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Travel Industry Today

DISCOVER WHERE WE TIME MEETS ME TIME

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A Disney cruise is full of magical fun for kids and families with plenty of relaxation for adults. It’s where the magic of Disney meets the enchantment of a cruise. Where everyone can run off on their own adventures to incredible kids’ clubs or adult-exclusive spaces. And where it’s easier than ever to come together, let go and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Step aboard and enjoy some seriously magical family bonding “we time”—with entertainment, dining, activities and interactive experiences the whole family can enjoy together. Then, discover all the ways everyone can find their own special magic. Character sightings and immersive experiences like kids’ clubs and awesome waterslides are just a few of the activities your kids are sure to love. And Senses Spa & Salon, adult-exclusive fine dining, pools and lounges were specially designed for adults to unwind and relax for some much deserved “me time.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PULP FICTION: Revellers see red at Spanish tomato party

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Some 15,000 people, including many tourists, pasted each other with tomatoes Wednesday as Spain’s annual “Tomatina” street battle took place in the eastern town of Buñol.

Workers on trucks tipped 120 tons of overripe tomatoes into the main street of the town for participants to throw. The street fight leaves both the street, its houses, and participants drenched in red pulp.

Tickets for the festival start at 12 euros ($13).

The town hoses down the area and the revellers shower off within minutes of the hour-long noon battle finishing.

The festival, held on the last Wednesday of August, was inspired by a food fight between local children in 1945 in the town, located in a tomato-producing region.

Participants use swimming goggles to protect their eyes and usually dress in T-shirts and shorts.

Media attention in the 1980s turned it into a national and international event, drawing participants from every corner of the world.

Tomatoes for everyone

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CHURCH AND STATE: Europe’s houses of worship struggle to balance faith, tourism

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A recent Saturday evening Mass at Sagrada Familia parish in Barcelona, Spain, had all the hallmarks of a neighbourhood worship service. But it also featured security checks to get in and curious tourists peering down to take photos of the worshippers from above. The regular Mass is held in the crypt of modernist architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece church, one of Europe’s most visited monuments.

With tourism reaching or surpassing pre-pandemic records in Barcelona and across southern Europe, iconic sacred sites are struggling to accommodate the faithful who come to pray and the millions of visitors who often pay to view the art and architecture.

“We’re working to get ahead of this, so that we don’t get to a collapse,” said the Rev. Josep Maria Turull, rector at Sagrada Familia and the Barcelona archdiocese’s director for tourism, pilgrimage, and sanctuaries.

An increasingly popular strategy is to have visitors and the faithful go separate ways – with services held in discrete places, visits barred at worship times, or altogether different entry queues.

This spring, the Vatican opened a separate “pathway” starting outside St. Peter’s Basilica for those who want to enter to pray or attend Mass, so they wouldn’t be discouraged by sometimes hours-long lines for the average of 55,000 daily visitors, said Basilica spokesperson Roberta Leone.

But the challenge remains: how to balance the churches’ competing roles amid the tourism surge without sacrificing their spiritual purpose.

“It’s just really hard because you also want people to experience your faith,” said Daniel Olsen, a Brigham Young University professor who researches religious tourism. With an estimated 330 million people visiting religious sites yearly around the world, it’s one of the tourism market’s largest segments.

Worshippers, who often come because celebrated churches tend to have more services than regular parishes, need free access even as tourists often pay fees that are crucial to maintaining the sites.

“The temple needs to be a place for services and not a theme park,” said Joan Albaiges after Mass in the Sagrada Familia crypt, which he’s attended regularly for six decades.

He praised the move in recent years to celebrate one multilingual Sunday Mass at the main altar in the soaring, colour-filled basilica. There’s such demand for the 800 free tickets, however, that several hundred people queueing routinely don’t get in, Turull said.

Lay and religious leaders say the histories of the sacred sites should be presented to visitors, who are increasingly unfamiliar with faith traditions in rapidly secularizing countries where lesser-known churches are emptying out or being repurposed.

“Some people go to the cathedral, and they don’t realize they’re in a church. It’s a situation that’s developing in nations that were majority Christian, and now faith is cooling off,” said José Fernández Lago, rector of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Filled with masterpieces from Romanesque sculpture to lavish Baroque decorations, Santiago’s cathedral attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims who since the Middle Ages have travelled along the Camino routes to venerate St. James’s tomb.

To preserve its role as a revered pilgrims’ church, Lago said, the cathedral doesn’t charge entry fees, cap visitor numbers, or require a dress code. On a hot early summer morning, a steady stream of pilgrims ducked each other’s selfie sticks in front of the jewel-encrusted St. James statue, some still in tight cycling shorts or sweat-stained hiking shirts.

But visits aren’t allowed during the four daily Masses celebrated at the main altar, and priests as well as security guards constantly ask visitors to lower their voices to allow others to pray.

“It keeps getting harder,” said Juan Sexto, who in 10 years working security at the cathedral has noticed a change in how many visitors behave.

As crowds surged before the always-packed noon pilgrims’ Mass, he kept stepping to the main microphone asking for silence – which lasted a minute or so before enthusiastic visitors resumed chatting.

