Posts Tagged :

global travel news

Best Western Unveils New Upscale Hotel On Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard

 500 269 wttc2
By:
Best Western Unveils New Upscale Hotel On Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard - TRAVELINDEXPattaya, Thailand, June 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels & Resorts continues to enhance the hospitality landscape in Thailand with the launch of a brand-new beachfront hotel on the country’s Eastern Seaboard, overlooking the beach just moments from the vibrant resort town of Pattaya.

Scheduled to open its doors in June 2021, Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya is a stylish hotel with eye-catching architecture and interior design. Guests can stay in a choice of 174 contemporary rooms and suites, all adorned with modern décor, bathrooms with rain showers, working areas and state-of-the-art technology, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The Deluxe and Executive Rooms promise panoramic views of the sandy shore, shimmering sea and spectacular sunsets from private balconies.

During the day, guests can unwind and soak up the tranquil ambiance with a stroll along the seafront, a swim in the ocean-facing infinity pool or a dip in the Jacuzzis. A well-equipped fitness center provides the perfect place for a rewarding workout, while the outdoor sundeck and cozy cabanas offer serene settings to chill out with cool daytime drinks and light bites.

Then, as the sun sets over the Gulf of Thailand, guests can settle down and sip cocktails at Lunar Rooftop Bar, which is perched on the eighth floor with majestic views of the ocean, or savor delicious Thai and international cuisine accompanied by fine wines at The Rocks, the hotel’s elegant all-day dining restaurant.

Visitors can also head out and explore an array of local attractions all along the Eastern Seaboard, which is fast becoming one of Asia’s leading resort destinations. Shoppers can indulge in retail therapy at a choice of malls, such as Terminal 21 Pattaya, while families can enjoy endless hours of fun at world-class water parks, including Cartoon Network Amazone. Thailand’s natural and cultural heritage can be uncovered at Pattaya Floating Market, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and the Sanctuary of Truth temple, while golf courses, vineyards and water sports can all be discovered in the surrounding landscape of rolling hills and golden beaches.

“Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard has been transformed in recent years, with a wealth of fantastic new facilities and activities helping to draw all types of visitor, from young couples to families with children. With its close proximity to Bangkok and several major airports, this is an exceptional setting for weekend breaks or extended vacations. Smart, sleek and commanding a stunning beachfront location, Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya will elevate the standard of accommodation in the area and attract even more visitors to this dynamic destination in future,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

Easily accessible from downtown Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi International Airport and U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, the region’s rapidly-expanding air hub, Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya is an outstanding option for local and overseas travelers alike.

Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya was developed by Habitat Group, Thailand’s leading property-for-investment developer, specializing in premium lifestyle investment properties and vacation home developments in the heart of Bangkok and Pattaya. It will soon be joined by BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, which is scheduled to open in the near future.

To learn more, please visit www.bwpbayphere.com. Or for more information about Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia, please visit www.bestwesternasia.com.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay StudioSM franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Koh Samui Welcomes Director of Food and Beverage

 837 1080 wttc2
By:

Meliá Koh Samui Welcomes Director of Food and Beverage - TRAVELINDEXKoh Samui, Thailand, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A Taiwanese national with 15 years of hospitality experience in Asia, the Middle East and Europe has been named Meliá Koh Samui’s director of food and beverage.

Ting Yueh Hu (Yolande) has joined the 159-room and 41-suite beachfront resort on Koh Samui’s north-east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, with ambitions to work in tandem with award-winning executive chef Azizskandar Awang to establish the island’s leading fine dining restaurant.

Before joining Meliá Koh Samui, Hu was executive assistant manager at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence in Cambodia and F&B director at both Conrad Koh Samui and Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort.

Previously, she was assistant F&B director at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai and Shangri-La Hotel Fuzhou, restaurant manager at Mandinat Jumeirah’s Al Muna, Honyaki and Zheng He restaurants, assistant restaurant manager at InterContinental Doha and head waitress at Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club in the United Kingdom.

