participation of Peter Mall, Director and Coordinator of the Austrian village of St. Anton, Domitien Détrie, Director General of the Agence des Pyrénees, and Jordi Serracanta, Councilor on Tourism and Sports of Ordino.

Peter Mall explained the historical evolution of the tourism sector in this Austrian town, conditioned by the arrival of the railway, making St Anton today a reference sports tourism destination, where important sporting events are held every year. Mall insisted on the concept of continuous work to “revive tourism and on the general feeling of responsibility to generate new infrastructures, facilities and services”.

Domitien Détrie, for his part, emphasised cross-border cooperation for the transformation of mountain tourism, insisting on the need to develop and promote the Pyrenees, but always “seeking a balance between the economic order and the preservation of the landscape and natural resources”. The Agence des Pyrénees is carrying out two projects (LIFE and Poctefa PITON) that aim to change the territorial focus based on new models that integrate the cross-border concept. The organization also works on the challenge of climate change in a strategic way and with a transnational vision with the deployment of circular solutions in mountain resorts which. According to Détrie, “the circular economy is currently underdeveloped in mountain tourism”. “Cross-border and European cooperation is a powerful tool for accelerating transformation trajectories”, he concluded.

Lastly, Jordi Serracanta explained to the attendees the tourist destination of the parish of Ordino, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and has been awarded the distinction of Best Tourism Village by UN Tourism. Serracanta stressed that “it is a territory ready to take on the challenge of offering a non-overcrowded product with Riberamunt, the project that allows Ordino to have a flow of tourists throughout the parish, 365 days a year”.

Sustainability is the way forward and must be pursued together.

In the afternoon, Mattia Storni, head of Marketing and Communications at the Saas-Fee Tourism Organisation (Switzerland), recognised Best Tourism Village by UN Tourism, and Sarisher Mann, founder of the Sustainable Alpine Tourism Initiative (SATI), took part in a dialogue-conversation moderated by Gottfried Bachler, president of Slow Food Carinita (Austria), under the title ‘Be inspired: sustainability is the way’. “Slow Food does not want to teach anything, nor dictate what should be done, nor is it a marketing brand. It is a global movement to ensure quality, real, local and transparent food about origin and process, offering a unique range of activities,” explained Bachler. “Sustainability is the way forward, it is important to take care of nature, it is our mantra to achieve a balance between the environment, economic growth and society”, remarked Storni, who explained the measures that are being implemented in Saas-Fee, while stressing that “it is a path that all destinations must share together”. For his part, Mann explained the main objectives of SATI: “We want to connect all stakeholders in the outdoor industry and make the processes sustainable, finding solutions that serve to learn from each other,” he explained.

The last round table of the Congress focused on education and training, and how to prepare staff for the change that technology will bring, with the participation of Franklin Carpenter, Director of Tourism Advisory, Horwath HTL (Spain), María Abellanet, president of the CETT in Barcelona and David Hailstones, Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer of Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland), under the moderation of Sonia Figueras, Programme Director of the UN Tourism Academy.

Carpenter said that “tourism is at a crossroads: we are currently accelerating climate change, and tourism rightly needs to encourage positive change”. “Artificial intelligence is key to fostering sustainable tourism and doing it faster,” he added, while encouraging attendees to use it for more sustainable and healthy tourism operations and to help reduce environmental impact. “AI is an opportunity for the sector and we must take advantage of it,” he concluded.

For Maria Abellanet, “training and knowledge are a key lever for sustainability, innovation and competitiveness of companies and destinations to achieve a more resilient tourism with a positive impact on people and the planet”. Abellanet is convinced that “trained professionals are the solution to the challenges of tourism”. Finally, Hailstones gave a presentation on change and change management, from the perspective of knowledge transfer, stressing that “the public and private sector must work more closely together and data must be shared”.

Before the closing session, Javier Corso, a National Geographic explorer, presented the documentary ‘Andorra al natural, the environment where ideas germinate’, a project carried out jointly with Andorra Turisme. This initiative aims to improve the impact of tourism on the environment and on people, providing a response to what can be done to ensure that the relationship between the environment and visitors is as fluid and respectful as possible for everyone. The team has set the objectives of the innovation process around three aspects: sports, wellness and premium tourism, forming six working teams in which they have sought to combine local talent with the impetus of international creatives and entrepreneurs.

A carbon neutral Congress

The Honourable Mr. Xavier Fernàndez, Junior Consul of the Encamp Commune, the Hon. Maria del Mar Coma, Mayor of Ordino, Ms. Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, and M.I. Sr. Jordi Torres, Minister of Tourism and Trade of Andorra, closed the 12th edition of the Congress, which was attended by over 300 participants of 14 nationalities from all over the world and which, since its beginnings, has been a meeting point for the sector and a space for reflection and debate on the main challenges and objectives facing tourism and, in particular, mountain areas.

