Global Travel News

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit to Debut this Summer

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INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit to Debut this Summer - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, May 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand will soon open the doors of its first INNSiDE hotel, a design marvel that “challenges convention” with a sky-high transparent infinity pool, integrated co-working spaces and authentic Spanish tapas bar.

Set to debut this July, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit joins a collection of unique urban and beach hotels in 14 different countries designed for those with curious minds who cultivate a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community.

Situated in the heart of the action in Bangkok’s lively On Nut neighborhood, the 208-room INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s stunning design draws inspiration from some of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks such as the Chao Phraya River and temples Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. To wit, the tapas bar’s angled lines and cabling reference Rama VIII Bridge. Graphic glass walls hung in the 31st floor all-day dining restaurant depict state park Sanam Luang. The rooftop pool area features a contemporary interpretation of Brahman structure The Giant Swing.

Guests will soak up Bangkok’s mesmerizing skyline from the soaring windows of an expansive 32nd floor co-working space. Bespoke social and corporate events make the most of the hotel’s creative, playful meeting rooms and multifunctional areas, such as the aptly named Big Ideas Space, that underscore the INNSiDE brand.

The lifestyle hotel’s pièce de résistance is the spectacular two-story infinity pool that, together with the rooftop pool bar, crowns the hotel’s uppermost floor, the 34th floor. At the Spanish tapas bar on the 33rd floor, each and every seat is an opportunity for a culinary pilgrimage across Spain. With classic tapas, Spanish wines, beer on tap, cocktails and signature sangrias in hand, tapas bar guests peer into the bottom of the swimming pool; a visual wonder unrivaled in Bangkok.

Beyond its Spanish roots, the hotel’s dining landscape highlights local cuisine. All-day dining “Kites Thai Eatery” celebrates local food throughout the Kingdom, with quality ingredients sourced from local farms. The Open Living Lounge, a café and lobby bar integrated into the 32nd floor’s coworking space, serves grab-and-go barista coffee and morning pastries, Spanish afternoon tea, and Thai and Western comfort food, with drink trolleys to boot. Room service is 24/7.

Fresh-faced and exuding modernity from every corner, eight accommodation categories come with work desks and DreamMaker mattresses. In-room perks range from complimentary minibar items, organic bathroom amenities and natural cork yoga mats to 50-inch TVs, Wi-Fi, and USB chargers. Rooms on the upper floors afford great views of the Thai capital.

A 30-minute ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport and close to Bangkok’s largest convention centre, BITEC, the hotel is also home to a 24-hour gym and a concierge service. A ban on single-use plastic and recycled glass bottles for drinking water are among the hotel’s raft of sustainability efforts.

“In a first for Bangkok, we’re giving our guests the freedom and flexibility to move seamlessly from work, to leisure, to wellbeing. Our new lifestyle hotel enriches the everyday experience with multi-purpose spaces, stand-out service, and inspiring local influences,” said Ignacio Martin, Meliá Hotels International Managing Director for Asia Pacific.

“Together with my imaginative team, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit would have to be, hands down, the most dynamic hotel project I’ve worked with hitherto; the buzz is palpable,” added the hotel’s general manager Aarron Nelson. “Our new hotel challenges convention by offering the unexpected, with its endless opportunities to seek stimulus, inspiration and adventure with every step – and occasionally time to relax too.”

To mark the hotel’s debut, a 15% off introductory offer on room rates applies from July until October 2023.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.

INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.

Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam).

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Joyned and Amadeus Unveil New Agreement to Enhance Travel Booking Experience

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Joyned and Amadeus Unveil New Agreement to Enhance Travel Booking ExperienceIsraeli start-up Joyned has today announced a commercial agreement with leading global travel technology company Amadeus. The agreement will see Joyned’s group booking software – Joyned Booking – offered alongside Amadeus’ portfolio of solutions to online travel agencies and other digital travel players across the globe.

The Joyned Booking website add-on enables a more social booking experience by allowing travellers to invite friends and family to discuss and collaborate on travel plans in a private on-site space, and then book with ease. This increases conversion rates for digital travel players, whilst complementing Amadeus’ existing booking technology and further boosting its value proposition.

Commenting on the partnership, Jonathan Abraham, CEO of Joyned, said; “Having informally collaborated with Amadeus over the past few years, a commercial partnership was the natural step forward. Both our mission and Amadeus’ are interconnected around a customer-first focus so it’s a natural fit! We’re excited to be able to bring our social booking solution to more travellers across the globe through this partnership, providing an enhanced customer experience for more and more people.   

