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Love is Blossoming at The Okura Prestige Bangkok When You Say I Do

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Love is Blossoming at The Okura Prestige Bangkok When You Say I DoBangkok, Thailand, February 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Hot on the heels of beautifully romantic Valentine’s Day celebrations at The Okura Prestige Bangkok, the hotel offers couples looking to take their relationship into a state of marital bliss and picture-perfect venue in which to celebrate their weddings, however, grand or intimate the occasion.

The hotel’s team of wedding specialists puts magic dust in the air as they strives to craft and deliver a long-lasting memories and mesmerising experience for the lovebirds and their families and friends.

Whether it’s a grand fairytale reception in the hotel’s glittering ballroom with long linen-draped tables crowned with sparkling crystal, silver service, glowing candles and beautiful floral displays, or a more intimate soiree with sophisticated cocktails and canapes, The Okura team has the experience and expertise to make it happen seamlessly. This is because, uniquely in Bangkok, The Okura Prestige Bangkok adheres to the traditional principles of ‘omotenashi,’ the Japanese art of delivering exquisite and heartfelt hospitality to guests.

Every love story has its own fairytale and story to be told and cherished, and what better way to make indelibly happy memories and a grand gesture of that ‘I Do’ moment. Let The Okura Prestige Bangkok crafts that magical moment and make your special day truly remarkable and memorable.

For more information about engagement and wedding celebration, please call +66 (0) 2 687 9000

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC: Beijing to Become World’s Largest Travel and Tourism City

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WTTC Beijing to Become World's Largest Travel and Tourism City - TRAVELINDEX - DESTINATIONCHINA.orgBeijing, china, February 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that within the next decade, Beijing will overtake Paris to become the world’s largest Travel and Tourism city destination. The report, sponsored by Visa and researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, ana-lysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment and trav-eller spend.

But while long term the outlook for a number of Chinese cities looks positive, prolonged travel restrictions and border closures slowed down the recovery in the short term.

WTTC studied the impact of the Travel & Tourism sector in four major cities across China; Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shanghai and found a mixed picture across the four city destinations.

In all four cities the sector’s GDP contribution last year almost fully recovered back to 2019 levels.

The GDP contribution from the sector to Beijing and Chengdu’s economy in 2022 was just 4% and 2% below 2019 levels respectively ($34BN and $5.4BN), compared to $31BN and $5.5BN.

Last year, the Travel & Tourism’s GDP contribution in Guangzhou and Shanghai was around 7% below 2019 levels. In Guangzhou the sector contributed $13.2BN in 2022 compared to $14.1BN pre-pandemic, while in Shanghai, the sector contributed $29.7BN compared to $31.5BN in 2019.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “China has long been a world-favourite holiday destination and after more than two years of disruption, it’s great to see tourists heading back. Tourists provide a massive boost to both the economy and job creation.

“It is crucial that the national and local governments continue to recognise the importance of Travel & Tourism for the local and national economies, jobs and businesses.”

Jobs on the rise

In 2019, there were 1.35MN people employed by the Travel & Tourism sector in Beijing. But in 2020 this figure dropped to 1.16MN (-15%). In 2021, employment grew by more than 5% and is expected to have grown a further 4% in 2022 to reach 1.27MN jobs.

In the other three cities, it’s a similar picture.

Before the pandemic, there were 1.32MN Travel & Tourism jobs in Shanghai, but this num-ber fell to 1.13MN in 2020 (-14%). A 10% rise in 2021 saw the number increase to 1.25MN and it was predicted to see a slight increase to 1.26MN in 2022.

In Guangzhou there were just over 603,000 jobs in 2019 but this dropped by 23% to just over 464,000. A slight 4% rise in 2021 saw jobs increase to just under 481,000 and WTTC is ex-pecting a 16.5% increase in 2022 to bring the total jobs to over 560,000.

Chengdu is seeing an even stronger return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019 there were 336,000 jobs in the city which dropped by 12% to just under 297,000 in 2020. The following year saw a small 5% increase to 311,000 jobs and last year the global tourism body is pre-dicting a 6% increase to 329,500 jobs – just 2% below pre-pandemic levels.

Visitor spend struggles as borders have remained closed

Due to the prolonged border closures imposed by the government, international visitor spend is taking longer to recover than in other countries around the world.

But light is at the end of the tunnel. Whilst international visitor spend is still on average 53% lower in 2022 than it was in 2019, all of the cities analysed are showing modest year-on-year increases.

International visitor spend in Beijing is just 41% what it was in 2019, with visitors spending a predicted $5BN in 2022 compared to $12.1BN in 2019. In Chengdu, international visitor spend is performing better than the capital with recovery at 61% of 2019 levels. Travellers spent $1.5BN in Chengdu in 2022 compared to $2.5BN in 2019.