This year, for the first time, the carbon footprint of the Congress was calculated, with a final result of 16 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, which were offset by the purchase of credits on the Andorra National Greenhouse Gas Offset Market. Those credits correspond to the project for the use of hydrobiodiesel, a 100% renewable fuel from the recycling of cooking oils, which was used in a pioneering way in the snow grooming machines during the World Cup that took place this year in Soldeu. Thanks to the calculation and its compensation, this year’s edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism is carbon neutral.

Encamp, the host parish for this edition, has passed the baton to Ordino, which will become the host parish for the next edition in 2026.

Organised by the Government of Andorra and UN Tourism, with the collaboration of the Común (town council) of Encamp, the Congress also has the support of the other Comuns (town councils) of Andorra and two main sponsors: Andorra Telecom as technological sponsor and Creand Crèdit Andorrà, as financial sponsor.

World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism
The Congress is an initiative of the seven Communes and the Government of Andorra, together with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the aim of creating a forum for permanent debate on the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. It is organized every two years: the first edition was held in 1998 in Escaldes-Engordany and since then, each edition is organized in a different parish.

More information and registration: http://mountainlikers.com

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA International Conference on Women in Travel Shines Spotlight on Gender Equality

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Bohol, Philippines, March 23, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The inaugural PATA International Conference on Women in Travel, organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and hosted by the Department of Tourism, Philippines, concluded on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the BE Grand Resort in Bohol, Philippines. With nearly 200 delegates from 15 destinations in attendance, the conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the critical role of women in the travel and tourism sector.

Throughout the three-day event, delegates explored the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the travel industry, celebrating their achievements and addressing gender disparities. Keynote speakers, influential panellists, and engaging discussions highlighted the pressing need for gender equality and empowerment in the tourism workforce, emphasising the importance of inclusivity and career growth for all ‘women in travel’.

Pressing issues such as the underrepresentation of women in senior management positions were addressed in the conference. Discussions also focused on actionable steps to promote women’s leadership development, foster entrepreneurship, and advance sustainable practices with women as agents of change.

Delivering her keynote message at the preeminent event, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed hundreds of speakers and delegates from the Philippines and all over the world, including Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to PATA for its partnership with the Philippines in the inaugural holding of the International Conference on Women in Travel. Holding this conference in the Philippines is timely, especially here where over 50 percent of the workforce of our country is composed of women, and here in our region in the Asia Pacific, where nearly 50 percent of the tourism industry is composed of women. We recognize the importance of this conference focusing on empowering women, tourism professionals, promoting gender equality, fostering leadership stories, successes, and opportunities,” Secretary Frasco said.

In her keynote remarks, Secretary Frasco also shared before delegates her fair share of challenges of juggling official duties as a woman leader and a mother of four children, from her tenure as a three-term Mayor of the Municipality of Liloan in Cebu amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Supertyphoon Odette that hit Cebu in 2021, and now as Secretary of the DOT and the youngest member of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s cabinet upon the President’s invitation in 2022.

“I recognize that countless women must similarly confront the challenge of juggling work with caregiving responsibilities, and unfortunately, many of these significant sacrifices go unnoticed and underappreciated,” Secretary Frasco said.

“Which is why ever since I came into the fold of the DOT, it became my mission to ensure that the efforts of the Department must not only be focused on achieving numbers and targets, rather, it must also focus on ensuring the well-being of our workforce, dedicated to building a tourism industry that ensures that we put tourism workers at the forefront of the government’s priorities, particularly, women, who play a pivotal role in shaping our tourism landscape—from our female guides, all the way to our female officials. I sought to leverage the feminist values that guided me as Mayor: sensitivity, nurturance, humanity, and love, and extend them to a national scale, ensuring that the tourism sector serves not only as a vehicle of economic prosperity, but also as a force for promoting human dignity,” the DOT chief added.

Towards this direction, the DOT, for the first time ever, has appointed Tourism Integrates, Supports, and Minds Women’s Rights and Child Safety (TourISM WoRCS) Officers across the regions in the country to ensure that the Philippines “remains a woman- and child-safe destination”, with the Tourism Worcs manual soon to be rolled out among the Department’s various operational units to equip them with the knowledge and tools to effectively combat sexual harassment, trafficking and gender-based violence within the sector.

Furthermore, in a bid to herald the unique and world-renowned brand of Filipino hospitality and invest in the Filipino workforce, Secretary Frasco shared the DOT’s attainment of its target of training 100,000 workers on the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program in 2023. The DOT surpassed this goal, having trained 127,125 workers trained on the FBSE last year. Of this, 70,208 or 55.2% of the trained workforce are women.

“This milestone sets a resoundingly optimistic tone for our industry, affirming our long-held belief that women can and should access meaningful opportunities within the tourism sector,” Secretary Frasco said.

