Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:Aug. 30-Sept 03, 2021

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Ontario is queuing up for QR codes; Hurricane Ida ravaged the US, south and north; Sunwing makes staff vaccinations mandatory, and latest doings at Disney, all in today’s round-up.

NEWS

Ontario has joined the growing list of provinces introducing COVID-19 vaccine passport systems. The province will require residents aged 12 and older to show their vaccine receipt and a piece of government-issued photo ID starting Sept. 22 in order to access the indoor areas of restaurants and bars, nightclubs, meeting and event spaces, gyms and theatres. As of Oct. 22, residents will receive a QR code that will serve as proof of vaccination, which businesses can scan using a government app.

Sunwing says it will be requiring all new and existing employees across all Canadian divisions be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new policy aligns with the Government of Canada’s recent announcement that it intends to require vaccination across all federally regulated industries later this fall. Employees will have until Sept. 13, to provide proof of their full vaccination status or their intention to vaccinate.

Sixteen years to the day that Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana, Hurricane Ida blasted ashore in the state as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US, blowing off roofs and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the coast toward New Orleans. Ida’s 230 kph winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland US The storm continued north and devastated parts of the northeast, including New York City, where flooding catastrophic flooding and multiple deaths occurred.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

On Aug. 29, Crystal River Cruises celebrated the resumption of European river cruise operations as Crystal Ravel sailed from Vilshofen on a seven-night Danube itinerary, followed by the next day by sister ship Crystal Debussy seven-night Rhine itinerary from Basel, Switzerland.

Oceania Cruises also welcomed guests across the gangway on Aug. 29 for the first time in 524 days. Marina was the first of Oceania Cruises’ ships to resume sailing and is also the first cruise ship to sail from the port of Copenhagen since 2019. Next up for the cruise line will be a restart by the Riviera, which resumes sailing in the Greek Isles on Oct. 18; Insignia from Miami on Dec. 21 on a six-month-long “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage; Sirena starts in the Caribbean on Jan. 21, 2022; Regatta will sail Feb. 5, 2022, in Polynesia; and Nautica will make waves in the Mediterranean on April 1, 2022.

British soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats are once again parading outside Buckingham Palace as the Changing the Guard ceremony resumed after a pandemic-induced 18-month gap.

DELAYED/ CANCELLED

Due to current market conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to provide enhanced liquidity, Celestyal Cruises says it as decided to sell its “Experience” vessel and will revert to operating the same sized fleet it had prior to the pandemic. The cruise line will resume 2022 operations with the Crystal and Olympia in March.

BY THE NUMBERS

In July, Destination Canada launched a Canadian travel packages portal, showcasing 130 different itineraries for domestic travellers to explore and experience the best of Canada. The Canada tourism board reports that to date, it has received over 1.46 million views and has created 86,000-plus leads to tour operators. Any Canadian tour operator that sells direct to consumers is invited to have their product placed on the site by emailing traveltrade@destinationcanada.com.

AIR

Montreal Lounge, Air France

A fully redesigned Air France lounge at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is now open. In association with the Plaza Premium Group, the 490 sq. m. lounge has a seating capacity of 149 and is free for Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers; other AF and KLM can purchase passes subject to availability. The new space features seats and large sofas, a shared work, free Wi-Fi and USB sockets, showers, and more. Flying Blue Ultimate customers have access to a more private space. It is open from 2 to 10 p.m. daily.

New service between Toronto and Scotland will be launched by WestJet next spring with the addition of non-stop flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow set to launch on June 2, 2022, while flights between Glasgow and Toronto will begin on May 20, 2022. The former is set to operate three-times weekly, while the latter will operate four-times weekly. Flights between Halifax and Glasgow are also set resume next spring.

Porter Airlines has completed the modernization of its De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft fleet with a series of updates ahead of its return to flying on Sept. 8. All 29 aircraft now feature the new TiSeat E2 from Expliseat, the world’s lightest aircraft seat, along with a number of other cabin enhancements.

