Global Travel News

BEEN THERE. DONE THAT.: MSC offers travellers something different

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Travellers looking to check off “bucket list” destinations on their world map need look no further than MSC Cruises to do so, especially with their newer Gulf Region and Red Sea itineraries. As the world’s third-largest cruise brand, Geneva-based MSC has a fleet of 19 vessels, projected to grow to 23 by 2025 with options for another six ship orders in place through 2030. Cruise itineraries are available around the world – in Europe, South America, Southern Africa, the Caribbean, North America, as well as the Far East and Gulf regions.

For “been there, done that” travellers looking for something a little different, MSC’s seasonal cruises in the Middle East offer options to set sail from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha. Other Gulf and Far East destinations include calls in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. On a Red Sea cruise, guests can visit Yanbu, a desert port known for its white sugar beaches and turquoise waters. From Aqaba, guests can discover the UNESCO city of Petra.

Speaking with Travel Industry Today during the recent christening of MSC’s new flagship, the 6,762-passenger MSC World Europa, in Doha, Qatar, Ian Patterson, MSC’s country manager for Canada, said the unique itineraries resonate with the North American market and especially with Canadians.

“We (Canadians) are curious travellers,” he said. “We like to go and see things. We recognize Canadians cruisers are experienced travellers who welcome innovation and new destinations. We encourage them to experience our expanding programs in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar with MSC World Europa and MSC Opera, along with our new program onboard MSC Splendida in the Red Sea, which are quickly booking up.”

He added, “Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE are ports rich in tradition and culture, which allows our cruises to offer a wide variety of experiences, including visiting Sir Bani Yas, a private island off the UAE, Doha (Qatar), Muscat (Oman) and Dammam (Saudi Arabia). Our “Fly & Cruise” packages with Emirates and Qatar Airways on MSC World Europa this winter are proving to be highly very popular.”

MSC Splendida offers an itinerary that gives guests an opportunity to visit four UNESCO sites in a week. Departing from Sokhna (Cairo/Egypt), guests can discover the Luxor Temple (Safaga/Egypt), the walled city of Al-Ula (Jedda/Saudi Arabia), the holy city of Medina (Yanbu/Saudi Arabia) and the historical city of Petra (Aqaba/Jordan). Also available, a tour of Cairo to see the Giza Pyramid complex, the Sphinx and more. A “Stay & Cruise” package for these sailings includes two night’s hotel accommodation.

For agents, booking a MSC cruise can be lucrative. Patterson described the company’s growing “Stay & Cruise” program – featuring pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays – as a “one-stop shop” for agents and their clients. All elements of the booking are commissionable to agents, including the cruise, hotels, transfers and even air.

Coming in the new year is a new MSC agent incentive program for Canadian agents. As well, MSC offers a complimentary Status Match program to travellers who are members of hotel or other cruise line loyalty programs. Those taking advantage will become MSC Voyagers Club members, from Classic to Gold, guaranteeing a 5% discount on future cruise bookings, as well as other perks, and a similar or higher privilege status offered by their current loyalty program.

For more, visit www.msccruises.ca.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BC FIRST NATION, KAMLOOPS WANT TO HOST 2027 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES

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Tk’emlups te Secwepemc (formerly the Kamloops Indian Band) and the city of Kamloops have announced their intention to bid to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). At a press conference last Friday, (Nov. 25), it was announced that the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and area bid has been selected in BC to be put to NAIG organizers. Tk’emlups te Secwepemc/Kamloops is the first of eligible groups to announce a bid intention.

The move was endorsed by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC), the provincial governing body of Indigenous sports in B.C.

I-SPARC CEO Rick Brant said the NAIG Council, which traditionally awards the hosting rights for the Games, established a new hosting rotation a few years ago.

The 2023 NAIG will be held next July in Nova Scotia. Events will be staged in Halifax, Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation.

Brant said those from Canada’s three western provinces_B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan_as well as Yukon and Northwest Territories, are eligible to submit hosting proposals for the 2027 NAIG.

It is believed that neither Yukon nor Northwest Territories will submit bids, since they do not have sufficient suitable venues to host the multi-sport Games, expected to attract about 6,000 competitors in 16 different sports.

Brant said I-SPARC reps were extremely impressed with the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc/Kamloops bid.

“Frankly it blew our socks off,” he said.

“As Canada’s tournament capital, you need no reminder of the extraordinary, world-class facilities that you possess,” he told organizers of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc/Kamloops bid, “but hosting a unique, one-of-a-kind event like the North American Indigenous Games requires more than just exceptional venues.”

Brant said officials demonstrated they have compiled a list of leaders to assist with the bid and have also shown strength with their partnerships and an ability to host a large multi-sport event.

As a result, Brant said I-SPARC was keen to become a bid partner. The organization announced $75,000 in funding to support the bid process.

“These Games are unlike any other international multi-sport Games,” Brant said. “They are about reducing barriers for Indigenous youth, families and communities. They are a gathering place for First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Native American peoples from across Turtle Island for the purpose of lifting up our youth and celebrating Indigenous excellence in sport in a culturally rich and a culturally safe environment.”

