Global Travel News

Dusit Hotels Appoints Managing Director for Its Returning Flagship Bangkok Hotel

 700 418 wttc2
By:

Dusit Hotels Appoints Adrian Rudin as Managing Director for Its Returning Flagship Bangkok Hotel - TOP25HOTELS.comBangkok, Thailand, 26 October 2023 – Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has appointed Mr Adrian Rudin as Managing Director of two highly anticipated properties in Dusit’s esteemed portfolio – the reimagined flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel and ultra-luxury Dusit Residences.

Currently under development opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok, where the iconic original Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel once stood, both properties are integral components of Dusit’s most significant project to date – Dusit Central Park – a visionary mixed-use development that will also encompass a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end shopping mall, and a sprawling public rooftop park.

Set to make its grand debut in mid-2024, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok represents a contemporary transformation of the original hotel, which first graced the Bangkok skyline in 1970 as the city’s grandest and tallest edifice, famous for housing Bangkok’s most elegant ballroom. As a testament to this storied legacy, the revitalised hotel has been meticulously designed to elevate Dusit’s standing on the world stage while redefining its heritage through a modern lens.

Set over 49 floors and crowned with an iconic golden spire, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok will be a multifaceted destination offering an array of dining, wellness, and event facilities. This includes a breathtaking elevated ballroom affording panoramic views of Lumpini Park. Each of the hotel’s 257 spacious and exquisitely designed guest rooms and suites will also provide captivating vistas of this expansive green oasis in the heart of the city.

Drawing inspiration from Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, the neighbouring Dusit Residences is also dedicated to embracing Dusit’s rich legacy, and promises to offer a seamless fusion of luxury, comfort, and convenience for residents when it opens in early 2026.

Mr Rudin, a Swiss national, brings over three decades of experience in leading luxury hotels under renowned banners such as Shangri-La and Kempinski Hotels. Pivotal positions he has held in his career include, amongst others, Hotel Manager of Shangri-La Singapore, General Manager of Traders Hotel in Singapore, and Opening General Manager of Shangri-La properties in Abu Dhabi and Beijing.

Before joining Dusit, he served as General Manager of Sindhorn Bangkok Kempinski and Vice President of Operations for China and Southeast Asia at Kempinski Hotels, where he skillfully managed the operations of 25 Kempinski and NUO Hotels, while providing invaluable support for new ventures.

With his appointment as Managing Director of Dusit Thani Bangkok and Dusit Residences, Mr Rudin will play a crucial role in shaping the success of both new properties, including securing future MICE business ahead of the hotel’s grand opening next year.

“Being entrusted with the stewardship of these prestigious Dusit properties is both a privilege and an honour,” said Mr Rudin. “I look forward to working with our exceptional teams to breathe vibrant life into Dusit’s storied legacy as we curate unparalleled guest experiences, continue to redefine hospitality’s highest standards, and deliver one of the most impressive venues for memorable meetings and events in Bangkok.”

Mr Rudin holds an Advanced Certificate in Hotel Management from SHL (Schweizerische Hotel Fachschule Luzern) and an Executive Education certificate from Cornell Hotel Management School at Cornell University, New York.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 19 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Uzbekistan Wows Delegates at 25th UNWTO General Assembly

 700 467 wttc2
By:

Uzbekistan Wows Delegates at 25th UNWTO General Assembly - TRAVELINDEX - VISITUZBEKISTAN.netSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / International delegates and media attending the 25th UNWTO General Assembly have expressed their delight of the historical city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

Many who spoke about their impressions of the capital city, which is a cultural citadel, have been surprised with the developments and commitments of the government to position Uzbekistan as a new tourism draw.

Hosting UNWTO’s highest organisational structure for the first time, Uzbekistan staged one of the culturally enriching side events to celebrate the historical city.

Speaking to VoyagesAfriq on their impressions of the General Assembly, Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism of Zambia, was excited. From his arrival at night to the glowing sun in the morning that unraveled the country’s beauty.

“When we arrived in Uzbekistan, I was not sure where we were. From the airport to the train and finally to Samarkand, we saw amazing places,” Sikumba said.

Speaking at the General Assembly, the Zambian minister noted that the number of participants at this year’s assembly was overwhelming.

But what resonated with him were the opening ceremony speeches by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of Uzbekistan and Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO secretary general.

“The Uzbekistan president’s speech reflected the views of Hakainde Hichilema, my president, on a number of issues particularly PPP, safe cities, open skies and connectivity, which is a big issue in Africa. We are looking at creating airstrips across our provinces in Zambia to make it easier for people to travel”.

He was also impressed with the plenary sessions where he saw figures from his colleagues who are pushing boundaries for tourism to become economic driver of their respective countries.

“Tourism gives, it never takes away unlike other sectors,” Sikumba concluded.

On his part, Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Maldives, expressed that the General Assembly was super good.

On his impression about the host country, he noted, “From our arrival to the hosting, the Uzbekistan team has been good. The venue is new and marvelous”. He was also impressed with the exciting opening ceremony and great speeches by the Uzbekistan president and the secretary general of the UNWTO. “The Investment Forum was very insightful and it challenged all of us here.

“Considering that the General Assembly is well organized, it is a landmark success.
Also pulsatile the UNWTO secretary general has been in charge for some years now and he has been leading the global body in some of the most difficult times during the pandemic.

Now we have moved to the next level of tourism and the General Assembly will draw the roadmap to this next level of global tourism,” Mausoom assured.

Folorunsho Coker, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), was exceptionally excited being at the General Assembly.