Air Canada’s loyalty program Aeroplan has announced a new multi-year strategic partnership with the LCBO that will enable Aeroplan members to earn points when shopping at LCBO stores across Ontario. The partnership will launch before year end.

TOURS

G Adventures has introduced a “Vaccinated Tours” program, with each trip having a fully vaccinated chief experience officer (CEO or tour guide) confirmed to lead the tour, on which all travellers must also be fully vaccinated. The tour operator notes that 304 October departures across 116 tours will operate as Vaccinated Tours and 64 departures will be designated as Travel-Ready. On the former, all travellers and CEOs must have received a full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least 14 days prior to day one of the tour. On the latter, all travellers and CEOs must have either received a full vaccination or have a negative PCR test within 96 hours prior to departure. An icon will be featured next to each trip on G’s website to indicate a tour’s status.

Starting in November, Sunwing returns to the national capital region with flights and packages from Ottawa International Airport for the 2021-22 winter season. Through April, the travel company will offer 11 different destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico, amongst them Los Cabos, Cancun, Punta Cana, Holguin and Montego Bay. At the same time, the company says it will offer 10 different sun destinations this winter from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport this winter, beginning Nov. 1.

DEALS

The new “10,000 Seats Under $299” flash sale by Air Transat invites Canadian travellers to book their fall travels through Sept. 13 for flights departing from Montreal, Quebec City, or Toronto for travel between Sept. 20 and Dec. 16, to the South (Cuba, DR, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, St Maarten), Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando) and within Canada (Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver). Listed rates are for one-way Economy or Eco budget fares; the later can only be booked through Sirev Air and GDS. See the web site or Get Connected for details.

As part of Ottawa Tourism, Tourisme Montréal and Destination Toronto’s newCity Friends with Benefits campaign, Air Canada is offering 20% off valid new bookings through Sept. 30 between Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa for travel on Friday, Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 31; and VIA Rail is similarly offering 20% off best available fares (excluding Escape fares) between the three cities on bookings made by Oct. 8 for travel between Sept. and Dec. 31. Check the details HERE.

CRUISE

Holland America Line says travellers can anticipate a restart date of May 2022 for Volendam and Zaandam. The ships will join Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, which have returned to service or are slated to restart cruising by November 2021. The Volendam will explore Northern Europe and Zaandam will return to the Canada/New England region. With these new start dates, the Grand World Voyage and Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will not operate in 2022 and will resume in 2023.

Dubai will be the setting for the naming ceremony of MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC Virtuosa. Set to take place on Nov. 27, the occasion will also be a part of the celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and will be staged during Expo 2020 Dubai. Following the naming ceremony, the ship will depart for its maiden Gulf voyage on Nov. 28, the first of a series seven-night cruises with visits to the ports of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha with additional embarkations at Abu Dhabi and Doha.

HOTELS

Holiday Inn Dublin Airport has recently opened in the Irish capital. The new build hotel has 421 rooms and is located 10 minutes from Dublin Airport Terminals and a short reach of the city’s Guinness Store House and Old Jameson Distillery.

A new Maldron Hotel has opened on Renfrew Street in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Located in the former STV headquarters, the four-star property has 300 rooms and is centrally located, offering a great new hub in the city for short breaks and getaways.

RESORTS


As part of their ongoing Paradise Protection Protocols initiative, Saint Lucia’s Premium All-Inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and the luxury, couples-only Serenity at Coconut Bay have brought back their offer of free travel insurance included with stays of five-nights or longer. The insurance program covers medical and quarantine expenses up to US$100,000 and is free for international arriving guests and all bookings made through Oct. 31 for travel through June 30, 2022. Guests staying fewer than five nights have the option to purchase the insurance within 24 hours of arrival on resort for US$39 p.p.

Effective Sept. 1, Elite Island Resorts, with all-inclusive hotels in Antigua, St. Lucia, The Grenadines, Barbados, and Panama, requires all guests over the age of 12 to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon arrival.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Fifty years ago, the Walt Disney World Resort opened its gates in Orlando and beginning Oct. 1, 50th anniversary festivities – dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – will begin. Find out more, along with the latest news from Disney Destinations – including on the new Disney Dream, Avengers Campus, and Adventures by Disney – at our special Disney inFocus microsite. Click .