“As a result of the unwavering commitment of Tourism Secretary H.E. Christina Garcia Fransco and the steadfast support provided by the Department of Tourism Philippines, this inaugural conference was an enormous success. Building on this outcome, PATA remains committed to organising the PATA International Conference on Women in Travel with other member destinations in the future to ensure that conversations on women’s empowerment can continue and be elevated,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.

He added, “As a community, we must unite to discuss tangible strategies aimed at breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and implementing industry-wide changes that pave the pathways for women to excel in the travel industry. It is the Association’s wish that this event served as a catalyst for impactful initiatives and collaborative efforts towards a better future for women in all facets of tourism.”

To further highlight the significance of women’s leadership, Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Senate of the Philippines, delivered the closing keynote, emphasising the need for concerted efforts to achieve gender parity in the sector.

During the conference, delegates had the chance to hear from a diverse line-up of inspiring speakers from various sectors, including Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Senate of the Philippines; H.E. Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Philippines; the Honourable Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Governor of the Province of Bohol; Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan, Undersecretary, Legal and Special Concerns and Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary and Chairperson, Gender and Development Focal Point System of the Department of Tourism, Philippines; Dr. Saninuj “PONG” Sawasdikosol, DM, President of San Travel Service & Business Consultants / Woman Activist & Advocate in LGBTQ Community, San Francisco; Maria Patria Alodia Puyat, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Philippines; Christine Ella Castañeda, DEAFInite Tour Guide; Aye Mya Mya Soe, General Manager – Cambodia, Intrepid Travel; Chieko Yokota, Gender Specialist, Gender Equality Division, Asian Development Bank (ADB); Preeti Naini, Regional Product Manager, APAC, Go City; Queenie Chung, Deputy General Manager, Vpon HK; Ha Lam, Founder, The Happy Firm; Linda Adami, Founder and CEO, Quantum Temple; Maria Paz Alberto, Chair, PATA Philippine Chapter; Nandini Lahe Thapa, Officiating CEO, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB); Dr. Supawan Teerarat, PhD., President, National Food Institute, Foundation of Industrial Development, Ministry of Industry, Thailand and Former Senior Vice President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office; Catherine Turvill, President Nurture Wellness Village, Nurture Farmacy, Spa & Wellness Professionals, Philippines; Shradha Shrestha, Manager, Nepal Tourism Board and National Project Coordinator, Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project, Nepal, and Sangeetha Liyanapathirana, Manager – Health, Hygiene and Sustainability, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and 2023 PATA Face of the Future, Sri Lanka.

Topics included ‘Breaking Barriers: Women’s Empowerment in the Travel Industry’, ‘Gender Equality and Development’, ‘Women Behind the Scenes’, ‘Tourism Startups and Entrepreneurship’, ‘Leading the Way: Inspirational Women in Travel’, and ‘Sustainable Travel: Women as Agents of Change’.

The conference concluded with a welcome dinner reception hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board, Philippines, providing delegates with networking opportunities and continued discussions on joint efforts in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in travel and tourism.

On the final day of the programme, delegates had the option of joining two different technical tours arranged by the Department of Tourism, Philippines:

– Southern Bohol Circuit Tour, where participants explored the wonders of Southern Bohol, including a visit to Santa Monica Parish Church of Alburquerque, experiencing the making of Bohol’s popular delicacy ‘Calamay’, and engaging in a variety of activities at the Bohol Bee Farm;
– Bohol Countryside Tour, where delegates took a relaxing journey through the Bohol Countryside, explored the geological marvels of the Chocolate Hills and drifted down the Loboc River on a serene cruise.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

June Chepkemei to Revolutionize Kenya’s Global Appeal

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Nairobi, Kenya, March 22, 2024 / VISITKENYA / June Chepkemei, former Acting Managing Director at Kenya Investment Authority, has been appointed as the new CEO of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), succeeding John Chirchir. Her three-year tenure was confirmed via a gazette notice on March 19, 2024.

Chepkemei, previously tasked with attracting investments to Kenya, brings a wealth of experience, having led successful bids for international events like the 41st IASP world conference. Recognized for her digital leadership, she spearheaded initiatives like the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative.

With a background in communications and marketing, Chepkemei is well-equipped to promote Kenya’s tourism industry. Her appointment signals a fresh direction for Kenya’s tourism sector under her leadership.

Chepkemei will hold the position for the next three years, succeeding John Chirchir who has been at the helm of the tourism board in acting capacity since November 2022.

Her appointment was confirmed via a gazette notice date March 19, 2024.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37(1) of the Tourism Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife appoints June Teclar Chepkemei to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board,” the notice reads in part.