“What I have witnessed so far here in Samarkand identifies that tourism is a good state of being and if your country is in a good state, the reward you will get is tourism.

“People will bring their resources to come to discover what you have to offer from whatever form of tourism you have,” Coker said.

He is concerned about improved air connectivity in Africa.

“We need greater connectivity, in the world today, 95 percent of global tourism is enjoyed by 5 percent of countries in the tourism ecosystem.

“There is a need to explore deeper, open minds like the Saudis are doing with their sponsorships,” he said.
On his impressions about the host country, the Nigerian tourism boss said, “We are standing on brand new infrastructure in Samarkand and this investment was done in two years.

“From what I can see, this is going to be the center of MICE for the ‘STAN’ countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and others”.

He thinks there is a lesson to learn from Uzbekistan.

“This country has oil and it is investing in tourism. Nigeria has oil too, and should invest in tourism as well,” he strongly called for more investments in the tourism sector of his country.

First published on VoyagesAfriq by Kojo Bentum Williams

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

People, Planet, Prosperity: UNWTO Global Investment Forum Looks to the Future

 700 439 wttc2
By:

People, Planet, Prosperity UNWTO Global Investment Forum Looks to the Future - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The “where, why, how and how much?” of tourism investments were the focus of high-level dialogues within the framework of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

With UNWTO data analyses making clear the vital need for both increasing levels of traditional and non-traditional investments in the sector and also ensuring that it is not solely focused on a minority of well-established destinations. The Investment Forum brought on stage Ministers (Albania, Colombia, Kingdom of Morocco, Maldives, Peru and Spain) leading private sector experts and representatives of the global investment community to reflect on key challenges and opportunities. In line with UNWTO’s priorities for global tourism, the focus was firmly on the growing needs of investments along ‘People (Education), Planet (Sustainability) and Prosperity (Innovation and Technology).

Investing for the Future

Opening the Forum, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the urgent need to re-imagine investments into our sector, in line with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and highlighted the key role of government support for investment in tourism and creating a supportive policy framework, commending the example of the host country, Uzbekistan’ which set out its tourism investment strategy for growing the sector as a pillar of development and cultural heritage.

The high-level panelists highlighted the key priorities of governments in national investment policymaking in the coming years to support the growing and changing investment needs of the tourism sector, while recognizing the vital need for both traditional and non-traditional investments in order to build greater sustainability, secure long-term resilience of the sector and to foster positive change. Furthermore, it was agreed that by channelling venture capital investments and providing crucial support structures is one of the most effective ways to unlock the potential of startups and foster an innovative and entrepreneur mindset.

Presentation of Framework

UNWTO Executive Director, Natalia Bayona summarized the global FDI and tourism investment outlook and trends and emphasized the importance of diversifying tourism investments along People-Planet and Prosperity. She highlighted that during the period 2018-2022 almost 2,415 projects were announced representing a total capital investment of USD 175.5 billion and also the crucial role of capitals to accelerate innovation, and support startups as venture capital funding in travel and tourism reached USD 48 billion in the same period of time proving the sector resilience. The rapidly growing role of public provident funds and sovereign wealth funds, which invested around USD 20 billion in the hotel and leisure industry since 2016 was brought to the audience attention by the Executive Director.

UNWTO Guides Investments in Uzbekistan and Mauritius

Further building on its portfolio in the area, UNWTO presented the latest in its series of “Doing Business” guidelines, comprehensive publications aimed at attracting investors in specific destinations. In Samarkand, Secretary-General Pololikashvili presented first “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Uzbekistan” and then “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Mauritius”. He then also named UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism, Mr Albert, in recognition of his private sector work and role in growing the sector in a sustainable way across his native Indonesia.

Startup Competition for Mega Events and MICE Tourism

The winners of the UNWTO Event Startup Competition took the stage to present their innovative solutions for Mega Events and MICE Tourism challenges. The solutions presented in the pitch session aim to digitize event management, foster sustainability, enhance inclusivity, amplify impact through strategic promotion, and ensure robust infrastructure management to optimize participant experiences.

Among the 164 applications from 69 countries, five startups were selected across four categories. Circular Unity, a Portugal based start-up, stood out in the category of Digitalization and Disruptiveness for Sustainable Event Management in Mega Events. The all-in-one solution for carbon footprint management and stakeholder engagement simplifies sustainability for events, entertainment, and hospitality. In the category of Inclusiveness and Accessibility, Touch2see, a French start-up dedicated to making games accessible to the visually impaired, demonstrated a remarkable solution.

For promotion and marketing of MICE Events the recognition was given to Atlaseek a solution based in the United Arab Emirates, that unites the best travel creators and offers unique travel stories, guides, and early released videos, together with Sentimantl form Israel, a state-of-the-art software platform that assists a broad variety of companies in service sectors to improve their operations and customer satisfaction.

The last category was awarded to Hello X-Lab, a Japanese based start-up selected from the category of technology for attendee engagement and infrastructure, a UX-driven experiential and product design shop made up of trailblazers and creative problem solvers, that creates immersive experiences, improves processes and explores new ways to connect, inform and delight.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

InterContinental Hotels Unveils a Distinctive Global Brand Evolution

 700 377 wttc2
By:

InterContinental Hotels Unveils a Distinctive Global Brand Evolution - TOP25BRANDS.com - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, October 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / InterContinental demonstrates its pioneering spirit while paying homage to its rich heritage, paving the way for the luxury traveller of tomorrow. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the world’s first and largest international luxury hotel brand, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of an extensive global brand evolution announced today.

