Global Travel News

Tourism’s Sustainable Future Outlined at Barcelona Summit

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Tourism’s Sustainable Future Outlined at Barcelona Summit

Barcelona, Spain, October 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO joined the Advanced Leadership Foundation and the Incyde Foundation of the Chambers of Commerce of Spain for the opening day of the Future of Tourism World Summit (26-27 October 2021). The Summit represents the first time the sector has been brought together to look ahead held since the start of the pandemic.

Highlighting the unprecedented relevance of tourism, the Summit counts on the participation of leaders from business, politics and the international arena, with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain serving as Honorary President. Joining UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili were Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Mauricio Claver-Carone, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, Juan Verde, President of the Advanced Leadership Foundation, and José Luis Bonet, President of the Chambers of Commerce of Spain. Alongside them were 10 Ministers of Tourism attending in person, with more Ministers joining virtually.

Collaboration, financing and innovation

This Summit makes clear the importance of collaboration, as well as the vital role funding tourism and harnessing the power of innovation will play in building a more resilient and sustainable tourism

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This Summit makes clear the importance of collaboration, as well as the vital role funding tourism and harnessing the power of innovation will play in building a more resilient and sustainable tourism.”

Joining Secretary-General Pololikashvili for a high-level debate on ‘Funding the Future of Tourism’, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebecca Grynspan stressed that “tourism needs political support and investment.”. Ms Grynspan credited UNWTO for its work in promoting accreditation and certifications since the start of the crisis and added: “Tourism can be a very good energy and force to build back better, differently and together.”

In a programme which reflected the key priorities of UNWTO and global tourism in general, the focus of the first day was on funding the future of tourism, particularly accelerating the shift towards net-zero growth. With world leaders set to arrive in Glasgow for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) next week, the discussions in Barcelona made clear tourism’s determination to embrace innovation and secure the funding necessary to enable the sector lives up to its climate action responsibilities.

Barcelona ‘Call to Action’

The Summit will culminate in the ‘Barcelona Call to Action’, a statement of intent signed by governments, destinations and businesses outlining a shared vision for a greener, more inclusive and resilient tourism, citing the sector’s potential contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and the shift to net-zero.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Centara Hotels and Resorts Opens Centara Mirage Resort Dubai

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Centara Hotels and Resorts Opens Centara Mirage Resort Dubai - TRAVELINDEXDubai, United Arab Emirates, October 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, will expand its global collection of world-class resorts with the opening of Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai on 14th October 2021, a fantastic new family-friendly destination which is inspired by mythical Thai and Arabian adventures and promises fun-filled, activity-packed stays for all ages.

The new resort, a joint venture with world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of the award-winning Palm Jumeirah and the new Deira Islands waterfront city – will bring a new concept in hospitality to Dubai, in line with the emirate’s tourism strategy.

Nestled in a prime waterfront setting on the Deira Islands, overlooking the Arabian Gulf just 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport and just minutes away from the newly opened Souk Al Marfa seafront souk and marketplace, this brand-new themed resort offers 607 rooms and suites, ranging from Superior, Family and Mirage Rooms to Junior and Two-Bedroom Suites with 32 to 95 square metres of bright, contemporary space and panoramic city or sea views.

Mirage represents Centara’s themed family resort concept, where the whole family’s, and especially the children’s, happiness is at the heart of the experience. Parents can rest assured that their youngsters will enjoy unforgettable, inspiring stays, with a wonderful water park, multiple kids’ clubs, a colourful candy-themed children’s spa, and the dedicated Mirage Family Lounge, a club lounge experience for all the family. The rooms are perfectly suited to families, with flexible bedding options including bunk beds that accommodate up to two children.

Youngsters can spend exhilarating days at this aquatic oasis, which is centred around a thrilling water park with lagoon pools, a lazy river, kids’ splash play area, waterslides and cliff jumping platforms, rope climbing course, all surrounded by palm trees and sun decks. Winding wooden walkways lead to the golden beach and turquoise sea, which creates a sparkling setting for water sports.

Children will be kept entertained at three age-specific kids’ clubs, an outdoor playground and Candy Spa, the colourful, candy-themed children’s wellness zone. Adults can work out at the fully-equipped fitness centre and unwind with Thai-inspired therapies, including couples’ treatments at Spa Cenvaree.

Outstanding cuisine and social venues can be enjoyed at a choice of our nine dining experiences. Suan Bua specialises in authentic Asian cuisine, while Uno Mas is a traditional Argentinian grill with its own wine cellar. Fresh seafood and prime meats can be savoured at Sands, the casual beach club, Waves Pool Bar and Zing promise refreshing drinks and light bites, and Sheesh is a chic rooftop shisha lounge and Lebanese restaurant. Finally, meeting planners can host one-of-a-kind events in a choice of indoor and alfresco function spaces.

Like all Centara hotels and resorts worldwide, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai adheres to the highest health and safety standards as part of the Centara Complete Care programme, which was developed in partnership with Ecolab and SGS.

