Global Travel News

UNWTO Executive Council Welcomes New Members for Programme of Work

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UNWTO Executive Council Welcomes New Members for Programme of Work - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Executive Council of UNWTO met for the second time in a week to fulfil its statutory obligations and look ahead to a full two years transforming the sector.

At the 119th session of the Council, also held in Samarkand, Members endorsed the Organization’s Programme of Work for 2024 and 2025. This sets out its intentions for the two years, with both strategic objectives and programmatic priorities. As UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted: “We know where we are going, we know what we want, and we know our priorities for tourism.”

We know where we are going, we know what we want, and we know our priorities for tourism

New Members welcomed

The 120th session of the Executive Council was held in a clear spirit of international friendship and collaboration. In Samarkand, the Council thanked its outgoing Members for their service and active participation in helping guide the Organization over the past four years. Members also welcomed the new Members of the Council, namely Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Czechia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Saudi Arabia to continue as Chair

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue as Chair as Executive Council for 2024. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, thanked all Members for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing shared priorities and the Programme of Work. Secretary-General Pololikashvili thanked Saudi Arabia for their continued leadership and for his consistent and ongoing active support of the tourism sector.

Members also endorsed the Democratic Republic of Congo to serve as First Vice-Chair of the Council, and for Jamaica to serve as Second Vice-Chair.

Subsidiary bodies and looking ahead

The Council fulfilled its statutory obligations with elections to its subsidiary bodies, with a commitment to fair and equal representation of all global regions. Members voted on the countries that will serve on the UNWTO Programme and Budget Committee until 2025 or 2027, including representatives of the non-Council Member States and from the Affiliate Members Network. The composition of the Council’s Committees on statistics, competitiveness, sustainability and online education were also determined.

To conclude the meeting, Members agreed that the 121st Session of the UNWTO Executive Council will take place in Prague, Czechia, in the first semester of 2024.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thai PM Chairs Signing Between TAT and Eight Major Chinese Tourism Partners

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Thai PM Chairs Signing Between TAT and Eight Major Chinese Tourism Partners - TRAVELINDEXBeijing, China, October 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand’s Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin, during his first official visit to China this week, presided over the signing ceremony of a letter of intent (LOI) between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and eight leading tourism players in China – Huawei Technologies, Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Spring Airlines, Sina News, Alipay, iQIYI, and Jego Trip – to boost Chinese tourists’ confidence and quality tourism to Thailand.

Mr. Srettha said, “The Thai government places importance on reinforcing the comprehensive Thailand-China strategic partnership and strengthening cooperation in areas, such as trade and investment, education, art and culture, and tourism. To facilitate Chinese travellers, the visa exemption scheme has been put in place from now until 29 February 2024. This signing of the LOI will lay a framework for long-term strategic cooperation on promoting quality tourism and maintaining tourists’ confidence in Thailand.”

The LOI signing ceremony was held today at Kerry Hotel, Beijing, China. The agreement was signed between Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, and top executives of the eight strategic tourism partners – Huawei Technologies’ Mr. Walter Ji, Trip.com Group’s Mr. Sun Bo, Meituan’s Ms. Lu Menxi, Spring Airlines’ Mr. Wang Yu, Sina News’ Mr. Cong Song, Alipay’s Mr. Zhou Yi, iOIYI’s Mr. Yang Xianghua, and Jego Trip’s Dr. Yong Ji.

Ms. Thapanee said, “This LOI is the largest cooperation agreement that represents the greatest coverage of travel alliance businesses in the Chinese market covering all steps of the customer journey. From obtaining Thailand’s travel information through iQIYI and Sina News, planning and booking trips via the Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Alipay, and Jego Trip to travelling to Thailand with Spring Airlines, TAT aims to leverage this partnership to elevate the positive image of Thailand as a tourist destination, boost Chinese tourists’ confidence, and roll out tourism promotions to stimulate more travel to Thailand.”

The cooperation with eight of China’s leading tourism players, including top tech companies, online tourism platforms, airlines, and online banking is expected to help strengthen cooperation in tourism-related technology for the Thai tourism industry as well as promote quality tourism to Thailand.

Ultimately, this will help reach the target of 4 million to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023, generating over 200 billion Baht, and bringing the overall number of this year’s tourist arrivals to 25-30 million.

From 1 January to 15 October 2023, Thailand recorded a total of 2,645,885 Chinese tourists, thus making it the second largest tourist market.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO General Assembly Concludes with Clear Vision for Tourism

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UNWTO General Assembly Concludes with Clear Vision for Tourism - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Global tourism leaders have further advanced plans for a more ethical, diverse sector led by a growing UNWTO. The 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly convened for a second day to examine, discuss and approve the Organization’s work, with a focus on expanding its global presence, ethics and legal frameworks and the role of public-private partnerships

New Regional and Thematic Offices

UNWTO’s commitment to moving closer to its Members and being on the ground in every region was further emphasized as the Assembly was given an update on work to establish new Regional and Thematic offices. Members heard:

  • The Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2021, is an established hub for tourism education and tourism for rural development. From here, UNWTO has opened the Riyadh School for Hospitality and Tourism, launched a first Education Toolkit for high schools, and also launched the Best Tourism Villages initiative.
  • UNWTO signed an agreement with the Government of Brazil to establish a Regional Office in Rio de Janeiro, to be focused on investments.
  • The planned Regional Office for Africa in Marrakesh, Morocco, will focus on the priorities of innovation and investments in tourism.
  • The hosts of this Assembly, Uzbekistan, presented its proposal to establish a Thematic Office for Tourism on the Silk Road. The proposal was approved by the 119th session of the UNWTO Executive Council.