“Social booking is such a big topic in the travel industry at the moment and we are currently the only company to offer an off-the-shelf solution for travel websites. Our partnership with Amadeus will see its value proposition enriched through offering customers a social group booking platform,” he added.

Furthermore, by implementing Joyned’s seamless, social booking experience for groups, travel sites can typically enjoy a higher conversion rate of 10% and an increase in overall website revenue. Additional data and insight is also made available through Joyned Booking, such as price perception and mapping of the group booking customer buying journey, further enriching travel sites’ offering through tailored offers and promotions.

Sam Abdou, Executive Vice President of Airline Distribution and Global Online Tech at Amadeus, said: “For digital travel players, the success and growth of their businesses is closely tied to increasing conversion rates, and social booking has a proven track record in this regard. That’s why we’re excited to be partnering with Joyned. We’re always looking at how we can improve the booking experience in a way that benefits both our customers and travellers. Joyned Booking delivers in both areas by growing digital travel players revenue through increased conversion rates and introducing a more collaborative experience for travellers that makes the process of booking a trip easier than ever. I look forward to working more closely with Jonathan and the Joyned team in the future as we continue to innovate together.”

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CUNARD CELEBRATES QUEEN ANNE FLOAT OUT

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Luxury cruise brand Cunard celebrated a construction milestone last week with the float out of Queen Anne at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. The 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, Queen Anne officially touched water for the first time exactly 365 days before she will set sail on her maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3, 2024.

Steeped in tradition, the float out was marked by a special ceremony where a ‘Madrina’ is named to offer blessings and best wishes for the ship, celebrating the flow of water into the ship’s dry dock.

Carnival UK President Sture Myrmell said: “We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne. The float out ceremony marks the ship’s transition from her building dock to where she truly belongs – in the water.”

The float out completes the first comprehensive phase of construction for Queen Anne, which now transitions to focus on building the luxury ship’s interiors.

Queen Anne

The 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest Queen Anne, which spans 14 decks, is the newest ship in the Cunard’s 180-year history. Entering service in May, 2024, Queen Anne will join Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. It will be the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service.

The float out ceremony follows September’s keel laying, in which a coin was embedded into the ship’s keel by Captain Inger Thorhauge, alongside an original coin from the ship’s namesake’s reign, to mark the formal start of her construction.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SURVEY REVEALS: Why Montreal is magnifique

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A new study has revealed visitors to downtown Montreal are highly satisfied with the destination – particularly tourists from outside Quebec. In fact, visitors tend to like the city better than those who live there.

The study, conducted by Léger for Montréal Centre-Ville, was based on a face-to-face survey of 1,021 visitors to downtown Montreal, as well as a web survey of 1,404 Quebecers to find out their appreciation of the heart of the city as the summer season approaches.

The survey revealed a very high satisfaction rate among visitors surveyed in the downtown core, particularly among tourists from outside Quebec, who are 100% satisfied with their visit to the city. This satisfaction rate was 94% among students, 93% among residents, 92% among local tourists, and 91% among office workers.

The study also reveals that, regardless of the reason for their presence in the downtown area, visitors strongly recommend living, travelling, studying, or working there.

The main strengths for Quebecers and foreign visitors to downtown Montreal were:

• Atmosphere and dynamism
• Cultural offer
• entertainment and free activities
• Gastronomy, and
• Proximity of all services.

The results of the study reveal that, while the downtown area has managed to maintain its attractiveness despite nearly three years of pandemic, it is also faced with major issues that are hindering its recovery. The three main irritants identified by users are:

• Cohabitation issues due to the growing presence of homelessness
• Lack of cleanliness, and
• High costs

“The power of attraction of Downtown Montreal lies first and foremost in the atmosphere and the vibrant experience it offers throughout the year. In particular, its cultural and gastronomic offerings, its walkability and the animation of the public domain offer a unique experience to users of all kinds,” said Glenn Castanheira, Executive Director of Montréal Centre-Ville. “It is therefore essential to strengthen these strategic assets that give our downtown a power of attraction that radiates well beyond the borders of Quebec.”Residents’ opinions

While downtown Montreal is Canada’s fastest growing downtown, the study reveals a divergence of opinion between downtown residents and other respondents.

