Global Travel News

WTTC: African Tourism Sector to Recover by a Third

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WTTC: African Tourism Sector to Recover by a Third

Cape Town, South Africa, November 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / If measures are followed the sector could bring back 4.5 million jobs by 2022. Latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the African Travel & Tourism sector is set to experience a year or year growth of just 27.7% this year, below the global average.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

WTTC says travel restrictions imposed by key source markets such as the UK, which saw countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Egypt and Kenya on its damaging ‘red list’ for travel, have prevented people from travelling, hindering the sector’s recovery across Africa.

Research by WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, shows that in 2019, Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented almost US$ 169 billion (6.9% of the total economy).

However, in 2020, when the pandemic brought international travel to an almost complete standstill, the contribution to the GDP fell to just US$ 86 billon (3.7% of the total economy), representing a fall of 49.2%, halving the contribution of the Travel & Tourism sector to the region’s economy.

According to the latest research, while the global economy is set to rise 30.7% year on year this year, the African region can expect a year on year growth of 27.7%, representing an increase of US$ 24 billion.

The data also reveals that, at the current recovery rate, the region could experience a further year on year growth of 21% in 2022, representing an increase of further US$ 23 billion to the economy.

The research goes on to show that domestic spending is set to rise by US$ 16 billion (39.5%) year on year in 2021, while international spending is also expected to increase by US$ 6 billion (26.1%) this year.

Next year, domestic spending is set to rise by US$ 13 billion (21.5%). However, international spending is expected to see a further increase of US$ 8 billion (33.8%)

In terms of employment, in 2019, the African Travel & Tourism sector supported almost 25 million jobs. After suffering a loss of more than seven million jobs last year due to severe international travel restrictions, employment is set to rise by a mere 1.1% this year.

However, WTTC’s research reveals a positive 18.1% rise in jobs in 2022, reaching almost 21 million jobs across the sector.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Our research shows that while the African Travel & Tourism sector is slowly beginning to recover, there is still a long way to go in terms of the sector’s contribution to the region’s economy and employment.

“Last year, the pandemic saw the tragic loss of more than seven million jobs from the Travel & Tourism sector. However, due to a predicted rise in both international and domestic spend this year and next, both jobs and GDP are on the rise, which is very encouraging.”

According to the research, the sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP and the rise in jobs could be more positive this year and next, if five vital measures are met by governments worldwide.

These measures include allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely, irrespective of their origin or eventual destination.

Secondly, the implementation of digital solutions which enable all travellers to easily prove their COVID status, in turn speeding up the process at borders around the world.

Thirdly, for safe international travel to fully restart, governments must recognise for all vaccines authorised by WHO.

Fourthly, continued support of the COVAX/UNICEF initiative to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

Finally, the continued implementation of enhanced health and safety protocols, which will underpin customer confidence.

The future could be even brighter for Africa

If these five vital measures are followed before the end of this year, research shows the impact on the economy and jobs across Africa could be significant.

The sector’s contribution to GDP would benefit from these measures and could rise 30.7% (US$ 26 billion) by the end of 2021, followed by a year on year increase of a further 24.6% (US$ 28 billion) in 2022.

Domestic spending could increase by 41.3% this year, followed by a further 24.6% year on year growth in 2022, reaching pre-pandemic levels.

International spending would also benefit from government action, rising by US$ 7 billion (32.6%) this year, and outpacing domestic spend next year, with a year-on-year increase of US$ 10 billion (38.5%).

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

The sector’s growth could also have a positive impact on employment, with a 3.5% increase in jobs in 2021.

However, with the right measures to support Travel & Tourism, the number of those employed in the sector next year could see a year on year increase of 21.6%, reaching 22 million jobs, approaching pre-pandemic levels.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

OAG Launches New Flight Info Alerts Platform

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OAG Launches New Flight Info Alerts Platform

Singapore, Singapore, November 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Instant Notification and Detection Product Meets Changing Customer Needs. OAG the world’s leading provider of travel data and insight, today announced the launch of Flight Info Alerts, its new detection and notification product that delivers changes to flight schedules in real-time.

In response to customer demands for a fast and reliable feed which expedites vital changes, it is the only product on the market that enables customers to get instant updates on carrier flight schedules so they can handle data volatility in real-time.

“Alerts is a much-needed solution for our customers who manage bookings or operations and anyone who relies on the accuracy of these vital changes to drive their business. Volatility of this data over the last 18 months has become an increasing challenge, so our customers need us to tell them what’s changed in real-time,” said Phil Callow, CEO, OAG.

OAG’s Flight Info Alerts launch is the latest in a wave of new product innovations powered by its new technology platform, OAG Metis, which saw the release of Flight Info Direct, a Snowflake enabled platform to access and integrate ready to query data, earlier this year.

The evolution and ambition of OAG’s Flight Info API continues to gather pace to equip customers with data covering the full flight and booking journey, with the imminent availability of Flight Status Data into the API suite. Access through a singular API enables OAG customers to innovate, react faster and scale quicker.

Phil Callow adds, “We’re innovating rapidly to meet the changing needs of the travel sector. Our investment in OAG Metis and great tech partnerships with Snowflake and Microsoft Azure enable us to serve the entire ecosystem to scale and serve multiple markets rapidly and efficiently.”

OAG has customers across the travel ecosystem and is embedded in booking engines, travel and hospitality apps, airline apps, online travel agencies, metasearch, search engines, and flight tracking apps.