Ethics Committee

The General Assembly further built on UNWTO’s leading work to create a more ethical and accessible sector, while also increasing confidence in travel and tourism. The Global Code of Ethics were the foundation for UNWTO becoming a UN agency. In Samarkand, the Assembly approved new members to serve on the World Committee of Tourism Ethics, with a clear commitment to diversity. Members also looked ahead to the International Conference on Accessible Tourism, due to take place in San Marino in November.

During the Plenary Session, UNWTO formally welcomed those Members that have already agreed to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists. To date, Argentina, Brazil, Lebanon, Lithuania, Portugal, Senegal, Thailand, Uruguay and Venezuela have all agreed to adhere to the landmark legal instrument. The Code was designed during the pandemic, with the first harmonized international legal framework set to play a key role in restoring consumer confidence in travel.

World Tourism Day Report

Just three weeks after World Tourism Day 2023, Member States were given an update on UNWTO’s work growing the sector’s global day of observance. The Secretary of the Assembly provided a recap of the past two events and looked ahead to the two years to come.

  • World Tourism Day 2022 was hosted in Bali, Indonesia, around the theme of Rethinking Tourism, with the 2023 celebrations – the biggest to date – held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, around the theme of Tourism and Green Investments. The General Assembly agreed to adopt the “Tourism Opens Minds” pledge, introduced by UNWTO that day, and recommends that the Secretariat takes steps to advance the initiative, including through the funding of relevant programmes and campaigns.
  • Members of the General Assembly approved the themes and the hosts for the next two years. For 2024, the theme will be “Tourism and Peace”,  to be hosted by Georgia, and then Malaysia will host World Tourism Day 2025 around the theme of Tourism and Sustainable Developments.

Strong, stable Organization

In his report to the General Assembly during the First Plenary, Secretary-General Pololikashvili highlighted the ongoing work to strengthen and modernise the Organization. Members of the Assembly agreed to Extend the mandate of the Task Force on Redesigning Tourism for the Future until the 26th session of the General Assembly. The Task Force aims to reinforce UNWTO’s role in guiding the global sector forward through long-term strategy and vision. Nine Member States were approved to serve on the Task Force for the next two years. Members were provided with an update on the reforms to reinforce UNWTO’s compliance with UN standards, most notably through the Joint Inspection Unit.

The General Assembly voted with 73% in favour of Secretary-General Pololikashvili being permitted to present his candidature for a third mandate.

Affiliate Members

UNWTO’s Affiliate Members represent the broad diversity of the sector, counting on representatives from business, academia and civil society. The Report of the Chair of the Board of Affiliate Members gave the Assembly an update on work done over the past two years, with a clear focus on growing the Affiliates’ role in the mission of the Organization as a whole. Members welcomed the achievements of the Affiliate Members network, including in efforts to grow new areas of tourism to promote economic diversity and resilience.

Travelindex Group participated and contributed as international media at the just concluded UNWTO 25th General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Travelindex also introduced to UNWTO Members and Affiliates its groundbreaking and world’s first AI-Powered tool to unlock the potential of gastronomy tourism.

Saudi Arabia to host the 26th General Assembly

To conclude, Members agreed that the 26th session of the UNWTO General Assembly will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Offers Promotion to Support Aspiring Chefs

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Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Offers Promotion to Support Aspiring Chefs - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, October 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School is accepting student applications for long-term programmes in 2024, featuring special promotions to delight cooking enthusiasts. Enjoy exclusive privileges by enrolling and paying full tuition for all long-term programmes for the 2024 academic calendar by the end of October 2023. Promotions include special tuition rates (before the new price increase) and scholarships of up to 10,000 baht, available to Thai and international students. Furthermore, interest-free installment plans are offered for programme fees (to 10 months with participating credit cards).

Those keen on pursuing their culinary dreams can apply for a special early bird promotion from today until October 31, 2023. The promotion applies to programmes for any term in the 2024 academic year. The limited promotion offers a chance to master the culinary craft at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, a renowned world-class culinary school.

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit’s long-term programmes include a certificate accredited by the Ministry of Education.

Students can choose from 5 programmes that cover culinary art, Cuisine, Patisserie, Bakery and Thai Cuisine. Learners will acquire techniques from world-class chefs that can be applied to future careers. The long-term programmes have varying durations, with weekday terms ranging from 3 to 9 months and Saturday terms spanning 6 to 18 months.