“It gives me great pleasure to introduce Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, our inaugural resort in the UAE, as we continue to bring our timeless values of Thai hospitality to travellers around the world. The Centara Mirage concept immerses visitors in a world of wonders, creating unparalleled guest experiences. This marks another major milestone for Centara in 2021, following the opening of Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne in Vietnam and Centara Reserve Samui, the world’s first Centara Reserve resort in Thailand,” commented Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Omar Khoory, Chief Assets Officer at Nakheel, said: “Our joint venture with Centara Hotels & Resorts is a shining example of our commitment to partnering with reputable, international hotel brands to bring new tourism concepts to Dubai in line with the government’s tourism vision. We are delighted that one of Thailand’s biggest, most popular hotel operators has chosen to invest in Dubai and help us create another unique offering at Deira Islands.”

“We are delighted to welcome the world to Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, a fully immersive oasis that will excite visitors of all ages with its enchanting Thai and Arabian theme. Dubai is a world-class tourist destination with many iconic attractions. With our fantastic leisure facilities, including our beautiful beach and wonderful water park, this spectacular new resort is set to become a favoured destination for families and exceptional events,” said Sebastien Scheeg, General Manager, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai becomes the first Centara property in the United Arab Emirates and represents the third Mirage family-themed resort worldwide, following the Lost World-themed Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, one of Thailand’s most popular family resorts, and the Explorer’s Playground-themed Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne, Vietnam, which opened its doors this year. This remarkable new resort also represents Centara’s debut in Dubai, one of the world’s most iconic cities.

To celebrate its launch, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai has created an opening offer with rates starting from just AED 499++ per night, including daily breakfast. Up to two children stay and dine for free when ordering from the kids’ menu.

Deira Island is a new coastal city that is transforming Dubai’s Deira district into a world-class hub for tourism, retail and entertainment. Located at Dubai’s oldest and most traditional trading hub, Deira Islands has added 40 kilometres, including 21 kms of beachfront, to Dubai’s coastline.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Europe Travel and Tourism Sector Lags Global Recovery

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Europe Travel and Tourism Sector Lags Global Recovery - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, October 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows Europe’s Travel & Tourism sector’s year on year recovery may only achieve a growth of 23.9% this year. European Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to grow by less than a quarter this year. Sector employment remains stagnant in 2021, however, with the right measures, the number of those employed in the sector next year could surpass pre-pandemic levels. With millions more European citizens fully vaccinated, international spending is expected to rebound by nearly 80%% in 2022.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The data from WTTC says this slow recovery is due to travel restrictions throughout the year, particularly in the first half, which continued to hinder the sector’s recovery.

Before the pandemic struck, Europe’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented €1.92 trillion (9.5% of the total economy).

However, according to the research, and based on the current rate of recovery, the sector’s contribution to GDP could see an increase of less than a quarter (23.9%) in 2021, falling behind the expected growth of the global sector of 30.7%.

The data also reveals that in 2022 Travel & Tourism’s contribution to the European economy could see a further year on year rise of 38%, representing an increase of €439 billion.

Although far from pre-pandemic levels, the growth of the sector has seen a slight rise due to the successful vaccination rollout, and intra-European mobility, supported by the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which was launched in early July this year. But with borders closed internationally Europe has struggled to recover.

The global tourism body says whilst the surge in domestic travel has provided some relief, it is not enough to achieve the full recovery the region needs in order to salvage Europe’s economy and millions of jobs.

The research goes on to show that while domestic spending is set to rise 30.2% year on year in 2021, international spending is expected to see a smaller increase of just 19.3% this year, reaching €242 billion, well below pre-pandemic levels, of €560 billion in 2019.

Next year, domestic spending is set to rise 27.7%. However, with relaxed restrictions in many European countries and with millions more European citizens fully vaccinated, international spending is expected to rebound 77.2% year on year.

In 2019, the European Travel & Tourism sector supported more than 38 million jobs. After suffering a loss of 3.6 million jobs last year when the pandemic brought international travel to an almost complete standstill, employment growth is set to remain stagnant this year.

However, WTTC’s research reveals an expected 15.7% rise in jobs in 2022, increasing by 5.5 million jobs to reach pre-pandemic levels.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “Our research shows that while the European Travel & Tourism sector is slowly beginning to recover, there is still a long way to go.

“With many European countries’ borders now open to international travel for fully vaccinated travellers, the region’s economic recovery will be accelerated next year. This could restore millions of jobs and livelihoods which rely on a thriving Travel & Tourism sector.

“We need governments to replace the patchwork of restrictions with a set of harmonised rules for travel.”

According to the research conducted by Oxford Economics on behalf of WTTC, 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 (such as the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate), 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 and 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.

If these five vital measures are followed before the end of 2021, research shows the impact on the economy and jobs across Europe could be considerable. Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP could rise by 28.8% (nearly €270 billion) by the end of this year, followed by a year on year increase of a further 40.3% (over €480 billion) in 2022.

