Global Travel News

Marriott International Continues Growth in Turkey with 10 Anticipated Openings by the End of 2022

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Four Points by Sheraton Istanbul Kagithane
Deluxe King Room
©Gurbuz Umit Okan
Izmir Marriott Hotel
The Burdock, Autograph Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bodrum
TOLGA PAKAR_05332126863

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced plans to expand its portfolio in Turkey with the expected opening of 10 properties by the end of 2022. With the anticipated openings, the company’s portfolio in Turkey is expected to encompass 43 properties with over 7,000 rooms across eight markets by the end of 2022. Reinforcing its long-term focus on the market, the company also announced two recent deal signings under the Four Points by Sheraton brand.

“Marriott International has a strong history of successful operations in the Turkish market,” said Begüm Kaya, Director of Development, Turkey at Marriott International. “With our captivating portfolio of brands, world-class distribution platform and all-encompassing travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, we appreciate the confidence our owners and franchisees have with us in this exciting market.”

Strong Continued Growth for Select Accommodations Across the Country
Marriott International continues to see growth in its select portfolio across brands such as Four Points by Sheraton and Residence Inn by Marriott. Four Points by Sheraton builds upon its momentum in the Turkish market with the Four Points by Sheraton Istanbul Kagithane expected to open this year and the Four Points by Sheraton Elazig projected to open in 2022.

To meet the demand for longer-stay accommodations in the country, the company is expected to debut its extended stay brand, Residence Inn by Marriott, with the anticipated opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Istanbul Atasehir later this year. The brand is ideal for guests seeking the comforts of home with modern, flexible suites with full kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas, providing the perfect solution for travelers mixing business and leisure travel.

Owner Desire for Marriott’s Premium Brands
The company’s renowned premium brands also remain a strong driver of growth in the Turkish market. Following the recent opening of Orientbank Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection, two new Autograph Collection hotels are planned to open in Istanbul – The Burdock, Autograph Collection in 2021 and Orient Occident Hotel, Autograph Collection in 2022. Providing independent hoteliers the opportunity to leverage the company’s powerful distribution, sales and loyalty platform while maintaining their independent spirit, Autograph Collection hotels celebrate individuality while benefiting from the power of Marriott International’s scale.

Delta Hotels by Marriott, which provides guests with exactly what they need for a seamless travel experience, made its debut in the country in 2019 with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott Istanbul Halic. The brand is slated to open Delta Hotels by Marriott Istanbul Levent by the end of 2021.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, which is currently undergoing a much-anticipated design transformation, remains a popular brand in Turkey. Following the recent openings of Sheraton Istanbul City Center and Sheraton Istanbul Levent, the brand is anticipated to open Sheraton Istanbul Esenyurt next year. Drawing on its roots as a community hub for locals and guests, the new Sheraton experience provides services and design that enable socialization, productivity, and personalization. Marriott Hotels, the company’s flagship brand, continues to further grow its portfolio in Turkey with the recent opening of Izmir Marriott Hotel.

Growing Demand Branded Residences
In Turkey, the company’s branded residential business continues to draw interest , with consumers seeking residential property in communities that offer a convenient lifestyle and an array of on-demand amenities and services, and with developers seeking to differentiate and elevate their products with trusted brands. Marriott International currently operates three branded residential properties in Turkey, including the recently opened Le Méridien Residences, Bodrum and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bodrum, which marked the company’s first standalone branded residences in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. In 2022, the company is expected to open The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Istanbul and The Residences at the Sheraton Istanbul Esenyurt.

Growth in Conversion Opportunities
While much of the company’s past growth in Turkey has been through new-build developments, the company has seen an increase in conversion opportunities. In the past two years, the company has signed six conversion deals across the country. The company has since opened five of the conversion deals under a Marriott International brand, including Sheraton Istanbul City Centre and Sheraton Istanbul Levent. There is also increased interest in the adaptive re-use space where developers are looking to convert existing buildings into hotel accommodations. In the past three years, the company has signed four adaptive re-use conversions in Turkey including JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus and The Burdock, Autograph Collection.

