Global Travel News

The Luxury Collection Debuts in Dominican Republic’s Northern Coast

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The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, welcomes The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte in the Dominican Republic’s northern coast to its unique ensemble of experiential hotels. Just a 15-minute drive from Puerto Plata Airport, the resort is located deep within the expansive beachfront landscape of the island. Throughout the property, a contemporary and sophisticated design, by Chapi Chapo Design, is portrayed while materiality makes a connection to the place – it is an intimate retreat suffused with natural beauty and distinctive cultural experiences.

“Costa Norte is an ideal fit for our expanding footprint as we continue to offer our global explorers captivating home bases from which to explore all corners of the world,” said Philipp Weghmann, VP and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection. “The Ocean Club will draw on the area’s natural wonders, and we’re delighted to offer our guests unique design and exceptional service as they discover this magical destination.”

The Ocean Club offers 64 spacious suites, by French interior designer Nathalie Pain, ranging from one to three bedrooms and five multitiered four-bedroom penthouses, which evoke beachfront elegance with modern craftsmanship and design. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural daylight and ocean views, while a light color palette with thoughtfully curated artwork and furnishings brings a sophisticated eclecticism and residential feel to the suites. The most enchanting accommodation is the resort’s three-floor Presidential Penthouse suite, the largest in the Caribbean with a total of 9,732 square feet of space. The suite boasts five bedrooms, a fitness center, jacuzzi and multiple terraces offering unlimited views of the surrounding tropical landscape.

“We are thrilled to formally introduce The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte as Dominican Republic’s most extraordinary place to vacation, gather, dine and delight,” said Herve Humler, President of Ocean Club group. “The opening of this newest gem further diversifies the reinvention of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.”

The Ocean Club features three distinct epicurean experiences celebrating the best of the Dominican Republic’s produce and cuisine and The Cellar, a Caribbean speakeasy. Baia, the hotel’s signature restaurant will offer familiar staples as well as new dishes inspired by the region’s produce. Aguazul features Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine, a menu where the elegant and delicate cuisine of Japan meets the freshness and spicy punch of Peru. Rock Bar & Grill, a casual outdoor restaurant, offers meals at the foot of the ocean where the sunset is the backdrop to Mediterranean meals and signature cocktails. The Cellar showcases an intimate room to enjoy a world-class vintage spirits collection and limited-edition cigars.

The property features three pools, two of which are adult-only and beachfront whirlpools with firepits perfect for those who want to unwind after a day of exploring. Guests who prefer their toes in the sand can enjoy the secluded beach, with private wooden cabanas, several lounges and bespoke beach service. The property also features a dedicated marina and helipad to arrive by boat or helicopter.

Inspired by the Mediterranean art-de-vivre, L’OCCITANE Spa is seen as the pinnacle of the entire resort experience. Guests at The Ocean Club can enjoy a range of holistic and wellness therapies in a contemporary setting, inspired by local rituals. With four treatment rooms, the spa boasts open-air relaxation areas as well as two sauna rooms, savory nourishment and café featuring light delicacies. The hotel also offers complimentary access for all guests to a 24/7 Fitness Center with cardio equipment and free weights.

With the hotel’s lavish views and stunning grounds providing the perfect backdrop, The Ocean Club is poised to welcome all occasions from social gatherings to intimate events with various spaces to choose from.

Rates start from 750 USD per room per night and include both breakfast and airport transfers. For more information or to book a stay, please visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/poplc-the-ocean-club-a-luxury-collection-resort-costa-norte/

About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection®, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott International Board of Directors Announces Board Leadership Transition and New Director

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After more than 60 years of leadership, Mr. J.W. Marriott, Jr. confirmed to the Board of Directors of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ; MAR) that he plans to retire as Executive Chairman in May and will not stand for re-election to the Board at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In recognition of Mr. Marriott’s leadership and his significant contributions to the Company, the Board formally designated him Chairman Emeritus, effective immediately following the upcoming 2022 Annual Meeting. In addition, the Board has elected Mr. David S. Marriott to succeed Mr. J.W. Marriott, Jr. as Chairman of the Board, also effective immediately following the Annual Meeting.

J.W. Marriott, Jr. guided what was once a family-run root beer stand and restaurant business to a global hospitality company that is today comprised of nearly 8,000 properties across 30 brands in 139 countries and territories. Mr. Marriott’s passion for the hospitality industry began at an early age. He spent his high school and college years working in a variety of positions in the family’s Hot Shoppes restaurant chain. He became a full-time associate in 1956, and soon afterward began overseeing the first Marriott hotel. He became President of the company in 1964 and Chief Executive Officer in 1972, a role he held for 40 years before stepping down on March 31, 2012. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 1985.

“On behalf of the board and the hundreds of thousands of people who wear a Marriott name badge around the world, I’d like to thank Mr. Marriott for his outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with the company. He is truly an industry icon,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “I’d also like to congratulate David Marriott on being elected Chairman of the Board. Not only does he have tremendous operational experience from his career at Marriott, but hospitality is in his DNA. I look forward to working alongside him for years to come.”

David Marriott joined Marriott International in 1999 and was elected as a director in 2021. Prior to joining the Board, David held a number of operational roles during his tenure with the company, including most recently as the President, U.S. Full Service Managed by Marriott, where he was responsible for oversight of more than 330 hotels operating under 14 brands in 34 states. In this capacity, he oversaw Hotel Operations, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Market Strategy, Information Resources and Development & Feasibility. Previously, David served as Chief Operations Officer – The Americas Eastern Region from 2010 to 2018 and he also oversaw the U.S. integration efforts of Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Prior positions at the company include Market Vice President and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, where he helped lead a comprehensive transformation of Marriott’s U.S. sales organization. David is a graduate of the University of Utah. He currently serves as Chair of the Governing Board of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. and is a member of the board of trustees of The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

Isabella Goren to Join Board

The Board also announced today it has elected Isabella “Bella” D. Goren, former Chief Financial Officer, American Airlines, Inc. and its parent, AMR Corporation, as an independent director of the company, effective March 1, 2022. The Board also appointed Ms. Goren to the Board’s Audit Committee, effective on the same date. Ms. Goren will be included in the company’s slate of nominees for election at Marriott’s upcoming 2022 Annual Meeting.

