Global Travel News

WELCOME FUN & ALL

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Welcome! Welcome! To the all-tooned-up Mickey’s Toontown at the Disneyland® Resort! With plenty of places to explore, hop, bop and say “Hi ya” to some favourite toons!

Take a one-way trip to fun on the all-new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction, and swing by their houses for some big hugs. Then, stop over at Donald’s Duck Pond to catch some playful water as it leaps and bounds around the splash pad. Hey, it’s Mickey’s Toontown—even water has fun here!

Next, check out Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard, with a spongy ground that lets little ones crawl, scooch and roam in their own ways. With all this fun, your stomach’s bound to start a-grumblin’. So, let Café Daisy serve up diner classics for purchase. From pizza to mini-doughnuts, have your pick of some scrumptious dishes for the perfect picnic in CenTOONial Park.

Grab the kiddos, grandma, gramps, your toon-loving neighbors or anyone in favour of having fun together and head to the newly re-imagined Mickey’s Toontown. Because no matter how you like to adventure, play and relax, at Mickey’s Toontown, we Welcome Fun & All.

Learn More about visiting Disneyland Resort

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Telefonica and UNWTO to Promote Digital and Sustainable Tourism

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Telefonica and UNWTO to Promote Digital and Sustainable Tourism - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, November 30, 2023 / TAVELINDEX / The collaboration agreement will run until 2026 and will focus on digital entrepreneurship, innovation, application of new technologies (big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) and talent development.

Telefónica and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have followed through on their commitment to cooperate by signing a new collaboration framework, valid until 2026, with the aim of promoting tourism development that is more digital, sustainable and inclusive.

The United Nations’ specialized agency for tourism and Telefónica will continue to work together at the global level and will focus on three strategic axes of digital transformation: nurturing global and regional innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems; boosting technological adoption in tourism; and promoting capacity building for a more digital, sustainable and competitive tourism sector that leaves no one behind.

New projects, new scopes

In this regard, Telefónica Tech, the telecom operator’s strategic digital business unit, and the UNWTO will promote the ‘Digital Futures’ programme, which seeks to accelerate the tourism sector’s economic recovery by scaling up small and medium-sized enterprises with the incorporation of new technologies such as big data, IoT, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity and cloud-based solutions. These digital tools have the ability to transform companies and make them more competitive, sustainable and resilient, as they help them make better business decisions based on exhaustively analysed data. Such technologies also allow them to offer more personalized and competitive products and services, optimize resources, and increase the profitability of the tourism sector.

As part of an effort to identify disruptive projects that help enhance the sustainability of the sector, Wayra Hispam, Telefónica’s open innovation area that connects the entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world, is collaborating in the development of the World Tourism Organization’s Community Tourism Innovation Challenge in Colombia, with the support of the Vice-Ministry of Tourism of Colombia. Its mentoring support generates connections with the business and venture capital ecosystem, which is essential for all entrepreneurs who are working to offer innovative solutions and promote development, taking into account local communities as well as natural and cultural heritage.

Furthermore, training processes (reskilling and upskilling) will be addressed so that employees can develop and take advantage of all the potential that digitalization brings to an industry that is so important to the economy of many countries.

To this end, training cycles will be carried out on the application of technologies to tourism. These will be offered by reference stakeholders that aim to help those who are beginning to take their first steps or wish to evolve their projects. For their part, Telefónica and UNWTO will collaborate in learning initiatives through accessible content as the Tourism, Gastronomy and Hospitality 4.0 Nanodegree developed by Fundación Telefónica and CEOE through the UNWTO Digital Futures programme, focused on accelerating the economic recovery of the tourism sector through the growth of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the world’s leading telecommunications service providers. The company offers fixed and mobile connectivity services, as well as a wide range of digital services for individuals and businesses. It is present in Europe and Latin America, where it has more than 383 million customers. Telefónica is a fully private company whose shares are listed on the continuous market of the Spanish stock exchanges and on the New York and Lima stock exchanges.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Blue Elephant Master Chef Nooror Pays Tribute to WWF Healthy Rivers Series

