Global Travel News

Weeva Exhibits at OurAfrica.Travel Exhibition

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Weeva Exhibits at OurAfrica.Travel Exhibition - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICA.orgJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa,  February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Weeva will be exhibiting at OurAfrica.Travel for the first time in February 2023. The recently launched digital sustainability management system was created for the tourism industry to manage the complicated and sometimes daunting task of “sustainability” and to help build resilience in the sector.

Built by a team of sustainability experts and scientists alongside industry partners The Long Run and Preferred by Nature, and co-founded by Julie Cheetham, Weeva is a tool that enables properties, from small B&Bs to large hotel groups, to measure and improve their impact.

Weeva has recently been named among the 30 finalists in the UN World Tourism Organization’s Awake Tourism Challenge – selected from more than 2,000 entries into the sustainability competition from 120 countries.

Weeva is not just another carbon calculator. It offers a holistic framework for sustainability management and an incredible knowledge resource to help educate and empower teams on the ground to improve their efforts across 360-degrees of business operations–based on the 4Cs of Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Best of all–Weeva’s simple, intuitive design and how-to guides help properties and their team members understand their real impact-both negative and positive–with all the results in one place. The easy-to-use dashboard will reveal and report on real data, which is vital for establishments wanting to be transparent for guests and tour operators or simply to meet certification requirements from GSTC validated bodies. (Think Fitbit meets Sage)

Weeva has undergone rigorous testing from an initial pilot group of 20 properties, which included the likes of Singita, Grootbos, Tswalu, Cottars, Borana Lodge and HBD Principe and ended 2022 with almost 100 properties onboarded. Weeva has secured a strategic partnerships with Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection and looks forward to further announcements in the coming months.

Weeva is currently a web application, the mobile native version is already in development and the platform will be extended to serve tour operators, travel agents and tourist boards in future iterations.

Weeva will be both affordable and accessible to make sustainable business operations viable for tourism businesses, no matter their size-or where they are on their sustainability journey. Weeva is now available to any property wanting to start with a free trial (with no credit card required) with a lead in price of just $750 per annum (the price of a sustainability consultant for just one day) for small businesses.  You can view a demo video on weeva.earth

Be sure to check out the easy-listening podcast for the eco-curious, “Funny Old World” hosted by sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman and media pundit Simon London – proudly powered by Weeva on https://weeva.earth/powered-by/funny-old-world-podcast/.

Weeva is a proud member of the Oppenheimer Generations Community and has offices based in London and South Africa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Month of Love at Anantara Chiang Mai

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The Month of Love at Anantara Chiang Mai - VISITTHAILAND.net - TRAVELINDEXChiang Mai, Thailand, February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / With winter still in the air, and the mountains misty, Chiang Mai is the perfect destination to escape to for romance. Anantara invites couples to indulge in love, with a special Valentine’s dinner to enjoy, as well as staycations and spa treatments available throughout the month of February.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s ‘Romantic Chiang Mai Escape’ is an invitation to make a long weekend of Valentine’s Day with a loved one. Staying three nights or more, guests will enjoy a free upgrade and early check-in to begin. Tranquil days follow in a spacious room or suite, with a champagne breakfast in bed and a couple’s massage at Anantara Spa at a chosen time during the stay.

Valentine’s Day is a beautiful affair, with a special menu prepared by the chef for the occasion. Couples will enjoy a quiet table under a bodhi tree, surrounded by candlelight and overlooking the Ping River. Five exquisite courses served include the aphrodisiacs oysters and Valrhona chocolate.

Rates for the staycation start at THB 17,284++ per night per couple. Outside guests may also book the Valentine’s Day dinner at THB 5,900++ per couple, with an additional THB 3,000++ for wine pairing. Space is limited, therefore advance bookings are highly recommended.

The month of love is also a time for self-care, with special offers available at the award-winning Anantara Spa. Intravenous drips for couples will include the second drip priced at 50%, with a wide selection to choose from.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s exclusive and tranquil setting is ideal for romantic escapes. Rooms and suites are soothing sanctuaries for two, the new rooftop bar is perfect for taking in sunsets, and romantic experiences include floating over the countryside in a hot-air balloon and drifting down the river on a cruise.