Both Shanghai and Guangzhou have seen international visitor spend drop to 44% of 2019 levels. In Shanghai it went from $11.9BN before the pandemic to $5.2BN in 2022, while in Guangzhou it went from $4.3BN in 2019 to $1.9BN in 2022.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Signs Organisational Partnership with Cvent

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PATA Signs Organisational Partnership with Cvent - TRAVELINDEXTysons, Virginia, United States, February 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce a new preferred partnership with Cvent, a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. “Our partnership with Cvent will enhance the user experience for our members and event delegates by providing an easy-to-use, integrated technology platform to maximise the impact of meetings and events before, during and after the event. I look forward to working with them in improving our event experiences and welcome them to the PATA family,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone.

As part of the agreement, Cvent will be the official Event Tech Partner for all PATA events for the next two years and PATA will be using Cvent’s comprehensive event marketing & management platform to manage and streamline every step of the event lifecycle including registration, event promotion, attendee engagement, and appointment scheduling between attendees, exhibitors, & sponsors to facilitate relationship building and enable a greater return on experience. By leveraging Cvent’s best-in-class technology and all-in-one event management platform, PATA looks to provide a more engaging and immersive attendee experience, while enabling a more streamlined event management process to drive greater ROI.

“As global travel continues to accelerate, our partnership with PATA comes at the right time. PATA is a powerhouse within the travel and hospitality space and we’re proud to provide our industry-leading event technology to elevate their event experiences and facilitate more meaningful member engagement. In today’s digital-first environment, technology is at the forefront, and as a long-time leader in the space, we’ve helped tens of thousands of hospitality professionals leverage Cvent technology to expand their reach, engage planners, streamline processes, and increase group business revenue We look forward to working with PATA to further enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel within the Asia Pacific region and to support their members through our innovative technology,” said Sandeep Nagpal, Cvent Vice President and Head of Marketing.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

About Cvent
With more than 4,800 employees and over 21,000 customers worldwide, Cvent’s solutions give event organisers and marketers the tools they need to automate and simplify the event management lifecycle and maximise the impact of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, whilst offering hotels and venues the digital marketing tools they need to win more group and corporate travel business. Cvent solutions optimise the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO and Partners Advance Shared Accessibility Agenda for Tourism

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UNWTO and Partners Advance Shared Accessibility Agenda for Tourism - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, February 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Association for Standardization UNE have advanced efforts to introduce a comprehensive international standard for accessibility across the whole of the tourism sector.

At a special session on Seminar on Tourism for All, held at the FITUR 2023 tourism trade fair in Madrid, the three organizations were joined by representatives of tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations to put forward new tools geared towards the implementation of the standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism, across the value chain. These tools include a new user-guide focused on accommodation, food & beverage and MICE companies, launched at FITUR. The guide will serve ,as a starting point for assessing their levels of accessibility, and for developing or adapting their services.

This new guide was produced in collaboration with leading civil society and industry organizations such as Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, International Circle of Hospitality Directors (CIDH), as well as the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). It is a follow up to the guidelines published in December, focusing on public administrations; in case of the latter, the support of Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Argentina was key in messaging governments and destinations, entrusted with tourism policies, strategies and marketing plans.

Accessibility for growth and resilience

At the seminar, Miguel Carballeda, President of the ONCE Social Group and Jose Manuel Huesa, Director of Servimedia, argued that there is no longer any excuse for any destination or leisure and tourism experience to be inaccessible to any tourist, regardless of their background or ability. UNWTO Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic, added that accessibility is key to achieving SDGs. It is also key to resilience, since it brings along new customers, improving the sector’s economic performance. Javier García Diaz, Director General of UNE and Vice-President of ISO, concluded that accessibility standards should be taken as guidance tools in carrying out improvements, instead of obligatory sets of measures.

Also in Madrid, the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador introduced its new policies planning at this event, while the City Hall of Cordoba (Spain) shared new actions at a local destination level, benefitting local communities and visitors. RIU Hotel & Resorts and International Circle of Hospitality Directors tackled the most pressing challenging in applying standards and the myriad of opportunities that universal accessibility entails.

The speakers proved once more why accessibility is a major social inclusion and business opportunity as tourism’s recovery continues. UNWTO, its partners and new collaborating organizations remain committed to producing new policy guidance tools in the sphere of accessibility, throughout 2023, leading the change.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WebBeds Hold First IMPACT Summit in Bangkok in Partnership with TAT

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WebBeds Hold First IMPACT Summit in Bangkok in Partnership with TAT - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, February 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / WebBeds, a global marketplace for the travel trade, joined forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hold its inaugural IMPACT Summit – a high-level event designed to help hoteliers forge a successful future, as the kingdom’s tourism recovery grows from strength to strength.

Close to a thousand hoteliers and global partners attended the event to learn about Thailand’s latest tourism strategies and hear expert insights from WebBeds’ commercial presidents from Europe, Middle East and Africa, Americas, and Asia Pacific.