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Blue Elephant Master Chef Nooror Pays Tribute to WWF Healthy Rivers Series - TOP25 RESTAURANTS BANGKOK BEST RESTAURANTSBangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In her recent appearance on Episode 2 of the Healthy Rivers Series “River of Inspiration” by WWF, Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, co-founder and director of the Blue Elephant Group, spoke about the linkages of a healthy river and one of Thailand’s most famous “Tom Yum Goong”. This collaboration has inspired Master Chef Nooror to craft a “Magical Rivers New Year’s Eve Menu” comprising Thai Rivers treasures amongst other Blue Elephant culinary gems, on New Year’s Eve for the Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant, Bangkok and Phuket.

“Only 3% of the water on our planet is fresh. Yet these precious waters are rich with surprise. All life on land is ultimately dependent on fresh water.”
– Sir David Attenborough, WWF Ambassador –

“Human food comes from nature, from rivers and canals. Because of this, we humans must preserve rivers and canals. I’m a chef who’s proud of ingredients from rivers and canals.”
– Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe –

On Sunday, 31st December 2023 from 5.30 pm, diners are invited to join Master Chef Nooror on a magical night of exquisite flavours and rich bounties of the river and show a commitment to sustainable luxury.

Some of the highlights of the “Magical Rivers New Year’s Eve Menu” comprise ‘Duo Jaeng Lon’ made from fresh pink organic lotus petals filled with Banana Prawn; ‘Auspicious Duck Laab’; ‘Foie Gras Tomato Dip’; ‘River Prawn Tom Yum Bisque’, a specially created recipe of creamy soup made from Ayutthaya River Prawn; “Ravioli Kao Soy’; ‘Hor Mok Blue Crab Curry’; and ‘Thai Wagyu Beef Salad & Grape’; and the legendary ‘Bespoken Massaman Lamb’; “Khao Yum’ amongst other flavourful selections.

The ”Magical Rivers New Year’s Eve Set Menu to be served on Sunday, 31st December 2023 from 5.30 pm to 11.00 pm is @Baht 6,800 plus plus per person.

For bookings or more information please call tel. 02 673 9353-8

About Blue Elephant
The story of Blue Elephant began as a result of the great passion for Thai food of Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, founding chef and director of the Blue Elephant Group.

Blue Elephant opened its first restaurant in Brussels, Belgium in 1980 with Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, her husband Karl Steppe, who has always been passionate about Thai culture and Thai cuisine, and their good friends and partners Chai Wayno & Somboon Insusri. Initially extremely popular among the citizens and expatriate members of Brussels, Master Chef Nooror’s Thai food soon gained its reputation in other parts of Europe, the Middle East and other countries in Asia.

From her love of cooking and of Thai cuisine and culture, Master Chef Nooror has become a staunch advocate and ambassador by promoting Thai cuisine and culture to the rest of the world. Sourcing from only the finest and premium produce from the Royal Project and from all over Thailand with emphasis on products with health benefits, Master Chef Nooror has created the most palatable, authentic and, most important of all, healthy Thai menus.

In 2002, Master Chef Nooror returned to Thailand to further explore her heritage and bring back to life forgotten recipes from bygone eras as well as to share her precious heirloom recipes handed down from generation to generation. Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant Bangkok opened its doors in 2002; and the Phuket branch in 2010.

In 2006, Blue Spice Company Limited was established to manufacture and export premium spices, curry pastes and sauces amongst others under the Blue Elephant brand. Today, Blue Elephant products are available in almost 45 countries worldwide as well as in leading supermarkets throughout Thailand.