For more information or reservations, call +66 53 253 333

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Resort Grows Own Food at New Onsite Farm

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Alma Resort Grows Own Food at New Onsite FarmCam Ranh, Vietnam, February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Thirty-hectare beachfront resort Alma has cultivated its own onsite farm to produce an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and chicken eggs, affording organic zero-kilometre vegetables for guests’ meals and beverages.

In a bid to make Alma more self-sufficient and sustainable, landscape manager Ngo Duc Thinh and his team of green thumbs have transformed parts of the family resort into a 1000sqm nursery garden, a 260sqm chicken farm and a 180sqm herb garden.

Situated on the northern end of Alma’s grounds, a short walk from the Active Youth Club for teenagers, the nursery garden is thriving with bananas, coconuts, papaya, squash, passionfruit, sunflowers, daisies and more.

Adjacent to the nursery garden, the chicken farm is currently home to a growing brood of 17 hens, six roosters and 18 chicks.

Situated just outside beachfront restaurant Atlantis, with panoramic views of Long Beach, the herb garden is brimming with mustard leaves, morning glory, red and green chili peppers, Vietnamese basil, lettuce, green onions, white radish, bok choy, tomatoes and more.

Currently all the farm’s produce is directed to the resort’s restaurants. Bananas, coconuts and eggs, for example, are served during breakfast at Alma Garden restaurant. Lettuce and mustard leaves are included in salads and coconuts are provided as drinks at Atlantis. Italian restaurant La Casa’s traditional caprese salad features tomatoes from the herb garden along with locally produced mozzarella cheese.

Leftovers from the resort’s kitchens are used as compost and the farm is watered with recycled water.

Complimentary garden tours are on offer for the whole family, with staff sharing fruitful tips on how to cultivate a veggie patch at home. Children also learn about how to care for chickens.

Alma also plans to host cooking classes by the farm, where guests pick and clean their ingredients to cook their own healthy meals.

“We feel so proud to be putting our resort’s land to good use by creating our very own farm and embracing the ‘farm to table’ movement; it’s so rewarding for our team of gardeners to see how the kitchen staff love picking produce from the farm, and to see guests of all ages take tours of the farm with interest and curiosity,” said Mr Thinh.

“There’s a lot of talk in the hospitality industry about going green but it’s really important to walk the talk and this is yet another initiative at Alma that helps create a more sustainable holiday for guests,” added Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

The resort’s ‘hotel as farm’ efforts follow numerous initiatives including plans to implement Vietnam’s most ambitious solar power project for a hotel yet, and the appointment of a sustainability officer.

In addition to engaging staff in sustainability initiatives across three staff committees focused on ‘green products’, ‘innovation and solutions’ and ‘people and partnerships’, Alma has other measures in place to reduce its carbon footprint including a water treatment plant, electric buggy station, recycling in its garbage room and the resort’s transition to paperless solutions due to Alma App.

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please call +84 258 399 1666

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Weeva to Showcase Sustainability Solutions at OurAfrica.Travel 2023

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Weeva to Showcase Sustainability Solutions at OurAfrica.Travel 2023 - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICA.orgJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa,  February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Weeva will be exhibiting at OurAfrica.Travel for the first time this month.  The virtual trade show opens for networking and meeting bookings on 8 February, ahead of the official show which will run from 20 – 24 February 2023.

Weeva, the recently launched digital sustainability management system, was created for the tourism industry to manage the complicated and sometimes daunting task of “sustainability” and to help build resilience in the sector. Built by a team of sustainability experts and scientists alongside industry partners The Long Run and Preferred by Nature, Weeva is a tool that enables properties, from small B&Bs to large hotel groups, to measure and improve their impact.