Hosted at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld on 8th February 2023, the IMPACT Summit saw senior executives from the TAT and WebBeds present industry updates – including Thailand’s strategic direction and the current booking data and trends – to an audience of more than 500 hoteliers who attended in person and over 400 other partners who livestreamed the summit from around the world.

The event was notable for the quality of speakers in attendance. The TAT was represented by Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Europe, Africa, Middle East & Americas, and Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Executive Director for the East Asia Region, who helped delegates to understand the tourism environment and how to align their own business plans with the actions of the TAT.

During the summit, Siripakorn shared the TAT’s vision for its long-haul markets, which includes a focus on high value and sustainable tourism. The TAT’s action plan, which has been labelled “A-B-C-D”, priorities four key areas: “Airline Focus” (attracting more flights and greater capacity with airlines), “Big Cities & Beyond” (expanding Thailand’s source markets to more major urban centres around the world), “Collaboration is Key” (working with new strategic partners, including airlines, airports, tour operators and travel agencies), and “Destination for All” (making Thailand an all-year-round destination for a wider variety of market segments).

Chuwit Sirivajjakul then shared information about the TAT’s 2023 marketing campaigns and activations for East Asia, with a focus on the reopening Mainland China, as well as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. He also revealed how consumer behaviour has changed over the years and what opportunities lie ahead for hoteliers targeting these important markets.

The IMPACT Summit marked the latest WebBeds initiative to stimulate travel and tourism in Thailand, following last year’s “Excel and Upsell” forum in Bangkok.

Daryl Lee, CEO of WebBeds, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with the TAT once again, as WebBeds continues to support the growth of travel and hospitality in Thailand and around the world. This event marked our first IMPACT Summit and the fact that we chose Bangkok as the host city reflects the importance of Thailand as a global tourism powerhouse. At WebBeds, we firmly believe that our industry is always stronger when it works together, so we truly appreciate the strong support from the TAT. This was the first of many IMPACT Summits and we look forward to collaborating with our esteemed partners in the months and years to come, to help forge a strong and sustainable future for the entire industry.”

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor – International Marketing for Europe, Africa, Middle East & Americas, added: “On behalf of the TAT, I am very pleased to have been invited to address this important event and meet so many of our trusted hotel partners. WebBeds has always been very supportive of Thailand and we are grateful that they chose Bangkok as the venue for the first IMPACT Summit. Thailand attracted over 11 million visitors in 2022, which exceeded our earlier projections. By aligning our strategies we can accelerate the recovery and attract even more international travellers to our country in future.”

Thailand welcomed a total of 11.15 million international visitors in 2022, with Malaysia, India, Singapore and South Korea the top performing source markets. An initial target of 25 million arrivals has been set for 2023 and while this remains lower than the 40 million visitors achieved in 2019, it represents a sharp improvement from the COVID-affected years and shows that the kingdom is experiencing a V-shaped recovery.

The IMPACT Summit in Bangkok marked the latest phase of WebBeds’ mission to re-energise travel, tourism and hospitality in Asia Pacific. The company will announce further dates and locations for its IMPACT Summits in the coming months, so stay tuned for further updates.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO SEE (AND SELL) BRITAIN

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With the upcoming coronation of a new king, and the legacy of its previous monarch, along with other high-profile events in the UK in 2022 such as The Commonwealth Games, there is no better time to be selling Britain, says the country’s tourist board chair.

“Already memories are rich with the pageantry of the Jubilee from last year (and) the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which was a sporting marvel. It means Britain is fresh in people’s minds,” says Nick de Bois.

“But this year 2023, we’ll have our own highlights. We will have the coronation – a once-in-a-generation, once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity – where the eyes of the world will be on that event. And, of course, quite thrillingly, we have the Eurovision Song Contest (in Liverpool), which has a great musical heritage. This is a way for us to build on – and convert – those opportunities in the minds of visitors.”

Visit Britain CEO Patricia Yates is confident the May 6 coronation of King Charles III will be the biggest event for Britain in 2023 with celebrations across the country, but also because Britain will be seen on TV around the world.

Yates believes that such events “absolutely drive” tourism, as potential visitors see the destination on the small screen and are inspired to discover a larger canvas in person.

Moreover, as with The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the West Midlands last summer, a promotional campaign for the region was conducted in Canada and other Commonwealth countries to piggyback on the event and create exponential results.

Yates says Visit Britain will be continuing the campaign in Canada in 2023. “We certainly saw that campaign to bring travel trade and journalists over to get that sense of aspiration and excitement (succeed), but also to build the program that called people to come. West Midlands itself has been very pleased with how that’s gone, so they’re going to do more (this year).”

She adds that many Canadian athletes and their families also experienced Birmingham and neighbouring cities like Coventry during the Games and passed on positive reviews through social media and word of mouth, stating, “I think that’s very powerful.”

’Peaky Blinders’ characters in Birmingham

VisitBritain travel trade manager for Canada, Lynda Falcone, points out that considerable money was also spent on infrastructure and amenities for the Commonwealth Games, leaving a legacy for future visitors.