“Bella has a long history in the travel industry, and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome her to Marriott’s Board of Directors,” said J. Willard Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. “Marriott will benefit from her valuable experience in finance, loyalty programs, customer service, and management of complex international operations.”

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Isabella “Bella” D. Goren

Ms. Goren served as Chief Financial Officer of American Airlines and its parent company, AMR Corporation, from 2010 through 2013. Her multifaceted career in the travel business spans 27 years and includes both corporate and operational roles, leading to her becoming a member of American’s executive committee in 2006. Prior to being named CFO, she led the Customer Relationship Marketing organization from 2003 to 2010, focused on enhanced customer service, implementation of personalized marketing, and deployment of data analytics and customer technology.

Ms. Goren joined American as a financial analyst and held management positions in human resources and revenue management, before becoming the Director of Investor Relations. Ms. Goren also served as President of AMR Services, a leading provider of ground services at major airports around the world and a subsidiary of AMR Corporation. Upon the sale of that business, Ms. Goren assumed the leadership of American’s Customer Services Planning functions. Her responsibilities were later expanded to also include management of Asia Pacific Operations.

“I’m excited to welcome Bella to Marriott’s Board of Directors,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “Bella’s corporate and operational experience, coupled with her deep understanding of and commitment to the travel business will be a tremendous resource to the company as we continue to work toward a sustained global recovery of our industry.”

Ms. Goren currently serves on the Board of Directors of MassMutual Financial Group where she is Chair of the Audit Committee. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Gap Inc. and LyondellBasell Industries. Ms. Goren holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University.

Lead Director Lawrence Kellner to Retire; Fritz Henderson Appointed New Lead Director

The Board also announced that Lawrence W. Kellner informed the Board that he will not stand for re-election at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Kellner has served on the Board for nearly 20 years and has served as the independent Lead Director and chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2013. The independent directors of the Board selected Frederick A. “Fritz” Henderson to succeed Mr. Kellner as Lead Director of the Board, effective immediately following the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Henderson has been a Marriott Board member since 2013.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Larry for his many contributions and for the essential role he has played on the Board and as Lead Director,” said Mr. J.W. Marriott, Jr. “Larry is the epitome of what a Board member should be – thoughtful, straightforward, knowledgeable and dedicated – and I am so grateful to him for his service. Fritz will step into the Lead Director role with ease given his ability to advise at a strategic level complemented by his deep understanding of the company’s operations. I’m grateful to Fritz for stepping into this new role and I know he will continue our board’s tradition of having truly impactful independent leadership.”

Upon Mr. J.W. Marriott, Jr.’s and Mr. Kellner’s departure from the Board, the Board will reduce its size from fourteen (14) members to twelve (12) members. With Ms. Goren’s election, the current members of Marriott’s Board of Directors will be:

  • J.W. Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Marriott International, Inc.
  • Anthony G. Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International, Inc.
  • Isabella D. Goren, Former Chief Financial Officer, American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Corporation
  • Deborah Marriott Harrison, Global Cultural Ambassador Emeritus, Marriott International, Inc.
  • Frederick A. Henderson, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SunCoke Energy, Inc.
  • Eric Hippeau, Managing Partner, Lerer Hippeau
  • Lawrence W. Kellner, President, Emerald Creek, Group, LLC, Marriott International, Inc.’s Lead Director
  • Debra L. Lee, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks
  • Aylwin B. Lewis, Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Potbelly Corporation
  • David S. Marriott, Former President, U.S. Full Service Managed by Marriott, Marriott International, Inc.
  • Margaret M. McCarthy, Former Executive Vice President, CVS Health Corporation
  • George Muñoz, Principal, Muñoz Investment Banking Group, LLC
  • Horacio D. Rozanski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
  • Susan C. Schwab, Professor Emerita, University of Maryland and Former U.S. Trade Representative

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Melissa Froehlich Flood
Corporate Relations
(301) 380-4839
newsroom@marriott.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Jackie Burka McConagha
Investor Relations
(301) 380-5126
jackie.burka@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WILL IT BE ENOUGH? Feds set to change border rules

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The federal government says it will announce changes to COVID-19 measures at Canada’s borders this week. But will it be enough to satisfy a desperate travel industry that has been increasingly urging that regulations be eased as the latest wave of the pandemic wanes and a general sentiment takes hold that it is time to learn to live with the virus?

Simply put, the industry will expect nothing less than a removal of the federal government’s standing advisory against all non-essential international travel – a blanket measure that has been shown to significantly suppress consumer demand – as well as the requirement for pre-travel PCR testing for fully vaccinated international arrivals in Canada.

Anyone travelling within Canada by plane, passenger train or boat must be vaccinated against COVID-19 ¬– a protocol not actively opposed by the travel industry. However, the need for quarantine for travellers after post-arrival testing while they wait for results is.

It was hopeful news then on Friday when Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos stated that the worst of the latest wave of the pandemic is now behind Canada, and that border protocols will be “tweaked” accordingly.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam also acknowledged that due to the infectious nature of the omicron variant, it’s very difficult to stop every case at the border and prevent an infected person from transmitting the virus to someone; as such, she revealed that the travel advisory is being assessed.

However, at the same time, Duclos warned that Canada cannot simply decide to live with the virus and remove measures entirely while so many people are still dying of COVID-19. He added that more children need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and Canada must administer more booster shots to adults.