However, this is not just another carbon calculator. Weeva offers a holistic framework for sustainability management and an incredible knowledge resource to help educate and empower teams on the ground to improve their efforts across 360-degrees of business operations–based on the 4Csof Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Best of all–Weeva’s simple, intuitive design and how-to guides help properties and their team members understand their real impact-both negative and positive–with all the results in one place. The easy-to-use dashboard will reveal and report on real data, which is vital for establishments wanting to be transparent for guests and tour operators or simply to meet certification requirements from GSTC validated bodies. (Think Fitbit meets Sage)

Weeva has undergone rigorous testing from an initial pilot group of 20 properties, which included the likes of Singita, Grootbos, Tswalu, Cottars, Borana Lodge and HBD Principe and ended 2022 with almost 100 properties onboarded. Weeva has secured a strategic partnerships with Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection and looks forward to further announcements in the coming months.

Weeva is currently a web application, the mobile native version is already in development and the platform will be extended to serve tour operators, travel agents and tourist boards in future iterations.

Weeva will be both affordable and accessible to make sustainable business operations viable for tourism businesses, no matter their size-or where they are on their sustainability journey. Weeva is now available to any property wanting to start with a free trial (with no credit card required) with a lead in price of just $750 per annum (the price of a sustainability consultant for just one day) for small businesses.

You can also view a demo video on weeva.earth, sign up for the Weeva newsletter.

Be sure to check out the easy-listening podcast for the eco-curious, “Funny Old World” hosted by sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman and media pundit Simon London – proudly powered by Weeva on https://weeva.earth/powered-by/funny-old-world-podcast/.

Weeva is a proud member of the Oppenheimer Generations Community and has offices based in London and South Africa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Pimalai Showcases the Flavors of Koh Lanta

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Pimalai Showcases the Flavors of Koh Lanta - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comKoh Lanta, Thailand, February 7, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Five-star resort focuses on sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients from the island’s farms and fishing communities, curated by Chef Peng and served in a seafront setting at Spice and Rice, the popular restaurant. Pimalai Resort & Spa, the five-star sanctuary on the southern Thai island of Koh Lanta, has launched a new menu that features some of the most iconic and authentic dishes from Southern Thailand. Cooked with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, these recipes reinforce the resort’s commitment to nature, the community and creating highly original experiences for its discerning clientele.

The new menu has been curated by Chef Supon “Peng” Kaewcharoenpaiboon, Pimalai’s Executive Chef Thai de Cuisine, who has more than 20 years of experience. Having first learned about Thai cooking through his family’s food business, Chef Peng is now an expert in the art of Royal Thai cuisine and has served as Head Chef at Blue Elephant, the famous Thai restaurant in Dubai, UAE. He is keen to showcase Thai food on an international stage and has been a culinary ambassador at events in Indonesia, Singapore, UAE and USA. He even represented the Thai Embassy at the United Nations Food Festival in New York.

Southern Thailand has an exotic food culture that derives from the region’s native ingredients. Chef Peng has carefully researched the various herbs, spices and products from different provinces in order to understand Southern Thailand’s unique flavours. This helped him to devise a selection of recipes that reflect the culinary and cultural heart of the region. These can now be enjoyed at Spice and Rice, Pimalai’s popular sea-facing Thai restaurant. Guests can choose from the following dishes:

– Budu Herb Rice Salad – This vibrant salad blends Budu sauce from Saiburi – one of Southern Thailand’s most famous sauces – with fresh vegetables from the local villagers’ gardens and brown rice from the Rim Ping Organic Farm in Chiang Mai.
– Kaeng Som (Phatthalung Recipe) – This local twist on the popular sour & spicy soup is made using a chili paste from Phatthalung, along with tamarind and turmeric to give it a vibrant orange colour.
– Kaeng Tai Pla – This spicy fish soup is made with coconut milk and chili paste to give it a hot and smooth sensation. Chef Peng also uses pickled mackerel kidneys to create a truly unique homemade recipe.
– Sataw Phad Goong – This delectable dish of stir-fried pakria with shrimp and minced pork uses Koh Lanta’s famous shrimp paste, pakria (bitter beans) from villagers’ garden and fresh shrimp from the island’s fishing community.
– Kanom Ko – One of the most popular desserts in Southern Thailand, this sweet dish is made using coconut milk from the coconut groves of Koh Lanta.