EVENTS

Sept. 30-Oct 1: ACTA has announced the addition of several keynote speakers and topics for the upcoming virtual Travel Industry Summit. Seminars will include: Dr. Dominique Tessier –The Travel Health Group – Restoring Confidence and Travelling Safely in the COVID-19 era; Indira Barthelemy and Megan Mustonen, Global Affairs Canada – Travel Advisories and the Role of Global Affairs; Amandine Gicquel, IATA – The Airline Industry and the Demand for Travel; Marie-Claude Du Cap – CEO, Aléas – Due Diligence: Explore new ways of marketing your agency to meet client needs; and Brett Walker, CATO, and Nathalie Guay – ATOQ – Restarting and Rebuilding your Relationship with Tour Operators. ACTA notes that the trade show will take place on Day 2 of the event from 2 to 14:30 p.m. EST, with over 40 exhibitors already confirmed.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Continuing to expand its presence in key markets throughout Canada, Direct Travel, Inc., has acquired Ottawa-based McCord Travel Management. The company will now operate as McCord Travel, A Direct Travel Company. McCord Travel founder Scott McCord will join the Direct Travel senior management team as Director of Customer Experience and continue to oversee the operations of McCord Travel.

DESTINATIONS

Cruise ships will still be docking in Venice, thanks to a temporary solution that re-routes big ships away from the fragile canal that skirts the historic city. Temporary landing places are being set up to accommodate up to 10 cruise ships at the Venice Ro-Port Mos Terminal in Fusina. It’s a compromise to salvage the fall cruise schedule following an Aug. 1 decree banning all ships from the city, but not the final answer.

Peru has created its first fully protected marine area, the Nazca Ridge National Reserve. Covering approximately 62,400 sq. km. of Peruvian territorial sea, the reserve is mainly intended to protect an undersea mountain range that occurs in the region, from 1,800 to 4,000 m. deep, providing a space to conduct deep marine research. The area is off the south coast of Peru and puts almost 8% of the country’s marine domain under protection.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Farnek Launches Hotel Management Company

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Farnek Launches Hotel Management Company - TRAVELINDEXDubai, UAE, September 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has developed its hospitality division into an all-embracing hotel management company under the leadership of renowned UAE-based international hotelier Walter Knight.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Luxury Hotels and Awards at Top25Hotels.com.

Knight was originally responsible for structuring and developing Farnek’s fledgling hospitality division earlier this year. Farnek started by providing a comprehensive range of outsourced and third-party services, including concierge services, housekeeping, property operations, maintenance, energy consultancy (POMEC).

Farnek’s endeavours met with early success, securing numerous contracts which included the new Expo Village, situated on the Expo 2020 site. Farnek is currently responsible for managing the reservation services, concierge, front office services and housekeeping, for the 2,273 apartments.

Furthermore, under the trade name of Farnek Hotel Management, the company can now expand its services to cover all aspects of hotel and resort management from initial consultation to day-to-day operations.

Knight, director of hospitality commented: “Originally we were aiming for a service offering, which not only embraced traditionally outsourced FM and manpower services, but also managing revenue driven services, such as central reservation offices and associated sales services.

“Now with our hotel management licence, we can approach hotel developers, investors, owners and management companies direct with a full suite of services including consultancy, management, outsourcing and manpower services proposition.”

Farnek is no stranger to the hospitality sector in the Middle East and has been supporting the UAE’s hospitality sector for over 40 years, in which time it has amassed an extensive portfolio of hotel contracts, which include five-star brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, Sofitel and Rotana.

Its consultancy division has been helping hotels and resorts become more sustainable over the past 15 years. Indeed, Farnek’s Hotel Optimizer software, can record, analyse and benchmark a property’s energy and water consumption, as well as waste generation, along with expert recommendations to operate more cost-efficiently and sustainably.