As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, InterContinental is set to yet again reimagine the luxury travel experience, striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity. This transformative journey is driven by the brand’s long held belief that travel can expand minds and connect cultures, enhanced by cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and the exceptional talents of InterContinental’s diverse team members.

A FOCUS ON MODERN LUXURY TRAVELLERS AND DIVERSITY

InterContinental aims to captivate the imaginations of modern luxury travellers by satisfying their desire for knowledge and culturally rich experiences. This holistic evolution includes new offerings and experiences, a fresh brand culture, unique brand differentiators, and a game-changing food and beverage and hotel design strategy tailored to the traveller of tomorrow. With InterContinental hotels in the world’s finest cities from Rome to Shanghai, and 93 new hotels and resorts in the pipeline, these concepts will shape the future of InterContinental.

Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury Brands at IHG Hotels and Resorts, said: “This isn’t a rebrand or repositioning; rather, it’s a comprehensive transformation from start to finish of InterContinental, ensuring we stay at the forefront of crafting a luxury experience for the modern luxury traveler. Collaborating with our 215 hotels worldwide, we are committed to delivering precisely what todays and tomorrows guests, owners and colleagues require.”

“At its core, this brand evolution revolves around our exceptional team members globally. Alongside a new brand service platform, we’re introducing a fresh brand culture and a range of programmes aimed at attracting and retaining the finest talent in the industry. Our colleague brand culture is grounded in InterContinental’s core belief that travel expands the mind. We unite in diversity and wherever you are in the world, you belong at InterContinental.”

INTENTIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR MODERN LIFESTYLES

Modern travellers lead diverse lives, and InterContinental acknowledges the need for seamless transitions throughout their day. To address this, the brand is committed to helping guests “shape shift” through their day.

New initiatives include scientifically backed food and beverage programmes aimed at helping guests reduce travel fatigue while ensuring dining options reflect differing guest needs throughout the day. All guests will also receive access to the Timeshifter, a jet lag app which enables travelers to use the latest circadian science to adjust quickly to new time zones. InterContinental is collaborating with neuroscience-based designer Isabelle Sjovall to revolutionize guestroom spaces to enhance the restorative process needed for travel fatigue and reimagine other versatile physical spaces so they can seamlessly adapt to evolving needs at different times of the day.

INSIDER EXPERTISE; UNRIVALLED KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURE

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, with properties in 60 countries, leverages its rich history as a pioneer in hospitality. The brand’s colleagues serve as cultural connectors, helping guests embrace and explore cities and local neighbourhoods. The concierge, at the heart of cultural exploration, will play an even more significant role. InterContinental will develop innovative Concierge Galleries in hotel lobbies, transforming them into epicentres of unrivaled local, cultural knowledge. Going far beyond the standard concierge desk, these new outposts will more closely resemble a luxury boutique, bringing together interactive displays, library spaces and informative features, in some cases even art installations or designer pop-ups. From a design perspective, these social spaces will eschew the traditional desk in favor of a more interactive worktable allowing for more natural and engaging interactions between the guest and concierge.

INCREDIBLE OCCASIONS; THE VERY BEST MOMENTS IN LIFE

Modern luxury travellers place great value on special moments and celebrations but finding time to plan for them can be challenging as life gets busier. Long considered the setting of countless celebrations and special moments, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will further elevate micro-occasions for guests who wish to enjoy any number of life’s milestones, from birthdays to baby showers, through its brand-new Incredible Occasions programme.

The Incredible Occasions programme will help signpost bookable spaces around the hotel, where groups of guests can enjoy privacy while celebrating memorable moments. Unlike grand settings or spacious ballrooms, each intimate space will include programming and packages, consisting of amenities and experiences, such as beautiful tablescapes, decadent candlelit dinners or private masterclasses which can be offered.

Bringing together expertise, infrastructure and imagination, InterContinental will also unveil Celebration Suites across its global portfolio. These are reimagined spaces designed specifically to help guests elevate life’s most special moments, from lavish dinner parties to landmark birthdays.

CULTIVATED ELEGANCE; A PORTFOLIO OF FASCINATION

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts boasts a diverse portfolio of remarkable properties catering to various travel needs and purposes. The brand evolution focuses on further elevating quality design and timeless style under the umbrella of “Cultivated Elegance.”

Melissa Messmer, Global Head of Design for Luxury Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Each InterContinental hotel or resort is an experience-driven bespoke concept, tied together by our new Design Pillars that form the strength of our brand design style, Cultivated Elegance.”

InterContinental’s diverse style domains cater to different traveller preferences, from idyllic escapes such as InterContinental Maldives to romantic getaways at InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace to unique stays at properties such as Bill Bensley-designed InterContinental Khao Yai.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ global brand evolution embraces modernity, diversity and the desire for meaningful experiences, ensuring that guests can continue to explore the world while feeling right at home.