About OAG
OAG is a leading global travel data provider, that has been powering the growth and innovation of the air travel ecosystem since 1929. Headquartered in the UK, OAG has global operations in the USA, Singapore, Japan, Lithuania and China.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Looks to Future with EU Tourism Ministers

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UNWTO Looks to Future with EU Tourism Ministers

Ljubljana, Slovenia, November 20, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The UNWTO leadership has addressed an informal meeting of EU Ministers Responsible for Tourism, further strengthening ties with the European Institutions.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union included tourism on its programme of work, recognizing the sector’s heightened relevance and importance for inclusive, post-pandemic recovery. Addressing the Ministers, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended European leaders for protecting tourism jobs and businesses, and for playing a leading role in restoring confidence in international travel through harmonized rules and protocols and the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

At the same time, the Secretary-General also provided the EU Ministers with an overview of UNWTO’s own work leading the sector’s response to the crisis, as well as more recent achievements advancing tourism’s climate action. Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission, played an active role in the UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee, created to unite the sector and provide clear, harmonized recommendations for recovery, and has also visited the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid for face-to-face talks with the Secretary-General.

Strengthening ties

This latest intervention further strengthens the ties between UNWTO and the European Institutions, building on the work done prior to the pandemic. In February 2020, the UNWTO leadership visited Brussels. As well as addressing the European Parliament, Secretary-General Pololikashvili also met with Ministers and Secretaries of State for tourism of European Countries, making clear the role the sector can play in driving inclusive growth across the region and in advancing the ambitions of the European Green Deal. More recently, the UNWTO leadership returned to Brussels in October, with a more in-depth agenda focusing on tourism’s place in recovery and future growth for European economies and societies.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Following on from the informal meeting of EU Ministers Responsible for Tourism, UNWTO also took part in the 20th European Tourism Forum, also held against the backdrop of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Europe’s Tourism Ministers will then be part of the upcoming UNWTO General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain, 30 November to 3 December.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sabre Announces Strategic Partnership with TUI Hotels

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Sabre Announces Strategic Partnership with TUI Hotels

Hannover, Germany, November 19, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Sabre Corporation, the leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry today announced a long-term partnership with TUI Group, a leading integrated tourism group, that sees Sabre Hospitality Solutions as distribution provider and business partner for the group’s own hotel brands worldwide, which include TUI Blue, Robinson and TUI Magic Life.

• For all your booking and lodging solutions worldwide book at HotelWorlds.com at best rates available.

In the course of the partnership, around 70 hotels of the TUI portfolio will use Sabre’s platform solution, including SynXis Central Reservations (CR) and Channel Connect, to enable its new distribution strategy. The group will benefit from the Sabre SynXis Platform’s advanced technology to streamline its operations and grow its footprint globally, while securing an effective, future-ready channel strategy that will help maximize revenue from both direct and indirect channels.

In collaboration with Sabre, TUI’s hotel division will explore opportunities for product innovation and distribution growth, while charting a new path toward full digitalization. Through their combined expertise in the leisure segment, TUI and Sabre will seek to implement an innovative revenue generation strategy that will help fuel travel’s recovery and anticipate future business needs.

“In a changing hospitality marketplace, our objective is to create a winning engagement model that strengthens our core offering – unique holiday experiences,” said Martin Schreck, Chief Information Officer Sourcing & Assets at TUI Group and Managing Director, TUI InfoTec GmbH. “To do this, we are enhancing our technology, while focusing on futureproofing our business. Sabre’s technology will help enable us to fully automate our guest operations – including booking, setting up and amending guest offers – enabling our staff to focus on providing unique, personalized stays. Sabre’s response to the shifting landscape of hospitality, along with its robust, stable and agile platform, will help us secure our recovery and build on our guest experience.”

This partnership supports TUI’s long-term strategy to deploy innovative technology to enhance its operations and improve the guest experience.

• For all your booking and lodging solutions worldwide book at HotelWorlds.com at best rates available.

“We are excited to embark on this partnership with TUI’s popular hotel brands, and look forward to redefining the guest experience together,” said Frank Trampert, SVP and Global Managing Director Commercial, Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “Leisure has become one of the critical revenue streams for the travel industry and a key accelerator to recovery from the industry impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to be at the heart of this and look forward to a long and successful partnership with TUI that powers a new generation of retailing, distribution and fulfillment in hospitality.”

Today’s announcement demonstrates Sabre’s ability to help hoteliers operate more efficiently, increase revenue and deliver the highly personalized experience travelers want and expect, further underscoring Sabre’s critical role in the business of travel.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:Nov. 15-19, 2021

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A new airline is set to take flight next year in Canada; international borders continue to re-open while cross-border Canadians get a break; Black Friday deals; and the news all Ontarians have been waiting for: buying booze at the LCBO now earns Aeroplan points.

NEWS

A new ultra-low-cost airline, Lynx Air is set to start flying sometime next year. Formerly known as Enerjet, the Calgary-based charter airline that announced in 2018 that it intended to transform itself into a commercial discount carrier, it plans to operate a fleet of Boeing’s new 737 aircraft and start with domestic service before eventually expanding to offer trans-border and international routes.

Aeroplan members can now earn one Aeroplan point for every $4 spent at LCBO retail stores in Ontario, in addition to bonus points and promotional offers. And soon they can also be used for LCBO gift cards, starting at 1,000 Aeroplan points for a $10 gift card through the Aeroplan eStore. New members will receive 250 bonus Aeroplan points on their first LCBO retail store purchase when they join through Nov. 28. Plus, all Aeroplan members will earn 2X the base points on their first purchase of $50 or more made through the same date.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

Carnival Cruise Line resumed guest operations last week (Nov. 14) from Tampa, Fla. with Carnival Pride. A second ship, Carnival Paradise, will join Carnival Pride, in March 2022. Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line began sailing again from Orlando with the Norwegian Escape the 8th NCL ship (of 17) to come back into service post-pandemic.