International spending would also benefit from government action, and experience a growth of 26.3% this year, and a significant boost of 81.8% in 2022. The sector’s growth could also have a positive impact on employment, with a 4% 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 surpass pre-pandemic levels with a year on year increase of 17.6%, reaching almost 43 million jobs.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

Earlier this week, WTTC also joined forces with a number of Travel & Tourism associations such as Airports Council International, the European Travel Commission, and Cruise Lines International Association, calling on EU governments to remove all ‘traffic light’ systems and move towards a traveller risk approach, instead of risk based on entire countries.

Together, WTTC and the associations believe this approach would further speed up the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO 24th General Assembly to Put Innovation and Education at Heart of Tourism’s Restart

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UNWTO 24th General Assembly to Put Innovation and Education at Heart of Tourism’s Restart

Madrid, Spain, October 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will hold the 24th General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, from 30 November to 3 December 2021. The General Assembly is UNWTO’s main gathering and the platform for Member States to approve UNWTO’s programme of work and budget for the coming biennium (2022-2023).

The 2021 General Assembly will place a special emphasis on the importance of innovation, education and rural development, as well as tourism’s role in inclusive growth, the theme of World Tourism Day 2021. Additionally, delegates will be presented with the International Code for the Protection of Tourists, a landmark legal instrument designed to restore trust in international travel.

Other key items on the agenda for the General Assembly include proposed reforms to the UNWTO Affiliate Membership Legal Framework, the finals of the UNWTO Students’ League and appointment of the UNWTO Secretary-General for the period 2022-2025. The General Assembly will also see the winners of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages competition named.

Alongside this, and in line with UNWTO’s heightened emphasis on digital communications and visual storytelling, winners of the 2021 UNWTO Tourism Video Competition, aimed at recognizing promotional videos of Member States and Affiliate Members that highlight the sector’s resilience and its contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also be announced in Madrid.

Restarting tourism together

Following protocol, the Secretary-General will present his report to the General Assembly on the implementation of UNWTO’s Programme of Work, actions and new initiatives since it last met in 2019. The agenda includes the selection of the UNWTO Executive Council Members for 2022, the World Committee of Tourism Ethics, as well as choosing the location and dates of the next session of the General Assembly, with Egypt, Portugal and Uzbekistan all set to submit bids. The Kingdom of Morocco had been scheduled to host this year’s General Assembly but subsequently confirmed that changing public health considerations meant it was unable to do so. In accordance with the Statutes and the rules of the Organization, the 24th session will take place at its Headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

Members will also be provided with updates on the opening of Regional Offices, including a first Regional Office for the Middle East, to work alongside the UNWTO Secretariat in Madrid, Spain, and planned themes for World Tourism Day in both 2022 and 2023.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Gim Huay Neo Appointed to World Economic Forum Managing Board

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Gim Huay Neo Appointed to World Economic Forum Managing Board

Geneva, Switzerland, October 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum announced today that Gim Huay Neo has been appointed to the organization’s Managing Board.

“We are delighted to welcome Gim Huay Neo into our leadership team. Through her experience in sustainability in both the public and private sectors, she will ensure the Forum’s continued leadership position at the forefront of developing innovative partnerships and solutions to progressing the global environmental agenda”, said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

• For a better understanding of Space and to join the economic and industrial development of space. Contributors welcome – MadeInSpace.com

“I am honoured and humbled to be appointed to the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum. I look forward to working closely with the team and our partners to foster trust and understanding, harness our collective wisdom to strengthen collaboration and catalyse solutions, across the public-private-people sectors, between countries and cultures and across generations”, said Gim Huay Neo.

As a member of the Managing Board, Gim Huay will head the Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate from 1 January 2022. She is currently the Managing Director of Climate Change Strategy at Temasek International.

As a recognised leader in the global environmental field, Gim Huay brings a rich set of skills to the Forum, cultivated through several decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. She has been leading the enterprise development, sustainability and climate strategy at Temasek for the past decade, developing deep expertise and networks in the areas of policy development, impact investing, as well as capability building and stakeholder engagement.

• For a better understanding of Space and to join the economic and industrial development of space. Contributors welcome – MadeInSpace.com

About Neo Gim Huay
Ms Neo Gim Huay is the Managing Director for Enterprise Development and Managing Director for Sustainability in Temasek. Temasek is an investment company, headquartered in Singapore with a net portfolio value of S$240 billion. Gim Huay is responsible for seeding new businesses as well as working with Temasek’s existing portfolio of companies to develop strategy and build new capabilities. She also spearheads Temasek’s sustainability strategy and initiatives across the organisation and within the community. Prior to joining Temasek, Gim Huay was a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Co in the Lagos, New York and San Francisco offices. She also served in the Singapore Public Service as an Administrative Officer, with stints in the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Singapore Embassy in the United States. Gim Huay holds a Masters in Business Administration (Arjay Miller Scholar) from Stanford University and a Masters of Engineering (Distinction) and Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honors) from Cambridge University. She was selected as an Eisenhower Fellow in 2015.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Report Provides Recommendations to Drive Tourism Recovery

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WTTC Report Provides Recommendations to Drive Tourism Recovery

London, United Kingdom, October 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / High testing costs and continued travel restrictions hinder accessibility of travel and create elitist system. With only 34% of world population fully vaccinated, immunisation inequality threatens economic recovery. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia launched today an important new report that highlights the pain points to restore international mobility, and recommendations to drive the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector, while enhancing its resilience.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

With the pandemic bringing international travel to an almost complete standstill, due to border closures and severe travel restrictions, Travel & Tourism suffered more than any other sector over the past 18 months.