Furthermore, Farnek is a preferred partner and auditor for Green Globe the worldwide sustainability accreditation system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses.

“Our strategy was to create an unrivalled 360-degree market proposition for the hotel sector, and we have now achieved that. Moreover, we also have some exciting smart products in development that will be launched very soon, complementing and interfacing with existing property management systems,” said Markus Oberlin, CEO Farnek.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Luxury Hotels and Awards at Top25Hotels.com.

“This gives Farnek a very clear competitive edge, in an industry that will see major changes in the way hotels are managed and operated, with the advent of artificial intelligence, sustainability, human capital development and the digitisation of asset management over the years to come,” he added.

About Farnek
Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 8,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Gold Award Winners to be Announced Live September 8

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PATA Gold Award Winners to be Announced Live September 8 - TRAVELINDEX - VISITMACAO.orgMacao, Macao SAR, September 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be announcing the winners of the 2021 PATA Gold Awards live on September 8, 2021.

Supported and sponsored since 1995 by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), this year’s awards will recognise the achievements of 18 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners during the virtual 2021 PATA Gold Awards Presentation on Wednesday, September 8 at 12.30 pm Macao, China time (GMT+8).

The winners were chosen by an independent judging committee of 18 select travel industry peers from around the world.

Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO, said, ““In these challenging times due to the pandemic, the best practices in tourism marketing and sustainability to be unveiled by the PATA Gold Awards are even more deserving of our attention as they show the tourism industry at its best. I look forward to seeing you join us at this year’s virtual ceremony to announce the list of awardees live. Macao is honoured to continue its long-standing support to PATA and contribute to rebuild a more sustainable tourism industry.”

PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera said, “The winners of the PATA Gold Awards set industry standards for excellence and innovation and provides the Association with the perfect opportunity to recognise and reward the very best the Asia Pacific travel industry has to offer. I encourage all industry stakeholders to join us in celebrating the achievements of all the winners and be inspired by their accomplishments. In addition, we are sincerely grateful to MGTO for once again sponsoring the PATA Gold Awards 2021 and for their continued commitment to a responsible and sustainable tourism industry.”

PATA will present 18 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners for best of show entries in Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

All interested parties can register for the event at

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IATA July Passenger Traffic Boost – Well Below Pre-COVID Levels

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IATA July Passenger Traffic Boost – Well Below Pre-COVID Levels - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, September 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that both international and domestic travel demand showed significant momentum in July 2021 compared to June, but demand remained far below pre-pandemic levels. Extensive government-imposed travel restrictions continue to delay recovery in international markets.

Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to July 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern.

  • Total demand for air travel in July 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 53.1% compared to July 2019. This is a significant improvement from June when demand was 60% below June 2019 levels.
  • International passenger demand in July was 73.6% below July 2019, bettering the 80.9% decline recorded in June 2021 versus two years ago. All regions showed improvement and North American airlines posted the smallest decline in international RPKs (July traffic data from Africa was not available).
  • Total domestic demand was down 15.6% versus pre-crisis levels (July 2019), compared to the 22.1% decline recorded in June over June 2019. Russia posted the best result for another month, with RPKs up 28.9% vs. July 2019.

“July results reflect people’s eagerness to travel during the Northern Hemisphere summer. Domestic traffic was back to 85% of pre-crisis levels, but international demand has only recovered just over a quarter of 2019 volumes. The problem is border control measures. Government decisions are not being driven by data, particularly with respect to the efficacy of vaccines. People traveled where they could, and that was primarily in domestic markets. A recovery of international travel needs governments to restore the freedom to travel. At a minimum, vaccinated travelers should not face restrictions. That would go a long way to reconnecting the world and reviving the travel and tourism sectors,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