Increasingly, tourism organizations, such as airlines and tourist boards, and sympathizers (Chambers of Commerce, doctors) have stated that current Canadian protocols are outdated and ineffective in preventing the introduction and spread of a variant that has already overwhelmed Canada. Moreover, they say they do not “follow the science” and point to many other countries, such as the UK, having dropped similar requirements.

On Friday, Air Transat flight attendants were the latest group to condemn “government inertia in its management of border mobility.”

Dominic Levasseur, president of Air Transat Flight Attendant Union, which represents 2,000 members, of whom 60% are still laid off, said, “If these measures are not eased out soon, hundreds of jobs are at risk in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The government’s management of our borders must be strongly challenged.”

He added, “We ask our governments to act quickly to reduce sanitary restrictions at our borders. These excessive measures are strangling Canadian companies like Air Transat. Our demands are simple: we must facilitate the relaunch of our industry… Help us!”

This week, Levasseur, and the rest of the travel industry, will be hopeful that the government has been listening.

Meanwhile at the Ambassador Bridge

‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters were forced to end their occupation of the busiest bridge from Canada to the United States on Sunday morning after police in Windsor, Ontario, started arresting demonstrators and towing away vehicles.

Police swept through the convoy around 7am, following a standoff that began Friday evening when a Canadian judge issued a 10-day injunction making it unlawful to block Ambassador Bridge – which connects Windsor with Detroit.

Protesters in trucks, cars and vans have blocked traffic in both directions since Monday, choking the supply chain for Detroit’s carmakers.

Despite clearing the key bridge on Sunday morning, however, officials kept Ambassador Bridge closed to traffic.

Demonstrations across Canadian cities have been implemented in response to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s order for the country’s truckers to be vaccinated or quarantine after returning from the US.

‘Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination,’ Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement on Sunday.

Police forced the demonstrators to clear the bridge by stepping up their presence with more than 50 vehicles, including cruisers, buses and an armored car on Sunday. The number of protesters still at the bridge had dropped to around 45 from Saturday’s roughly 100-person turnout.

‘Enforcement is continuing in the demonstration area and there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity. The public should avoid the area,’ the Windsor Police Service tweeted on Sunday morning.

Protesters lingered in the vicinity of the bridge after their forced removal, however, gathering on sidewalks and in parking lots of local businesses.

One small group convened at a Shell gas station with a couple of men in a pickup truck who were blasting Twisted Sister’s 1984 protest anthem, ‘We’re not going to take it.’

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AIR CANADA CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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Air Canada is marking Black History Month by featuring the achievements and contributions of its Black employees to aviation, including an inaugural Black History celebratory flight on Friday staff with an entirely back crew.

On Friday, Flight AC914 from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and return flight AC917 operated with a wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft, included two Black pilots and eight flight attendants, and was further planned and supported by Black managers and employees on the ground and behind the scenes.

“We salute and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of Air Canada’s Black employees who brought forward their idea of operating today’s Black History celebratory flight. We are very pleased to champion their identity, pride, and enthusiasm for this special, inaugural flight to commemorate Black History Month at our airline,” said Air Canada executive VP Arielle Meloul-Wechsler.

“We are a global airline that transports customers across six continents, and our biggest strength is our people. Air Canada is widely recognized for its diversity, culture and inclusiveness, and we strive to create a workplace that employees feel proud to belong to by leaning in and listening, learning, and working collaboratively to continually advance shared initiatives,” she added.

In its internal voluntary surveys, 387 Air Canada employees self-identified as Black, and work in leadership, management, specialized professional positions, and across all work groups including pilots, flight attendants, customer service agents, maintenance technicians and ground support crews.

Crew on flight AC914

“Not only does this demonstrate Black representation in aviation, we also want qualified Black people to know they have a place in our industry and especially at Air Canada,” said Yolanda Cornwall, Customer Service Training Specialist – Toronto. “We thank Air Canada for supporting this historic flight and for working together with Air Canada’s Black employee community to further strengthen our airline’s culture.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:Feb. 06-10, 2022

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Border measures are easing around the world, though not in Canada (yet); Royal Caribbean floated out and Cunard named their latest ships; plus, in other news from last week, Air Canada unveiled some Disney fun, Insight revealed its new specialist program, and Globus incentives were introduced, including the chance to win a free cruise from Avalon Waterways.

NEWS

The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors (ACITA) has initiated an official e-Petition, which is now open on the Parliament of Canada website, calling for the end of pre-arrival PCR testing requirements for international arrivals to Canada. Travel agents and industry colleagues are invited to sign and agents are encouraged to share the document with clients as well. The officially sponsored petition #e-3835 will remain open to be signed through March 10 and can be accessed .

Recent research in the UK indicates that a booking boom occurred in that country immediately after mandatory COVID-19 tests for vaccinated travellers were eliminated. The data supports urgent pleas from across the Canadian travel and tourism industry for the government here to do the same. Conducted by ForwardKeys, the research reveals that combined inbound and outbound flight bookings jumped to 84% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels after the UK government’s announcement on Jan. 24. Outbound bookings increased 106% and inbound 47%.

The Philippines has lifted a nearly two-year ban on foreign travellers in a lifesaving boost for its tourism and related industries as an omicron-fuelled surge eases. Foreign travellers from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for the virus will be welcomed back and will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival.

BORDERS

New COVID-19 protocols in Bermuda will come into effect March 7. All visitors will be required to show proof of current vaccination status (second dose within six months, or three doses of the vaccine) and a negative COVID-19 test result (antigen or PCR) taken within two days of arriving on the island, however no further testing will be required upon arrival unless required for return to the country of origin, in which case Bermuda will automatically schedule and provide return testing to travellers. Travellers will also need to complete a Travellers Authorization form 24 to 48 hours prior to arrival in Bermuda.

