Global Travel News

WTTC Responds to Latest EU Travel Recommendations

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WTTC Responds to Latest EU Travel Recommendations

London, United Kingdom, September 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “Protecting public health must remain the priority and WTTC strongly supports safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, the EU’s recommendation to reimpose restrictions on U.S. travellers is a step backwards and will only slow down the recovery of the sector.

“With high vaccination levels in both the U.S. and the EU, we should be looking at opening up travel between these two major economies. We need a common set of rules that recognise global vaccines and remove the need to quarantine for people with a negative COVID result.

“The U.S. is a key source market for many EU Member States, such as France, Italy, Germany and Ireland, and tourism will be critical in restoring normal life and tens of thousands of jobs in both the U.S. and the EU.

“Rather than imposing further damaging travel restrictions, the EU should be encouraging Member States to use its groundbreaking Digital COVID Certificate to safely restore international travel, fundamental for the European economy.”

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Artificial Intelligence is Critical Enabler of the Energy Transition

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Artificial Intelligence is Critical Enabler of the Energy Transition

Geneva, Switzerland, September 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum has published a new study on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to accelerate a more equitable energy transition and build trust for the technology throughout the industry.

As the impacts of climate change become more visible worldwide, governments and industry face the urgent challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon global energy system.

Digital technologies – particularly AI – are key enablers for this transition and have the potential to deliver the energy sector’s climate goals more rapidly and at lower cost.

Written in collaboration with BloombergNEF and Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency, Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate the Energy Transition reviews the state of play of AI adoption in the energy sector, identifies high-priority applications of AI in the energy transition, and offers a road map and practical recommendations for the energy and AI industries to maximize AI’s benefits.

The report finds that AI has the potential to create substantial value for the global energy transition. Based on BNEF’s net-zero scenario modelling, every 1% of additional efficiency in demand creates $1.3 trillion in value between 2020 and 2050 due to reduced investment needs. AI could achieve this by enabling greater energy efficiency and flexing demand.

“AI is already making its mark on many parts of society and the economy. In energy, we are only seeing the beginning of what AI can do to speed up the transition to the low-emissions, ultra-efficient and interconnected energy systems we need tomorrow. This report shows the potential and what it will take to unlock it – guided by principles that span how to govern, design and enable responsible use of AI in energy. Governments and companies can collectively create a real tipping point in using AI for a faster energy transition,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of Energy, World Economic Forum.

“As dena, we have been focusing on digital technologies for years. Especially with our ‘Future Energy Lab’ we are boosting Artificial intelligence projects AI is an essential technology for the energy transition since it will provide the glue to connect the different sectors (power, heat, mobility and industry) and serve as digital technology to effectively monitor systems and processes. To efficiently control the energy system of the future, which will be very volatile due to renewable energies, such agent-based control will play an overarching role,” said Andreas Kuhlmann, Chief Executive Officer, dena.

High priority applications for how AI can accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy future include:

(1) Identifying patterns and insights in data to increase efficiency and savings: According to BNEF’s net-zero scenarios, fully decarbonising the global energy system will require between $92 trillion and $173 trillion of investments in energy infrastructure between 2020 and 2050. Even single-digit percentage gains in flexibility, efficiency, or capacity in clean energy and low-carbon infrastructure systems can therefore lead to trillions of dollars in value and savings.

(2) Coordinating power systems with growing shares of renewable energy: As electricity supplies more sectors and applications, the power sector is becoming the core pillar of the global energy supply. Ramping up renewable energy deployment to decarbonize the globally expanding power sector will mean more power is supplied by intermittent sources (such as solar and wind), creating a need for better forecasting, greater coordination, and more flexible consumption to ensure that power grids can be operated safely and reliably.

(3) Managing complex, decentralized energy systems at scale: The transition to low-carbon energy systems is driving the rapid growth of distributed power generation, distributed storage, and advanced demand response capabilities, which will need to be orchestrated and integrated into much more networked, transactional power grids.