The sector’s contribution to global GDP fell from nearly US$ 9.2 trillion in 2019, to just US$ 4.7 trillion in 2020, representing a loss of almost US$ 4.5 trillion. Furthermore, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, a shocking 62 million Travel & Tourism jobs were lost.

This new report highlights WTTC’s latest economic projections which reveal the sector’s recovery is set to be slower than expected this year, largely linked to continued border closures and challenges linked to international mobility.

The sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to rise by a modest 30.7% year-on-year in 2021, representing only US$ 1.4 trillion increase, and at the current rate of recovery, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP could see a similar year-on-year rise of 31.7% in 2022.

Meanwhile, the sector’s jobs are set to rise by a mere 0.7% this year, representing only two million jobs, followed by 18% increase next year.
Representing the worst crisis for the Travel & Tourism sector, COVID-19 not only impacted the global economy, but also the wellbeing and livelihoods of people all over the world.

Before the pandemic began to severely impact the sector, Travel & Tourism was one of the largest sectors globally, responsible for one in four new jobs created worldwide between 2015-2019 and was a key enabler for socio-economic development and poverty reduction, offering unique opportunities to women, minorities, rural communities, and youth.

This new report from WTTC, in partnership with Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia reveals pain points that focus on the urgent challenge to restore international mobility, framed by the need to address the weaknesses of the sector shown during the pandemic by redesigning a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

This important new report demonstrates how international border closures, uncertainty due to changing rules, the prohibitive cost of testing, and the lack of reciprocity and uneven vaccination rollout have hindered the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector during the past 18 months.

By June 2020, all countries still had some form of travel restrictions, playing an important role in the drop in international spending by 69.4% that year. These restrictions, ever-changing and confusing, continued to significantly affect traveller’s confidence to book, as there was no clear pathway, nor global consensus, in terms of testing requirements, quarantine, and vaccination standards.

According to the report, the latest global traveller sentiment survey published by Oliver Wyman shows only 66% plan to travel abroad in the next six months, and less than one in 10 (9%) have booked a future trip, showing the continued uncertainty of traveller’s decision-making. Costly PCR tests continue to have a detrimental impact on travellers, reversing any progress of making travel accessible and creating further inequalities.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO WTTC, said: “The Travel & Tourism sector is key for many livelihoods which continue to be affected by the failure to harmonise and standardise COVID-19 regulations worldwide. There is no excuse for a patchwork of regulations, countries need to join forces and harmonise the rules. Many developing countries rely on international travel for their economy and have been left devastated.

“As is stands, only 34% of the global population have been fully vaccinated, showing that there are still large vaccine rollout inequalities globally. A swift and equitable immunisation plan, alongside worldwide reciprocal recognition of all WHO approved vaccines, is needed to safely reopen international travel and promptly resume the economic activity.

“WTTC recognises the importance of restoring consumer confidence, and we have developed, with the public and private sector working together, a set of harmonised Safe Travel protocols for 11 industries across the Travel & Tourism sector. Our globally recognised Safe Travels stamp has been adopted by more than 400 destinations worldwide.”

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia said: “This report shows the impact COVID-19 has had on the global travel and tourism industry – and the unevenness of the recovery now underway. We need to be clear: unless tourism recovers economies will not recover.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

“We must come together to support this critical industry, which before the pandemic was responsible for 10% of GDP globally. With this report, Saudi Arabia is calling for the sector to come together to Redesign Tourism for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.”

The report outlines recommendations to achieve a swift recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector, as COVID becomes an endemic.

A focus based on international coordination to reopen borders, fair testing conditions, and digitalisation for travel facilitation, together with sustainability and social impact at the core of the sector, will restore international mobility and the Travel & Tourism sector. These measures will save millions of jobs, and enable communities, businesses, and destinations which rely on the Travel & Tourism sector, to fully recover and prosper again.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO and ICAO Partner for Aviation and Tourism Recovery

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UNWTO and ICAO Partner for Aviation and Tourism Recovery

Montréal, Québec, Canada, October 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO and the International Civil Aviation Organization have agreed to strengthen their partnership with the aim of supporting the safe restart of travel and tourism and accelerating the two sectors’ shift towards greater resilience and sustainability.

