Starfish Travel Corporation Team

LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS, LOTTE DUTY FREE, and LOTTE WORLD are the three commercial divisions of HOTEL LOTTE, a firm that produces worldwide cultural and tourist content. SIGNIEL SEOUL and LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE are two of the 33 properties that LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS now owns across the world. The five companies owned by LOTTE WORLD are LOTTE WORLD ADVENTURE, Aquarium, and SEOUL SKY. There are 21 locations operated by LOTTE DUTY FREE, including airports in Brisbane and Guam. Announcing the beginning of HOTEL LOTTE’s fifty-year existence (1970s) Former Korean President Chung-Hee Park entrusted Kyuk-Ho Shin, the company’s founder and former chairman, with the hotel sector in 1970. Chairman Shin opened Hotel LOTTE on May 5th, 1973, despite the venture required significant funding. He launched LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL, the largest luxury hotel in Asia at the time, after spending $150 million over the course of six years, launching Korea’s tourist sector. Creating a tourist attraction out of the suburban Jamsil in the 1980s In the 1980s, HOTEL LOTTE focused on Jamsil, a Seoul suburb at the time, and started making plans for the nation’s first indoor theme park. The LOTTE WORLD Adventure opened its doors in July 1989 after a total of 454 million dollars had been invested over five years. The Guinness Book of World Records listed it as the world’s largest indoor theme park at the time, and more than 210 million people have visited it since it first opened, making it one of Korea’s premier tourist destinations. 1988 saw the opening of LOTTE HOTEL WORLD in Jamsil during the Seoul Olympics. The district became a popular tourist attraction once HOTEL LOTTE opened in January 1989, followed by the establishment of LOTTE DUTY FREE. Laying the groundwork for a revival in the economy (1990s–2000s) LOTTE DUTY FREE continues to expand its infrastructure by establishing its flagship stores around the nation even during the IMF financial crisis of the 1990s, aiding in the country’s economic recovery through tourism. The first duty-free establishment in the sector to emphasise brand identification through red uniforms and signs, strengthening the perception of the nation, was the duty-free launch at Gimpo Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in 1999. K-brand promotion during the Korean wave (2010s) Early in the new millennium, LOTTE DUTY FREE started a programme to encourage Korean travel by fusing Korean Wave with shopping, travel, and culture. The organisation has been actively promoting entertainment tourism by conducting customer-invited “Family Concerts” with popular Korean musicians like Super Junior and BTS, as well as by establishing the “Star Avenue,” a place covered with the handprints, images, and videos of famous people. Since 2006, The Family Concert has brought in a total of one million spectators, attracting tourists from all over the world to K-Brands. In 2017, LOTTE globe unveiled the observatory “SEOUL SKY” in the LOTTE WORLD TOWER, which at the time stood at 555 metres and was the third-tallest structure in the whole globe. Developing a worldwide growth plan to establish your company as a global leader Based on the history of HOTEL LOTTE in Korea, the largest hotel chain in that country, LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS, has expanded its operations internationally with the establishment of LOTTE HOTEL MOSCOW in 2010. The five-star ranking in the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide was given to LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS for its several properties, including the 1882-built LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE, LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE, LOTTE HOTEL ST. PETERSBURG, and others. It is a testament to LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS’ strong brand that it has hosted major international gatherings including the UN General Assembly and the US-Korea Summit. Former US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump have both picked it for their stays at the LOTTE New York Palace, while Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has chosen the LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL. Additionally, LOTTE DUTY FREE has launched five outlets in Oceania and the first facility for the Korean duty-free market at Indonesia’s Jakarta Airport. The opening of LOTTE DUTY FREE Melbourne Airport is planned for June, while the openings of L7 WESTLAKE HANOI and LOTTE WORLD AQUARIUM HANOI by LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS are planned for August. CEO of LOTTE Group Hotel HQ Wan-Shin Lee stated, “HOTEL LOTTE has evolved into a global company operating hotels, duty-free shops and theme parks over the past 50 years,” adding, “Based on the heritage built up to now, we will keep offering contents to enhance customer experience in order to continue to grow as a 100-year company.” Source: breakingtravelnews