Chepkemei was appointed Acting KenInvest MD in January 2023 by then Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

She was at the time tasked with the responsibility of spearheading strategies to attract and grow investments to Kenya from USD 500 million to USD 10 billion by end of 2023.

In 2022, Chepkemei successfully led Kenya’s team in a fruitful bid to host the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) world conference slated for 2024.

She was also part of the team that was charged with delivering Technology and Innovation Jamhuri in 2022.

She has served as a member of the Taskforce on the Kenya Media Policy Guidelines, following her appointment by then ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs CS in 2021.

Chepkemei was named among the Top 25 Women in Digital 2021 having pioneered the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative that brought together various industry stakeholders to support the commercialization of research, innovation and the development of new solutions and enterprises within Konza Technopolis.

In 2017, June was appointed as the Project Coordinator for a New Institute of Strategic National Importance, Kenya Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), that was developed by the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Before joining Konza, Chepkemei was the Communications Business Partner at Safaricom Limited, after a six year stint in the media industry where she rose through the ranks from an intern to become a Business News Editor.

She holds a Master’s degree in Communications Studies from Moi University, a Bachelor’s Degree in PR & Communications from Moi University, Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing of the UK, and an Executive Certificate on Innovation from Stanford Centre For Professional Development.

She is also a Chartered Marketer by the Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Climate Change Main Challenge for Future and Greatest Generator of New Opportunities for Mountain Tourism

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Andorra la Vella, Andorra, March 21, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / More than 400 participants of over 16 nationalities attended the first day of the 12th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism, which is being held at the Andorra la Vella Congress Centre under the title ‘Sustainability and Wellness, the keys to mountain tourism’.

More than thirty international speakers, with top-level professionals and numerous institutional representatives, will take part over two days in the round tables which will deal with present and future issues in the sector and define and specify the future axes of development of snow, mountain and wellness tourism. Over the course of these two days, the speakers will address issues such as: sustainability as the main axis for the development of the sector, tourism diversification, emerging products in response to the demands of the new tourist as well as the training and human resources needs in mountain tourism.

• More than 400 participants of over 16 nationalities attended the first day of the 12th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism.

• Mountain tourism can become the solution to the great challenges of the future for many mountain communities, but it must face its biggest challenge: climate change. To overcome it, the sector will have to broaden horizons and create new opportunities.

• The proven healing effect of the mountains and their contribution to mental wellbeing and general health explains the growth of mountain tourism in recent years.

Tourism as a solution to the great challenges of the future.

In the inaugural session, His Excellency Xavier Espot, Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra, stressed that the country’s tourism sector has recovered pre-pandemic figures, “figures that provoke enthusiasm with more than 9 million tourists and 12 million overnight stays in 2023”. He highlighted, however, the importance of “seeking a balance that ensures environmental continuity and the well-being of the people, moving towards a model based on sustainability to find a balance between quantity and quality”.

“Tourism should not be seen as a problem, but as part of the solutions to the great challenges of the future, because a tourism that respects nature, culture and society also guarantees resources for the future,” added Espot.

In that same perspective, Natalia Bayona, Executive director of UN Tourism, declared that “mountain tourism can become the lifeline for many mountain communities as it offers a large number of opportunities for growth, but respect for nature and natural resources is essential”.

The Honorable Laura Mas, Mayor of Encamp, the host parish of this edition, reminded us that “we must be committed to tourism that gives value to all the particularities of our environment, always with sustainability in mind”.

Alice Morrison, writer and TV presenter, gave a talk entitled “Our marvelous mountains: opportunities and challenges”, in which she pointed out the future challenges that mountain tourism must face, highlighting climate change as the most important one. “To face it, new opportunities will have to be created that will force us to broaden horizons in order to expand the existing market”, she pointed out.

Growth will be sustainable, or it will not be.

The morning continued with the high-level panel, moderated by Natalia Bayona, with the participation of Mr. Jordi Torres Falcó, Minister of Tourism and Trade of Andorra, Rosana Morillo Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain and Alessandra Priante, President of the National Tourism Agency (ENIT) of Italy. As an introduction, Natalia Bayona stressed that mountain tourism “is a driving force for development and progress, but the characteristics of each territory must be taken into account so as not to lose its essence”.

“Mountain tourism is a lever of our economy, and we must take advantage of mountain areas not only in winter, but also to deseasonalise tourism and be more sustainable in order to avoid overcrowding,” explained Jordi Torres. “This sector has a very important future, but only if we take care of and respect the environment”, he added.

For her part, Rosina Morillo said that mountain tourism “helps us to deseasonalise tourism in Spain and invest in unpopulated areas of the country to fix the population in these areas”, but added that “when we talk about sustainability, we must also take into account social sustainability, seeking a balance with the territories and their communities”.

Alessandra Priante described the current moment as the ideal time “to reflect and have a clear vision of tourism as a driving force for the economy”. She also pointed out that “the mountain is more than just sport: we cannot forget about gastronomy and wellbeing, an element on which the existing offer must be developed”.