Confirmed a week ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the new agreement underscores UNWTO’s call for enhanced collaboration in order to realize tourism’s potential to lead recovery and drive sustainable and inclusive growth. In the immediate term, UNWTO and ICAO will work to support aviation and tourism bounce back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coordination at every level

Tourism and air travel are essential pillars of growth and opportunity, most notably for developing countries and communities

At the same time, the agreement illustrates a shared commitment to enhancing coordination at every level, from policy research and management areas, to border management and facilitation of safe and seamless travel, one of UNWTO’s long-standing priorities. The Memorandum of Understanding also recognizes the importance of securing relevant finance mechanisms to accelerate the shift towards greener travel and tourism, with a commitment to joint advocacy and fundraising efforts.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism and air travel are essential pillars of growth and opportunity, most notably for developing countries and communities. As air travel resumes and tourism restarts, both sectors must collaborate to support the livelihoods of today and to build a more resilient and sustainable future. The partnership between UNWTO and ICAO will allow exactly this.”

ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano added: “This agreement is an important step to help our organizations address joint data and research initiatives, the modernization and financing of aviation infrastructure, and the alleviation of economic regulatory constraints to enhance air connectivity and seamless travel.”

Building on past partnerships

ICAO has been part of UNWTO’s Global Tourism Crisis Committee, established at the start of the current crisis to unite the diverse tourism sector behind a common response and recovery plan. At the same time, UNWTO has also contributed to ICAO’s COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), working to identify and recommend strategic priorities and policies for countries and aviation industry operators.  Moreover, ICAO has been part of the UNWTO’s Committee for the development of an International Code for the Protection of Tourists as an observer, actively contributing to the drafting of the Code together with 98 Member States, five non-UNWTO Members and several observers from a diverse range of international organizations and private stakeholders.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:Oct. 18-22, 2021

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Among the highlights in the news last week: Canada has lifted its travel advisory against non-essential travel; vaccine passports are coming (and required); federal government aid packages have changed, but travel gets a boost; and TTAND joins the TL Network.

NEWS

The Government of Canada has lifted its advisory against non-essential international travel that has been in place since March 2020. But a similar advisory against cruising remains. The new advisory also urges all travellers to be fully vaccinated before a trip.

The federal government has unveiled a $7-billion redesign of pandemic aid for businesses and individuals that kicked in Sunday. The new wage and rent subsidies for businesses will be more generous and targeted to the still-hurting tourism and hospitality sectors.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government and the provinces have reached agreement on a vaccine passport for all travel. He says several jurisdictions have already begun to roll out the new proofs of vaccination. Government officials said all provinces plan to have their version of the Canadian document, which will be distinguished by similar markings and Q code, available by the end of November.

Canada’s chief public health officer says the country is approaching the level of 90% of the population having at least one dose of COVID vaccine. But Dr. Theresa Tam says while our protection against COVID-19 has been bolstered by vaccines, it’s important to protect ourselves against other illnesses too by getting the regular flu shot and keeping up with public health guidelines. Tam says Canadians should continue to wear masks, keep up with hand hygiene and provide good ventilation in our indoor spaces.

TRAVEL AGENTS

The Travel Agent Next Door has announced that will be joining the TL Network (TLN) effective Nov. 1 after a 98% vote in favour by over 900 of its members.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

Fully vaccinated travellers with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result are no longer required to take a second COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Barbados or observe a quarantine period, though random antigen tests on arrivals (free) may be conducted. Unvaccinated travellers are still subject to full protocols, including pre- and arrival testing and up to five days quarantine.

DELAYDED/CANCELLED

The inaugural Caribbean season planned for Tradewinds Voyages this winter will no longer take place. “Guest concerns about accessibility to certain islands and resistance to travelling in bubbles, which is a key part of the brand experience, has brought the company to this conclusion,” says the company, which was to operate 17 voyages between December and April. TV says its tall ship Golden Horizon, the world’s largest, will operate in the Med from May to October next year.

AIR

Edmonton-based discount carrier Flair Airlines is buying four Boeing 737 Max jets and will start flying to new destinations in Canada and the US in the spring. Flair will launch service to destinations including San Francisco, Nashville and Denver and start flying between Toronto and Victoria. It is going to hire 100 pilots and is also looking to hire flight attendants and operational support staff.

Air Canada will begin new non-stop routes from Toronto to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, operating twice a week starting on Dec. 16, and to Great Exuma, Bahamas, operating once a week starting on Dec. 19. It has also expanded its routes from Quebec City, with the addition of non-stop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., starting in November and increasing during peak season, and to Orlando, starting in December. Flights will be operated on a Rouge narrow body aircraft and packages are available through Air Canada Vacations.

IATA announced that Etihad Airways, Jazeera Airways, Jetstar, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian, will implement IATA Travel Pass in a phased rollout across the airlines’ networks. These five airlines join Emirates Airline as IATA Travel Pass implementation pioneers.