• Residents find downtown clean at 53%, compared to 38% for Quebec respondents and 63% for visitors
• In terms of safety, 66% of residents felt safe in their neighbourhood, compared to 82% of visitors and 45% of Quebecers surveyed
• 65% of residents think that public spaces, parks, and green spaces are well maintained, compared with 46% of Quebecers and 76% of visitors to the downtown area
• 72% of residents consider the commercial offer to be of good quality and varied, compared with 94% of visitors outside Quebec and 81% of Quebecers outside Montreal

Meanwhile, the survey indicates that 85% of respondents consider the downtown area to be easily accessible by public transit and 83% consider walking to be pleasant and safe. In terms of active transportation, 65% of respondents indicated that it is easy to get around by bicycle in the area. Finally, only 36% of respondents found it easy to get around by car in the heart of the city.

Founded in 1999, Montréal Centre-Ville is downtown Montreal’s Business Improvement Area (BIA) Montréal, a non-profit organization representing nearly 5,000 businesses located between Atwater Avenue and Saint-Urbain Street and between Sherbrooke Street and Saint-Antoine Street.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: May 1-5, 2023

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WestJet made all kinds of news last week, while Canadian passport office and some border staff were back at it as federal workers settled their two-week strike. Amongst the other round-up items: an interesting opinion on the prospects of the Canadian airline industry and – wait for it – the US finally ended vaccine requirements at the Canada-US border.

NEWS

Effective May 12, the US is officially lifting COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign air travellers and at the Canada-US border. May 11 will mark the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency the US imposed back in 2020 as the world was coming to grips with the scale of the pandemic.

The WestJet Group announced the completion of its acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. The transaction, which will see the two brands maintain independent operations, includes the appointment of now former Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter as CEO of the WestJet Group’s Vacations Business, responsible for all tour operating and vacation package businesses of both brands. In other news, the first collective bargaining agreement between WestJet and the Unifor bargaining unit at YYZ was ratified by Unifor’s members. Unifor is the certified union representing WestJet airport employees at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Passport workers and some border staff were back at work with the announcement that the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) had reached a tentative contract agreement with the Treasury Board covering more than 120,000 federal government workers across the country.

BORDERS

Japan lifted most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test.

After May 9, testing of those with symptoms upon arrival will be voluntary. Japan’s government dropped its requests for mask wearing in March, leaving it up to each person’s discretion.

Travellers entering China no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result in another easing of China’s “zero COVID” policies. Travellers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding. Airlines will no longer be required to check test results before departure.

BY THE NUMBERS

Vacation deprivation levels have reached a 10-year high as working adults navigate inflation, workplace labour shortages, and busy schedules, according to a new report by Expedia. Key findings amongst Canadian respondents include: 57% of Canadian working adults, 74% of Gen Z, and 37% of Baby Boomers.

AIR

Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight, with the support of numerous Air Canada employee volunteers, conducted their third flight of the year, transporting a plane load of children from Toronto Orlando (plane). The plane was carrying many children who were meant to experience the once-in-a-lifetime trip in 2020 but were unable to due to the global pandemic. Five more flights from across Canada will depart from Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa throughout 2023.

WestJet’s conducted its first-ever flight to Asia, with WS80 from Calgary arriving at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on May 1. The service will operate three times per week through Oct. 28 on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner and will return in Spring 2024.

Flair Airlines has established a new base of operations at the Calgary International Airport as part of its ongoing aggressive expansion plans. The company, which had just three aircraft at the start of 2021, will have a total fleet of 21 Boeing 737s by this summer with service to over 30 cities across Canada, the US and Mexico. At the opening of the base, Flair CEO Stephen Jones said he doesn’t believe all the suddenly numerous Canadian airlines will survive.

DEALS

To celebrate of its new ‘Time to go’ marketing campaign, Air Transat is offering prices on round-trip flights to Europe and US, including flights to the former starting at $799, and one-way flights from Toronto to Florida starting at $149, and one-way flights from Montreal to California from $249.

TOURS

G Adventures is planning the world’s biggest community tourism summit Sept. 22-28 in Peru. The multi-day mega-event will include the inaugural GX summit, the first World Community Tourism Summit, and G’s 2023 Change Makers event and will be a travel convention “unlike any the travel industry has seen before.” The event will be attended by travel agents, suppliers, media, and travellers from around the globe “to experience firsthand what an incredible impact community tourism can have on a destination.”