The academic calendar for weekday courses is divided into 4 terms: January – March, April – July, July – September, and October – December, while the Saturday semester comprises 2 terms: January – July and July – January 2024.

The learning process consists of two classes: Demonstration Class and Practical Class, both overseen by a chef instructor who provides guidance and advice. To complete their studies, students will undergo a final exam, encompassing both written and practical components. All instruction and learning will be conducted in English, with a Thai interpreter available in demonstration classrooms.

For additional information, please visit https://www.cordonbleu.edu/thailand/programmes/th

About Le Cordon Bleu Dusit
Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, a renowned culinary school in Thailand and ASEAN is located on the 17th floor of Central Tower, Central World, Bangkok, and stands as a beacon of culinary education excellence. With a proud history spanning 16 illustrious years since its establishment in 2007, the school is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu International and the renowned Dusit International, a leading name in Thailand’s hospitality domain.

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit offers culinary education to both Thai and international students from around the world. Rooted in the rich heritage of French culinary artistry, the school’s programs are recognized by the Ministry of Education, solidifying its place as a pinnacle of culinary education not only within Thailand but also throughout the ASEAN region.

The hallmark of Le Cordon Bleu Dusit’s approach is the “Watch, Learn, and Do” philosophy. This technique imparts fundamental cooking skills and techniques from basic to advanced levels. The school emphasizes practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge, allowing students to flourish in their culinary journey.

With a Le Cordon Bleu global network encompassing 35 schools across 20 countries, the school continues to stand at the forefront of culinary education. Here in Thailand, Le Cordon Bleu Dusit has nurtured over 20,000 graduates, who have gone on to become pillars in both the service and food industries.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO 8th Gastronomy Tourism Forum Strengthens the Sector Foundation

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UNWTO 8th Gastronomy Tourism Forum Strengthens the Sector Foundation - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comSan Sebastian, Spain, October 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism was held Oct. 5-7 in Donostia–San Sebastian, Spain. The event was organized by UNWTO and its Affiliate Member, the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), with the support of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Guipuzkoa, the City Council of Donostia-San Sebastian, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain. More than 300 delegates from 50 countries attended, with 1500 connections on the UNWTO YouTube channel.

Forum Theme: Back to the Roots

With this theme, the topics of promotion and preservation of local products, the contribution of tourism to sustainable development, innovation, and food waste all took center stage. The two-day dialogues with over 40 international speakers discussed many key areas.

Opening the Forum, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated, “Gastronomy Tourism can play a leading role in promoting responsible agricultural practices, protecting biodiversity, and reducing the environmental footprint. It can also create new opportunities for communities to thrive and protect their heritage and traditions and become an engine of growth and diversification for destinations supporting our roadmap towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Joxe Mari Aizega, General Manager of BCC added, “This edition of the Forum celebrates the deep-rooted connection between tourism, gastronomy, and producers, highlighting the essential role they play in promoting the well-being of local communities. It also fosters a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between gastronomy and tourism, the diverse range of producers, and the challenges and opportunities that arise from these synergies.”

The Forum put the spotlight on gastronomy tourism’s role in preserving local territories and promoting sustainable practices. Tourism ministers of Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, and Zimbabwe discussed the policy framework for the development and promotion of gastronomy tourism that can only bring benefits to destinations and local communities.

Jointly presented by representatives of UNWTO and BCC on stage, the Forum concluded Ten Key Takeaways, which included: reducing food waste; offering more experiential services; building a gastronomy tourism roadmap for Africa; advancing agritourism; stronger alliances to bring producers and chefs together; preserving traditions and heritage with academic support; education to improve the food chain; responsible storytelling, etc.

UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Ambassadors Appointed

Three chefs were designated UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Ambassadors, i.e., Chef Fatmata Binta of Ghana, a dedicated contributor to promoting African gastronomy and community development; Chef Martín Berasategui, a native San Sebastian with the most Michelin stars in Spain (12 stars); and Michelin star Chef Pedro Subijana, a visionary, author, and co-founder of the New Basque Cuisine movement. Chefs Berasategui and Subijana are both trustees of BCC, underscoring their commitment to culinary excellence and education. The appointments recognized the chefs’ outstanding work in gastronomy and the enhancement of local produce and community development.

Elevated and encouraged, Chef Binta stated, “We have teamed up to ensure that both gastronomy and agritourism deliver on their potential to provide opportunities for women, youth, and all. We are leaving no one behind.”

Africa: A Land of Opportunity

With gastronomy tourism being one of the pillars of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa: Tourism for inclusive growth, the Forum explored the sector’s potential as a source of inclusive growth across the continent.

The First Lady of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, was recognized by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili for championing gastronomy tourism in Zimbabwe. The First Lady addressed the audience: “Gastronomy Tourism globally has become an effective tool for attracting tourists, particularly those who are cognizant of the natural and nutritional value embedded in traditional foods. As nations, we should be able to tap into our nutritional traditional cuisines to ensure healthy living and the socio-economic development of our nations. This is in line with our heritage-based philosophy for promoting tourism.”