Members of Congress joined Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and Warrior Expeditions in the U.S. Capitol to commemorate the departure of six military veterans who will be cycling across the country to process and recover from the psychological effects of their deployments.The riders will cover 3,700 miles before arriving at their destination in La Push, Washington, later this summer. The riders started their journey at the eastern end of the Great American Rail-route, RTC’s flagship project to link a cross-country, multiuse route. When the Great American Rail-route was first unveiled four years ago, Ryan Chao, president of RTC, remarked, “We knew that this grand vision to connect a trail across the country would capture the imagination of the nation.” In addition to optimism that comes from connecting with the people, places, and rich legacy that make up the American landscape, the veterans who have previously taken part in this ride have noted that the trek has offered peace and healing. We find inspiration in their journey, and we’re pleased that the infrastructure we’re developing can accommodate their adventure. A charitable organisation called Warrior journeys places an emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of lengthy outdoor journeys to aid veterans in making the transition from their experiences in combat. Veterans can apply to join one of the expedition teams for a variety of activities, such as long-distance walks, canoe trips, and the Warrior Bike, which is only conducted on the Great American Rail-Trail. Psychologists and Warrior Expeditions collaborate as part of the programme to study and document how long-term outdoor and wilderness experiences, such as the Warrior Bike Expedition, affect war veterans. Sean Gobin, the organization’s founder and executive director, said, “Warrior Expeditions is thrilled to support another group of veterans along the Great American Rail Trail for the third year in a row.” “These rides provide our veterans the chance to see a variety of America while also finding calm and healing in nature. We also like the efforts made by RTC to improve the route year after year. Among the veterans taking part in the 2023 Warrior Bike are Stephanie Buffett of Riner, Virginia (U.S. Air Force, Afghanistan deployment); Timothy Davis of Lake Zurich, Illinois (U.S. Air Force, Afghanistan deployment); Brittany Greene of Tacoma, Washington (U.S. Army, Afghanistan deployment); Aaron Ledbetter of Cottage Grove, Oregon (U.S. Army, Afghanistan deployment); and Charles Sonnenberg of New Braunfels, Texas (U.S. Air Force “I’m hoping that by going on this adventure, I’ll be able to learn more about who I am and how I fit into the world. Brittany Greene, a former U.S. Army CBRN Officer from Tacoma, Washington, stated, “I anticipate working through a continuous series of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges that have the potential to become important personal growth opportunities.” Source: breakingtravelnews

With flights to Salta and Iguaz (both in Brazil) from the hub in Peru, the company will improve connectivity. LATAM Group provided updates on its operations for the upcoming weeks, noting the 143 destinations that will be served in May, representing an increase of 7% over May 2022. The following route announcements are other pertinent news from this month: LATAM Airlines Peru will begin offering three weekly flights between Lima and Iguaz on November 1. LATAM Airlines Peru will begin offering three weekly flights between Lima and Salta on December 2. Beginning on July 28, LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate two weekly flights between Fortaleza and Miami. LATAM Airlines Group will begin offering five weekly flights between Santiago (Chile) and Los Angeles on October 2. Operational data for the month of April 2023 When comparing April 2023 to the same month in 2022, passenger traffic (as measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, or RPK), climbed by 26.2%, while operations, as measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers), increased by 29.6%. Inferentially, the load factor dropped 2.1 percentage points to 79.1%. Source: traveldailynews