These Southern Thai recipes can be enjoyed alongside a wide range of delicious, traditional Thai dishes at Spice and Rice. Some of the restaurant’s other popular menu items include Dried Fish with Watermelon, Braised Wagyu Beef Massaman Curry, Green Chicken Curry with Roti, Tom Kha Gai with Liang Leaves, and even a special Pad Thai that Chef Peng used to promote Thailand at international food shows.

Pimalai is committed to supporting local communities and reducing its environmental impact. By sourcing ingredients from within Koh Lanta, it ensures the freshness and flavour of the produce, while also providing a source of income for fishermen, farmers and small-scale producers, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with transportation. In fact, Pimalai has been able to reduce the frequency of trucks transporting raw materials to the resort from daily to no more than twice a week. In addition, any leftover food from Pimalai’s restaurants is brought into the composting process to be used as fertiliser for the resort’s gardens.

“Today’s travellers are seeking highly authentic, localised experiences that connect them with their destination. Food is a key aspect of this and Pimalai is committed to strengthening the links between our guests and the island by offering original cuisine that cannot be found anywhere else. Pimalai is also completely committed to giving back to the community and caring for the environment. Every aspect of our business must be as sustainable as possible and have minimal impact on the environment,” said Charinthip Tiyaphorn, Owner Representative of Pimalai.

Spice and Rice, Pimalai’s elegant Thai restaurant

Pimalai Resort & Spa is one of the world’s most luxurious resorts, with a total of 121 suites and private pool villas all surrounded by lush greenery and mountains overlooking the Andaman Sea. In 2022, Pimalai was named as the 12th best hotel in the world in Tripadvisor’s “Traveller’s Choice 2022 – Best of the Best Awards”, while Condé Nast Traveller placed Pimalai in its “Top 15 Resorts in Thailand” list. In addition, the Boutique Hotel Awards 2022 honoured Pimalai with two illustrious titles: “Best Hotel with a View Asia 2022” and “World’s Best Hotel with a View 2022.” Pimalai is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) Considerate Collection, a group of five-star luxury hotels that place great emphasis on social responsibility and environmental preservation.

For more information about Pimalai Resort & Spa, please email reservation@pimalai.com, call +66 (0) 2 320 5500

About Pimalai Resort & Spa
Koh Lanta’s first five-star resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa has been redefining luxury hospitality on this idyllic Andaman island since it launched almost two decades ago. Voted Southeast Asia’s second best resort in Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards”, this award-winning property cascades through 100 acres of tropical jungles easing its way towards one of Thailand’s best beaches: Kantiang Bay. It’s here that guests while the days away lounging on what often feels like a private beach or spend action-packed afternoons out in the cerulean sea scuba diving, snorkelling or simply relaxing on a sunset cruise. A smattering of local bars and restaurants line the beach, but its Pimalai’s onsite eateries that tend to steal the show. The legendary Rak Talay beachfront bar and restaurant is as loved for the sumptuous Thai-style seafood as it is its sunset setting, while nestled in the resort’s jungle interior, Seven Seas serves up Michelin-chef-conceived menus throughout the evening. Guests can also indulge in an array of onsite wellness experiences, ranging from traditional Muay Thai classes to early evening tennis matches and pampered afternoons at the signature Pimalai Spa. With no immediate neighbours, the 121-room resort is a serene sanctuary where guests can feel completely at peace in their private surroundings. From Hillside Ocean Pool Villas that command vistas of the stunning scenery through to the Beachside Villas, situated only a few short steps away from the shoreline, rooms at Pimalai cater to all tastes with spacious layouts and designs that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IATA Signs Cooperation Agreement with Government of Somalia

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IATA Signs Cooperation Agreement with Government of Somalia - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, February 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia agreed to deepen and formalize cooperation with the aim of strengthening the economic and social benefits of aviation in Somalia.