With acquisitions and new brand launches, IHG Hotels & Resorts has become a significant player in the luxury & lifestyle segment, offering a unique portfolio that spans over 479 properties in more than 70 countries.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Sukhothai Bangkok introduces Sushi Kappo Takizawa Pop-Up

 700 441 wttc2
By:

The Sukhothai Bangkok introduces Sushi Kappo Takizawa Pop-Up - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, October 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Starting in November 2023, The Sukhothai Bangkok proudly presents Sushi Kappo Takizawa Pop-Up – an exquisite traditional Japanese Omakase experience by Chef Shumpei Takizawa. Renowned for his mastery of Japanese Omakase cuisine, Chef Takizawa’s passion for traditional Japanese culinary artistry and commitment to perfection promise to redefine the Omakase dining experience in Bangkok

Hailing from Shizuoka, where his family specializes in producing dried fish products like Katsuo bushi for Dashi, Chef Takizawa’s journey began in his childhood. He honed his skills in the United States, Europe, and the UAE, continually exploring and mastering various techniques to elevate his culinary expertise. In 2013, he returned to Japan, dedicating himself to the traditional style of Edomae-sushi at Michelin-starred sushi bars in Hokkaido and Tokyo. By 2018, he had assumed control of their Los Angeles branch, achieving a remarkable 2 Michelin stars in his first year. In 2020, he ventured to Bangkok, serving as a consultant before finally establishing his own Omakase restaurant.

Chef Takizawa’s Omakase Style seamlessly blends traditional Edomae Sushi with Kappo dishes. Edomae Sushi involves aging, marinating, and curing, while Kappo dishes fuse authentic Japanese cooking with influences from other culinary traditions such as French and Chinese. Hence, Chef Takizawa’s rice and Dashi quality are different from other Omakase places.

To commemorate the inauguration of Takizawa’s pop-up restaurant at The Sukhothai Bangkok, limited seating is being offered to ensure an intimate and unforgettable dining experience. Guests are strongly encouraged to make reservations in advance to secure their place at this culinary masterpiece.

Open daily for lunch and diner
Lunch 2,900++ | Dinner 5,900++ per person

For reservation or more information, please contact:
Tel: 0806433323

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Accelerating Green Investment in Tourism for Sustainable Development

 700 386 wttc2
By:

Accelerating Green Investment in Tourism for Sustainable Development - UNWTO - TRAVELINDEX - VISITUZBEKISTAN.netSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has put tourism on the agenda of the World Investment Forum, the biggest investment gathering led by the United Nations.

In partnership with the Forum’s organizers, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UNWTO held a special high-level dialogue that brought together both the investment and tourism communities.

Investment Framework for Tourism

At the “Accelerating Green Investment in Tourism for Sustainable Development” side event, UNWTO presented its new comprehensive tourism investment framework  focused on innovation, education and sustainability for a more comprehensive economic development. Alongside this, UNWTO also announced that it will partner with UNCTAD to provide a set of Guiding Principles for Tourism Investment in Sustainable Tourism. These will help stakeholders from every part of the sector implement the framework and further boost investments in tourism, one of UNWTO’s core priorities for the sector.

Solutions for Transition

The high-level debate made clear the need for solutions to unlock finance, accelerate green investments in tourism and contribute to sustainable development, particularly relevant as the UAE prepares to host the COP28 climate conference next month.

The dialogues stressed the vital need for a sustainable transition, not just for the planet, but also for tourism itself, for boosting competitiveness and increasing resilience, while emphasised the need of a robust and supportive investment policy framework. Central to this will be delivering additional green investments (traditional and non-traditional), financing and enhancing innovation and technology is much needed in the tourism sector to support and accelerate this transformation. Additionally, the importance of investing in human workforce and specific skills development at every level of education was underlined within the context of green transition.

Moreover, the crucial role of non-traditional investments in enhancing innovation through the creation and diffusion of technologies and mobility startups with the power to decarbonize and unlock new business models and accelerate the green transition was outlined during the discussion.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Oct. 23-27, 2023

 600 275 wttc2
By:

Carnival faced legal troubles in Australia for a cruise operated during the pandemic; Transat announced a flight first (spoiler alert: to Africa); while in other round-up news from last week, Porter launched flights to Las Vegas, Arajet arrived in Canada, and Visit Florida spread some sunshine during its annual mission north of the border.

NEWS

Carnival was ruled negligent by an Australian court for failing to cancel a cruise that led to a major COVID-19 outbreak early in the pandemic. The Ruby Princess left Sydney on March 8, 2020, with 2,671 passengers aboard for a 13-day cruise to New Zealand but returned in 11 days as Australia’s borders were closing. COVID-19 on the ship spread to 663 passengers and claimed 28 lives. Federal Court Justice Angus Stewart ruled that Carnival had been negligent as defined by Australian consumer law and had a duty to take reasonable care of her health and safety in regard to COVID-19.

ACTA has an issued a reminder to the industry that all travel businesses with operations, employees, or markets in Quebec are required to comply with new data privacy rules outlined in Quebec Law 25 by Sept. 2024. Additionally, all travel businesses that are based elsewhere, but have employees in Quebec, or serve markets and customers in the province must also comply. ACTA says it will provide information on its website this Fall to help members understand the new requirements and take the required actions to comply with the law. In addition, ACTA is working with a partner in Québec to plan and deliver a webinar to further assist members. For information, click HERE.

Called the strongest storm in history to make landfall along the eastern Pacific Coast, Hurricane Otis ripped across Mexico’s southern Pacific coast as a powerful Category 5 storm last week, tearing through buildings in the resort city of Acapulco, sending sheets of earth down steep mountainsides and causing massive flooding.

AIR

Air Transat will offer non-stop service between Montreal and Marrakech, Morocco, starting next June, making it the only airline in North America to offer non-stop flights to the Moroccan city. It is also the first-ever venture to Africa for the airline and represents what it calls a “strategic shift” in operations. Flights will be operated twice a week from June 12 to Oct. 24, 2024, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The service will then continue once a week, on Saturdays, until April 20.

