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ALL ABOARD FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S AMAZING RIDE

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It was simply time for the Golden Gate City to start playing ball again in Canada – literally, as a delegation from the San Francisco Tourism Association invited a select group of travel friends to attend a Blue Jays game against their own Giants at the Rogers Centre last week.

And while the visiting Giants lost the game, the event, and SFTA’s Canadian trade mission, was a resounding success, Hubertus Funke, Executive VP for the organization, told Travel Industry Today.

“It’s been a few years (since the team’s last mission to Canada),” he admitted, alluding to the pandemic, and added, “There’s nothing like face-to-face connections.”

Moreover, there’s a lot going on in the California city, and has been since Canadians last visited.

And with a high percentage of repeat visitors from Canada, Funke says, “We know Canadians have an affinity for San Francisco, and California, and we want to make sure it stays that way.”

To that end, besides talking up the town, Funke introduced the city’s new marketing campaign, “Always San Francisco,” the domestic marketing organization’s largest-ever global initiative to promote tourism to the city. The multi-million-dollar campaign targets leisure travellers and meeting planners in major domestic markets and key international markets – including Canada.

Celebrating the city’s bold, inviting, and playful ethos, the “Always San Francisco” campaign features iconic locations visitors already connect to San Francisco – the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, and Lombard Street – and ones that showcase the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods and the diversity of visitor experiences.

It’s the latter that enthuses Funke. “We talk about these deeper experiences and exploring neighbourhood,” he says.

Like Chinatown, or one if his own favourite neighbourhoods, Hayes Valley, an under-the-radar gem filled with quirky restaurants, bars, and boutique shops, with nary a Starbucks in site.

Then there’s famed former hippie haven, Haight-Ashbury, and the Italian enclave of North San Francisco.

Hubertus Funke (r), and Team San Francisco at the ballpark in Toronto

In all, the city – surrounded by water on three sides – is compact and easy to explore. At seven miles by seven mile square, Funke says “We call it the most unusual 49 square miles in the world.”

Meanwhile, across the Golden Gate Bridge is sensational Sausalito, a town that provides the best view of San Francisco’s skyline – and is idyllic on its own for lunch or just walking around. Funke recommends renting a bike and cycling over the bridge, then taking the ferry back.

And beyond Sausalito lies Napa and Sonoma, popular wine regions that are often paired with a city visit by Canadians.

To the south is Santa Cruz and its 100-year-old boardwalk amusement park, Monterey, and Carmel, and the famed coast Hwy 1, including Big Sur.

“There’s a lot of options for visitors,” says Funke, noting nearby Redwoods and the alternative East Bay wine region, plus culinary, wellness, golfing, a ball game in the Giant’s home park perhaps, plus just plain spectacular scenery.

Among the many options are also a host of events across the city all summer, including concerts and festivals, and milestone events marking the 125th anniversary of the city’s iconic Ferry Building (July) and well as 150 years of cable cars – one of the only moving US National Historic Landmarks – in August.

The milestone event features a six-month-long series of events that includes the first-ever public tours of the Muni shop in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighbourhood, where cable cars are built and rebuilt; history-themed walk/ride tours of neighbourhoods served by the cable car lines; the planned operation of “ghost” cable cars from disappeared lines; and a reenactment of cable car founder Andrew Hallidie’s historic first run. All are detailed on sfcablecars.org. And until the end of the year, special fares are in effect, including a $5 all-day pass.

Also, currently taking place (through Jan 21, 2024) at the California Academy of Sciences, is ‘The World’s Largest Dinosaurs’ exhibit which takes visitors beyond the bones and into the bodies of the massive marvels, shedding light on how heart rate, respiration, metabolism, and reproduction are linked to size and includes playful interactives that dig deeper into the palaeobiological research on present-day living organisms.

And then in 2026, many may have a passing interest when the Super Bowl comes to town.

“There is,” says Funke with epic understatement, “a lot of things to do.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BWH Hotels Continues Global Expansion in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia

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BWH Hotels Continues Global Expansion in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia - TRAVELINDEX - HOTELWORLDS.comBangkok, Thailand, July 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Global hotel company continues growth across chain scale segments and soft brand hotel collections. BWH Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, celebrates continued expansive growth of its 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale segment – from luxury to premium economy – adding several new properties to its global portfolio of hotels and resorts. Most recently, the company has expanded in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Travelers will be pleased to find the increased presence of BWH Hotels properties in Austria, Canada, Dubai, Ethiopia, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand and the United States.

“This summer season, we are excited to offer travelers even more convenient accommodations in key destinations around the world,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, BWH Hotels. “We are growing our global presence thoughtfully to serve our valued guests wherever their travels take them. From upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels to midscale, premium economy and extended stay brands, BWH Hotels offers properties that cater to all travel needs.”