Yates believes London and all of Britain are still benefiting from the 2012 Olympics.

“’Welcome’ is very important for the tourism business, but our welcome soared after the London Olympics. If you see the scenes of people helping in the streets, and the fun, it really changes peoples’ perceptions, and that’s really important – so some of the perceptions are shaped by watching those events on television; and most of the stations (also) now do destination pieces that tie in.”

Equally advantageous to Britain is its presence as TV and film settings, from James Bond to Harry Potter. All things “Peaky Blinders” can be found in Birmingham, including film settings at the nearby Black Country Museum. And “Downton Abbey” aficionados are high on Highclere castle. “Bridgerton” is the latest fad at Castle Howard and in Bath where some scenes are filmed, with walking tours showing off the sites; and Scotland continues to be an in-destination for “Outlander” fans.

All of which is to say, says Nick de Bois, that “with the wonderful range of sites and experiences that Britain offers its visitors, really there is no better time to be selling Britain’s destinations.”

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

‘I FORGOT’: Why American travellers are packin’ on planes

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The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it intercepted a record 6,542 guns – nearly 18 a day – last year at airport checkpoints across the America. And while experts don’t think this indicates an epidemic of would-be hijackers – nearly everyone caught claims to have forgotten they had a gun with them – they emphasize the danger even one gun can pose in the wrong hands on a plane or at a checkpoint.

With the exception of pandemic-disrupted 2020, the number of weapons intercepted at airport checkpoints has climbed every year since 2010.

Guns have been intercepted literally from Burbank, Ca., to Bangor, Maine. But it tends to happen more at bigger airports in areas with laws more friendly to carrying a gun, TSA administrator David Pekoske said. The top 10 list for gun interceptions in 2022 includes Dallas, Austin, and Houston in Texas; three airports in Florida – Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa; Nashville, Tenn.; Atlanta; Phoenix; and Denver.

“What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we’re seeing in society, and in society there are more people carrying firearms nowadays,” Pekoske said, adding that he isn’t sure the “I forgot” excuse is always true or whether it’s a natural reaction to getting caught. Regardless, he said, it’s a problem that must stop.

When TSA staffers see what they believe to be a weapon on the X-ray machine, they usually stop the belt so the bag stays inside the machine and the passenger can’t get to it. Then they call in local police.

Repercussions vary depending on local and state laws. The person may be arrested and have the gun confiscated. But sometimes they’re allowed to give the gun to a companion not flying with them and continue on their way. Unloaded guns can also be placed in checked bags assuming they follow proper procedures.

Federal fines are the TSA’s tool to punish those who bring a gun to a checkpoint. Last year TSA raised the maximum fine to US$14,950 as a deterrent. Passengers also lose their PreCheck status – it allows them to bypass some types of screening – for five years. It used to be three years, but about a year ago the agency increased the time and changed the rules. Passengers may also miss their flight as well as lose their gun. If federal officials can prove the person intended to bring the gun past the checkpoint into what’s called the airport’s sterile area, it’s a federal offense.

Retired TSA official Keith Jeffries said gun interceptions can also slow other passengers in line.

“It’s disruptive no matter what,” Jeffries said. “It’s a dangerous, prohibited item and, let’s face it, you should know where your gun is at, for crying out loud.”

Experts and officials say the rise in gun interceptions simply reflects that more Americans are carrying guns.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, an industry trade group, tracks FBI data about background checks completed for a firearm sale. The numbers were a little over 7 million in 2000 and about 16.4 million last year. They went even higher during the coronavirus pandemic.

For the TSA officers searching for prohibited items, it can be jarring. In Atlanta, Janecia Howard was monitoring the X-ray machine when she realized she was looking at a gun in a passenger’s laptop bag. She immediately flagged it as a “high-threat” item and police were notified.

Howard said it felt like her heart dropped, and she was worried the passenger might try to get the gun. It turns out the passenger was a very apologetic businessman who said he simply forgot. Howard says she understands travel can be stressful but that people have to take care when they’re getting ready for a flight.

“You have to be alert and pay attention,” she said. “It’s your property.”

Atlanta’s airport, one of the world’s busiest with roughly 85,000 people going through checkpoints on a busy day, had the most guns intercepted in 2022 – 448 – but that number was actually lower than the year before. Robert Spinden, the TSA’s top official in Atlanta, says the agency and the airport made a big effort in 2021 to try to address the large number of guns being intercepted at checkpoints.

An incident in November 2021 reinforced the need for their efforts. A TSA officer noticed a suspected gun in a passenger’s bag. When the officer opened the suitcase the man reached for the gun and it went off. People ran for the exits, and the airport was shut down for 2-1/2 hours, the airport’s general manager Balram Bheodari said during a congressional hearing last year.

Officials put in new signage to catch the attention of gun owners. A hologram over a checkpoint shows the image of a revolving blue gun with a red circle over the gun with a line through it. Numerous 70-inch television screens flash rotating messages that guns are not allowed.