Dominican Republic low-cost carrier, Arajet, the Caribbean’s low-fare airline, arrived in Toronto with the start of direct flights between the city and Santo Domingo. The route was officially launched at an inaugural event at Hotel X where they presented the biggest drone show in the sky said to be largest ever held in Toronto. The airline will be flying out of Toronto four days per week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – increasing the air connectivity between the two countries and destinations beyond.

An exterior view of take-off that can be viewed on the aircraft’s seatback entertainment system is just one of the features on Air Canada’s upgraded Airbus A321, which the carrier unveiled to passengers on a flight recently. Other features include a new cabin interior, new technologies and services such as Bluetooth audio, and free high-speed internet sponsored by Bell. The 14 Airbus A321s and eight A320s in the fleet will be retrofitted starting this fall through to the end of 2025.

Porter Airlines will launch daily flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) starting March 5, 2024. The service will utilize the airline’s new Embraer132-seat all-economy E195-E2 aircraft, which will depart at 1 p.m. daily, arriving at 3:04 p.m. Return flights at 4 p.m., arriving at 11:16 p.m. Introductory roundtrip fares start at $346.

Lynx is adding Mexico to its international roster, with service to Cancun from Toronto Pearson set to take off Feb. 15. The Mexican tourism mecca is the ultra low-cost carrier’s first destination in the country and marks its third country in a growing network that will now feature 18 destinations.

BY THE NUMBERS

According to a new IATA survey, which was based on 8,000 responses across 200 countries, passengers want convenience when they plan their travel and when choosing from where to depart. Proximity to the airport was passengers’ main priority when choosing their departure point (71%). This was more important than ticket price (31%). A small majority of passengers prefer to book directly with the airline (52%).

DEALS

The “Explore with More” from Holland America includes an air credit, shore excursion credit and kids cruising free. Running through Nov. 15, the promotion is available on Have it All cruise package fares for select departures from April through October 2024. Through “Explore with More,” guests receive a Shore Excursion Credit valued at up to US$400, free airfare for kids, and a US$500 Air Credit on 2024 Europe cruises. Additional perks include specialty dining, beverages and Wi-Fi that come with the “Have it All” premium package.

TOURS

Africa is booming, the Middle East not so much, travel advisors learned at Goway Travel’s annual showcase for the destinations in Toronto last week. It was the 12th time the Toronto-based tour company hosted the multi-day event for agents and suppliers, but first since before the pandemic. On Wednesday, 150 agents were on hand for a full day of training and trade show at the Hyatt Regency on King, featuring 27 suppliers from across the destinations. The day before about 1,000 agents signed up for a virtual event.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier of the Philippines, has launched PAL Holidays, a one-stop travel website that offers a seamless and comprehensive platform for booking travel to the southeast Asian country, and beyond. The new site is now live in Canada and elsewhere.

The new platform is powered by Expedia Group’s White Label Template technology and designed to help users effortlessly plan and book their entire journey – including PAL flights, hotels, transportation, and travel activities, all in one convenient location.

HOTELS

Executive double room

The well-known Chelsea Hotel Toronto, located on Yonge Street just north of the Eaton Centre, has completed a $25-million refurbishment. The investment – the most extensive since 2013 – included 600 guestrooms in the Executive Tower, hotel corridors throughout the hotel, modernization and refurbishment of the Executive Tower elevators. Additionally, there was a refurbishment of Market Garden Restaurant and Elm Street Bar & Lounge, the latter featuring double the seating capacity and the addition of new furniture and lighting.

Andean Experience (AE) soft-opened Peru’s first tented exploration camp, PUQIO in September. An extension of AE’s Southern Route, including Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and CIRQA in Arequipa, PUQIO is situated in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes, a region rich with biodiversity – including a large population of Andean condor – hot springs, volcanoes and one of the world’s deepest canyons, the Colca Canyon. Guests can choose from three distinct and locally designed tents and anticipate a range of activities and outings, including trips to local markets, Andean fishing, visits to thermal baths, wildlife watching and more.

RESORTS

The new ‘Aisle Edit’ Look Book from Sandals is an assemblage of curated designs catering to the latest trends in destination weddings and offering couples the opportunity to personalize selections and see themselves reflected in their wedding day. Aisle to Isle’s new amenity-rich packages include elements scaled for any size affair – from intimate elopement ceremonies for two to larger celebrations with pre- and post-wedding gatherings – all complete with a bespoke, wedding planning team that manages all the details every step of the way. Additional package inclusions with seamless planning tools such as a gift registry service and wedding website template, the preparation of documents for marriage licenses, and more. View the digital production here.

Renovations to the pool area at Secrets Aura Cozumel are currently underway, with an expected completion date of Nov.  30. Throughout the duration of this project, the entire pool area, which includes 26 Junior Suites with a swim-up pool view and 42 Junior Suites with a pool view as well as the Manatees swim-up bar will be unavailable, while the Bordeaux restaurant will be unavailable through the completion of the renovation. The lazy river pool will remain open for guests, as well as the Preferred Club pool for Preferred Club guests.

CRUISE

After a pandemic pause, Norwegian Cruise Line returned to Asia for the first time in three years Oct. 19 as the Norwegian Jewel set sail from Tokyo to begin an extensive six-month season of voyages in the region. NCL says it will have a record four ships deployed in the region during the 2024/25 season, underlying its commitment to Asia, both as a source market and destination, NCL will. In addition to the Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky will also visit destinations including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia.