Cuba and India both re-opened their borders last week to fully vaccinated travellers.

With the resumption of WestJet flights to Antigua and Barbuda on Nov. 21 after a long pandemic pause, the two-island nation notes the following COVID-19 protocols are now in effect: All arriving passengers over 18 are required to have received at least one dose of a WHO-approved two-dose vaccine; fully vaccinated arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or an approved rapid antigen negative test result within three days of their flight or fewer; partially vaccinated passengers will require a negative PCR test taken within four days of their flight or fewer; children below the age of five do not require a PCR test. Masks are mandatory in public places.

AIR

WestJet has announced it will add non-stop 787 Dreamliner service to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning early Spring 2022.

Edmonton-based Flair Airlines is launching service to Mexico. The discount carrier says it will begin non-stop flights to Cancun and Los Cabos this winter from five Canadian cities. It’s part of an aggressive expansion effort by the airline. Flair serves 18 Canadian cities and is launching new US routes this spring.

Canada Jetlines and Global Crossing Airlines have announced the launch of their partnership on the sale of public charter flights between Toronto and Florida. Round-trip charter flights are expected to operate from Toronto to Miami and Fort Lauderdale weekly beginning in March 2022.

Flights between Canada and Colombia begin in December with thrice-weekly service on Avianca between Toronto and Bogota. The flights – Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – will be operated in Airbus A320 aircraft with capacity for 150 passengers. Passengers can connect on to other destinations in Latin America through the Bogota hub, where Avianca operates 99 routes.

BY THE NUMBERS

Canada’s second-busiest airport is getting a little busier. On average, between 26,000 and 29,000 people are travelling through Vancouver International Airport each day. In comparison, a regular September or October day would see 65,000 to 70,000. Last summer and fall, there were only about 10,000 people daily.

TRAVEL AGENTS

Canadian members of Direct Travel’s leisure leadership team recently attended the Virtuoso Symposium in Vienna for the luxury consortium’s annual Thought Leadership meetings – for many attendees it was their first international trip in almost two years. Pictured at the closing event gala ball at Vienna’s legendary Spanish Riding school were Direct Travel’s Vivienne Kouba, Gerard Bellino, Rene Schneeberger and Stephen Smith, with Virtuoso’s Tony Logan and Una O’Leary. Direct Travel does business in Canada as Vision Travel.

DEALS

A Black Friday promo from Transat, valid on new individual bookings made between Nov. 19 and 28, offers up to $600 in savings on South packages, as well as discount flight fares to the South, Florida, and Europe when travelling between Dec. 1 and April 30. Some exceptions apply.

Already in effect, Sunwing’s annual Black Friday sale offers savings of up to 40% on all-inclusive vacation packages when booked by Dec. 6 for travel through April 30, 2022. Clients will be benefit from no change fees up to seven days prior to departure and free COVID-19 emergency medical coverage on applicable packages.

Savings of up to 50% off reservations are being offered at Discovery Cove in Orlando for bookings made by Nov. 26. The tropical attraction and all-inclusive day resort, which is part of the SeaWorld family, enables guests to swim with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, strut alongside flamingos, and more. Set amid a tropical oasis in the heart of Central Florida, Discovery Cove provides guests with the opportunity to relax in a beautiful, safe, outdoor environment.

TOURS

Starting Jan. 1, African Travel guests travelling in non-family groups of 10-plus and on set group departures will need to provide proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or one dose of Johnson & Johnson), before joining their safari and upon arrival to their destination. Guests will also need to comply with specific PCR testing requirements imposed by airlines and/or governments, which may differ from country to country. The Travel Corp. brand offers safari vacation packages to Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Southern Africa.

With the winter return of the manatees, Florida’s Plantation on Crystal River is offering an overnight “Swim with the Manatees” package starting at US$299 for two guests, including overnight accommodations in a garden view room; manatee snorkeling tour for two from the Plantation Adventure Center with all equipment provided (mask, snorkel, and wetsuit); breakfast for two at West 82⁰ Bar & Grill; and a welcome bag with plush manatee toy, fun facts, and manatee interaction guidelines. The riverfront resort, on the Crystal River on the state’s east coast, is the only location in North America where it is legal to swim alongside and interact with these “sea cows” in the wild.

HOTELS

Located in the heart of downtown, the newly opened Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver has 264 rooms decorated in a modern urban style designed to reflect the personality and style of the city in which it resides. Guests have easy access to the city’s top destinations including the Colorado Convention Center, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Coors Field, Ball Arena, Union Station, and the bustling Larimer Square. A highlight is the hotel’s spacious rooftop terrace boasting cityscape views, plush seating and outdoor fireplaces for guests can embrace Denver’s countless days of sunshine. There’s also seasonally inspired restaurant, Apple Blossom.

Located in the historic Crown Building on 5th Avenue, the first home of Museum of Modern Art, Aman New York is set to open “soon.” A luxurious sanctuary that celebrates the building’s striking architecture and significant history, the hotel will offer restaurants, a Garden Terrace & Bar, a private members club, the three-floor Aman Spa, and a Jazz Club and Wine Room.

RESORTS

After extensive renovations totaling more than US$6 million, Viva Wyndham Azteca reopened its doors to guests on Nov. 1, 2021. The reopening of the all-inclusive, oceanfront resort located in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, also coincides with the reopening of Viva Wyndham’s V Heavens Resort located in the Playa Dorada complex in Puerto Plata, DR. The two resort openings complete the reopening of all eight of Viva Wyndham resorts across its portfolio.