Turkey is home to 17 of Marriott International’s brands, each serving differentiated experiences across traveler segments. The brands currently present in Turkey include:
JW Marriott, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, and EDITION in the luxury segment; Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Renaissance Hotels, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Delta Hotels by Marriott, and Design Hotels in the premium segment; Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels and AC Hotels by Marriott, in the select service segment.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including expected hotel openings and brand debuts; interest in and demand for certain brands and certain offering or deal types; our growth pipeline and future expansion; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. Marriott International (“we”) caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K. Risks that could affect forward-looking statements in this press release include the duration and scope of COVID-19, including the availability and distribution of effective vaccines or treatments; the pandemic’s short and longer-term impact on the demand for travel, transient and group business, and levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals have taken or may take in response to the pandemic, including limiting, banning, or cautioning against travel and/or in-person gatherings or imposing occupancy or other restrictions on lodging or other facilities; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of COVID-19’s impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; the ability of our owners and franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts of the pandemic; the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and any dislocations in recovery as a result of resurgences of the pandemic; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the effects of steps we and our property owners and franchisees have taken and may continue to take to reduce operating costs and/or enhance certain health and cleanliness protocols at our hotels; the impacts of our employee furloughs and reduced work week schedules, our voluntary transition program and our other restructuring activities; competitive conditions in the lodging industry and in the labor market; relationships with customers and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of roughly 7,800 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Naladhu Private Island Maldives to Relaunch in November

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Naladhu Private Island Maldives to Relaunch in November

South Malé Atoll, Maldives, August 18, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Guests returning to the intimate haven of luxury that is Naladhu Private Island Maldives, will be greeted with a refreshed and stylish makeover of their favourite resort from November.

Home to just twenty ‘houses’, the resort is undergoing a full renovation, including the top suite, the Two Bedroom Pool Residence, which will reopen with its own 20 metre private beach. Naladhu’s redesign is being led by New York based designer Yuji Yamazaki, with new sleeker furniture throughout and a brighter stylish colour palette.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Guests will enjoy over 300 sqm of living space in either a garden Beach House with Pool offering direct access to the white sands and lagoon, or an Ocean House with Pool and Private Beach Cabana featuring a large terrace with panoramic ocean view, in addition to its own private cabana on the beach with an oversized day bed. Bespoke service will be offered by the villas’ private butlers, to be known as Kuwaanus.

Located on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu Private Island is 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé. Naladhu looks forward to welcoming guests once again in November 2021.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Confirms Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension

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Thailand Confirms Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension

Phuket, Thailand, August 18, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the Phuket Sandbox programme has received the green light from the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to be upgraded as the “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” providing fully vaccinated international travellers with more options to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “The Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension programme signifies the progress of Thailand’s plan to gradually reopen to fully vaccinated international travellers within the set time frame. The launch of the Phuket Sandbox from 1 July, Samui Plus from 15 July, and Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension from 16 August will lead the way to the reopening of more pilot destinations, which are currently preparing appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of both the tourists and local people.”

Starting from 16 August, 2021, the “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” programme allows eligible international travellers to reduce the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days, after which another 7 nights can be spent in Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao).

The existing entry measures in place for the Phuket Sandbox programme remain unchanged for the 7+7 extension. But, travellers planning to spend another 7 nights outside of Phuket must obtain a ‘Transfer Form’ issued by their hotel in Phuket indicating that they have stayed in Phuket for 7 nights, which they will need to show together with the negative results of their two COVID-19 tests (conducted on Day 0 and Day 6-7 in Phuket).

Travelling from Phuket to the selected areas in Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thai is available only via approved routes and modes of transport.

Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao) can be reached via Bangkok Airways’ direct domestic flight on the Phuket-Ko Samui route.

Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from approved piers.

Phang-Nga (Khao Lak) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified car transfer services from Phuket direct to the SHA Plus-certified hotels.

Phang-Nga (Ko Yao Noi or Ko Yao Yai) can be reached via SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from approved piers.

Once travellers have completed the 7-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga and Surat Thani (Samui Plus), and are tested negative in their third COVID-19 test (conducted on Day 12-13), they will receive a ‘Release Form’ from their hotel and will be able to continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand.