Select hotels joining the portfolio include:

“It is with great enthusiasm that we invite new properties to join our distinguished global portfolio,” said Ron Pohl, President, International Operations and WorldHotels. “I am particularly proud of the continued growth of WorldHotels. By becoming a member of WorldHotels, these fine independent hotels benefit from the reputation and strong global presence of BWH Hotels while maintaining their individuality. We are excited to share these new properties with travelers for their upcoming globetrotting adventures.”

BWH Hotels has maintained its momentum through the first half of the year with plans to continue its growth and development in the third and fourth quarters. The brand looks forward to further growing its diverse portfolio, which now includes approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories around the world, while providing travelers with unique offerings and experiences.

“We continue to celebrate the rapid expansion of our boutique brands like Aiden across the U.S. and other global markets, as well as ongoing growth of our timeless brands,” said Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, BWH Hotels. “We remain focused on evolving our offerings to resonate with modern travelers and developers and delivering the authentic experiences that make BWH Hotels stand out as a global hospitality company.”

For more information about BWH Hotels in Asia, please visit bestwesternasia.com.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Welcomes Members of the Americas to Ecuador

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UNWTO Welcomes Members of the Americas to Ecuador - TRAVELINDEXQuito, Ecuador, June 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism leaders from across the Americas committed to a more ethical, inclusive tourism as the sector bounces back to drive economic recovery across the region. The 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas brought together high-level delegations from 20 countries.

The meeting saw participants work together around shared priorities, with a focus on jobs and education, boosting investment in the sector and advancing sustainability and climate action efforts.

The Americas: Strong demand drives tourism recovery

According to UNWTO data, tourism in the Americas has experienced rapid recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

  • International arrivals to destinations across the Americas reached 86% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of the first quarter of 2023. International seat capacity on planes in the region is also close to pre-pandemic levels, at 97%.
  • Several destinations in the region are already above pre-pandemic levels in terms of international arrivals, including Saint Maarten (+51%), El Salvador (+26%), Colombia (+18%), the Virgin Islands and the United States (+17%), Guatemala (+14%), Honduras (+13%) and the Dominican Republic (+11%).
  • Strong demand from the United States outbound market has been key to driving recovery.

Our Regional Commission meeting has made clear a shared commitment to make the most of this recovery by building a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable sector that delivers real benefits for many millions of people right across the region

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For the Americas, tourism’s recovery has been rapid and remarkable. Our Regional Commission meeting has made clear a shared commitment to make the most of this recovery by building a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable sector that delivers real benefits for many millions of people right across the region.”

High-Level Support as Regional Commission Meets

On the eve of the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, reflecting his Government’s strong support for tourism as a key pillar of sustainable economic development, both in the country and across the region. Also participating in the Commission meeting were Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism from 15 countries. Key achievements of the Commission Meeting included:

  • Legal Protection for Tourists: Chile, Costa Rica, Haiti and Honduras all announced they will adhere to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark legal first is designed to provide comprehensive and harmonized legal protection for tourists, thereby boosting confidence in travel and making the responsibilities of different tourism stakeholders more transparent. From the region, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay have already adhered to the Code.
  • Tourism Law: UNWTO announced plans to establish a first UNWTO Observatory on Tourism Law for Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Tourism Education and Youth Empowerment: Member States were updated on UNWTO’s progress in one of its priority areas, with achievements in the region including UNWTO Academy courses held in Argentina and Mexico, collaboration on specialist tourism courses with the Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico.
  • Tourism Investments: UNWTO has produced Investments Guides for Dominican Republic, Colombia and Paraguay, with seven more focused on countries in the region set to follow. In Quito, UNWTO also hosted a special Investments Seminar and announced the next step in its collaboration with CAF, the Investment Bank of Latin America.
  • Collaboration: UNWTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Honduras around tourism for sustainable development.

Looking Ahead

In line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from the Americas agreed:

  • Argentina and Paraguay will serve as Vice-Presidents for the UNWTO General Assembly, set to be held in October.
  • The Dominican Republic will serve as President of the Regional Commission for the Americas for 2023-2025. Argentina and Paraguay will serve as Vice-Presidents for the same period.
  • Colombia and Jamaica will serve on the UNWTO Executive Council for 2023-2027.
  • The 69th Regional Commission meeting will be held in Cuba in 2024. Peru will then host the 70th meeting in 2025.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

China Ratifies WTO Deal on Fisheries Subsidies

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China Ratifies WTO Deal on Fisheries Subsidies - TRAVELINDEXTianjin, People’s Republic of China, July 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / China, the world’s leading marine fishing producer, has formally accepted a historic trade agreement for ocean sustainability at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

– China affirmed its support for World Trade Organization agreement for ocean sustainability.
– Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the ratification from Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

It will help bring into force a global deal struck a year ago by the World Trade Organization’s 164 members to work towards eliminating billions of dollars in “harmful” subsidies that are emptying the oceans of fish. The agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas. The World Economic Forum, through the Friends of Ocean Action, has been a long-term supporter of the global agreement along with businesses, ocean experts and civil society organizations.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization, received the document from Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, at the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. With an estimated 564,000 ships, China in 2020 had the biggest fishing fleet in the world, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“As the world leader in marine fish catch, China’s support for the implementation of this agreement is critical to multilateral efforts to safeguard oceans, food security and livelihoods. By curbing harmful fishing subsidies worldwide, we can together forge a path towards a legacy of abundance and opportunity for generations to come,” said Okonjo-Iweala.