Set to open in December, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a 30-suite and 70-villa resort on 3.2 hectares of Phuket, Thailand’s northwestern coastline overlooking the Andaman Sea. Fronting Phuket’s longest stretch of sand, the resort on Mai Khao Beach is close to an array of attractions such as Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, and Wat Phra Thong temple. Phuket International Airport is a 15-minute drive.

CRUISE

Guests sailing on Windstar Cruises now have a choice between paying a single all-inclusive rate that includes amenities such as alcohol, gratuities, and other onboard services, or adding items à la carte as they go. For Windstar, all-inclusive means unlimited wine, beer, and cocktails, Wi-Fi, all gratuities, as well as the cruise fare. The new fare is available for the Wind Class yachts as well.

Tradewind Voyages has released the full program and prices for the Mediterranean debut of the world’s largest tall ship, Golden Horizon. Beginning in Palma on May 1, 2022, there are 23 voyages offered across the region, spanning Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and Turkey. The inaugural Med season concludes with the 14-night Canaries to the Caribbean Voyage, arriving in Barbados for the start of winter 2022/23 and yet another debut for the ship.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The best-selling holiday artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller, returns to Universal Studios Florida to fill the air with the sounds of the season. Guests can attend live performances at the Music Plaza Stage on the following nights: Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

To celebrate the return of Canadians and in appreciation of the travel agents who book them, Visit Myrtle Beach is running a trivia contest for Canadian travel counsellors in which one grand prize winner will receive a $500 Visa gift card while five others will receive destination swag bags. The contest ends Nov. 30; to enter, click .

Experience Kissimmee is holding a Faceboo contest for Canadian travel advisors. To enter, simply become friends with Denise Graham – Facebook on the official Experience Kissimmee Facebook page for Canadian travel advisors before the end of November. After that, tag fellow travel advisors not already following the page in the contest post to help the page reach 1,000 followers and to be automatically entered into a draw to win a $100 VI prepaid gift card for every travel advisor who follows the page. The final draw will take place on Dec. 1 and the winner will be announced on Facebook.

EVENTS

Nov. 24: Following a successful inaugural in July, the Jamaica Tourist Board is hosting a second Virtual Product Showcase, first hosted in July, on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. EST. Designed to “educate, entertain, and inspire,” the free industry event will give agents an opportunity to hear the latest destination updates from Jamaica and see presentations from top tour operators and travel suppliers, including Sunwing Vacations, Transat, WestJet Vacations, Swoop Airlines, Iberostar, H10 Hotels, RIU Hotels, and many more. The event will also feature trivia games with great prizes up for grabs. To register, click HERE.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Toronto-based Discover the World has announced the appointment of Savio Pires to the position of National Sales Manager – Canada. In his new role at Discover the World, Pires will be responsible for Indian airline Vistara’s sales operations in Canada and will work with the Discover the World team to strategically grow partners brand equity, overall sales and marketing activities.

DESTINATIONS

The Imperial War Museum in London has completed a massive £30.5-million expansion, featuring with new Second World War and Holocaust galleries.

The US National Park Service has partnered with a tourism association to ensure the contributions, cultures and traditions of Native Americans are incorporated into exhibits and programming at sites across the country. The Park service says it highlights the history of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians throughout the year. The five-year agreement with the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will expand opportunities, officials said.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hyatt Place Kathmandu Celebrates Official Opening

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Hyatt Place Kathmandu Celebrates Official Opening - TRAVELINDEXKathmandu, Nepal, November 19,2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Hyatt Place Kathmandu, the second Hyatt-branded hotel in Nepal, is officially open, expanding the Hyatt Place brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as Free Wi-Fi Everywhere and 24-hour food offerings. Ownership of the hotel includes Akshay Golyan, Executive Director and Shakti Golyan, Chairman of City Hotel Ltd.

Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multitasking traveler. Hyatt Place Kathmandu is located in the lively city of Kathmandu, set in a valley surrounded by the beautifully scenic Himalayan mountains. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is steeped in rich history, long associated with ancient traditions and a vibrant culture. The hotel is only a short two-and-a-half-mile (four-kilometer) journey from the bustling city center and its attractions, which include many World Heritage sites like the remarkable ancient temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and the sacred Hindu temple in Pashupatinath. For those looking for some retail therapy, the hotel is close to several popular shopping centers including New Road, Thamel and Durbar Marg.

“As Kathmandu continues to be a sought-after spot for both business and leisure travelers, we are excited to add to the momentum of the thriving city by welcoming the first Hyatt Place to Nepal in this truly unique capital city, which is bursting with history and cultural traditions,” said General Manager Varun Talwar. “With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work and sleep areas, our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road.”

Hyatt Place Kathmandu offers:

  • 153 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper
  • Breakfast Bar featuring an inviting selection of hot and cold items to suit all guests’ needs
  • Zing World of Flavors delivers good food, fast, combining local and worldly ingredients with bold tastes from South-East Asia with some Italian-Mediterranean options.
  • Zing Sky Bar & Lounge is an energetic poolside venue with breathtaking sunset views, offering curated cocktails and Nepal’s best brews
  • The Market serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night
  • The Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails
  • Necessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
  • Free Wi-Fi Everywhere throughout hotel and guestrooms
  • Event Spaces offer approximately 5,382 square feet (500 square meters) of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space
  • Fitness Center featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens

“Kathmandu is a vibrant city, filled with historic and artistic sites, friendly people, exciting neighborhoods, and an ever-expanding list of places to visit and experience,” said Akshay Golyan, Executive Director, City Hotel Ltd. “Our hotel is central to all of them and we are confident that the Hyatt Place Kathmandu will exceed guest expectations and provide them with everything they need while visiting our area.”