UNWTO awarded Zimbabwe 100 scholarships from IE University in recognition of Zimbabwe’s strengthening of high-quality tourism education. A group of Zimbabwean university students also attended the Forum and experienced culinary education in San Sebastian.

Two African countries, Botswana and Zimbabwe, organized onsite stands. Botswana flew in meats and all supplies and cooked the Botswana official national dish, Beef Seswaa, and other delicacies, while Zimbabwe showcased traditional instruments like Mbira, along with various Zimbabwean snacks and Mapfura Wine, a modified version of Mukumbi Beer. The African demonstration brought African cuisine to life and grabbed attention.

In May 2023, Zimbabwe hosted the first Southern African Development Community regional gastronomy tourism competition. It created a platform for African countries to work together. Zimbabwe intends to expand the program further on the African continent. In his speech, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated that Africa deserves a large-scale event to help boost its gastronomy tourism sector.

Stay Relevant to Industry Needs

Two moderators jointly led an interactive session, Sharing Is Caring. Through the Mentimeter app, moderators polled nine questions for the audience’s feedback, including definitions, challenges, strategies, priorities, etc. The topics for the next Forum also emerged clearly as education, sustainability, marketing, and storytelling.

The Forum offered a series of technical sessions, field trips, and tastings, providing an immersive gastronomic experience. Practical topics included reducing food waste, creating value for visitors and producers, overcoming legal obstacles faced by producers, utilizing digital tools, etc., all of which served the needs of businesses, large or small.

The Forum dedicated a session for five selected finalists from previous UNWTO Startup Competitions on Gastronomy to pitch their ideas. Oh Les Chefs of France took the winning title for its plans to introduce a locally crafted, quality food delivery app. The winning prize included access to a workspace within the LABe-Digital Gastronomy Lab for six months, engaging in the program Culinary Action!, which is BCC’s gastronomy entrepreneurship program, and a six-month membership in the GOe Digital Community.

The Forum attracted a broad range of grass-roots professionals: a marketing manager from an Indian village up in the Himalayas was seeking ideas to expand gastronomy tourism in his village and beyond; a Rwanda coffee marketing coalition manager was figuring out how his exportation could leverage the international gastronomy tourism trend; and a tour agent on an Irish island was looking for inspiration to best support the islander suppliers. The networking opportunities added further to attendees’ takeaway bundles.

Donostia-San Sebastian Under Spotlight

The Forum was held at Tabakalera, a facility conveniently located by the River Urumea. Tabakalera used to be a tobacco factory, and today it’s a large cultural center equipped for hosting exhibitions and conferences.

BCC is an internationally renowned culinary institute, offering accredited degrees. It’s responsible for helping bring the Forum to the region eight years ago, which takes place in Donostia-San Sebastian every second year. Joxe Mari Aizega of BCC commented, “Hosting this Forum means a series of significant benefits for our city and the region. BCC is honored to help present this important Forum on the international stage, which will continue to strengthen the deep-rooted connections between tourism, gastronomy, and producers globally.”

BCC held two consecutive dinner events for the Forum. The Chefs of Mahaia Kolektiboa, a group of chefs committed to the evolution of Basque cuisine, prepared the first dinner, with the entire supply proudly coming from local producers, setting an excellent example of local sourcing.

Donostia-San Sebastian is accessible by five airports as well as trains and buses. It is a city made for walking. Several Forum official hotels were in the historic Old Town, which is known for having the highest concentration of bars in the world, providing the attendees with easy access for a night out.

The Forum organized Technical Visits with five different excursions for attendees to experience and savor regional gastronomy. The itineraries covered Rioja, the internationally popular wine region, with top-ranked wines from critics and connoisseurs.

The 9th UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism Forum will be held in Bahrain in 2024—the first time for the Forum to take the stage in the Middle East. Following the announcement, Bahrain hosted the final dinner at BCC to welcome international visitors.

Haybina Hao reporting for Travelindex on travel, agritourism, adventure travel, destinations.

Haybina is an international travel industry journalist and reports in both Chinese and English. Linkedin

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Oct. 16-20, 2023

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Canada got going on a new high-speed rail link, but has fallen behind on producing sustainable jet fuel. Other round-up highlights include Canadian air news about Peru and Panama; a partnership between Air Miles and Expedia; a new Margaritaville in Belize; and festival fever in a several interesting destinations.

NEWS

Canada possesses the key factors to place it at the cutting edge of sustainable jet fuel, making it all the more “bizarre” that Canada lags behind the United States and Europe on the green-flying front, said Airbus Canada’s chief executive. Benoit Schultz said the country’s long history of resource development, renewable energy, agriculture, and aircraft manufacturing should put it in the pilot’s seat on developments around sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Canada and Quebec have launched an RFP for the High Frequency Rail project, which will be the largest Canadian infrastructure project in generations. Once operational, the “transformational” rail line will span the Québec City to Toronto corridor with dedicated passenger tracks. The RFP process will be ongoing until summer 2024. Following the evaluation period, the Government of Canada will select the group who will become the private developer partner to work collaboratively with VIA HFR to design and develop the project.