“There’s signage all over the airport. There is announcements, holograms, TVs. There’s quite a bit of information that is sort of flashing before your eyes to just try to remind you as a last-ditch effort that if you do own a firearm, do you know where it’s at?” Spinden said.

Miami’s airport also worked to get gunowners’ attention. The airport’s director told Congress last year that after setting a gun interception record in 2021 they installed high-visibility signage and worked with airlines to warn passengers. He said the number of firearms intercepted declined sharply.

Pekoske said signage is only part of the solution. Travellers face a barrage of signs or announcements already and don’t always pay attention. He also supports gradually raising penalties to grab people’s attention.

But Aidan Johnston, from the gun advocacy group Gun Owners of America, said he’d like to see the fines lessened, saying they’re not a deterrent. While he’d like to see more education for new gun owners, he also doesn’t think of this as a “major heinous crime.”

“These are not bad people that are in dire need of punishment,” he said. “These are people who made a mistake.”

Officials believe they’re catching the vast majority, but with 730 million passengers screened last year even a miniscule percentage getting through is a concern.

Last month, musician Cliff Waddell was travelling from Nashville, Tenn., to Raleigh, North Carolina, when he was stopped at the checkpoint. A TSA officer had seen a gun in his bag. Waddell was so shocked he initially said it couldn’t be his because he’d just flown the day before with the same bag. It turned out the gun had been in his bag but missed at the screening. TSA acknowledged the miss, and Pekoske says they’re investigating.

When trying to figure out how the gun he keeps locked in his glove compartment got in his bookbag, Waddell realized he’d taken it out when he took the vehicle in for repairs. Waddell said he recognizes it’s his responsibility to know where his firearm is but worries about how TSA could have missed something so significant.

“That was a shock to me,” he said.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

‘CARNIVAL OF REBIRTH’: Rio revels in full return of beloved event

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Glittery and outrageous costumes were prepared again. Samba songs were ringing out ’til dawn at Rio de Janeiro’s sold-out parade grounds. And hundreds of raucous, roaming parties were once again flooding the streets over the weekend as the city’s iconic returned to form for the first time since the pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis last year prompted Rio to delay Carnival by two months, and watered down some of the fun, which was attended mostly by locals. Brazil’s federal government is expecting 46 million people to join the festivities that officially began Friday and run through tomorrow (Feb. 22). That includes visitors to cities that make Carnival a world-famous bash, especially Rio but also Salvador, Recife, and metropolitan Sao Paulo, which has recently emerged as a hotspot.

Many Brazilian mayors, including Rio’s, were marking the start of the celebrations on Friday by symbolically handing the keys to their cities to their Carnival Kings. And the first street parties of the Carnival weekend kicked off, with revellers’ costumes ranging from Pope Francis to the devil himself.

“We’ve waited for so long, we deserve this catharsis,” Thiago Varella, a 38-year-old engineer wearing a Hawaiian shirt drenched by the rain, said at a bash in Sao Paulo.

Most tourists were eager to go to the street parties, known as blocos. Rio has permitted more than 600 of them, and there are more unsanctioned blocos. The biggest blocos lure millions to the streets, including one bloco that plays Beatles songs with a Carnival rhythm for a crowd of hundreds of thousands. Such major blocos were called off last year.

A girl dressed as Wonder Woman watches the “Gigantes da Lira” street block party in Rio de Janeiro.

“We want to see the partying, the colours, the people and ourselves enjoying Carnival,” Chilean tourist Sofia Umaña, 28, said near Copacabana beach.

The premier spectacle is at the Sambadrome. Top samba schools, which are based in Rio’s more working-class neighborhoods, spend millions on hour-long parades with elaborate floats and costumes.

“It’s such an important party … It’s a party of culture, happiness, entertainment, leisure and, primarily, its commercial and social side,” said Jorge Perlingeiro, president of Rio’s league of samba schools.

He added that this year’s Carnival will smash records at the Sambadrome, where some 100,000 staff and spectators are expected each day in the sold-out venue, plus 18,000 paraders.

At the Heaven on Earth street party in Rio’s bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood, musicians pounded their drums as some revellers climbed fences to watch the scene from above the pulsing throng. Anilson Costa, a stilt-walker, already had a prime view from his elevated perch. Covered in flowers and brightly colored pom-poms, he poured a watering can labeled “LOVE” over people dancing below him.

“Seeing this crowd today is a dream, it’s very magical,” said Costa. “This is the post-pandemic Carnival, the Carnival of democracy, the Carnival of rebirth.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Feb. 13-17, 2023

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Last week, ACTA continued its letter writing campaign for federal support; the Jamaica Tourist Board was on the road in Canadian cities; WestJet unveiled its summer service, including big Edmonton news; Machu Picchu re-opened; and a Mexican airline announced it was ending operations.