HYATT PLACE KATHMANDU LEADERSHIP

Hyatt Place Kathmandu is under the leadership of General Manager Varun Talwar and Head of Sales and Marketing Achint Rastogi. In his role, Talwar is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s 150 associates and ensuring guests encounter the thoughtful service for which the Hyatt Place brand is known. Rastogi is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Kathmandu area.

Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt’s multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind.

Explore new places and reward your spirit of adventure. World of Hyatt members can earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt Place Kathmandu between November 27th 2021 through February 16th, 2022.

Terms & Conditions
Offer valid for 500 Bonus Points for each qualifying night stayed by World of Hyatt members in good standing during a hotel’s offer period at participating hotels and resorts.  Offer valid at participating hotels and resorts for stays with a checkout date during each hotel’s offer period.  For each hotel’s offer period, visit worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus.  To be eligible for this offer you must be a World of Hyatt member in good standing at time of reservation and stay, stay at a participating hotel with a checkout date during that hotel’s offer period, provide your World of Hyatt mmbership number at time of check-in, and either pay an Eligible Rate or redeem a free night award.  An “Eligible Rate” and “Ineligible Rate” are defined in the World of Hyatt Terms and Conditions (located at worldofhyatt.com/terms).  Only one point bonus may be earned per member, per stay, regardless of the number of rooms booked.  Only the room occupied by the member will count toward this offer.  Two or more consecutive nights at the same hotel will be deemed one stay.  All points awarded under this offer are Bonus Points.  This offer is subject to the complete terms and conditions of the World of Hyatt program.  Please allow 3-4 weeks after travel is completed for World of Hyatt Bonus Points to be credited to your Account.   Qualifying nights will automatically be tracked when you provide your World of Hyatt membership number at check-in.  A limited number of rooms are allocated to this offer; reservations subject to availability. Offer not valid with groups, conventions, other promotional offers, tour packages or special rate programs. Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this offer at any time without notice.  The trademarks Hyatt®, World of Hyatt® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation or its affiliates. © 2019 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

About Hyatt Place
Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Guests can enjoy thoughtfully designed guestrooms featuring distinct zones for sleep, work and play, and free flowing social spaces that offer seamless transitions from work to relaxation. With more than 385 locations globally, Hyatt Place hotels offer freshly prepared food around the clock, efficient service and differentiated experiences for World of Hyatt members.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of September 30, 2021, Hyatt’s portfolio included more than 1,000 hotel and all-inclusive properties in 69 countries across six continents, and the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group added 96 properties in 10 countries as of November 1, 2021. Hyatt’s offerings include the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt™, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club® brands, as well as resort and hotel brands under the AMR™ Collection, including Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Breathless® Resorts & Spas, Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua® Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas. Hyatt’s subsidiaries operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar DMC destination management services, and the Trisept Solutions® travel technology platform.

Read original article at Hyatt Newsroom

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Appoints Talented Women Among Top Management Ranks

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Alma Appoints Talented Women Among Top Management Ranks - TRAVELINDEXCam Ranh, Vietnam, November 19, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Alma Resort has elevated seasoned professionals Vu Thi Huong Giang and Rowie Villacencio to the highest realm of its management structure. Giang and Rowie have stepped up as resort manager and director of administration respectively at the 30-hectare resort overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula.

Born and bred in nearby Nha Trang, Giang graduated from Nha Trang University with a major in food processing and started her career in 2004 as a waitress at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, where she steadily climbed the career ladder over a decade to become a food and beverage manager. She has also worked for Vinpearl Land and Mia Resort in Nha Trang, and was the food and beverage director at The Anam and then Alma. She was promoted to executive assistant manager of F&B last year.

In her new role, the resort’s executive chef, executive assistant manager of rooms, assistant director of F&B and the recreation manager report to her.

After Filipino national Rowie earned her undergraduate degree in accountancy and MBA at University of San Carlos in Cebu City, she started her hospitality career in 1999 as a service associate at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa and rose through the ranks to become the property’s director of human resources. She was also director of HR at Movenpick Resort & Spa Boracay and later Alma.

In her role as director of administration, she will oversee the HR and finance departments.

Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said he has entrusted both women with huge amounts of responsibility amid the global pandemic and that they had excelled due to their remarkable leadership skills.

“Giang has an insatiable appetite to learn and an incredible ability to immediately change strategy in the face of adversity as she simultaneously looks after her team and contributes to the resort’s profitability,” he said. “Rowie is a profound multi-tasker and has been instrumental in establishing Alma’s DNA and all of the HR-related actions aligned with our strong workplace culture.”

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

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Light at the End of the Tunnel

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Light at the End of the Tunnel - TRAVELINDEXTourism around the world is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hong Kong’s once vibrant industry is no exception. The path to recovery is unclear. In such extreme circumstances, is it even possible for tourism businesses to plan for the future? The answer is yes, say Ms Hanyuan Zhang and Professor Haiyan Song of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University – but only if we can predict the unpredictable. In a study offering new hope for an industry on its knees, they and two researchers developed a pioneering method of forecasting tourism demand in times of crisis. Crisis brings opportunities as well as challenges. Thanks to this game-changing new forecasting approach, the tourism industry may even emerge from the pandemic stronger than before.

