Global Travel News

Málaga Selected Global Headquarters for the Future of Tourism Coalition

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Málaga Selected Global Headquarters for the Future of Tourism Coalition - TOURISMSPAIN.org - TRAVELINDEXMalaga, Spain, January 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Málaga will become the seat of the first ever Future of Tourism Coalition (FoTC) global headquarters and will act as the FoTC’s European hub, following a multi-year agreement announced today.

The Coalition of six global tourism NGOs, which formed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, has not, until now, had a physical office or dedicated staff resources. The Málaga HQ will enable the Coalition to form strong partnerships with businesses, governments, academic institutions and NGOs, and work with these stakeholders to advance a more sustainable tourism system in the Andalucía region. The headquarters will be hosted by the City Council of Málaga, the Chamber of Commerce of Málaga, the Provincial Government of Málaga through Turismo Costa del Sol, and the Regional Government of Andalucía. This headquarters will also provide a hub for broader project activity in Spain, Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

Málaga will be supported by the Coalition’s six global NGOs (the Center for Responsible Travel, Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation), each with specialist knowledge and tools, to shape a workplan for 2023-24 and beyond. This is an opportunity to put into practice the 13 guiding principles of the Coalition, which put destination needs at the centre of tourism decision-making. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of destination-level activity to deliver on the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, as Málaga also announces its intention to join this initiative.

Jeremy Sampson, Chair of the Future of Tourism Coalition, commented:
“This is a hugely exciting and logical next step for the Future of Tourism Coalition. Málaga and the Andalucía region will become our hub for innovation, a testbed for new and existing ideas that demonstrate the Coalition’s guiding principles in action. Together we will show the benefits of a balanced, collaborative, big picture approach to tourism management, drawing on the considerable expertise across the partnership and building on the significant range of initiatives already in place in Málaga. We believe in Málaga’s commitment to sustainable change, demonstrated by their strong candidacy to host the Expo2027 on sustainable cities of the future.”

Arturo Bernal, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport at the Autonomous Government of Andalusia, said:
“One of the variables that makes Andalusia and the Costa del Sol a worldwide reference is its capacity for innovation and its ability to adapt. At this time, when the industry is immersed in a change of cycle, the fact that Malaga has been chosen as the headquarters for this initiative is great news that ratifies our leadership.”

Jacobo Florido, Deputy Mayor and Tourism Counselor said:
“By providing the Coalition’s headquarters, we support its mission to build the case for a better kind of tourism, while also accelerating Málaga into a global sustainable leading position. We have come a long way on our sustainability journey, and now look forward to working with the global leaders and other worldwide forward-thinking organisations that are part of the Future of Tourism community, to develop tourism that brings real added value to Málaga, as a place to live, work, study, play and, of course, to visit.”

Sergio Cuberos, President of the Málaga Chamber of Commerce said:
“The present and future of tourism depends on destinations which incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals into their management and business strategy. For this reason, it is extremely interesting and appropriate that Málaga hosts the Future of Tourism Coalition initiative, as it will represent a magnificent opportunity to inspire markets that are looking for sustainable travel, and thus demonstrate our responsibility and the social role of our companies in tourism activity.”

Further information on the full programme of work that will be undertaken in Málaga and Andalucía will be announced early next year. The experiences and lessons learned from the partnership will be shared widely through the Coalition’s global networks, including its community of more than 700 like-minded organisations that have so far aligned with the guiding principles. There are also plans for a Future of Tourism Summit event to be held in Málaga in 2024.

The Future of Tourism Coalition is a collaborative effort to chart a new, more sustainable direction for tourism and shift the status quo. The Coalition is comprised of six non governmental organisations, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation. The Coalition is pursuing a shared global mission to place destination needs at the centre of tourism’s new future. Through commitment to their 13 Guiding Principles, the greater travel industry and destination agencies can align around a path forward for a more sustainable future for tourism.

Málaga Tourism Board is the institution in charge of developing sustainable tourism in the vibrant city of Málaga, being considered by the industry experts as the most rising destination in Europe for cosmopolitan and cultural travellers due to its unique mix of experiences. Málaga Tourism Board deploys its policies and strategies based on the principles of sustainable tourism and UNSDGs, improving the tourism offer of the city, and focused on the authentic roots, heritage, and lifestyle of an international city with more than 3000 years of history.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Strong Representation from Saudi Arabia Expected at Arabian Travel Market 2023

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Strong Representation from Saudi Arabia Expected at Arabian Travel Market 2023 - TOURISMSAUDIARABIA.com - TRAVELINDEXDubai, United Arab Emirates, January 25, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Saudi Arabia registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of 2022, as government officials target 100 million annual visitors by the end of this decade. Owing to these unprecedented numbers, the Kingdom’s burgeoning tourism sector will represent a key focus at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May.

Saudi Arabia ranks first among Arab nations for inbound visitors in 2022. Kingdom on track to achieve 100 million visitors per year by the end of the decade. Tourism spending in Saudi hit $7.2bn in H1 2022, according to government data. KSA welcomed more than 18 million visitors in first three quarters of last year.

This year’s Saudi Summit will take place on the Global Stage and focus on the importance of the Kingdom in reshaping the regional travel and tourism landscape now that mega projects are well under way. In addition to the summit, ATM 2023 will feature a host of Saudi exhibitors, including Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), flynas, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Asma Hospitality Company, Eye of Riyadh, Itrip, Dur Hospitality, Sadana Real Estate Co, Saudi Amad for Airport Services & Transport Support and many more.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The ATM 2023 Saudi Summit will offer an ideal forum in which travel professionals and policymakers from across the Middle East and beyond can explore opportunities and challenges within the Kingdom’s ever-growing tourism sector.

“From upcoming giga-developments such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project to how the Kingdom’s latest visa reforms are bolstering its travel sector, we expect Saudi Arabia to represent a major drawcard during the upcoming edition of ATM,” Curtis added.

Figures released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) show that Saudi Arabia attracted more than 18 million inbound visits in the first three quarters of 2022, followed by the United Arab Emirates (14.8 million tourists) and Morocco (11 million tourists), which ranked second and third in the region, respectively.