In 2020, the Blue Elephant Group celebrated 40 years of continuously achieving milestones in the culinary world both locally and overseas.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bangkok Uncovered and Beyond

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Bangkok Uncovered and Beyond V04 - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netBangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Sukhothai Bangkok cordially invites you to attend a fundraising charity event, “Bangkok Uncovered & Beyond,” to support the social development projects of endangered communities in Bangkok. For the forth year of the project celebration, The Sukhothai Bangkok and its preferred partners, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) – Tourism Division, are planning to expand the scale of the event. Hence, the project is now called “Bangkok Uncovered & Beyond Vol.4” and this marks our fourth event since 2017.

The project has evolved from our creation of the APPEAR concept to preserve disappearing communities and cultures, making them reappear through sustainable tourism. We have partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) – Tourism Division. The Sukhothai Bangkok has collaborated in this project to promote sustainable activities within six disappearing communities while improving the livelihoods of the locals. The six endangered communities include Koh Sarn Chao, Bang Lamphu, Hua Takhe, Bang Kradi, Ban Bu, and Nang Loeng.

In addition to these six communities, we also have another communities joining in the event: Talad Noi, Hala Market at Charoenkrung 103, Klong Ladmayom Market, Taladname Song Klong in Taling Chan, Bangkok Dee Jung, Talad Mod Ta Noi and Lumpoo Community. This year, we are also open to private companies interested in showcasing their products at the event.

We anticipate an attendance of approximately 1000 guests per day over the weekends. This event represents a significant milestone, and we are committed to making it even more remarkable than before. We would like to invite you to participate in this end-of-year charity event. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore the hidden gems of Bangkok’s old neighborhoods, but you will also support community social projects and experience the different traditions of twelve local communities. You can participate in a range of fascinating cultural activities, many of which are slowly being forgotten and lost in time, including:

• Creative Thai arts and crafts workshops by community artisans, such as sustainable kites made from leaf-gilded black lacquer (Lai Rod Nam), hand embroidery of Mon shawls, Mon paper crafts, and self-portrait drawing.
• Rare musical, dance, and craft performances, such as banana trunk carving, vintage stone powder flower garland (Pang Puang) creation, Mon music, and Chatree dancing.
• Learning secret recipes from community grandmas, such as golden threads and kanom Jak.
• Shopping for unique gifts or simply enjoying an endless assortment of delicious food and desserts, including Mon caramel and mung bean marzipan.
• Trying the ancient Rae Rai, bale jelly, and Thai steamed red lotus stem cake.
• Enjoying special deals with vouchers from the luxurious five-star hotel, The Sukhothai Bangkok, including room, Food & Beverage, and spa packages.
• Discovering unusual artifacts and participating in the community auction to bid on art pieces by community artists and handmade bronze knives.
• Display and showcase service and product from multiple sponsors at the event.

We are excited to announce that at the upcoming Bangkok Uncovered & Beyond Vol.4 event, all proceeds from sales will be dedicated to supporting community-driven social projects. Once event costs are covered, the entirety of the sales revenue will be directed towards the following impactful initiatives:

Children’s Library: Promoting a love for learning and literacy among the young minds of our community.
Playground: Creating a safe and vibrant space for children to play, explore, and make cherished memories.
Study Center: Providing a conducive environment for students to excel in their education.
Museum Refurbishment: Breathing new life into a local museum, preserving and showcasing our cultural heritage.

Your attendance at Bangkok Uncovered & Beyond Vol.4 on 16-17 December 2023 will not only offer you a unique and enriching experience but will also contribute significantly to the betterment of our community. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing in this collective endeavor to make a positive impact. Together, we can make a difference.

For more information about the event and to stay updated on our progress, please contact:
Chutima Limpasurat
Director of Marketing Communications
02 344 8888 or Chutima.l@sukhothai.com

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mara Bushtops launches new Webcam to the Wild

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Mara Bushtops launches new Webcam to the Wild - VISITKENYA.comMasai Mara, Kenya, November 29, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Mara Bushtops, the only safari camp in the Maasai Mara with a substantial natural salt lick directly in front of its camp, has just launched a new webcam with high speed internet ensuring a permanent live feed from one of Kenya’s wildlife hotspots. Watch all the action right here from the comfort of your home, and please be sure to subscribe to @Bushtops on YouTube as the links can change. Sound will also be added in the coming weeks.