Waiting for Mass to start, pilgrim Miguel Angel Ariño said the church did well to allow only the faithful during worship times, while leaving the cathedral open long hours for cultural visits.

“As people, we need the transcendent. Leisure and rest, and time with God, are not incompatible,” Ariño said.

Without some strategy, however, they can become so. Co-existence between worshippers and tourists has been controversial at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia. Built as a landmark cathedral in the Byzantine era, turned into a mosque by the conquering Ottoman empire in the 1400s, and open as a museum for the last century, it was converted back into a functioning mosque in 2020 by Turkey’s Islamic-oriented government.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Now visitors can tour the structure for free outside of prayer hours. In Hagia Sophia’s main section where prayers are held, the vast mosaics depicting Christian figures are hidden behind drapes and most of the marble floor is covered with carpeting.

“We would like it to be a museum again,” said Ricardo Bravo, a tourist from Mexico visiting the monument with his family. “We would like to see more things to understand more, to appreciate more Turkish culture.”

At many of Spain’s most-visited churches, the balance was often off-kilter in the opposite direction. So many visitors thronged the vast Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza on a mid-June Saturday that it was nearly impossible to hear the midday Mass celebrated in the small chapel where a statue of Our Lady of the Pillar is venerated.

With some 2.5 million annual visitors, Barcelona Cathedral was also close to a breaking point before its council revolutionized the worship vs. tours balance over the last few years.

“It was like being in a market,” recalled Anna Vilanova, who directs the cathedral’s tourism strategy. “We had to put some order.”

The cathedral instituted caps on visitor numbers, required tour groups to use wireless audio guides to reduce noise, and added staffers to explain the new policies to visitors and those coming for daily Mass or confession, held in a side chapel with crystal doors to preserve silence.

While 3.7 million tourists explored the Sagrada Familia’s arresting architecture and mesmerizing stained glass windows last year, Fenelon Mendez remains focused on the parish activity literally underneath.

Originally from Venezuela, he’s lived in the neighbourhood with his family for a decade and often serves as sacristan and altar server. There are ministry programs for single moms and for migrants, and regular food distributions, he said.

The basilica provides a unique experience, so the faithful should continue to get full access to it, Mendez said. But the crypt where regular worshippers gather is the true core where many like him feel at home.

“You could take the basilica to New York, but we are here,” he said in the sacristy, long after the day’s tourists had stopped wandering above.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PORTER PLANS DAILY FLORIDA FLIGHTS THIS FALL

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Starting in November, Porter Airlines is launching daily service from Toronto to five Florida destinations: Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA); as well as two destinations – FLL and MCO – from Ottawa.

All routes begin with one daily, roundtrip flight. They include:

• Toronto-Tampa starting – Nov. 1, 4:30 p.m.
• Toronto-Fort Myers – Nov. 10, 4:45 p.m.
• Toronto-Orlando – Nov. 21, noon
• Ottawa-Orlando – Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m.
• Toronto-Fort Lauderdale – Nov. 21, 12:15 p.m.
• Ottawa- Fort Lauderdale – Nov. 30, 4:45 p.m.
• Toronto-Miami – Dec. 12, 3:40 p.m.

The new routes are Porter’s first to the US using its state-of-the-art 132-seat, all-economy Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with a two-by-two configuration designed to provide a more comfortable passenger experience.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Aug. 21-25, 2023

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Last week, CATO continued its crusade for industry reform in Ontario; Porter said it will match Air Canada Aeroplan points; Club Med introduced new Ontario reps; and wildfire repercussions continued in Maui and the Okanogan, while the southwestern US dealt with the opposite problem (too much rain).

NEWS

A “broken system” and “ignored” requests to the province to fix it are behind the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) campaign for a “more effective and fairer traveller protection system for Ontario’s travel industry,” which is set to come to a head at TICO’s upcoming annual general meeting in Sept. 26. CATO (and industry partner ACTA) are continuing to call for significant improvements to the funding framework of the regulatory body and for a legislated consumer contribution protection insurance system (Compensation Fund) and intend to introduce a motion at the meeting call for the improvements.

Unifor Local 114 members at the Victoria-Seattle ferry service have voted 100% in favour of taking legal strike action on Sunday, Sept. 3 if a contract cannot be reached with the company before then.

US President Joe Biden promised that the federal government will help “for as long as it takes” Maui to recover from damage caused by the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century.

The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary brought intensifying rain to the region, with some mountain and desert areas seeing more than half an average year’s worth of rain come down in just one day, including the desert resort city of Palm Springs, which saw nearly three inches of rain in just one day.

AIR

Porter Airlines is giving Air Canada Aeroplan members an opportunity to achieve instant VIPorter loyalty status by matching their current Aeroplan membership level with an equivalent VIPorter Avid Traveller level. Once approved, members will enjoy enhanced travel benefits with their next Porter flight. Every dollar spent gives VIPorter members points redeemable for future flights and 100% credit toward status qualification on any Porter fare. Applications are assessed after submission at flyporter.com, with VIPorter account information and screenshots from Aeroplan accounts provided for review. Registration is open until Sept. 6 with full details available online.