Tourism spending in Saudi Arabia also skyrocketed last year, hitting $7.2 billion in H1 2022 according to figures released by the country’s Ministry of Investment. Travel experts from around the world will place these statistics under the microscope at ATM 2023, as part of a series of KSA-focused sessions and panel discussions.

As well as market-specific focuses such as Saudi Arabia, ATM 2023 will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM), now on its 30th year, is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants including 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries, across 10 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. Next in-person event: Monday 1 to Thursday 4 May 2023, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html

About Arabian Travel Week is a festival of events taking place within and alongside Arabian Travel Market 2023. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, it includes ILTM Arabia, ARIVAL Dubai, Influencers’ events and activations, ITIC, GBTA Business Travel Forums, as well as ATM Travel Tech. It also features the ATM Buyer Forums, ATM Speed Networking Events as well as a series of country forums.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Andaz Mexico City Condesa Officially Debuts in Mexico City

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Andaz Mexico City Condesa Officially Debuts in Mexico City - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXMexico City, Mexico, January 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of, Andaz Mexico City Condesa, marking the first urban Andaz property in Mexico and the second Andaz-branded hotel in the country following Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya. Located in the charming neighborhood of Condesa, an urban community radiating rich history and culture, the new hotel is ideally situated amongst many of the city’s most noteworthy art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants offering guests the very best of its locale. Boasting a unique roster of guest amenities including a beach club-inspired rooftop restaurant with a robust mixology program, a pet-friendly hideaway, an onsite spa, and one of the tallest outdoor terraces in the area, Andaz Mexico City Condesa is poised to become a mainstay of the Condesa neighborhood.

“Condesa is the perfect neighborhood to debut the Andaz brand in Mexico City,” said Analia Capurro, general manager, Andaz Mexico City Condesa. “Expressions of personal style and creative spirit are at the core of the Andaz ethos – characteristics that Condesa also embodies. Every detail of the hotel was thoughtfully curated to add to the vibrancy of the neighborhood and inspire a fresh perspective of Mexico City. We look forward to welcoming guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and locals into our hotel to authentically experience this dynamic neighborhood full of character and charm.”

The new hotel is housed within the historic ‘i421 Live District.’ Designed by famed architect José Luis Benlliure Galán who is credited with bringing Art Deco architecture to Mexico City, the building was named a Mexico City Heritage Site and is considered a true masterpiece of Mexican architecture. The building has since been carefully restored and preserved, honoring the geometric beauty and architectural empowerment it holds in the Condesa neighborhood. Andaz Mexico City Condesa is the perfect synergy to bring the historic masterpiece back to life, encapsulating the local culture while offering an unparalleled luxury experience designed to elevate the senses.

The interiors of Andaz Mexico City Condesa are reflective of the global influence and progressive style found throughout Mexico City, and pair a modern edge with Art Deco design. Playful colors in the hotel transform ordinary objects into a sparkplug for imagination and creativity, such as a magenta staircase, hot pink walls and saffron sofas, indicative of the vibrant community in which it resides. Such elements, a nod to Mexican architect Luis Barragán’s signature style, integrate seamlessly into the eclectic essence of the Condesa neighborhood while maintaining a bold but luxurious appeal.

The hotel offers 213 residentially inspired guestrooms, including 20 suites, all of which feature views of either the tree-lined avenues of the Condesa neighborhood, an elaborate internal courtyard or, from higher up, sweeping views of Mexico City. Amenities include designer Byredo toiletries, a workstation and minibar filled with Mexican snacks and drinks from locally owned businesses. Curated artwork found in each guestroom evokes a sense of place, from mosaic-tile headboards that pay homage to the building’s significance to paper mache piñata figurines or “alebrijes” made by local artisans. Each guestroom also features a record player with modern and classic vinyl collections that can be exchanged in the lobby library, a tribute to the neighborhood’s oldest record store, La Roma Records.

In keeping with the area’s reputation as the city’s culinary capital, Andaz Mexico City Condesa’s dining venues complement the area’s thriving gastronomic scene. Cabuya Rooftop restaurant brings a Tulum-inspired beach-club ambiance to the hotel’s 17th floor terrace boasting 360-degree views of the Mexico City skyline and weekend D.J. sets. A seasonal culinary menu highlights coastal Baja and Yucatan-inspired flavors with a selection of sharable seafood dishes including smoked marlin tostadas topped with onions, tomato, cilantro and habanero aioli, and grouper ‘zarandeado’, a 500-year-old fish grilling technique from Mexico’s Pacific Coast, seasoned with peppers, tomatoes and spices. The menu is complimented by a signature cocktail program curated by local master mixologist Moisés Sierra Sáenz and features distinct agave creations such as the Pechuga Tonic, made from mezcal de pechuga, orange and mandarin flavors, tonic, and topped off with sparkling wine. Derba Matcha Café, an inviting all-day café located on the hotel’s first floor is the perfect place to refuel before a day of exploration or in between visits to nearby shops. Rich with aroma and flavor, the menu features artisanal sweet breads, small plates, matchas, lattes, mushroom coffee, cocktails and more.

Inspired by the dog-friendly nature of the Condesa neighborhood, the hotel’s Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club is primed to become a popular playground for guests and locals to bring their furry companions. Located on the second-floor terrace, the indoor/outdoor space features a stationary food truck serving drinks and snacks, including a special “dog beer”, a pop-up pet accessory shop from local boutique Perro del Mundo, as well as plenty of space to play and roam. In addition to this pet-friendly hangout, four-legged friends will feel right at home at Andaz Mexico City Condesa with a selection of upscale in-room amenities from cozy dog beds to a menu of pup-friendly treats including vegan poke, salmon, baked biscuits and more.

Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s year-round heated rooftop pool offering phenomenal views of the expansive city below. On the hotel’s second floor, guests and locals will find respite at Pasana Spa & Wellness, a sanctuary of relaxation honoring Mexican ancestral traditions of salt as a source of protection, using local products from Mexico. The spa’s menu features a selection of wellness rituals, face treatments, body scrubs and soothing massages, all of which incorporate ancient customs with contemporary practices. The ‘Protection Ritual’, a signature treatment of the spa, utilizes the thermal effects from volcanic salt to relieve muscular tension, balance the mind and protect the spirit. The facility itself offers four treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, onsite beauty salon and 24-hour fitness center.