Navigating these opportunities presents huge strategic and operational challenges for energy-intensive sectors and energy systems themselves, just as they are undergoing once-in-a-lifetime digital transformations. AI can act as an intelligent layer across many applications and has the ability to identify patterns and insights in data, “learn” lessons accurately and improve system performance over time, and predict and model possible outcomes for complex, multivariate situations.

Recent efforts to deploy AI in the energy sector have proven promising but innovation and adoption remain limited. AI holds far greater potential to accelerate the global energy transition but it will only be realized if there is greater AI innovation, adoption and collaboration across the industry. To address this, the white paper establishes a set of principles to help industry govern and scale AI technology in a rapid, safe and fair manner.

“One of the key findings from our workshops was that whilst we could identify many tangible opportunities for AI in the energy transition, there was a real need for a set of common guiding principles to make these opportunities scalable. These principles should ideally create a framework that enables multiple stakeholder groups to work together effectively, on a pre-defined set of activities from governance, to design, to enabling infrastructure. They will enable us to move past the many ‘proofs of concept’ projects towards successful large-scale implementation of solutions,” said Jon Moore, Chief Executive Officer, BloombergNEF.

The 9 principles cited in the report aim to build industry trust in AI technologies so that they can play a greater role in the energy transition. As AI tools are increasingly adopted across energy and energy-intensive sectors, companies and policy makers must play an active role in governing and shaping the use of AI in the energy sector, establishing best practices for designing AI systems in a responsible way, and creating an enabling environment to unlock the full potential of AI technologies.

Sustainable Development Impact Summit 20-23 September
The meeting brings together global leaders from business, government, and civil society under the theme Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery. It will focus on new technologies, policies and partnerships to advance cooperation, accelerate progress, and highlight tangible solutions to our global challenges

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tanah Gajah Ubud Entices Families with Unveiled Family Pool

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Tanah Gajah Ubud Entices Families With Newly Unveiled Family Pool - TRAVELINDEXBali, Indonesia, September 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A newly-opened family pool at the forefront of this Balinese resort harkens back to another era of the property. The spot was once the prime gathering place for the whole Hadiprana family, long before there was even an inkling the grounds would one day become a resort. The Balinese resort invites families to gather with a special offer and fun activities.

For decades the former pool at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, was used as a water feature, with guests making use of a larger pool near the heart of the property. In 2020 the hotel returned to its roots and came under the Hadiprana Hospitality umbrella. With the return, the family-run business wanted to bring back elements that embodied fond memories of joyful summer holidays. The family pool area was one pivotal space.

“This was once a spot of a lot of joy, laughter, and the giggles of children enjoying themselves,” said Deasy Swandarini, general manager of Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana. “We wanted to bring that playful nature back.”

The swimming pool features a smaller wading pool for toddlers (at a 60cm depth) and a deeper, larger section for teens and adults (that is 160cm at its deepest). Stone Ganesh statues adorn the corners, and vibrant colored bean bags have been arranged at the water’s edge for lounging.

The pool, geared towards families, is just one of the on-site activities of interest to both children and adults. The resort also has the island’s only hot air balloon ride, which climbs 50 metres above Tanah Gajah Ubud’s rice fields. Two adults and up to two children under 12 can float above the property drinking in views of Mt. Agung and the expansive fields and forests of Ubud.

As we look forward to when travel re-opens Tanah Gajah Ubud wants to bring families together, just like they did when the property was a private residence. “The Art of Reuniting,” is a limited-time buyout offer designed to do just that. The spacious resort features twenty individual villas that are spread out over six hectares, making it large enough to offer guests plenty of space but also intimate enough that the entire resort can be booked out by a group for USD 7,500++ per night (with a minimum stay of two nights) through the package.

“When this property was first built, it was built to bring the Hadiprana family together,” added Swandarini. “With the launch of the family pool, our family-friendly offerings, and a package designed with reunions in mind, we hope to share some of the spirit of togetherness the property was founded on.”