Australia will open its borders to all vaccinated tourists and business travellers on Feb. 21 – nearly two years after closing its border and imposing some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions on its citizens and permanent residents to prevent them from bringing COVID-19 home.

AIR

Swoop plans to increase its fleet to 16 aircraft from 10 beginning this summer. The acquisition of six new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft will enable the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) to meet peak season travel demand, says the airline, which will also significantly expand its domestic network, adding non-stop flights to Newfoundland and increasing service in Atlantic Canada.

A steamed WestJet has cancelled 20% of its flights in March, extending schedule cuts from February amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainty that continue to drain demand. Calling the cuts “avoidable,” WestJet is urging the government to provide a roadmap to Canadians for the return of accessible and affordable that notably eases restrictions such as pre-travelling testing and quarantine.

Frontier is offering to buy Spirit Airlines in a US$2.9 billion cash-and-stock deal that would close in the second half of the year if approved by regulators and Spirit shareholders. The “tie-up” of the low-cost carriers would create the fifth largest airline in the US.

BY THE NUMBERS

Since early November, WestJet and budget subsidiary Swoop have cancelled 11,285 trips for March, or 48% of their scheduled flights. Air Canada has scrapped 16,617 or 41% since mid-October, according to flight data firm Cirium.

DEALS

The “Tale a Beach Break’ promo from Transat offers up to 40% off new individual bookings made between by Feb. 20. The sale applies to flights to Europe, for travel be April 30, 2022. Exceptions apply.

Coinciding with its new protocols (mentioned above), Bermuda’s ‘Pink Sale’ promotion, offering savings on participating accommodation of up to 50%, has been extended until Feb. 20.

TOURS

TravelBrands Encore Cruises has a new cruise line partner, Tradewind Voyages – a luxury small ship cruise line that sails without using main propulsion engines, thereby giving guests an authentic sailing experience. Global itineraries feature smaller locations accessible by virtue of the ship’s smaller size. Travel agents who book a Tradewind Voyages sailing through TravelBrands will earn 2,000 Loyalty Rewards points per stateroom.

For a limited time, Aeroplan members can earn bonus Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) and Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) when booking an Air Canada Vacations flight-inclusive package with their travel agent for travel through April 30, 2022. Bonus SQD earned are equal to 50% of the total package price and extends to group bookings. Plus, additional Bonus SQM can be earned depending on a customer’s Aeroplan EliteTM Status.

CRUISE
Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship ‘Carnival Celebration’ was floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, signifying a major step in her construction, before moving to the shipyard’s outfitting pier to prepare it for sea trial in the summer and delivery in the fall. The Celebration is the second of three Excel-class ships, joining Mardi Gras, already sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., and Carnival Jubilee, set to sail from Galveston, Texas in 2023.

Cunard has named its newest ship – the ‘Queen Anne’ – which will sail in 2024, with sales set to start in May. The vessel will be the 249th in the cruise line’s historic fleet and will mark the first time since 1999 that the company will have four ships at sea (including Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth).

HOTELS

In Los Angeles, the Beverly Hills Hotel has revealed a fresh redesign, featuring 11 new poolside retreats. Decked out in pink, the new poolside cabanas present the perfect stay for visitors looking to turn back time to Hollywood’s Golden Age. The hotel is known for being featured in many classic films and its celebrity clientele, past and present.

IHG Hotels and Resorts has opened its first voco hotel in Germany – voco Dusseldorft Seestern. Located in the Lörick district of the city, the hotel is a premium option for those visiting Dusseldorf for business or leisure, located within walking to distance to the banks of the Rhine River and a short drive from the airport and the city’s main shopping and business districts.

RESORTS

Clients booking at stay any all Secrets, Dreams, Breathless, Zoëtry, Sunscape, or Now resorts by March 29, when travelling through Aug. 20, 2022, are eligible for 40% savings on room rates, as well as $200 in resort coupons, through the AMR Collection “Welcome Home” promotion. Kids also stay free at participating resorts.

Travellers can save up to 30% and receive a daily $30 resort credit at The Reef Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas for stays of seven nights and more. Booking window is through March 31, 2022, for travel until March 31, 2023.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Billed as “going beyond anything Disney has created before,” “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” will take flight March 1 at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The innovative two-night vacation experience invites guests to “become the heroes” of their own Star Wars story, which interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, droids, and familiar Star Wars characters such as Rey, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. Included are accommodation, meals, and onboard activities.

EDUCATION

The Insight Specialist eLearning course is new and improved. The course is now streamlined into one learning path with three modules, which travel advisors can choose to complete in the order most relevant to their needs. Suited to both novice or existing specialists, the course will provide sales tips, the latest offerings and more, says the company. Successful participants also earn eligibility for Insight Vacations fam tours and receive a certificate to show clients.

FAMS & INCENTIVES
As part the Air Canada’s collaboration with Disney and Pixar, the carrier will be promoting the new film “Turning Red” through a themed livery (photo) that will fly across the country on a Canadian built Airbus A220. The animated film is set in Toronto and directed by Academy Award winner and Canadian Domee Shi. Passengers can see a special video onboard and the airline is conducting a contest through Feb. 20 offering five prize packages, each featuring a trip for four people to Toronto to attend the Canadian premiere of the film on March 8. Enter .

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Globus family of brands wants to celebrate travel advisors’ sales successes with a plethora of incentives, including weekly prizes and a free Avalon Waterways cruise in 2022. Running from Feb. 14 through April 1, the ‘Just Say “YES!”’ booking contest awards travel advisors one entry for every passenger booked during the booking window. Winners will be announced weekly. Visit Agentlingo for details.