For gatherings of up to 700 people, the hotel is equipped with more than 12,674 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, including a glass ceiling ballroom with customizable color LED lighting technology and an adjoining terrace, an auditorium and three breakout rooms.

About Andaz Mexico City Condesa
Located in one of the city’s most inspired neighborhoods and only steps away from the historic Parque Mexico, numerous art galleries, cafes and chic boutiques, Andaz Mexico City Condesa features 213 residential-style guest rooms, including twenty suites. Combining the art of luxury hospitality with a vibrant urban lifestyle, Andaz Mexico City Condesa is home to three distinct dining venues including Cabuya Rooftop, the hotel’s signature rooftop restaurant and bar; Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club, a pet-friendly terrace; and Derba Matcha Café serving matcha creations and artisanal baked goods, along with wine, cocktails and small plates. A rooftop pool, spa, fitness center and beauty salon round out guests’ leisure needs while state of the art event spaces ensure seamless connections for both meetings and special events.

About Andaz
Global in scale while local in perspective, the Andaz brand of luxury lifestyle hotels weaves the sights, sounds, and tastes of each property’s surroundings for a distinctively local experience. Through thoughtful, unscripted service tailored for travelers, Andaz hotels enable guests to go beyond the familiar and satiate their curiosity while immersing them in the spirit of the eclectic culture around them. There are currently 25 Andaz hotels: Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street in New York, Andaz San Diego, Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Napa, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, Andaz Savannah, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz London Liverpool Street, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Andaz Singapore, Andaz Delhi, Andaz Xintiandi in Shanghai, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Andaz Seoul Gangnam, Andaz Xiamen, Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, Andaz Dubai The Palm, Andaz Shenzhen Bay, and Andaz Bali.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,200 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 72 countries across six continents. The Company’s offering includes brands in the Timeless Collection, including Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Residence Club®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, and UrCove; the Boundless Collection, including Miraval®, Alila®, Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, and Caption by Hyatt; the Independent Collection, including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt™, and JdV by Hyatt™; and the Inclusive Collection, including Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Vivid Hotels & Resorts®, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ten Valentine’s Day Venues Around Asia

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The Art of Romance in Bali
‘The Art of Romance’ is a two-night stay with all the romantic trimmings at a secluded resort in the uplands of Bali. Upon arrival at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, each couple will find a floral aromatherapy bath already drawn in their room and a welcome cake. After that it’s time for afternoon tea, served picnic style while overlooking the scenic rice paddies the property is known for. A photo session, shot throughout the grounds, uses mythical stone sculptures, ponds graced with swans, rice paddies, temples, and the verdant landscape as a backdrop. At the resort’s Tempayan restaurant, housed in a traditional bale-inspired building, the duo will enjoy a three-course candlelit meal. A 120-minute couples spa ritual in a deluxe double spa suite, with an oversized semi-outdoor terrazzo bath, and private steam shower, rounds out the romantic stay and is accompanied by a bottle of sparkling wine to be enjoyed in or out of the tub. The package is on offer for bookings until June 30, 2023. Rates start from USD 1,190 nett.

Igniting Amour in Quy Nhon
If one way to the heart routes through the stomach, guests of Fusion Hotel Group’s gastronomy-focused property Maia Resort Quy Nhon are getting a head start when it comes to love. Maiamour, the resort’s recently unveiled package, is designed for couples and blends wellness and cuisine over the course of a three-night stay. The stay is inclusive of an array of personalized offerings including Once Upon a Table, a four-course chef’s table style experience served in the resort’s intimate specialty restaurant, ad hoc, or Destination Dining which can be enjoyed on the powdery sands of Phuong Mai Bay or in villa. Daily pre-dinner sunset cocktails are also included as is a one-time artisanal afternoon tea set. Maia’s seaside spa, Vēla, invites couples to enjoy a signature 90-minute wellness journey inclusive of an infrared sauna therapy session; body rejuvenation rituals inclusive of massages; healing therapies or anti-ageing facial care treatments. Carefully appointed in-villa décor, including a customized floral arrangement and romantic bath ritual, are also part of the Maiamour offering. Rates start at VND 23,7000,000 for a three-night stay.

Commemorating that special someone in Tokyo
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s celebration-worthy stay experience ‘Commemorating Tokyo’ presents ten elements specially curated to mark the Forbes Five-Star property’s ten-year anniversary milestone. Ideal for couples highlights include: A three-night stay for the price of two; ‘Blooming’ cocktails for two at Royal Bar, the hotel’s Old-World bar, or at Lounge Bar Privé, made with a refreshing blend of yuzu liqueur, sakura liqueur, Lillet Blanc and the hotel’s signature 1-1-1 sake; daily moat-side breakfast at Grand Kitchen, a bottle of Palace Hotel Tokyo’s private-label Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux to take home or indulge during the stay; a box of the hotel’s signature chiyo choco chocolate imprinted with distinctive Japanese motifs; a prix-fixe dinner for two at contemporary French restaurant Esterre, teppanyaki-style restaurant GO, or Wadakura, known for its exquisite Japanese kaiseki; two 120-minute ‘Blissful Moments’ treatments at evian SPA TOKYO; and afternoon tea for two. The package is available for stays until May 31, 2023. Rates start at JPY 410,000.

Soak in Some Romance in Saigon
Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour,” may be the perfect tune to play on repeat while enjoying Fusion’s signature hammock tub at Fusion Suites Saigon. Two nights in the Corner Suite Room, with 180-degree floor-to-ceiling windows and an insta-worthy bath, is the core element of the hotel’s “Ma Cherie” romance package. The limited-time stay includes flower decoration (on the bed or in the tub), a bouquet of roses, a bottle of wine and one daily spa treatment per guest. Rates start at USD 342 for two-nights, inclusive of breakfast. Ma Cherie is available for stays until the end of February.