If the stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than 7 nights, travellers must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure. At the port of entry back into Phuket, they will need to show a plane ticket or other proof of their international travel from Phuket.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

JW Marriott Charlotte Debuts in North Carolina

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JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, makes its debut today in North Carolina with the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, located in the bustling Southern city’s dynamic Uptown neighborhood. The 381-room luxury hotel, including 34 custom suites, offers discerning guests an urban retreat with inspired surroundings in which to relax and be present.

“With the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, we will make sure every detail is taken care of, so our guests can focus on themselves during their stay,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “With thoughtful details throughout the property, holistic programming and an array of wellness offerings, guests will be encouraged to experience every moment to the fullest.”

JW Marriott Charlotte.jpg

Ciarlante

Stunning Design
Inspired by Queen Charlotte, the city’s namesake, JW Marriott Charlotte draws inspiration from the sumptuous textiles of both her royal clothing and palaces, and marries them with the modern sensibility of the city. Ornate details, such as the flowing custom lobby chandelier that draws inspiration from the sumptuous patterns of the queen’s royal clothing, are set against grand-scale architecture, which gives the overall aesthetic of the hotel a clean and modern form.

One of the most defining features of JW Marriott Charlotte is its use of natural light to promote a minimal and relaxing environment while also showcasing regal craftsmanship, finishes and details throughout.

All guest rooms and most of the hotel’s 22,000 square feet of meeting space feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with city, stadium and vista views of greater Charlotte.

The 23-story building is a focal point of a new pedestrian-friendly public plaza and guests will have immediate access to diverse arts and culture, exciting sports and entertainment, convenient transportation, Bank of America Stadium and the renovated Charlotte Convention Center.

An Urban Retreat
Every aspect of JW Marriott Charlotte is designed with guests’ well-being in mind. Guests of JW Marriott Charlotte are encouraged to take time for themselves and find a sense of balance through experiences that inspire, rejuvenate and leave them feeling whole.

The Spa by JW® offers holistic wellness amenities including six private treatment suites, a couples’ treatment room and an Express Treatment pod for business travelers and others on-the-go. Guests also have access to indulgent and calming treatments including a Chill & Decompress Facial, Sweet Sugar Body Ritual, The Botanical Opulence Massage and Alluring Bay Manicures and Pedicures.

For those looking to keep up their fitness routine or enjoy a relaxing swim with sweeping city views, the hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center and open-air rooftop swimming pool with private cabanas featuring personalized food and drink service.

Inspired Culinary Creations
JW Marriott Charlotte embraces the brand’s focus on authentic dining experiences that are gratifying and refined with three new concepts for guests and locals alike:

  • Dean’s Italian Steakhouse – A classic American steakhouse with Italian expression set in a modern, rustic open space. Dean’s features a show kitchen where guests can watch American Wagyu beef and other prime cuts – as well as authentic homemade pasta dishes – being prepared.
  • Caroline’s Oyster Bar – A fanciful take on coastal seafood celebrating the neighborhood charm and fresh flavors of the North Carolina coast. The scene is set by a 360-degree centerpiece bar and 8-seat Carolina-style raw oyster bar.
  • Aura Rooftop – Hidden atop the fifth-floor, this lush botanical paradise includes a bar and pool serving up magnetic vibes and a regal tone. When night falls, the building’s mirror-like exterior reflects the city back onto itself, creating a powerful aura, softened by lush greenery, similar to English gardens and conservatories. The menu features botanical craft cocktails, boutique wines and small bites.

“We couldn’t be more proud to introduce the JW Marriott brand to the Carolinas,” said David Malmberg, General Manager, JW Marriott Charlotte. “With its seamless integration into the bustling Uptown neighborhood, modern design, well-being amenities and inspired culinary concepts, JW Marriott Charlotte brings excellence and legacy to life to another new city.”

JW Marriott Charlotte is owned and operated by White Lodging, one of the country’s leading hotel ownership, development, and management companies. White Lodging currently owns and/or operates approximately 90-premium hotels, 30 restaurants and bars and a collection of luxury ranches. This new luxury hotel represents the third JW Marriott in White Lodging’s portfolio and is its first property in North Carolina.