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Inks Deal to Upskill Staff With Hospitality EduTech Platform

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Alma Inks Deal to Upskill Staff With Hospitality EduTech Platform - TRAVELINDEXCam Ranh, Vietnam, September 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / As hotels navigate the ups and downs of trying to retain staff during the pandemic, one hotel on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula has figured out a way to put staff to work at home before they return to in-person service.

This month, Alma has joined forces with Australian-founded company Typsy, a leading global digital hospitality training platform, to ‘up-skill’ hundreds of its hotel staff in the wake of Vietnam’s COVID-19 flare-up that forced the 30-hectare resort to temporarily close.

Offering what it describes as a “Netflix-style” library of hospitality training videos by industry experts, Typsy’s content is broken down into three key areas: courses, lessons and mentor sessions. Learners are encouraged to explore their interests and passions, build skills to help with internal promotion and career progression, and earn industry-recognised qualifications. Typsy works with one of the world’s leading hotel management schools, Swiss-based Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL), and counts global groups Hyatt, Radisson, Delaware North and Wyndham among its clients.

Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said the resort signed up with Typsy as part of its efforts to “do everything we possibly can” to retain and motivate staff, amid the pandemic’s devastating toll on the tourism industry.

“We have increasingly used digital means such as video calling to engage with and train our staff since the onset of COVID-19 and Typsy lifts such efforts to a new dimension by offering peer-to-peer learning in a contactless manner and developing a culture of up-skilling at our resort,” said Laubichler-Pichler. “This effort to invest in our staff signals we are serious about retaining and developing them, particularly while they’re not on the payroll due to a temporary hotel closure.”

​​”We have seen an uptake from businesses keen to continue offering professional development to staff to upskill and cross skill teams to ensure staff are well equipped and educated when hospitality operations return,” added Typsy’s founder and CEO Jonathan Plowright.

Fearing a drain of talent that has yet to be measured, Laubichler-Pichler urged hoteliers and other tourism service providers to try their best to hold on to staff for as long as possible through means such as training.

“The silver lining is that there’s been a proliferation of digital solutions to help combat the problems associated with COVID-19 in the ‘new normal’; an example of this has been our resort’s very own mobile app that we developed to offer contact-less communication with guests and staff,” he said.

To contact Alma, phone +84 258 399 1666

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

About Typsy
Typsy provides online hospitality education to individuals, businesses, schools, associations, and governments globally to help people develop their skills and build their credentials. Typsy is an online learning experience platform with a curated library of short, bite-sized video lessons, all filmed with industry experts globally.

Typsy began in Melbourne over 5 years ago with an aim to engage and inspire learners with high quality courses and accessible hospitality tips from leading industry experts worldwide. We have now been well adopted globally, with users in 120+ countries. Every month more than 1.3 million video lessons are watched on Typsy. Typsy is a simple to use online education platform containing over 1000 expert-led lessons, courses, quizzes, and certificates. These can be watched and earned online anywhere, anytime by people using their own device. We continue to launch new courses every month and our videos have closed-caption subtitles in over 20 languages including Vietnamese, Bahasa, Thai, Khmer, Hindi and English. Businesses of all sizes love to use Typsy to skill up their teams at scale, onboard new starters with ease, and reduce time spent training. They can also upload their own training and easily track and report on achievements.

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

JULY SEES PASSENGER TRAFFIC BOOST: Numbers still well below pre-COVID levels

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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.

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.

Domestic Passenger Markets

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.

View the full (including 2021 vs. 2020 comparisons)

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bangkok Iconic Shopping Centers Reopen

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Bangkok Iconic Shopping Centers Reopen

Bangkok, Thailand, September 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Shopping centers now reopen, according to Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s ease of business restrictions so that people can restore their normal lives as close to normal as possible. OneSiam – the synergy of Siam Paragon Siam Center and Siam Discovery together with ICONSIAM and their tenants now open under strict preventive pandemic  control measures as well as health screening 100 percent of the staffs before resuming their operation. These stringent measures are to ensure utmost confidence to retail businesses in the shopping centers, tenants, staff and customers. The reopening is rolled out under “One Smile Forward” concept – that all of us will move forward, to embrace this new normal together.