EVENTS

ACTA has posted a “save the date” notice for members to attend the association’s in-person conferences in September – Toronto on the 14th, Vancouver on the 21st, and Montreal on the 28th. Also on the calendar is a return of the annual ACTA Ontario Golf Tournament at the Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton on Thursday, July 14, with proceeds going to help support the Tourism Cares Charity and the ACTA Advocacy Fund. Questions about ACTA 2022 in-person events can be addressed to Marco Pozzobon at mpozzobon@acta.ca.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

In response to the workforce shortage impacting British Columbia’s hospitality industry, the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has, for the first time in it’s 105-year-old history, created an administrative position dedicated to recruitment. New “workforce specialist” Alison Langford will lead both domestic and international recruitment efforts for the accommodation sector, developing new hiring opportunities and strengthening existing initiatives with partner organizations.

DESTINATIONS

Israel has approved a US$35 million upgrade to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one the country’s most iconic and visited sites. The plan aims to encourage more visits to the site by improving public transportation accessibility, developing new educational programs, and continuing existing development projects.

After touring worldwide for 15 years, the Kinsey African American Art & History Collection returns to Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium (site of the Super Bowl) on Feb. 23. The collection is considered one of the largest, most comprehensive of its kind with over 9,300 sq. m. of art, sculptures, photographs, rare books, and letters. The collection documents the African American experience and illuminates the untold stories of Black Excellence throughout US history, focussing on the lives, accomplishments of African Americans from the 16th century through the years of slavery and emancipation to the civil rights movement and modern day.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Carlton Hotel Bangkok Celebrates Second Anniversary

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Carlton Hotel Bangkok Celebrates Second Anniversary - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, February 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit is celebrating their second anniversary in Thailand. To mark this special occasion, the hotel is offering an exclusive Cantonese Wine Dinner and special room promotion at THB 2,222 net per night.

Book and stay from now until 28 February 2022

This outstanding room rate is for a 1-night stay in a Deluxe Room including the following benefits:
● Up to 2 adults on a room only basis
● 2 for 1 when purchasing add-on breakfast (breakfast rate at THB 590++)
● 2 glasses of Bubbles at Tuxedo Espresso Bar
● 2 nights consecutive stay receives a complimentary room upgrade to an Executive room
● 20% discount at hotel restaurants and bars, except Wah Lok at 10%
● 20% discount on room supplement charge from Deluxe room to an Executive Suite
● 2 children complimentary stay, aged below 12 sharing existing bed with parents
● 2:00 pm late check out

For guests booking the 2Anniversary2gether room package and check-in on 19 February 2022, they stand a chance to win a free night stay in Deluxe Room with breakfast for two, Tuxedo Afternoon Tea set and dining cash vouchers.

2nd Anniversary Celebratory Dinner at Wah Lok

The one-night only celebration marks Carlton’s 2nd Anniversary. An exclusive 5-course wine dinner featuring wines from France, Germany and Chile paired with MICHELIN Guide Cantonese cuisine from Wah Lok.

The menu is specially created by Chef Lam Kok Weng and his passionate team. Dinner begins with Crispy Prawns and Deep-fried Pork Loin with Garlic in Superior Sauce followed by Signature Wah Lok Peking Duck, Spicy Lemongrass Infused Baked Norwegian Salmon, Sautéed Australian Beef Tenderloin. Special dessert for the evening is Deep-Fried Sesame Ball with Osmanthus Cake.

Priced at THB 2,222++ per person
Saturday 19 February 2022, 6:00 pm onwards at Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant

For further information or reservations, please contact +66 2 090 7888

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Travel and Rewards Cryptocurrency Company Raises Millions

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Travel and Rewards Cryptocurrency Company Raises Millions - TOP25TOKEN.com - TRAVELINDEXAnchorage, Alaska, United States, February 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / FlyCoin, Inc., a cryptocurrency-based travel rewards technology company announces today the closing of their oversubscribed $33 million seed round. FlyCoin’s revolutionary technology infrastructure provides companies in the consumer loyalty space – including travel and hospitality, insurance and benefits, financial services, and more, with a powerful, turnkey solution to incentivize users in a more customer-centric way. Users can earn FlyCoin’s newly minted token, FLY, reward that appreciates in value, doesn’t expire, is easily transferable, and has an abundance of redemption options.

The round was led by Josh Jones, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and Bitcoin pioneer, best known for founding Bitcoin Builder in 2012. In addition to his role as FlyCoin’s Board Chairman and anchor investor, Mr. Jones will oversee the development of FlyCoin’s technology platform. Other investors in this Seed round include Michael Blend (CEO & Co-Founder of System1), Bill Foley (Chairman of Fidelity National Financial, Dun & Bradstreet, and Cannae Holdings), TenOneTen Ventures, 8VC, Liquid 2, and Gaingels.

“The travel and rewards industry will exceed 1.4 trillion dollars by 2023. With figures like those, it’s time to bring smarter rewards to the people who make the industry as successful as it is: the travelers. FlyCoin is the next generation of digital rewards, and the evolution of a decades-old industry; one that is past due for a digital transformation.” stated Josh Jones.

FlyCoin’s partners include Ravn Alaska and Northern Pacific Airways (“NP”). Ravn Alaska is a regional airline currently operating flights within the state of Alaska, where travelers can already start earning FLY on all paid flights with the airline.

“The rewards and benefits industry, across verticals, has remained stagnant and limited with how it has been rewarding customer loyalty, until today.” explains Lenny Moon, CEO of FlyCoin. “FlyCoin is progressing the industry forward by rewarding customers with a cryptocurrency where the issuer can not dictate the rules of expiration or intentionally depreciate its value. We are grateful for the engaged support from our investor base. We plan to aggressively build out the platform and secure additional partners to start growing the FLY ecosystem.”

“At FlyCoin, we’re transforming the loyalty and rewards space with ‘crypto-as-a-service’ and a SaaS solution for easy implementation” added Tom Hsieh, Co-Founder & President of FlyCoin.