International Passenger Markets

  • European carriers saw their July international traffic decline 64.2% versus July 2019, significantly bettering the 77.0% decrease in June compared to the same month in 2019. Capacity dropped 53.8% and load factor fell 19.9 percentage points to 69.0%.
  • Asia-Pacific airlines’ July international traffic fell 94.2% compared to July 2019, barely improved over the 94.7% drop registered in June 2021 versus June 2019 as the region continues to have the strictest border control measures. Capacity dropped 86.0% and the load factor was down 48.2 percentage points to 34.3%, by far the lowest among regions.
  • Middle Eastern airlines posted a 74.5% demand drop in July compared to July 2019, surpassing the 79.2% decrease in June, versus the same month in 2019. Capacity declined 59.5%, and load factor deteriorated 30.1 percentage points to 51.3%.
  • North American carriers’ July demand fell 62.1% compared to the 2019 period, much improved on the 69.4% decline in June versus two years ago. Capacity sank 52.0%, and load factor dipped 18.6 percentage points to 69.3%.
  • Latin American airlines saw a 66.3% drop in July traffic, compared to the same month in 2019, improved over the 69.8% decline in June compared to June 2019. July capacity fell 60.5% and load factor dropped 12.6 percentage points to 72.9%, which was the highest load factor among the regions for the ninth consecutive month.
  • Australia’s domestic traffic sank further from a 51.4% decline in June versus the same month in 2019, to a 75.4% decline in July versus two years ago, amid stricter domestic lockdowns in response to a spike in the Delta variant.
  • US domestic traffic continued to recover in July, and was down just 7.7% compared to July 2019, improved from a 14.0% decline in June versus June 2019.

The Bottom Line
“As the Northern Hemisphere summer travel season draws to a close it is clear that too many governments missed the opportunity to apply a risk-based approach to managing their borders. The growing number of fully vaccinated travelers and the prevalence of testing provided the chance to restore international connectivity and bring much needed relief to economies that are heavily reliant on travel and tourism. Instead, governments continued to behave as if it was the summer of 2020. Economies and the labor force will pay the price for decisions that were made not based on science, but on political expediency. Governments have rightly urged their populations to be vaccinated; now governments need to have confidence in the benefits of vaccinations—including the freedom to travel,” said Walsh.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Climate Friendly Travel Summer School Launched

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Climate Friendly Travel Summer School Launched

Valletta, Malta, September 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / SUNx Malta is launching the first Climate Friendly Travel Summer School – a week-long, online course featuring world class lectures and interactive learning. The sessions will provide an intensive introduction to Climate Friendly Travel – low carbon: SDG linked: Paris 1.5, which will be the future path of the global Travel Industry. It will mean increasing career opportunities in Sustainability and Climate Resilience and the course will prepare attendees for a continuing role in SUNx Malta’s national resilience programs around the world.

Course Outline
Explore key components of Climate Friendly Travel and acquire knowledge to encourage tourism companies and communities to become Zero GHG by 2050 through the Climate Friendly Travel System.

Become part of a global community of Strong Climate Champions to assist Travel and Tourism stakeholders find green and clean pathways to the future.

5-Day Online training 3 hours a day from 1300-1600 CEST*

  • 27 Sep – The UN 2030/2050 Green and Clean, Climate Friendly Travel Framework.
  • 28 Sep – The eXistential Climate Crisis.
  • 29 Sep – SUNx CFT DASH to Zero: Transformation & Resilience.
  • 30 Sep – Paris 1.5 It’s all about the Numbers.
  • 01 Oct – Strong Climate Champions: Action Agenda.

*Please check your local time.

Fee: FREE. Free doesn’t mean it has no value. The course is priced at EUR 120. We are able to offer it for free only for this very first course to support SUNx Malta’s vision to advance Climate Friendly Travel around the globe.

Limited spots available! Register today to not miss your place!

All sessions will be hosted through ZOOM. Stable internet connection is required to join. Zoom link will be emailed closer to the course date. Certificate of Participation will be endorsed on attending all sessions. We encourage interactions during the course.