Travellers in Quebec can now combine select Air Transat and Azul Airlines flights to destinations such as Sao Paulo and Manaus, Brazil (connecting through Orlando or Fort Lauderdale). Flights are accessible through the connectair by Air Transat platform, bringing to 12 and the number of additional destinations available in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Canada to over 280.

Air Canada customers will have the freedom and flexibility to change their travel plans when booking on aircanada.com (Canadian edition), thanks to a new partnership with travel app Hopper. For a fee, travellers can now add ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ to eligible non-refundable fare types booked on the Air Canada website.

Flair Airlines says it is launching a unique pilot training program that will see applicants placed in the cockpit of one of the company’s Boeing 737 jets within 18 months. The Edmonton-based budget carrier says its program will radically speed up the length of time it takes in Canada for new pilots to get jobs flying large commercial jets.

BY THE NUMBERS

Aug. 23 was National Cheap Flight Day marking an industry trend that typically sees airfares drop in price following the higher-priced summer travel season.
Through comprehensive travel trend monitoring of historical web site bookings, CheapOair.ca results are showing that the average cost of a domestic airline ticket in the period following Aug. 23 averages a 17% decline from the peak airfares during June and July 2023.Furthermore, the same data shows that international flight fares have decreased on average 21% when comparing travel after Aug. 23 to the summer’s fare high point.

DEALS

Early planners who book their 2023/24 Air Canada Vacations winter vacation package to Mexico and the Caribbean, and Flight & Hotel packages to Hawaii at least four months in advance, will enjoy significant savings with Air Canada Vacations’ Early Booking Bonus. Families can save $400 (for a family of four or $100 p.p.).

Through Sept. 5, Margaritaville at Sea, which offers 3-day, 2-night voyages from Port of Palm Beach, Fla., to Grand Bahama Island is offering a flash sale that allows guest to travel for as low as US$99 for a single guest in an interior stateroom. Valid on travel through April 29, 2024.

TOURS

Railbookers has unveiled a new interactive online map for its brands, Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations. The innovative tool allows users to navigate and learn more about train routes, stations, hotels, and attractions in their desired destinations worldwide. Once an itinerary is selected, the map narrows on each city destination, showing the train station, major attractions, and their proximity to the thousands of hotel options available across both brands. Hotels can then be selected for more information.

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal and committed US$50,000 through their not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, to support immediate relief efforts in Hawaii following the devastating wildfires that devastated Maui earlier this month. The Intrepid Foundation will dollar match donations to the Hawaii Wildlife Appeal, doubling the donors’ impact.

To donate, click HERE.

HOTELS

Historic Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland has been named the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award, the first category announced in advance of the inaugural The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards 2023. The award was voted for by 580 voters in The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, who were asked to name the property where they have received the single-best hospitality experience within the two-year voting period.

Relais & Chateaux’ Stonehaven Le Manor in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Que., will extend Le Pavillon with 17 new additional rooms, located closer to the mountain and offering a magnificent view of the Lac des Sables.

RESORTS

In partnership with Autism Double-Checked, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has introduced what it says is the world’s first-ever Autism Concierge, providing a dedicated contact for all autism-related questions and serving as an extension of an existing three-part training program. The program encourages guests travelling with a child with autism or adult guests with autism to ask about specific needs through a concierge contact found within the resort’s visitor guide. Guests looking for support as they plan their vacation can contact the Autism Concierge via email.

Club Med will debut Club Med Kirora Grand, its newest Japan ski resort, in December, adding to the chain’s roster of 20 mountain resorts throughout the Alps, Canada, and Asia. Located in Hokkaido, Japan’s internationally renowned ski destination, the untouched mountain features white powder snow and unique ski trails that features skiing until May (with 160 days of winter), along with night and off-piste skiing. The resort is a three-minute gondola ride from its sister resort Club Med Kiroro Peak and will be the brand’s sole mountain destination in Asia.

CRUISE

Viking Aton

Viking recently named its newest river ship, the Viking Aton, with a special celebration in Aswan, Egypt. Sister ship of the Viking Osiris, Aton is a state-of-the-art vessel specifically built to navigate the Nile and will sail Viking’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

The 2025 World Cruise from MSC features an entirely new itinerary aboard MSC Magnifica. The epic 116-night journey departs from European ports – Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona – on Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7 2025 respectively, on its way to 50 destinations (22 of them new to the MSC World Cruise) in 21 countries. The three-month journey, will include five continents and cross three of the world’s largest oceans, sailing over 30,000 nautical miles. A highlight will be 19 days spent sailing around the Southern and Western coast of Australia.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Through Sept. 30, 2023, travel agents who sign up and complete Rocky Mountaineer’s TRACKS Agent Training will be eligible for a chance to win monthly prizes or a grand prize of a complimentary rail journey for two on select Rocky Mountaineer routes in Canada and the US. The free training program is open to certified retail travel agents and wholesale agents/partners globally and takes most people less than an hour to complete!

EVENTS

Skal president Sue Webb (centre) is joined here by the “VoX” Rocks team: Chaymae Boucher, student volunteer, George Brown College; Colin Wood, Air Miles; Denise Graham, Kissimmee; Mike Baginski, Travel Industry Today; Jenni Berg, TTC Tour Brands; and Joanne Gellatly, George Brown College.