‘Pink’ Afternoon Tea and ‘Valen-Thai’ Dinner for Two in Chiang Mai
Cupid has aimed his bow at Meliá Chiang Mai, enticing couples with a ‘Pink Valentine’s Afternoon Tea’ for two and a ‘Valen-Thai’ romantic set dinner. The afternoon tea at Ruen Kaew Lounge from February 1-28 between 2-5pm is THB 999 net per set. Salmorajo shots with prawn skewers, golden fried potato-sausage balls with light aioli and brava sauce, mini burgers, mini strawberry sandwiches, classic Basque-style burnt cheesecake, churros with warm strawberry dipping sauce and Lychee ice popsicles are among savoury and sweet treats coupled with fine tea and freshly brewed coffee. On Valentine’s Day, 21st floor Mai Restaurant & Bar will serve the ‘Valen-Thai’ dinner from 6-10pm for THB 3500 net per couple. Accompanied by a live violinist, the four-course dinner starts with ‘Love’s Samplers’ of tasting size portions of three different delicacies before dried squid in seasoned consommé with pork ravioli and plums. The main course is a choice between a secret recipe of angus beef steak on braised beef cheek curry with butterfly peas flower rice or baked banana leaf-wrapped king salmon with spicy tomato relish, fish sauce brined mushrooms and sticky spring roll, followed by red velvet tres leaches cake. Call +66 (0) 52 090 603

Sipping Strawberry Champagne in Stunning Koh Samui
Lauded by many a travel writer as one of the leading hotels in Asia, Banyan Tree Samui creates the most spectacular and romantic setting for a dinner for two. On February 14 only, visitors are invited to savor a sumptuous “Be My Valentine” dinner at the resort’s beachfront restaurant Sands for 6,969 Baht per couple. The 7-course feast commences with an amuse bouche of poached quail eggs with Caspian Sea Pearls, followed by scallops and salmon, duck liver foie gras, a cassoulet of lobster, and, as a main course, Australian Black Angus beef tenderloin and Alaskan snowfish, before a delightful dessert of hot chocolate lava cake with ice cream. For those who prefer a sunny afternoon with a stunning sea view, a strawberry-themed Valentine’s Special “I Love You” High Tea will be served at the resort’s Lobby Lounge, perched high above the palm-tree fringed beach. Macarons, mille-feuilles, strawberry tarts, scones, mousse, cheesecake and even strawberry sushi will be on the menu, which also includes an alluring Strawberry Champagne Cocktail. The price for the High Tea Set on Valentine’s Day is just 1,699 Baht per couple. For more information or reservations,  tel:+66 077 915

Vegan Beachside Bliss in Danang
TIA Wellness Resort is helping guests enjoy the ocean this Valentine’s Day, without taking any gifts from the sea for their plates. The wellbeing-focused property, set along a stunning stretch of powdery white sand between Da Nang and Hoi An, is serving up a creative 100% plant-based feast for couples wishing to enjoy a romantic waterfront perch. Contemporary flavors and an innovative touch runs throughout the new multi-course, family-style dining menu with dishes like seared king oyster mushroom with vegan caviar and a potato-chive mousseline, and grilled spiced squash with truffle risotto. The course menu starts at VND 990,000 ++ per person. With wine, from the resort’s fully organic & biodynamic wine list, at an additional cost.

Flowing with Love Beneath a Waterfall in Mai Chau
A stunning waterfall at the heart of Avana Retreat stands as the inspiration behind the boutique property that is now nestled into the verdant mountainous landscape of Mai Chau, Vietnam. Couples who wish to dine at the base of the falls can book in this Valentine’s Day and beyond for the ‘Sense of Romance’ dining experience. The multi-course meal includes decadent dishes like tuna belly with caviar, lobster cognac flambé and smoked duck breast, served beneath a canopy of trees and lit by the glow of dozens of lanterns. Often referred to as the resort’s heart, the intimate waterfall space has touched many a guest’s heart, especially when combined with an unforgettable dining experience while taking in this wonder of nature.

Poolside dining and a private cinema screening on scenic Cam Ranh peninsula
An exquisite dinner at a picture-perfect poolside cabana, heart-shaped cakes, and a private cinema screening with bubbles are among Valentine’s Day offerings at 30-hectare beachfront resort Alma on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula. The resort’s Italian chef at fine dining Italian restaurant La Casa will craft a six-course romantic set dinner served at a private cabana beside one of the resort’s 12 swimming pools that cascade down to Long Beach, one of Vietnam’s most stunning stretches of sand. Romantic movies on request for private cinema screenings for two at 70-seat Alma Cinema are accompanied with sparkling wine and snacks. Other optional romantic touches include heart-shaped cakes at Alma Food Court’s French Bakery, a Valentine’s cocktail at American Lounge & Bar, suite or pavilion decorations, and flower bouquets at the resort’s mini-supermarket Alma Mart.

Cinema Under the Stars and a Romantic Dinner for Two in Cambodia’s Capital
Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the iconic 90-year-old luxury hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special screening of Ghost, the 1990 romantic fantasy movie starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. The film will be played poolside, under the stars, at the hotel’s Cinema Paradiso, with a variety of food and drinks including sparkling wine served. Highlight dishes will include smoked salmon, roasted beef on crisp toast and strawberry eclair. The exclusive event is priced at $30 per person net. For something more traditional, the “Valentine’s Day Surf & Turf” at the hotel’s Le Phnom 1929 will feature a signature seafood tower, Taijma wagyu tomahawk, lamb rack and Saint Honoré cake, while a resident band performs classical love songs. The dinner is priced at $88++ per person for food only, with optional additions of $38++ for unlimited wine and cocktails (per person), and a bottle of Champagne from $98++. For reservations or inquiries, please contact 023 981 888

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Season of Love Afternoon Tea at Tuxedo Espresso Bar

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Season of Love Afternoon Tea at Tuxedo Espresso Bar - TRAVELINDEXTuxedo Espresso Bar at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit kicks off the new year with a love-themed Season of Love Afternoon Tea.

This Afternoon Tea features elements of Valentine’s Day and shades of red. Chocolate, strawberry and raspberry are key ingredients.

The Raspberry Opera is the main highlight of this tea spread. This union of chocolate ganache, butter cream and raspberry filling will elevate your afternoon.