The hotel is part of the Ally Charlotte Center, a pedestrian-friendly community developed by Crescent Communities with an intentional selection of indoor and outdoor dining, inviting open spaces and alluring urban gardens. The full city block includes 750,000 square feet of office space, 30,000 square feet of ground-level retail, a 12,000 square foot public plaza with live oak trees relocated from Johns Island, South Carolina, a space framed by 14 ginkgo trees, and a 1,400-space parking garage.

For more information on the hotel and its amenities, including open job opportunities and to secure reservations, please visit www.jwmarriottcharlotte.com.

ABOUT JW MARRIOTT
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW Marriott is a tribute to the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard “J.W.” Marriott, who prioritized his own well-being so that he could take better care of others. Inspired by his approach to life and rooted in holistic well-being, JW Marriott properties offer a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 100 JW Marriott hotels in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

ABOUT WHITE LODGING
White Lodging, established in 1985, is one of the leading ownership, development, and management companies in America. An innovative trendsetter, the organization’s portfolio includes convention, urban lifestyle, and suburban select hotels with more than $1 billion in managed revenue. White Lodging operates approximately 90-premium hotels, 40 restaurants and 30 brands. Success knows no boundaries at White Lodging, where associates and leadership have consistently earned superior guest satisfaction scores, top market share and industry-leading profit margins while recruiting the best, brightest, and most passionate professionals in every discipline for three decades. White Lodging is a proud winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award. For more information about White Lodging, visit www.whitelodging.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram..

MEDIA CONTACTS
Eric Osterhus | PIVOT PR
(704) 207-1366 | eric@pivot-pr.com

Alexandra Marin | SEQUEL
(201) 779-1886 | amarin@sequel-inc.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

NO SURPRISE: North American inbound tourism spend down

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Destinations across North America – USA, Mexico and Canada – are at different stages of tourism development. However, one common factor is that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 have been hard felt for each respective tourism economy.

Data and analytics company, GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Tourism Destination Market Insight: North America (2021)’, found that total international arrivals to the region declined 67% year-on-year in 2020 and inbound expenditure by 74.1%. North America’s forecast recovery follows the general global travel consensus that domestic tourism will recover first (2022), but international arrivals will not recover until 2024. Forecasts for inbound tourism expenditure, however, suggest this will not surpass pre-pandemic levels until after 2025.

Johanna Bonhill-Smith, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, says, “COVID-19 can still be identified as the greatest threat to growth within the travel sector, and in North America this is no different.

“The loss of inbound tourist spending in 2020 (-74.1%) to North America was significant. GlobalData’s forecast suggest this is not expected to fully recover until after 2025, and this will be one of the greatest factors affecting economic recovery for the region over the next few years.”

One of the major benefits of inbound tourism is spending, which can boost economic revenues, stimulate employment and act as a catalyst for infrastructure development. Each destination does hold a strong domestic tourism offering, but this cannot be relied upon alone to offset the collapse of international travel.

“Travel to North America from other destinations worldwide can be expensive. GlobalData’s survey* found that 23% of global respondents have reduced their household budgets in the past year and 27% have ‘somewhat’ reduced them. Reduced budgets mean less expenditure on recreation affecting the ability to travel. Budget constraints are going to be more important in purchasing travel experiences over the next few years, which could jeopardize North America’s tourism recovery in comparison to other regions worldwide.” Said Bonhill-Smith.

Due to proximity, connectivity and competing low-cost carrier (LCC) operators, travel between the US, Canada and Mexico can be relatively low-cost, spurring travel across the destinations. Intraregional travel will be vital in North America’s tourism recovery. Each destination already relies heavily on neighboring destinations as important sources for economic income.

Bonhill-Smith notes, “From vast natural landscapes including coastal areas, national parks and mountain ranges to bustling cities full of cultural landmarks, North America benefits from a strong tourism offering. Therefore, there is a wide range of pull factors that lures visitors worldwide for leisure and business. In addition to attractive destinations to visit, its sizable VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market is also a strong feature. Collaboration between destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and government bodies will be vital to ensure economic relief for the region going forward.”