Siam Paragon Siam Center and Siam Discovery together with ICONSIAM have taken hygiene and health safety measures our top priorities and has been taken proactive measures to the highest level, applied to  both our staffs and visitors. The shopping centers’ operation has been strictly carried under the guidelines by the Department of Disease Control and the Ministry of Public Health since the early spread of Covid-1 in 2020. The reopening is also operated under maximum preventive pandemic control measures and stringent staff screening before the official reopening, to reassure visitors’ utmost safety.

Naratipe Ruttapradid, Senior Executive Vice President – Operation, Siam Piwat Co., Ltd, said “Siam Paragon Siam Center, Siam Discovery and ICONSIAM now open under the highest level of sanitization and health safety measures, in compliance with guidance from CCSA to curb the  so that businesses are able to reopen safely and sustainably. We are implementing Covid-Free Setting Protocol to ensure best safety to our staffs and visitors. Our measures include stringent staff screening before resuming their operations. All staffs on duties must be vaccinated and tested negative with the antigen test kit, Thai Safe Thai platform registration, staffs must wear protective face masks at all time and strictly follow D-M-H-T-T rules (Distancing, Mask wearing, Hand washing, Testing, and using the Thai Chana app). Individual retail setting and food operators must complete self-assessment for Thai Stop Covid+ standard as instructed by the Ministry of Public Health.

The operation system is effectively maintained such as sanitizing the air cooling, air ventilation system,  water quality control, proactive big cleaning with disinfectant spray in the public areas and in the shops. Frequent touch points are sanitized every 30 minutes. Car park cards are cleaned after each use to ensure maximum hygiene and safety for both staffs and customers.

For visitors, we recommend they strictly adhere to the hygienic measures to best safeguard themselves including check-in and check-out via Thai Chana platform in comply with CCSA’s guideline. Visitors must wear facemasks at all time and follow the shopping centers’ mandatory such as frequent use of hand sanitizer, health screening at the checkpoint, safeguard themselves and use cashless or E-payment system for safety and convenience.

Additional facilities are on offered. Touchless Building Facilities are installed such as automatic parking entrance without having to receive car park card, automatic parking fee payment is an option for customers who prefer cashless service over paying cash at the exit, automatic hand sanitizers in the properties and elevators and for the restrooms – taps, toilets, and hand sop dispensers are automatic.

“We strictly comply to CCSA’s regulations at the maximum levels to leverage our hygiene and health safety measures to the highest levels, to ensure safe journeys to all visitors. We would like to be a part to support the government in encouraging Thai people to strictly safeguard themselves according to the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, to steer our country out of the crisis,” said Naratipe.

Siam Piwat is confident that OneSiam – the synergy of Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery together with ICONSIAM are more than ready to serves our customers under the most stringent levels of hygiene and health safety. We want to bring back happiness and smiles to everyone. The reopening, under the government’s announcement, is under the concept “One Smile Forward.” Indulging promotion campaigns for shoppers are also on offer, to bring happiness, good experienced and smiles to all, from this moment on.

The operation hour (until further notice)
ICONSIAM: 11.00 -20.00 hrs.
For more information, please call 1338
Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery
Monday – Friday: 11.00 -20.00 hrs.
Saturday – Sunday: 10.00 -20.00 hrs
Gourmet Market at Siam Paragon: opens daily 10.00 -20.00 hrs

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Calls to End Discredited Travel Traffic Light System

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WTTC Calls to End Discredited Travel Traffic Light System

London, United Kingdom, September 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon the UK government to finally bring an end to the widely discredited travel traffic light system.

The call comes after the latest update which saw just seven countries added to the green list, with Thailand, a popular winter sun destination for holiday starved Brits, and Montenegro, added to the red list.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

Turkey, widely expected to be able to welcome British visitors stayed in no-go red, seriously damaging its travel sector.