All the speakers agreed on a final common message: the importance of a balance with the local communities and the environment, as growth must go hand in hand with the protection of the ecosystem.

Michel Julian, Senior Programme Officer at UN Tourism, and Enric Martínez, Director of Pas Grau International (Andorra), then presented the report “Understanding and quantifying mountain tourism”, with the aim of obtaining a more holistic view of what is happening in the sector. Michel Julian highlighted the need to “make progress in the capture of data that will help in decision-making, and in this sense, AI will be a key element”.

Health and wellness tourism, a rising trend.

“Our motto is back to nature”. This is how Csilla Mezösi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association, began her speech. “It is not a trend, but a normal development: there are many positive effects of being in contact with nature. Spas appear as places where physical and mental wellbeing can be offered. Mountains have healing effects, contributing to psychological well-being and general health,” she added.

The afternoon session began with a round table dedicated to health and wellness tourism, with the participation of David Astrié, director of ICONIC Andorra, Athina Babakou, Director of Strategic Planning for the Ministry of Tourism of Greece, Emma Haefeli, Director of Marketing and PR of Chenot Group, and Carlos Cendra, Marketing and Communication Director at Mabrian.

The last session of this first day focused on the conversation between László Puczko, General Director of Health Tourism Worldwide, from Hungary, and Joan Muro, President of the Health Tourism Association of Andorra Health Destination, in which it became clear that health and wellness tourism is not only a growing trend, but a new way of understanding tourism.

Organised by the Government of Andorra and UN Tourism, with the collaboration of the Común (town council) of Encamp, the Congress also has the support of the other Comuns (town councils) of Andorra and two main sponsors: Andorra Telecom as technological sponsor and Creand Crèdit Andorrà, as financial sponsor.

World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism

The Congress is an initiative of the seven Communes and the Government of Andorra, together with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the aim of creating a forum for permanent debate on the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. It is organized every two years: the first edition was held in 1998 in Escaldes-Engordany and since then, each edition is organized in a different parish.

More information: http://mountainlikers.com

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Blue Elephant Group’s Master Chef Nooror Hosts Lunch for Lady Ambassadors

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Bangkok, Thailand, March 20, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe (6th from left), Founder of the Blue Elephant Group, hosted a luncheon in honour of Lady Ambassadors to Thailand and other prominent ladies to mark the International Women’s Day at Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant Bangkok recently. The event was a casual get-together to foster female and international relations filled with laughter and camaraderie amongst the powerful ladies of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests.

The hostess Master Chef presented each Ambassador with a special, hand-woven “Khram” Sakon Nakon Natural Indigo Dyed Fabric, made of 100% natural cotton, showcasing the identity, skill and pride of the community of women in Sakon Nakon province who are able to craft and produce such precious homegrown fabric masterpieces.

Pictured from left are: H.E. Mrs. Shirley Dennise Aguilar Barrera, Ambassador of Guatemala; H.E. Mrs. Daniela-Brindusa Bazavan, Ambassador of Romania; H.E. Ms. Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada; Sandra Steppe Goswami; H.E. Mrs. Serap Ersoy, Ambassador of Turkey; Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe: H.E. Mrs. Sibille de Cartier d’Yves, Ambassador of Belgium; H.E. Mrs. Millicent Cruz-Paredes, Ambassador of the Philippines; H.E. Ilse Ferrer Silva, Ambassador of Mexico; H. E. Dr. Angela Macdonald PSM, Ambassador of Australia; and H.E. Ms. Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta, Ambassador of Peru.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Sustainability Week Highlights Environmental Initiatives of Hotels & Resorts

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Meliá Sustainability Week Highlights Environmental Initiatives of Hotels & Resorts - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comAhead of Earth Day in April and on the heels of Meliá Hotels International being named one of the most sustainable companies in the world, the Spanish hotel group is running Meliá Sustainability Week this week, shining a light on eco-initiatives that its hotels & resorts have undertaken.

Here are some of the highlights from the growing group’s properties in Southeast Asia.

Increasing biodiversity in Thailand and Vietnam

Meliá Chiang Mai kicked off a forest restoration project in partnership with the Doi Suthep Nature Study Center and the Forest Restoration Research Unit in 2022 to help restore the tropical forest in Northern Thailand. Their efforts have covered an area of more than seven acres and they have actively contributed over 4,350 trees, including important native species, to the area.

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, in Thailand’s capital, is also balancing its central city location with projects that prioritize the earth. Through their GREENSiDE project they partner with Bangpu Nature Education Center for tree planting activities, with their volunteer staff planting over 100 mangrove trees so far.

In Thailand’s south, Meliá Koh Samui is enhancing green spaces within the property and decreasing erosion. So far volunteers have added an additional 40 trees to the property.