Though there have been no other public announcements from other bidders, Jason Peters, the president of the 2027 Tk’emlups te Secwepemc/Kamloops NAIG bid committee, said he anticipates both Alberta and Saskatchewan will reveal their preferred host bids in the near future.

Rosanne Casimir, the chief of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, is pleased the first step of securing the B.C. nomination for the Kamloops bid is now complete.

“This means that we will be advancing forward as British Columbia’s host community representative to compete against provinces and territories in western Canada to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games,” she said.

Casimir realizes there is still a lot of work ahead for local bid officials.

“There is a clear submission process,” she said. “The first part of that process was to compete on a provincial level. We did that. We did that with our partners. We created a solid first bid.”

The next step is to submit a bid to NAIG Council host selection officials. That bid is due March 10 of next year.

After NAIG Council reps have site tours of all that have submitted hosting bids, they are expected to announce next July 22 which bid has been awarded the 2027 NAIG.

If successful, Casimir said the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc/Kamloops bid would be noteworthy.

“This event would be the largest hosted in the history in this area,” she said. “Welcoming up to 6,000 participants from across Turtle Island, across Canada coast-to-coast and to the territories and to the United States.”

Mike O’Reilly, the deputy mayor for the city of Kamloops, is among those hoping to see the local bid chosen.

“This is an exciting first step,” he said. “It’s going to be a very long wait for July 22nd for the announcement and I think we’ll all have that date marked in our calendar.”

O’Reilly said the city has invested more than $60 million into its facilities in recent years in order to be able to host large events such as the NAIG.

“Most importantly is the opportunity to expand our long-lasting relationship with Tk’emlups and other surrounding Indigenous nations and communities we are near,” he said. “And also bringing our communities together in sport and culture celebration and reconciliation.”

Another politician keen to see the 2027 NAIG come to Tk’emlups/Kamloops is Lisa Beare, the minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport.

“It would be an honour to welcome the Games in British Columbia,” Beare said. “And I look forward to the next steps in the selection process.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

DEFEATING THE DOWNTURN: Is technology the key?

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Addressing consumer demand for technology and sustainability could keep travel business better able to survive the economic downturn, a session heard at the recent World Travel Market (WTM) London.

Caroline Bremner, head of travel research at Euromonitor International, said travel’s current key challenges were inflation stemming from the war in Ukraine coupled with post-pandemic labour shortages and the loss of China and Russia as source markets.

The company’s recent research however shows that technology is predicted to become a rapidly more important way to tap into consumer demand.

Data and analytics continues to be the technological priority of travel companies with over 65% of 700 travel professional surveyed believing this will impact travel businesses in the next five years, with artificial intelligence and augmented or virtual reality the next in importance.

Despite its economic problems, the Metaverse is seen as an area with long-term potential. Fifty percent of millennial consumers surveyed by Euromonitor were planning to attend virtual experiences such as concerts or sporting events while there was also take up in the viewing of virtual reality holiday destinations.

Among European travel companies surveyed, 69% believed big data and analytics would impact them in the next five years, 52% expected AI to be important and 42% augmented or virtual reality.

Caroline Bremner

Euromonitor believes this will be motivated primarily by a wish to improve the customer experience followed by a desire to enhance cyber security, a concern likely accelerated by the war in Ukraine.

In the Americas, Latin America had a greater interest in VR with more than 50% of survey respondents there interested in exploring travel destinations by headset compared to 35% in the US.

In the Asia Pacific region 52% of travel businesses said integrating new technologies would be a key priority over the next three to five years. Meanwhile 48% of consumers said they would use a VR headset to view holiday destinations before deciding to book.

Euromonitor highlighted how Millenium Hotels has launched M Social, the first hotel in the Metaverse, allowing consumers’ avatars to earn awards in the Decentraland virtual world that could be redeemed in the real world.

Bremner advised companies not to turn the cost-of-living crisis into a ‘race to the bottom’ but instead to protect margins by investing in technology and being transparent with marketing sustainability, another growing customer demand.

“We have to remain cautiously optimistic because there are some very big challenges ahead. Already we know in Europe and the US there could be recession next year,” said Bremner.

She added that customers were willing to forgo other luxuries like home improvements in order to travel but flexible booking terms like offering payment in instalments were likely to help.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHAT’S NEW IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE

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If you think you’ve seen it all in Greater Fort Lauderdale, think again. This ever-evolving region has dozens upon dozens of new hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and more. Read on for the latest and greatest to give your clients a vacation they’ll never forget.

New Hotels

Hotel Dello Fort Lauderdale Airport, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and avid hotel Ft Lauderdale Airport – Cruise opened in Dania Beach, offering locations close to FLL, the Port Everglades cruise terminal, the Casino @Dania Beach, famous eateries and more. At Hotel Dello, your clients can enjoy a complimentary airport shuttle, seasonal heated pool, fitness center, restaurant and bar. avid hotel guests will enjoy guest-centric hallmarks such as best-in-class room design for sound sleeping, seamless technology and a high-quality grab-and-go breakfast.