A steady stream of wildlife visits the salt lick throughout the day and night, still visible after sunset via infrared technology, in search of the minerals needed for healthy bones. This creates a constantly shifting nature show, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. Herds of elephant can be joined by up to 40 giraffe at any given time – with predators such as leopards and lions in attendance. What a privilege to have this permanent window to the wild!

Most of the action occurs between 10AM – 4PM Kenya time (GMT +3) but viewers around the globe can also browse through the previous 12 hours of footage recorded in case they missed something.

About Bushtops

Owned and managed by the third generation Stuart family, Andy and Claudia have established three unique camps in East Africa that offer a superlative “wild luxury” experience under canvas.  Their first camp, Mara Bushtops, located in a private concession on the fringe of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park, overlooks a natural salt lick which attracts diverse wildlife from miles around.  Perfectly positioned along the pathway of the annual wildebeest migration, they also have two camps in Tanzania, namely Serengeti Bushtops in the northern Serengeti and Roving Bushtops, very unique mobile camp which moves seasonally between the central and southern Serengeti, in sync with the famous wildebeest migration.

Bushtops Safari Camps offer some of the most luxurious and immersive safari experiences in Africa, with a deep commitment to conservation and sustainability.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Luxe Riverfront December Escape at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel

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Luxe Riverfront December Escape at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Indulge in the magic of the holiday season with our exclusive ‘Luxe Riverfront December Escape’ package at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers by the Chao Phraya River. Revel in the enchanting evening with complimentary dinner and sundowner package at the iconic Siam Yacht Club restaurant to make your December unforgettable.

Book a minimum 2-night say, and treat yourself to an enchanting riverside escape.

Package Highlights:
• Room with river view guarantee include with a delectable breakfast for 2 persons
• One-time international buffet to enjoy a sumptuous dinner for two at Feast restaurant
• One-time sundowner package, savor the moment on sipping your favorite beverages and watching the sun dip below the horizon for a memorable experience by the Chao Phraya River at the iconic Siam Yacht Club.
• Complimentary rate check out at 16.00 hrs.
• Room rates start from THB 5,100++
• Package available from stay period until 17th December 2023.

‘Luxe Riverfront December Escape’ is available for book now for stay period from 3rd December to 17th December 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your December unforgettable. Treat yourself to a riverside retreat and create lasting memories at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers.

To make a reservation or book now, please click visit website www.royalorchidsheraton.com

About Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts makes it easy for guests to feel welcome at over 430 hotels and resorts in nearly 70 countries and territories around the world. As the most global brand within Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands sitting at the center of hundreds of communities around the world, Sheraton has a rich heritage in creating a sense of belonging for guests, wherever they are in the world. Sheraton is currently undergoing a major brand transformation, creating a signature community experience for the next generation of travelers and locals alike at properties across the globe. The new vision for Sheraton features intuitive design, tech-forward experiences, and upgrades to everything from public space and F&B to flexible meeting space.

Sheraton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,700 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BWH Hotels Expands in Vietnam with BW Premier Collection Hotel Quy Nhon

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BWH Hotels Expands in Vietnam with BW Premier Collection Hotel Quy Nhon - TRAVELINDEXQuy Nhon, Vietnam, November 29, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels (BWH), the leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels, has announced the signing of The Sailing Quy Nhon, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, a stunning new high-rise hotel that will introduce the company’s elevated standards of international hospitality to an exciting, up-and-coming destination on Vietnam’s central coast.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Quy Nhon, the vibrant seafront city in Vietnam’s Binh Dinh province, this upscale hotel will comprise one tower (Tower A) of a new mixed-use development overlooking the ocean. Situated just moments from the beach, The Sailing Quy Nhon, BW Premier Collection will feature a full range of premium accommodations and amenities. Upon opening it is set to become one of the most prestigious places to stay in this rapidly emerging business and leisure destination.