Marking Royal Caribbean International’s biggest line-up of 2023-24 holidays Down Under, the cruise line’s Brilliance of the Seas arrived in Sydney for the first time Oct. 22 beginning a six-month season of five- to 18-night cruises to unique destinations, from Fiji and the Loyalty Islands to locales in Australia like Port Douglas, Melbourne and Kangaroo Island. Travellers can choose from 20 different itineraries across 40 destinations.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The Hard Rock Casino Vancouver is in for a rebranding. Effective December, the Coquitlam venue will become Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, according to owners, Great Canadian Entertainment. Along with the name change, the casino will welcome a Gordon Ramsay Burger restaurant and offered enhanced entertainment options with Live Nation.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

TTC Tour Brands is inviting members of the BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of colour) travel advisor community on a specially designed Trafalgar FAM trip taking place March 11-17, 2024. The seven-day “Sense of Europe” itinerary will travel from Prague to Vienna and Budapest. The Eastern European travel experience is designed to give advisors the opportunity to engage and network with peers within the BIPOC community and discover the history, architecture, culture, and cuisine of the region with Trafalgar. Twin share prices is $1.321 p.p. For more info and to apply, click HERE or email fams@ttc.com.

EVENTS

Visit Florida made stops in Vancouver and Toronto (photo) last week as part of the DMO’s annual mission to spread a little sunshine north of the border. With 10 state partners (or their Canadians representatives) on hand, VF’s Erin Cramer (middle, front row) told attendees that 2.1 million Canadians had visited the just the first seven months of 2023 – a not unsurprising statistic, she said, considering “we know that Canadians love Florida, and we love Canadians!”

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Former Flight Centre Vancouver-based travel agent Chadd Andre has been named the new Executive VP for Flight Centre Brand (FCB) Canada. The “significant change in Canadian leadership” follows the departure of Brian McLaren, who leaves FCTG after 21 years to pursue other endeavours. In his new role, Andre helms operations in Canada with a twofold focus to strategically boost both digital and retail sectors of the leisure business. McLaren will stay on until Nov. 30 to help with the transition.

TTAND agent Chen Yu was named the No. 1 “ChangeMaker” both in Canada and globally by G Adventures in its recent four-month long incentive campaign, which recognized agents responsible for “most lives changed” across eight markets worldwide.

DESTINATIONS

All of West Maui except for burned-out sections of historic Lahaina will reopen to tourism on Nov. 1 following the deadliest US wildfire in more than century. West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms, or about half of Maui’s total. Travellers evacuated those hotels after the Aug. 8 fire raged through Lahaina town, killing at least 99 people and destroying more than 2,000 buildings. Mayor Richard Bissen said he made the move after talking about it with his Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross, and other partners.

The newly launched Toronto Museum Pass provides access to seven popular museums in the city, including the Aga Khan Museum, Bata Shoe Museum, Gardiner Museum, Little Canada, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, and Textile Museum of Canada. Available as a one- or three-day option with prices ranging from $45 to $85, the pass offers up to 70 percent off with additional discounts for seniors and children under 12. The pass is delivered directly to users’ phones once purchased, and must be used within 90 days of purchase. It is activated with first use at a participating business, expiring 24-hours and 72-hours after first redemption, depending on the pass purchased.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1977, West German commandos stormed a hijacked Lufthansa airliner at an airport in Somalia and freed all 86 hostages aboard.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PolyU School of Hotel & Tourism Management Tops World Ranking

 605 415 wttc2
By:
PolyU School of Hotel & Tourism Management Tops World Ranking - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comThe School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has again excelled in the university rankings, claiming the top spot in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category of ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023.
This is the seventh consecutive year in which the SHTM has been recognised as the world’s number one by ShanghaiRanking, a globally respected institution. The School won first place in 2017, the first time ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects included the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category, and has held the top spot ever since.
ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities has been published annually since 2009 and is regarded as one of the three most influential and widely followed university classifications, alongside the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Earlier this year, the SHTM was recognised as world No. 1 in the 2022/23 Field Based Ranking of the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) Research Laboratory. The School has won first place globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category for six years in a row.
The URAP Research Laboratory was established at the Informatics Institute of the Middle East Technical University in 2009. Its main objective is to develop a ranking system for world universities based on academic performance as determined by the quality and quantity of their scholarly publications.
The SHTM is honoured to be recognised internationally as a world-leading hospitality and tourism management school. These rankings confirm the School’s outstanding reputation and commitment to global excellence in hospitality and tourism education and research and are a ringing endorsement of its visionary leadership, dedicated researchers and innovative educational approach.
“The No. 1 ranking is a tribute to the SHTM’s dedicated faculty members, trail-blazing graduates and culture of academic and research excellence,” said Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management. “For more than four decades, the SHTM has spearheaded hospitality and tourism education, supporting the hospitality and tourism industry, a key driver of socio-economic growth.”
For more information on ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023, please visit: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2023/RS0513
About PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management
For over 40 years, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 for the seventh consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2022/2023 for six years in a row; rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017; and ranked No. 2 in the world among university based programmes in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for the seventh consecutive year, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.
The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of 90 faculty members from 20 countries and regions around the world, the SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, the SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, and inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Bintan Triathlon 2023 Returns After Three Year Absence

 700 436 wttc2
By:

The Bintan Triathlon 2023 Returns After Three Year Absence - TRAVELINDEXBintan, Indonesia, October 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Over the past weekend, Bintan Resorts, in collaboration with TriFactor Asia, organised and flagged off the highly-anticipated return of the BINTAN TRIATHLON BY TRIFACTOR in 2023 after a three-year absence. Set against the scenic backdrop of Lagoi Bay, Bintan, this renowned event took place on 21 October 2023, marking its return to the world triathlon series. Athletes from around the globe gathered to compete in a test of endurance, encompassing swimming, cycling, and running. Adding to the weekend’s events, a Gran Fondo competition for cycling enthusiasts was introduced on 22 October 2023. The total field of triathlon and other races’ participants were more than 500, surpassing the target for this return event.