In nearby Vietnam, Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort runs a Carbon Offset Program, offsetting guests’ travel emissions through tree planting initiatives. The seaside resort has also introduced more nature-based, educational experiences that highlight local ecology and conservation efforts.

Creating a 360-degree food economy, minimizing food waste, and local sourcing

Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept. In partnership with SEED farm, Meliá Chiang Mai runs a sustainable farm and harvests organic fruit, vegetables, and herbs for its restaurants. They also work closely with local farmers such as the Rong Khum Farm, sourcing free-range eggs for breakfast at The Level and organic San Pa Tong Jasmine Rice for Mai Restaurant and Bar and SUPHA BEE FARM, a local honeybee farm in Mae Rim. In their circular system they have sent back more than 3,000 kg of food for compost and fertilizer since starting the project in 2022 and over 600 kg of cooking oil has been used to produce diesel fuel from renewable resources.

At Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, the team has gotten creative with the island’s most famous fruit, the Phuket Pineapple. The cleaning team uses a natural detergent made from pineapple peel, and pineapple tops are the main table decorations throughout the property. Like Meliá Chiang Mai, the Phuket property also has its own organic vegetable garden as do several Meliá hotels including Meliá Vinpearl Cam Ranh Beach Resort, Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat and Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort. INNSiDE by Meliá Yogyakarta has its own fruit and vegetable garden, growing such produce as passion fruit, melon, chili, and bananas.

On Phu Quoc Island, off the southwest coast of Vietnam, Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc turns food scraps into soil nutrients for its outdoor plants. INNSiDE by Meliá Yogyakarta processes its eggshell waste into powder fertilizer for plants and vegetables.

Meliá Yangon isn’t letting the property’s central location dampen its farming ambitions, as well, and the hotel has its own organic vegetable garden located on the third floor.

Sol by Meliá Benoa Bali and Gran Meliá Jakarta in Indonesia are managing food waste through the Scholars of Sustenance program, an initiative in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines designed to address food inequity and ensure that disadvantaged communities are getting nutritious meals. Through this partnership they are providing hundreds of meals per month using food that may otherwise be wasted. Both properties work to minimize food waste throughout their operations but when there is an excess it isn’t wasted.

Supporting those in need in the local community

The team at Meliá Koh Samui supports the Samui Special Needs Foundation through Roses for Hope, an artistic project where the children supported by the foundation create cardboard roses that are sold in the restaurant with proceeds going back to the worthy cause. The hotel has also been supporting Ban Plai Laem School in renovating the school premises, including installing solar lighting, painting and maintenance to help create a rich learning environment.

Meliá Hanoi has recently embarked on several outreach initiatives including organizing a fun day and gifts for the kids at Phuc Tue Center, which provides support and education to children with autism and intellectual disabilities; and providing donations to Hanoi’s Care Centre for Children with Disabilities and the Thuan Thanh Wounded Soldier Nursing Center. Meliá Hanoi, VinaCapital Foundation and Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund also worked together to organize a workshop on vocational skills for female ethnic minority students from all over Vietnam, who gathered in Hanoi to participate in an Empowerment Meeting.

Meliá Purosani Yogyakarta has joined global cleaning products manufacturer Diversey’s Soap for Hope program. The hotel recycles hotel soap into new (sterilized) soap which is then packaged and sold as souvenirs in the hotel. Soap sale profits go to the Reachout Foundation, which supports various community empowerment programs. The Indonesia-based hotel also started a coffee brick initiative where the hotel processes used coffee grinds into charcoal/coffee bricks which are then used as fuel for barbecue theme dinners and events at the property.

In Malaysia INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras and Meliá Kuala Lumpur, partnered up in December to visit Pusat Kebajikan Amal Jian An, a local welfare center, where they distributed essential goods and enjoyed games and performances ahead of Christmas.

The Meliá Yangon team are also actively involved in community programs such as Linen for Life, where they made 4,000 masks by upcycling old bed sheets and unusable uniforms into fabric, and through visiting local elderly homes and youth centers to provide support.

More digital and less plastic at properties

Meliá Hotels throughout the region are increasingly going paperless with necessary information and menus available via QR code at such properties as Gran Meliá Nha Trang, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao and INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras.

Eco-friendly grass straws and paper straws have become the norm and can be found in drinks at Meliá Vinpearl Hue, Meliá Vinpearl Danang Riverfront, and Meliá Makassar among most other hotels in the region. Plastic bottles are becoming a thing of the past at each property too. Meliá Makassar is the most recent convert having switched to glass bottles in December 2023. Gran Meliá Jakarta has also eliminated all plastic water bottles in guest rooms and meetings and moved away from plastic straws, and single-use disposable amenities opting for refillable dispensers for toiletries instead. Plastic keycards are being updated to bamboo keycards at properties such as Meliá Makassar.