In 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 spelled disaster for societies worldwide, leaving no industry untouched. With travel bans and lockdown measures rapidly implemented across continents, tourism received a crushing blow. In Hong Kong, COVID-19 hit an industry already weakened by recent social unrest. Within just a few months, the number of visitors arriving in the city had fallen by more than 80%. Travellers’ confidence in Hong Kong as a destination was at an all-time low.

Events like the pandemic – incredibly rare and unpredictable, with the power to change the course of world history – are known as “black swan” events. The tourism industry is no stranger to their devastating effects. “Despite its importance,” the researchers warn, “tourism is also one of the most vulnerable industries”. In recent decades, for example, Hong Kong tourism has suffered major losses due to black swan events such as financial crises and the SARS epidemic.

Because they are so rare, black swan events are almost impossible to prepare for. Recovery is equally challenging, because what lies ahead is so unpredictable. This is a serious problem for the tourism industry, the researchers tell us, because “tourism businesses and organisations rely on recovery forecasting when preparing their crisis recovery plans”. Most importantly, they need to know how and when travellers are likely to return.

Normally, organisations facing difficulties look to the past for guidance. They use forecasts generated by traditional approaches, which are based on historical data, to inform their decisions on everything from budgeting to sales. However, old roadmaps are of little use in a landscape transformed by crisis. “Statistical methodologies,” the researchers warn, “cannot capture the impacts of sudden unanticipated events, such as diseases, disasters, or other crises.”

In such cases, the human touch is needed. Working quickly to assess the fast-moving situation, a panel of experts use their wisdom and discretion to adjust statistical forecasts. This is known as judgemental forecasting. However, this method also has drawbacks. For example, the researchers note, “it might be biased by the panel members’ optimism or pessimism”.

Clearly, in the wake of black swan events like the pandemic, traditional methods of forecasting are simply not good enough. In these uniquely turbulent times, the researchers realised, what the tourism industry needs is “a more systematic and reliable forecasting method that incorporates the advantages of existing forecasting methods”.

Faced with this challenge, the researchers offered a ground-breaking solution. “We describe the first attempt to combine three methods”, they explain, “to generate ex ante forecasts of the recovery of tourism demand in response to the unanticipated effects of crises”. Their novel “belt and braces” approach not only combines the strengths of statistical and judgemental forecasting but also minimises sources of human bias, such as wishful thinking.

Focusing on Hong Kong, the researchers first created baseline statistical forecasts based on past data: how many tourists would have arrived if the pandemic had not happened? They took into account the cost of holidaying in Hong Kong, the cost of travelling to alternative destinations, the income levels of tourists from different source markets, and other unique characteristics of these source markets.

Next, the researchers presented their baseline forecasts to a carefully selected panel of tourism experts, including both academics and practitioners. The experts were invited to adjust the researchers’ statistical forecasts based on their first-hand knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on three scenarios, mild, medium and severe, they indicated when they thought Hong Kong’s tourist numbers would reach their lowest point, when visitor arrivals would recover, and why.

Shining a light on the path ahead for Hong Kong tourism, the researchers’ analysis revealed that the industry “will likely begin to recover gradually from the crisis in 2022”. Using their novel forecasting approach, “the specific recovery speed associated with each origin market could be projected”. Nearby markets such as Macau, mainland China, and Taiwan will be the first to bounce back, once Hong Kong’s entry and exit restrictions are relaxed. Other short-haul markets in Asia will follow, and finally Hong Kong will welcome back travellers from long-haul markets such as the US.

“From a crisis management perspective”, say the researchers, “this study provides several suggestions for business planners and policymakers regarding the recovery of tourism demand after a crisis”. Due to the uncertainty and volatility created by COVID-19, caution is needed. “Tourism recovery should involve a gradual process based on a phased-action plan aimed at corresponding markets”, the researchers explain.

Offering discounts on airline tickets and accommodation will be a good start. With travellers’ confidence in Hong Kong already dented by social unrest, destination marketers should invest in promoting the city’s attractions via social media. For now, they should focus on short-haul visitors, who represent Hong Kong’s largest market. Above all, the researchers advise, “timely and effective crisis management strategies” will help build resilience to future black swan events.

With crisis comes change. Although COVID-19 has dealt an unprecedented blow to the tourism industry, the authors remind us, “it has also provided practitioners with opportunities to consider tourism reform and innovation, international cooperation, and regional communication”. With the help of the researchers’ novel forecasting approach, tourism businesses will be well placed to identify and seize these opportunities in the months and years ahead.

Already, say the researchers, policymakers worldwide are finding new and exciting ways to rebuild and reimagine tourism. They are “promoting smart and digital tourism, rebuilding confidence in tourist sectors, providing financial support and stimulating consumption markets”. Unprecedented times call for creative new measures, and the researchers’ innovative forecasting method will be at the heart of these efforts. Fortunately, they note, “tourists have a strong desire to travel to relieve the depression associated with epidemic fatigue”.

Recovery does not mean going back to how things were. As the world inches out of crisis, it is becoming clear that COVID-19 has changed our lives for good. Thanks to this ground-breaking study, Hong Kong’s tourism industry now has the toolset it needs to predict, understand, and adapt to future changes in travellers’ behaviour. But Hong Kong will not be the only beneficiary. “The method proposed in this study”, the researchers explain, “could be generalized and used to forecast the recovery of travel demand at other destinations facing major crises”. As their integrated approach shows, collaboration – between humans and computers, scholars and practitioners – will be key to helping the global tourism industry survive and thrive in the post-pandemic world. With its outstanding researchers and deep links to local and global tourism, the SHTM is perfectly placed to lead this recovery.