With its iconic design, this project is set to become a new landmark in Quy Nhon. Visitors will be put on the doorstep of the city’s downtown offices and attractions, and the hotel will also be within easy reach of Binh Dinh’s natural and cultural wonders, including Hon Kho Island, Ky Co Beach, Ong Nui Temple, Thap Doi Towers and many more. Phu Cat Airport, which is just 30km away, offers regular flights to and from major cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

BW Premier Collection® by Best Western is a carefully-curated portfolio of exclusive and inspiring upscale hotels. Each property’s identity is unmistakably tied to its destination, reflecting the unique personality of each locale. From the lobby to the room, every detail is thoughtfully considered, creating memorable, sophisticated and superior guest experiences.

“We are delighted to complete the signing of The Sailing Quy Nhon, BW Premier Collection, which represents another key stage in our Vietnamese expansion strategy. Quy Nhon is a wonderful destination and a wonderful addition to our portfolio. Like all our franchised properties throughout Vietnam, The Sailing Quy Nhon will receive our full support to enable it to provide outstanding service to our guests from around the world,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

The Sailing Quy Nhon, BW Premier Collection joins BWH Hotel’s expanding portfolio of hotels and resorts in Vietnam, which currently comprises of five operating properties – Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long, Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc, Best Western Premier Sonasea Villas Phu Quoc, Best Western Premier Marvella Nha Trang, and Caravelle Saigon, a member of the WorldHotels Elite – with many more in the pipeline.

For more information about BWH, please visit bwhhotels.com

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.