Under trade rules, two-thirds of the WTO’s 164 members must ratify the deal for it to take effect. China’s support now means that 36 countries, including all European Union members, have formally accepted it, and the aim is to have the remaining countries do the same before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February next year. Members have also committed to continuing negotiations to expand the scope to include subsidies that support excessive fishing.

“The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the second multilateral agreement reached by the WTO since its establishment in 1995, and the first WTO agreement aimed at achieving the goal of environmental sustainable development,” said Minister Wang. “It is a significant agreement to boost the confidence of all members in multilateralism. China has completed the approval procedure of the agreement and will work with all members to push the agreement to enter into force before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, China will participate in the second phase of negotiations in a positive and constructive manner and look forward to an early outcome of the negotiations.”

Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, said that China’s ratification of the agreement was an important indication of the strength of multistakeholder and multilateral cooperation.

“Global challenges like ocean sustainability need global solutions. The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies shows that governments can work in common purpose for the benefit of communities, economies and the world at large.”

The news follows the UN adoption of a world-first high seas treaty protecting marine biodiversity.

Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and co-chair of the Friends of Ocean Action, said that restoring the ocean’s health is a key part of combatting global warming.

“Restoring ocean health enables people everywhere to thrive and ensures we leave a liveable planet for generations to come. I sincerely hope China’s support for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies will now open the flood gates for other countries to deposit their instruments of national acceptance. Through this historic agreement, we have a real chance to make lasting, positive changes to protect the ocean and everyone who depends on it.”

About the Annual Meeting of the New Champions
The Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) takes place 27-29 June in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, under the theme “Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy.” The meeting will renew momentum for innovation and entrepreneurship to drive growth and a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient global economy.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?:

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As United Airlines cancelled thousands of July 4th weekend flights, leaving passengers stranded in airports around the country for days, airline CEO Scott Kirby, with an inexplicable lack of judgement and no thought as to the optics or consequences, reportedly chartered a private jet from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver. He did this on Wednesday, the same day United cancelled 750 flights — one-quarter of the day’s schedule – not including flights on United Express. Kirby apologized Friday, saying “It was insensitive to our customers waiting to get home.” No kidding.

One wonders why Kirby didn’t think to check out United’s hub at Newark International (less than 18 miles from Teterboro, Airport), before he climbed aboard his jet. Likely he couldn’t have done anything, but having the CEO show up would have provided tremendous encouragement for his beleaguered staff, and while any passengers who recognised him might well have challenged him, he would surely have gained their respect for at least having the, shall we say, “nerve,” to face them.

In a statement issued by the airline, Kirby said, “I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.”

Kirby promised, “to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers.”

United cancelled nearly 3,000 flights last week, by far the largest number at Newark Liberty International in New Jersey, which was hit by thunderstorms for much of the week.

Kirby initially claimed the cancelled flights left United planes and crews out of position, causing problems because of Sunday’s bad weather. He also blamed the disruptions on a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and in a note to employees complained, “that the FAA frankly failed us” by reducing the rate at which planes could arrive and depart the airport, where United is the dominant carrier.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes the FAA, took to Twitter to counter that claim, noting that that airlines had recovered from the storms “with the exception of United.” He also included a graph that compared United’s cancellation rate with the rest of the industry.

Chicago-based United said it did not pay for the CEO’s flight on Wednesday. The airline declined to say whether Kirby frequently takes private planes.

United said it was giving travellers affected by the mass flight disruptions 30,000 MileagePlus miles.
Meanwhile, there were 15,567 flight delays in and out of the US on Saturday and Sunday and a total of 905 flights were cancelled. As of Monday morning over 100 flights were already cancelled and delays were at 1,007 and climbing, according to FlightAware.
More severe weather was anticipated for at least 15 states from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic to the Southeast on Monday following a day of storms. In addition to air traffic, the weather is impacting road traffic along the Interstate 95 corridor. The highly trafficked route is threatened of strong winds, hail and possibly a tornado.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: June 26-30, 2023

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While there was more air travel disruptions in US last week, and smoke got in our eyes here at home, emerging Canadian travel stats continued to be positive, while car rental rates news was less so. Also in the news: A welcome new flight to Ottawa, launch news for Porter, and a surprise departure from Lynx.

NEWS

Following a chaotic week of delays due to weather and other issues, flights in the US could be disrupted further this week because some planes lack updated equipment to prevent interference from transmissions by wireless companies, which are now allowed to boost their C-Band, 5G signals. The warning was issued by US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a letter to the trade group Airlines for America, warning that only planes retrofitted with the right equipment will be allowed to land when visibility is poor, such as during bad weather.