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Seychelles to Welcome Back Cruise Ships in November 2021

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Seychelles to Welcome Back Cruise Ships in November 2021

Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, August 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Launching the 2021-2022 cruise season on November 14, 2021, will be the MS Island Sky, the first cruise vessel to sail to Seychelles since the closure of the destination to cruise ships in March 2020. As per the decision taken by the country’s authorities in March 2021 relating to the size of the vessels and limiting their carrying passenger capacity, Seychelles will only be welcoming smaller vessels with a maximum of 300 passengers.

• Discover the Seychelles with VisitSeychelles.org, a World of Magical Islands by Travelindex, go to VisitSeychelles.org

Island Sky, operated by London-based Noble Caledonia, is a relatively small cruise ship with a carrying capacity of 118 passengers; a regular sight in the Seychelles waters prior to the pandemic, she will be calling at four of the Seychelles outer islands, namely Aldabra, Assomption, Farquhar and Cosmoledo. MS Island Sky will be followed by other small cruise ships throughout the season.

The Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr Alan Renaud, has said that throughout 2020, working in collaboration with the health authorities, tourism department, the port authority, and the tourism industry, the department, have implemented new procedures to allow the safe resumption of cruise ship visits to Seychelles.

PS Renaud said that to facilitate the restart of cruise ship operations, the Department of Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine has developed a COVID-19 Company and Cruise Ship Checklist for cruise ship operators, and a parallel COVID-19 Port Management Plan for the authorities to be introduced next month. The complementary documents have been based on guidance published jointly by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC) and endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and adopt a goal-based approach, identifying measures to be taken on board ships and ashore to ensure safe operations.

“The documents outline the respective responsibilities of local agencies and the cruise ships in relation to COVID-19 matters, identification of critical resources and personnel, the passenger and terminal arrangements at all ports of call, the contingencies in case of a COVID-19 outbreak, the protection of communities visited by the ship, and, generally, the coordination between cruises and ports in relation to COVID-19,” PS Renaud said.

The department will also be rolling out a maritime version of the present travel authorization system, which will be adapted to the cruise ships and yachts, serving simultaneously as a health protection system as well as an enhanced border control system for incoming vessels. The maritime edition will be integrated with the ships’ systems and make it a seamless, paperless, touchless process for both embarking and disembarking guests and the ships themselves.

PS Renaud said enormous care and rigour were taken with the measures as every cruise ship is a large and extended gathering, bearing the theoretical risk of starting a super-spreading event. He stated that, however, the risk of such an event is now greatly mitigated thanks to developments over the past year, such as the successful vaccination campaigns around the world and new measures implemented by industry, which have dramatically changed the risk calculation, making many countries feel ready to open up to the cruise industry again.

“First, the cruise ship operators must implement rigorous standards, developed in consultation with the ECDC, IMO, and other industry groups, and we require their procedures and evidence of having completed drills, to be externally verified by qualified organizations prior to arrival in Seychelles. Second, because the cruise ships are smaller and have additionally reduced the number of passengers on board, any event on board will be proportional in size to an international flight. Finally, and most importantly, vaccinations are now standard for cruise ship passengers and their operating crew, and the abundant accumulation of evidence of the impact of vaccinations has shown that where vaccinations are prevalent, breakouts are manageable, as relatively few people will require hospitalization. Putting everything in balance, we feel the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but we must not let our guards down, and the protection of our communities is still paramount and this is addressed in the standards,” PS Renaud said.

On her part, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis stated, “The reopening of the cruise ship season is another milestone for our destination. I am happy that all relevant actors have ensured that due precautions have been taken to facilitate this exercise in a safe manner.”

• Discover the Seychelles with VisitSeychelles.org, a World of Magical Islands by Travelindex, go to VisitSeychelles.org

Port Victoria recorded 39 cruise ship calls during the 2019/2020 season, with a total of 63,442 passengers and 18,499 crew (of which 11,375 disembarked and 10,990 embarked). The last vessel to call before the season was forced to close prematurely was the Bougainville, operated by the Compagnie Du Ponant on March 11, 2020.

