Starfish Travel Corporation Team

To elevate the reputation and worth of Thai cuisine on the global stage and to develop and market Thailand as a top-tier culinary tourist destination. Thailand – The “Amazing Thailand Culinary City” project was started by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote Thailand as a top-tier culinary tourism destination that offers cutting-edge innovations and high-touch experiences to foster development under a creative economy, in line with the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model. “Conceptualised under the BCG Economy Model, the Amazing Thailand Culinary City project encompasses the AGFEC components; namely, A for Agriculture, G for Gastronomy, F for Food Safety, E for Experience, and C for Creative Entrepreneur,” said Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications. Activities are intended to promote a circular economy and highlight the nation’s goal of sustainable prosperity in the areas of the economy, society, and the environment. Both B2B and B2C components of the Amazing Thailand Culinary City initiative are intended to connect company owners in the culinary tourism industry and foster business networking possibilities, as well as to raise awareness of Thai cuisine throughout Thailand. The Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023, which is scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 2 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, will be held in conjunction with the ‘Amazing Thailand Culinary City’ event as part of the project’s B2B strategy. There will be 30 gastronomy tourism merchants at the three-day B2B exhibition, and they will compete in the City Dining Experience, Farm to Table, and Culinary Cooking Activity categories. Visitors will be able to sample cuisine from the many participating restaurants, as well as participate in B2B meetings to discuss Thailand’s culinary tourist offerings and receive traditional Thai massages, among other activities. In addition, there will be an exhibition of lesser-known “hidden dishes” from all throughout Thailand, like Tom Yam Kung, Phat Thai, and Green Curry, which have won international awards. International food blogger Mark Wiens, who has over 10 million YouTube subscribers, and Chef Thitid ‘Tonne’ Tassanakajohn, whose Bangkok restaurant Le Du was ranked No. 1 in the recently released Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list, will participate in a panel discussion to discuss the topic of using food to boost the tourism economy, preparing for the expansion of gastronomy tourism, and related trends. Culinary events titled “4 Locations: 4 Styles” are planned to take place in all four of Thailand’s regions in May and June as part of the project’s B2C strategy. These include the dates of Chiang Mai (19–21 May), Khon Kaen (9–11 June), Phuket (16–18 June 2023), and Chanthaburi (23–25 June) in the Northern and Southern regions, respectively. Participants in each of the four events will include local businesses, other entrepreneurs, and food entrepreneurs from the surrounding area. Workshops on how to make regionally specific snacks will be offered, along with culinary demonstrations, an exhibition on the potential and uniqueness of Thai cuisine, and excellent local cuisine to sample. A panel discussion featuring Mr. Vincent Thierry, chef of the Michelin-starred lebua at State Tower, and Ms. Wisa Wangsupachart, well-known food blogger with more than 1.5 million followers on the TikTok channel bon_appetitbkk, was also held as part of the official launch of the Amazing Thailand Culinary City project. Source: traveldailynews

Air New Zealand is extending the test run of the function to 25% of app users flying domestically and releasing the feature to 5% of app users going on an international short range aircraft after executing a successful pilot project for domestic passengers in April. Customers may use the functionality while travelling to check the most recent status of their bag(s) through the Air NZ app. ‘Check status’ will display on the baggage card on the flight information tab in the app when bag drop is complete. From check-in till when it reaches the destination, passengers may follow the movement of their luggage during the flight. Baggage monitoring demonstrates Air New Zealand’s dedication to providing customer-focused innovations, according to Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer of Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand is committed to become the top digital airline in the world. Our ability to create and implement digital solutions that alleviate client pain points has improved as a result of updates to our app made last year. A prime example of this is baggage monitoring. Customers may follow the progress of their bags and get instructions if they take a diversion. Customers will soon have access to reporting and tracking mishandled baggage using the app. This will enable a more smooth deployment to all app users by the middle of the year. “Piloting the features offers us the chance to try and test among a limited sample of passengers to resolve any difficulties. Baggage monitoring puts information in our customers’ hands directly, simplifying operations, alleviating pressure on our personnel, and providing travellers with the assurance that their luggage is travelling with them. The service will be accessible once it is implemented through the Air NZ app, which can be downloaded on both iOS and Android smartphones. Getting rid of the luggage backlog As a result of substantial weather interruptions both domestically and abroad, many bags were delayed during the busy summer season, drawing attention to mishandled luggage. The volume of improperly handled bags during that time period caused a sizable backlog that needed to be cleared through biosecurity inspections before being delivered back to their owners. Air New Zealand collaborated with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Biosecurity Team to develop a new digital tool for its Baggage Tracing Unit to speed up clearance procedures and do away with the need for paper receipts in order to reduce the workload on teams and repatriate bags with their owners more quickly. According to Mr. Ravishankar, “We have created a new digital system in collaboration with MPI that improves the biosecurity baggage screening process, offering efficiencies that ensure consumers are quickly reunited with mishandled items. Since the difficulties earlier this year, the introduction of digital technologies has allowed us to clear the backlog of luggage, and we are now better equipped to handle any potential future interruptions. Source: breakingtravelnews