Skal’s Toronto chapters (and a few friends) turned out for their annual golf outing last week at Royal Ontario near Milton. Good golf (mostly), good friends and good cheer were the order of the day as close to 70 industry members joined to play and/or for the barbecue lunch. Naturally, prizes were aplenty.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Club Med has announced the appointments of Tyler Mattioli and Debbie Miller as Business Development Managers for Ontario. Mattioli joins forces with Samantha Gillingham on the territory of Ontario, with Mattioli over 10 years of tourism industry experience, as both a front-line agent with Flight Centre, Air Canada Vacations and, most recently Air New Zealand. Miller, formerly with Destination Toronto, joins Club Med Meetings & Events with over 20 years of experience in destination sales. She replaces Maria Chung, who retired on July 31.

DESTINATIONS

The road to the iconic Nova Scotia tourist destination Peggy’s Cove reopened after devastating floods last month. It’s welcome news for both visitors and a community hit hard by environmental disasters. The road closure has been hard on the area’s tourism business. The flooding was triggered by torrential thunderstorms that began July 21, and dumped months worth of rain on parts of central Nova Scotia.

The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia’s premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. The ban will be in place until Sept. 4 for hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks and campgrounds in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1809, the first Canadian-built steamboat, “The Accommodation,” was launched on the St. Lawrence River at Montreal. Owned by the brewer and banker John Molson, it carried 10 passengers to Quebec City from Montreal on its maiden voyage, which took place at the end of October.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE: Where to see rare total eclipse

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Dust off your eclipse glasses: It’s a little over half a year until a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. On April 8, 2024, the moon will cast its shadow across a stretch of the US, Mexico, and Canada, plunging millions of people into midday darkness.

It’s been less than six years since a total solar eclipse cut across North America from coast to coast. That was on Aug. 21, 2017.

If you miss next year’s spectacle, you’ll have to wait 20 years until the next one hits the continent.

Here’s what to know to get ready for the 2024 show:

Where can I see it?

Next year’s eclipse will slice a diagonal line across North America on April 8, which falls on a Monday.

It will start in the Pacific and first reach land over Mexico around 11:07 a.m. local time, NASA predicts. Then, it’ll cross over into Texas and move across parts of the Midwest and Northeast in the afternoon.

All in all, it will hit parts of 13 US states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Cities in its path include Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis; Cleveland and Buffalo, New York.

Parts of Canada – starting at about 3:15 in Windsor, Ont. and tracking across Southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces by about 4:30 – will also get a glimpse before the eclipse heads out to sea in the early evening.

A total eclipse will be visible within a 240-km wide swath – the path of totality. The event will last about four minutes in some places along the path.

Outside that path, you can still see a partial solar eclipse, where the moon takes a bite out of the sun and turns it into a crescent shape.

Total eclipses happen about every 18 months, but a lot of times they cross over remote areas where few people see them.

What happens during an eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light from reaching us.

Even though the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, it’s also about 400 times closer to Earth, explained University of Colorado astronomer Doug Duncan. So, when the orbits line up just right, the little moon can block out the whole sun. Those who are standing in the right spots will experience totality: when the moon casts its shadow over the landscape.

“In just seconds, you go from bright, bright daylight to like the middle of the night,” said Dr. Debby Brown, who saw her first total eclipse in 2017 with Duncan in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

“The stars are out. All of a sudden, all the animals are quiet,” recalled Brown, of Arlington, Virginia.

During the 2024 eclipse, totality will stretch to around four and a half minutes – almost twice as long as in 2017.

Where’ the best spot?

To catch the full eclipse experience, planning ahead is key, Duncan said. Weather could be a big factor since the eclipse is coming in the spring, when conditions are unpredictable. That’s why Duncan selected Texas for his eclipse tour next year, where there are better odds of clear skies.

Your choice also depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, said Bob Baer, who’s coordinating eclipse plans at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Carbondale – in the crossroads of both the 2017 and 2024 eclipse paths – will hold a viewing event at the school’s stadium again. It’s a big group experience, Baer said: “The last 20 minutes before totality, the stadium gets as loud as a football game.”

But you can find eclipse events of all different flavours planned along the eclipse path: luxury cruises in Mexico, music festivals in Texas, farm camping in Arkansas, planetarium visits in upstate New York.

Wherever you are, you’ll want to grab eclipse glasses to see the partial phases before and after totality. Looking at the partially covered sun without protection can cause serious eye damage.

Do not do this.

What other eclipses are coming up?

The US will get some eclipse action ahead of the big event in 2024. There will be an annular eclipse – when the sun isn’t completely covered, but appears like a ring of fire in the sky – later this year, on Oct. 14.

The path of that eclipse will cross from Oregon down through California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

With a 20-year gap until the next total solar eclipse in North America, Duncan says it will be worth it to be in the path of totality next year. He’s witnessed 12 total eclipses so far.

Seeing a partial eclipse – even if it’s 90% covered – means “you missed all the good stuff,” he said.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: 13 lucky places to have a Red Stripe in Jamaica

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Red Stripe, Jamaica’s famed beer, is synonymous the island. Its smooth yet zesty taste, served chilled in iconic stubby bottles, reminds drinkers of the genuinely vibrant yet calming spirit of the island and its inhabitants. Moreover, the logo adorns all manner of souvenirs that are carried by tourists to destinations around the world.