New Dining

Here’s a smorgasbord of the latest dining delights to hit Greater Fort Lauderdale’s thriving culinary scene. Bon appétit!

• Your clients can enjoy amazing cuisine blending coastal Florida and Eastern Mediterranean flavors at Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, located at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.

• A reimagined Timpano on Las Olas Boulevard features daily handcrafted pasta and a “parm to table” experience.

• They won’t want to miss Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, now open in Plantation, the only location in the Southern U.S.

• Harat’s By The Sea in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea features daily happy hour, live music, fresh seafood and seasonal fare.

• They can indulge in pies, cakes, savories and other baked goods from Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, now open in Fort Lauderdale.

• Treat them to an entire wall of candy and chocolates from around the world at Hof’s House of Sweets, now open on Las Olas Blvd. in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

• New vendors to Sistrunk Marketplace in Fort Lauderdale include Crunly Churros, Made in Italy, Mari’s Kitchen, Henry’s Sandwiches and Island Made. Plus 32 handcrafted beers now on tap from Taste Dream State Brewing.

• Casa Sensei in Fort Lauderdale has launched a grill-your-own experience with A5 Japanese wagyu beef, one of the world’s most exquisite meats.

• A 40-year-old Italian favorite, Anthony’s Runway 84, has been transformed into a supper club featuring live music.

And a few more delights in store… coming in 2023. Baresco, a Mexican restaurant in Pompano Beach Fishing Village, will feature fresh seafood with Mexican flare, a 40-seat private indoor dining room and an expansive, 150-seat covered patio. TIMBR will be opening up on Las Olas Blvd. in downtown Fort Lauderdale and will invite visitors to an enchanted world with a totally unique dining concept. The 6,500-square-foot space is undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation and will serve as an ode to nature. Your clients can enjoy beautifully prepared twists on their favorite American and European dishes, a superb wine list and cutting-edge cocktails. Additionally, the Victory Entertainment Complex in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighborhood will open in spring of 2023 and feature a distillery, cigar bar, rooftop area, and a wine and whiskey lounge.

New Attractions

Your guests can experience a “Top of the Tower” tour with scenic views of area waterways at the reimagined Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame. The $47 million renovation and expansion features five swimming pools, a 27-meter dive tower with springboards, nine platform levels and more.

New explorations await at the exquisite Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, now offering a paddleboard or kayak tour with Sunrise Paddleboards. After your clients paddle from Coconut Cove, they can walk the grounds of this historical plantation that’s home to raccoons, wild monkeys, turtles, manatees, heron and other critters.

Learn more about the fabulous new offerings in Greater Fort Lauderdale and tools and tips for travel agents at VisitLauderdale.com/Travel-Trade. https://www.visitlauderdale.com/travel-trade/ Link

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

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BOLD NEW VISION: TTAND celebrates suppliers, sales success

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The little things count, says Flemming Friisdahl, and one of them is a bold, new colour scheme for the logo of The Travel Agent Next Door. Featuring more vibrant shades of the previously soft palette colours, the strength of colours represents the confidence of the host agency in emerging from the pandemic and looking ahead going into its ninth year.

Indeed, TTAND’s CEO noted that the organization now has over 1,000 agent members in 2022, which is a far cry from its 60 agents (and three staff members) when it started in 2014. It’s even a boost over the course of the pandemic, where 250 members left the industry, but 450 new one joined.

Moreover, TTAND’s initial-year sales figure of $7 million will not only hit an expected $255 million this year but has increased almost 54% since 2019 ($165 million).

Speaking at TTAND’s annual VIP Supplier Event at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto last week, Friisdahl admitted, “We didn’t expect that; we thought it would be 2023 before it (business fully) came back.”

He added, “We believe we are the largest host agency in Canada.”

As for the logo, it also reflects TTAND’s new milestone numbers, including the tagline, ‘1,000+ agents strong,’ and is available in a customizable B2C version that lets members choose their own message/strengths, such as cruise, Europe, or weddings/honeymoons.

“We want agents to be able to promote their specialty,” explained TTAND’s new director of marketing, Antje Splettstoesser.

And in a nod to her German roots, she showed off an advent calendar promotion for December that offers members special supplier incentives.

Splettstoesser also revealed that TTAND is working on a new groups program and B2C website with self-management capabilities for consumers.

Flemming Friisdahl

Looking ahead to 2023, Friisdahl says he expects TTAND to grow to 1,200 agents, 50 staff, and a “minimum” $305 million in sales.

Of the latter, he says, “For us to be there, I think that means something!”

He noted to the supplier audience that everything TTAND does is mindful of their partner relationships, explaining that “if you’re not successful, we aren’t successful.”

To that end, he added, TTAND keeps it preferred partnerships modest (about 40), so sales are not diluted.

A notable new program coming next year, Friisdahl revealed, will be Z.I.P. (Zero Interest Program) – an adaptation of the extremely successful ‘travel now, pay later’ incentive offered by the former Sears Travel, which will allow clients to make deferred payments three, six, or 12 months after booking.