FLY tokens are minted on the Ethereum blockchain using the ERC-20 protocol, with a fixed supply of 100 billion. FLY is currently not tradeable on the cryptocurrency exchanges, but plans to initiate its tradability on the various cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022.

About FlyCoin, Inc.
FlyCoin represents the evolution of loyalty programs where the Company has applied the principles of cryptocurrency and blockchain to create a new kind of loyalty program that is free from the limitations of today’s programs. Set to launch in Q3 of 2022, the release of the FlyCoin consumer-facing app and API for partnership integrations will be released.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Pioneer of the All-Inclusive Concept Will Open 17 New Resorts by 2024

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Pioneer of the All-Inclusive Concept Will Open 17 New Resorts by 2024 - TRAVELINDEXParis, France, February 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept for more than 70 years, will open 17 new resorts by 2024. The new openings, along with Club Med’s destination-forward experiences, digital innovations, and new product novelties, will further solidify the brand as the leader in the booming all-inclusive market for families and upscale travelers. With such a wide range of locations and activities to choose from, Club Med invites guests to write their own vacation stories, emphasizing that “when everything is included, all you need to add are the memories.”

“Since 1950, Club Med has continued to shape the all-inclusive industry by introducing new destinations and experiences to travelers worldwide,” says Carolyne Doyon, President & CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “Throughout our 72-year history, we’ve successfully adapted our portfolio to appeal to upscale travelers and families, as well as demonstrated our leadership in the all-inclusive mountain experience. Maintaining our ambitious expansion plan, we are on track to open 17 new resorts, as well as complete 13 renovations or extensions of existing resorts, by 2024.”

Some of the upcoming openings, renovations, and upgrades from Club Med include:

– Ambitious Expansion Plans + Introducing All-Inclusive Ski to North America
– Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Club Med continued its expansion momentum in 2021 with four resort openings, including Club Med Seychelles (Africa), Club Med Lijiang (China), Club Med Québec (Canada), and Club Med La Rosière (French Alps). The brand also completed four renovations, including Club Med Albion (Mauritius), Club Med Peisey-Vallandry (French Alps), Club Med Pragelato-Sestriere (Italian Alps), and Club Med Marrakech (Morocco).

Club Med has also established its commitment to further expanding its all-inclusive mountain product to new markets with the forthcoming December 2024 opening of Club Med Utah. This property will be the brand’s first new resort in the U.S. in more than 20 years, as well as its first-ever Exclusive Collection (5-Star) mountain resort in North America, which will be open year-round. Club Med’s Exclusive Collection portfolio, which features 13 of the brand’s most luxurious resorts and spaces around the world, is characterized by premium accommodations, exclusively beautiful locations, and refined dining concepts. Of the 30 development projects in the works for Club Med over the next two years, several of them will feature new additions to the Exclusive Collection portfolio, well-suited for both families and couples.

As the worldwide leader of the all-inclusive family vacation continues its global expansion through 2024, some of the upcoming opening, extension, and renovation highlights include:

North America & Caribbean
– Club Med Utah, USA (2024)
The brand’s renowned all-inclusive mountain concept will be expanding to the United States with an Exclusive Collection (5-Star) resort in Snowbasin, Utah. Located 35 miles from Salt Lake City, the Snowbasin resort is one of the most accessible and oldest operating ski resorts in North America. The 320-room four season resort will combine American luxury with Club Med’s French savoir-faire, appealing to every type of traveler including families, couples, and meetings & events groups. Accommodations will include spacious 2-bedroom Deluxe rooms & Family Suites, while private Penthouse Suites will be available for those seeking added luxury. Club Med will also offer its award-winning children’s clubs from 4 months to 17 years old for families seeking a more tailored, family-fun experience. In addition to all-day dining available at the resort’s restaurants and lounges, guests can also enjoy included group ski and snowboard lessons with ski-in/ ski-out access, lift tickets, and a heated swimming pool during the ski season. During the warmer months, there will be opportunities to explore more than 3,000 acres of surrounding mountains and valleys through guided activities like hiking programs, mountain biking, and Club Med’s trademark circus activities.

Europe
– Club Med Magna Marbella, Spain (May 2022)
Located 45 minutes from the Malaga International Airport in the Andalusia region of Spain, Club Med has retaken one of Spain’s most mythic destinations to open a brand-new resort. With a focus on the cultural and natural richness of southern Spain, the resort will mix tradition and modernity to offer an experience focused on wellness, nature, family experiences, and discovery of the destination. Guests will find unique features in the 485-room resort, such as a family fun zone, garden parties, 14 hectares of Andalusian gardens, a Club Med Spa by Cinq Mondes, and five different swimming areas.

– Club Med Tignes, French Alps (Dec. 2022)
A historic destination that has been home to Club Med since 1958, Tignes Val Claret is a natural sports paradise located at an altitude of 2,150 meters. The brand-new Club Med Tignes resort will be located in the center of the liveliest part of town, making it a hotspot for winter sports and nightlife. The resort will feature 430 rooms, including 25 Exclusive Collection (5-Star) suites, two restaurants, a full spa and wellness salt wall, the largest Club Med pool in the Alps, a full childcare program, and a ski domain suitable for every level.

– Club Med Val d’Isère, French Alps (Dec. 2022)
Located in the Tarentaise Valley at an altitude of 1,850 meters, this authentic village is home to an internationally-recognized ski mecca. The resort is undergoing a complete transformation worthy of its soon-to-be Exclusive Collection designation. As such, it will be the brand’s first entirely 5-Star mountain resort, with a total of 216 rooms available for booking in both winter and summer. As well as offering fabulous skiing, gourmet dining, childcare starting at age 4, and a welcoming spa and yoga program, the resort will redefine luxury by combining intimacy, conviviality, and relaxation.