The issue facing Caribbean insurance firms is to play a crucial part in guaranteeing safety and security within the region’s tourism sector. Hon. Edmund Bartlett, the minister of tourism, used Jamaica’s tourism recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. He claimed that during the pandemic, the insurance sector was needed on board as a safety valve to reassure travellers that they had protection if anything unexpected occurred when they arrived at the destination. According to him, this was crucial to the industry’s quick comeback. In his keynote address at the Hall of Fame Induction banquet of the 34th Sales Congress of the Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA), which was held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay yesterday (May 14), Minister Bartlett outlined his viewpoint. “As the islands urgently act to integrate resilience as a core component of its tourism development agenda, Caribbean insurance companies can play a critical role in helping to protect the tourism sector in the face of future crises,” he stated. He outlined a number of ways the insurance sector can support tourism resilience, including by providing coverage for loss of income and property damage brought on by a variety of risks, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or other disruptions; by assisting businesses and individuals in accurately assessing the risk associated with their operations and by offering advice on the types of coverage that should be taken out; and by raising awareness of the significance of taking out insurance. The campaigns, according to Mr. Bartlett, could include advice on risk management best practises, warning people about the repercussions of not having enough insurance, and enlightening travellers who are unsure of the risk they might be exposed to and what insurance coverage to look for. He added that the insurance sector could support initiatives for disaster response and relief, such as providing financial assistance to organisations and people affected by natural disasters or pandemic-related disruptions, as well as supporting rebuilding efforts, to help promote tourism resilience. Minister Bartlett noted that discussions on establishing a full pension plan across the region using as a model Jamaica’s ground-breaking comprehensive Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), which involves two major insurance companies in the management and administration of the fund, took place at last week’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Barbados. Minister Bartlett noted that “it has tremendous implications for capital formation across the Caribbean because there are one million workers in the tourism sector in the region; 643,000 of whom are working directly in the industry and the others indirectly,” and that “if that pension plan is taken across the region as Jamaica has it, there is potential to create a level of domestic saving, the size of which the region would never have.” He stated that because Jamaica’s TWPS is now fully functioning, “We now need a comprehensive health plan for the industry’s workers,” and he tasked the insurance industry with “creating an instrument that will enable a health security arrangement for the workers of the Caribbean tourism industry.” Minister Bartlett urged the insurance providers in the area to “build the human capital of our region” in light of the CARAIFA sales congress’s resilience-focused theme. In his words, “Resilience has to come from knowledge, from building capacity for people to convert ideas into meaningful and practical application that will have a value, and so we must build the capacity of our young people to think, not just to regurgitate information which they get by reading a text but learn to innovate.” In light of this, he requested that CARAIFA collaborate with the educational system on a scheme “to help establish innovation incubators where young people can learn about financial administration, how to use their money properly and wisely, and learn what insurance is all about.” Source: breakingtravelnews