Global recognition

Meliá Hotels International’s efforts worldwide have resulted in the hotel group being recognized as one of the top-performing hotel companies globally according to the latest Sustainability Yearbook by S&P Global. The leading financial ratings and market analysis provider ranks Meliá in third place – behind Thailand’s Asset World Corporation and Minor – making it the first European-origin hotel company in the ranking.

The Sustainability Yearbook 2024 is based on the 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices. It covers over 9,400 companies from around the world.

“We are very proud to once again be recognized as one of the leading hotel companies in sustainability worldwide, and we will continue to work to innovate and lead the way towards more responsible tourism, contributing to generating wealth in destinations and improving our positive impact on communities,” stated Gabriel Escarrer, President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International.

About Meliá Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company (listed as “Sustainability Yearbook Member” in 2024 by S&P Global), as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Does the Fate of Tourism Hinge on Land Use

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Does the Fate of Tourism Hinge on Land Use - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comChanges in land use rights to encourage tourism can have unexpected negative consequences for tourist businesses, according to Dr Michael Lin of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors. Noting that the impact of land use regulation on tourism has historically been understudied, the researchers performed an impact assessment of a unique form of tourist business in Namibia. They found that although regulatory changes had expanded access to land use rights, the economic outcomes for these ventures were not entirely positive, due to legal complexities and conflicts between stakeholders.
How we use land is central to how our societies function. Societal progress therefore frequently involves changes in land use, and in modern civilisation this is generally accomplished by official legislation. As the authors note, “land use change through a formal and regulatory framework is relatively recent, dating back to the mid-17th century, and the more comprehensive regulations to the early 20th century”. Being inherently tied to distinct local features, the fate of the tourism sector is particularly closely intertwined with land use legislation.
The economic consequences of land use changes are conventionally gauged through regulatory impact assessments. In societies worldwide, tourism is a key pillar of the economy. According to the researchers, however, “despite the importance of land use in tourism, there remains a critical gap in the literature of the assessment of changes in land use regulations”. This lack of understanding contrasts with the well-established literature on the impact of land use legislation in other economic contexts, such as agriculture, and may lead to regulatory changes being made by policymakers who are blind to their potential effects.
In both the developed and developing worlds, the reallocation of land for touristic usage is intended to support the economy. However, it is often a source of conflict, which “usually involves citizens opposing tourism development, and businesses supporting it for the reasons of economic growth”. However, even when efforts to redirect land use towards tourism succeed, economic growth is not guaranteed. The authors draw particular attention to a dearth of research investigating how small tourism businesses respond to regulatory changes, and whether the effects are positive.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the bedrock of tourism, accounting for 70% of businesses in the sector, and are especially important in developing countries. Lacking the power and resources of larger firms, they are also particularly sensitive to regulatory changes. Tourism SMEs, as the researchers observe, are generally “dependent on debt financing due to limited access to other sources [of funding]” and tend to rely on fixed assets as collateral. Land is a major type of fixed asset, and therefore land use changes directly intersect with tourism SMEs’ attempts to grow using external financing.
The researchers’ focal country, Namibia, is an African nation that has seen a boom in land use allocation for tourism. “In 1990”, the authors note, “when Namibia gained independence, the government inherited an unbalanced distribution of land ownership”. This situation initially stifled economic growth by restricting communities’ ability to tap the country’s huge tourist potential. In the last two decades, however, the state has taken legislative steps to remedy this, including increasing the amount of land with communal access. Such land can legally be used for commercial ends, notably including tourism.
Specifically, a 2002 law opened the possibility of touristic land use under the auspices of communal conservancies, a type of local body governed by communal authorities. “This resulted in the development of Communal Joint Venture lodges through a partnership between the communal conservancies and the private sector”, the researchers tell us. The 46 Lodges now operating in Namibia employ numerous workers from local communities and have been supported by international development agencies. However, the Lodges’ ability to secure market financing and thus cement their long-term viability remains unproven.
To delve deeper into the Lodges’ situation, Lin and coworkers performed an impact assessment to investigate “whether the changes in land use regulations in Namibia impacted the Lodges’ ability to source market financing to continue growing, and their financial performance to stay competitive”. In other words, can these public–private joint ventures – which effectively represent a home-grown Namibian form of tourism SME – attract hard-nosed investors and become genuinely self-sufficient hospitality businesses in a market economy?
Interviewing representatives of key stakeholders in Namibia’s tourism sector, including banks, government departments, investors and law firms, the researchers acquired a wealth of expert opinion on the relationship between land use regulation and Lodge financing. They also personally visited a number of Lodges to obtain financial performance data, encompassing “a relatively well-rounded profile of operations in communal conservancies”. These statistics bolstered the study’s qualitative findings by providing a window into the financial status of the Lodges.
From the interviews with stakeholders, four themes emerged regarding the barriers to providing financing for Lodges: “unclear business viability; lack of acceptable collateral; poor quality of project proposals and financial information; and availability of alternative financing”. For example, the Lodges’ viability as tourism enterprises was hampered by the unclear legal boundaries of the sublease arrangements between conservancies and investors, while the relatively short (10-year) lease terms gave investors little confidence in their long-term prospects.
The legal robustness of the joint venture agreements was another sticking point for investors. “There was no explicit legal basis for the transfer of land use rights in communal conservancies for commercial purposes”, the researchers point out. This gave investors doubts about whether land use agreements would actually be upheld, making leases an ineffective form of collateral for obtaining financing for the Lodges. Meanwhile, financial institutions expressed doubts about some of the investors, noting that they were often owner–managers or “lifestyle” investors with little business acumen, thus providing inadequate operational data.
In their early days, communal conservancies received support from international agencies, often on relatively lax terms. While this had once played a vital developmental role, the continued availability of such “soft” alternative financing was now seen by banks as a safety net, preventing the Lodges from presenting as viable to investors. Those who did choose to invest encountered a complex web of parties expecting payment, often becoming subject to both lease fees and the land taxes passed on by conservancies, dubbed by one investor as “paying [twice] for the same product”.
Among the many other hurdles to investment were human resource issues and the terms of partnership agreements. These overlapped in the widespread stipulation for lodges to “hire from within the community, and not necessarily seek out the best trained, most productive staff from elsewhere as other non-joint venture lodges could”. Such terms made sense for conservancies, which often gained little economic benefit other than employment of locals, but clashed with the needs of private investors as they impaired the quality of service offered by the ventures.
The study’s conclusion is stark. Even if well intentioned, “land use regulations can negatively impact the growth and competitiveness of small tourism and hospitality enterprises through increased risk, lower financial performance, and unclear legality”. The authors call for caution by lawmakers who rule on land use changes, which can be a double-edged sword. They also note that possible agency conflicts – such as those between the governors of and investors in Namibian Lodges – must be considered as part of a holistic economic impact assessment of such laws, which will be crucial for devising better regulations in future.
Sharma, Amit, Messerli, Hannah, and Lin, Michael S. (2023). Land Use Regulations and Small Tourism Enterprises. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 100, 103550