Course Director Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUN x Malta, said:
“This is not just another of the many Travel & Tourism courses and training programmes. We are focused on preparing graduates for a clean and green post-Covid future, helping Travel & Tourism companies and communities transform in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and 2050 Paris Agreement. We aim to create 100, 000 climate champions worldwide by 2030 and these programmes are designed to identify the core issues for the post–pandemic green and clean tourism sector, promote climate hope through youth awareness , education and empowerment, SUN x Malta is a legacy program for the late Maurice Strong, Climate and Sustainability pioneer,

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Glasgow Declaration: Accelerating Climate Action in Tourism

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The Glasgow Declaration: Accelerating Climate Action in Tourism

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, September 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Glasgow Declaration aims to catalyse an acceleration of climate action across travel and tourism during the COVID-19 recovery and beyond. It defines a clear and consistent sector-wide message and approach to climate action in the coming decade, aligned with the wider scientific framework and urgency to act now.

Online launch of Glasgow Declaration defines a clear and consistent sector-wide approach to climate action in the coming decade.

The Declaration will be launched on 21st September 2021, in two separate sessions to allow as many people as possible from all around the world to attend. The morning session is scheduled at 10:00 CEST and the afternoon session is at 17:00 CEST with interpretation into Spanish.

During the session, the pathways proposed in the Glasgow Declaration to accelerate tourism’s ability to transform and achieve net zero as soon as possible will be presented. The audience will be informed about how to subscribe to the Declaration and demonstrate their public support for scaling up Climate Action in Tourism.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

FAA BANS VIRGIN GALACTIC LAUNCHES: Investigates mishap on Branson trip

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The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that Virgin Galactic cannot launch anyone into space again until an investigation is complete into a mishap that occurred during July’s flight with founder Richard Branson. The ban came as Virgin Galactic announced plans to launch three Italian researchers to the edge of space in a few weeks.

The FAA said the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees veered off course during its descent back to its runway in the New Mexico desert on July 11. The deviation put the ship outside the air traffic control clearance area.

The FAA is overseeing the probe; it’s responsible for protecting the public during commercial launches and reentries. Crew safety, on the other hand, is outside its jurisdiction. Virgin Galactic insisted Thursday that Branson and everyone else on board were never in any added danger.

“Virgin Galactic may not return the SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves the final mishap investigation report or determines the issues related to the mishap do not affect public safety,” the FAA said in a statement.

Virgin Galactic acknowledged the space plane dropped below the protected airspace for one minute and 41 seconds. The spacecraft’s free-flying portion of the up-and-down flight lasted about 15 minutes and reached an altitude of 53.5 miles (86 kilometers).

Virgin Galactic said high-altitude wind caused the change in flight path and insisted the two pilots “responded appropriately.” In a statement, the company said the flight was “a safe and successful test flight that adhered to our flight procedures and training protocols.”

In another statement Thursday, Virgin Galactic added that “at no time did the ship travel above any population centers or cause a hazard to the public.” Virgin Galactic operates out of Spaceport America in the southern New Mexico desert.

“We take this seriously and are currently addressing the causes of the issue and determining how to prevent this from occurring on future missions,” the company said.

Branson ended up beating fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos founder of Amazon as well as rocket company Blue Origin into space by nine days. Bezos launched July 20 with three others from West Texas.

Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are vying to sell seats to tourists, scientists and anyone else looking to experience a few minutes of weightlessness. Virgin Galactic’s rocketship is launched from an airplane, while Blue Origin’s capsule is hoisted by a reusable New Shepard rocket.

Virgin Galactic is aiming for late September or early October for its next flight, with two Italian Air Force officers, an engineer for the National Research Council of Italy, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor and the rocketship’s two pilots. It will be the company’s first launch where researchers accompany their own experiments. The company plans to start flying ticket holders next year.

Blue Origin has yet to announce a date for its next passenger flight, other than to say it will be soon.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

TORONTO PATIO GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN

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Toronto’s downtown waterfront isn’t the most user-friendly, with copious condos, office complexes, still-working industrial port businesses, and airport blighting the limited space of Harbourfront. But with one’s back to the city, looking out onto Lake Ontario, the harbour and encompassing islands are surprisingly idyllic – which is why a rare restaurant-patio like Against the Grain is worth its weight in gold.