Since the announcement earlier this year that Seychelles would be reopening its vast ocean territory to cruise liners, cruise shipping lines along with their partners in Seychelles have been hard at work, planning voyages, itineraries and on-shore programmes, with calls scheduled from November 2021 right through to February 2024.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Expresses Condolences to the People of Haiti

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WTTC Expresses Condolences to the People of Haiti

London, United Kingdom, August 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC said: “The thoughts of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and its Members are with those who have been affected by the terrible hurricane in Haiti which has taken so many lives, and devasted thousands of families.

“We send our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected, and a message of sympathy to the Government.

“WTTC and the global Travel & Tourism sector stand beside the people of Haiti and its government during this difficult time.”

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IATA Calls on States to Follow WHO Guidance on Cross-Border Travel

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IATA Calls on States to Follow WHO Guidance on Cross-Border Travel

Geneva, Switzerland, August 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on states to follow new guidance on travel from the World Health Organization (WHO). The guidance recommends a “risk-based approach” to implementing measures related to COVID-19 and international travel. It will be presented to the WHO COVID-19 International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Thursday 15 July.

Specifically, WHO recommended that governments:

  • Do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a mandatory condition for entry or exit
  • Remove measures such as testing and/or quarantine requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated or have had a confirmed previous COVID-19 infection within the past six months
  • Ensure alternative pathways for unvaccinated individuals through testing so that they are able to travel internationally. The WHO recommends rRT-PCR tests or antigen detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for this purpose.
  • Only implement test and/or quarantine measures for international travelers “on a risk-based manner” with policies on testing and quarantine regularly reviewed to ensure they are lifted when no longer necessary.

“These commonsense, risk-based recommendations from WHO, if followed by states, will allow for international air travel to resume while minimizing the chance of importing COVID-19. As WHO notes—and as the latest UK testing data proves—international travelers are not a high-risk group in terms of COVID-19. Out of 1.65 million tests carried out on arriving international passengers in the UK since February, only 1.4% were positive for COVID-19. It’s long past time for governments to incorporate data into risk-based decision-making process for re-opening borders,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

WHO also called on states to communicate “in a timely and adequate manner” any changes to international health-related measures and requirements. “Consumers face a maze of confusing, uncoordinated and fast-changing border entry rules that discourage them from traveling, causing economic hardship across those employed in the travel and tourism sector. According to our latest passenger survey, 70% of recent travelers thought the rules were a challenge to understand,” said Walsh.

Additionally, WHO encouraged states to look at bilateral, multilateral, and regional agreements, particularly among neighboring counties, “with the aim of facilitating the recovery of key socioeconomic activities” including tourism, for which international travel plays a vital role.

“The pandemic has put more than 46 million jobs, normally supported by aviation, at risk. By incorporating these latest WHO recommendations into their border opening strategies, states can begin to reverse the economic damage of the past 18 months and put the world on the road to recovery,“ said Walsh.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Rethink Financial Inclusion with Principles from the Edison Alliance

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Rethink Financial Inclusion with Principles from the Edison Alliance

Geneva, Switzerland, August 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The pandemic has accelerated the trend toward greater digitization. However, it also underscored the risk that a lack of broadband internet access, affordable tools, and the know-how to use them safely and securely creates a digital divide. A new set of Principles offers a vision that makes digitally-led financial inclusion a natural outcome of an innovative and competitive financial system.

“The pandemic has accelerated digitization and made it clear that being connected to the digital economy is necessary for communities to survive and to thrive. The future of finance is digital by default, and this broad-based and adaptive set of principles provide a framework for everyone in the ecosystem to prioritize financial inclusion – embedding inclusion by design, ensuring commercial viability, and creating regulatory environments that foster trust while encouraging innovation. The principles will drive consensus-building conversations across the public and private sectors, to help ensure that people can reach their potential and economic growth is inclusive.” Michael Froman, Vice Chairman and President – Strategic Growth, Mastercard

“With 1.7 billion adults remaining unbanked, bridging the digital gap on financial inclusion is one of the priority areas of the EDISON alliances, alongside bridging digital inclusion in education and health care. The EDISON Alliance is a global movement launched in January by the World Economic Forum to boost digital inclusion. It brings together leaders from the public and private sectors from different industries to harness the potential of affordable and accessible digital solutions, ensuring that we don’t leave anyone behind in the digital economy. The EDISON Alliance is a unique opportunity for industry and governments to jointly scale existing initiatives, empower policymakers through leading practices, and pioneer innovative financial models to unlock capital at scale and ensure everyone gets online.” Isabelle Mauro, Head of Digital Communications Industry, World Economic Forum