NEWS

ACTA is asking travel agents again to send letters to their Member of Parliament in support of its recommendations on the federal Tourism Growth Strategy (TSG) that urge support for travel agents. To help make sending a letter quick and easy, TIAC has posted a link to find MP contact details and a letter template HERE.

ACTA also held its first meeting with its newly appointed 2023 Independent Travel Agent Advisory Group (ITAAG), a body tasked with advising ACTA on advocacy issues specific to independent travel agents.

A NEXUS enrolment centre has been opened in Maine, at the Houlton-Woodstock, NB, border. Applicants are now able to schedule an interview on the CBP’s Trusted Traveller Portal; officials from both countries will work together to conduct joint interviews.

Machu Picchu has reopened after being closed nearly a month ago amid anti-government protests. The move came after agreements between authorities in Peru with social groups and the local tourism industry to guarantee the security of the famed tourist attraction and transport services. The closure of the Inca-era stone citadel in Peru’s southeastern jungle on Jan. 21 forced the government to airlift more than 400 tourists from Machu Picchu to the city of Cusco by helicopter.

BY THE NUMBERS

Following strong annual percentage increases in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia in 2022, predictions now are for a return to pre-COVID levels this year, with growth momentum slowly moderating in strength to 2025 as pent-up demand gradually eases. PATA estimates 713 million IVAs in 2023 representing a 254% increase over last year.

AIR

WestJet has unveiled 20 new routes and three new destinations – Minneapolis, Detroit and Washington DC (Dulles) – to the airline’s summer schedule, which features what the carrier calls its “largest expansion in history” out of Edmonton. In addition to the new destinations, WestJet’s summer network additions also feature new routes from Western Canada to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Nashville and Seattle, plus increased frequencies and options to travel from coast-to-coast and enhanced regional connectivity with the resumption of non-stop flights and increased frequencies in the West.

Direct service between Ottawa and Charlottetown will be launched by Porter Airlines on May 17. The new daily, non-stop route – available initially until the last week of October – is to be served by 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft and marks the only daily non-stop service between the cities.

Canada Jetlines reports that travel agents in Canada are now able to view and book Canada Jetlines seat inventory via the Sabre Global Distribution System.

The small Mexican airline Aeromar is closing down due to financial problems after failing to recover from a pandemic downturn. The regional carrier operated 21 routes in Mexico and flew to McAllen and Laredo in Texas and Havana, Cuba. It specialized in flying routes between Mexico City and beach resorts.

DEALS

Air Canada Vacations is offering up to 30% off select flight and hotel packages to Orlando, when booking by March 5 for travel dates through Dec. 31.

The “Treat Yourself, On Us” wave season offer from Cunard is available through March 28 for select voyages from May 16 to Jan. 3, 2025, across the entire fleet – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and the line’s newest ship Queen Anne. The offer includes an onboard credit up to US$2,000 per stateroom and discounts of up to 30% for all fares.

TOUR OPERATORS

Six major tour brands under The Travel Corporation umbrella – Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, and Contiki – have now aligned under one rewards program: Global Tour Rewards. The unification merges all current  TTC Tour Brands loyalty programs into one place, with the benefit of providing travel sellers “a highly marketable angle to re-engage past guests, cross-sell brands within the portfolio and encourage clients to travel again.”

 Air Canada Vacations launched a new dedicated support program for independent travel advisors. ACV@Home is designed to provide assistance, creative tools, and training to help grow the community for travel professionals working from home. The tour operator is further introducing an awards program to recognize top-producing home-based agents.

HOTELS

Sonesta International Hotels, the 8th largest hospitality company in the US, announced that during 2022 it added 74 properties to its franchised portfolio. The new properties further expand Sonesta’s global presence and include more than 8,500 guest rooms.

Open while undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, the once famed Artisan Hotel Boutique in Las Vegas is evolving into The Lexi – Elevations Hotels and Resorts new 64-room hotel that will be the first in Las Vegas to embrace the idea of cannabis-friendly hospitality.  Located close to the Las Vegas Strip, The Lexi is embracing its “small and cheeky” mentality, and will feature all new guest rooms, including an entire fourth floor that will be designated cannabis-friendly. While recognizing and normalizing the idea of cannabis in travel, The Lexi is also set on creating a premium hospitality concept, an inspired culinary and cocktail program, and launching a spring/summer pool party season.

RESORTS

Sunwing is touting the renovated and reopened Riu Santa Fe in Los Cabos, Mexico, which recently celebrated its milestone 25th anniversary.  Guests will discover a bright new modern lobby with a renovated reception desk, now including separate check-in and check-out areas, along with new concierge facilities. The 1,300-room resort also boasts more two-bedroom garden view accommodations, and all resort rooms, aside from those built during RIU’s 2018 expansion, have been refurbished. Other upgrades include a new pool with a swim up bar, and additional food options.

The new Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar has begun accepting reservations in anticipation of its opening this spring. The chain’s second resort in Doha has 161 luxury, seaside one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with fully amenities (including kitchens and laundry) that can be booked for days or months. Additional options include a private beach a two pools on lushly landscaped grounds, spa, gym, expansive kids facility, and seven restaurants.

