Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Rentals United gives property managers access to more than 60 channels, including popular, niche, and location-specific websites, to manage listings. MakeMyTrip is now a channel partner of Rentals United, a well-known channel manager and vacation rental platform. By giving property managers the chance to diversify their listings and draw reservations from a quickly expanding market, this new agreement will help Rentals United establish itself as a major player in the Asian holiday rental industry. The largest online travel agency in South Asia, MakeMyTrip has operations in India, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. MakeMyTrip is a one-stop travel shop that offers services for all travel circumstances, whether domestic or international, including booking hotels, renting cars, organising holidays, and other travel-related needs. Property managers have a tremendous chance to reach millions of prospective clients thanks to MakeMyTrip. Rentals United CEO James Burrows expressed enthusiasm for the arrangement. “Integrating to MakeMyTrip, one of the most important channels in India, is consistent with our objective to give our consumers access to top-notch regional channels. Diversifying your listings, in our opinion, is essential for boosting bookings and earnings. Offering your homes on MakeMyTrip will provide visitors from Asia, the UAE, and other countries access to a new world. Customers of Rentals United may easily connect their calendars and reservations with all other channels in an established, safe, and trustworthy online environment. Users never have to be concerned about scheduling conflicts or price differences because to the seamless connectivity. Rentals United gives property managers access to more than 60 channels, including popular, niche, and location-specific websites, to manage listings. Along with the platform’s acclaimed channel manager, Rentals United users also have access to a guest communication tool, website builder, data platform, and automatic listing quality checker. Source: traveldailynews

This distinctive festival of Loei province in Thailand’s northeastern region is also known as the Ghost Festival and is bursting with colour, culture, and tradition. The Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival, commonly known as the Ghost Festival, will take place from June 23 to June 25, 2023, in the Dan Sai area of the northeastern province of Loei, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The magnificent Phi Ta Khon procession of residents who dance and strike postures while wearing enormous masks imaginatively constructed from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker sticky-rice steamers that make them look taller and more hideous, is the most recognisable aspect of the three-day celebration. On the first day (Friday, June 23), there will be stage performances, a cultural ritual, a spirit-calling ceremony, and food offerings to the temple’s monks. The festival’s formal opening ceremony will take place in front of the Dan Sai District Office on day two (Saturday, June 24). This will be followed by a summoning of spirits, the great Phi Ta Khon procession, the creation of merit, and the firing of bamboo rockets. On the third day (Sunday, June 25), Phon-Chai Temple will host 13 consecutive Buddhist sermons, as well as a parade of successive sermons from every hamlet in the Dan Sai District. Source: traveldailynews

This year, Airbnb anticipates a record number of visitors despite escalating economic uncertainty, with a renewed focus on renting single rooms. Airbnb is confident about consumers’ appetite to travel despite increased living expenses; the business anticipates hosting more than 300 million visitors this year. According to the short-term rental website, nights stayed in private room listings in Australia increased by over 50% last year as tourists looked for more economical lodging choices. According to data given by Airbnb, private room hosts in Australia made $92.3 million in total, with the average private room host making more than $4160. According to Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s national manager for Australia, the company remains confident in clients’ willingness to travel despite shifting economic difficulties. More individuals are using Airbnb to travel; as of today, there have been 1.4 billion total guest arrivals worldwide. We observe more visitors visiting over a larger range of dates and locations, and guests now possess a previously unattainable level of flexibility. While Australians are keeping a tight rein on their money, Ms. Wheeldon said there is still a strong desire to travel, which is primarily motivated by the need for connection. She told news.com.au that according to an Airbnb worldwide study, more than 60% of travellers thought that using Airbnb allowed them to connect with the local culture more closely than doing so by staying in a hotel or resort. Since Airbnb’s launch, “more than 14 million guests have returned to the same host for a subsequent stay.” The most popular categories for visitors to Australia are beach, incredible pools, surfing, national parks, and tropical. Since we launched Airbnb Categories in May of last year, rooms have remained one of our most popular accommodation options, ranking as the third most booked category worldwide, according to Ms. Wheeldon. “Millennials and solo travellers are most likely to book a private room,” says Expedia. People want vacation to be inexpensive in the present economic climate, she claimed, and private rooms are one such choice. According to her, the average cost of a private room in Australia is $104 a night. With the easing of the pandemic travel restrictions, Airbnb anticipates receiving over 300 million visitors this year. “To get ready, we’re making the most comprehensive set of improvements across almost every aspect of the Airbnb experience, and we’re doing it based on direct feedback from our community,” said Airbnb. Starting with the launch of Airbnb Rooms, Airbnb has revealed 50 new features and enhancements as of Thursday. “Airbnb Rooms is a whole unique spin on Airbnb. According to her, Airbnb Rooms are more reasonably priced for visitors and provide them the chance to make new friends and explore the area like a native. For around $100 per night, guests can rent a room in the same house or flat as their host. Despite the fact that Airbnb has long featured single rooms in homes and flats, the business claims the new service will provide additional biographical information about hosts. Additionally, customers may search listings to find out information like whether the toilet is private or shared and if the bedroom door locks. “We’ve heard from guests that they want to know more about who they’re staying with, which is why we’ve introduced Host Passports, a fun way for hosts to share additional details about themselves, including what they do for work, fun facts about themselves, and much more,” said Ms. Wheeldon. In order to improve our service, “we’ve taken a design-driven approach, storyboarding the entire guest and host journey, and analysing thousands of pieces of community feedback.” In addition to the 25 host-focused changes, Airbnb is introducing new pricing tools to assist hosts establish reasonable charges as part of the new features and upgrades. Source: escape