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, says both consumers and Travel & Tourism businesses have lost confidence in the system. It condemns the endless chopping and changing of countries that causes confusion, and only benefits an unregulated market of costly test suppliers.

The global tourism body says planning for most businesses – and holidaymakers – had been rendered next to impossible by the 51st change announced today.

WTTC says the time has come to ditch these disruptive updates completely and allow all those fully vaccinated to travel freely once more – unless travelling to a red-list country.

Travel should be allowed with testing – for the unvaccinated – to ensure those who are unable to get vaccinated are not discriminated against.

PCRs should be replaced with the more affordable antigen tests. However, if the UK government continues to insist on costly and unnecessary PCR tests, it should bear the cost instead of passing it on to consumers, which deters Britons from travelling.

Costly testing is putting travel out of the reach of hard-working families and returning it to the preserve of the wealthy.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said:

“The traffic light system is widely discredited. It puts the UK at a disadvantage and is squandering the vaccine dividend.

“This is the 51st change in a baffling array of travel bans. Holidaymakers are confused and frustrated. The UK government is seriously damaging the Travel & Tourism sector which in turn supports thousands of businesses and jobs.

“The UK government appears to have no exit plan. The Global Travel Taskforce, set up to oversee these haphazard travel restrictions must set out a clear strategy to recover normal travel.

“Nowhere should be off limits to anyone in the UK who is fully vaccinated, except in exceptional circumstances.

“Turkey is a wonderful country and has been a very popular destination for British holidays for many years. The UK government’s decision to keep it on a no-go ‘red’ list is very disappointing. Travel & Tourism businesses up and down the country were looking forward to welcoming British holidaymakers and the return of Turks living in the UK who are desperate to visit family and friends. WTTC will do all we can to reverse this decision.”

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

WTTC has helped to spearhead the coordinated international response to the impact of the pandemic upon the global Travel & Tourism sector – which has so far cost more than 307,000 jobs in the UK alone, with many thousands more still at risk.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Lands in the Maldives with Signature Glamourous European Spirit

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Sunset at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, along with Singaporean developer Chiu Teng Enterprises today announce the opening of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, marking the Paris-born brand’s debut in one of the world’s most captivating destinations. Located on Thilamaafushi, the southern pocket of Lhaviyani Atoll, the 141-villa resort celebrates the fabric of the Maldives, its people, nature and art, channeling its energy to uncover the charm of the destination through Le Méridien’s distinctive European-chic lens.

“With a nostalgic nod to the glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s, Le Méridien inspires travellers to explore the world in style, savour the good life and enjoy experiences that offer something more than meets the eye,” said Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President, Premium Brands, Marriott International. “We are delighted to bring Le Méridien to this internationally desired destination, the perfect place for guests to step out of their daily routine and into a glamorous getaway where wandering sans agenda and lingering longer are encouraged.”

Spanning nine hectares, Thilamaafushi is defined as “island surrounded by vast lagoon” in Dhivehi, the local parlance of the Maldives. The natural island is an eco-conscious haven abundant with indigenous flora and fauna, enveloped by a shimmering lagoon and coral reefs bursting with vibrant marine life, including pods of Manta Rays and turtles. Guests can easily access the resort by a 35-minute seaplane journey north of Velana (MLE) International Airport, Malé.

“We are thrilled to introduce the iconic Le Méridien brand to the Maldives, strengthening our presence in this captivating destination,” Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. “The opening of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa marks the second Marriott International property that opened in the Maldives this summer and the seventh brand entry in the destination. We look forward to expanding our portfolio further in the Maldives in order to offer distinctive and personalized experiences for travelers.”

Timeless Chic Design
The distinct timeless chic design at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is inspired by the brand’s roots in the glamorous halcyon days of travel, something that permeates throughout the Le Méridien experience. In a nod to its environment, the design also takes inspiration from the formation of the Maldives Archipelago, emulating the Atoll’s unique topography, its bordering reefs, coral gardens, marine life and underwater pinnacles known as “Thilas”. Interior and exterior design celebrates the Maldives’ distinct life and culture and vibrant landscape, fused with Le Méridien’s signature mid-century modern and Bauhaus aesthetics to present a resort that sits in harmony with the natural environment.