THB 1,380++ per set for 2 persons including a pot of TWG Loose Tea or Coffee of your choice
THB 1,680++ per set for 2 persons including two glasses of bubbles

Full Menu: qrco.de/bcVIca

Season of Love Afternoon Tea is available until 31 March at Tuxedo Espresso Bar
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Paris is World’s Most Powerful City Destination

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WTTC Paris is World’s Most Powerful City Destination - PARISINFO.net - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, January 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals French capital Paris as the world’s most powerful city destination but predicts it will be overtaken by Beijing by 2032.

The report, sponsored by Visa and researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, analysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment and traveller spend.

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on Travel & Tourism and in particular major cities around the world as countries closed their borders in response to the pandemic.

As borders reopened, many leisure travellers swapped city visits for less-populated destinations such as coastal and rural destinations, but latest research from WTTC shows that city holidays are back and growing in popularity.

Paris takes the crown as the world’s most powerful city destination with a Travel & Tourism sector worth almost $36BN USD in 2022, in terms of direct GDP contribution to the city.

Over the next 10 years, WTTC predicts it will drop down to third place, although its value will rise to over $49BN.

Beijing is currently the second biggest city destination in the world with a Travel & Tourism sector worth nearly $33BN. However, WTTC predicts it will leapfrog Paris within the next 10 years, growing to a staggering $77BN.

Often dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando’s Travel & Tourism sector was valued at $31BN in 2022, but despite predictions suggesting it will grow by almost 50% to $45BN by 2032, it will drop down to become the fourth biggest city destination.

China’s national Travel & Tourism sector has seen phenomenal growth over the last decade as the country has invested in new hotels, transport infrastructure and new tourist destinations.

This investment in Travel & Tourism sees Shanghai’s sector, worth nearly $30BN last year, predicted to more than double to almost $71BN by 2032, to become the world’s second most powerful city destination.

Las Vegas is the only city in the top 10 list which holds its place, firmly staying as the 5th largest city destination.

Last year, Las Vegas’s Travel & Tourism sector was worth nearly $23BN and is predicted to grow to over $36BN by 2032.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Major cities such as London, Paris and New York will remain global powerhouses but over the next few years, Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau will be moving up the list of top city destinations.

“Tourists will always have favourite cities that they will return to, but as other countries prioritise Travel & Tourism, we are going to see new and emerging destinations challenging the traditional favourites.”

Other cities outside the top 10 showing promising growth as emerging destinations include the Polish capital of Warsaw which has seen a 14.4% increase in its GDP contribution in 2022 versus 2019.

Sanya, the Chinese coastal city which has become a popular tourist destination in recent years as holidaymakers visited its stunning beaches witnessed a 10.2% growth during that same period. Its Travel & Tourism sector represents an incredible 43.6% of the city’s total economy. Macau’s Travel & Tourism sector represents 40.4% of the city’s total economy.

Orlando and Las Vegas are the only cities currently in the top 10 most powerful city destinations based on the sector’s value, which rely heavily on the sector as a share of the city’s overall economy.

Travel & Tourism represents 20.4% of Orlando’s economy and 16.3% of Las Vegas’s economy. In comparison, Paris’s Travel & Tourism sector represents just 3.5% of the capital’s economy in 2022.

Top 10 Cities Based on Direct Travel & Tourism GDP in real terms for 2022:
1. Paris – $35.65BN
2. Beijing – $32.62BN
3. Orlando – $31.1BN
4. Shanghai – $29.69BN
5. Las Vegas – $22.99BN
6. New York – $21.09BN
7. Tokyo – $17.97BN
8. Mexico City – $16.76BN
9. London – $14.92BN
10. Guangzhou – $13.15BN

The top five cities with biggest international travellers spend in 2022 were:

1. Dubai – $29.42BN
2. Doha – $16.79BN
3. London – $16.07BN
4. Macao – $15.58BN
5. Amsterdam – $13.59BN
6. Istanbul – $13.13BN
7. Barcelona – $12.73BN
8. New York – $12.45BN
9. Singapore – $10.97BN
10. Paris – $9.76BN

Over the next decade, Travel & Tourism is on track to become a key driver of economic growth once again, with faster GDP growth than other sectors, generating 126 million new jobs around the world.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Accor and Ennismore Accelerate Expansion Across Southeast Asia

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Accor and Ennismore Accelerate Expansion Across Southeast Asia - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comBangkok, Thailand, January 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Accor and Ennismore will expand their portfolio with a series of key hotel and resort openings all across Southeast Asia in the year ahead. With close to 30 confirmed new properties under ten distinct brands in nine countries, 2023 marks an important milestone in the two group’s regional development strategies.

Thailand is a key market and 2023 will see the arrival of a series of important new hotels and resorts in the kingdom. Ennismore’s TRIBE Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 (scheduled to open in Q2 2023) will mark the debut of the design-driven, guest-centric TRIBE brand in Thailand, while the 207-key Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit Legacy (Q2) by Accor will introduce Novotel’s extended-stay concept to the Thai capital’s Sukhumvit district. Also in Bangkok, guests can look forward to the 178-key Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 60 (Q4) and the 666-key ibis Styles Bangkok Twin Towers (Q3), which is set to become the world’s largest ibis Styles hotel.

Outside Bangkok, the 234-key Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre (Q1) will become an important new MICE and leisure destination on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard, while the Mercure Rayong Lomtalay Villas & Resort will debut its garden wing, which will include an additional 133 rooms, suites and villas, four restaurants and bars, along with expansive meeting, conferencing and events facilities. Grand Mercure Resort Ao Nang Krabi (Q4) is also set to makes its debut in Southern Thailand with 200 keys at the end of the year.

Accor’s industry-leading brands will launch in Southeast Asia’s most exciting up-and-coming destinations in 2023. In Cambodia, the 232-key Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort (Q2) will bring international midscale comfort to the country’s popular seaside town, while the 253-key Novotel Phnom Penh Boeng Keng Kong (Q2) will rise in the centre of the Cambodian capital. In Vietnam the 373-key Pullman Hai Phong (Q4) will introduce world-class five-star standards to this thriving port city.