TravelBrands reports electric Tesla vehicles are now available for rental in Canada and the US. Traveller can choose from three zero-emission models: the Tesla Model 3 SR Plus Electric, Tesla Model 3 LR Electric, and Tesla Model Y. As an added bonus, travel agents who make new electric vehicle rental bookings in May, will receive 5X Loyalty Rewards points and be entered for a chance to win a three-day Tesla rental.

HOTELS

Two prominent hotel brands are headed for Belize. Margaritaville, scheduled to open this year, will be a full-service resort with spa, gym, convenience store, and more. It is registered to have over 70 Villas, and Suites available. And Four Seasons is under construction, with an expected opening date in mid-2024. Amenities will include a nine-hole golf course, approximately 100 luxury villas, private residential options, and other luxury amenities. Meanwhile renovation and expansions are under way at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza, Radisson Fort George Hotel, and Princess Ramada Hotel.

Quebec’s Fairmont Tremblant is getting an outdoor makeover: The Fairmont Tremblant’s outdoor pool deck will undergo major renovations this summer. Until work is completed in the fall of 2023, the Moment Spa, located in the hotel, will be open, as will the renowned establishment’s indoor aquatic facilities.

RESORTS

The Coraland Music Fest 2023 is set to take place at Blue Diamond Resorts in Cayo Santa María, Cuba, May 11-14 and May 18-21. The is an electronic music festival highlights a line-up of Cuban and international DJs, along with beach parties. Participating hotels include Starfish Cayo Santa Maria Hotel, Grand Memories Santa Maria Hotel, Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria Hotel and Memories Paradise Beach Resort, and packages are available with Sunwing. The fest is free for guests.

La Société Immobilière du Massif de Charlevoix has unveiled its new apartment-hotel project named Le Camp de Base – Secteur Grande Pointe. The $40-million real estate project at the foot of the mountain will offer a residential ski-in/ski-out experience as well as several hotel services, including an outdoor pool. The delivery of the first units is scheduled for the fall of 2025.

CRUISE

Viking has taken delivery of the company’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Saturn. Viking also announced that the vessel will be officially named in New York City on June 6, by her ceremonial godmother, Ann Ziff, the philanthropist and Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera who is a long-time Viking cultural partner. Following the naming ceremony, the ship will spend her inaugural summer sailing two new Viking voyages: “Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada,” between New York City and Reykjavík, and “Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer,” between Reykjavík and Bergen.

Silversea Cruises’ ‘Suite Upgrades’ promotion for new bookings made by May 31 offers guests to a two-category suite upgrade on select voyages, for selected suite categories and a US$1,000 shipboard credit per suite. Plus, Silversea’s door-to-door all-inclusive fares feature a refundable, reduced 15% deposit and price guarantee, as well as private executive transfers between home and airport, international flights and Business Class upgrades, and in-country air and hotels when required by the itinerary, as well as airport transfers and luggage handling.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Canada’s Wonderland opened on the weekend with a full lineup of events and entertainment in store for the 2023 season. The popular theme park, located in Vaughan, just north of Toronto, will feature two new rides: Tundra Twister, a giant 360-degree spinning swing ride coming to Frontier Canada. The only one of its kind in the world, Tundra Twister will have guests spinning, twisting, and twirling upside-down at heights of 47 m. and speeds of 75 km/h.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

In celebration of Travel Agent Appreciation Month, Royal Irish Tours (RIT) has revealed an incentive for travel counsellors in May: every booking in May will be added to a draw to win a grand prize of an eight-day familiarization trip to Ireland or Scotland in 2023/24. Multiple bookings mean multiple entries in the draw.

The Globus family of brands launched a special booking incentive to compliment its existing offers for agents: a $150 gift card for every Globus or Avalon Waterways booking made between mid-April and May 17. In addition to this limited-time incentive for new bookings, travel advisors can earn more through GFOB’s Travel Advisor Discount Program. And, for those advisors who become an Avalon Waterways specialist, the company offers access to Suite Rewards – a program that provides them the opportunity to earn a complimentary FAM.

EVENTS

The Jamaica Tourist Board, in partnership with ACTA, is offering a free Business-building Workshop series with the chance to win trips (for two) from Royalton Negril Resort, DeCameron Club Caribbean, and Secrets St. James Resort. The three hour-long virtual sessions will be as follows (all times 2-3 p.m. EDT): May 9 – Planning Fees for Travel Advisors: Everything you need to know; May 10 – Removing the noise and overwhelm to make space for new leads; and May 11 – Generating new leads for your business. Register at  visitjamaica.com/canada/engage.