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Summer Paradise Afternoon Tea at Tuxedo Espresso Bar

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Summer Paradise Afternoon Tea at Tuxedo Espresso Bar - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comExperience the delightful flavors of summer at Tuxedo Espresso Bar, located at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit. Join us for our special Summer Paradise Afternoon Tea, available until 30 June 2024.

Our pastry chef, Pavitra Bangchay or Pom, has crafted a menu inspired by Thai fruits and snacks. Try Mahor, a sweet and sour treat made with Fresh Marian Plum, peanuts, minced pork, and shredded pork. Indulge in Banana Apple Caramel Cake or Scone, infused with Amphawa Young Coconut. And don’t miss the menu highlight Mango Sticky Rice Cheesecake, blending Fresh Barracuda Mango with creamy cheese and sticky rice.

For just THB 1,380++ per set for two, enjoy your choice of TWG Tea or Coffee. Upgrade to THB 1,780++ per set for two to also receive two glasses of bubbles. Plus, during the Songkran Festival from 12-15 April, enjoy a 25% discount on our Summer Paradise Afternoon Tea.

The selection of pastries is also available for you to enjoy as the ‘Dessert of the Month’ on à la carte menu, including Lychee Rose Panna Cotta, Mandarin Orange and Pistachio Cake, Banana Apple Caramel Cake and Mango Sticky Rice Cheesecake.

Come and savor the taste of summer with us at Tuxedo Espresso Bar!

For more information or reservations, please contact us at 02 090 7888 or email Fbreservations@carltonhotel.co.th

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Save 20% Plus Free Breakfast at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

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Save 20% Plus Free Breakfast at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comDiscover a World of Difference with the perfect place to stay in the heart of Sukhumvit at Carlton Hotel Bangkok and enjoy the following benefits:

• A night’s stay in a spacious room.
• International buffet breakfast for 2 persons at Plate Restaurant.
• Save up to 20% off the Best Flexible Rate when booking a minimum of 2 consecutive nights.

Book now and enjoy your stay until 31 December 2024.

Terms & conditions
• Advance reservation of minimum 7 days required and subject to availability.
• Free cancellation up to 72 hours before arrival.
• The rate is not applicable in conjunction with other promotions.
• Blackout dates may apply.

For more information or reservations, please contact us at 02 090 7888

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism Affirms Commitment to Sustainability

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World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism Affirms Commitment to Sustainability – TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News and Updates


















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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News