The AIR MILES Reward Program has selected Expedia Group as its strategic lodging supply partner. The newly launched AIR MILES Travel platform will offer collectors access to Expedia Group’s global supply of 700,000 hotels and vacation rental properties in both standalone lodging and package bookings. This strategic lodging partnership is part of AIR MILES’ newly launched travel platform, one of several enhancements to the program since being acquired by the Bank of Montreal.

AIR

To better accommodate the growing Canada-Panama market and to support tourism, the two countries have announced an expanded agreement that will allow airlines to introduce more flight options and routings. Each country’s airlines are now able to operate a total of 14 passenger flights per week, and an unlimited number of all-cargo flights – up from nine flights per week for passenger and/or all-cargo services. The agreement goes to into effect immediately.

Count Calgary among Porter Airlines’ new destinations from Ottawa, with the airline announcing that flights between the cities will start on Feb. 14. The service is Porter’s latest expansion into Western Canada from the Capital, complementing existing flights to Vancouver and Edmonton.

Lynx Air has announced an exclusive partnership with Allianz Global Assistance (Allianz). Lynx customers now have the opportunity to protect their flights with Allianz’s travel insurance products. Travellers can add cancellation, interruption, and medical coverage to both new and existing Lynx Air bookings.

DEALS

Clients booking Princess Hotels & Resorts with Sunwing by Oct. 31 can take advantage of several savings offers, including no single supplements at Princess Hotels’ Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort Spa and Platinum Yucatan Princess All Suites Resort and Spa for October 2023 departures; reduced package rates on departures by April 30, 2024; and their eighth adult passenger free on groups travelling by Dec. 22, 2024. All customers are also automatically entered in the giveaway of an all-inclusive getaway at Grand Sunset Princess All Suites and Spa Resort. Plus, agents have the chance to win a seven-night stay at the Tropical Deluxe Princess Punta Cana for bookings made by Oct. 31 to Princess hotels in Mexico and the DR for departures by April 30, 2024.

Through the end of the month, Riviera River Cruises is offering a $500 p.p. discount on select European river cruise departures in April and May 2024. The spring discount is available on itineraries from eight to 15 days, including cruises that take in the Dutch bulbfields, alpine views of Switzerland, Eastern Europe, and the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta, new 11-day cruises and more.

GDS

More transparent, enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) emission estimates for flights have been introduced on Travelport+. They are calculated using the publicly accessible Travel Impact Model (TIM), which has been developed by Google in partnership with the Travalyst coalition. This new feature is the first of Travelport’s wider product offering that is focused on helping agents, travel managers and travellers easily make more eco-conscious choices when planning and booking their trips.

RESORTS

Margaritaville Ambergris Caye

With the Prime Minister of Belize John Briceño amongst others on hand, Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris Caye (photo), Belize officially opened to guest earlier this month. Situated just north of the coastal town of San Pedro and steps away from a stunning beach that’s home to the second largest coral reef in the world, the secluded boutique resort features 55 suites, one restaurant, two bars, a BBQ and picnic area, two pools, St. Somewhere Spa, and ample opportunity for adventure, including snorkelling at nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve, or feeding and swimming with nurse sharks at Shark-Ray Alley.

Sandals Resorts is expanding its innovative off-site dining program to Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. “Island Inclusive” is available to guests staying seven nights or more in select room categories (OS1B, S1B, BSUP, V1PP, or 1BS) as well as Sandals Select Reward Members who are Diamond, Pearl or Ambassador levels staying in any room category. Participants receive a US$250 voucher and off-site roundtrip transportation at four off-site partner restaurants.

HOTELS

Portland, Oregon will welcome a new Ritz-Carlton this fall (opening date TBA), the first five-star luxury hotel in Portland and first Ritz in the Pacific Northwest. The new build has already transformed the city’s skyline with its 35-storey tower and the lobby, inspired by Portland’s beloved Forest Park, will welcome guests as they check-in to one of 251 guest rooms and suites. The hotel’s signature restaurant will be helmed by Chef Pedro Almeida who comes from the Ritz-Carlton’s Penha Longa Resort in Portugal (home to three Michelin-starred restaurants. The hotel’s spa is inspired by Portland, known as the Rose City, and will feature rose-imbued treatments, an infinity pool and athlete-grade fitness centre.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic (Nov. 10-11) will return for its 14th year, treating guests to a street party festival with unlimited food and beverage tastings at diverse food stations, featuring culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from around the world.

TOURS

With the launch of year-round flights to Peru in December from Toronto and Montreal, Transat is adding packages, excursions, and à la carte hotels to its offering, making it easier for both clients and travel advisors to book a trip to the South American destination. Transat will offer all-inclusive packages at selected hotel partners in Lima, as well as à la carte hotels in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba and Puno. In addition, the company says it will soon offer a variety of excursions in different regions of the country.