In April 2024, Royal Caribbean International will make its way back to China, sailing from Shanghai on Spectrum of the Seas, the biggest and most technologically advanced ship in the continent. On 4- and 5-night cruises to a selection of well-liked vacation spots including Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Tokyo, Japan, travellers may create memories with family and friends. Beginning in December 2024, Spectrum will additionally provide eight departures from Hong Kong to locations such Ishigaki and Miyazaki, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China; and Nha Trang, Vietnam. From one thrilling premiere to the next: In late 2024, Singapore will serve as the departure port for the maiden Asian voyage of the cruise line’s Anthem of the Seas. Many of the iconic favourites that tourists are familiar with and adore are included in Anthem, along with a variety of brand-new methods for any kind of visitor to have an adventure. “We have been waiting for this moment, together with Chinese tourists. When Spectrum of the Seas made its Shanghai debut as the newest and greatest Royal Caribbean ship in 2019, it instantly became a household name among Chinese families and tourists. Bert Hernandez, senior vice president, international, Royal Caribbean International, described our return to China as an exciting milestone that could only be marked with Spectrum of the Seas. “We congratulate the Chinese government for laying the groundwork for progress and remain dedicated to growing the cruise sector in an area from which we have sailed for more than ten years. With the arrival of Anthem of the Seas in Singapore, a new award-winning ship, this has also created a wealth of options to increase the diversity of vacations available in Asia. April 2024: Spectrum of the Seas departs from Shanghai. A variety of restaurants with locally inspired meals and entertainment, including Hot Pot, Teppanyaki, Sichuan Red, karaoke lounge Star Moment, and creative performances like Showgirls at the Royal Theatre, are available at Spectrum, a resort especially created for Asia and tourists of all ages. Along with the comfortable amenities, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of unique adventures, such as skydiving on the RipCord by iFly, ascending more than 90 metres above the ocean in the North Star all-glass observation capsule, and The Effectors in the Royal Theatre, an innovative, transformative space that comes to life with performers, robots, and more. And when it comes to luxury, the ship’s exclusive suite enclave has you covered with everything from exclusive dining, shopping, and more to a two-level, 2,809-square-foot ideal Family Suite with an in-suite slide and space for up to 11 people for the ideal multi-generational family holiday. Late 2024: Anthem of the Seas departs from Singapore. Travellers on Anthem may anticipate days of playtime with a selection of activities. After sunset, there are lounges and bars where you can unwind with live music, as at the Latin-themed club Boleros and the popular English pub Brass & Bock, which features pints of various types and a live guitarist. The Olivier Award-winning musical sensation We Will Rock You, which includes a soundtrack of killer Queen hits, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity area at sea, where passengers can enjoy classic games like bumper cars, are also on deck. There are several dining options available, including the all-day café café Promenade, American shakes, burgers, and more at Johnny Rockets, which has a throwback feel, and the Mediterranean-inspired Solarium Bistro. Popular eating establishments such as the traditional American steakhouse Chops Grille, the fresh Japanese cuisine at Izumi, and the imaginative delicacies created for all the senses at Wonderland are all returning to the area. In the next weeks, travellers may mark their calendars and reserve their trips to far-off locales aboard Spectrum or Anthem at Royal Caribbean’s website. Source: breakingtravelnews

The bay, which is shielded by prevailing winds and makes for a perfect position for a mooring site for yachts and sailboats, will be home to 75 guest villas and 20 branded houses for sale that will all discretely blend into the contours of the bay. Six Senses will launch its first resort in Greece in collaboration with Grivalia Hospitality, one of the country’s largest investors in the ultra-luxury travel industry. The “Greek Maldives”‘ greatest hidden beaches may be found on Megalonisos, one of the ten Petalioi islands and islets, in a southerly white-sand cove. Short boat rides will be required to reach Six Senses Megalonisos from Marmari on the west coast of Evia or Rafina, which is located directly across the mainland from Athens. The tranquil and isolated Megalonisos has been left by history and mythology to snooze in the sun, in contrast to the island of Evia or Euboea, which was said to have been separated from mainland Greece by a strike from Poseidon’s trident, the childhood home of Goddess Hera, and the site of the Titans versus the Giants battle. The bay, which is shielded by prevailing winds and makes for a perfect position for a mooring site for yachts and sailboats, will be home to 75 guest villas and 20 branded houses for sale that will all discretely blend into the contours of the bay. Numerous diving options in the crystal-clear, turquoise seas and unbroken hiking routes through unspoiled environment contribute to the creation of a variety of unusual experiences that can stimulate, energise, and rejuvenate. The attractiveness of discovering Greece’s cultural legacy, which includes the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Parthenon, and Temple of Olympian Zeus, to mention just a few, as well as its thriving fine dining and street food scene, is enhanced by the accessibility of day visits to Athens. Six Senses was selected for this initiative in part because of its environmental credentials in terms of energy, resources, and operations, which help Greece’s transition to sustainable and ethical tourist practises. The community’s own solar electric farm will provide all of the energy needs. All-day eating, a beach bar and grill, and a speciality sunset bar are offered at the three restaurants. Along with a store, there will also be a pastry café, ideal for a coffee after a sun salutation or morning swim. Four double sensory suites, a Watsu for a variety of hydrotherapies, and a Hammam for a warm herbal steam and body scrub are just a few of the treatment rooms available at the 1,700 square metre Six Senses Spa. Along with signature experiences and brand differentiators like Sleep, Eat, and Grow With Six Senses, the Alchemy Bar, Earth Lab, and Integrated Wellness, visitors may indulge in regionally inspired food and spa services. According to Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, “Six Senses Megalonisos offers a unique opportunity to set foot on a Greek island that even the Gods left undiscovered.” “We look forward to extending emotional hospitality to our guests, which includes cutting-edge wellness, sustainability, and meaningful experiences.” The Chairman and CEO of Grivalia Hospitality, Mr. George Chryssikos, said, “We are excited to work with Six Senses as we share similar ideals in terms of sustainability and well-being. Through our investments, Grivalia Hospitality seeks to develop distinctive and one-of-a-kind hospitality projects and experiences while also enhancing Greece’s status as a top travel destination for luxury travellers and luring top-tier companies that are aware of our nation’s enormous potential in the high-end hospitality market. Private boats may take guests to Six Senses Megalonisos from Rafina port on the island of Evia, which is 16 km and 30 minutes by car from the Athens International Airport. The end of 2027 has been chosen as the intended opening date. Source: traveldailynews