The resort presents 141 villas that are tucked amongst the tropical landscape and dotted over the Indian Ocean, featuring unparalleled views across the pristine beaches, the Indian Ocean or turquoise lagoon. A selection of one, two and three-bedroom villas unites the concept of art and industrial design with clean lines, a muted color palette and a contrast of renewable materials that fosters simplicity, openness and functionality. Guests can also relax and rejuvenate at the Explore Spa by Le Méridien and the two infinity pools at the resort.

Global Flavours with Local Flair
Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in six restaurants and bars, showcasing global tastes and locally harvested produce. Inspired by Japanese fishing villages and water lanterns, the signature restaurant Tabemasu features a lively teppanyaki counter and a private open-air pavilion where guests will enjoy an expertly prepared Omakase tasting menu. The resort’s adults only bar, Riviera, is a beachside playground framed by an oceanfront infinity pool and private beach where lazy lunches flow into sunset spritzes as vivid hues are splashed across the ocean. The shores that frame Riviera will be the locale where Le Méridien’s signature brand programme “Au Soleil” will be hosted as part of the resort’s weekly culinary events. “Au Soleil” at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa encourages a summer state of mind with an activation at “Golden Hour”, the magical hour at the end of a day under the sun where guests will enjoy European-inspired petit plates, specially designed rosé cocktails and Le Scoop by Le Méridien handcrafted gelato or sorbet, set against a soundtrack of live music and waves lapping at the shore. Located amongst the banyan trees and swaying palms, Waves Café is a mindful eating space that fosters a healthy and nourishing approach with a focus on organic farm-to-table ingredients. Velaa Bar + Grill, situated poolside, features crafted cocktails and light dishes to savour in the summer sun, and grilled seafood, meats and wood-fired delicacies to indulge in once the last ray’s fade. The Le Méridien Hub, a social gathering place for the creative-minded traveller, serves custom-brewed, barista-crafted coffee beverages as part of the brand’s collaboration with illy coffee. Rounding out the culinary mix is Turquoise, a beachside marketplace where guests can choose from an array of global tastes and local dishes from breakfast to dinner.

New Discoveries Around Every Corner
Conceiving spaces that spark conversation and inspire fascination was pivotal throughout the resort’s design process. At the center of this is Waves Lifestyle Hub, a wellbeing collective set against the pristine landscape with unparalleled views of the ocean. This boutique lifestyle space features an ocean facing fitness studio and yoga pavilion positioned high in the jungle, as well as Waves Café, an interactive creative arts studio that focusses on local contemporary art. The space also features a retail emporium showcasing hand-crafted and contemporary lifestyle pieces.

An energetic mix of cultural and lifestyle programming at the hotel is designed to celebrate the art of travel and unlock the heart of the destination. The Marine Hub at the resort offers a range of conservation programmes including mangrove and seagrass protection and turtle identification and snorkeling with the marine biologist, with the opportunity for guests to name a turtle for themselves. Curious guests can discover an aquatic playground at the resort’s house reef that features four dive sites and a thila (sea mountain), all brimming with green and hawksbills turtles, various stingrays, shoals of colourful fish and many more unique reef dwellers waiting to be discovered. Guests can also embark on farther afield marine expeditions to some of the Atoll’s 50 dive and thila sites that the atoll is renowned for. Waiting to be explored is the resort’s private island Bodu Finolhu, complete with tropical greenery and 360-degree beach.

Families can take advantage of the Le Méridien Family and Kids’ Hub, with programming that ranges from day and night nature trails, folklore storytelling and sustainable art classes. The Greenhouse also offers immersive family experiences including micro-green planting and family foraging and cooking classes.

Unique to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa is Thilamaafushi Marine Master’s, a specially designed programme that inspires young adventurers to connect with the environment around them in the hope of future preservation. The immersive programme is available in bite-size modules or a full curriculum that is scalable from young children to teens. Led by the resort’s marine biologist, topics include atoll topography, coral identification and health monitoring, turtle identification and for young adult’s ray and shark protection.