After studying a Bachelor of Applied Science of Living at Taiwan’s Chinese Culture University, she completed a post-graduate diploma in hospitality with Switzerland’s Glion Institute of Higher Education and a certificate in hotel revenue management from Cornell University in the United States.

Meliá Koh Samui’s general manager Ernesto Osuna said Hu would oversee all F&B planning and services and work with the team to position the resort’s Breeza Beach Restaurant & Bar, focused on contemporary Thai cuisine, as well as Western and Mediterranean fare, as Koh Samui’s leading fine dining restaurant.

“Yolande is a versatile and results-driven individual with a track record of driving projects, identifying sales opportunities and encouraging positive contributions from all of her team members; she will no doubt excel in propelling our F&B landscape to a new level,” he said.

Meliá Koh Samui’s host of facilities include two restaurants, a swim-up bar, a lagoon pool that meanders through the resort’s lush grounds like a river, a two-level infinity pool with sunken seating areas, an executive lounge, spa, fitness centre, ballroom and conference facilities and, for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 390 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Company is the global leader in resort hotels, 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 in the world in 2019, according to SAM, the sustainable investment company. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking).

About Asset World Corporation
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (“AWC”) is Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group under TCC Group, with a sustainable diversified development pipeline for future growth as well as the potential for long-term capital appreciation. AWC’s business operations are organized into two principal segments: (i) Hospitality, comprising hotels managed and operated by the world’s leading hotel chains (ii) Retail and Commercial Building, comprising Retail and Wholesale group which includes world-class tourist lifestyle destination, community shopping mall, community market and wholesale space, with such well-known projects as Asiatique the Riverfront, Gateway at Bangsue, Pantip Plaza Pratunam and Tawanna Bangkapi; and Office Building group with prominent projects located in highly sought-after, central business district in Bangkok like Empire Tower, Athenee Tower, etc. Recently on October 10, 2019, Asset World Corporation succeeded in listing the company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the real estate and construction industry under the property development category. AWC’s market capitalization was highest in the history of the SET (According to Bloomberg Database).

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New WTTC Campaign Shows Importance of International Travel

 500 243 wttc2
By:
New WTTC Campaign Shows Importance of International Travel - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A new campaign has today been launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) calling on governments around the world to restart international travel and enable the world to ‘Reunite’ once again.

After more than a year of lockdowns around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new campaign will showcase the importance international travel has on individuals and businesses.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

It will also encourage travellers to share with the world, the positive impact travel makes to their lives and mental well-being.

Through its social media channels, ‘Reunite’ will urge people from all corners of the globe to share their own stories of how tourism has made a difference and changed their lives.

WTTC believes whilst Travel & Tourism makes a significant contribution to economies around the world, it also provides an essential way for individuals to connect, experience and discover cultures around the world.

The campaign launches today with a feelgood and positive video showing how now is the time to get the world moving again, to reunite families, friends, colleagues, and communities.

As vaccination rollouts advance in many countries around the world and as cases begin to drop, it is important for governments to recognise what Travel & Tourism brings to the economy and the population as a whole.

It is equally as important to recognise that some regions and countries are still battling to put the pandemic under control, and that the majority of vaccinations have been in developed countries. This means that the pandemic will continue to spread in those countries that don’t have equal access to vaccines.

This new campaign comes after WTTC’s drive to responsibly rekindle the wanderlust of travellers through its recent ‘Together in Travel’ campaign, despite the multiple global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virginia Messina, WTTC Acting CEO, said: “Travel gives us memories which last a lifetime and the most amazing experiences to share, so we are excited to launch a campaign that gets to the heart of what travel means to people.

“Travel & Tourism has a hugely positive benefit upon the world, far beyond the immediate pleasure it brings to those who are able to explore and discover people, places and amazing experiences for themselves. Right now, so many people have been separated from their loved ones for months if not over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“For the past year WTTC has been hugely invested in advocating for the social and mental benefits of Travel & Tourism. Through this campaign. We are hoping to help kickstart the recovery of our sector through a truly worthwhile experience: reuniting with those who matter most to us. 