Under an agreement signed by Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President, Africa and the Middle East, and H.E. Fardowsa Osman Egal, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Federal Republic of Somalia, a new framework was established that will also see an expansion of IATA’s activities in the country.

“Aviation is a significant contributor to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so the potential for a strengthened air transport sector to contribute to Somalia’s development is enormous. This agreement aims to realize that potential for social and economic development by focusing on global standards and best practices. H.E. Minister Fardowsa Osman Egal has a strong vision for a successful aviation sector to contribute to a more prosperous Somalia. And we are determined to support that by turning the words of our agreement into real actions,” said Alawadhi.

The agreement provides the framework to support IATA’s mission for aviation in Africa: the creation of a safe, efficient, sustainable, and economical air transport sector that generates growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism as well as playing an essential role in supporting the UN SDGs through generating connectivity between nations.

“Aviation is essential to the success of Somalia’s development plans. The Government of Somalia is committed to developing its air transport sector to help promote long-term social and economic growth in the country. And we will ensure that global best practices are at the core of development. This agreement will pave the way for closer cooperation on the priorities for aviation in the country,” said Egal.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Villagers of Subak Bakung Transform Future of Tourism with Kaura

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Villagers of Subak Bakung Transform the Future of Tourism with Kaura - TRAVELINDEX - VISITBALI.orgKarangasem, East Bali, Indonesia, February 8, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Cross Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Discova, are proud to announce the launch of new brand “Kaura”, and the first of its kind “Kaura Bali”.  This immersive village experience is located in the lush hills of Karangasem, East Bali and developed in harmony with the environment, in direct partnership with the villagers of Subak Bakung. Kaura is the sixth brand from Cross Hotels & Resorts and is poised to transform the hospitality landscape.

Transforming Hospitality for All

Kaura Bali started as a community project with Discova with the reparation of a damaged irrigation pipe that threatened the survival of the entire community who were heavily dependent on rice farming. Today, the villagers of Subak Bakung are transforming tourism with experiences that are both created and guided by the community. Each moment connects adventurous travelers closer to village culture.

Steeped in Paradise

Subak Bakung is appointed on the sweeping terraces of eastern Bali, with the fertile volcanic hillside as a stunning backdrop to the vibrant colour of village life. The crystal waters of the Java Sea are just a short cycle away; it is the perfect base to explore the region.

Life Changing Experiences

“I’m so proud to be working hand-in-hand with Discova and the people of Subak Bakung to bring Kaura to life.” said CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts, Harry Thaliwal. “Our goal of self-sustaining retreats, created in partnership with local communities, is at the core of Cross’s vision for an evolving industry. Through education, and sustainable development with the villagers, Kaura will deliver life changing experiences for travelers.”

Immersed in Nature

Kaura Bali is an escape to the indulgence of nature. Guests can experience sunrises over the yoga Sala each morning, enjoy breathtaking views from the infinity pool, and step into a timeless world of Balinese treatments in our Spa. The retreat has been hand-crafted with the environment and sustainability first. There is no better way to reconnect with our planet or experience a new culture.

Relax in Balinese Hospitality

Our large, comfortable Balinese styled tents are instinctively positioned on the rolling curve of the steeps overlooking the rice paddies, rows of scented herbs, organic vegetables, and tropical fruit orchards. Hammocks surround our fire pits for guests to connect with, and hear stories from the village elders, while cold beers and tropical cocktails help everyone unwind from city life.

Shared Visions

Suyin Lee, Managing Director of Discova says, “Kaura is a true collaboration between the villagers of Subak Bakung, Discova and Cross Hotels & Resorts.  It is part of our longstanding commitment to sustainable tourism, which directly benefits local communities. The villagers wanted to adopt organic farming, to improve farming practices and to bring prosperity back to their village. Now they are welcoming everyone to experience the real Bali and in doing so, creating an alternate source of livelihood.”