This year’s adult races saw the participation of athletes and sports enthusiasts between the ages of 16 to 71, and coming from more than 35 countries, including Indonesia and Singapore.

The Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor 2023 is a momentous revival of a sporting event that captivated enthusiasts in the past. The previous edition was held in 2019 and discontinued due to the unprecedented challenges brought about by the global pandemic from 2020 to 2022.

This event is supported and partnered by Wonderful Indonesia – Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wonderful Riau Island: Kepri Tourism Province and Bintan District Tourism Official.

The Guests of Honour presiding over the event are Pak Albert Wijaya, Indonesia Triathlon Federation – Riau Island Province, and Pak Max Federico Carlen, Indonesia Triathlon Federation – Riau Island Province.

Joining forces as esteemed Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor Ambassadors are well-known figures within the triathlon circuit including athletes Arthur Tong (Singapore); Elaine Young (Singapore); Choo Ling Er (Singapore); Andy Wibowo (Indonesia); Leanne Szeto (HongKong); Faith Garcia Miss Aura (Philippine); Kelly Tandiono (Indonesia) and Michelle Surjaputra (Indonesia).

Results Bintan Triathlon, 21st October 2023, as follows:

Category Age Group Gender 1st 2nd 3rd
Enduro 18 – 39 Male Alex Thio Kyle Fram Dex Cheong
Enduro 40 – 49 Male Andy Wibowo Assad Attamimi Mike Slaton
Enduro 50 – 59 Male Stephen Dow Mark Lampard Takayuki Watenta
Enduro 60 & Above Male Tanaka Hiroyuki – –
Enduro 18 – 39 Female Leanne Szeto Elaine Young Man Yun Yong
Enduro 40 & Above Female Mei Yin Lee Jaime Lim Marliny Abdul Samad
Olympic 18 – 29 Male Justin Kwik Gabriel Ong Wei Jie Ang
Olympic 30 – 39 Male Jerko Grom Andi Rahmat Adam Cotter
Olympic 40 – 49 Male Russell Van de water Larent Nicolas Christian Cavazzuti
Olympic 50 – 59 Male Chuk Chuen Robbie Chana Mark Ritchie
Olympic 60 & Above Male Inghie Kwik Joen Yen Lee Ebbie Baghaie
Olympic 18 – 39 Female Dea Salsabila Katie Gill Bianca Dharmasena
Olympic 40 & Above Female Catherine Epinat Wan Li Ho Mae Ong Gmira
Olympic Relay Team Relay All Team Croissant Lovers Team wtf – wheres the finish Team Lagoi

sport group B
Sprint Elite Male Yi JunTey Albert Wijaya Max Charlen Federico
Sprint 16 – 34 Male Rik Beugel Noah Schaffer Jaden Lim
Sprint 35 – 49 Male Alexander Beazley Untung Suropati Senen Iain Craig Anderson
Sprint 50 & Above Male Marnix Beugel Simone Morandi Lim lucky Limanjaya
Sprint Elite Female Wan Ting Lim Regine Xuan Xuan Goh –
Sprint 16 – 39 Female Renee Rommeswinkel Julia Riegel Kelly Tandiono
Sprint 40 & Above Female Shoko Suzuki Marlene Widjanarko Marchella Pesce

Results Gran Fondo Ride, Sunday, 22nd October 2023, as follows:

Experience 120k Open Age Group (Male) :
Experience 120k 18 – 39 Male Almy Hanggara Kyle Fram Christopher Keightley
Experience 120k 40 – 49 Male Metodio Mike Slaton Carlo Benazzi
Experience 120k 50 & Above Male Carl Wegner Vikram Khanna Michael Fernandes
Open Age Group (Female) :
Experience 120k 18 – 39 Female Ling Er Choo Sho Lekah Michelle Surjaputra
Experience 120k 40 & above Female Anna fritz Shoko Suzuki –
Explore 60K 18 – 39 Male Hans Morico Chandra Arthur Tong
Explore 60K 40 & Above Male Jeff Vlahovich Benny Eryanto Mohamed Amran
Explore 60K Open Female Elaine Young Mei Yin Lee Janise Quek

TriFactor, a brand by Orange Room, is Singapore’s foremost triathlon and

endurance sports brand in Singapore, and official partner with Bintan Resorts for the Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor 2023. Since its establishment in 2009, TriFactor has expanded its TriFactor Series across various Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and China, providing a platform for all participants to forge connections and foster camaraderie as fellow triathletes from diverse backgrounds, uniting sporting communities.

“We are very excited to welcome the Bintan Triathlon after a long absence from the sporting scene,” said Mr Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, PT Bintan Resort Cakrawala (Bintan Resorts). “With the support we received, we were committed to holding an excellent event that was enjoyed by many, including a wide range of triathletes from all over the world. He continued: “We would like to express our gratitude to the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, the Ministry Tourism & Creative Economy, Tourism Office of Bintan Regency and Riau Islands Province, Governor Riau Islands Province, Regent of Bintan, Head of the Bintan Regency Tourism Office, Federation Triathlon Indonesia, Bintan Resorts Council, and media partners for their support. With their help, we look forward to bringing more of such events and we are committed to growing sports tourism in Bintan Resorts, so look out for more sporting events to come in 2024.”