BY THE NUMBERS

Porter Airlines celebrated its 15th anniversary on Friday. The carrier, based at Toronto Island Airport (and adding service to Toronto Pearson in 2022), now serves close to two dozen destinations in Canada and the US both year-round and seasonally.

DEALS

Complimentary round-trip chartered air flights between Miami and Ushuaia, Argentina, as well as hotel nights in both cities will be provided for Crystal Cruises guests for inaugural round-trip Ushuaia voyages in Antarctica featuring the new polar-class expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, which will launch her inaugural Antarctic season with eight voyages in November through February 2022. “Book Now Savings” also apply for reservations made by Nov. 3, plus US$1,000 shipboard spending credit per person.

TOURS

Four new Fiji 2022 getaways will be offered by Goway as the South Pacific nation prepares to re-open to tourism on Dec. 1. Each of the seven-night packages suits a different kind of traveller, ranging from the Fiji Family Escape, with first-class accommodation on Castaway Island in the beautiful Mamanucas, to a stay at the deluxe Savasi Island Resort for couples and romantics; “Adventure on the Coral” is for adrenaline junkies, and Yasawa Island Resort & Spa showcases Fiji as a destination to get away from it all, relax, and recharge. For full details and more, attend Goway’s Fiji webinar on Nov. 3 – sign up on Gowayagent.com.

From reduced fares and fees to free COVID coverage and easy-to-access destination information, Sunwing says it want to make it as easy as possible for agents and customers to navigate the new world of travel. Highlights of Sunwing offerings include the ability for customers to change their plans anytime with no fees along with free COVID-19 medical coverage on most all-inclusive vacation packages. Sunwing has also launched a dedicated “Travel Requirements” landing page providing current information on everything from travel regulations, including destination entry requirements, insurance options, PCR testing information, a pre-departure checklist, and helpful tips for returning to Canada.

HOTELS
Virgin Hotels is making a new home in the Big Apple. Virgin Hotels New York will be located on the northwest corner of 29th Street and Broadway in the NoMad neighbourhood, close to many famous NYC attractions. The new-build is expected to open before the end of the year with 463 guest rooms, meeting spaces, and multiple food and beverage venues, including the brand’s flagship space, Commons Club and the new concept, the Pool Clubs.

Formerly the historic La Jolla Inn, the Cormorant Boutique Hotel, which is slated to open this fall in San Diego, Ca., has undergone an extensive, three-year renovation that brings a mid-century modern aesthetic to the heart of La Jolla. Named after the seaside town’s famed Cormorant birds, the hotel includes 26 nautical-inspired guestrooms, each with a balcony and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean; a new rooftop terrace bar; and Prospect Market, an upscale grab-and-go marketplace as an homage to the property’s origins as the only market in La Jolla Village in the 1940s.

RESORTS

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, a family-friendly destination beach resort located two hours from Panama City, reports that it has updated all 114 guest rooms in time for the restart of travel. The renovation project maintained the hotel’s historic Panamanian culture and heritage while updating its look, presenting a unique blend of coastal elegance and contemporary design. Rooms, feature private balconies, plush mattresses, and marble or hardwood floors, while the resort offers a range of onsite activities with 10 swimming pools, a Nicklaus-designed 18-hole championship golf course, biking, tennis, sports club, spa, and many other nearby experiences.

Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts has opened a second hotel in Bengaluru, dubbed the “Garden City” of India. Located in Bhartiya City, one of India’s largest integrated smart cities, the Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru exudes modern luxury and sophistication in its 281 lavishly appointed rooms and suites and overlooks the Central Park. Strategically located on Thanisandra Road, the property is a 30-minute drive from the international airport.

CRUISE

Relocating to what it calls “the epicentre of the cruise industry,” Windstar Cruises will set up shop in its new Miami home by June of next year. HQ for the small ship cruise line has been Seattle.

Princess Cruises is announcing plans for additional ships returning to service in North America next spring sailing from Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, and Fort Lauderdale. Starting between Feb. 13 and April 22, cruises onboard three additional Princess MedallionClass ships will take guests to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and the California Coast. Crown Princess, Island Princess and Royal Princess join the eight Princess ships scheduled to restart in 2021, representing 79% of Princess’ ship capacity. Among the sailings will be Royal Princess from Vancouver to California beginning April 8.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

A standalone Peppa Pig theme park at the Legoland Florida Resort is set to open Feb. 24. The park will feature rides, interactive attractions, themed playscapes, water play areas, and live shows, mostly designed for small children and their parents. Families will also be able to meet Peppa and her friends – a cast of characters operated under a licensing agreement with Hasbro, which owns the character. Legoland Florida has expanded repeatedly since opening in October 2011 on the former site of Cypress Gardens. The park unveiled its first hotel in 2015, added the off-site Legoland Beach Retreat in 2017, and opened Pirate Island Hotel last year.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