Strong demand and supply-side issues will push up car rental rates in North America and other regions of the world during the next year, according to American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), with the travel management company projecting year-on-year car rental rate hikes of 5 percent in Canada and the US. Rates will also jump in Germany (7%), the UK (6.5%) and France (5%) for the 12-month period ending in March 2024, forecasts GBT.

As air quality in many Canadian and US cities hit dubious new levels – including Toronto having rated the worst air quality in the world – NASA reported that that smoke from wildfires in northern Quebec had reached Europe. The American space agency said satellite imagery showed smoke extending across the North Atlantic Ocean to the Iberian Peninsula, France, and other parts of western Europe. NASA says that air quality in Europe has not deteriorated to the extent seen in Canada because of the height of the smoke in the atmosphere.

BY THE NUMBERS

New figures from Statistics Canada show Canadians are taking more trips outside the country this year compared with 2022, but travel hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. The agency says Canadians residents took 875,900 return trips overseas in April, up 23.6% from the same month in 2022. In comparison, the federal statistics agency says Canadians took 1.2 million trips abroad in April 2019, before the pandemic. Canadian travel across the border to the United States is also on the rise: 3.2 million trips in April, up 53.4% from the number of trips taken in April 2022, representing 83.7% of the level from the same month in 2019.

AIR

Air France inaugurated its new five-times-weekly non-stop flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Ottawa, making the carrier the only company to operate direct flights between the capital and Europe. With the arrival of arrival of flight AF 328 on Tuesday, Ottawa became Air France’s fifth Canadian destination after Montreal (since 1950), Toronto (1976), Vancouver (2015) and Quebec City (2022).

Porter Airlines’ newest route with its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft is between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and St. John’s International Airport (YYT). Service begins Sept. 7, with one daily non-stop roundtrip flight. The route will also connect Porter’s east coast network to its new west coast destinations via Toronto Pearson, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, Porter continues to expand its presence in Western Canada with the addition of Victoria to its network. Flights between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and YYJ will start Sept. 20 with one daily roundtrip flight.

Non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife will be launched by Air Canada in December. The new, three-times weekly service will provide convenient connections between eastern Canada and the capital of the Northwest Territories. Customers will also be able to seamlessly connect onward from Yellowknife on Air Canada’s interline partner, Canadian North.

DEALS

Travel counsellors can help their clients lock in savings of up to $400 per pair with Sunwing’s limited time offer on early winter bookings to sought-after sun destinations. Available through July 12 for departures Nov. 1 to April 30, the incentive applies to packages to Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and more, while agents earn STAR Agent Rewards Points that convert to cash on all vacation bookings made during this time.

TOURS

New Canadian travel company Dinosaur Trips, which offers group departures and tailor-made private itineraries across the globe centred around dinosaur digs, discoveries, experts, and access into the world of our prehistoric planet through dinosaurs, is offering the unique “Pickaxes & Pitchforks ’23,” a five-day city expedition from July 19-23 that combines Chicago’s exceptional paleontology centres – including the renowned Field Museum – with the top curated music festival going: the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park. For full itinerary and details, plus upcoming excursions, click HERE.

Travellers will be able to “double the fun” with Globus in 2024, with the tour operator saying it is offering twice the number of included excursions than the typical tour. That includes 12 “Choice Tours” across Europe and North America – eight of which are new for 2024 – plus two or three days of included YourChoice excursion options. “From nature walks and flamenco stomps to boat cruises and wine flights, the options are endless and included in the package price,” says Globus’ Ainsley Erickson, who adds that the feature is a great selling point for advisors, who can earn an average of $1,000 commission on each Choice Touring by Globus booking.”

HOTELS

Iconic Graycliff Hotel, in The Bahamas (photo), is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Originally constructed in 1740 as the private residence of Captain John Howard Graysmith, Graycliff is located in the heart of Nassau, and now boasts 20 luxurious guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurant, and renowned cigar-making factory. In honour of its milestone, the hotel has planned a series of events and initiatives that include Special Anniversary Packages with perks such as spa treatments, private tours, and exclusive tastings; and producing a series of limited-edition cigars, each of which is hand-crafted using a unique blend of tobacco and aged for five years.

At Everglades National Park, the all-new Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant is slated to open early this fall, featuring 24 units with kitchenettes including studios and one- and two-bedroom suites fronting Florida Bay. The park’s fully renovated (and pink) Visitor Center – with interactive exhibits, a gift shop and expansive views overlooking Florida Bay – is also scheduled to open in fall. The lodge is located about a 50-minute drive from the park’s entrance in Homestead, Fla.

RESORTS

Fond Doux Eco Resort in St. Lucia, a certified organic estate and a Green Globe-certified property, is offering 40% off clients’ stays, plus complimentary breakfast and the educational “Taste of Fond Doux Tour,” a guided experience during which visitors get to taste some of the fresh, tasty fruits the plantation produces. The incentive is valid through Sept. 30 for travel until Dec. 21.