Tourism Ireland is hosting the following upcoming educational webinars (all at noon, EST) for travel agents: May 10 – ‘Attractions Across the Island of Ireland’; June 7 – ‘Flavours of Ireland’; and June 28 – ‘Explore Northern Ireland.’ Contact the tourist board for details.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Philip Rose – familiar to the Canadian trade as the former head of the Jamaica Tourist Board in this country – has been named Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, with responsibility for the US, Caribbean and Latin America.

DESTINATIONS

A walrus that became a global celebrity last year after it was seen frolicking and basking in an Oslo, Norway fjord before it was euthanized by the authorities has been honoured with a life-size bronze sculpture, not far from the place where the actual 600-kg. mammal was seen resting and relaxing during the summer of 2022. The walrus, named Freya, quickly become a popular attraction among Oslo residents but authorities later made a decision to euthanize it – causing public outrage – because they said people hadn’t followed recommendations to keep a safe distance away from the massive animal.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1919, airline passenger service was inaugurated when Robert Hewitt flew two women from New York to Atlantic City, N.J.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

THE MINSTREL OF THE DAWN: Gordon Lightfoot

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Like a great many Canadians I was saddened by the news of Gordon Lightfoot’s death last week. I bought his first album ‘Lightfoot’ when it was released in 1966 mainly because he was related to a friend and I thought he was cute. However, while the Lightfoot look was attractive, the Lightfoot sound hooked me. I bought all the albums as they were released and headed off to hear him live at Yorkville’s famous Riverboat Café in Toronto. What you may not know however, is that way back in those pre-album days, Lightfoot had a strong connection to an early travel industry founder.

Gordon Lightfoot and Terry Whalen

In the mid-fifties Lightfoot was part of a barbershop quartet called the Teentimers who performed at clubs and dances across Ontario. When the group disbanded Lightfoot moved to California to study music. He returned to Canada in the early sixties and teamed up with one of his former TeenTimer pals, Terry Whalen and, calling themselves the Two Tones, they performed regularly in Toronto, Orillia and Muskoka.

They released an album – ‘Two Tones at the Village Corner’ recorded live at the Village Corner in Toronto in 1962. They also released a single – both those records are now collectors’ items.

The Two Tones live album and the first Lightfoot solo album

The duo split and Lightfoot went on to a brilliant musical career. Terry Whalen continued to sing but soon his career took a twist as he became part of a very different duo. Teaming up with Ron Harding, in 1966 the two founded a wildly successful and innovative tour company aptly named Great Places. Those were the early days of charter holidays as Canadians were introduced to new destinations including St. Lucia and San Juan. Skiing was also a big part of Great Places programme with ski packages to Austria and Aspen.

Unfortunately by the early seventies Great Places was no more and Whalen and Harding went their separate ways (Harding to a long travel career at Sunquest).  Terry Whalen left the industry and died in 2004.

Gordon Lightfoot of course, went on to became a Canadian music icon, with his compositions being covered by major artists including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young and Harry Belafonte.

Dylan who inducted Gordon Lightfoot into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at The 1986 JUNO Awards, has been quoted as saying, “I can’t think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don’t like. Every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever.”

Hard to choose just one, but here goes…

Turns out I couldn’t choose just one – so while there’s no video of him singing this – here’s another Lightfoot song that brings back memories of summers spent around Georgian Bay.

The Minstrel of The Dawn

The minstrel of the dawn is here
To make you laugh and bend your ear
Up the steps you’ll hear him climb
All full of thoughts, all full of rhymes
Listen to the pictures flow
Across the room into your mind they go
Listen to the strings
They jangle and dangle
While the old guitar rings
The minstrel of the dawn is he
Not too wise but oh so free
He’ll talk of life out on the street
He’ll play it sad and say it sweet
Look into his shining face
Of loneliness you’ll always find a trace
Just like me and you
He’s tryin’ to get into things
More happy than blue
A minstrel of the changin’ tide
He’ll ask for nothing but his pride
Just sit him down upon that chair
Go fetch some wine and set it there
Listen to the pictures flow
Across the room into your mind they go
Listen to the strings
They jangle and dangle
While the old guitar rings
A minstrel of the dawn is near
Just like a step’n fetchit here
He’s like an old time troubadour
Just wanting life and nothing more
Look into his shining eyes
And if you see a ghost don’t be surprised
Like me and you
He’s tryin’ to get into things
More happy than blue
The minstrel boy will understand
He holds a promise in his hand
He talks of better days ahead
And by his words your fortune’s read
Listen to the pictures flow
Across the room into your mind they go
Listen to the strings
They jangle and dangle
While the old guitar rings
The minstrel of the dawn is gone
I hope he’ll call before too long
And if you meet him you must be
The victim of his minstrelsy
He’ll sing for you a song
The minstrel of the dawn