Have you been wanting to visit Hong Kong? This may be your opportunity. Australians have the option to purchase inexpensive roundtrip tickets to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. This is a part of a campaign that Airport Authority Hong Kong is supporting that will provide 50,000 international travellers reduced tickets. It’s a part of the “hello Hong Kong” campaign, launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to encourage travellers back to the city now that travel restrictions to Hong Kong have been abolished. On Monday, May 29, 2023, at 12:00 PM AEST, the discounted tickets will only be available for purchase by Cathay members. Not only low-cost airfares, however. “Welcoming offers” from more than 16,000 establishments around the city have been compiled by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the tourism and hospitality industries for visitors. At least 1 million “Hong Kong Goodies” tourist consumption certificates would be distributed among them at first. These coupons are good for a complimentary welcome drink at participating bars, restaurants, and hotels or a cash voucher that may be used for transportation, dining, shopping, and activities. You need to be a Cathay member in order to take advantage of this exclusive voucher offer. On Cathay Pacific’s website, you may register for a free membership by clicking here. Australian citizens will be able to purchase 6020 reduced round-trip tickets to Hong Kong. On Monday, May 29, 2023, tickets will go on sale, and they will be offered on a first come, first served basis. To purchase them, members must go to the Cathay Pacific campaign website and join up using their Cathay membership information. Dominic Perret, Cathay Pacific’s regional general manager for Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, comments on the sale: “We are pleased to be rebuilding both our company and our home hub as markets begin to recover after the previous three difficult years for Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong. We are honoured to be a part of this effort to promote Hong Kong in Australia, and we want our clients to take advantage of all the city has to offer. There is something for every tourist in Hong Kong, according to Karen Macmillan, Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board for Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific: “With a diverse culture, unique attractions, exciting nightlife, and delectable cuisines.” Vivian Cheung, Chief Operation Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, states, “Various new services and facilities are in place at Hong Kong International Airport, and we are looking forward to providing passengers with a brand new airport experience.” Source: escape

Within the next ten years, Australian visitors may be able to fly to London in just two hours, but there is a caveat. In under two hours, Australians may be able to travel to Europe within the next ten years, suggests new research. The hitch is that they must go through space in order to reduce the journey time by around 20 hours. According to the London-based daily The Times, a new study financed by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is investigating the impacts of suborbital space flights, in which passengers would be launched into space before falling to their destination. “Commercial suborbital space flights are now available for tourism and scientific research, and are ultimately anticipated to mature into extremely fast point-to-point travel, e.g. London to Sydney in less than two hours,” according to the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. While the suborbital flights provided by Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos’ space tourism firms, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are now very pricey (more than $655,000 a seat), authorities believe the trips will be “accessible to anybody” in the future, according to The Times. For the purpose of the study, 24 “healthy” individuals between the ages of 32 and 80 experienced the same G-forces as would be experienced during the launch and descent of a suborbital space mission. The G-forces peaked at 6G during descent for 10 to 15 seconds, which is six times the normal force of the Earth’s gravity. One G is equal to the force of gravity on Earth. One of the 24 individuals temporarily lost consciousness, but no long-term harm resulted. According to Dr. Ryan Anderton, the CAA’s medical lead for space travel, visitors on upcoming suborbital space missions wouldn’t need to be as physically strong as astronauts and go through years of rigorous training. For the majority of travellers, physiological reactions are probably innocuous, he added. Dr. Anderton did mention that experiencing strong G-forces might be hazardous due to several medical conditions. According to him, “that’s not necessarily going to present a problem and there isn’t a detrimental effect on the long run, even for older people.” The goal of the research is to identify those who could be more vulnerable and what we might need to test them for. After a final four-person test trip in late May, Virgin Galactic plans to undertake its first commercial space voyage in late June. The cost of each ticket is around $670,000. Blue Origin has previously carried out paid spaceflights for clients. A single ticket brought in $US28 million ($A41.8 million) at auction. Source: escape