*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tourist-Triggered Emotions

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Tourist-Triggered Emotions - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comHow do tourists in your town make you feel? A study co-authored by Dr Shiqin Zhang, Dr Nan Chen and Professor Cathy H. C. Hsu of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University shows that Hong Kong natives have complex emotional responses to visitors from the mainland. The paper may help improve host–visitor relations in Hong Kong and abroad as tourist numbers pick up in the post-pandemic era. The study setting is particularly relevant as mainland Chinese tourists become more adventurous travellers.
The importance of emotions in tourism cannot be overstated. Improving our subjective state of mind, whether through joy, excitement or relaxation, is the essential goal of leisure travel. Notably, local populations in tourist areas play a key role in shaping visitors’ environment and in turn the emotional experiences of visitors. However, this is a two-way relationship that also depends on locals’ own disposition towards tourists.
Currently, research on hosts’ emotional responses to tourists lags behind the study of tourists’ emotions. To address this, tourism researchers need to not only broaden their scope but also learn from psychologists. “Emotion research in tourism as a whole”, say the researchers, “is still in its infancy compared to that in psychology”. They propose that hosts’ multi-layered emotional reactions arise from the interplay between desires and stereotypes.
As discussed in detail by the authors, we may not know our own emotions as well as we think. Befitting their role in both regulating behaviour and signalling thoughts, emotional responses are highly complex. For one thing, emotions consist of both mental components, such as cognitive appraisal, and physical components, such as physiological arousal. Thus, the researchers tell us, “combinations of various psychophysiological measures (e.g., EEG, EDA and facial expressions) and self-reports are strongly encouraged”.
Furthermore, some emotional reactions happen so quickly that they can evade conscious notice. This complicates the attempts to measure emotional reactions to tourist behaviour. As “a complex state that can be expressed through various channels”, the researchers note, emotion requires objective measurement techniques in addition to the subjective methods that are used in conventional tourism research.
Another way to classify emotions is based on explicit vs. implicit expression. As the researchers argue, “explicitly expressed emotions are more like cognitive or conscious responses toward triggers”. Such emotions, also described as “conscious”, “deliberate” or “reflective”, can be easily noticed and described by the subject, making them accessible to researchers using questionnaire or interview techniques.
In contrast, when we feel an implicit – or “automatic”, “spontaneous” or “raw” – emotion, we cannot control it and may even fail to observe it. Implicit responses can only be measured using real-time experimental methods such as pulse monitoring. This makes it problematic that “emotion research in tourism, even in marketing and psychology, has a long tradition of relying on self-report methods”, in the authors’ words.
Many psychologists recognise at least six basic emotions: anger, happiness, surprise, disgust, sadness and fear. Nonetheless, tourism researchers have often overlooked this diversity, instead measuring emotional responses on a simple two-dimensional scale of valence (positive/negative) and arousal (activated/non-activated). “While this approach is useful”, the authors write, “it hides the various roles of discrete emotions in tourism encounters”.
Social encounters, such as those between tourists and locals, may give rise to a rich set of emotions. These are likely to be deeply rooted in the cultural context of the host community and the socialisation of individual people. Given the rich social nature of host–tourist interactions, the SHTM team realised that “more efforts with full considerations of basic emotions combining implicit measures in a tourism context are needed”.
Hence, to objectively measure locals’ reactions to tourists, the researchers used facial expressions as cues. The study of faces to read emotional states is not only intuitive but has a scientific basis stretching back to Darwin. However, despite the variety of the human emotional palette, “the limited number of tourism studies that examined discrete emotions, unfortunately, only measured one or a few specific emotions”, the researchers tell us.
Facial expression analysis also avoids the social and psychological biases that bedevil self-reports. “Self-reported methods could have cognitive and social desirability bias and thus limit the understanding of emotions to those explicitly expressed”, the authors write. This is because we can simply deny feeling socially undesirable emotions, to others and even to ourselves.
However, we cannot fully suppress our facial micro-expressions, which give away information on how we react to our surroundings. Hence, if we conceal our feelings for the sake of social harmony, the implicit emotions showing on our faces may be more reliable than the explicit emotions we choose to report. Thus, due to the discrepancies caused by biases, research has validated implicit measures as “effective and necessary to complement self-reports”.
To get to the truth, the researchers recruited 14 Hong Kong residents who all identified fully or partly as “Hongkongese”. These participants were shown short (1–2 minute) video clips, presenting interactions between locals and mainland tourists, based on real anecdotes from a different set of Hongkongers. Three scenarios portrayed the tourists in a positive light, while the rest depicted various forms of unsocial behaviour, such as queue-jumping, loudness and a young child urinating in public.
As the participants watched the scenes (no more than three per person), their facial expressions were video-recorded to capture their implicit emotions. Using specialised software, the researchers analysed the subjects’ faces to determine their dominant emotion at each time point throughout the viewing. Afterwards, the viewers answered a survey on the intensity of their explicit emotional responses, and the researchers interviewed them to dig deeper into how they felt about the scenarios and why.
The results showed that the self-report method and facial analysis revealed different information. The self-report surveys and interviews were heavily outperformed by the software in measuring the participants’ happiness, sadness and anger. However, the self-report methods encountered no such difficulties with disgust, surprise and fear, “implying a higher consistency between the two approaches when identifying these three emotions compared with the others”.
These differences sometimes led to contrary outcomes. One older woman, watching tourists in a shop trying on cosmetics in a selfish and unhygienic way, showed a low intensity of all facial emotions. Afterwards, however, she reported having strongly felt sadness and disgust. If even specialist AI failed to register her displeasure from visual clues, one can imagine that real-life tourists would fail to realise how she felt. In the researchers’ words, “when tourists encounter this resident, they may not find her unfriendly or being offended”.
The study identified happiness, sadness and anger – revealed by facial expressions – as “desires-driven” emotions rooted in the unconscious mind. They are founded on an implicit expectation of good social outcomes. In contrast, disgust and surprise, which the participants revealed verbally after watching the clips, arise from the confirmation or violation of stereotypes about mainlanders. Negative emotions were amplified in the self-reports, such as when the older woman described the cosmetics shoppers as “selfish, self-centred, and arrogant”.
Hong Kong residents hold ambivalent views of mainland tourists, as revealed by verbal reports and face tracking. In the authors’ words, “facial expressions and words can tell different stories”. Given that emotions can drive behaviours, the authors suggest that the tourist board and media promote positive stereotypes of mainland Chinese to influence the explicit emotional reactions of locals during host–guest interactions. This study, the first of its kind, pushes forward tourism research towards a richer understanding of ways to boost harmonious relations.
Zhang, Shiqin, Chen, Nan, and Hsu, Cathy H. C. (2021). Facial Expressions Versus Words: Unlocking Complex Emotional Responses of Residents Toward Tourists. Tourism Management, Vol. 83, 104226.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sustainable Tourism Observatories are Transforming the Sector