Songwriter: Gordon Lightfoot

Christian Island (Georgian Bay)

I’m sailing down the summer wind
I’ve got whiskers on my chin
And I like the mood I’m in
As I while away the time of day
In the lee of Christian Island
Tall and strong she dips and reels
I call her silver heels
And she tells me how she feels
She’s a good old boat and she’ll stay afloat
Through the toughest gales and keep smilin’
But for one more day she would like to stay
In the lee of Christian Island
I’m sailing down the summer day
Where the fish and seagulls play
I put my troubles all away
And when the gale comes up I’ll fill my cup
With the whiskey of the highlands
She’s a good old ship and she’ll make the trip
From the lee of Christian Island
Tall and strong she slips along
I sing for her a song
And she leans into the wind
She’s a good old boat and she’ll stay afloat
Through the toughest gales and keep smilin’
When the summer ends we will rest again
In the lee of Christian Island

Songwriter: Gordon Lightfoot

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha Introduces New Menu

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Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha Introduces New Menu - TRAVELINDEX - QATARTOURISM.orgDoha, Qatar, May 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Honoured to be one of the first passengers to experience the new dining experience at the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha.

Doha is Qatar Airway’s hub that every day connects passengers from 170 destinations across the world, a number that could increase to 255 destinations if the Gulf carrier is able to get more aircraft deliveries.

Airline lounges have the difficult challenge to satisfy the needs of premium passengers that are diverse, demanding and often disoriented from jet lag.

It is a true art to be able provide a heathy balance, and this is exactly what Ahmad El Chakif, Senior Executive Sous Chef and Adeel Ahmed, Chef de Partie have achieved with the new menu launched on 1 May 2023.

The presentation of the dishes makes them very appealing, and the taste is truly delicious.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Economists Divided on Global Economic Recovery, Expect Rebound in Asia

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Economists Divided on Global Economic Recovery, Expect Rebound in Asia - TRAVELINDEX - INCREDIBLEASIA.comGeneva, Switzerland, May 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The continuing uncertainty of the global economic outlook is reflected in the striking spread of responses to the latest Chief Economists Outlook, released today. In a survey featured in the report, experts are evenly divided on the prospects for the global economy, with equal shares of 45% saying that a global recession this year is likely or unlikely.

– Growth outlook has strengthened in all regions but chief economists divided on likelihood of a global recession in 2023
– Experts do not see recent bank failures as signs of systemic vulnerability, although further turbulence may be ahead
– Experts concerned about trade-off between managing inflation and maintaining financial stability, with 76% anticipating central banks to struggle to bring down inflation
– Industrial policy is increasingly widespread and could further restructure global supply chains

Chief economists expect both growth and inflation dynamics to vary widely across regions, while on the economic policy front, 72% predict proactive industrial policy to become an increasingly widespread phenomenon over the next three years. Although a majority do not see recent financial-sector disruption as a sign of systemic vulnerability, further bank failures and turbulence are considered likely this year.

Divergent regional dynamics

There has been a notable strengthening in growth expectations since the Chief Economists Outlook: January 2023, but the outlook differs sharply across regions. The most buoyant activity is expected in Asia, with China’s reopening expected to drive a significant rebound for the country and to bolster activity across the continent. More than 90% of the chief economists expect at least moderate growth in both East Asia and Pacific and South Asia.

At the other end of the spectrum, three-quarters of the chief economists still expect weak or very weak growth in Europe. In the United States, respondents were more optimistic in March-April than in January but are still divided on the outlook, with US growth prospects clouded by heightened uncertainty on financial stability and the likely pace and extent of monetary tightening.

On inflation, there was a marked uptick in all regions in the proportion of respondents expecting high inflation in 2023, and 76% of chief economists said they expect the cost of living to remain acute in many countries. Headline rates have begun to ease, but core inflation has been stickier than many expected. The dynamics are particularly stark in Europe and the US, where large majorities of the chief economists (90% and 68% respectively) expect high or very high inflation this year. China remains an outlier on inflation, with only 14% expecting high inflation this year.