In Singapore, three new landmark hotels are set to elevate the five-star hospitality sector in this vibrant metropolis. The 326-key Pullman Orchard Singapore – Singapore’s first Pullman hotel – will officially launch in February in the famous retail district of Orchard Road as the ultimate playground for today’s new entrepreneurs. Later in Q2, the 342-room Pullman Singapore Hill Street will open, offering sweeping views over Fort Canning, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral and the Singapore River, while the 302-key Mondrian Singapore Duxton (Q1) by Ennismore will rise above the colourful streets and shop-houses of Chinatown, overlooking the Lion City’s skyline. This design-led, culture-infused hotel will join a collection of only eight Mondrian hotels worldwide.

Accor’s rapid growth in Indonesia will gather pace in 2023 with the launch of multiple new hotels, including the 224-key ibis New Yogyakarta International Airport (Q1) and 189-key Novotel New Yogyakarta Airport Kulon Progo (Q3) in Yogyakarta, the 150-key Mercure Pangkalan Bun (Q3) in Central Kalimantan, the 158-key ibis Palembang Sanggar (Q4) in South Sumatra, the 335-key Grand Mercure Lampung (Q4), and two Swiss-inspired Mövenpick properties: the 413-key Mövenpick Bintan Lagoon Resort and 253-key Mövenpick Jakarta Pecenongan, both of which are on track to start welcoming visitors in Q4 2023.

In Malaysia, the 161-key ibis PJCC Petaling Jaya and the 172-key Mercure Miri City Centre are both due to open their doors by the middle of 2023. Finally, Japan will welcome the 363-key Mercure Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport (Q4) at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

“2023 represents a watershed year for travel, tourism and hospitality. As the world emerges from the challenges of recent years, we are set to enter a bright new era, free from travel restrictions and filled with optimism. Accor’s new hotels and resorts, which span every sector of the market from economy to luxury, will enable all travellers to spread their wings and explore some of Asia’s most desirable destinations. We look forward to delighting guests with exciting new experiences in 2023 and for many years to come,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer for Accor, Southeast Asia, Japan & South Korea.

In 2022, Accor and Ennismore signed a combined 30 hotels representing 8,700 keys across eight countries in Southeast Asia. These hotels will be operated under 15 brands within all segments, from economy to luxury.

About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 230,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its global sustainability commitments (such as achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050, global elimination of single use plastics in its hotels’ guest experience, etc.), Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.

About Ennismore
Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. It curates and manages unique properties and experiences in some of the most exciting destinations around the world. Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha, Ennismore and Accor entered a joint venture in 2021 to create a new autonomous entity, with Accor holding a majority shareholding. Creating the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, it brings together Ennismore’s know-how in building brands with creative storytelling, design, and authentic experiences, with Accor’s wealth of knowledge in delivering scale, network growth and distribution. Under the leadership of Sharan Pasricha, Founder & Co-CEO, and Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO, Ennismore comprises 14 brands – with 103 operating properties and further 144 in the pipeline – and a collection of over 150 culturally relevant and diverse restaurants and nightlife destinations. Ennismore puts innovation at the centre of everything it does, with four dedicated in-house specialist studios, which obsess every guest touchpoint including Carte Blanched – a fully integrated F&B concept platform; a creative studio of interior and graphic designers; a digital product and tech innovation lab, and a partnerships and collaborations unit. Ennismore has been included in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies lists in 2020 and 2021; ranked#29 in FT1000: Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies; and is part of FT Future 100 – the UK’s fastest-growing businesses that are shaping the future of their sector. The Ennismore brands: 21c Museum Hotel, 25hours Hotels, Delano, Gleneagles, Hyde, JO&JOE, Mama Shelter, Mondrian, Morgans Originals, SLS, SO/, The Hoxton, TRIBE and Working.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

At FITUR 2023 UNWTO Served as Bridge Between Public and Private Leaders

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At FITUR 2023 UNWTO Served as Bridge Between Public and Private Leaders - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, January 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / At FITUR 2023, UNWTO served as the bridge between public and private leaders to advance plans to build a more diverse, resilient and sustainable tourism sector.

With the latest UNWTO data pointing to a return to pre-pandemic arrival levels in some world regions in 2023, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili once again joined His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain in opening the major travel trade fair. Reflecting the Organization’s priorities, UNWTO placed tourism investments, rural development, diversification, sustainability and accessibility centre stage over the course of four days.

Investment and building trust

Against the backdrop of FITUR, UNWTO and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) strengthened their existing partnership to further advance UNWTO’s work to attract and retain investment in tourism. The partnership will include the production of tourism investment guidelines, initially focused on Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Uruguay. Both organizations will develop frameworks to attract, promote and retain foreign direct investment in sustainable tourism initiatives across the Americas.

UNWTO recognized the progress made in rethinking the role of tourism in the economies and societies of the region. The President of the Republic of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, and the Executive President of Banco Popular of the Dominican Republic, Christopher Paniagua, were formally recognized by UNWTO for their commitment to mainstreaming tourism in economic policy and financing, respectively. At FITUR, President Giammattei also confirmed the adherence of Guatemala to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists.

Widening the scope of tourism

As part of UNWTO’s work to diversify the sector and enhance its status as a driver of rural development, the Spanish province of La Rioja was announced as the host of the 7th UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference later this year. Secretary-General Pololikashvili, the President of La Rioja, Concha Andreu, and Spain’s Minister of Tourism Reyes Maroto, highlighted the importance of the growing wine tourism sector for protecting culture and supporting local jobs and businesses.

UNWTO also recognized the importance of shopping tourism, with particular reference to its close links to leisure and gastronomy. A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO and WOW Concept, will see the two work together to promote responsible urban tourism through joint promotions and events as well as through shared efforts to monitor and share trends in tourism consumption. Further diversifying the sector’s reach and impact, UNWTO also partnered with the Croatian National Tourist Board to announce the Second World Sports Tourism Congress. The agreement, signed  by Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac, will see the event held in  the city of Zadar on 26 and 27 April.

Tourism for all

To rethink accessible travel, UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) co-organized a Seminar on Tourism for All, gathering national tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations, underscoring the role of accessibility for social inclusion and business opportunity. The partners presented tools aimed at implementing the international standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism for All, including with a new guide to applying it in accommodation and hospitality businesses.