But the beer, of course, is made for drinking, not just T-shirts, so, where in the name of Bob Marley are the best places on the island to get one (or perhaps two)?

Here, courtesy of island insiders Jamaica Experience, is a list of 13 of the best places in Jamaica to enjoy Red Stripe:

Red Bones Blues Café, Kingston: In addition to enjoying a cold Red Stripe, visit this bar on Argyle road for an evening of fine Jazz music, dub poetry readings, and even film screenings. If your appetite permits, have dinner with your Red Stripe by the bar, in the dining rooms, under the gazebo, or by the courtyard.

Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Record, Kingston: While sipping on your Red Stripe at Tracks & Record, you can catch your favourite games on one of the flat-screen TVs positioned at various sections of this sports bar. On some nights, special events are held here such as comedy shows, music release shows, and watch parties.

Triple Century Sports Bar: Another great watch party location in Jamaica’s capital city is Triple Century. Owned by famous West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, you can enjoy both local and international bites at this sports lounge while you nurse a couple of bottles of Red Stripe.

Pelican Bar, St. Elizabeth: You will have to journey by boat to enjoy your Red Stripe because this bar is located in the middle of the ocean. It’s one of the most popular day bars on Jamaica’s south coast. You get to enjoy sweeping views of the ocean, freshly prepared seafood dishes, and your favourite Jamaica beer.

Pier 1, Montego Bay: When you’re feeling for Red Stripe in Montego Bay, all roads lead to the lively seaside restaurant and bar, Pier 1. It’s a family-friendly dining location so while you are having your bottles of Red Stripe at the bar, the rest of your family can satisfy their tastebuds with the inviting seafood menu. There is also a menu for vegetarians and a kids menu.

Distil Bar, Kingston: If you want to season your palate with international cuisine while drinking your beer, Distil Bar is the place to go. It is strategically located in Marketplace surrounding a number of restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Mediterranean dishes.

Rick’s Café, Negril: A trip to Negril without a stop at this cliffside hangout (photo) is a huge blunder that you will never make. While you sip on your Red Stripe, watch as brave patrons cliff dive.

The Brewery, Montego Bay: One of the distinct features of this restaurant is the amazing view of the sunset that patrons who dine in the evening enjoy. The location of The Brewery makes it an ideal spot to reflect on your day and converse with locals.

JoJos Jerk Pit, Kingston: The coolest jerk-pan hangout on Waterloo Road is JoJos Jerk Pit. Not only will you enjoy a bottle of Red Stripe, but you can also choose from a variety of jerk dishes such as jerk pork, chicken, sausage, and even jerk seafood. Maybe you want to balance your alcohol consumption, try a cup of soup at intervals.

Regency, Kingston: Maybe you’re seeking a quieter ambiance indoors. The Regency located inside Terra Nova All-Suites Hotel is perfect for you to enjoy a chilled bottle of Red Stripe. You can also order from their menu which includes local and international dishes.

Mary’s Bay Boat Bar & Grill, Negril: After a few hours of cliff diving, sunbathing, and splashes in the mini-pools on Negril’s Westend, visit this bar and grill to have a bottle of Red Stripe. It’s a relaxed setting that boasts a nightly, live Reggae music show.

Blue Beat, Montego Bay: This cozy lounge on the Hip Strip serves up the best of Montego Bay’s Jazz and Blues scene on most nights and attracts a mature crowd of music lovers. In addition to Red Stripe, try out their selection of fine wines and spirits at the bar.

Flavours Beach Bar, Runaway Bay: After a swim in the warm waters at Flavours, spend a few hours at the bar with a cool Red Stripe, a plate of jerk chicken and fries, and good company. That’s all you need to feel right at home.

Not close to any of these bars? There are more than enough spots in Jamaica to enjoy Red Stripe and other beverages. Ask the front desk at your hotel or villa to give you recommendations.

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

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

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HELLO HONG KONG: New attractions, timeless treasures welcome returning Canadians

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It already seems like ages ago (March) that Hong Kong lifted its COVID mask mandate and Canada removed temporary pre-departure test requirements for air travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao. The double move eliminated two major obstacles for the return of travel to the favourite destination for Canadians and prompted the always industrious Hong Kong Tourism Board to ramp up operations to accommodate visitors ready (and able) to return after the long pandemic.

The tourism board had already launched its “Hello Hong Kong” tourism campaign with great fanfare in February to re-introduce itself to the world, including giving away 500,000 air tickets to global tourists in what Chief Executive John Lee called “probably the world’s biggest welcome ever.”

Activations included promotional activities, including lucky draws, “buy one, get one free” promotions, and games – all designed to reignite visitor interest.

In addition to a “we’re open” theme, the campaign, which included high-profile celebrity endorsements, highlighted new attractions, dining, and hotels, and was meant to show that Hong Kong “never rested during the pandemic” – constantly developing and improving its tourism product, even if tourists were unable to go there at the time.