Financial sector tremors

In the wake of recent bank collapses and financial market turbulence, chief economists expressed confidence in the systemic integrity of global markets. However, two-thirds highlighted the likelihood of further bank failures and disruption, while more than 80% said they expect businesses to find bank loans more difficult to secure as a result of tightening lending criteria. They also pointed to the knock-on effects of high interest rates, notably in the property sector, where two-thirds expect high rates to cause significant disruption in 2023-2024.

Changing face of globalization

The chief economists were unanimous in anticipating further changes in the structure of global supply chains. When asked which business strategies they expect to contribute to this reconfiguration, they highlighted adaption to geopolitical fault lines (94%), the prioritization of resilience over efficiency (91%), diversification of suppliers (84%) and an increased focus on environmental sustainability (77%).

They also pointed to the increasing significance of proactive industrial policy, with almost three-quarters expecting it to become a widespread approach to economic policy around the world. Respondents were divided on whether industrial policy will act as an engine of innovation, but they highlighted several potential concerns, including a deepening of geo-economic tensions (91%), the stifling of competition (70%) and a problematic increase in sovereign debt levels (68%).

“The latest edition of the Outlook highlights the uncertainty of current economic developments,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Labour markets are proving resilient for now, but growth remains sluggish, global tensions are deepening, and the cost of living remains acute in many countries. These results confirm the urgent need for both short-term global policy coordination as well as longer-term cooperation around a new framework for growth that will hardwire inclusion, sustainability and resilience into economic policy.”

The World Economic Forum’s Growth Summit, taking place in Geneva 2-3 May, will address the global growth outlook, hotspots in the global economy, and questions of competition and cooperation, as well as employment, skills and equity.

About the Chief Economists Outlook Report

This edition of the Chief Economist Outlook builds on the latest policy development research as well as consultations and surveys with leading chief economists from both the public and private sectors, organized by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society. It aims to summarize the emerging contours of the current economic environment and identify priorities for further action by policy-makers and business leaders in response to the compounding shocks to the global economy. The survey featured in this briefing was conducted in March-April 2023.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UAE Tour Operator Launches New Brand at Arabian Travel Market

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UAE Tour Operator Launches New Brand at Arabian Travel Market - TRAVELINDEX - HOLIDEXDubai, United Arab Emirates, May 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Holiday Factory, the leading and award-winning tour operator in the UAE, announced the launch of its new brand, “Holiday Factory Premium” at the highly anticipated Arabian Travel Market event 2023 held at Dubai World Trade Centre.

“The UAE market has a unique demographic landscape with an exponentially growing expat population. The region has experienced rapid economic growth which has resulted in increase in disposable income of its residents. Which in turn has created a surge in demand for Premium holidays” – Says Namrata Bhatia, Director Marketing at Holiday Factory

“Research of UAE market suggests, 1/3rd of the population is seeking for premium holidays and is underserved with all-inclusive packages at the right price” – Says Sandra Dammrich, GM at Holiday Factory Premium

After successfully serving the UAE middle-class segment with unbeatably priced holiday packages, Holiday Factory is now set to reshape the “Premium” outbound travel industry with its exciting selection of popular & unexplored destinations such as Switzerland, Italy, Maldives, Northern lights of Scandinavia with a Ice igloo experience etc.

Packaged with only Direct Flights from all local airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai etc, and other reputed international airlines, Premium hotels, transfers, insurance, and curated daily expert-guided tours to truly experience a destination the Premium Way! Choose to travel in a small group of like-minded travellers for an affordable option or choose to travel privately for the ultimate exclusive experience.

“73% of Premium holiday seekers, residing in the emirates, are looking for all-inclusive holiday packages and 95% of those end up booking by themselves. It’s a long, tedious process of endlessly researching and creating a self-itinerary which ends up being cost-ineffective” said Ekaterina Malikova, Product manager at Holiday Factory Premium.

As travel experts, we curate an entire holiday experience of unparalleled luxury at cost-effective prices – Added Malikova.

In recent years, the importance of online shopping has grown massively, and Holiday Factory Premium recognises that customers crave a seamless, simple booking experience. Our one-stop-shop online booking platform allows clients to book their dream holiday within minutes!

With their successful track record of revolutionising the market with affordable holiday packages in 2011, there is no doubt that Holiday Factory Premium will once again make history and change the game.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PolyU Presents TOUROMETER

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PolyU Presents TOUROMETERThe School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today (28 April) announced the findings of a study on “A Decision Support System for Post-COVID Tourism Policy Formation and Monitoring”. The study developed a cloud-based social listening platform, TOUROMETER, to measure Hong Kong residents’ sentiment towards visitors and tourism development as well as visitors’ sentiment towards Hong Kong tourism.