In Barbados, O2 Beach Club & Spa’s new Proposal Concierge program features an array of amorous offerings such as a ‘bubble on the beach’ dinner for two, personal photographer, a violinist, customized dessert surprise, and a free night towards the couple’s next stay. Beyond the on-property arrangements, the professional and discreet team at O2 have partnered with local jewelry company, Diamonds International Barbados to provide guests with special access to their Exclusive Crown of Light & D Diamond Jewelry, as well as personalized shopping support (virtual or in-person) to make the proposal extra special.

CRUISE

A powerhouse line up of speakers for the Seabourn Conversations program during the cruise line’s summer and fall 2023 seasons. Designed to enlighten, inform, and entertain guests, the complimentary onboard enrichment program offers guests the chance to interact with some of the finest minds in science, history, culture and dining. Scheduled speakers include Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak; Royal Butler Grant Harrold; former head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington; Michelin Star Chef Robert Thompson; and more. The conversations will take place on Seabourn voyages between June and November 2023.

The UNWTO is working with the MSC Foundation to deliver a series of sustainability-related education courses on board the MSC Euribia cruise ship. The initiative builds on the success of the first Global Youth Tourism Summit, held in Sorrento, Italy, in 2022, and will see the creation of the MSC Foundation Youth Lab, a specially equipped venue on the advanced new eco-ship. The program will deliver 12 daily two-hour activity sessions on key subjects ranging from ocean health, recycling and climate change to sustainable tourism and social media, all focused on the “sustainability challenge”. The activities have been designed to leave youth free to learn, create and express themselves according to their interests and ideas for the future.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

SeaWorld has opened a massive new aquatic life park in the Abu Dhabi, its first outside the United States. The US$1.2-billion venture features the world’s largest aquarium and a cylindrical LED screen. The new facility gives the Orlando, Fla.-based company a foothold in a fast-growing international tourism destination and for the United Arab Emirates – home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi – yet another major tourist attraction.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

The luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, Explora Journeys, wants to recognize and reward travel advisors who have embraced the brand “from the start” by booking at least one cruise during the brand’s inaugural year of operation. Agents who do so will be awarded “Pioneer” status and will receive an invitation for two to join a complimentary Educational Insider First Look journey between July 17 and May 31, 2024, as well as access to Explora Journeys’ Travel Advisor Fares for personal travel.

EVENTS

Delegates at Travel Market Place, Toronto

Following its successful event in Vancouver in March, Travel Market Place welcomed over 600 attendees, including 425 agents and 80 suppliers in Toronto late last month at its largest event yet. Delegates took part in two days of comprehensive panels, workshops, receptions, and trade show, highlighting the latest news and trends in the industry, as well helpful insights and selling tips from industry and supplier experts. Next year’s events will be held at the Parq Vancouver on March 5 and 6 and Delta Hotel in Toronto, June 25-26.

VoX International in collaboration with several Caribbean tourist boards and hotel groups, are organizing a new event for meeting and incentive planners – Caribbean ConnEX Canada, set to take place in Toronto on Nov. 1. The event is designed bring together Caribbean suppliers and Canadian MICE planners to promote travel to the Caribbean. Contact events@voxinternational.com for details.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Lynx Air says president and CEO Merren McArthur is stepping down for personal reasons. The Calgary-based airline says its founding CEO will continue in the role until the end of September to allow time to find her replacement. Lynx Air says McArthur led the airline to its first flight launch in April 2022, and through a successful first year of operations.

DESTINATIONS

More than two dozen Trans Canada Trail sections have been accessibility-mapped and added to the AccessNow app, available on the Apple app store and Google Play. Trans Canada Trail’s Accessibility Mapping Program, started in 2020 to share information and improve accessibility on the Trail, works with trail users with disabilities to collect and disseminate information through AccessNow technology. Trail users in 54 communities, across every province and territory, can now obtain accessibility information for at least one trail in their area.

An Amsterdam museum that severed ties with St. Petersburg’s Hermitage collection after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year has been renamed and on Monday announced partnerships with renowned galleries in London, Paris and Washington, DC. Starting in September, the Hermitage Amsterdam will be called H’ART Museum. It has established partnerships with the British Museum, Centre Pompidou and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to bring art to the historic building on the banks of the Dutch capital’s Amstel River.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1914, the era of airplane food began when a full meal with wines was served during a trial flight of a Russian-built airliner from Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) to Kyiv.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Cost of Faking a Smile

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The Cost of Faking a Smile - PolyU Hong KongPerhaps surprisingly, the smiles that greet you upon arrival at a hotel might not be genuine. A positive, welcoming demeanour is part of the job description for housekeeping, front desk, and restaurant workers, whose smiles, moods, and emotions are distinguishing features of the hospitality sector. But when frontline employees have to fake it, what strategies do they use? Eye-opening new work from researchers Dr Deniz Kucukusta and Ms Yoo Jin Lim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has revealed more about the emotional labour strategies adopted by frontline workers to counter the emotional dissonance experienced when their expressed and felt emotions do not match. Their novel findings show that suppressing or hiding internal feelings can be detrimental to employees and reduce their intention to remain their role, which has clear managerial and practical implications.