Don’t Just See it, Live It

The villagers are working with Discova to offer a range of experiences, from touring and working in the newly converted organic farms and rice paddies, to guided treks and cycling through the emerald Balinese steeps, or traditional cooking classes and holistic wellness workshops with the villagers, preparing for an evening meal together under a blanket of stars.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Halong Bay Unveils Its Most Lavish Day Cruise Ever

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Halong Bay Unveils Its Most Lavish Day Cruise Ever - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25CRUISES.comHalong Bay, Vietnam, February 8, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Ambassador Cruise is heralding the dawn of a new day in cruising Halong Bay, with the launch of a day cruise on a new vessel with restaurants and bars, an outdoor jacuzzi and a striking glass bridge.

The five-star line behind the UNESCO World Heritage site’s most sublime cruise experiences will begin the day-long ‘Ambassador Day Cruise II’ tours on February 10 this year.

Elegantly designed, the ship features spacious sundecks across two floors that total 324sqm and 250sqm, affording 360-degree vistas of Halong Bay and its myriad limestone karsts. Two restaurants, two bars, an entertainment area for live music, and the large open-air jacuzzi are among the 45-cabin vessel’s top-notch facilities. The five-metre glass bridge jutting from the vessel’s bow inspires compelling photographs.

The 1700-ton five-deck steel craft measures 95 meters long, 15.50 meters wide and 19 meters high, making it the largest and most luxurious ship to ever ply Halong Bay’s waters.  Ambassador Cruise is the only Halong Bay cruise line to include an elevator system for the elderly and people with disabilities.

With amenities that hitherto have been the province of overnight adventures only, the new cruise caters for up to 500 passengers, who will check in at Ambassador’s Check-In Lounge in Halong City at 9.45am.

The itinerary includes exploration of Sung Sot Cave, a delectable buffet lunch while the vessel’s route plys a passage by Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trong Cave, Me Cung Cave and Cua Van Floating Village. The cruise anchors off Titov Island whose scalable heights offer panoramic views of the bay. Afternoon tea is served on the vessel’s sundeck. Guests return to Halong International Cruise Port at 4:30pm.

A round-trip shuttle bus links Hanoi with Halong Bay via an expressway that opened in 2018, cutting the drive time between the destinations in half to two hours.

Nguyen Cao Son, founder of Asia Premier Cruises Corporation, which owns Ambassador Cruise, said February was the right time to launch the day cruise, following the world’s reopening and 2018’s launch of both the expressway and Van Don International Airport, located 50km from Halong Bay.

“The day cruise opens up Halong Bay in an exciting new way for many travelers, particularly those who can’t squeeze an overnight cruise into their schedule and yet now have the opportunity to experience this breathtakingly beautiful destination in style in a day,” he said.

Since launching its first vessel in 2021, Ambassador Cruise has made a name for itself as the leading luxury cruise operator on Halong Bay and also offers overnight cruises.

For more information about Ambassador Cruise or to make a booking, call +84 1900 3045.

Ambassador Day Cruise II is priced from USD 112 per person (VND 2.625 million) including day cruise itinerary and program, round-trip shuttle bus transfer from and to Hanoi, one luxury buffet lunch, onboard insurance, tax and service charges, sightseeing fees and afternoon tea on the sundeck.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BORN AGAIN: Crystal returns with new owners, new vision

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Crystal Cruises – a high profile victim of the pandemic – has officially relaunched under new ownership with the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony vessels set to sail again beginning this summer.

The high-end cruise line, which had operated for close to three decades, ceased operations in early 2022, with two of its ships seized in the Bahamas for unpaid fuel bills.

Now Crystal is back with a new vision – dubbed ‘Exceptional at Sea’ – and itineraries for 2023 and 2024, under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent (the A&K Travel Group), which acquired the Serenity and Symphony in 2022.

The first sailings will be a Mediterranean cruise of Crystal Serenity on July 31 from Marseille and Crystal Symphony, scheduled to depart Sept. 1 from Athens.

Travel Advisors and guests with Open Deposits have exclusive access to an early booking window that began Feb. 1 – before bookings open to the public later this month.