Chile no longer mandates a PCR test upon entry, a COVID-19 immunisation certificate, or random testing of visitors as part of the “Protected Borders Plan.” CHILE – SANTIAGO In our nation, the “Protected Borders Plan” has come to an end, according to the Ministry of Health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) proclaimed the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Importance (PHEIC) caused by SARS-CoV2, which led to the adoption of the measure, which went into effect on May 9, 2023. The sanitary resolution specifies that all sanitary requirements for visitors arriving from outside Chile, including the requirement for a PCR test upon entry, a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, and random traveller testing, are eliminated. “With the help of this move, the industry can resume its long-awaited return to normalcy. In fact, we anticipate 3.5 million international visitors to visit our nation in 2023. We are hopeful that this declaration will offer inbound tourism a fresh boost. The Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo Lagos, stated that this is a fantastic opportunity to advertise Chile as a distinctive and top-notch travel destination. The authority emphasised the need for responsible travel in all circumstances and said that “it is also important to thank the different guilds and associations of the tourism industry for their collaboration and work during the more than three years of international health emergency and for their relevance actors in the implementation of measures and the construction of agreements for their relaxation.” The Ministry of Health stated that it is crucial to emphasise that, even while the COVID-19 epidemiological picture is at a low level, the spread of other respiratory viruses has accelerated as winter approaches. As a result, it’s critical to preserve vaccination records for COVID-19 and influenza as well as the self-care practises that were taught during the pandemic, such as frequent hand washing, ventilation of enclosed rooms, and the use of masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms. Source: traveldailynews

This project would drastically minimise paper waste while providing travellers leaving Dubai with a simple and quick digital check-in process. UAE’s DUBAI – Emirates will start requiring most passengers leaving Dubai to utilise a mobile boarding pass rather than a printed paper version on May 15 in an effort to provide consumers with the convenience and certainty of digitally connected travel itineraries. The mobile boarding pass will be sent to passengers checking in at Terminal 3 through email or SMS. Online check-in passengers have the option of retrieving their boarding pass from the user-friendly Emirates App or loading it into their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The checked baggage receipt may now be seen on the Emirates App or directly emailed to travellers. This project would drastically minimise paper waste while providing travellers leaving Dubai with a simple and quick digital check-in process. It lessens the possibility that boarding tickets may be forgotten or lost, providing travellers with peace of mind. By displaying the mobile boarding pass on a phone, travellers may utilise the pass in Dubai Duty Free, through security checks, and during boarding. As customers proceed through the airport and onboard the aircraft, Emirates representatives and airport officials will simply scan the QR code on the mobile boarding ticket. For example, when travelling with babies, unaccompanied children, passengers needing special assistance, travellers with subsequent flights on other carriers, and all passengers flying to the US, certain travellers may still need to print a real boarding ticket. If passengers do not have a mobile device or are unable to access the information on their devices due to issues such as low battery life, system errors, delayed message delivery, or an inability to connect to WiFi or a network, they may request to print a boarding pass from Emirates agents at check-in counters. The simplicity of digitally connected travel has already been appreciated by millions of Emirates travellers. Those who use the Emirates app can take advantage of convenient check-in and itinerary management, as well as access digital menus beforehand. They can also take the time to curate a playlist of their favourite films, TV shows, and music playlists that are available on ice, which they can synchronise from their app the moment they board to save time.Effortless biometric travel in Dubai At Dubai International Airport, registered travellers may now have a smooth journey by using the biometric devices or smart gates to pass through the airport’s numerous stations. Residents of the UAE may sign up to utilise the Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3 to bypass immigration lines every time they visit Dubai. GCC nations or tourists who qualify for visa on arrival can pass through the Smart Gates with a biometric passport, while UAE citizens and residents can use their passport, boarding pass, or a valid UAE ID. Source: traveldailynews

The objective is to integrate the population in tourist efforts, the director of the Mauritius tourist Authority said. Lindsay Morvan, Director of the Mauritius tourist Authority, spoke with TravelDailyNews International at the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2023 about the way to tourist recovery following the epidemic. Lindsay Morvan also discussed Mauritius’ response to the overtourism situation. He also spoke about the more environmentally friendly policies that would guide the sector going forward. Along with Adan Kaptanolu, Chairperson, TURMEPA, Rachel McCaffery, Director, Green Case Consulting/Chair, GSTC’s Destination Stewardship Working Group, Kevin Fsadni, Director of Product Development, Malta Tourism Authority, and Luigi Cabrini, Chairman, GSTC as Moderator, Lindsay Morvan took part in the panel discussion on “Sustainable Coastal Destinations.” From May 9 to May 12, the GSTC2023 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference took place in Antalya, Turkey. Source: traveldailynews