Youth travel brand Contiki is giving travellers more choice in 2024 with new destinations, plus new Pride trips and limited-edition age-restricted trips for those travellers who’d prefer to travel with more like-minded people. Contiki’s newest trips include ‘Greek Explorer’ which covers the historic hotspots and geographical wonders of Athens, Meteora, Corfu and more; ‘Best of Georgia,’ a cultural deep dive into one of Europe’s most exciting emerging destinations; and ‘Best of Baltics’ visiting hidden gems of Eastern Europe including Split and Budapest. Contiki has also crafted some bespoke versions of existing trips, designed to give travellers more choice for who they travel with. Next year, popular European trips including Croatia Island Sail and Greek Island Hopping will run variations exclusive to both 18-22s and 27-35s.

CRUISE

EXPLORA 1, Explora Journeys’ first of six luxury ships, was officially named by renowned marine biologist and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle in Manhattan, NY, on Oct. 12 (photo). Explora Journeys is the luxury travel brand of MSC Group. EXPLORA I began sailing in July this year with a series of journeys in Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic to New York with visits en route to Iceland, Greenland and Canada. The luxury ship will spend the autumn in North America, the winter in the Caribbean, and spring on the U.S West Coast and Hawaii before returning to Europe in Summer 2024 for a series of sailings in the Mediterranean Sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to introduce nearly 1,000 dedicated solo staterooms across its diverse 19-ship fleet. And the company has opened for sale for the first time ever, three new solo stateroom categories, including Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony for future sailings starting Jan. 2, 2024. With pricing and availability dependent on the destination and demand, solo travelers can expect to pay less than a traditional double occupancy room.

INCENTIVES

Air Canada Vacations has added MSC Cruises to its roster of cruise offerings and to celebrate, travel agents will earn 3% bonus commission through the end of the month for individual bookings made for any sailings (in any categories) through 2025.

BY THE NUMBERS

CLIA reports that its 2023 order book data shows that cruise lines continue investment in new vessels with 44 new ships on order during the next five years, representing an investment of US$62 billion since 2019. Of these new ships, 25 will be LNG- powered and seven will be either methanol ready on delivery, or methanol capable, representing an investment in new engine technologies that will accelerate the maritime transition towards a future of low to zero carbon fuels.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

At the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (through Nov. 18), guests can savour unexpected flavours from around the globe as they circle the iconic World Showcase. The celebration at Walt Disney World in Orlando features over 25 global Marketplaces, including a menu of new flavours and sips along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This year, the festival welcomes back two fan-favourite flavour destinations: “Hawaii,” featuring flavours from the Pacific paradise; and “The Noodle Exchange,” offering savoury ramen and noodle bowls. Four all-new Global Marketplaces debuted this year to mark the Disney100 celebration that commemorates the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

EVENTS

VisitBritain is set to host a series of travel agent workshops in four Ontario cities this November. And yes, they promise, a cuppa tea and treats will be on hand. In partnership with VisitWales, VisitScotland, and Canadian tour operator partners, Globus, Goway, RIT and Travelbrands, the workshops will include presentations and networking opportunities, highlighting key product, tours and partners across Britain. Workshops run from 4 to 7 p..m on the following dates: Nov. 13 in Kingston; Nov. 14 in Ajax; Nov. 15 in Barrie; and Nov. 16 in London. To register for one of the workshops, email: Matthew.Smith@visitbritain.org and include preferred city.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Citing growing demand for The Bahamas from the Canadian market, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) has reinstated its partnership with Newmarket, Ont.-based Canlink Travel Representatives to expand its marketing and sales efforts in Canada. Canlink’s relationships within retail and group travel agencies will create a bridge between the NPIPD Board and Canadians, providing greater recognition of the destination as a preferred vacation spot, says the NPIPB.

DESTINATIONS

A new food and drink festival is coming to Jamaica’s scenic South Coast this fall. Visitors can savour unique flavours and locally grown delights from the island’s thriving farming region during the inaugural Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival. Hosted Nov. 10 to 12, the three-day celebration will include culinary-themed excursions, interactive cocktail tastings, live stage shows, and more. Foodies will get a true taste of Jamaica’s ‘bread basket’ parish by touring local farms, sampling spirits from world-class rum producers, and watching live chef demonstrations with local legends.

From Nov. 23 to 25, “Back to the 90s” in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba, promises to be an epic three-day festival that will transport attendees to the “golden age” of the 1990s. The festival is a first for the destination and will feature a lineup of artists, as well as beach parties with international DJs. Over 15 hotels in the area are taking part. For details, go to www.santamariamusicfest.com.

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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Names its Best Tourism Villages 2023

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UNWTO Names its Best Tourism Villages 2023 - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25PLACES.comSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023. The accolate recogonizes villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.

In this third edition 54 villages from all regions were selected from almost 260 applications. A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, and all 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly, taking place this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions

“Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions,” emphasizes UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”

A global network of local communities

Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The Programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices.