Guests will sail on ships refurbished with reimagined with larger updated suites, a leading spa, fitness facilities and large pool. There are nine dining options onboard each ship and a series of guest chefs connected to the destinations visited, will add diversity and local flavours.

“I am delighted to announce that Crystal is reborn, with Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony reimagined and enhancements made to every part of our guests’ journey,” says Crystal president Jack Anderson. “Palatial suites, spacious verandas and guest rooms have been rolled out on both ships, reducing overall guest capacity. Personalized service – long a Crystal signature – has been elevated further. Dining is a journey through culinary specialties, with authentic food from around the globe. Local experts at Abercrombie & Kent have planned memorable experiences in each destination to guarantee beyond-the-guidebook access.”

New Itineraries

Voyages will travel throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The collection of cruise, along with other information, can be viewed on crystalcruises.com.

Suites

The suites and guest rooms are more spacious, with elevated detail and contemporary craftsmanship. Suites feature marble quarried from Italy, with modern furnishings and fine cotton linens.

Experiences

Both the spa and the gym will be revamped, and the Wimbledon courts will host both paddle tennis and pickleball. A refreshed approach to entertainment and events programming has been developed with more information to follow.

On shore, a seamless experience continues with A&K’s ground arrangements.

Agents can register on the Crystal web site to receive the latest updates.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS TURKEY AND SYRIA

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A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,600 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled thousands of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble.

Authorities feared the death toll would keep climbing as rescuers searched through tangles of metal and concrete for survivors in a region beset by Syria’s 12-year civil war and a refugee crisis.

Residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside in the rain and snow to escape falling debris, while those who were trapped cried for help. Throughout the day, major aftershocks rattled the region, including a jolt nearly as strong as the initial quake. After night fell, workers were still sawing away slabs and pulling out bodies as desperate families waited for news on trapped loved ones.

Tens of thousands who were left homeless in Turkey and Syria faced a night in the cold. In Turkey’s Gaziantep, a provincial capital about 33 km from the epicentre, people took refuge in shopping malls, stadiums and community centres. Mosques around the region were opened to provide shelter.

The quake, which was centered on Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, sent residents of Damascus and Beirut rushing into the street and was felt as far away as Cairo.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said officials do not know how high the number of dead and injured will rise.

The quake piled more misery on a region that has seen tremendous suffering over the past decade. On the Syrian side, the area is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. Turkey, meanwhile, is home to millions of refugees from the civil war.

Strained health facilities quickly filled with injured, rescue workers said. Others had to be emptied, including a maternity hospital, according to the SAMS medical organization.

More than 6,400 people were rescued across 10 provinces, according to Orhan Tatar, an official with Turkey’s disaster management authority.

The region sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Some 18,000 were killed in similarly powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Monday’s quake at 7.8, with a depth of 18 km. Hours later, a 7.5 magnitude temblor struck more than 100 km.

Thousands of buildings were reported collapsed in a wide area extending from Syria’s cities of Aleppo and Hama to Turkey’s Diyarbakir, more than 330 km to the northeast.

In Turkey alone, more than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, authorities said. Hospitals were damaged, and one collapsed in the Turkish city of Iskenderun.

Bitterly cold temperatures could reduce the time frame that rescuers have to save trapped survivors, said Dr. Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University. The difficulty of working in areas beset by civil war would further complicate rescue efforts, he said.

Offers of help — from search-and-rescue teams to medical supplies and money — poured in from dozens of countries, as well as the European Union and NATO. The vast majority were for Turkey, with Russian and even an Israeli promise of help to the Syrian government, but it was not clear if any would go to the devastated rebel-held pocket in the northwest.

More than 1,600 people were killed in 10 Turkish provinces, with more than 11,000 injured, according to Turkish authorities. The death toll in government-held areas of Syria climbed to 570 people, with some 1,400 injured, according to the Health Ministry. In the country’s rebel-held northwest, groups that operate there said the death toll was at least 450, with many hundreds injured.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News