Though it’s been around for a decade, I discovered the “urban tavern” only last week thanks to a first post-pandemic (?) luncheon with the new director of the German National Tourism Office in Canada, Anja Brokjans, whose office at VoX International is across the street. Located in the Corus building on Corus Quay (near the bottom end of Jarvis Street on Queen’s Quay), ATG plays up its position as one of Toronto’s only waterfront taverns, and with a spacious lakeside patio to boot (seating is first-come, first serve Thursday-Sundays, reservations available at other times.)

We took advantage of the patio recently (on what was proclaimed to be the hottest day of the summer), which was festooned with flowers and tables suitably distanced. On this occasion, I didn’t notice the firepits or lounge seating that are usually a popular feature.

However, it was the view of the harbour that commanded attention (other than each other), including passerbys casually strolling by along the lake’s edge.

Bar

Anja and I settled for soft drinks and sparkling water for our meal, but an extensive bar list beckoned for future occasions, especially a beer list featuring close to three dozen brews. About half of those are available on tap, ranging from local city favourites such as Mill Street and Steam Whistle to a few from further afield – Muskoka Brewery, the US (Rolling Rock), Belgium (Stella Artois) and Ireland (Guinness). Non-beer lovers will find a fine wine list and cocktails, served from the inside bar.

Food options were similarly inspired and eclectic – “donut holes” for dessert gives you the idea – and ranging from oysters to noodle bowl, jerk chicken to Hawaiian Ribeye, and various “hand-helds,” i.e. burgers and sandwiches. I tried the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich (so tall I had to use a knife and fork, and so much, I couldn’t finish); and if Anja doesn’t mind me saying so, she opted for a bowl for mushroom risotto, managing it with more grace than I couldn’t manage with my gigant-o sandwich.

All in all, Against the Grain was a great spot to enjoy a great day on the waterfront. Next time: indoors in the winter.

With glass purposefully in hand, we at Travel Industry Today continue our series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues. For more articles in the series, click here:

PREVIOUS ARTICLES: https://travelindustrytoday.com/pub-patio/

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

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GHM Lowers First Relocation Hurdle to UAE

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GHM Lowers First Relocation Hurdle to UAE - TRAVELINDEXSingapore, September 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX /  The Chedi Al Bait Sharjah rolls out two stay + work experiences. If there’s no place like home, then it must also be true there’s no place like The Chedi Al Bait Sharjah, especially now that the GHM hotel is introducing a brace of long stay experiences as part of its Chedi Connect initiative.

Designed for business travellers, for students and for leisure travellers, the two, new month-long Maraheb offers include an expansive curation of home-away-from-home enablers, from procurement of visa to laundry, car-service and myriad administrative functions, and access to exclusive workspaces within the hotel.

Each of the two Maraheb (Hello in Arabic) experiences launch the day with a choice of English, Arabic, Indian or a Healthy breakfast at The Restaurant and include a 20-percent discount on food & beverage, spa, transportation and international calls.

The offer provides a weekly shuttle to Dubai, handles two pieces of laundry per day and serves up administrative support from printing to meeting room set-up.

The impetus for Chedi Connect is a matter of bridge-building. Nearly 80 percent of the 9.5 million people living in the United Araba Emirates are expats. No one expects any seismic shift to that demographic make-up in the near future, and if anything, the allure of the Emirates is all the greater now that many businesses allow work from home.

“We’re seeing more and more digital nomads all over the globe, especially in the UAE, and especially in Sharjah,” said GHM CEO, Tommy Lai. “Oftentimes, the greatest hurdle to relocation is that first big jump. Where do I land? How do I hit the ground running? Chedi Connect is an answer to that.”

Maraheb A rolls out a daily refreshment while Maraheb B delivers a half-board arrangement, as well as an open-door on a 60-minute Balinese massage.

“We like living up to our name,” Nezha Aanou, The Chedi Al Bait’s Hotel Manager, shared. “The name of this place, Al Bait, literally means ‘home’ in Arabic. The four heritage buildings at the heart of the hotel were once family homes and so we feel an extra special obligation to create an ambiance that is more familiar and accommodating.”