Ensuring minimal environmental impact was and continues to be paramount throughout the build and resort operations. The hotel safeguards a low carbon footprint through leading-edge practices that focus on renewable energy, waste reduction and usage of renewable resources. Standout initiatives include the widespread use of solar panels and lighting and one of the Maldives’ largest state-of-the-art hydroponic farms that has been purposely designed to promote hydroponic farming and consumption. Guests can learn first-hand hydroponic practices and its links to traditions of foraging and preserving – garden-to-plate philosophies and their impact in an archipelago formed nation.

“We look forward to welcoming guests to unlock the sights, sounds and aromas of the destination, showcasing matchless hospitality and enriching experiences that bring to life the Maldives through Le Méridien’s distinct European-lens,” said Nilesh Singh, General Manager, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. “Along with Le Méridien’s focus on timeless midcentury design and signature brand programmes, guests are invited to savour the moment and delight in the discovery of everything the resort has to offer.”

For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.lemeridien-maldives.com.

Media Contact:
Kimberley Roberts
Director of Sales & Marketing
Kimberley.roberts@lemeridien.com

About Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts
Born in 1960’s Paris during an era of glamorous travel, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts continues to celebrate cultures around the world through the distinctly European spirit of savouring the good life. With over 100 hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories, spanning from Mauritius to Monaco and from Santa Monica to Sichuan, Le Méridien’s engaging mid-century designed spaces coupled with chic signature programmes put a playful twist on art, coffee, sparkling cocktails, summer, family, and inspire creative-minded travellers to explore the world in style. Stay connected to Le Méridien on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Le Méridien 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.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IDA’S AFTERMATH: No power, no flights, scant drinking water or gasoline

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Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve. Long lines that wrapped around the block formed at the few gas stations that had fuel and generator power to pump it. People cleared rotting food out of refrigerators. Neighbors shared generators and borrowed buckets of swimming pool water to bathe or to flush toilets.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us and no one is under the illusion that this is going to be a short process,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said as the cleanup and rebuilding began across the soggy region in the oppressive late-summer heat.

New Orleans officials announced seven places around the city people could get a meal and sit in air conditioning. The city was also using 70 transit buses as cooling sites and will have drive-thru food, water and ice distribution locations set up on Wednesday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.

Cantrell also ordered a nighttime curfew Tuesday, calling it an effort to prevent crime after Hurricane Ida devastated the power system and left the city in darkness.

The mayor also said she expects the main power company Entergy to be able to provide some electricity to the city by Wednesday evening, but stressed that doesn’t mean a quick citywide restoration. Rather, she said, the energy company will be able to begin restoring its mangled distribution system of snapped poles and tangled lines.

She said residents would see progress, but also acknowledged frustration in the days ahead.

“We know it’s hot. We know we do not have any power and that continues to be a priority,” she told a news conference.

Edwards said state officials also were working to set up food, water and ice distribution, but that it wouldn’t start Tuesday. The governor’s office also said discussions were underway about establishing cooling stations and places where people on oxygen could plug in their machines, but it had no details on when those might be up and running.

More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi – including all of New Orleans – were left without power when Ida slammed the electric grid on Sunday with its 150 mph (240 kph) winds, toppling a major transmission tower and knocking out thousands of miles of lines and hundreds of substations.

An estimated 25,000-plus utility workers labored to restore electricity, but officials said it could take weeks.

With water treatment plants overwhelmed by floodwaters or crippled by power outages, some places were also facing shortages of drinking water. About 441,000 people in 17 parishes had no water, and an additional 319,000 were under boil-water advisories, federal officials said.

The number of deaths climbed to at least four in Louisiana and Mississippi, including two people killed Monday night when seven vehicles plunged into a 20-foot-deep (6-meter-deep) hole near Lucedale, Mississippi, where a highway had collapsed after torrential rains. Edwards said he expects the death toll to rise.