“With the immense pressures being faced by the global Travel & Tourism sector due to the current restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s now more important than ever that we remind everyone, how travelling can make all the difference not only to the world, but to us as individuals.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the global Travel & Tourism sector last year, WTTC has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

WTTC believes that ‘Reunite’ could further encourage governments around the world to recognise the importance of international travel, not only to individuals, but also businesses, and communities, all of which benefit from a thriving sector.

WTTC’s highly successful ‘Together in Travel’ campaign was launched in April of last year, as countries had introduced widespread global travel restrictions.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world shared their stories, which generated more than 100 million impressions.

Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s largest and most important sectors, in which around 80 per cent of all businesses are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

As a powerful driver for socio-economic development and job creation, the sector plays an important role in driving prosperity, empowering women, youth, and other societal groups.

It is also one of the most diverse sectors, employing people from all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, and includes 54% women and 30% youth.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

WTTC research shows that across the G20 group of countries, women account for more than half of all Travel & Tourism employment, and a high proportion of jobs for youths. It is highest in Canada, the US and UK where youths account for almost a third (30%) of the sector’s employment.

Revenues generated by Travel & Tourism helps improve education, housing, health, and wellness for people.

It also contributes to vital infrastructure projects, such as road, rail, and air links, as well as services which improve the quality of life for residents.
WTTC is encouraging travellers from around the world to get involved and share their stories using hashtags #reunite.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Abu Dhabi to End Quarantine for International Visitors from July 1

 500 295 wttc2
By:
Abu Dhabi to End Quarantine for International Visitors from July 1 - TRAVELINDEXAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Abu Dhabi will end quarantine for all international arrivals starting from July 1, according to a government official. It will be similar to the Dubai system – the PCR protocol will be different from high-risk to low- risk destinations, said Ali Al Shaiba, executive director of Tourism and Marketing, DCT Abu Dhabi.”Quarantine will not be an option,” said Al Shaiba.

Abu Dhabi currently requires travelers to quarantine for 10 days unless they are from a ‘green-list’ country.

“We are announcing an extended green list – this green list will cover a majority of the markets that we are tapping into,” said Al Shaiba “Hopefully, by the first of July, everybody will be allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi”

New Markets

The tourism executive said Abu Dhabi was monitoring new markets to make up for the loss incurred from large markets such as India, UK and Germany being shut down.

“We’re monitoring and analyzing these markets on a weekly basis, to find out where are the opportunities (and) which markets we can tap into.. to cover the loss that we might have in other markets,” said Al Shaiba

Dubai Border

Abu Dhabi will “enhance” its border with Dubai to make travel easier, said Al Shaiba. “We’re working with the government on a plan for that border to make it more tourist friendly”

“We can have specific procedures for tourists, so their pass through the border will be much easier, more convenient and seamless as well”.

First published at Gulf News.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa

 500 335 wttc2
By:
The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICAJohannesburg, South Africa, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Wyss Foundation today announced a commitment of up to $108M to African Parks, a South African based conservation NGO that manages protected areas on behalf of governments across the continent. This transformational commitment is part of Mr. Hansjorg Wyss’s visionary Wyss Campaign for Nature, a $1B investment in helping nations, NGO’s and indigenous communities conserve 30% of the planet by 2030 and is one of the largest single gifts ever made to the conservation of Protected Areas in Africa.

The Foundation’s commitment will be made over an initial five-year period to support up to half of the annual budgets of nine existing parks currently under African Parks’ management in Angola, Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe; as well as support the addition of five new parks (which are yet to be identified) and up to two-thirds of their annual budgets. The funding for these new parks will come with a matching requirement with the goal of enticing new and diversified funders to provide needed stability for these landscapes. The grant overall serves a critical need in long-term and sustainable, multi-year financing, providing critical support for a park’s operating budget, which can vary between $1.5M to $4M per year.