Sustainability: On land and in oceans

UNWTO continued to step up tourism’s pace towards a more sustainable future. The Mexican State of Yucatán, home to some of the country’s top tourism destinations, is the latest addition of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Already numbering more than 30 worldwide, INSTO monitors tourism’s impact on local economies and habitats, allowing for smarter data-driven policymaking.

UNWTO concluded its week at FITUR by hosting a special meeting on Tourism for the Ocean and Climate Action at its Madrid headquarters. Counting on the participation of Member of the European Parliament Catherine Chabaut, as well as Ruben Eiras, Secretary General, Forum Oceano, Paul Holhtus, Founding President, World Ocean Council, and Josiane Sadaka, CEO of Blue Carbon LLC, the event saw UNWTO confirm its support for the BlueCOP28 and Dubai Blue Pact initiatives. For his work leading tourism towards greater sustainability, Frédéric Degret, the Founder and CEO at NOAH ReGen was named as the UNWTO Special Advisor for Oceans and Climate Emergency.

Strengthening relationships

FITUR 2023 provided the opportunity for UNWTO to strengthen relations with public and private sector leaders. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili held a series of bilateral meetings to keep servicing the Organization’s Member States. The UNWTO leadership met with new Minister of Tourism of Jordan, Makram Mustafa Al-Qaisi, with the Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, Tabaré Viera; Deputy Minister of Tourism for Georgia, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for Portugal, Mariam Kvrivishvili, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for  Portugal, the Minister of Tourism of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed, the Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi as well as the Minister of Tourism of Puerto Rico Carlos Mercado, and also with Dario Item, Ambassador to Spain of UNWTO’s newest Member State, Antigua and Barbuda.

In a working meeting with Mariana Oleskiv, Chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism of Ukraine, Secretary-General Pololikashvili reaffirmed UNWTO’s firm support for Ukrainian’s citizens and noted tourism’s role for future recovery and as a pillar of peace. Meetings were also held with the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Skiathos Thodoris Tzoumas, the Israeli Ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

DANCES WITH DRAGONS: Hong Kong ushers in New Year, reveals ‘big plans’

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The magic of Hong Kong was on display, literally, at an industry gala in Toronto late last week as the city’s tourist board, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, celebrated Chinese New Year with food, music, traditional dragon dancers, prizes, and, uniquely, a performance by an actual magician flown in from Hong Kong.

Dozens of members of the trade were wished a hearty “Kung Hei Fat Choy” (happy New Year) to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, and to get the latest updates from the city, which has dropped most COVID protocols and is ramping up its tourism activities again after the pandemic pause.

HKTB Canadian director Michael Lim acknowledged “We’re finally back live in person with this event after three years,” adding, “We are very excited that Hong Kong has reopened to visitors.”

He noted that those travelling to the city will see a new-look Hong Kong upon their return with new experiences and attractions, including an updated Peak Tram, the M+ Museum, Palace Museum and Xiqu Centre, and the new and burgeoning West Kowloon Cultural District, which encompasses 40 hectares and will eventually be home to 17 venues.

Michael Lim, Emily Mo, and magician Louis Yan

New hotels in town include the Fullerton at Ocean Park, the Hari and AKI in Wan chai, the return of the Regent Hong Kong, Hotel 1936 on Prince Edward Road, and WM Hotel in Sai Kung.

He also noted that more restaurants opened during the pandemic than closed.

Visitors can also expect mega-events to return with more than 200 events and happenings already planned in 2023.

Lim revealed that the tourist board has “big plans in the pipeline to welcome back travellers” and will soon launch a global promotional campaign dubbed, “Hello Hong Kong” that is designed to showcase the city’s iconic appeals and new experiences.

“In addition, we’re working closely with the travel trade to develop new and exciting travel packages that include welcome gestures,” he said.

“It’s high time for travellers around the world to experience… Hong Kong again,” concluded Emily Mo, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. “We all love it, and we all crave it. And expect a lot of surprises!”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Jan. 16-20, 2023

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In last week’s news, the WHO urged a return to masks; Mexico told tourists to butt out; an Icelandic airline made moves in Canada; the UN predicted that tourism is back – nearly; and the next year’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace will be held in Barbados in May.

NEWS

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging passengers to wear masks on long haul flights once again. The recommendation follows the rapid spread of the latest Omicron subvariant of COVID-19 in the US. In Europe, the XBB.1.5 subvariant has been detected in small but growing numbers.

Mexico has banned smoking in all public places and tourists caught contravening the law – which went into effect this week – could be fined up to US$300 and be jailed for up to 36 hours. The new anti-smoking law is considered to be one of the strictest in the world, encompassing all public places, including hotels and beaches. Lighting up is only permitted in private homes and private outdoor areas.

BY THE NUMBERS

Based on forward-looking scenarios by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for 2023, global international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, the ongoing recovery of travel in Asia and the Pacific and the evolution of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, among other factors. The UNWTO says Europe and the Middle East are anticipated to return to pre-pandemic levels.

AIR

Icelandic low-cost airline Play is expanding to Canada. The Reykjavik-based carrier says it will offer flights from Canada to 26 European destinations including London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Brussels, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. Play says all of its new Canadian flights will be offered out of Hamilton International Airport, with service beginning June 2023.

Canada Jetlines has confirmed a partnership with Travelkore – a travel safety and travel healthcare services digital platform. Through this partnership, travellers will gain access to a unique digital safety application, healthcare services, and health products at home, or at their preferred destination.

DEALS

The annual ‘Pink Sale’ is back with offers of up to 50% off island-wide accommodations in Bermuda. The deals last through Jan. 30.

American Queen Voyages’ Winter Saving Event, through Feb. 28, includes up to US$2,500 in savings and free roundtrip air from select gateways (guests can swap the free airfare for a $300 p.p. travel credit).