In Slidell, crews searched for a 71-year-old man who was attacked by an alligator that tore off his arm as he walked through Ida’s floodwaters. His wife pulled him to the steps of the home and paddled away to get help, but when she returned, he was gone, authorities said.

Wildlife officials warned of bears, snakes, alligators and feral hogs looking for food in the storm’s aftermath.

Edwards travelled with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to see the damage firsthand. She said FEMA teams arriving Tuesday would go house to house in hard-hit neighborhoods to register people for aid, particularly in areas with widespread cellphone outages.

In New Orleans, drivers lined up for roughly a quarter-mile, waiting to get into a Costco that was one of the few spots in the city with gasoline. At other gas stations, motorists occasionally pulled up to the pumps, saw the handles covered in plastic bags and drove off.

In hard-hit Houma, the dismal reality of life without air conditioning, refrigeration or other more basic needs began to sink in.

“Our desperate need right now is tarps, gasoline for generators, food, water,” pastor Chad Ducote said. He said a church group from Mississippi arrived with food and supplies, and neighbors came to his pool to scoop up buckets of water.

“The people down here are just doing what they can. They don’t have anything,” he said.

Adding to the misery was the steamy weather. A heat advisory was issued for New Orleans and the rest of the region, with forecasters saying the combination of high temperatures and humidity could make it feel like 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday and 106 on Wednesday.

Also stuck in New Orleans were tourists who didn’t get out before the storm. The airport canceled all incoming and outgoing commercial flights for a third day, saying the lack of power and water meant no air conditioning or restrooms.

Cynthia Andrews couldn’t go back to her New Orleans home if she wanted to. She was in a wheelchair, tethered by a power cord to the generator system running the elevators and hallway lights at the Le Meridien hotel.

When the power went out Sunday, the machine that helps Andrews breathe after a lung collapse in 2018 stopped working. The hotel let her stay in the lobby, giving her a cot after she spent nearly a whole night in her wheelchair.

“It was so scary, but as long as this thing keeps running, I’ll be OK,” she said.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROYALTON GRENADA RESORT AND SPA TO OPEN OCTOBER 1

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Royalton Luxury Resorts’ newest all inclusive property, Royalton Grenada Resort and Spa, has announced that it will be reopening on October 1, 2021. Overlooking Tamarind Bay with direct access to two of the island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches, the newest All-in Luxury resort brings an elevated level of hospitality to this beautiful locale.

Offering both exploration and relaxation, Grenada is an emerging travel destination rich with culture, history, and adventure, providing some of the best diving spots in the world and an incredible culinary scene. Dubbed “Spice Isle” due to its large export of spices, notably nutmeg, Grenada also boasts a unique variety of wildlife, including 184 bird species and one native to the island, the Grenada dove.

“We are thrilled to welcome back our discerning guests to experience a five-star luxury vacation on the renowned Spice Isle,” says Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group. “Blue Diamond Resorts’ expansion into the Eastern Caribbean presents travellers with more opportunities to enjoy Royalton’s bespoke offerings in the exotic destination of Grenada.”

Along with its enviable beachfront location and only five minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport, the resort offers 269 well-appointed accommodations with rain showers, soaker tubs, and handcrafted DreamBed mattresses, 24-hour room service, complimentary non-motorized water sports, All-in Connectivity offering free high-speed Wi-Fi resort-wide, a world-class spa and lots more.

With unlimited reservation-free dining at the resort’s a la carte restaurants, guests can choose from a range of cuisine including the French bistro-style eatery Ma Maison. A first for the Royalton Luxury Resorts portfolio, this new dining concept offers a beautiful waterfront setting. Guests can upgrade to Royalton’s signature Diamond Club and enjoy premium service, dedicated pool and beach areas, preferential room locations, and access to the Diamond Club lounge.

“Recently named the World’s Culinary Capital, Grenada is worthy of being on your bucket list,” says Jordi Pelfort. “If not for its culture and lush surroundings, come for the people who make this incredible destination home.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News