Hanyuan Zhang, Haiyan Song, Long Wen and Chang Liu (2021). Forecasting Tourism Recovery amid COVID-19. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 87, 103149.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HITTING NEW HEIGHTS IN NYC

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Whether jumping into marriage or faux jumping off a skyscraper, New York has a couple of new attractions that will literally guarantee visitors will hit new heights in the city.

Launched earlier this month, Edge at Hudson Yards’ City Climb is the highest external building climb in the world. Located above Edge, the aerial adventure invites climbers to scale the outside of a 366-m. supertall building, then lean out from the outdoor platform at the top of the skyscraper.

Dubbed “the ultimate skyscraping adventure,” City Climb offers guests unparalleled views of New York, while traversing open edged platforms and stairways. Following a comprehensive safety briefing, climbers are fitted with specially designed safety harnesses, and secured into the course by City Climb guides via two cables attached to a trolley that seamlessly move with the climber throughout the entire journey.

After ascending 32 steps to The Cliff, and looking down 350 m. to the city below, climbers approach The Stair, which consists of 161 steps on an approximately 45-degree incline. Once they reach The Apex at 387 m., climbers will have the opportunity to lean out and hang over the platform.

The experience culminates with a celebratory medal for inaugural guests and a victory lap on Edge’s outdoor viewing area on the 100th floor, where climbers can experience a glass floor, angled glass walls, outdoor skyline steps, or a champagne toast in the sky to their bucket list accomplishment.

The attraction is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opening hours will change seasonally. Tickets are currently US$185 and include the City Climb experience, entry to Edge, and a digital Edge image.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Happily Ever Empire Engagement Package

Meanwhile, for those ready to jump into marriage, the Empire State Building has launched “Happily Ever Empire” – an unforgettable proposal package that provides couples with VIP access to the Observatory Experience. Ticket holders are invited to pop the question at a prime, dedicated corner of the building’s iconic, open-air 86th Floor Observatory and pop a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the memorable moment.

The exclusive package – priced at US$1,000 per couple (one should be sure that he, she or they will say, we guess) – includes a private guided tour through the Empire State Building’s immersive exhibits, which feature the building’s history and the classic love stories that have taken place within. After couples have celebrated their engagement on the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, they’re invited to head up to the 102nd Floor Observatory, with its floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking photos with stunning 360-degree views.

“There is no better place to celebrate love than the World’s Most Romantic Building,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory. “The Empire State Building has played host to so many love stories in its history, and we are delighted to now offer an exclusive, romantic, and customizable proposal experience for couples from around the world.”

The Empire State Building’s Observatory Experience recently underwent a top-to-bottom overhaul that includes a dedicated guest entrance, a 930-sq.-m. digital and tactile museum that celebrates the icon from the moment it was conceived to its current place in pop-culture, and the completely re-imagined 102nd Floor Observatory.

Tickets are available on the ESB website (21 and older) and the package must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, with limited reservations available each day. Photographers, family, and friends must purchase Express tickets separately.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WINE AND LACE: One of the most beautiful towns in Italy

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If Ascoli Piceno is considered the diamond of Italy’s Marche region, you need to check out their neighbor, Offida – which outshines other ancient hilltop towns. Offida (pop. around 5,000) is deemed one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. It overflows with tradition, and history just oozes from its 13th century walls.

The compact Old Town center is an amiable stroll, with cobbled streets, appealing alleyways, striking architecture, and bursts of color. Top it all off with an old-world vibe, genuinely friendly locals, and great food.

The main triangular-shaped Piazza al Popolo, is fringed by a Renaissance-style town hall, which is adorned with arcades and crenellations; the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta; and the towns lavish 19th century Serpente Aureo Theatre.

Pizza al Popolo is where it all happens. This is where Offida’s big annual Carnevale happens (mid-January). The main event is the Bove Finto which is a ‘running of the bulls’ kind of event, but using a fake bull made of wood and carried on the shoulders of volunteers, who buck and charge with it in a riotous affair of man versus beast, until the bull is finally ‘killed’, and its horns lifted ceremoniously to touch the column of the town hall. The whole event is fuelled with copious amounts of the ‘Rosso Piceno’ – the local red wine.

As for the rest of the year, Offida is a quiet country town, known for its delicate hand-made bobbin lace making. It’s a tradition dating back to the 1400s, which has been passed down the generations. To honor their lace-making heritage, below the castle wall there’s a gorgeous water fountain/monument which embodies the crafts history.

Offida is known the world over for is its vino. Using grapes found only on its hills, vignerons cultivate some of Italy’s most highly prized wines – Pecorino, Passerina, and Rosso Piceno, all nectar of the Gods.

In the beginning

Offida came about in the Bronze Age, when the Pelasgians first arrived in the region, bringing with them civilization.

The history of Offida had a sure start in 578AD, when it became a royal seat, and the construction of a fortified castle began. It was a military fortress, consisting of an important city wall and square towers. The town appears by name in a document of the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Farfa, dating back to about that time. That’s 914 years before Columbus discovered America!

What to see

• The Church of Santa Maria della Rocca (built 1039AD) must be the ‘poster church’ of churches. It dramatically clings to a cliff’s edge and is made of Romanesque-Gothic brick and has trefoil arches. From 1047AD it was occupied by Benedictine monks. The enormous church, considered one of the main architectural features of the whole Marche region, is surrounded on three sides by deep precipices that dominate the surrounding valleys. The upper church has a single nave, according to the order of the beggars, and has a ceiling of wooden beams, two side altars and several frescoes of Giotto influence. There’s also a staircase to the crypt. The central apse has a double row of brick columns in Lombard style, with rounded corners, and round arches.