“We are in a race against time to save Africa’s wildlife and wild places,” said Hansjörg Wyss, Founder and Chairman of The Wyss Foundation. “Multiple and compounding threats, including deforestation, illegal mining, poaching, and wildlife trafficking among others have imperiled Africa’s lands, waters, and wildlife – some of the most awe-inspiring on Earth. Only by working with governments and local people can we protect natural areas for the benefit of people and wildlife across the African continent. By supporting African Parks, I know that funding is being used effectively to help nations and communities protect nature and their economy now, not tomorrow.”

African Parks, a conservation organization founded in 2000, takes on the direct, long-term management responsibility of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments to protect wildlife, restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities. With 19 parks in 11 countries under African Parks management, their conservation footprint spans over 14.7 million hectares which is the largest amount of area under conservation for any one NGO on the continent. Their goal is to directly manage 30 parks by 2030, measuring 30 million hectares, safeguarding globally significant biodiversity and ensuring that vast ecosystems function in order to sequester carbon, deliver clean air, water and food security, provide stability, and economic, socio-political and ecological benefits for millions of people.

“It’s hopeful and inspiring to see the impact one individual can have, with intent and clarity of purpose in wanting to help protect the planet” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “The partnership forged with the Wyss Foundation is helping secure some of the most threatened but globally significant landscapes on Earth. What is not being managed will be lost, and once lost, these areas and their ecological functions are essentially impossible to restore. What Mr. Wyss’s commitment does is help secure these threatened areas now, it inspires other actors to get involved, and paves the way for a green and sustainable future for humans and wildlife alike”.

The philanthropic commitment announced today comes on top of the Wyss Foundation’s existing support to African Parks from 2016 for nine parks currently under their management, including three parks in Malawi where the Foundation supported one of the largest elephant translocations in human history.

The Wyss Foundation has a more than two decades long track record of working with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and nations in their efforts to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation, supporting locally-driven projects in Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Europe, and central Asia. By partnering with communities to create and expand protected areas, by encouraging more ambitious international conservation targets, by investing in science, and by inspiring conservation action around the world, the Wyss Foundation is working to slow the loss of nature and safeguard the planet’s biodiversity.

About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 19 parks in 11 countries including Malawi, Zambia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad, with the goal of managing 30 parks by 2030.

About The Wyss Foundation / Wyss Campaign for Nature: The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable organization dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land. In 2018, the foundation launched the Wyss Campaign for Nature, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment by Hansjörg Wyss – the Wyss Foundation’s founder and chairman – to help protect at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030. Over the past two decades, the Wyss Foundation has invested over $600 million to help conservation partners, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities permanently protect over 60 million acres of land and over 1.8 million square kilometers of ocean.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio of Brands Expands in Distinctive & Inviting Leisure Locales This Summer Season

 800 600 wttc2
By:
Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa
Lusaka, Zambia
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection
Jackson, WY
Ryan Sheets

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning loyalty program, and endless experiences, is setting the stage for a sensational summer with getaway-worthy hotel openings. Recent social listening research conducted on behalf of Marriott saw a significant year-over-year uptick in searches for one-of-a-kind stays (+106%), suggesting consumers are craving more authentic and unique hotel experiences.

With consumers continuing to show strong summer travel intent, here are several recent and upcoming openings to inspire their next adventure.

Second Chances in Unexpected Cities
Following a year of little to no travel, the term ‘revenge travel’ has fueled consumers to avenge their lost plans and many pivoting to unexpected locations in secondary cities. Located a few hours from the bustling metropolis of Shanghai resides Nanjing (or ‘Southern Capital’), a cultural destination steeped in historical heritage. Slated to open later this month, The Westin Nanjing Resort & Spa and CAST Nanjing, Autograph Collection will be the area’s first destination with two brands under one roof, delivering two distinctive experiences for leisure travelers. Opening in June, Moxy Nanjing Jiangning will bring a vibrant and stylish hotel experience for the young at heart. These new openings complement a growing portfolio of hotels in the region including Courtyard Nanjing Jiangning and The Sifang Hotel Nanjing, Autograph Collection, which both opened in April.