The entire airport is covered by a recruiting effort for open vacancies. Prague Airport is getting ready for a busy summer, when it anticipates handling more than three million passengers, based on current projections. Travellers should prepare for their travel in advance and go to the airport at least two hours prior to takeoff. The busy summer season has returned. We have spent a lot of time preparing for this. We started a recruiting effort and invited potential candidates to two recruitment events at the airport, where we presented them with a range of career opportunities. We collaborate closely with tour operators and give travellers advice on how to be ready for trip. Ji Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said, “We are also starting measures that will ease the challenging summer traffic for us in the coming years, such replacing X-rays at security screening locations. The entire airport is covered by the recruiting drive for open posts. “Providing travellers with information on how to be ready for their trip far in advance has proven valuable for us. Therefore, we are continuing our broad education effort this year and urging travellers to get to the airport early—at least two hours before departure. Additionally, after checking in, we ask them to proceed directly to passport control or security,” said Eva Krej, director of communications. Source: traveldailynews

At the moment, Vilnius Airport’s commercial area is roughly 3,300 square metres (warehouses, technical facilities, and offices not included). In addition to the 11 other retail and service establishments, there are 6 Duty Free stores. The Lithuanian capital’s Vilnius Airport is catching up to pre-pandemic records and anticipates continued steady expansion. The biggest civil airport in Lithuania is currently building a new departure terminal, which should be finished in 2025. The terminal will greatly enhance commercial space for merchants, caterers, and other service providers in addition to increasing the airport’s capacity by more than 14,000 square metres. A record 5 million passengers passed through Vilnius Airport in 2019, and in 2022, following the epidemic, travellers are travelling once more; 3.9 million people travelled to and from Vilnius last year. Forecasts from Lithuanian Airports state that during the following ten years, the number of travellers will increase to about 7.5 million annually. “Based on our projections, the number of passengers at Vilnius Airport is anticipated to increase on average by around 8% annually. Gintar Norvilait-Tautevi, chief commercial officer of Lithuanian Airports, says, “We are geared up for this and growing to be able to meet the needs of our passengers and to offer them more high-quality places to shop, eat delicious and speedy meals, and receive other services that are pertinent to travellers. The amount of commercial space will increase by 1.5 times. At the moment, Vilnius Airport’s commercial area is roughly 3,300 square metres (warehouses, technical facilities, and offices not included). In addition to the 11 other retail and service establishments, there are 6 Duty Free stores. The commercial area will rise to 5,000 square metres when the current infrastructure is rebuilt and connected to the new departure terminal. This will include up to 1.9 thousand square metres of Duty Free stores. Twelve more retail and service establishments, including a pharmacy and a service for packing bags, will be available, and a comparable space will be set aside for cafes and restaurants. Lithuanian Airports will also allow market participants from outside to take part in the bids; for instance, the Duty Free tenders will only be open to enterprises from abroad. “Two sizable Duty Free outlets are in the works for the airport. Instead of having numerous tiny stores, a huge space for one is considerably more appealing. The merchant may utilise it more effectively, customise it, and incorporate more intriguing, original ideas. According to Norvilait-Tautevi, passengers also like shops with more space. Planned are 13 eateries and cafés There will be 13 more dining options at Vilnius Airport than the current nine. The goal is to accommodate all of the passengers’ wants; some are in a rush and want something cheap and quick to eat, while others have more time and prefer scrumptious, maybe upscale, fare. “We want to be able to provide passengers with a wide selection of food and beverages in Vilnius, so that all visitors may find what they desire. The Chief Commercial Officer of Lithuanian Airports adds, “We also anticipate that there will be individuals prepared to develop a brand or restaurant concept just for our airport. The first of the anticipated 2024 bids for the supply of commerce and services in commercial spaces at Vilnius Airport is anticipated to be released at the start of the year. The rehabilitation process will determine the timetable, but it is anticipated that the first stores will open in early 2025 and that all commercial spaces will be occupied and operating within a year or two. Source: traveldailynews