Frontline employees who interact directly with customers are also delivering a “product”. To be sure, customer interaction, satisfaction, and loyalty, hinge on frontline employees’ ability to display organisationally accepted positive emotions, which is a form of “emotional labour”. “Emotional labour takes the form of displaying fake or genuine feelings toward customers”, explain the authors. These emotional “products” are designed to enhance customers’ emotions and moods during service encounters. Yet for employees, excessive emotional labour can lead to burnout, poor job performance, low job satisfaction, and a strong intention to leave one’s job.

Putting on a positive, welcoming demeanour becomes far more taxing – and the emotional labour more intense – when employees’ authentic feelings do not match the emotions they display. This is known as “emotional dissonance”, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout further down the line. It is therefore a major priority to understand the strategies used to cope with emotional dissonance. Namely, the researchers investigated the adoption of “surface acting”, “deep acting” and “genuine acting” strategies by frontline hotel workers in Hong Kong.

Surface acting involves simply hiding internal feelings and displaying fake emotions during customer interactions, which means that felt emotional dissonance remains. Deep acting occurs when employees actually suppress and modify their internal feelings to align with the moods required of them. This reduces emotional dissonance but might require more emotional labour. Finally, the emotional strategy of genuine acting refers to the display of sincere and actual feelings. “Because it does not involve fake emotions, employees tend not to experience emotive dissonance in their work role when engaged in genuine acting”, explain the researchers.

The modern generational groups are known as Baby Boomers (1946–1961), Generation X (1965–1981), and Generation Y, or “Millennials” (from 1981). The personalities, values, beliefs and even work habits of each generation have been shaped by environmental, political and economic realities, which means that their adoption of emotional labour strategies might also differ. Given that most of the working world comprises members of Generation X and Generation Y, the researchers focused on these two groups. They made specific predictions regarding preferred emotional labour styles based on the documented characteristics of each generation. “By understanding how employees of different generations with different values react to and cope with emotive dissonance”, say the researchers, “managers will be able to offer the right mitigation solutions to the right employees”.

Whilst Generation X and Generation Y have been found to share work values and to similarly relish personal growth opportunities, Generation Y members have been characterised as having comparatively high self-esteem and low work engagement. For this reason, the authors hypothesised that “Generation Y members have a higher tendency to practice surface acting and deep acting”, and that “Generation X employees are experienced workers, so are more likely to practice deep acting and genuine acting”. If so, they expected emotional dissonance and its effects to be stronger among members of Generation Y than Generation X.

The decision to engage in surface acting, deep acting or genuine acting may also depend on a variety of demographic characteristics. For example, women have been found to more successfully communicate happiness and suppress anger in the workplace than men, which corresponds to deep acting. “Older employees are more likely to control their emotions and display them appropriately, using genuine acting rather than surface acting”, add the authors. Therefore, the researchers also considered how frontline workers’ gender, years of work experience, monthly salary and the hotel service standards they are expected to uphold affect their use of surface acting, deep acting and genuine acting.

Adopting a data-driven approach, the authors asked frontline employees from seven hotels in Hong Kong to complete a two-part questionnaire. Of the 192 participants, 58.3% belonged to Generation Y and 41.7% to Generation X. The first part of the questionnaire collected demographic information, such as age, gender, and monthly salary. The second part of the questionnaire collected information on the respondents’ use of surface acting, genuine acting and deep acting, as well as their sense of emotional dissonance. Using these data, the researchers were able to study the preferred or default emotional labour states adopted by two different generational groups working in three-, four-, and five- star hotels.

For both generations, frontline employees who adopted surface acting had a lower intention to stay in their job. This suggests that surface acting is more labour-intensive and leads to more emotional dissonance and internal conflict. In contrast, genuine acting (expressing sincere feelings about one’s role) increased employees’ intention to remain with the organisation. The authors therefore recommend that employees adopt genuine acting over surface and deep acting to reduce emotional burnout and turnover rate. “The most effective acting state”, they say, “is to act with heartfelt and sincere emotions”.

As predicted, Generation X employees tended to express genuine emotions more than did Generation Y employees, who more often engaged in surface acting and deep acting. This suggests “that Generation Y members may experience higher levels of emotional burnout and intention to leave their job”, say the researchers. However, Generation X members still reported feeling emotional dissonance. In addition, the use of genuine acting versus surface acting was affected by years of work experience – perhaps corresponding to age – and gender.