Once a sleepy port town of 2,000 on the Arabian Gulf, Sharjah, in a single lifetime, has grown into a city of 1.7 million people. However dramatic the growth, Sharjah is still a low-slung antidote to nearby Dubai, which is renowned as an international business hub and for being home to the tallest building in the world.

“Not everyone wants to be engaged in that world 24/7,” said Aanou. “Sharjah gives you a break from all that, and Maraheb helps make all that possible.”

At the same time, Sharjah is emerging with a reputation all its own as a more mindful destination. The House of Wisdom opened to widespread acclaim in 2019. The Sharjah International Book Fair attracts more than two million visitors annually. The WHO has hailed the destination as a Healthy City.

The rate for Maraheb A starts from AED15,000 (USD 4,083) per room per person per month, and Maraheb B starts at AED18,000 (USD 4,900).

ABOUT GHM
Established in 1992, GHM (General Hotel Management Ltd.) is known for conceptualising, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts. With an intimate portfolio and more projects in the pipeline, GHM prides itself in providing guests with an unrivalled lifestyle experience.

Each GHM property is an original. A symbiotic relationship between the hotel and the local culture enables GHM to provide guests with a genuine, close-up experience of the best each destination has to offer. The signature GHM style melds contemporary interpretations of Asian designs and distinctive local touches to create inspired, memorable spaces.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Qatar Airways Plans New Distribution Agreement with Sabre with NDC

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Qatar Airways Plans New Distribution Agreement with Sabre with NDC

Doha, State of Qatar, September 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX /Sabre Corporation, the leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, and Qatar Airways, the award-winning international airline, are now finalizing a new distribution deal that will provide long-term access to the airline’s content through the Sabre travel marketplace.

• For a comprehensive travel guide on Qatar and the FIFA World Cup 2022, go to VisitMacao.org

Qatar Airways intends to strengthen its partnership with Sabre to take advantage of Sabre’s global reach and leading position in corporate travel for the distribution of Qatar Airways’ products to travelers worldwide. Implementation work is starting to enable unique NDC offers created by Qatar Airways to be distributed through Sabre’s new distribution capability (NDC), which provides a consistent end-to-end workflow that integrates within well-established agency operations.

“A new approach to retailing is required in order to respond to the personalized service and enhanced flexibility that travelers expect,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer, Sabre Travel Solutions. “Sabre is committed to supporting Qatar Airways in enhancing its retailing capabilities by enabling the airline to distribute personalized offers through our marketplace to corporations and travel agencies around the world. Collaboration will be crucial in travel’s recovery, so I’m proud that we are now finalizing a long-term, sustainable agreement with Qatar Airways that is beneficial for all parties in the travel ecosystem.”

Sabre’s technology enables Qatar Airways to effectively market and sell its expansive roster of fares globally through the Sabre marketplace. Reaching a network of more than 425,000 travel agents, it is one of the world’s largest marketplaces, processing over US $120 billion in estimated travel spend.

Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer, Qatar Airways, said: “Working collaboratively is pivotal to our reputation as a trusted and reliable business partner for both customers flying Qatar Airways, and the travel agencies that serve them. As international travel recovers, the landscape has become extremely complex, and we don’t want to add additional obstacles such as surcharges, restrictions or inefficient technical solutions, as we deploy new NDC-based product offerings.

• For a comprehensive travel guide on Qatar and the FIFA World Cup 2022, go to VisitMacao.org

“We are therefore focused on providing a consistent shopping experience through all channels, to meet the expectations of our travelers and promote the success of our agency partners. With Sabre, we see great potential to shape the future of modern airline retailing.”

Operating consistent schedules through the pandemic, Qatar Airways’ network has now rebuilt to more than 140 destinations. This management approach has seen the airline receive accolades from trade partners, media, and industry awards, including Airline of the Year 2021 from Airline Ratings, while its home airport, Hamad International in Doha was recently crowned Best Airport in the World.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News