The “fluid” campaign has continued throughout the summer and will carry on into the fall and winter, says HKTB’s Director for the Americas, Michael Lim, who adds the Canadian office is very happy with the reaction to “Hello Hong Kong” and the engagement it has generated, noting that travel agents can still tap into a huge array offers on the HKTB web site, such as free drinks at local bars and “other goodies” to offer their clients as a value-added goodwill gesture.

Lim says that interest amongst Canadians in Hong Kong remains strong, and despite the challenges early in the year, there were close to 75,000 arrivals from this country from January to June.

The HKTB’s current target market in this country includes those with disposition for long-haul travel, along with VFR and luxury travellers, and mainland Chinese transiting through the city due to a lack of direct flights.

Further, that it is a “must-see destination” for travellers enroute to other (Asian) destinations and/or as a destination on its own.

And for business travellers, a city that offers after-hours experiences – from nightlife to attractions to local cultural activities – and is worth an extension of a few more days.

HKTB Senior Trade Marketing Manager Yuen Kan Wong says her office is staging B2B, B2C and B2B2C campaigns in Canada to reiterate that Hong Kong is a “vibrant and exciting destination with lots to offer the visitor – both new experiences and timeless traditions.”

Attention is similarly being bestowed on travel agents through trade campaigns, and agent contests that will feature trip prizes.

“Our objective with the travel trade is to showcase that Hong Kong has a world of new discoveries” says Lim, who notes that “so much has happened during the pandemic.”

For example, “where do people stay?” he asks, pointing out that 15 new hotels have been built (with 84,000 rooms in the city overall).

And there are over 10,000 restaurants, covering all price points and including 77 with Michelin stars.

West Kowloon District

There are also new tours being developed and new attractions, not least the West Kowloon district, one of the world’s most ambitious cultural projects, which includes a rich variety of arts and cultural facilities that will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and arts and cultural events.

The Xiqu Centre, Freespace, the Art Park, and M+ are already open to the public, along with the district’s crown jewel, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which presents over 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum – many of them on display in Hong Kong for the first time, while others have never been shown to the public before.

Canadians should also know that Hong Kong is more than just an urban destination, says Lim, with wellness and outdoor options (like hiking) aplenty, spread across 260 islands. There’s even a UNESCO Global Geopark.

And better still, he points out, everything is within an hour’s reach, and accessible by affordable transit.

Importantly, the HKTB director points out that Canadians can easily get to Hong Kong with service from Cathay Pacific and Air Canada. The former offers 11 weekly flights from Toronto and eight from Vancouver (effective Sept.), while Canada’s national carrier provides seven per week from YVR.

As capacity resumes, says Yuen, there are even more “big plans in the pipeline” for Hong Kong in Canada.

And all of them, adds Lim, will continue to be designed to “be in front of our audience, and to drive business – to have people see Hong Kong and say, ‘I want to go there!’”

To help keep on top of developments in Hong Kong, agents are recommended to sign up to receive the monthly HKTB Canada newsletter. Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/FP7BDJwqxD.

HKTB Senior Trade Marketing Manager Yuen Kan Wong and Director for The Americas Michael Lim

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HONG KONG’S NEWEST MUST-SEES

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While the world – and tourism – paused during the pandemic, Hong Kong used the unavoidable downtime to nevertheless continue developing its infrastructure and attractions for the day when tourism resumed. And that day has come.

Hong Kong Director for the Americas Michael Lim says both first-time and returning visitors will find a city with a new look and amazing new experiences that compliment or enhance traditional favourite activities and cultural touchstones, such as discovering Old Town Central, or ascending Victoria Peak for unparalleled views of the harbour and skyline.

Here are some of the highlights that visitors won’t want to miss:

PEAK TRAM

Peak Tram

The Peak is considered by many to be Hong Kong’s most spectacular destination, but even the journey reaching it can be equally as spellbinding. Taking approximately six minutes and rising from 33 m. to 396 m. above sea level along a 1,278-m.-long track, the journey is a visually memorable experience as skyscrapers glide past at what appear to be impossible angles while the Peak Tram makes its ascent.

The Peak Tram began operation in 1888 and today is one of the world’s oldest funicular railways. And now, having returned after a major facelift and upgrade project, the iconic tourist attraction features new tramcars with larger panoramic windows; the replacement of all haulage, control, and signalling systems; new ropes and track rails; and the refurbishment of its Central and Peak Termini to facilitate the beautiful new, larger capacity tramcars.

In addition to reducing passenger waiting times by over 70%, visitors are greeted by a dynamic, brand-new entertainment experience that introduces five engaging zones that include: Eye of Infinity, The Beating Heart, An Icon is Born, Once Upon a Tram, and Go Wild at the Peak at the Central Terminus.

OLD TOWN CENTRAL

One of the oldest yet also most dynamic districts in the city, Old Town Central – encompassing the sloped streets and small alleys of Central and Sheung Wan – encapsulates Hong Kong’s rich and diverse spirit. A place where century-old temples share the same streets as fashion-forward concept stores, or where authentic tea houses coexist with modern art galleries, the colourful neighbourhood is at once old and new while also being proudly local and unmistakably global.