Friisdahl also showed a couple of videos: the first touting TTAND’s significant charitable support for Pencils for Kids, which supports schoolchildren in Africa; the second amusing clip – starring himself – at the site of next year’s annual conference at Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, Mexico in April.

He noted that TTAND agents won’t have to pay to attend, nor will their membership fees (at $69/month and $19/month for primary and associate agents respectively) won’t increase in 2023.

More “little things” that count.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Nov. 21-25, 2022

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Among last week’s notable news, Destination Canada revealed this country’s latest travel recovery projections, Canada Jetlines will be seeing (rock) stars on an upcoming flight, Transat unveiled its summer 2023 program, Carnival ‘celebrated’ a new ship in Miami, and details emerged for New York’s upcoming Hotel Week.

NEWS

Despite ongoing challenges, Destination Canada says the recovery trajectory for Canada’s tourism sector is strengthening, bolstered by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and resilience in travel demand. Leisure travel is now expected to recover to 2019 levels by 2024 – considered a remarkable feat – one year earlier than previously forecasted in the Spring. Domestic travel market spending is expected to reach 92% of 2019 levels by the end of 2022 and fully recover in 2023.

Globally, the UNWTO says international tourism is on track to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 as the sector continues to bounce back from the pandemic. An estimated 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September, reports the UNWTO, more than double (+133%) the number recorded for the same period in 2021. This equates to 63% of 2019 levels.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, reopened Runway 06L/24R, the airport’s second-busiest runway, after an eight-month rehabilitation. The project is one of the largest in Pearson’s history and extends the life of the runway for another 30 years.

BY THE NUMBERS

With 275 flights a week to more than 40 destinations at the height of the 2023 summer season, Air Transat will strengthen its position in Europe, increase the number of connections to the South and the United States, and enhance its domestic service. At the height of the season, the airline will offer 88 direct flights weekly to 19 European destinations from Montreal, including 14 to Paris, seven to London and Rome, and six to Marseille. Out of Toronto, 73 direct flights a week are scheduled to 15 cities in Europe, including 14 to London, seven to Glasgow, Rome, and Paris, and six to Dublin and Manchester.

AIR

Gene Simmons

Passengers flying from Calgary to Toronto with Canada Jetlines on Dec. 8 will have a special opportunity to meet rock star Gene Simmons. The KISS co-founder will join passengers after boarding, where he will share samples of his new MoneyBag Vodka to all interested guests during an on-board meet and greet before departure. The spirit will be offered to all passengers aboard any flight in the Canada Jetlines network.

Air Canada has launched Live TV on select aircraft and domestic routes, notably offering customers the ability watch sports teams in real time or watch live national news onboard a flight. Live TV on Air Canada flights currently features six Canadian English and French channels which are available as part of the airline’s complimentary inflight entertainment programming.

Direct flights from Edmonton to eight different sun destinations are now underway with Sunwing, with the carrier serving Cancun (5x weekly), Liberia (1x), Los Cabos (3x), Mazatlan (1x), Montego Bay, (1x), Puerto Vallarta (2x), Punta Cana (2x), and Varadero (1x). Flights continue to various dates through April.

Air France and KLM are launching their first credit card in Canada – Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard – with partner Brim Financial. Issued and managed on Brim’s state-of-the-art digital platform, the card will provide Canadians with the ability to earn Flying Blue Miles with their everyday purchases.

Commercial flights between Colombia and Venezuela have resumed as relations improve between the South American neighbours following the election of Colombia’s first leftist president. The first flight to connect both countries was operated by Turpial, an airline owned by a retired Venezuelan air force coronel, while Satena, owned by Colombia’s air force, operated the second flight between the countries from Bogota’s international airport.

DEALS

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts is offering instant savings available on select Air Canada Vacations packages booked through Dec. 4 for travel Dec. 1-April 30, 2023. Based on a 5-night minimum stay in any room category, savings range from $250 to $1,300 depending on the resort and room category. Booking ID: ACV Black Friday Instant Savings.

Starting today (Nov. 28), Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is launching its first-ever “12 Days of Christmas” event, with new offers and savings that will be unveiled each day through Dec.13. Travellers can check Uniworld.com/ca/12Days daily to explore new deals, which will vary widely across ships and over 15 itineraries around the world. Deals will include complimentary roundtrip airfare, category upgrades, trip extensions and savings of up to 50% off.

Contiki is celebrating the cyber holidays with up to 25% savings on over 60 trips worldwide in 2023. The sale continues through Dec. 1.

TOURS

G Adventures says it has made a significant financial investment in restorative travel technology start-up Reforest to start taking action via tree-planting. The Australia-based digital platform connects travellers with local communities that are actively restoring their ecosystems using reforestation.

This festive season, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will glide through some of Europe’s most picturesque winter-scapes on one-night journeys to Florence, Paris, Venice, and Vienna, marking the first December journeys for the Belmond Train. Expanding its annual season (typically March-November), the 10 routes available this December will include classic journeys from Venice to Paris and Vienna to Paris as well as recently launched routes to/from Florence.