To minimise the effects of emotional labour, the researchers suggest that managers should help employees to understand the concept of emotional intelligence and encourage them to discuss their feelings. They recommend providing employees with tailored emotional intelligence training according to generational differences in the use of emotional labour states. This might increase involvement at work, reduce emotional burnout and enhance job satisfaction.

This innovative research acknowledges the burden commonly felt by frontline hotel employees, whose warm, positive manner during customer interactions can come at the expense of their own mental and physical resources. Most strikingly, this research offers hotel managers generation-based information that could be used to improve working conditions, turnover and human resource policies. “By understanding how employees of different generations with different values react to and cope with emotive dissonance, managers will be able to offer the right mitigation solutions to the right employees”, conclude the authors.

Whilst steps can be taken by managers to reduce the negative impacts of internal conflicts in their employees and care for their existing workforce, the most effective way to increase employees’ intention to stay is that they express their own, authentic feelings. “This underlines the importance of selecting the right employees for the hospitality industry”, say the researchers. These results could therefore also prove extremely useful for hotel management in the process of recruiting new frontline hotel staff.

Kucukusta, Deniz and Lim, Yoo Jin (2022). Emotional Labor of Frontline Employees: Generational Differences and Intention to Stay. Journal of China Tourism Research, Vol. 18, Issue 3, 472-494.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Chiang Mai Sweeps Awards for Best Interior Design

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Meliá Chiang Mai Sweeps Awards for Best Interior Design - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comChiang Mai, Thailand, July 3, 2023 /  TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Chiang Mai brought home two coveted accolades last week when it won “Best Hotel Lobby Interior – Thailand” and “Best Hotel Spa Interior – Thailand” at the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards 2023.

Hosted annually by the International Property Awards, and judged by a panel of more than 100 industry experts, Meliá Chiang Mai, which celebrated its grand opening just 16 months ago, scooped two of the leading interior design prizes in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are honoured to receive such international recognition,” said Meliá Chiang Mai General Manager Mr Marc Selinger. “So much of the credit goes to our interior designers, PIA Interior, who have masterfully contributed to what is truly a landmark hotel here in the heart of Chiang Mai.”

Lead designer on the project, Mr. Songsak Rungkiattiwong of PIA Interior, said he and his team are “incredibly proud” to have won the awards.

“We embarked on a mission to rejuvenate one of Chiang Mai’s most iconic hotels, previously known as Pornping Tower Hotel, which has stood the test of time for nearly 50 years,” he said. “The hotel’s rich history inspired us to infuse the refurbishment process with an element of fun. My vision was to breathe new life into the space.

“In the Lobby, our welcoming space draws inspiration from various sources. The symbol of fortune takes centre stage, incorporating elements from the spiritual journey of Wat Umong. Additionally, we have incorporated the charm of tung, a symbol of good fortune, and the lanterns of the Yi Peng light festival. These elements come together to create an immersive experience that sets the tone for the guests’ journey of discovery in Chiang Mai.”

The lobby’s aesthetic centrepiece is undoubtedly the tung sai moo to which Mr Songsak referred, an objet d’art which sits in the centre of the foyer. Its shape will be familiar with many visitors who have experienced the wet and wonderful Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, at which colourful tung flags are on display at almost every Buddhist temple. In this instance, the tung is encased in a solid silver chat, the symbolic umbrella that sits atop temples throughout Thailand, offering protection.

Above the tung art piece is a ceiling designed with celestial silk Chinese lanterns, or kom, often identified with the Loy Kratong festival. Meanwhile, the walls surrounding the spacious interior of the lobby are lined with teakwood panels, all engraved with the geometric patterns woven by the region’s hilltribe peoples.

Leading downstairs from the lobby lies the YHI Spa and its seven treatment rooms. With a cool ambience suggestive of an underwater theme, the mazey corridors of the spa pay homage to another Chiang Mai landmark, the ancient Wat Umong or Tunnel Temple, with its arched low doorways seeming to burrow deeper into a blissful netherworld of Thai massage and aromatherapy treatments.

“For the Spa, the inspiration struck me during an evening walk at Tha Phae Gate [in Chiang Mai], where I witnessed the captivating contrast between the deep twilight sky and the brick walls of the city gate,” Mr Songsak recalled. “Drawing from this experience, the spa’s layout was intentionally designed to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity.”

Towering over the city’s famous NIght Bazaar and the Ping River, this 260-key hotel is arguably the freshest addition to the Chiang Mai skyline in years. Its jewel in the crown is the rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar – the highest in the city – sitting majestically on the 22nd floor, and with a glass bridge commanding 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.

Facilities at the resort include Meliá’s signature YHI Spa, a fully equipped fitness centre, swimming pool, ballroom, a kids’ club, and three restaurants with a dedicated focus on Mediterranean and Lanna (Northern Thai) cuisines.

Owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group Asset World Corporation (AWC) and launched by Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International (MHI), Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic.

The group has recently developed luxury properties in several key destinations in Thailand, beginning with the launch of Meliá Koh Samui in January 2020, and closely followed by the opening of Meliá Phuket Mai Khao on the Andaman coast.