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Sustainable Tourism Observatories are Transforming the Sector - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, November 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Members of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) have met to exchange insights on the importance of governance, participatory approaches and timely data in advancing sustainability in destinations.

Made up of leading destinations, members of the World Tourism Organization’s INSTO network are at the forefront of work to conceive and implement sustainable development practices at the ground level. These practices, which focus on inclusivity and making decisions based on evidence, are leading to a positive shift towards tourism development that is both resilient and inclusive.

Data-driven transformation

The meeting showcased the Observatories’ efforts in various measurement areas such as local satisfaction levels, destination carrying capacity, and environmental and social aspects of tourism. INSTO members emphasized the challenges they face in monitoring, underscoring the importance of reliable data obtained through partnerships with diverse providers. They also highlighted the selection of relevant indicators tailored to each destination’s specific needs, making it easier to compare between destinations.

The INSTO destinations emphasized the importance of timely and evidence-based policy actions that support the ongoing transformation of the tourism sector. Discussions centred around real-world examples and experiences from leading destinations as well as progress in the Measurement of Sustainable Tourism and One Planet initiatives and the efforts related to biodiversity climate action.

New Members welcomed

The INSTO network continues to expand, welcoming four new Observatories during this week’s meeting: Gifu Prefecture in Japan, Cali in the Valle de Cauca in Colombia, the Centro de Portugal, and the Atlantic Coast of Ireland. These destinations have demonstrated their work towards sustainable tourism through participatory approaches, evidence generation and transparency – essential requirements for INSTO membership. Additionally, three members have joined since the beginning of 2023: Yucatan and Tlaxcala in Mexico and the Monitoring Centre from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, bringing the total INSTO membership to 42.

All INSTO members are committed to assessing the impact of tourism in 11 mandatory areas spanning economic, environmental and socio-economic dimensions. This commitment aligns with the new Measuring Sustainable Tourism (MST) framework UNWTO is developing, which goes beyond broad indicators such as GDP.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Phuket Welcomes World Sailors for Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

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Phuket Welcomes World Sailors for Phuket King’s Cup Regatta - VISITPHUKET.orgPhuket, Thailand, November 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Set against the azure seascape of Phuket, the prestigious Phuket King’s Cup Regatta returns from December 3th to 9th, 2023. A testament to the competitive spirit of sailing and a significant booster for Thailand’s sport tourism, the event, taking place at Beyond Resort Kata. One of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious international sporting events, the regatta is renowned for its perfect blend of high-calibre sailing and rich social experiences, contributing significantly to the local economy and tourism industry.

The event also underscores Thailand’s commitment to nurturing young talent with the Dinghy Series, especially through the Optimist Challenge for sailors under 15. Over five exhilarating days, participants and visitors can look forward to a series of races interwoven with cultural festivities and opportunities for community engagement, all set within Phuket’s breathtaking maritime backdrop.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is not merely a competition but a celebration of Thailand’s marine splendour and a catalyst for cross-cultural camaraderie and exploration.

About the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
Asia’s legendary yacht race under Royal Patronage was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the event has been held during the first week of December. Under Royal Patronage, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News