AmaKristina

A second “Marketing Masterclass” from AmaWaterways will take place on Dec. 9 aboard the AmaKristina “Colours of Provence – Christmas Market” sailing in the Rhone River. The in-depth learning opportunity for travel agents is designed to combine a river cruise experience with continuing education, arming travel advisors with new skills and strategies to grow their river cruise business with individuals and groups. Co-hosted by AmaWaterways’ CMO Janet Bava and Travel Marketing & Media’s founder Sandra McLemore, the inaugural event AmaSiena’s maiden voyage at the beginning of August was sold out. For details, visit Ama’s travel agent portal.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

A new appointment at Transat sees Maria Pagano named Senior Director, Brand & Customer Experience. She brings over 15 years of marketing strategy and branding experience in the civil and commercial aviation industry. In her new role, Pagano will oversee the strategic positioning of the Air Transat brand and all the group’s brands in both domestic and international markets. In addition, she will represent the voice of the customer within the organization and implement outstanding and personalized customer experience throughout all travel operations.

Canada Jetlines announced the appointment of Adam Wilcox as Director Business Development & Network Planning. The former Porter Airlines veteran will lead business development and expansion for the new all-Canadian leisure carrier.

DESTINATIONS

Rock of Ages: On Nov. 23, The Rolling Stones will close out their “No Filter” tour at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fla. The tour marks the band’s first time reuniting following last year’s postponement and the south Florida date follows 14 stops across the United States that concludes a record-breaking first leg in 2019. Meanwhile, Rod Stewart will return in 2022 for 10 more shows of his residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, May 13-21 and Sept. 23-Oct. 1. Lastly, “unforeseen medical symptoms” have forced Celine Dion to cancel the Nov. 5 opening of her new show at Resorts World Theatre, with performances through Feb. 5 now delayed.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Making Ecotechnology Worth It For Hotels

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Making Ecotechnology Worth It For Hotels - TRAVELINDEXHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, October 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / From smart room key systems to robot concierges, advanced technologies are now the norm in many hotels. In a world on the brink of climate crisis, environmental technologies should be no exception. Curiously, however, the hospitality industry is lagging behind in its adoption of eco-friendly technologies. In the first empirical study of its kind, Dr Eric Chan of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and two co-researchers asked what exactly is holding hoteliers back in their quest to “go green”. Their findings will prove invaluable as the industry takes its next steps towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Hotels are 24/7 operations that offer personalised services geared towards comfort and pleasure. Inevitably, this comes at a cost. Every time a guest orders room service, takes a bath, or turns on the television, more energy and water are consumed and more waste is generated. No guest wants to find a half-used bar of soap or unwashed linen upon arrival – and these days many customers demand and expect the very latest amenities, from ultrafast WiFi to power showers.

How can hotels reduce their consumption and waste without compromising customers’ experience? On the surface, the answer seems clear. Hotels are no stranger to using technology to improve the efficiency of their operations and attract customers, and green technologies offer a multitude of benefits. “Installing environmental technologies not only helps to protect our planet”, say the researchers, “but also improves a company’s environmental performance and reduces utilities expenses”.

Price-conscious hoteliers can save money by installing energy-saving technologies such as low-flow shower-heads, solar hot water collector systems, and decomposers that liquefy leftover food. Adopting such technologies could also align hotels with the green image that customers are increasingly willing to support. Some travellers even actively seek out environmentally responsible hotels. In a 2012 survey, TripAdvisor found that 71% of the respondents were keen to make eco-friendly choices when travelling.

Why, then, are hoteliers so slow to adopt environmental technologies? In Hong Kong, a few upscale hotels have seen their reputations improve and profits rise since installing occupancy sensors, headboard coolers, and air conditioning control, amongst other innovative solutions. However, uptake is still surprisingly low. Despite the advantages of environmental technologies, the researchers tell us, “many hotels remain hesitant”. To understand why so many hoteliers avoid or delay adopting environmental technologies, the researchers’ first task was to investigate the biggest barriers to implementation.

For hotels, the decision to adopt environmental technologies can hinge on both external and internal factors. External barriers to installation include resistance from local governments and weather conditions that hinder the use of renewable energy. Hotels may also face internal barriers, such as physical constraints on technology installation, budget limitations, and a lack of manpower. “These barriers”, warn the researchers, “are likely to reduce the motivation of senior hotel management to adopt the technologies unless they are essential to survival”.

Although survival is the core concern of any business, hotels differ in their definition of “essential”. A chain hotel with 400 rooms might benefit more in the long run from investing in environmental technologies than will a smaller, independent hotel that cannot afford the initial outlay. As underlined by the researchers, “higher initial capital costs negatively affect views on green construction and environmental management”.

Finally, a lack of technical knowledge can make hotels reluctant to adopt any new technologies – especially environmental ones. “Despite increasing demand for environmentally friendly products”, the researchers explain, “hotel managers may encounter difficulties in balancing good service provision with environmental performance”. For instance, installing water restrictors in shower-heads may reduce water flow and pressure.