IAATO members must demonstrate their commitment to travelling to Antarctica safely and responsibly while causing the least amount of environmental damage possible. INDIA’S MUMBAI – UnWild Planet, an exclusive Indian travel agency, has announced that it has joined the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) as an associate member, making it the first and only Indian travel agency to do so. IAATO is a nonprofit organisation that was established in 1991 to support, promote, and engage in safe and ecologically conscious private Antarctic travel. It functions under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Systems, which controls operations and safeguards the region’s ecology. The CEO of UnWild Planet, Mr. Rohan Prakash, said, “We are honoured to be recognised by IAATO for our dedication to sustainable and ethical tourism. “For us, travel serves as a means of fostering a richer knowledge and respect of our planet. We pledge to safeguard Antarctica’s vulnerable ecosystems by joining the IAATO. In order to join the IAATO, businesses must go through a rigorous application procedure and prove their dedication to sustainable business practises. UnWild Planet’s affiliation with the IAATO, which has just 107 members worldwide, is a reflection of the company’s commitment to Rethink Travel through its dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practises and protecting the environment in addition to its commitment to offering clients unforgettable travel experiences. IAATO members must demonstrate their commitment to travelling to Antarctica safely and responsibly while causing the least amount of environmental damage possible. They adhere to a number of regulations, including having a qualified and experienced personnel and crew, keeping a safe distance from animals, and properly disposing of garbage. IAATO members also have the requisite skills and a backup plan to handle any unforeseen circumstances that may occur. As an associate member of IAATO, UnWild Planet will continue to set the standard for eco-friendly travel and collaborate with other businesses in the sector to advance ethical tourism practises all around the world. In accordance with IAATO regulations, the business recently rented an entire ship for Indian tourists who wanted to visit Antarctica. The company’s goal was to transform each participant into an ambassador for Antarctica who would promote methods and means to save this vulnerable region in their respective home countries. Source: traveldailynews

Numerous tickets are currently available with 20% off all seats and all flights to 130 locations as a celebration of the introduction of the new routes. SEPANG – AirAsia has announced the launch of three new routes from Kuala Lumpur to China’s southern provinces, solidifying its position as the biggest international airline operating in the world’s most populated nation. To the broad network of 15 routes with more than 129 flights per week between China and Malaysia, new services to Quanzhou and Guilin operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK) and to Chengdu (Tianfu) operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) have been added. The 18th of June 2023 will mark the return of twice-weekly Quanzhou flights. Guilin flights will resume three times weekly on July 18, 2023, while Chengdu (Tianfu) flights will begin twice weekly on July 1, 2023, increasing to three times weekly on July 4, 2023. Recently, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) recently started operating daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Wuhan, solidifying its position as the Malaysian airline with the greatest capacity and network in China. According to Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, “Our rapid expansion into China continues and we are proud to connect millions of guests not only to major destinations but also to underserved second-tier cities and launch unique routes such as Quanzhou and Guilin. This is in response to China’s recent opening to the world and strong pent-up demand. China continues to be a crucial market for our future expansion, and we will be reviewing a number of other prospective Chinese routes that we expect to be able to announce shortly. “China has always historically been one of our core destinations for medium-haul air travel,” said Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X Malaysia. “Our newest route to Chengdu (Tianfu) serves as the foundation for more AirAsia X flights to China in the near future, which will significantly boost our North Asia network. We anticipate adding additional flights to and from China as well as boosting frequency on the busiest and most lucrative routes in our network in the short to medium term as the nation quickly recovers. In honour of the opening of the new lines, AirAsia is providing 20% off all seats on all flights* to/from China on all of its 130 destinations. Flights to/from Malaysia, China, Australia, Indochina, India, South Korea, Japan, and other destinations are quite affordable. Bookings for the deal are accepted from now through May 21, 2023, for travel between June 1 and December 14, 2023. From Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanning, and Shantou; Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Wuhan; and Johor Bahru to Guangzhou, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will operate around 118 flights each week on 11 routes to and from China. There will be about 11 flights each week from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu (Tianfu), Beijing (Daxing), Shanghai, and Hangzhou on four routes operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7). Source: traveldailynews