Instead of using traditional measures such as classification of attitudes as either positive or negative to estimate support for tourism, this project introduces a more refined concept, ambivalence, that can capture individuals’ simultaneously held positive and negative views. The platform offers a tool for policymakers to monitor the ambivalence of relevant stakeholders towards tourists and tourism development, as well as an effective channel for public engagement to help achieve collaborative planning.

Spearheaded by Prof. Cathy HSU, Principal Investigator and SHTM Chair Professor, the project was funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office. The project employed rigorous research methodologies, including the analysis of longitudinal news and social media big data through meta machine learning, and statistical modeling using economy, environment, tourism and census data.

Over the past four years, social unrest and COVID-19 have imposed unprecedented setbacks on Hong Kong tourism. The challenges, however, signify opportunities for reviewing past experience in order to shed light on more effective policymaking in the future. In particular, policies to attract Mainland Chinese tourists, the dominant source market representing 78% of arrivals to Hong Kong in 2018, and to spearhead a healthy post-COVID tourism recovery deserve holistic consideration. “Since the launch of the Individual Visit Scheme in 2003, the huge influx of Mainland Chinese tourists has facilitated exponential tourism growth but simultaneously imposed a heavy burden on local lives, which has intensified tensions between Hong Kong residents and tourists from the Mainland,” Prof. Hsu said. “A lesson to be learned is that understanding and monitoring residents’ and visitors’ sentiments is critical for effective policy formation and timely amendments to avoid detrimental and irreversible conflicts.”

Developed by the project team, the TOUROMETER serves as a public policy decision support system to understand public voices in a timely and ongoing manner. The project has collected sentiment data from Hong Kong residents and Mainland Chinese tourists on popular social media platforms (e.g., Twitter and Ctrip) and 19 major newspapers in Hong Kong from 2003 onward. The results show that:

  1. Hong Kong residents’ dispositions based on news stories and those on social media posts are significantly different. Positive news stories do not necessarily mean positive social media postings. In general, resident disposition on social media is less positive and more ambivalent to Mainland Chinese tourists and tourism development than that found in the news.
  2. Hong Kong residents’ disposition to Hong Kong tourism development is significantly correlated with their disposition towards Mainland Chinese tourists. The more ambivalent residents are to Mainland Chinese tourists, the more ambivalent they are to tourism development.
  3. The economy, environment and quality of life have significant influences on Hong Kong residents’ dispositions towards Mainland Chinese tourists and tourism development. Specifically, the higher the GDP per capita and the worse air pollution experienced, the less positive and more ambivalent residents are to Mainland Chinese tourists; on the other hand, the higher the unemployment rate, the more positive and less ambivalent are views of Mainland Chinese tourists and tourism development.
  4. Mainland Chinese tourists’ perception of Hong Kong tourism is significantly correlated with the Hong Kong economy, environment and resident sentiment. The better the economy and environment, the more positive the tourist perception of Hong Kong; however, the more negative the resident sentiment, the less positive the Mainland Chinese tourists’ perception is of Hong Kong tourism.

It is, therefore, important to balance the interests of residents and tourists to achieve social sustainability. As a useful tool for various tourism stakeholders, the TOUROMETER allows individuals’ opinions to be heard in a timely manner so that they can be used to inform public policymaking; industry practitioners to recognise social issues, and manage risks and opportunities effectively; and government to monitor public opinions holistically, and formulate or amend policies timely. When the sentiment trends below an acceptable level, policies can be devised or revised to address the issue. The factors identified as influencing residents’ and tourists’ perceptions of Hong Kong tourism should also be monitored. Appropriate policy measures can then be taken to cultivate positive and reduce negative sentiments.

With the re-opening of the border between Hong Kong and Mainland China, the Hong Kong tourism industry is ushering in spring after a long winter. It is an opportune time to balance various stakeholders’ interests for long-term competitiveness, as only where there are happy hosts, are there happy guests. “This study provides important information to better enable the Hong Kong government to effectively support the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry” Prof. Hsu remarked. “The SHTM is proud to be able to support the development of the tourism industry in this significant way.”

About PolyU 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 2022 for the sixth consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2021/2022 for five 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 over 90 faculty members from diverse cultural backgrounds, 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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News