One of the top hotel businesses in the world, IHG Hotels & Resorts, more than doubles its luxury and leisure footprint in Italy, solidifying its position in this important growing region. The six new hotels are the result of IHG’s dedication to sustainable growth throughout Europe and include the eagerly awaited openings of Six Senses and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in the Italian capital of Rome, as well as four additional signings, including a Vignette Collection property in Rome and Hotel Indigo properties in Florence, Turin, and Trieste. The addition of these properties to our luxury and leisure portfolio is a significant contribution to IHG’s expansion in Italy, a vital market for us, said Eric Viale, Managing Director, Southern Europe, IHG properties & Resorts. It also expresses the faith our owners have in the popularity of our brands and the confidence our customers have in the services they provide. In a market like Italy, where we are seeing a lot of investment from our partners in luxury and lifestyle projects, making the most of growing consumer appetite for upscale travel and stay experiences, our differentiated brands are well-positioned, from our upper luxury Six Senses offering and glamour of the InterContinental life, right through to the originality of our Vignette Collection brand and the boutique neighbourhood charm of Hotel Indigo. With the hiring of Fabrizio Piolanti as Director Development, Italy, we are pleased to have strengthened our local development infrastructure to support that. The three new Hotel Indigo locations complement a significant existing footprint in Verona, Venice, Rome, and Milan, whilst the new Six Senses and Vignette Collection properties are brand debuts in Italy: SIX SENSE ROME IS NOW OPEN The hotel, which opened on March 16th, has 96 keys and 12 various room types, including suites with views of the lively Via del Corso and the nearby San Marcello al Corso Church as well as quiet rooms with courtyard views. The Eat With Six Senses philosophy is available to guests at the NOTOS Rooftop or at the all-day dining BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar. Learn more about the debut of this hotel here. On the storied Via Veneto, the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace is now open. The hotel, which has 160 rooms and opulent suites, has both charm and historical magnificence. There will be a variety of dining options, including Charlie’s Rooftop, Anita’s Bar & Lounge, and Scarpetta NYC, which serves upscale Italian and American food. The only year-round rooftop venue in the city will be Charlie’s Rooftop. Learn more about the debut of this hotel here. OPEN SOON: The centre of the city’s Hotel Indigo Florence, which is a short stroll from the city’s most important historical sites and upscale retail districts, will welcome guests in the second half of 2023. The hotel, which has 160 guest rooms and will open alongside Grape Hospitality after a complete conversion and restoration, will be IHG’s return to the area. Hotel Alexandra, Vignette Collection – IN THE PIPELINE The Hotel Alexandra, a joint venture with Molo Hotel Group, will take advantage of its location on the renowned Via Veneto, just minutes from the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, when it opens in the first half of 2025. The hotel will be the first Vignette Collection facility owned by IHG in Italy and will include 81 guest rooms, a restaurant on Via Veneto, and a gym. IN THE PIPELINE: Turin’s Hotel Indigo – With partners Gruppo CHC, this 50-room hotel will debut in the upcoming months. Being adjacent to the Piazza Castello, Royal Theatre, and Gardens in Turin’s historic centre will draw tourists, business visitors, and attendees of local events to the Pala Olimpico. Hotel Indigo Trieste’s Palazzo Kalister is on the pipeline. The restoration of a historic palace erected in the 19th century into a Hotel Indigo hotel, scheduled to debut in late 2025, is being done in partnership once more with Gruppo CHC. This hotel will benefit from the expanding neighbourhood, which is located on the border of Italy and Slovenia and has lately witnessed significant investment because of its local port, rise in cruise ship tourism, and building of a conference facility.In Italy, IHG owns and operates 27 hotels* under the six* brands Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. Seven more* residences are in the works, six of which are in the luxury and leisure market. Source: breakingtravelnews