Mr Elvin Ting, Managing Director and Founder of Orange Room, said: “TriFactor is delighted to have partnered with Bintan Resorts to organise the Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor Festival in 2023. Our close collaboration aims to revive sports tourism in the breathtaking setting of Bintan, for now and into the future. The island’s extensive coastline, well-maintained roads, and exceptional infrastructure create an ideal training ground for athletes, ensuring their safety, enjoyment, and inspiration, offering our community the perfect location to train and compete at the highest level. It has been a successful weekend and we hope to see even more participants in future events.”

For more information about the Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor 2023 and detailed maps, and race routes please visit www.trifactor.asia/Bintan_Triathlon

About Bintan Resorts
Bintan Resorts is a multi-award winning, integrated beach resort destination that is host to 19 independent beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as an ever-expanding range of recreational facilities and attractions. It covers the entire northern coast of Bintan Island and is located just 60 minutes away via a catamaran ferry ride from Singapore, easily accessible for those looking for the perfect tropical beach getaway.

About TriFactor
TriFactor is dedicated to promoting accessible and inclusive good health through sports. Our comprehensive approach empowers members to achieve their fitness goals and aspirations to their fullest potential. By leveraging the latest advancements in sports science and technology, we help individuals overcome their self-imposed limitations and unlock their true physical and mental capabilities. Our focus on self-actualization promotes greater self-confidence and empowerment, leading to positive impacts on all areas of life. We support individuals at every stage of their fitness journey with a variety of themed destination races around the world, promoting sustainability, family bonding, and camaraderie. Our events are designed to be family-friendly, with activities and events for children and families, and we partner with local charities and organizations to give back to the community. We take steps to minimize our environmental impact, incorporate the latest sports science research and techniques, and use data-backed technology to track and analyse performance. At TriFactor, we believe that good health is not an event, but a lifestyle.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Global Education Forum Puts Spotlight on Future of Tourism

 700 391 wttc2
By:

 

Global Education Forum Puts Spotlight on Future of Tourism - UNWTO - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The UNWTO General Assembly looked to the future with a focus on tourism education and training. The Global Education Forum brought together Ministers, employers, educators and learners to address the biggest challenges and opportunities for advancing training across every part of the sector.

A priority for global tourism

According to data analysed by UNWTO, the majority of the global tourism workforce are young people, many of them without further training or qualifications. At the same time, existing tourism education centres and programmes prioritise hospitality, with UNWTO aiming to fill the gaps and deliver courses and other trainings to allow students to gain knowledge of every part of the diverse sector. Opening the Forum, UNWTO Executive Director Natalia Bayona made clear the opportunities and challenges: Tourism is the top employer of youth: over 50% of its workers aged 25 years old or less1 , while around 882,000 tourism jobs2 per year will require vocational training by 2030.

Ministers of Tourism from Andorra, Bahrain, Guatemala, the Philippines and Zambia brought their expert insights to a high-level Debate on Policies to Foster Innovation & Education for Current and Future Generations. Challenges highlighted included the high turnover of tourism staff in comparison to other economic sectors and the lack of tourism as a subject in schools in most education systems. The discussion explored opportunities for shaping new policies, effective instruments, and global partnerships to support inclusive and sustainable tourism development while addressing the skill gap and creating value-added jobs.

UNWTO presents the Education Toolkit for the incorporation of tourism as a subject in high schools

Within the Education Forum, UNWTO presented the Education Toolkit, a guide of recommendations for helping all actors involved on education in the introduction of tourism as a subject of the secondary school curricula with the ultimate goal of attracting and cultivating the right talent for the tourism sector.

The UNWTO Education Toolkit offers an overview of the current status of high schools and vocational education training worldwide, it also gives recommendations derived from the contributions of UNWTO member states, non-member states and academic partners and it also presents successful case studies of integrating tourism education and training in public and private schools. In addition, it includes a comprehensive overview of the benefits, with specialized curricula provided by UNWTO’s academic partners: the Cambridge Assessment International Education, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

Also at the Forum, participants were given an overview of the recently inaugurated Tourism Academy in Samarkand in collaboration with UNWTO, a key outcome of the country’s strong partnership with UNWTO.

UNWTO – HSLU Bachelor of Science in International Sustainable Tourism

During Bayona’s keynote speech, she also presented the flexible three-year BSc in International Sustainable Tourism that UNWTO and the Swiss public university of Lucerne for Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) have developed to empower the future-oriented transformation of the entire tourism sector. This unique initiative will be the first time that UNWTO has been actively involved in an undergraduate programme, with modules that include a variety of UN-related topics, such as UN Diplomacy & Tourism and Global UNWTO Missions & Initiatives, and deliberately embeds the UN’s values and global goals throughout the courses. The first cohort of the programme will commence in fall 2024 with a first year in Madrid, followed by a remote year and a third last year in Switzerland.

Ulysses Prize for Tourism Education

In a fitting culmination to the Global Education Forum, Dr. Bao Jigang was honoured with the prestigious Ulysses Prize, a testament to his remarkable contributions to the field of tourism. Awarded as the 16th laureate of this esteemed accolade bestowed by UNWTO for outstanding achievements in the creation and dissemination of knowledge within the realm of tourism, Dr. Bao’s illustrious career stands as a shining example of his invaluable impact. Throughout his distinguished academic journey, he has played a pivotal role in catalysing the growth of domestic tourism, in his homely of the People´s Republic of China, elevating its scale and significance as a premier global tourism destination.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News