– Club Med San Sicario, Italian Alps (Dec. 2024)
A new addition to Club Med’s mountain portfolio in the Italian Alps, the bi-seasonal Club Med San Sicario, will feature 200 rooms located on a prime ski location from the 2006 Turin Olympics.

– Extension – Club Med Pragelato-Sestriere, Italian Alps (2022)
Nestled in the Piedmont region of Italy, Club Med’s Pragelato Sestriere resort consists of a hamlet of wooden chalets. The expansion plan will include 17 new chalets housing 105 new rooms. Construction will be completed following the architectural style of the region.

– Renovation & Extension – Club Med Gregolimano, Greece (2023)
One of the brand’s flagship summer resorts in the Mediterranean Basin, located on the Greek Island of Evia, will undergo both a renovation and extension including newly renovated beachfront bungalows.

Asia
– Renovation & Extension – Club Med Phuket, Thailand (2023-2024)
Visitors traveling to Club Med Phuket, located on Kata Beach, can look forward to newly refreshed facilities and experiences aimed at recreating an authentic Thai atmosphere for everyone. Enhanced with an eco-chic, modern, and upscale twist, the refreshed resort spaces will include a redesign of the main restaurant, meetings & events center, pool and sun deck, and more.

– Club Med Hokkaido, Japan (2023)
Following the success of its two other mountain resorts in Japan, Club Med will open a third property on the northern island of Hokkaido. Known as one of Asia’s top travel destinations, Hokkaido offers a fun-filled family experience, perfectly powdered snow for skiing and trekking, natural landscapes, and local culinary delights.

– Club Med Borneo Kota Kinabalu, Malayasia (Opening 2024)
Adding to its portfolio in Southeast Asia, Club Med will build a new resort on the Malaysian side of the island of Borneo. The destination is known for its beaches, biodiverse rainforest, Mount Kinabalu (Southeast Asia’s highest peak), famed dive site Sipadan Island, and native species such as orangutans and clouded leopards. This forthcoming resort embodies Club Med’s pioneering spirit, as it will bring a brand-new resort to a secluded destination.

Dedication to Sustainable Practices
Since its inception, Club Med has held a firm belief that memorable experiences cannot be lived at the expense of others or of nature, which is why the brand continues to devote itself to responsible practices. Club Med’s Happy to Care program, founded in 2019, features a range of commitments based on sustainable tourism.

For example, Club Med’s two newest resorts in North America, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda and Club Med Québec, were designed with sustainability in mind, from the design phase all the way to the resort experience. Today, Club Med’s worldwide objectives to address sustainable practices include:

– Phased elimination of single-use plastics, including water bottles
– Eco-certifications from the best in the industry: BREEAM certification ensuring responsible construction and Green Globe certification ensuring a responsible hotel operation
– Construction of new resorts in harmony with nature, with built-up surfaces covering less than 10% of the total site surface
– Reduction of energy consumption and introduction of green energy sources
– Responsible, local, and ethical sourcing of food products and materials
– Employee uniforms created out of recycled plastic bottles; since 2019, 2.3 million bottles have been recycled for this initiative in North America, with 1.2 million more expected to be recycled by 2023
– Sponsorship of rural farming development projects to increase the efficiency, quality, and demand for local farmers
– Promotion of animal welfare by prohibiting experiences involving captive cetaceans, large cats, and elephants
– Food waste and hazardous waste management
– Community outreach via the Club Med Foundation, founded in 1978
– Partnerships with organizations focused on environmental preservation
– Happy To Care continues its purposeful objectives in 2022 to achieve the above ambitions. Looking ahead, Club Med’s North American resorts will see more ecological menu options featuring plant-based proteins and an increase in both local and organic products. Club Med North America has also set an objective to source 100% fair trade coffee by 2023 and 100% cage-free eggs by 2025.

New Product Novelties and Digital Innovations

New Programming For Teens
As family travel evolves, Club Med is enhancing its existing teen programming (Club Med Passworld for teens ages 11–17). Club Med’s new teen program will feature unique activities and social-forward events that give teens the opportunity to have exciting vacation moments and experiential content to share online. As part of this new programming, teens will also be able to take part in Club Med’s Happy To Care CSR mission. The pilot program is launching this spring in Club Med Punta Cana and Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda.

New Resort Experiences
Over the past year, numerous studies have shown that travelers are eager to get outdoors in destinations that offer plenty of room to roam, are prioritizing health and wellness, and are interested in vacation options that cater to the entire family. With this market research in mind, Club Med enhanced its existing resort experiences, including:

– Circus School by Club Med, an acrobatic playground with activities like flying trapeze, tightrope walking, and aerial silk in Club Med Punta Cana
– New and/or upgraded pickleball courts in all resorts in Florida, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Coast of Mexico
– Club Med Amazing Family Program, a fun-filled agenda of weekly activities designed to help families bond and reconnect, launched in all resorts across Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico
– Club Med Spa by Sothys opened in three resorts including Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Club Med Québec, and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
– Wing foil watersport activity in Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda
– All-day yoga programming in Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda and Club Med Québec, with planned expansion to other North American resorts
– The “sunset ritual”, a weekly lifestyle experience on the beach in Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, with planned expansion to Club Med Cancun and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
– New dining concepts in existing resorts:
– “Lucky Lime”, an all-day Mexican taqueria at Club Med Sandpiper Bay
– “From Jungle to Table”, a sustainable dining concept at the Coco Plum Beach Lounge in Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda
– “Altamar”, a premium seafood restaurant in Club Med Punta Cana
– “Le Chalet”, a gourmet lounge in Club Med Québec featuring locally-sourced, family-style dinners “a la bonne franquette” – meaning cozy, friendly, and without any fuss

Digital Innovation
Touchless travel and contactless amenities are critical. To ensure guests feel well prepared and taken care of before and during their vacation, Club Med continues to enhance its digital, touch-free offerings. In 2021, Club Med’s Easy Arrival contactless check-in/check-out service, which prepares guests to get vacation-ready before vacation begins, was deployed in all Club Med resorts in Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Through the app, guests can sign their children up for childcare services or book ski equipment before they arrive to their respective Club Med resort. The My Club Med app features options to create a personalized itinerary, preview the daily activity schedules and, launched in 2021, guests can now book spa appointments at Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Club Med Québec, and Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda. In 2021, the “room ready” feature was also deployed in North America, so guests can be conveniently informed upon check-in when their room is ready.