Edinburgh and Beijing will be connected twice weekly by Hainan Airlines. This summer, Edinburgh Airport will be happy to see a direct flight back to Beijing when Hainan Airlines lands in Scotland. From June 26 to October 8, the airline will run twice-weekly flights between Scotland’s main airport and the Chinese capital. When it launches next month, this will be the only flight that connects Scotland and China directly. As we prepare for an incredibly exciting summer, Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “The reintroduction of direct flights to Beijing is excellent news and is further proof of the robust recovery we’re experiencing here at Edinburgh. “When it launches, this service will be the only one running between Scotland and China, and Hainan Airlines is really demonstrating its trust in the market by offering it. Scotland’s universities and tourist sector will benefit from this crucial link, which will also provide a plethora of new economic prospects and improve access to other regions of the globe. We’re confident that it will be widely regarded by everyone, including students who are crossing the border to study, families who are reuniting, and visitors who are going to new regions. “I welcome the announcement of this direct service between Edinburgh Airport and Beijing, which is a significant development for both Edinburgh and Scotland’s international connectivity,” said Transport Minister Kevin Stewart. For individuals and companies in Scotland and China, this direct connectivity is excellent news since it fosters strong ties for trade and exports and makes it simpler for tourists and students to visit Scotland. Source: traveldailynews

This platform, run by New Perspective Media Group, encourages financial literacy and fosters successful partnerships for a wealthy future. UAE’s DUBAI – The largest investment conference and property exhibition for the Philippines was launched in Dubai by His Excellency Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., Minister of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Radisson Blu Hotel, Deira Creek, Dubai, hosted the first Philippine Economic and Investment Summit (PEIS) and the ninth Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE) on May 12–13. The public can attend the two-day international activities without charge. The UAE Travellers Festival Chairman, His Excellency Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Mujrin, and the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Alfonso Ver, officially opened the two events in front of important local and international investors. PEIS and PPIE are sponsored by Ayala Land as a silver sponsor, Rockwell Land and RLC Residences as gold sponsors, and New Perspective Media Group as the organiser. Speaking at the event will be H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., Minister of the Philippine DILG, Hon. Renato Dueas Jr., Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, and Charmaine Mignon Yalong, Commercial Attaché to the Middle East and Africa for the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Murjin, Chairman of the Emirates Travellers Festival, Michael Makdah, Director of Market Intelligence, The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo, Executive Vice President, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Atty. Arifa A. Ala, Assistant Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines), Valerie Jane The Minister of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government, H.E. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., stated, “We are pleased about the excellent economic opportunities that lie ahead of us. Our objective is to improve the procedures, governance, and ease of doing business at all levels, from the community to the industries. This dedication will guarantee a smooth and effective business environment. The people of Dubai have our sincere thanks for their constant support of the Philippines and for making us feel incredibly proud to be Filipinos. The most precious capital we have here, according to H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine ambassador to the UAE, is our people. They serve as a catalyst for luring investments, with the government providing crucial regulatory backing. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Karen Remo for taking this action. This project provides yet another way for us to advance and deepen our bilateral relationships. The chairman of the Emirates Travellers Festival, H.E. Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Mujrin, said: “I am happy to be here and ready to offer my views and trade information about your nation. I’ve had the privilege of travelling to the Philippines around ten times, and each trip is one of my most treasured and lovely experiences. The people’s friendliness and kindness, together with their sincere grins, make for a very unique experience. In my opinion, the Philippines is a country that merits more research. I’m convinced it has a bright future in front of it. We are steadfastly devoted to widening avenues for collaboration and offering whatever essential assistance to make your efforts easier. Through the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE), the largest and most established international Filipino investment expo and conference, New Perspective Media Group has been promoting financial literacy for Filipinos as part of its CSR initiatives for almost a decade. The event is currently in its ninth iteration, thanks to all of your support, said Dr Karen Remo, CEO & Founder of New Perspective Media Group and Chairman of PPIE and PEIS. In an effort to provide institutional and ordinary investors with a larger variety of investment ideas and tools, we created the Philippine Economic & Investment Summit this year. “And by doing so, NPM Group can further reinforce and strengthen the economic and social ties between the Philippines and the Middle East by providing a platform that can bring forth a better and wealthier future, for everyone,” continued Dr. Remo. Source: traveldailynews