Across to Europe along Norway’s southwestern coast is Bergen, a World Heritage City with unspoiled nature and picturesque outdoor life. Shaking up the hospitality scene, Moxy Bergen opened its doors in May with the brand’s signature playful spirit beginning with check-in at the bar, small but smart bedrooms, and stylish communal spaces with local art. Over in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection is slated to open this summer. Housed inside a former bank, guests can expect to be welcomed with a rich heritage, four unique dining experiences, and nods to its building history weaved throughout including a chance for guests to engrave their own coin in the original vault.

Idyllic Island Getaways
Sunbathers and seclusion seekers are long overdue for their next escape and these locales are certain to be on any list. A destination revered for its beauty, the Maldives will welcome two stunning new resorts, each with their own unique take on the archipelagic state. The three islands of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, which opened June 1, serve as a base for discovering all the archipelago has to offer. Featuring a minimalist design that highlights sea views and pristine beaches, the resort includes beachfront and overwater villas with private infinity pools, an overwater spa, seven culinary experiences, wedding venues, Ritz Kids Club with daily adventures, and access to Fari Marina with elevated shopping, dining and entertainment. Nestled just north on Thilamaafushi Island, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa – set to open late summer– will reflect mid-century design aesthetics inspired by the golden era of travel, presented through a Maldivian lens. Guests can expect to choose from a selection of villas from beach to two-bedroom, dine at six restaurants and bars, and enjoy Le Méridien’s signature brand programs that evoke the glamour of a summer spent on the French Riviera. This includes “Au Soleil”, which encourages a summer state of mind with activations at “Golden Hour”, the magical hour at the end of a day under the sun; and Le Scoop by Le Méridien, which invites guests to pair a glass of rosé with a refreshing scoop of gelato or sorbet.

From one celebrated island to another, Hotel Riomar, Ibiza, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – set to open in July – will mark the brand’s debut on Spain’s iconic White Isle. Where River (Rio) meets Sea (Mar), the resort will bring balance and serenity through a harmonious connection with nature. Experiences include camera-ready room views, casual alfresco dining at The Ocean Brasserie & Bar, and a ‘secret garden’ for acoustic music nights.

Situated on Greece’s western coast enclosed amongst a magical landscape, Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection – slated to open its doors mid-July – invites families and couples to explore new ways of living and being within a community of likeminded spirits. Elegantly designed with striking domed architecture, Domes of Corfu will feature 233 rooms and suites each with its own private patio or veranda, four signature dining and bar concepts, award-winning Soma Spa, three swimming pools with adults-only areas, and the KiEPOS Kids Club.

Eco-Adventure Retreats
As conscious travel and environmental awareness continues to gain global traction, consumers are looking for ways to explore unique wonders of the world in a thoughtful way. Located at the gateway to the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, WY, The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection, which opened in late May, captures a true sense of place and offers a modern sanctuary inspired by the organic elements of its locale. The property features 100 guest rooms and suites, a bistro-style restaurant and bar, an expansive rooftop terrace overlooking Jackson’s Town Square and Snow King Mountain, a tranquil outdoor pool and garden, and much more, all designed with the destination in mind.

Marking Tribute Portfolio’s debut in Africa, Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa – slated to open this month – will be located just outside of Zambia’s capital city Lusaka surrounded by a scenic, tranquil estate. Perfectly positioned for guests to experience Zambia’s mesmerizing wilderness and astonishing wildlife, the resort will offer 249 guest rooms, with a design inspired by the natural surroundings, and distinctive experiences including a microbrewery and a rejuvenating spa.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world with 10 percent of the Earth’s flora and fauna. In the rising artistic and culinary city of Bogotá, Residence Inn Bogotá will bring the longer stay brand’s flexible and intuitive spaces to the destination with its planned opening this month. Day trips are encouraged to discover the country’s natural wonders such as Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, a sprawling national park with glacial lakes and mountain ranges, and the city’s nearby mountain peak, Monserrate, providing sweeping views of the capital. After a long day of exploring, guests can enjoy the comfort of the hotel’s apartment-style suites featuring separate living, sleeping, and dining areas.