Due to the striking lack of empirical research on hotels’ adoption of environmental technologies, the importance of these potential barriers has remained elusive – until now. “Do different types of hotels encounter the same barriers?” the researchers wondered. “Will hotels that are currently implementing a formal environmental management system encounter fewer barriers?”

The next step was to learn first hand about the most important barriers to ecotechnology adoption. The researchers sent a questionnaire to Hong Kong hotel employees likely to be involved in purchasing environmental technologies and planning their installation. The respondents ranged from general managers and finance directors to staff responsible for environmental management systems. Although many of the hotels boasted green awards, employed specialists responsible for environmental programmes, or had green committees, fewer than 30% of them planned to obtain green certification within the next year.

The questionnaire contained 22 statements describing potential barriers to the adoption of environmental technologies (e.g., “Usually, new environmental technologies are very expensive”). The hotel employees were asked to rate each of these statements from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The researchers analysed the responses of 102 employees from 74 hotels to find out which barriers to adopting environmental technologies were the most off-putting.

At the top of the list were unfavourable environmental conditions. “Before specific environmental technologies can be adopted, implemented and maintained,” the researchers explain, “the surrounding environment, weather and orientation must be considered”. Physical environmental constraints discourage managers from adopting such technologies, especially those designed to harvest renewable energy. “For example, a lack of direct sunshine means insufficient solar energy, making solar technology unfeasible,” the authors note.

The answer may be to start with small-scale projects that yield swift and palpable benefits. “Once an environmental technology positively contributes to the company’s financial statement”, say the researchers, “senior managers/owners can be encouraged to support the adoption of larger scale environmental technologies that require additional manpower, time and money”.

The second major barrier was a lack of green knowledge and experience. As this barrier most strongly affected hotels with no green incentives or programmes, a logical solution is to create a formal structure to promote environmental management. As the researchers note, “an audited, well-developed environmental programme can improve hotel employees’ knowledge of environmental technologies and access to network support”.

The hotel employees surveyed were also concerned that a single contractor would monopolise after-sales service for each new environmental technology. This was the third major barrier to ecotechnology adoption. “It is risky for a hotel to rely on one service provider when the service may influence hotel guests’ experiences”, the researchers tell us. Consulting with multiple dealers on after-sales service and maintenance options would put hotels “in a better position to negotiate with dealers to achieve a win–win situation”, they suggest.

Finally, the researchers found that different types of hotels experienced these barriers differently. For example, employees at internationally branded chain hotels, which pride themselves on globally consistent service quality, were particularly concerned that adopting environmental technologies would damage guests’ experience. In such cases, the researchers note, “hotel managers could educate their customers by developing an effective green marketing plan that promotes the hotel’s green facilities, services and other green activities”.

This study, the first of its kind, sheds light on why hotels are lagging behind in their adoption of environmental technologies. It also suggests comprehensive solutions. In reality, external barriers such as a lack of government support are largely out of hoteliers’ hands. Happily, however, internal barriers – which are the major hindrances to environmental technology adoption, according to the researchers – can be addressed head on. Starting small and gradually developing their green knowledge, for example, will help hotels to reduce their environmental footprint while also saving money. Overcoming each of the barriers identified by the researchers will enable hotels to contribute more meaningfully to environmental protection – saving the world one sensor-controlled lightbulb at a time.

Eric S.W. Chan, Fevzi Okumus and Wilco Chan (2020). What Hinders Hotels’ Adoption of Environmental Technologies: A Quantitative Study. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 84, 102324

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Aloft Bangkok Launches ‘Earn, Eat, Enjoy’ Leisure Promotion for Travelers

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Aloft Bangkok Launches 'Earn, Eat, Enjoy' Leisure Promotion for Travelers - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, October 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Marriott International’s Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 today launches its leisure promotion for travelers to rediscover the joy of traveling with a memorable stay in the heart of Bangkok by rewarding guests with free breakfast, daily generous hotel credit and Marriott Bonvoy bonus points.

Starting from THB 2,098++ per room per night, guests will be entitled to daily complimentary breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children, daily hotel credit of THB 500, additionally Marriott Bonvoy members will get 1,500 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points per stay. Guests can book from now until 31 December 2021 for stays from 16 November 2021 until 31 March 2022.

Featuring loft-inspired rooms and suites with tech-smart features, free Wi-Fi, platform beds and panoramic views of the Bangkok cityscape, Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11’s prime location on Sukhumvit road places the excitement of Soi 11 at your doorstep; guests can also take advantage of the complimentary hotel Tuk-Tuk shuttle to Nana BTS SkyTrain and MRT subway stations for easy access to celebrated attractions.

To celebrate the twin pleasures of travel and gastronomy this winter with Marriott Bonvoy ‘Earn, Eat, Enjoy!’ promotion and benefit from these awesome perks in Bangkok, guests can make a reservation by using the promotional code B1818 via https://tinyurl.com/42s2ysky This offer is also applicable with the Rao Tiew Duay Gun campaign offer. For more information, please call 02 2077000

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News