• The restored Roman-Gothic styled church of San Marco (1359AD), on Piazza Baroncelli, is adjacent to the Franciscan monastery of the same name. The interiors are Baroque in style, with a wooden crucifix with imbedded precious stones. There’s also a painting of the ‘Madonna Addolorata with four Saints’. Benedictine nuns have been living here since 1655.

• A stone’s throw from the church is the 19th century Palazzo De Castellotti-Pagnanelli, home to the Bobbin Lace Museum, the G. Allevi Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Popular Traditions, and the Municipal Art Gallery.

• The little Tombolo Lace Museum is a tribute to humble artisans. Expect to see tools for processing, yarns, drawings, wedding kits, jewels, and photographs. The most surprising piece is the dress worn by Naomi Campbell in London in 1997.

• The intriguing Museum of Popular Traditions illustrates an insight into the lives of Offida’s ancestors – a kitchen from yesteryear, tools for agricultural work, ancient craft shops, furniture, and clothing of the time, spinning machinery, and a loom for fabric production.

• The Municipal Art Gallery has numerous pieces of period furniture and paintings.

• To deepen your understanding of the local wines, head to Spazio Vino, found in the former convent of San Francesco (Via Garibaldi 75). This is currently the seat of the regional Enoteca, focusing on small wine producers, offering a wine-by-the-glass tasting facilities.

Curiosities about Offida

• Ask a local about the legend of the mythical Golden Snake that crossed the city along the main street, now aptly named Corso Serpente Aureo.

• Bobbin lace making is a popular Offida tradition which, thanks to the Benedictine nuns of 1665, flourishes still.

• In the chapel of Sant’Agostino (1338AD) you can admire the remnants of the 1273AD ‘Eucharistic Miracle’, in which the host was converted into living flesh.

• In 2008 Offida was nominated as ‘one the most beautiful villages in Italy’.

Don’t miss

• The Aldo Sergiacomi Museum is the former workshop of the famed Offida sculptor. It houses a collection of his drawings, plaster casts, terracotta and bronze objects, and photographs of his works.

• On the outskirts of Offida is the Sanctuary of Beato Bernardo, originally built in 1614AD by Capuchin friars. It has dramatic views of the sea and the mountains. The great musician Joseph Haydn composed the ‘Missa Sancti Bemardi de Offida’ in honor of Brother Bernardo.

• The 14th century Church of the Suffragio has a rectangular structure in travertine limestone, the interiors is breath-taking.

• Next to the church of the Addolorata there is the 14th century rectangular structure of the Church of the Suffragio, complete with Romanesque-styled terracotta friezes; Byzantine friezes; a wooden skeleton; a 15th century art piece showing the ‘Madonna del Soccorso’; and the symbol of God’s name on stone.

• Take a walk through the streets at night. Offida has a different persona in the small hours. You may see shadowy figures that aren’t there during daylight hours.

The town of Offida has gorgeous observation points, interesting places to see, and an excellent artisanal food and wine scene. Here you’ll finds ancient fortresses and benches with soft views across deep valleys and at least a hundred reasons to stay.

www.turismoffida.com

Practicalities

• Getting there: Offida is 250km due east of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and a mere 20km from the Adriatic Sea.

• Where to stay: Although there is a hotel in Offida, I urge you to go the Air B&B route instead. Find somewhere authentic in Offida’s Old Town www.airbnb.com.

• Getting around: To get a feel for the region hire a Vespa for €70/day. You’re officially urged to partake in a (tailor-made) group tour, taking in off-piste locations, unforgettable experiences, and creating memories that’ll last a lifetime. Tour prices start at €30/pp +39 324 5454279 www.vespatourmarche.it.

Ciù Ciù – A romantic wine story of passion and tradition

In the soft green hills around Offida, you’d be forgiven to think that time has stopped. Here, nothing much changes, other than the occasional slow movement of a tractor in the vineyards. Here, grapes and olive are what it’s all about.

Paolo Agostinelli, wine aficionado, and Export Manager of Ciù Ciù, gives me the backstory.

“On the outskirts of Offida and near the Adriatic, the sea air sweeps between the hills (250 metres above sea level) and blends with the earthy aromas of the soil. This creates the magical terroir for our grapes and the production of some of Italy’s finest wines.

The Ciù Ciù organic winery was born in the heart of Offida’s Picene hills with vineyards extending over 150 hectares. In 1970, before ‘organic’ became a thing, Natalino and Anna Bartolomei, themselves from share-cropping farming stock, found the ideal patch of land to plant the first organic grapes bearing the Ciù Ciù name.

Forbes, one of the America’s most prestigious and influential magazines, included the multi award-winning Ciù Ciù’s Bacchus Rosso Piceno DOP in their list of the best ten European wines priced under $20 dollars a bottle.”

Ciù Ciù wines are an authentic expression of Italian winemaking traditions. This, coupled with research, good terroir, and state-of-art cellars, all go to enhancing their natural viticultural ecosystem.

Paolo escorts me the Ciù Ciù wine showroom in the heart of Offida’s old town. We’re seated in an ancient room used for tasting, savouring the traditional Marche wines. As with most of Offida’s buildings, the one Ciù Ciù Wines is housed in is deceptive large. Inside it’s elegant, and historic, with enormous cellar rooms – ideal for a taste experience in both food and wine as their organic wines are combined with traditional Marche cheeses, cured hams, olives – and wait till you sample their bruschetta dipped in their farm grown extra virgin olive oil! The tasting will set you back € 6.00/pp.

www.ciuciuvini.it

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News