About Club Med
Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, is the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, offering approximately 70 premium resorts in stunning locations around the world including North and South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. Each Club Med resort features authentic local style and comfortably upscale accommodations, superior sports programming and activities, enriching children’s programs, gourmet dining, and warm and friendly service by its world-renown staff with legendary hospitality skills, an all-encompassing energy and diverse backgrounds.

Club Med operates in more than 30 countries and continues to maintain its authentic Club Med spirit with an international staff of more than 23,000 employees from more than 110 different nationalities. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med continues to grow and adapt to each market with three to five new resort openings or renovations per year, including a new Alpine ski resort annually.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bali and Beyond Travel 2022 as Hybrid Event

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Bali and Beyond Travel 2022 as Hybrid Event - VISITBALI.org - TRAVELINDEXBali, Indonesia, February 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / In light of the current situation the BBTF Committee regrets to announce that BBTF 2022 will once again have to be a hybrid event combining online and offline face to face events. BBTF 2022 will be an online only event for international participants. Both online and offline meetings will be available for domestic participants. Only vaccinated or recovered visitors or exhibitors will be allowed to attend in person.

We’re in this together. We need to strike a balance between protecting health and mitigating the social and economic consequences of this pandemic. The decision to change management from offline to online virtual this year event was not easy, but definitely right, Mr. I Putu Winastra S.SOS – new Chairman of the Board, and the head of Committee BBTF 2022 explained.

BBTF is an annual event with the intention to establish a benchmark for travel and tourism events and destinations in Indonesia. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism Indonesia, BBTF held a B2B event and aims to advance the tourism industry through business sessions and direct promotion of best practices in MICE and Leisure management. Together with exhibitors and buyers from numerous countries around the world, BBTF facilitates Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSA) and business sessions for buyers and sellers to negotiate on their long-term leisure and corporate travel needs. Corporations, travel agents, hotel & resort chains, cruise operators, convention planners, venue operators and travel buyers can leverage within the two full working days of business to business sessions to enhance their respective brands in the Indonesia and Asia Pacific markets.

Our million thanks and appreciation goes to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Government of Bali Province and the Bali Tourism Board, as well as our other partners across all the sectors and the stakeholders of tourism industry who have supported us tirelessly from the beginning. We will come back stronger and optimistic to bring the best of Indonesia to the 9th BBTF 2023. We look forward to welcoming our international BBTF participants next year at Indonesia’s Leading Travel and Tourism Fair, in the month of June 2023.

Register now at www.bbtf.co.id and be a part of Indonesia’s Leading International Travel and Tourism Fair.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

World Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Protect the Oceans

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World Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Protect the Oceans - TRAVELINDEXBrest, France, February 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism’s central role in advancing the Blue Economy was highlighted as UNWTO chaired a special session and joined a Heads of State panel at the One Ocean Summit, hosted by the French Presidency this week.

In a session on “Tourism in the Blue Economy” co-hosted with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and France, high level representatives stressed how implementing a blue economy can combat the threats of climate change, plastic pollution and over exploitation of resources. At the same time, the panel, representing Colombia, Kenya, Seychelles and Palau, made clear how a stronger focus on sustainability can help deliver more competitive and inclusive tourism activities.

Addressing the Summit, UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic, said: “Tourism is one of the pillars of the Blue Economy and plays a key role in the preservation of oceans by providing financial incentives and mechanisms to protect ecosystems. But we can, and must, do more. As part of the recovery, tourism shall play a key role in the regeneration of coastal and marine ecosystems for resilience, putting people at the center of our efforts.”

As part of the recovery, tourism shall play a key role in the regeneration of coastal and marine ecosystems for resilience, putting people at the center of our efforts

Opportunity out of crisis

At present, tourism represents 40% of the blue economy – as the largest share in export value according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Global tourism’s restart and recovery from the impacts of the pandemic represents an opportunity for the sector to support the transformation of coastal and marine destinations towards more sustainable and resilient models that are anchored on ocean protection and responsible use.

Sylvestre Ragedonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Seychelles said: “The destinies of tourism and the blue economy must be intertwined to make responsible use of the limited resources. Our mother ocean should take a commanding role in tourism strategies. For the Seychelles, the blue economy represents a holistic approach for the tourism sector and local economy.”

Private sector transition

Corporate leaders from Accor, ClubMed, Costa Cruises, Iberostar Group, PONANT, TUI Group and the Blue Climate Initiative joined policy makers in the call to prioritize ocean protection and made bold commitments to address plastic pollution through practical solutions in line with the framework proposed by the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative which supports transitioning to a circular economy of plastics.

Hervé Gastinel, CEO PONANT said: “We are happy to announce our commitment to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative with the goal of eliminating single use plastics in our operations by 2022. Following the example of the polar exploration ship Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT is rolling out its “Single use Plastic” objective on all its ships.”

The workshop was moderated by Jorge Laguna-Celis, Head of the One Planet Network and closed with a call to action from Brune Poirson, Director of Sustainable Development of Accor, for tourism stakeholders to join the collective movement around the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. Mr Laguna-Celis said: “The One Planet Network is pleased to partner with the One Ocean Summit to raise ambitious commitments from tourism businesses and governments. The Tourism sector can be a vector of education and prevention of plastics pollution and a source of sustainable recovery from the pandemic and generation of decent revenues for millions of people”.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News