The seven Principles are:

  1. Inclusive by design: embedding inclusion as a principle in designing all policies, regulations, supervisory practices, products, services, security procedures, technologies, and infrastructure.
  2. Integrated System: enabling integrated ecosystems that supply high quality, differentiated and interoperable products, and services for all.
  3. Digitally led: promoting safe and efficient digital payments and finance ecosystems that democratize access to the formal financial system through enabling infrastructure, regulations, products, and services.
  4. Economically sustainable: providing and maintaining quality payments and markets infrastructure, investing in innovation, keeping pace with consumer needs and demand, and ensuring the value created is appropriately shared between consumers, producers, and intermediaries.
  5. Informed by data: using data from digital transactions safely and responsibly to design financial inclusion policies, regulations, products, and services.
  6. Trusted: cultivating trust by educating and protecting consumers; ensuring transparency of laws, regulations, products, services and data practices; providing reliable infrastructure; and implementing rigorous privacy and cybersecurity frameworks.
  7. Effectively regulated: adopting a non-discriminatory technology-neutral, principle-based and risk-based approach to regulation and supervision that is committed to the standard of proportionality and transparency.

The “Shared Principles for an Inclusive Financial System” white paper has been developed by the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance. It has been led by World Economic Forum and Mastercard, with contributions from other EDISON Champions, including Barclays, Western Union, GSMA, Vista Equity Partners, and UNECA.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HITTING THE HIGH LIFE AT WHISTLER

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To relieve my pent-up frustration at not being able to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions, I booked a trip to Whistler in August for some mountain golf and other alpine pleasures. Whistler kicked up its already world-class reputation when it co-hosted (with Vancouver) the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In early 1960s, most folks opined that developing Whistler as a ski resort was ridiculous—too stormy, too isolated, no services or road links. The list went on. But Whistler had remarkable terrain—voluptuous slopes that dropped nearly a vertical mile to the valley floor, hundreds of acres of old growth forest—and a plethora of snow.

Franz Wilhelmsen and a cohort of mountain enthusiasts ignored the naysayers and carved a network of ski trails out of the bush. Today, Whistler is considered one of the premier mountain resort destinations in the world with two mile-high peaks (Whistler and Blackcomb) linked via a pedestrian-only village. It has become four-season success story by which now most others in North America are judged and often modelled upon.

Set into the skyscraping mountains of the Coast Range, the town has an irrepressible spirit that matches its surroundings. Things have changed quite a bit since the early days when what is now the centre of Whistler Village was a garbage dump where the bears foraged. The bears are still there but those early days when skiers swigged beer out of their ski boots have changed considerably. Whistler, the top ski, snowboarding and mountain biking resort in North America has also ascended to the heights of one of Canada’s best golf destinations

Going for Gold

While Olympians in Tokyo were going for Gold, I was too, but my Gold involved the super perks and pampering offered to guests in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Gold level. Fairmont spent more than $14 million, creating a boutique hotel within its existing property. Guests receive all sorts of extra benefits starting with concierge check-in at the totally renovated eighth-floor Gold Lounge. There’s an outdoor patio, perfect for sipping your morning cappuccino and enjoying the breakfast offerings created by Chef Isabel Chung. Chef makes her jams from BC fruit and honey comes from the hotel’s rooftop hives. Breakfast offerings include charcuterie, cheese, smoked salmon, yogurt, fruit, warm from-the-oven pastries, and daily hot specials served in Covid-friendly individual sized serving dishes.

Tea, finger sandwiches and pastries are served mid-afternoon and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. guests may indulge in gourmet hors d’oeuvres, an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie and more sweet treats. The honour bar well-stocked martini and gin-and-tonic stations. The lounge with its overstuffed leather couches makes a comfortable extension to the guest rooms, each with electric fireplace, soaker tub and a sensory aromatherapy experience with Skinjay, an all-natural essential oil pod that diffuses through the showerhead. Choose your scent according to your mood: sleep, detox (after too many martinis!), party or play.