Guests can enjoy the advantages of Marriott Bonvoy’s award-winning loyalty program where members enjoy exclusive benefits including free Wi-Fi, member-only rates and contactless experience with the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app, achieve elite status recognition and earn points toward free nights at the more than 7,600 properties around the world and the more than 30,000 premium home rentals with every qualifying stay.

For more information on these new openings and Marriott Bonvoy, enroll in the loyalty program for free, or to book directly, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the award-winning travel program for Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, vacation home rental offering, all-inclusive resorts and hundreds of thousands of experiences. Members can earn and redeem points for stays and more, accelerating the points they earn with co-branded credit cards. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive perks including free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact
Danielle Mileno
Marriott International
Danielle.Mileno@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CANADA PLANS FOR RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS

 1080 364 wttc2
By:

The federal government is looking at taking a phased approach to welcoming back international visitors as pandemic restrictions loosen, focusing on case counts globally as part of decision-making, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

Federal officials have looked to restrict movement of non-essential travellers for more than a year, even banning at times direct flights from countries like India and the U.K. as variants of COVID-19 have raised concerns.

Trudeau said he expects high interest from overseas travellers to visit Canada as those restrictions eventually ease because of vaccination uptake rates and case counts that are better than peer countries.

Vaccinations required

Anyone coming to Canada would need to be fully vaccinated before arriving, Trudeau said during an afternoon event, because the country can’t risk another wave of COVID-19.

A fourth wave would be devastating to businesses and the morale of the country, Trudeau said.

He added the government is looking at ways to start welcoming back visitors from abroad as case counts come down at home, in the United States and elsewhere around the world to keep Canadians safe, but also help the country’s beleaguered tourism sector.

“Not only have we managed to keep case counts low and manage throughout this pandemic in most parts of the country, but we are also extremely high in terms of vaccination numbers, and that is going to be reassuring to a lot of people who maybe want to travel but don’t want to be putting their families at risk,” Trudeau said in a virtual appearance at an event hosted by the St. John’s Board of Trade.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,” he added a moment later. “We are looking at how we’re going to start welcoming up tourists in a phased way as the numbers come down in Canada, as the numbers start to come down in the United States and elsewhere around the world.”

Pent up travel demand

Tourism ministers around the world have spoken for months about how to restart international tourism that has plunged because of the pandemic, with new rules landing just as summer travel season is set to pick up and fuelled by pent-up travel demand.

The European Union is allowing travellers from a handful of countries to visit the continent this summer, and several of the bloc’s members have their own rules layered on top of that about who needs a COVID-19 test before arrival.

See Canada first

First, though, provincial travel restrictions need to loosen. Federal and provincial tourism ministers have previously agreed to first promote travel within regions, once it is safer to do so, then within provinces, before ultimately attracting international visitors.

“Canadians are going to be really keen on tourism, on getting out there, on leaving their community,” Trudeau said.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for people who aren’t quite yet comfortable travelling around the world.”

April’s federal budget promised an injection of $1 billion over three years, starting this fiscal year, for the tourism and festival industry forced to close or cancel events because of public health measures. Some of the budget money will go to help cover the costs of innovative solutions to connect with festivalgoers and help hard-hit downtown cores by extension.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BEZOS BLASTS OFF: Amazon CEO will blast into space on rocket’s 1st crew flight

 1080 364 wttc2
By:

Outdoing his fellow billionaires in daredevilry, Jeff Bezos will blast into space next month when his Blue Origin company makes its first flight with a crew. The 57-year-old Amazon founder and richest person in the world by Forbes’ estimate will become the first person in the world to ride his own rocket to space.

Bezos announced his intentions Monday and said he will share the adventure with his younger brother and best friend, Mark, an investor and volunteer firefighter. He said that will make it more meaningful.

Blue Origin’s debut flight with people aboard – after 15 successful test flights of its reusable New Shepard rockets – will take place on July 20, a date selected because it is the 52nd anniversary of the first moon landing by Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Bezos brothers will launch from remote West Texas alongside the winner of an online charity auction. There’s no word yet on who else might fill the six-person capsule during the 10-minute flight that will take its passengers to an altitude of about 65 miles (105 kilometers), just beyond the edge of space, and then return to Earth without going into orbit.