Immensely walkable and brimming with attractions, this neighbourhood is perfect to experience on foot. There’s plenty to discover, from heritage buildings and art institutions to local eats and fun souvenirs.

And, of course, historic Central Market, which dates to 1842, but which has seen multiple transformations since – the latest iteration coming in August 2021. With the motto ‘Playground for All,’ the three-level establishment is split into three core concepts: a boundary-less spatial experience, a green urban oasis, and a curated heritage experience.

Different entrances lead into the ground floor space, while shops are designed as individual islands separated by green partitions. More than 500 mini lampshades – a symbol of the classic wet market – hang above the ground floor entrance, their traditional red and contemporary bronze symbolizing the meeting of old and new. The market’s original built structure remains mostly unchanged, with the historical red brick walls and hanging clock of the grand staircase kept as a testament to its predecessor. Greenery fills the grounds both indoors and outdoors, including an air-filtrating arcade of 400 green plants in the corridor. Of the original market stalls, 13 remain, and displays of traditional shop signs and signage hark back to Hong Kong’s past.

SHAM SHUI PO

Many of Hong Kong’s unique neighbourhoods recall the authentic Hong Kong beyond the glamourous central city. The historically blue-collar Sham Shui Po neighbourhood, for example, offers a lot of cheap but cheerful experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. Instead of glitzy, glass-panelled skyscrapers, here you’ll find buildings that hide a rich history behind their humble façades – many now adorned with colourful street art.

Don’t come here for a fancy gourmet meal. Instead, come here for Michelin-recommended noodles and snacks that only cost under CDN$10. And to shop – sifting through anything and everything for sale at bargain prices on Fuk Wing, or Toy, street, and open-air street markets, including the wet food market on Pei Ho Street.

From traditional temples built by early immigrants to the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir – a historic Romanesque cistern featuring granite piers, red brick arches, and concrete cove ceilings that can now be toured (individually or in groups) – to concept stores and coffee shops that are bringing a new energy and attitude to the bustling district, visitors will discover all the simple pleasures that give Sham Shui Po its distinct charm.

WEST KOWLOON DISTRICT

Art Park and waterfront promenade

A growing arts and cultural hub with performance and exhibition centres, green open spaces, a growing selection of cafés and restaurants, and a waterfront promenade perfect for enjoying sunset views and evening strolls, the West Kowloon Cultural District stretches from MTR Austin Station to the waterfront west of MTR Kowloon Station, and all venues are within easy distance of public transport.

  • A highlight of the district is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which is dedicated to presenting Chinese history, art, and culture from a new perspective, while advancing dialogue among world civilizations through international partnerships. The museum presents the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world.
  • There is also M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, featuring collections spanning 20th- and 21st-century visual art, design, and architecture, moving image and Hong Kong visual culture. The expansive podium cantilevers above ground and includes 17,000 sq. m. of exhibition space across 33 galleries, three cinema houses, the Mediatheque, Learning Hub, and Roof Garden that faces Victoria Harbour.
  • The Art Parkoffers open green spaces where visitors can relax, play, or picnic on the lawns, and a long waterfront promenade perfect for sunset views of the harbour. Art Park is also a vibrant venue for open-air performances, exhibitions and other cultural events, and home to occasional street performers, a gourmet food truck and multiple restaurants and cafés.
  • Freespace– Hong Kong’s centre for contemporary performance in the heart of the Art Park – presents multi-genre performances and events, and showcases emerging and established artists from Hong Kong and around the world.
  • Located at the eastern end of the district, the Xiqu Centreis an award-winning venue showcasing world-class productions of Cantonese opera and other regional forms of Chinese opera (xiqu). The Centre also hosts regular film screenings, workshops, talks, exhibitions, and guided tours.

And, of course, there is an endless list of traditional sites, sounds and activities, in Hong Kong that help make the city one of the world’s most unique destinations.

Here are just a few:

Big Buddha
  • On Lantau island at the Po Lin Monastery, the Tian Tan ‘Big’ Buddha is a 34-m. high bronze statue that requires 268 steps to reach. And that’s after getting there via cable car from Tung Chung MTR station, a ride that is clearly half the fun.
  • Hong Kong is famous for its flowers, and the markets that sell them – especially at Chinese New Year. But visiting a Flower Market at any time of year makes “scents.”
  • Temple Street Night Market is a kaleidoscope of colour, a delightful hodgepodge of stalls, cafés, and mystic arts. Near the temple rows of fortune tellers predicting the future through such means as palm and ear readings, as well as bird-assisted tarot card reading.
  • Star Ferry, which sails across Victoria Harbour every 10 minutes, is a great way to see how the locals travel, and to get a magnificent view of the harbour – all for just a few dollars.
  • Hong Kong’s classic trams have earned Guiness World Record recognition as the ‘largest double-decker tram fleet in service.’ The trams ply the north corridor of the main island from morning until midnight; be sure to sit on the top deck for the quintessential sightseeing experience.
  • Returning mega events to the city in 2023 include the annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which will make its grand return to the Central Harbourfront from Oct. 26 to 29. Set against the breathtaking Victoria Harbour skyline, it offers a sensational outdoor wine and dine experience, with tasting and cooking workshops, as well as live entertainment. And the festival continues to delight taste buds in November: for four weeks, Hong Kong locals and visitors can share fantastic gastronomic experiences and a myriad of special offers from hundreds of bars and restaurants.