Golf Nirvana

I chose “play.” First on my hit list was the Chateau Whistler Golf Club, where unlike the other Whistler area courses, you really do climb up and down 400 feet of dramatic alpine terrain.

“We listened to the land and harmonized with nature,” says its creator, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. An engineering marvel, the course, carved out of the bench lands of Blackcomb Mountain, traverses “Billy goat” steep ledges, gushing glacier-fed streams, massive granite outcroppings and mighty Douglas firs.

The first five holes present an uphill battle with several creeks transecting the fairways. Try to concentrate on your swing but you will be distracted by the spectacular mountain views, possible bear sightings and giddying alpine air. The eighth signature hole plays downhill to a green set off by a crystal-clear lake and a massive granite cliff. The Chateau Whistler course is a true beauty queen with outstanding views in every direction.

Smack dab in the centre of the village, The Whistler Golf Club, built in 1983, is the granddaddy of the Whistler area courses. It was also Arnold Palmer’s first Canadian design.

“It’s a Palmer design with a Whistler attitude, “remarks sales manager, Ro Davies. Indeed, classic rock music piped from the clubhouse, the high five you’ll get from the starter and marshals who will help you find errant balls are all part of the Whistler G.C. vibe.

The 6,700-yard, par-71 course is set amongst ancient cedars, majestic fir trees, winding streams and nine lakes. The Club received the designation of Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, in part for staff’s extensive environmental initiatives. Their efforts have had a direct impact on both the Crabapple Creek trout population and local bear population through enhancements of their wildlife habitats, outreach and education and chemical use reduction. You might spy a small cub taking a stroll around the patio.

The signature 16th hole, called The Gallery, is a knockout with elevated tees and a carry over a sparkling lake and then a winding river. In the spring of 2021, The Gallery was expanded to provide seating for joggers, walkers and cyclists on nearby trails to enjoy the views and applaud good tee shots.

Just down the road, Nicklaus North, designed by the Golden Bear himself, meanders alongside glacier-fed Green Lake. Jack Nicklaus deliberately designed it to be fun, with roomy fairways and enormous greens. That said, there are over 50 bunkers and water on 15 holes to be avoided. The par-threes here are very strong, especially the signature 17th that plays alongside Green Lake. Although Nicklaus ‘s company has built almost 300 courses in 40 countries, only four are Nicklaus Signature tracts and one of those is Nicklaus North.

Après Golf Food and Fun

R&R at the Spa
Scandinave Spas are designed so guests may relax and rejuvenate. The prescribed routine: spend about ten minutes warming your body in a sauna, eucalyptus-scented steam bath, hot tub or thermal waterfall. Heating the body increases blood circulation, which, in turn, cleanses by promoting the elimination of toxins. Then it’s time to close the skin’s pores by cooling off beneath a bracing Nordic waterfall or a dip in a cold tub. The third part of Scandinave’s routine is chill-out time. Snooze in the solarium, swing in a hammock or cozy up by the outdoor fire with a good book and a cup of organic tea.
www.scandinave.com

The One & Only Bearfoot

Where else can you saber a bottle of Champagne and drink it with a platter of freshly shucked oysters? Wait, the fun has just begun. Don a parka and sample four exotic vodkas from a choice of 50 from around the globe in the Ketel One Ice Room where the temperature is ideal for savouring the clear liquor. An evening at Bearfoot Bistro is never dull. Their latest creation may just be the world’s best martini. With no apologies to James Bond, their Vesper cocktail is neither shaken nor stirred, but made in a copper pot with liquid nitrogen. It’s so cold its almost viscous, but the booze has not been diluted with ice. Now sample some of the finest and most innovative cuisine in Whistler from Chef Melissa Craig. Finish the night off with a tableside preparation of ‘nitro” ice cream—the best molecular cuisine you’ll ever taste.
ww.bearfootbistro.com

Ready to Go?
Stay and play golf/hotel packages
www.chateau-whistler.com/offers/whistler-bc-golf-travel-package

All about Whistler
www.whistler.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News