CRUISE

Shaquille O’Neal

On Valentine’s Day, thousands of couples symbolically renewed their vows while sailing on Carnival Cruise Line voyages during special onboard ceremonies virtually officiated by Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal. The cruise line says this year’s fleetwide event was its largest-ever Vow Renewal at Sea.

Expanding its itineraries to include Europe’s Rhine, Rhône, and Saône rivers for 2023, Riverside Luxury Cruises has expanded its fleet with the addition of the luxury vessels MS Bach, MS Ravel, MS Mahler, and MS Debussy. The season starts in April on the Danube. Agents can earn 21% commission for all 2023 booking and take advantage of special FAM rates. Visit www.riverside-cruises/TA.

RAIL

After more than two years off the tracks, the Amtrak Cascades service connecting the three Pacific Northwest cities of Vancouver, Seattle and Portland will be fully operational by March. Limited service between Seattle and Vancouver resumed last September. The current daily trip departs at 7:45 am and arrives at Pacific Central Station at 11:45 am. Beginning on March 7, a second round-trip service from Portland to Vancouver will be re-introduced, meaning the service will now run at pre-pandemic schedules. The train is set to leave Portland at 3 p.m. and arrive in Vancouver at 11 p.m. Passengers will be able to book the second daily train at the end of February when Amtrak’s schedules are finalized.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Canadian residents can now take advantage of the “Get 2 Days Free with a 3-Day, 2-Park Ticket” offer at Universal Orlando Resort. Available for booking until Dec. 9 for travel any time in 2023, the offers starts as low as US$234.99 per adult, plus tax and allows guests spend five full days at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the price of a 3-Day ticket. And for $35 more, guests can upgrade their ticket to include access to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park.

Rapids Waterpark, South Florida’s largest water park, has announced a new ride coming this – ‘Mega Mayhem MAYHEM, Dueling Water Coaster.’ The new West Palm Beach attraction is the first of its kind in Florida and one of only six in the world. It will stand 16.5 m. and race 255 m. long per lane. This water coaster features two side-by-side flumes where riders speed down twists and high-banked turns as they are propelled uphill by a unique blast jet propulsion technology at a max speed of up to 35 kph.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Launched on Valentine’s Day, Globus’s “For the Love” booking incentive gives travel counsellors $50 for every Globus tour booked between Feb. 14 and March 17, plus enters the agent for a chance to win a Choice Touring Italy trip (“Veni, Vidi, Vidi: Umbria & Tuscany by Design) for two.

Access+ is the new-and-improved travel platform by TravelBrands newly enhanced Access+ all-in-one platform includes an improved hotel search widget, dynamic fly & drive packages and dynamic cancellation penalties. Loyalty Rewards points have also been integrated into the booking flow, and it’s now possible to book river cruises online, amongst other efficiency features. To celebrate, thousands of prizes, including Loyalty Rewards points, future travel vouchers, and a cruise for two are being awarded. For each new booking made Feb. 13-26, agents will receive one game play to scratch and win plus a chance to win 100,000 Loyalty Rewards points. Travel agents can still log into Access until Feb. 28.

EVENTS

JTB’s Racquel Queensborough (far left) and Dan Hamilton with travel advisors during a recent Jamaica Night at the Halifax Tower Hotel

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) was on the road this month travelling across the country to meet with more than 100 Canadian travel advisors during ‘Jamaica Night’ events in Winnipeg and Halifax. These regional events featured destination updates from the JTB’s Canadian sales team, prize giveaways and island-inspired entertainment. Attendees donned their Jamaica colours and were invited to get in the irie spirit while enjoying tropical cocktails, Caribbean cuisine. and live music, as well as to meet hotel partners and tour operators, including Couples Resorts, Sandals, Moon Palace, ACV, Transat, and WestJet Vacations.

Unique Vacations Canada is introducing another avenue for travel advisors learn more about Sandals and Beaches resorts with “The Sandals Scoop,” a new series of brief, casual one-on-one chats with various general managers across the chains. from Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Created exclusively for the Canadian market, the series debuts today with Sandals Emerald Bay GM Jeremy Mutton who will provide insider tips and discuss why the Exuma, Bahamas, property is the “perfect blend of seclusion and sophistication for Canadian couples.” The webinar takes places Feb. 21 from 1 to 1:15 p.m. Register HERE.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Tahiti Tourisme North America has signed a deal with Reps4Rent to provide a dedicated Canadian trade & marketing associate. With a background in sales and as a travel advisor, bilingual Gail Lea Scullion is now the primary contact for The Islands of Tahiti for Canadian to engage with travel agents across the country. Her role is to build relationships with the trade, support the Tahiti Specialist Program, conduct Tahiti Tuesday training webinars, organize FAMS and support Tahiti Tourisme’s promotion and communications initiatives. She can be reached at gscullion@tahititourisme.com.