HOTELS

Hilton has announced the reopening of the 478-room Hilton New York Times Square, located on 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square and easily accessible from Grand Central, Penn Station and several subway lines, The pet-friendly hotel is within steps of dozens of Broadway and off-Broadway shows, attractions and Restaurant Row. Soaring 44 stories above Times Square with some of the largest standard size rooms in the neighbourhood, guests will have incredible skyline and Hudson River views, with select rooms looking out to the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop.

Expected to be Japan’s largest hotel and entertainment complex, the massive Tokyu Kabukicho Tower will open in spring 2023. It will feature two luxury hotels – the Hotel Groove Shinjuku and the Bellustar Tokyo. The complex will also feature the Bandai Namco amusement centre, concert venue Zepp Tokyo, two floors of live theatres and cinemas, and an entertainment food hall.

RESORTS

InterContinental Hotels Group and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts have struck a long term commercial agreement that will see 70 of the latter’s hotels and 24,200 rooms added to IHG’s system under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts brand. Iberostar will become the 18th brand for IHG, boosting its global system size by up to three percent. Through the strategic alliance, Iberostar, a 65-year-old family-run business based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, will retain 100% ownership, preserving its autonomy and values.

A new Blue Diamond Resorts resort is on the way in Jamaica. Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay will open in late 2023 as a 352-room adults-only all-inclusive experience on the shores of Trelawny. Features include elevated suite amenities, day-to-night activities for adults, a world-class spa, fitness centre with modern equipment, unlimited international and local liquors in eight bars, and eleven exclusive culinary options including its signature Dorado restaurant, set to debut for the very first time in Montego Bay. Guests will also have access to the facilities of the neighboring Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort.

CRUISE

Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship Carnival Celebration arrived at its PortMiami homeport and was christened by actress Cassidy Gifford Nov. 20. The festivities were befitting of the ship’s name and underscored Carnival’s year-long celebration of 50 years of fun. An innovative Excel-class sister to the ground breaking Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration is launching year-round service from its hometown of Miami.

Viking has taken delivery of the company’s newest ocean ship, Viking Neptune. While identical to Viking’s other ocean ships, the Viking Neptune is equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry’s first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for on board operations. The Viking Neptune will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean before embarking on the company’s 2022-23 world cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London, which spans 138-days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Real Madrid has plans to launch its own theme park in Dubai. The famed Spanish football club announced a deal with Dubai Parks and Resorts to build a Real Madrid theme park to be inaugurated “in the final quarter of 2023.” The 14-time European club champion said the park will feature “Real Madrid-related attractions,” including “a museum, amusement rides and games of footballing skill” in addition to shops.

Disneyland in Anaheim, Ca., has added two new characters in wheelchairs to its iconic “It’s a Small World” attraction, saying it wanted a “more accurate representation of diversity around the world.” The animatronic dolls are among some 300 costumed dolls representing singing children from many nations featured in the attraction. One is in the Latin American section of the boat ride and the other appears in the finale.

AWARD WINNERS

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) recently honoured its best-selling Saint Lucia travel advisors at the 2022 Global Piton Awards for the top-producing Saint Lucia Experts from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and the Caribbean (photo). The awards were bestowed upon travel advisors who booked the most room nights from July 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2021, and the Canadians included Sharon Boissonneault, House of Travel; Lois Barbour, Travel Time, TPI; Alexandra, Maloney, Glenny Trave; Kim Hartlen, Kim Hartlen Travel, TPI; Pauline Denise Blacoe, Shine Travel.

The 1000, a club for the world’s most influential travel advisors, has named its inaugural supplier award winners. The 1000 Growth Partner Award (2023) is Abercrombie & Kent (finalists: Classic Vacations, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Tauck, and Viking Cruises); and New Partner Award winner: Micato Safaris (finalists: Aman, Belmond, Explora Journeys, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Southern Crossings). Nearly 500 suppliers were nominated.

DESTINATIONS

From Dec. 23 to Jan. 8, the pedestrian village at Tremblant, Que., will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland. With activities, stories, carols, and even a visit from Santa Claus, there will be something for all ages. Porter Airlines flights from Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto (YTZ) restart Dec. 16 and a new mobile app for Tremblant is set to be launched.

Reservations are now open for NYC Hotel Week (nycgo.com/hotelweek), Jan. 3- Feb. 12, featuring up to 23% savings off standard room rates are available at more than 140 hotels across all five boroughs. Featured hotels include Hard Rock Hotel New York; Lotte New York Palace; The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel; The Hoxton, Williamsburg; The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue; New York Marriott Marquis; and more. NYC Hotel Week marks the countdown to the return of NYC Winter Outing, NYC & Company’s annual citywide value program, which also includes Restaurant Week, Broadway Week, Must-See Week. Bookings for all open Jan. 10 at nycgo.com/winterouting.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1977 British and French Concorde airliners made their first flights with fare-paying passengers to New York.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO: Rethink and Transform Tourism by Supporting Talent and SMEs

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UNWTO Rethink and Transform Tourism by Supporting Talent and SMEs -TRAVELINDEXMarrakesh, Morocco, November 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is stressing SMEs and talent development as key transformers of global tourism. The two areas were the theme for a thematic session at the ongoing 117th Executive Council Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.