As in previous editions, the villages are evaluated under nine key areas:

  • Cultural and Natural Resources
  • Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
  • Economic Sustainability
  • Social Sustainability
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
  • Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
  • Infrastructure and Connectivity
  • Health, Safety, and Security

The initiative comprises three pillars:

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO: Recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme: Supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping in areas identified as gaps during evaluation.

The Best Tourism Villages Network: a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, and it is open to contributions of experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.

The Network enlarges every year and aims at becoming the largest global rural network: with the announcement today of these 74 new members, 190 villages are now part of this unique Network.

Best Tourism Villages 2023

List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2023 is as follows (by alphabetic order):

  • Al Sela, Jordan
  • Barrancas, Chile
  • Biei, Japan
  • Caleta Tortel, Chile
  • Cantavieja, Spain
  • Chacas, Peru
  • Chavín de Huantar, Peru
  • Dahshour, Egypt
  • Dhordo, India
  • Dongbaek, Republic of Korea
  • Douma, Lebanon
  • Ericeira, Portugal
  • Filandia, Colombia
  • Hakuba, Japan
  • Higueras, Mexico
  • Huangling, China
  • Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico
  • Kandovan, Iran
  • La Carolina, Argentina
  • Lephis Village, Ethiopia
  • Lerici, Italy
  • Manteigas, Portugal
  • Morcote, Switzerland
  • Mosan, Republic of Korea
  • Oku-Matsushima, Japan
  • Omitlán de Juárez, Mexico
  • Oñati, Spain
  • Ordino, Andorra
  • Oyacachi, Ecuador
  • Paucartambo, Peru
  • Penglipuran, Indonesia
  • Pisco Elqui, Chile
  • Pozuzo, Peru
  • Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland
  • Saty, Kazakhstan
  • Schladming, Austria
  • Sehwa, Republic of Korea
  • Sentob, Uzbekistan
  • Shirakawa, Japan
  • Sigüenza, Spain
  • Şirince, Türkiye
  • Siwa, Egypt
  • Slunj, Croatia
  • Sortelha, Portugal
  • St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
  • Tân Hoá, Viet Nam
  • Taquile, Peru
  • Tokaj, Hungary
  • Văleni, Moldova
  • Vila da Madalena, Portugal
  • Xiajiang, China
  • Zapatoca, Colombia
  • Zhagana, China
  • Zhujiawan, China

The villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year are:

  • Asuka, Japan
  • Baños de Montemayor, Spain
  • Bilebante, Indonesia
  • Ciocănești, Romania
  • Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
  • El Cisne, Ecuador
  • Iza, Colombia
  • Kale Üçağız, Türkiye
  • Kemaliye, Türkiye
  • Kfar Masaryk, Israel
  • Madla, India
  • Ounagha, Morocco
  • Pela, Indonesia
  • Puerto Octay, Chile
  • Sabbioneta, Italy
  • Saint Catherine, Egypt
  • Sarhua, Peru
  • Taro, Indonesia
  • Vila de Frades, Portugal
  • Yanque, Peru

The call for submissions for the fourth edition will take place in the first months of 2024, opening a new opportunity to rural destinations to shine on the global stage.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

GSTC Partners with WTTC to Strengthen Global Hospitality Standards

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GSTC Partners with WTTC to Strengthen Global Hospitality Standards - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, October 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announce a major new partnership, aligning to establish a structured framework for hotel sustainability, leading to GSTC Certification.

The partnership endorses the existing WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics whilst paving the way for a stepped progression toward GSTC Certification* for sustainable hotels.

In an era where sustainability is paramount, GSTC and WTTC are joining forces to send a potent message to the market regarding the coherence and collaboration in the Travel & Tourism sector.

The three-stage framework for hotel sustainability will now see the integration between the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics verification and GSTC Certification*, designed to support hotels in their pathway towards full sustainability. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Collaborating with an esteemed body like GSTC reinforces our dedication to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future. It’s imperative that we work with key global players like GSTC to drive change, set benchmarks, and inspire others to follow.

With members spanning across the world, GSTC’s rigorous accreditation program not only elevates our initiative but also ensures that the hospitality sector worldwide moves toward a unified vision of sustainability.”

Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC, added, “WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics is a finely crafted entry level for hotels of any size and type to begin their journey to sustainable practices. GSTC’s certification by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies is recognised widely as the gold standard in certification of sustainable hotels, with the highest levels of assurance that exists.

Today’s announcement of the combined pathway provides clarity for beginning and for continuous improvement. Stages must be just that, stages, and not levels to reach and stay in place.” Randy Durband, GSTC CEO

The WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics are already accessible to the industry, and the next phase in collaboration with GSTC is scheduled to launch in 2024.

This will provide the crucial stepping stone between WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics, a three-year programme, and GSTC’s rigorous certification, ensuring a gradual yet comprehensive progression towards sustainability in hospitality.

About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for Accreditation of Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Executive Council Endorses UNWTO Plan of Work in Samarkand

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Executive Council Endorses UNWTO Plan of Work in Samarkand - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 19, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization has analysed and approved its vision to transform the sector. Meeting for its 119th session, Members were also presented with the Organization’s Programme of Work for the past months, with a focus on core priorities as well as a longer-term leadership vision for transforming the sector.