UK carbon calculation and positive compensation company specializing in the travel industry Trees4Travel has advanced its North American expansion with the appointment of Canada-based Fiona Barclay, a well-known industry figure, most recently director, supplier management North America at CWT Vacations. Her role will be to drive Trees4Travel’s partnerships for sustainability with businesses across the region and its messaging that “it is possible to make travel planet and people positive.”

DESTINATIONS

The new OLG Stage at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ont., is set to open, providing a new entertainment venue for the Falls and Southern Ontario. On Feb. 25, Billy Joel inaugurates the 5,000-seat facility, which boasts state-of-the-art technology, outstanding acoustics, and seat that are never more 45 m. away from the stage.

Visit Tampa Bay (VTB) has launched the third edition of its Tampa Gay Guide, which details a host of LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses across the many districts within the destination as well as events such as the Tampa Pride Parade, Pride on the River, and the Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. With a steady influx of LGBTQ+ travellers, the first edition of the Tampa Gay Guide was launched in 2019 to showcase Florida city’s diversity.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 2013, American Airlines and US Airways agreed to merge in an US$11-billion deal that would create the world’s biggest airline. It was approved in December and the combined carrier is named American Airlines Group Inc.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Metropole Hanoi Lands Prestigious 5-Star Rating from Forbes

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Metropole Hanoi Lands Prestigious 5-Star Rating from Forbes - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXHanoi, Vietnam, February 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Historic luxury hotel earns top level of recognition for fourth consecutive year. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has earned a prestigious rating from Forbes Travel Guide for a fourth consecutive year, garnering praise as a “supremely beautiful hotel” that “draws deeply from a century of stories to weave a rich, nostalgic guest experience.”

Forbes Travel Guide, established in 1958, then known as Mobil Travel Guide, is the oldest travel guide in the United States and the creator of the original Five-Star rating system for hotels. The ratings are among the most highly respected in the global hotel industry.

The Five-Star rating—the top level of recognition— is meant to designate “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.”

Metropole Hanoi is one of only two hotels in Vietnam to earn the Five-Star rating—and the only hotel in Hanoi to receive the highest-level distinction. Three other hotels in Vietnam were awarded Four-Star ratings.

The Metropole’s luxurious accommodation and historic facilities drew much praise in the 2023 guide, while its warm, personalized and attentive service—top determinants in the Forbes Travel Guide ratings—helped secure the Five-Star mark.

“The Metropole ambassadors know they are caretakers of an historic Grand Dame and that the service provided must in many ways exceed expectations,” said General Manager William Haandrikman. “This Five-Star rating from Forbes affirms that we are all working hard on service delivery.”

Forbes Travel Guide’s inspectors wrote in their review of the hotel: “Every corner is a compelling photo opportunity, especially in the gleaming historic wing and all-white inner courtyard.”

Metropole Hanoi’s Path of History (and wartime bunker) tour are also spotlighted in Forbes Travel Guide’s review, while afternoon tea at Le Club Bar, coffee at La Terrasse and cocktails at Bamboo Bar are described as experiences that have evolved into “must-do Hanoi traditions.”

Le Spa du Metropole drew further accolades as “a sublime urban retreat … ensconced in what feels more like an elegant residence than a wellness center.”

For their evaluations, inspectors pay their own way and stay anonymously as typical guests for at least two nights. Forbes Travel Guide bills itself as one of only two independent, global rating agency for luxury hospitality, the other one being TOP25 Hotels with its Hotel Rating Index since 2013.

For booking or other information, please call +84 24 3826 6919.

ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI
A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, the Hotel Metropole Hanoi has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events and a popular rendezvous for business and leisure travelers such as playwrights, ambassadors and heads of state. The recipient of numerous international awards for its fine service, this legendary landmark has contributed to the richness of local heritage.

The hotel includes 364 rooms. The historic Metropole wing has 106 guestrooms and three Legendary Suites. The suites are named after famous residents and visitors to the hotel (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham) and have access to the Club Lounge.

The Metropole restaurants and bars are all famous dining venues, each offering a different exotic experience: Le Beaulieu has the best French fare in this corner of the world; Spices Garden offers the ultimate in Vietnamese gastronomy; angelina is Hanoi’s bespoke bar-lounge-restaurant; La Terrasse brings Parisian-style to the sidewalks of Hanoi; Le Club Bar treats guests to its famous chocolate buffet and cool jazz performances; and, finally, Bamboo Bar brings poolside lounging to the next level.

ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND
Sofitel Legend is an illustrious selection of heritage luxury hotels where the best of past and present converge. Set within beautiful and culturally rich destinations, each legendary retreat is both timeless and elegant, delivering lavish settings, renowned restaurants and modern comforts matched with impeccable service for the ultimate luxury experience. Noble, rare and soulful, Sofitel Legend hotels entice worldly travelers who are all drawn to these beloved places of grandeur for their storied past, architectural beauty, sweeping vistas and enchanting ambience. Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News