Tourism has been one the sector’s most affected by COVID-19. The impact has been particularly acute among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSEMs) which are the backbone of the sector and have seen existing challenges in the areas of liquidity and financing, human resources or digitalization accelerated by the pandemic.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said at the opening of the session that the organization recognized the need to help tourism SMES in order to withstand the shocks of COPVID-19.

“As you know, the pandemic hit our sector hard. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of our sector, and they were hit hardest of all. It is these businesses we need to make agents of transformation. But we recognize that not all of them have the tools or the knowledge to adapt to changed circumstances.

“In fact, the pandemic was a reality check for our sector, it showed us just how many small enterprises had not made the shift to digital. It is not because the interest isn’t there. The opposite is true – the vast majority of tourism businesses want to adapt, evolve and innovate. But too many lack the resources to do so. This is where we come in. Through the UNWTO Digital Futures Programme, we offer a platform that aims to reach 2 million SMEs,” he maintained.

In addition to this, the Executive Council has approved the “Marrakech Call to Action” to commit to supporting MSMEs in all of UNWTO’s Members States and be a key part of the sector’s digital transformation.

The Call to Action will target investment in three ways: Digitalization of SMEs to benefit people – this includes through organizing competitions and challenges in specific countries and then helping enterprises to benefit from existing technology as well as emerging tech and deep tech.

Digitalization of SMEs for prosperity: To increase investments and ensure money is targeted where it will make a real difference in accelerating change.

Representing around 80% of all businesses in tourism worldwide, and in some G20 economies as much as 98%, MSMEs are vital for the sector’s competitiveness, job creation and transition to a more sustainable model. Supporting SMEs as agents of transformation in tourism will lead the way towards a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable sector. The importance of digitalization for SMEs needs to be accelerated for economic recovery of the tourism sector by supporting SMEs to unleash digital technologies to create jobs and enhance future resilience in the linkages of the tourism value chain post COVID-19.

At the same time, as recovery consolidates workforce challenges have become more evident as the pandemic also accelerated a series of shifts happening in the world of work, adequate new skills, education, and training. Tourism businesses previously faced some challenges filling jobs that were sometimes perceived as being low-wage and low-skilled, with little chance of career advancement or steady employment; with pandemic shutdowns, laid-off employees in the tourism appear to be moving into other sectors, leaving many tourism jobs unfilled. Indeed, the increasing challenges related to the attraction and retention of talent in tourism mean the sector needs to promote value-added jobs, improve job-related conditions, including life-work balance, tackle inequalities and focus on career development especially for women, youth and people in vulnerable situations.

Challenges identified by G20 economies, which relate as well to overall countries, include

For SMEs
− Lack of access to finance
− Lack of access to market intelligence
− Market uncertainty
− The volatility of the working force
− Changing consumer trends and needs
− Low level of innovation
− Need to strengthen sustainability-orientation and developing new sustainable product

For talent development
− Need to review national policies and strategies to ensure adequate human capital in tourism
− Increase level of skills and qualification
− Improve the attractiveness of the tourism sector
− Support labour and skills upgrades through digitization
− Improve business adoption of new technologies and leveraging of new trends and meeting new consumer needs
− Up-skill workers and incentivize employers to hire and retain workers.

The digitalization of SMEs for the planet – with sustainable practices and the SDGs as our guides. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili is of the firm belief that “the effort will be worth it” and that “innovation can help small businesses cut costs and become more efficient. It will help them become more competitive in a truly global market.”

“It will also be essential if we are serious about making tourism more inclusive and sustainable,” he emphasized.

Marrakesh Call to Action: Marrakesh Digital Futures Pledge: Enabling the diffusion of digital technologies for SMEs to accelerate economic recovery of the tourism sector H.E. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Morocco and H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The pledge will encourage to contribute to the closing of the technology skill gap in the tourism SMEs by identifying 10.000 SMEs per respective country to take the digital diagnostic tool and implement specific training programs fostering partnerships with the large technology companies to accelerate digital transformation, and innovative solutions for SMEs and the tourism Sector.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO: Education and Investments are Cornerstones to Transform Tourism

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UNWTO Education and Investments are Cornerstones to Transform Tourism - TRAVELINDEXMarrakesh, Morocco, November 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism leaders from every global region have met to advance plans to transform the sector against a backdrop of challenges old and new.

UNWTO convened its Executive Council in Marrakesh, Morocco, as the sector’s recovery continues to gather pace. According to UNWTO data released this week, international arrivals are on track to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. However, building on its year-long call for both public and private sector leaders to “rethink tourism”, UNWTO placed innovation, investments and education and youth empowerment at the centre of discussions, while also emphasizing heightened interest for transformation through Climate Action and the sector’s importance for rural development everywhere.

Welcoming 16 Ministers of Tourism and delegations from 36 countries, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili underscored that “the window of opportunity to transform our sector will not stay open for long”. He emphasized that “now is the time to fast-track building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable sector”, and reminded this leading UNWTO governing body that tourism’s success cannot longer be measured based on numbers alone, “but rather on the impact our sector has on lives, on livelihoods and the wellbeing of both people and planet”.