PIA Interior is also working on the latest Meliá hotel in the country, the 33-storey INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit,, which is due to celebrate its grand opening in the Thai capital next month.

Meliá Chiang Mai also won an award this month presented by Australian travel magazine Holidays With Kids, in which it was named No 10 in the Thailand’s Best Family Resorts category for 2023.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá has 125 hotels in Europe (57), America (19), Cuba (15), Africa (5) and Asia (29). We are present in 31 countries and currently have 24 hotels under development in 10 countries. At Meliá Hotels & Resorts, we stand out for our unique Spanish style in the hospitality industry and for our warmth, closeness and passion for service. This means that we offer our guests a unique wellness experience. Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and are always present in the Meliá experience. An experience that is enriched by providing thoughtful extra services. Paying attention to the smallest details and providing personalized experiences for each guest. We see wellness from an innovative perspective. It is not wellness applied only to nutrition or wellness services, it is 360º wellness. The wellness we want to convey is global. You can find it in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical wellness, spiritual wellness, leisure wellness, social wellness, occupational wellness, environmental wellness, financial wellness and nutritional wellness.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, ME by Meliá, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Discover Wah Lok Dish of the Month Steamed Live Korean Abalone

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Discover Wah Lok Dish of the Month Steamed Live Korean Abalone - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comWah Lok Cantonese Restaurant at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit is delighted to introduce a new Dish of the Month. From July to August 2023, indulge in Steamed Live Korean Abalone with Glass Noodles and Minced Garlic in Soya Sauce.

Our Executive Chinese Chef, Lam Kok Weng, highlights the delicate sweetness of this abalone.

Known for its firm and chewy texture, Korean Abalone is a rare delicacy that offers a unique and satisfying dining experience.

Korean Abalone is rich in essential fatty acids, calcium, iron, selenium, magnesium and is an excellent source of vitamins E, A, K, and B12.

THB 1,200++ per dish

Available from 1 July – 31 August 2023

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant

Level 2, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Lunch: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Dinner: 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Wah Lok is featured in TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok

For more information or to make reservations, please contact 02 090 7888 or email Fbreservations@carltonhotel.co.th

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Holiday Inn Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha to Launch MICE Showcase

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Holiday Inn Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha to Launch MICE Showcase - TRAVELINDEXHoliday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, joined forces with Hampton Sriracha to proudly present their inaugural Open House MICE Showcase during 24-25 June 2023. The hotel’s prestigious Grand Ballroom served as the backdrop for this notable event, which assembled almost 100 corporate entities to explore exceptional meeting and event services firsthand.

The showcase spotlighted the remarkable facilities situated on the hotel’s 6th floor, featuring a versatile ballroom and various breakout rooms. These facilities demonstrated their adaptability and readiness to accommodate a wide array of events, from intimate gatherings to larger scale events for up to 300 attendees.

‘Siracha stands not only as a convenient gateway to Bangkok and Rayong, but as a central hub for both staycations and MICE tourism. We at the Holiday Inn are committed to not just meeting these needs, but exceeding them. Equipped with exceptional service, readiness, and a passion for innovation, we aim to elevate the standard for MICE and leisure stays on the Eastern Seaboard, catering to both domestic and international guests with excellence.’ said Preecha Yarangwong, GM, Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang

In addition, attendees of the Open House were given a sneak peek of the lavish accommodations available at Hampton Sriracha, situated within One Origin and just five minutes from the hotel. These accommodations range from studio rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites, all complemented by exclusive amenities and breathtaking sea views. Nestled in the heart of Siracha, Hampton Sriracha is ideally situated adjacent to shopping malls, hospitals, and attractions. It offers tranquil, five-star serviced residences, with rental prices starting from THB 15,000 per month. For further details, please visit https://lin.ee/ABEbxQr.

‘Our readiness to participate in this initiative is underpinned by our commitment to provide top-notch serviced residence facilities. We aim to be the preferred accommodation choice for guests on the Eastern Seaboard, whether they’re here for meetings or extended stays.’ Peenita Silapasuwan, Managing Director, Hampton Hotel & Residence Management Co., Ltd said

The event was a lively day filled with activities, including team building exercises, hotel inspections, and the introduction of special offers from both Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha.

The 347-room Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang has announced its latest promotion, the ‘One-Two Getaway’. When booking a standard room at THB 2,999 net per night, guests are entitled to a second night’s stay for a mere 1 Baht. Including breakfast for two, this offer is available from July 1-31, and reservations can be made via social media, email, or phone, requiring at least a 3-day advance notice.

Furthermore, the hotel’s MICE offerings include fully equipped meeting rooms, ideal for both social and professional occasions. Accommodating small meeting groups from 10 persons up to larger assemblies of 350 guests, meeting packages start from THB 1,500 net.

For further information and promotional updates from Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang, interested parties can contact 033 251 699

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News