TOURS

Goway has secured exclusive spots in Japan for this spring’s cherry blossom season which typically occurs in late March and early April. This year’s festival is expected to be the busiest in Japan in over four years with virtually no

availability for foreign travellers. Goway, however, has secured exclusive hotel rooms and tours as well as a dedicated national guide for its 12-day ‘Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey’ tour, calling in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Tokyo. Highlights include three cherry blossom viewing opportunities, including one in Kyoto.

A new holding company has been formed by G Adventures to bring its existing and new brand acquisitions under the same parent brand – G Travel Community (GTC). The purpose of GTC is to create a community of travel companies that have ‘community-led growth’ at the core of their strategies, and a shared belief in the power of changing peoples’ lives through travel. Current brands comprising the GTC portfolio are G Touring (Travelsphere and Just You) and TruTravels, and Planeterra. Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, will be chairman.

HOTELS

A signature addition to the Cavalier Resort, the new Embassy Suites by Hilton is on track to open in Virginia Beach, Va., in February. Its 157 luxury hotel suites event space feature a host of first-class amenities. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a 24/7 fitness centre and a pair of new eateries – Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill and beachfront dining at the Tacos & Tequila Shack.

Opening this fall in Orlando, Aloft Lake Nona will be a six-story, 205-room music-themed property. Its eclectic décor and design nods to the hotel’s music and technology roots that gives each guestroom its own character. Aloft Lake Nona will also feature a 930 sq.-m. conference centre and full-service restaurant.

RESORTS

Celebrating the end of its 25th anniversary in Mexico in 2022, RIU Hotels & Resorts has completed the renovation of one of its three hotels in the Los Cabos area of Mexico: Riu Santa Fe. The hotel had been expanded in 2018 when the Riu Pool Party area and Splash Water World

Riu Sante Fe

built and full renovations were officially completed late in 2022. The five-star property, which has 1,288 rooms spread throughout various buildings and streets emulating a charming Mexican village, boasts a new design and spaces, including a refresh of all rooms not added in 2018 and expanded the dining options.

Motto by Hilton has marked a major milestone with its international debut in the Caribbean and Europe with the openings of Motto by Hilton Tulum and Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak. Motto by Hilton Tulum is located the Hunab mixed-used lifestyle centre; the 115-room lifestyle hotel is surrounded by a jungle with ancient ruins and pristine beaches and within steps of restaurants, retail shops and nightlife. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak is located in an iconic preserved bank building with 108 rooms. It is within walking distance of the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, Cube Houses and the Markthal, where visitors can shop, eat, and drink at nearly 100 food stalls and restaurants.

 CRUISE

‘Viking Neptune’ is the newest Viking ocean ship, officially named earlier this month in Los Angeles. After a ceremony with godmother, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist Nicole Stott, the ship departed on a 138-day world cruise. Through Jan. 31, Viking’s 25th Anniversary Sale, offers special savings, and up to free international airfare on river, ocean, and expedition voyages with a $25 deposit.

In an industry first, Celebrity Cruises guests will get to “see before they sail,” by exploring a hyper-realistic, digital recreation of aspects of their newest Edge-series ship Celebrity Beyond, complete with the ship tour, and the ability to visit top destinations that Celebrity sails to – from Alaska to the Caribbean and Europe to Asia. Additionally, guests can meet and chat with the line’s key leaders as digital avatars, including President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, inspirational Captain Kate McCue and others.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The Walt Disney Co. is making several changes at its US theme parks. Among them: it will cease charging for overnight self-parking at its Walt Disney World resorts; Walt Disney World annual passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation (except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom) and individuals buying its Genie+ service will receive digital downloads of their ride photos taken in the park on the day of their purchase for no additional charge.

EVENTS

 Barbados will host the 41st edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, May 9-11, 2023. The event follows last fall’s 40th edition, which was held in Puerto Rico. More details, including registration, will be revealed soon.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

G Adventures’ annual agent G-Normous incentive program offers $75k in cash and prizes. The four-month-long agent incentive program kicks off with agents competing for the $10K grand prize, with added trip giveaways, monthly cash prizes, bonus commission and more. Agents have a chance to win with every booking made. First up is January’s ‘Great Adventure Sale’ which provides clients with up to 25% savings on hundreds of trips, including many popular adventures in Japan, which is January’s destination spotlight for G-Normous. Bookings must be made by Jan. 31, for travel either between Dec. 22-June 30 or July 1 – Dec. 15, 2023.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

The UVI Canada team celebrates with Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment & Aviation, Bahamas (pictured centre)

Sales teams from Unique Vacations Inc. across Canada, the US and Latin America recently convened at the Sandals Sales Summit held at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma (Jan. 4-8). During the final evening’s gala awards ceremony, the sales team from Unique Vacations Canada were honoured as follows: Lorna Richards, National Training Manager – Spirit of Excellence, Canada, and the entire Canadian sales team – Winston Chang, BC, Saskatchewan & The Yukon; Donne Nixon, Alberta, Manitoba & NWT; Robert Smith, Ontario: Guy Archambault, Quebec; and Sandra Brousseau, Quebec & Atlantic Canada – was named “BDM of the Year, Canada.”

Phil Sproul, a long-time veteran of the travel industry, has joined Huntington Travel Group as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), taking control of the Consolidator and Tours arm, Escapades by Huntington. Sproul will oversee further development of the Canadian market while expanding the existing business in the United States. He can be reached at: phil.sproul@huntingtontravel.net

DESTINATIONS

Visitors to Charleston, South Carolina, will be able to experience the city and the state’s “next big thing” starting this month with the opening of the International African American Museum, which Brie Burnett of Discover South Carolina says will be even better than its counterpart in Washington DC. “If anyone is looking for a new place to visit, this is the one,” she adds. Historic Charleston already attracts many visitors interested in its plantation and Gullah (slave descendants) history and the No. 1 attraction in town is the Old Slave Market (now a museum).

Dubai is taking steps to enhance the destination’s accessibility and inclusion for travellers to “the next level.” The first phase of the initiative means all Dubai attractions, hospitality and entertainment organizations will have access to specialized autism-specific training designed to enhance staff knowledge, understanding and strategies for communication, guest experience and safety to better serve and accommodate people of determination.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1949, the first non-stop trans-Canada flight, from Vancouver to Halifax, was completed.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News