UN recognition as UNWTO delivers

Now is the time to fast-track building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable sector

On the eve of the Marrakesh meeting, the United Nations General Assembly was presented with a draft resolution calling on all parts of the UN system to promote tourism in their work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The resolution, which so far has the support of 104 countries, is the culmination of UNWTO’s enhanced presence at the highest political level. It is also a reflection of the unprecedented recognition of tourism’s importance to economic and social wellbeing and integrates the key strategic work streams of UNWTO. In particular, it draws attention to tourism’s power to help build inclusive societies and protect ecosystems.

Alongside sharing this landmark moment for the sector, in his report to Members on its achievements since the previous Council meeting, Secretary-General Pololikashvili illustrated how UNWTO is leading the transformation of the tourism. Central to this is a stepping up of education and training programmes, promoting investments in tourism for growth and sustainability, and through providing technical assistance for Member States in every region. Executive Council Members also heard how UNWTO has delivered in advocating for tourism at the very highest level.

His Excellency Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicraft, and Social and Solidarity Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco warmly welcomed the UNWTO leadership and his fellow Ministers to Marrakesh. She added: “This important session of the UNWTO Executive Council provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm priority orientations to promote the prosperity and development of our sector. I am looking forward to a more resilient tourism in the African continent thanks to an inclusive continental approach that will increase the awareness of Africa’s assets thus improving the attractiveness of Africa as a destination.”

SMEs, Digitalisation and rural development

Within the framework of the 117th Session of the Executive Council, UNWTO also held  a special Thematic Session focused on empowering small businesses to be agents of transformation, inspired by the G20 Guidelines for Tourism SMEs and Communities as agent for transformation. The Session brought together Ministers of Tourism alongside leading figures from the private sector to address the biggest challenges standing in the way of smaller enterprises fulfilling their potential to drive change. These include access to investment and financing, a lack of market intelligence and an inability to adapt to meet changing consumer trends.

Also underlining discussions in Marrakesh was a shared recognition of the importance of tourism for rural development and opportunity. In his report to the Executive Council, Secretary-General Pololikashvili provided an update on the new Programme for Tourism and Rural Development, hosted by the Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, including of its flagship initiative, Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.

Council makes decisions to guide sector forward

The Executive Council is the top governing body of UNWTO and meets twice a year. Made up of 34 Members following the Russian Federation’s suspension from the Organization, it works with the Secretary-General to implement both its own decisions and the recommendations of the Assembly. The 118th Session of the Executive Council will be held in the Dominican Republic and the next hosts sent a message to all fellow Members looking forward to welcoming them in 2023.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Michelin Guide Thailand with Five New One Michelin Star Restaurants

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Michelin Guide Thailand with Five New One Michelin Star Restaurants - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 25, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / At the MICHELIN Star Revelation Ceremony, which also marks the official release of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023 edition, Michelin unveiled recipients of the prestigious MICHELIN Star, the MICHELIN Green Star, the MICHELIN Young Chef Award, the MICHELIN Service Award, plus two special awards introduced for the first time in this newest edition of Thailand’s guide: the MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award, and the MICHELIN Sommelier Award.

• Discover Thailand and the World’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at TOP25Restaurants.com

Featured in this sixth local edition are 441 dining venues – with 6 two MICHELIN Stars (all retained their status), 29 one MICHELIN Star, 189 Bib Gourmand, and 217 other recommended entries. New additions to the MICHELIN Guide consist of 5 in the one MICHELIN Star (4 newcomers, and 1 promotion), and 59 in the Bib Gourmand list (53 newcomers, and 6 promotions), together with another 54 in the Guide’s recommended selection. Out of 111 new entries, 69 are from four representative cities of Thailand’s Northeast or “Isan” region (Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani), newly covered in the 2023 edition.

“After struggling with the pandemic for a couple years, Thailand’s culinary and hospitality landscapes have seen new openings around the country. In the restaurant sector, many new fine-dining restaurants have opened – not only by local chefs that focus more on their culinary roots and thus offer a variety of cuisine: Northern Thai, Sourthern Thai, Isan, authentic Thai, modern Thai, and so on; but also by big investors and world-famous chefs. Our MICHELIN Guide inspectors are very much excited to see such a development in Thailand’s culinary sector,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides.

“The increased number of entries in the newest edition of The MICHELIN Guide Thailand is partly a testament of restaurateurs’ achievement in striving to rise above challenges, and partly a result of our coverage expansion to Northeastern Thailand – or ‘Isan’ – the largest region of Thailand, rich in history, combined with beautiful geography and natural resources. We believe that extending the scope of the MICHELIN Guide to this region will make people know and understand more about Isan cuisine, as well as help stimulate travelling to this region. With this newest MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition, we hope to contribute to the post-pandemic recovery of both culinary and hospitality industries.”