Bezos said he has dreamed of traveling to space since he was 5.

“To see the Earth from space, it changes you. It changes your relationship with this planet, with humanity. It’s one Earth,” Bezos said in an Instagram post. “I want to go on this flight because it’s a thing I’ve wanted to do all my life. It’s an adventure. It’s a big deal for me.”

Added his brother, “I wasn’t even expecting him to say that he was going to be on the first flight, and then when he asked me to go along, I was just awestruck.”

Bezos will step down as Amazon’s CEO 15 days before liftoff. He announced months ago that he wants to spend more time on his rocket company as well as his newspaper, The Washington Post.

His stake in Amazon stands at US $164 billion, which will make him by far the wealthiest person to fly to space.

Until now, thrill-seeking billionaires have had to buy capsule seats from the Russian space program or, more recently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which plans its first private flight in September. These orbital trips, generally lasting several days, with visits to the International Space Station, have cost tens of millions of dollars per person.

The flight by Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule, named for Alan Shepard, the first American in space, will last five minutes less than Shepard’s history-marking suborbital ride aboard a Mercury capsule in 1961.

But Blue Origin’s capsule is 10 times roomier with a huge window at every seat – the biggest windows ever built for a spacecraft, in fact.

The company, based in Kent, Washington, is working to develop an orbital rocket named after John Glenn, the first American to circle the Earth.

The Bezos flight will officially kick off the company’s space tourism business. The company has yet to start selling seats to the public or even to announce a ticket price for the short trips, which provide about three minutes of weightlessness.

Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson – a “tie-loathing,” mountain-climbing, hot-air-ballooning daredevil – also plans to ride into space aboard his own rocket later this year after one more test flight over New Mexico. Virgin Galactic completed its third test flight into space with a crew two weeks ago; the company doesn’t want him climbing aboard until the craft is thoroughly proven.

The 70-year-old Branson on Monday offered congratulations to Bezos, a tame, bookish Wall Streeter by comparison. Branson tweeted that their two companies “are opening up access to space – how extraordinary!”

Like Blue Origin, Branson’s company will send paying customers to the lower reaches of space on up-and-down flights, not Earth-orbiting rides.

Musk’s SpaceX already has transported 10 astronauts to the space station for NASA and sold several seats on private flights. Musk himself has yet to commit to going into space, though he has repeatedly said he wants to die on Mars, just not on impact.

Blue Origin’s launch and landing site is 120 miles southeast of El Paso, close to the Mexican border. After the capsule separates, the rocket returns to Earth and lands upright, to be used again. The capsule, also reusable, descends under parachutes.

Blue Origin opened online bidding for the first seat on the capsule on May 5, the 60th anniversary of Shepard’s flight. It’s up to US $2.8 million.

The auction will conclude Saturday, with the winning amount donated to Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s education foundation, which encourages youngsters to pursue careers in science. Nearly 6,000 people from 143 countries have taken part in the auction.

While Blue Origin’s and SpaceX’s capsules are fully automated, Virgin Galactic has two pilots in the cockpit for every spaceflight. A 2014 accident left one pilot dead and the other seriously injured.

In an Instagram video posted by Bezos, Mark Bezos’ reaction when his brother invited him on the flight was: “Are you serious? … Seriously? My God!”

“What a remarkable opportunity not only to have this adventure, but to be able to do it with my best friend,” the younger brother said.

Mark and jeff Bezos

 

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mallorca Joins UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

 500 281 wttc2
By:

Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Spain, June 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed Mallorca’s Sustainable Tourism Observatory into its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Mallorca, one of Europe’s top destinations for more than 70 years, welcoming millions of visitors every year, becomes the latest member of UNWTO’s global INSTO…

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Welcomes Introduction of Digital COVID Certificate by EU Member States

 500 305 wttc2
By:

Brussels, Belgium, June 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In a major step towards the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector, Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, WTTC, acknowledges the importance of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which has now been given the green light by all member states. “WTTC is delighted with the news that Greece, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Denmark…

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News