And in October, Hong Kong Cyclothon offers a rare opportunity to cycle through the diverse cityscape of Hong Kong. Alongside thousands of cyclists, it’s a breathtaking ride and exhilarating event!

  • Chinese New Year is the highlight of the Hong Kong Cultural calendar. It’s a time of lavish fireworks, a world-famous night street parade, elaborate banquets, and glittering illuminations. Symbolizing prosperity and unity, while invoking good fortune for the year ahead, this festival is cherished and celebrated across the city. In the weeks leading up to the event Hong Kong is abuzz with activity as preparations for the holiday get underway. Visitors do not have to look hard (or at all!) to find a lion dance, a colourful, noisy, and athletic display aimed at frightening away evil spirits and bringing good luck.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SPLASH AND DASH: Summer fun for the family in Hong Kong

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From thrilling theme parks and vibrant art and cultural attractions to family-friendly hospitality options with easy access to the city’s must-see attractions, Hong Kong is an ideal destination for families.

Here is short list of some of most sensational offerings around the city this summer, and venues destined to thrill both now and in the future:

World-Class Theme Parks

No family stay in Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s favourite theme parks, which include Ocean Park and Disneyland:

  • Marine-based Ocean Park Hong Kong has remained a firm fan favourite with locals and visitors alike for four decades. Committed to raising awareness of environmental conservation, the sprawling park allows guests, big and small, to get close to some of nature’s greatest wonders, from exotic sharks that swim about in a 360-degree aquarium to furry giant pandas and waddling penguins. Aside from being a haven for animal-lovers, the park is also the perfect spot for thrill-seekers who want to test their courage on the floorless rollercoaster, or the hair-raising turbo-drop ride fitted with VR technology.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland features seven exciting themed lands, more than 100 attractions and entertainment offerings, character-filled parades, and three hotels with distinctive themes that help create an unforgettable experience. In 2023 the theme park is celebrating ‘Disney’s 100 Years of Magic,’ marking the 100th anniversary of Disney.
Hong Kong Disneyland

Art and Culture

  • teamLab Future Park: Art and technology meet at a new immersive experience by world-famous art collectives teamLab. There’s interactive fun, with six stunning works on display until Jan. 14, 2024, including ‘Graffiti Nature – Beating Mountains and Valleys, Red List,’ which sees the Hong Kong newt, a local endangered species, take centre stage. Other highlights are ‘Sliding through the Fruit Field’ and ‘A Table where Little People Live,’ which have already proven a huge hit with families.
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum: Appreciate traditional Chinese history, art, and culture from a new perspective at the incredible Hong Kong Palace Museum. The Harbourfront institution is excellent for families to explore local culture through fascinating year-round exhibitions and multimedia installations. Families can also join hands-on, creative workshops, such as ceramic and jewellery making.

Timeless fun

  • Get the best view of the city, harbour, and beyond from the lofty heights of The Peak – a must-see city attraction. And what better way to get there than by the historic (but renovated) tram, one of the world’s oldest funicular railways?
  • Kids will find four storeys of space jam-packed with fun interactive activities at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
  • Visitors to the island of Ma Wan will find the unlikely scene of elephants, giraffes and other wild animals walking two-by-two from a giant ship. This is Noah’s Ark, or at least the world’s first full-size replica of the Genesis vessel with many life-like animals. The themed attraction boasts fun yet informative galleries, immersive exhibitions, and family-friendly games that are all aimed at promoting the values of social and environmental harmony.

The great outdoors

Dragon’s Back

Despite being one of the most highly developed regions in the world, more than 40% of Hong Kong remains protected country parkland. These verdant tropical reserves offer up some of the best hiking to be found globally, not to mention culturally enriching and health-promoting experiences for visitors of all ages. Consider these fabulous hiking trails for families:

  • Peak Circle Walk(all ages): Provides a bird’s-eye vantage of all of Hong Kong’s most famous views in one short and sweet hike.
  • Lamma Island Family Trail(5 and up): A day on this historical trail has it all: boat rides, heritage and religious sites, local industry, a peek at island life, and a gentle-moderate hike that is easy to handle for most primary-school aged kids and above.
  • Dragon’s Back(all ages): Hong Kong’s most famous hike, the undulating Dragon’s Back Hike, is not as steep or as challenging as some of the region’s more advanced trails, but a decent level of fitness is still required – as is a good pair of trainers.

Family-Friendly Hotels

  • Regala Skycity Hotel: Located in Skycity, Hong Kong International Airport, the hotel boasts several colourful themed family suites in which kids can make their dreams come true by living out their prince and princess fantasies in the princess castle suite or feeling the speed in the car racing suite.
  • The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong: Surprise the little ones with a ‘Baby Shark Adventure’ at the Fullerton Ocean Park Hong Kong! Running until Nov. 30, the experience includes a thematic guestroom and a range of experiences that revolve around the popular children’s song and TV show ‘Baby Shark.’

Consider a family itinerary 

https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan/trip-planner/4-days-of-family-fun.html

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News