5 New Entries (4 Newcomers & 1 Promotion) Joining the ‘One MICHELIN Star’ List
In the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition, two MICHELIN Stars listing remains the same with 6 entries – namely, Chef’s Table, Le Normandie by Alain Roux, Mezzaluna, R-Haan, Sorn, and Sühring. The one MICHELIN Star selection welcomes 5 new entries, all located in Bangkok, namely: Baan Tepa, a Thai contemporary restaurant offering beautifully presented tasting menu, made with seasonal ingredients sourced from sustainably minded producers and its backyard; Haoma, an Indian restaurant using sustainable, seasonal, local ingredients sourced from farmers, breeders, fisherfolk, and its own garden, to create delicious, beautifully plated Indian dishes in à la carte and seasonal tasting menus (including a vegetarian one); Maison Dunand, a French contemporary restaurant offering tasting menu inspired by the chef’s Alpine origins, childhood trips to Brittany, and glittering international culinary journey; Potong, a Thai-Chinese restaurant where traditional and novel converge, offering progressive 20-course set menu that is infused with storytelling and hits its peak with aged duck breast; and Signature, a French restaurant promoted from the previous MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition’s recommended selection, offering classic French flavors using imported herbs and edible flowers that evoke their terroir, through the Flower Bouquet set menus that rotate with the seasons.

2 New Additions Bringing the Total of MICHELIN Green Star Venues to 3
Joining PRU, the one MICHELIN Star restaurant in Phuket, that retains the MICHELIN Green Star for the third consecutive years, are Haoma – an Indian restaurant in Bangkok that enters the one MICHELIN Star list for the first time this year – growing fish in rainwater conserved throughout the year for its own aquaponics farm and for recycling using Nordaq water systems for guests to consume and, during the pandemic, starting a farm in Bangkok to raise chicken, goats, and cows for use in its ever-evolving menus; and Jampa, a newcomer on the MICHELIN Guide’s recommended list for Phuket that strives to educate guests on the benefits of eating fresh and local – serving European contemporary dishes using herbs and vegetables from its own organic farm, seafood sourced from the island fishermen, as well as nutritious and balanced ingredients that contribute to better eating.

2023 MICHELIN Thailand Young Chef Award:
Mr. Davide Garavaglia from Côte by Mauro Colagreco. Italian Chef Davide Garavaglia brings the cooking philosophy of Chef Mauro Colagreco from the Mediterranean to the Chao Phraya, working hand-in-hand with Chef Marc Vasseur. After working at D’O – a two MICHELIN Stars restaurant under Chef Davide Oldani in Milan, and later on at Sketch – a three MICHELIN Stars restaurant under Chef Pierre Gagnaire in London, Mr. Garavaglia then joined Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur in 2015 where he played a major part in the restaurant’s three MICHELIN Stars achievement.

2023 MICHELIN Thailand Service Award:
Mr. Uthit Songtho from Baan Phraya. Uthit Songtho, the restaurant manager, provided an impressive Thai-style hospitality with high standard of The Mandarin Oriental. During the service, he was friendly, polite, and sincere. Mr. Songtho himself warmly welcomed the guests as they stepped down from the boat, and bid them farewell at the pier when they left. He also provided detailed information regarding the restaurant’s history, chef’s background, information about the dishes and Thai food in general, and always asked for feedback about the dishes.

2 New Special Awards for the First Time in Thailand

2023 MICHELIN Thailand Opening of the Year Award:
Ms. Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij from Potong. The MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award is given to a chef, host, or restaurant manager, for the successful opening of a dining venue over the past 12 months, with creative degustation concept and cuisine approach, which has had an impact on the local gastronomic scene.

Being the first recipient of this special award in Thailand, Chef Pam is recognized for her successful opening of the restaurant, Potong, in the heart of Chinatown. She has renovated her family’s ancestral building that used to be a pharmacy, in spite of trying times during the Covid-19 period. It was the first restaurant of its kind to serve innovative/progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine in Thailand, with a 20-course Tasting Menu, whereby each dish embodies the 5-Element philosophy of “Salt, Acid, Spice, Texture, and Millard Reaction”.

2023 MICHELIN Thailand Sommelier Award:
Mr. Guillaume Perdigues from Mezzaluna. The MICHELIN Sommelier Award is granted in recognition for the sommelier’s expertise in recommending a food and wine pairing to enhance the customer experience.

Mr. Perdigues, Thailand’s first winner of the award, is very passionate and knowledgeable about wine. He is a professional sommelier, who takes great pleasure in advising guests – based on their personal tastes and food choices – on wine selection and food pairing. With a gentle but welcoming attitude in serving wine, he engaged well with his guests, and loved to share wine knowledge during his service.

The full restaurant selection for Thailand is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. They join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in Thailand and throughout the world.

• Discover Thailand and the World’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at TOP25Restaurants.com

Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for Thailand features the country’s most spectacular hotels, including luxury boutique trailblazers like Amanpuri, sustainability pioneers like Rayavadee, standouts from our “Plus” collection like The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, and treetop pool villa wonderlands like Keemala.

The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023 at a Glance:
– 6 Two MICHELIN Stars
– 29 One MICHELIN Star (4 new, 1 promoted)
– 3 MICHELIN Green Star (2 new)
– 189 Bib Gourmand (53 new, 6 promoted)

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News