Key Council Meeting

The Council met on the eve of the 25th UNWTO General Assembly, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In line with his obligations, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili presented his report to Members, outlining the progress made since the Executive Council met in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, five months previously. This included an overview of the latest round of Regional Commission meetings, their key outputs and achievements and associated thematic sessions, including work to rethink tourism communications, grow new pillars like wellbeing tourism and support investments into the sector.

Programme of Work Endorsed

As well as assessing progress to date, the meeting also gave Members a chance to learn more about the UNWTO Programme of Work for 2024 and 2025. This is based on a 2022 consultation with all Members on their needs and is distilled into clear strategic objectives and programmatic priorities. Members endorsed the Programme of Work and other key activities put before them. These included plans for directing funding towards flagship programmes and for establishing new Regional and Thematic offices for UNWTO. In this regard, Members were updated on progress to establish a new Regional Office in Marrakesh, the Kingdom of Morocco, endorsed the plans presented by Uzbekistan to establish a Thematic Office for Tourism on the Silk Road in the country, and advanced plans for a further Regional Office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Members of the Executive Council also decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the mandate of the Task Force on Redesigning Tourism for the Future, with new members joining from every global region.

Vision for Leadership

In Samarkand, the host of the Executive Council as well as the subsequent General Assembly, proposed that Secretary-General Pololikashvili be permitted to stand for a third term in office in light of both his accomplishments so far and his longer-term vision for both tourism and for UNWTO. Following the established protocol, the Executive Council agreed that the matter be placed on the agenda for the General Assembly, to be voted on by all Member States.

Members thanked Secretary-General for the publication of his landmark vision for the sector, published to coincide with the General Assembly. “The Journey to 2030: A Vision for a Sector Transformed” sets out clear priorities for the sector in the year ahead and action plans for achieving them.

Statutory Obligations Fulfilled

The Executive Council fulfilled its statutory obligations, including by electing Egypt to serve as the Organization’s External Auditor for 2024 and 2025. Members also endorsed the recommendations of Members for the hosts of World Tourism Day for the same years. In 2024, World Tourism Day will be held around the theme of “Tourism and Peace”, with Georgia to be put forward as host. Then in 2025, Malaysia will be considered as host for that year’s celebrations, to be held around the theme of Tourism and Sustainable Development.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO General Assembly Opens to Advance Big Plans for Sector

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UNWTO General Assembly Opens to Advance Big Plans for Sector - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 19, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization has met for the 25th time in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. As its own data indicates that global tourism is on track to reach up to 95% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, the Assembly brought sector leaders together to advance a clear vision for the long-term transformation of the sector around clear priorities.

Reflecting the broad diversity of the sector, delegations from 117 countries, including 70 Ministerial level representatives, came together for the meeting of the supreme organ of the UN specialized agency for tourism for development. Ahead of the opening plenary, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili had been formally welcomed to Samarkand by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and commended his leadership in boosting levels of investment in the country’s tourism sector and his focus on education and supporting jobs.

We weathered the storm of the pandemic, and now have the opportunity to achieve the long-term transformation of the sector and leave a real legacy for global tourism

A “key moment for tourism”

Opening the General Assembly, Mr Pololikashvili said: “This General Assembly represents a key moment for us as an Organization and for tourism as a sector. We weathered the storm of the pandemic, and now have the opportunity to achieve the long-term transformation of the sector and leave a real legacy for global tourism.”

On the eve of the Assembly, the Secretary-General had published his wide-landmark goal for the sector. “The Journey to 2030: A Vision for a Sector Transformed” sets out clear priorities for the sector in the year ahead and action plans for achieving them.

Also opening the General Assembly, H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov is Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, underscored his Government’s commitment to bolstering tourism as a pillar of national development and for the preservation of cultural heritage.

Members Applaud Progress

A key part of the First Plenary Session was the Report of the Secretary-General to Members, setting out the Organization’s achievements since the previous General Assembly, held in Madrid, Spain (December, 2021). The report focused on his five core priorities for the sector, both over the last two years and for the two years to come:

  • Scale up innovation and digital transformation
  • Invest in People with a focus on Human Capital, Education and Jobs
  • Boost investments, financing and entrepreneurship
  • Foster sustainable and green transition across tourism
  • Enhance competitiveness and resilience, through statistics, market intelligence, and product development.

The report to Members also highlighted UNWTO’s heightened relevance and visibility, including as part of the wider United Nations system. During the opening day, Member States were greeted by video messages from key UN leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas. They all commended UNWTO’s central role in guiding tourism through the pandemic and setting the sector on course for a sustainable and resilient recovery.

Strong, Growing Membership

For the third consecutive General Assembly, UNWTO celebrated its growing size. In Samarkand, Belize was welcomed as the Organization’s newest Member State, taking the total to 160. The Assembly was given an overview of advanced plans to further expand Membership, including to welcome several countries it has been in long-term talks with.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News