Mireille Wenger, minister of finance and economic opportunities, praised the establishment of the fund. AFRICA, SOUTH CAPE TOWN – The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) requests organisations implementing tourism development projects or programmes in the categories of Tourism Infrastructure Support and Tourism Product Development Support to submit project funding applications. The Growth for Jobs Tourism Challenge Fund is the first of its kind. “Our tourism and hospitality sector was hard hit by the COVID pandemic but has seen a remarkable recovery over the last year, with international arrivals reaching 100% of their 2019 figures in February this year,” said Mireille Wenger, Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, in a statement congratulating the fund’s establishment. Future development can only be possible if we remove obstacles from the way of the industry, make sure the fundamentals are covered, assist small enterprises as they provide fresh and interesting experiences, and invest in the infrastructure that will make success possible. Growth for Jobs is focused on this. “This fund challenges the tourism ecosystem to co-invest as partners, to ensure that we get the most impact with the resources we have available,” Minister Wenger stated. If we want to see the province’s economy expand at significantly greater rates, collaboration with the private sector is crucial. The first category of the fund will assist regional and local tourism organisations, business associations, and district and local governments in enhancing high volume tourist attractions through the development or upgrades of tourism infrastructure and/or place making/beautification activities in order to support the achievement of our Growth for Jobs objectives. Minister Wenger said, “Tourism infrastructure update refers to the building or improvement of any existing or new infrastructure necessary to guarantee that visitors can experience attractions and experiences in a safe, hygienic, comfortable, and accessible manner. Trails, pathways, signage, street furniture, public lighting, public restrooms, shelters, hides, and other amenities are examples of tourism infrastructure. The financial support for enhancing and/or expanding collaborative programmes and initiatives targeted at helping SMMEs with tourist product development makes up the second category of the support. “This includes product/and/or experience development, assistance with accessing funders, marketing and branding, and provision of bespoke support such as machinery, equipment, licences, and accreditation to name a few,” Minister Wenger continued. The fund will give private sector initiatives with a strong potential for return, such as those promoting Halal, adventure, cuisine, heritage, and sustainable tourism, priority. “Tourism is an incredible catalyst for growth and job creation in communities both urban and rural, across our beautiful province,” Minister Wenger said in conclusion. It was the primary factor in the Western Cape adding 99% of the jobs added in South Africa during the most recent quarter, according to the QLFS publication. We are concentrating on unlocking and enabling its future development because of this. We invite you to participate in this thrilling adventure. Source: traveldailynews

Data reveals that by March, 45% of key hubs had reached recovery milestones, although still being negatively impacted by external causes. BRUXELLES – The European airport industry association ACI Europe published its air traffic report for March 2023 and the entire first quarter of 2023 (Q1). In the first quarter of this year, passenger volume at all of Europe’s airports continued to rise, up +49% from the same time the previous year. Since travel restrictions were being relaxed at that time last year, and passenger traffic had begun to rebound as a result, the rise considerably slowed down in March at +34%. Just -10.6% less people travelled during the first quarter than they did prior to the epidemic (Q1 2019). Domestic passenger traffic is falling behind (-18.5%), while international passenger traffic continues to drive the recovery and is moving closer to pre-pandemic levels (-9%). This indicates structural market changes brought on by elements such as evolving consumer behaviour and modal shifts. Up from 40% in February, by the end of March, 45% of Europe’s airports had reached or even surpassed their pre-pandemic levels. Variations in performance resulting from patterns of recovery and the Ukraine War Passenger numbers at EU+ airports1 increased by +53.4% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2017. EU+ passenger traffic was down 11.5% from pre-pandemic (Q1 2019) levels, yet there were notable performance differences. This illustrates a recovery that is still mostly driven by leisure and blending demand, as well as the effects of the conflict in Ukraine and selective capacity increase by Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers: Portugal (+15.2%), Croatia (+12.1%), Luxembourg (+9.1%), and Cyprus (+8.4%) airports all saw significant increases over pre-pandemic levels. The airports that were the furthest from a full recovery were those in Slovakia (-44.9%), Slovenia (-41.2%), Germany (-32.2%), the Czech Republic (-29.7%), and Finland (-26.2%). Aside from the underperformance of German airports, which was also a result of labour unrest, Spain’s airports (+1.7%) had the best results among the main EU+ markets, followed by those in Italy (-6.7%), France (-11.4%), and the UK (-12.9%). Passenger traffic increased by +30.2% in the first quarter at airports in the rest of Europe2 compared to the same period previous year. Passenger traffic in the rest of Europe outpaced the EU+ market at merely -6% when compared to pre-pandemic (Q1 2019) levels. Airports in Ukraine (-100%) have seen a complete loss of passenger traffic for more than a year, whilst those in Russia (+4.5%) were able to maintain pre-pandemic levels of passenger traffic in the first quarter as a result of a shift in passenger demand to domestic and non-EU+ markets. Airports in Uzbekistan (+112.5%), Kazakhstan (+55.1), Armenia (+37.6%), and Serbia (+26.3%) all saw an improvement as a result. Airports in Albania (+91%) had tremendous development as a result of the capacity used by Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers, whereas those in Turkey’s largest market (-4.9%) were almost fully recovered. Large and important airports recover more slowly. Comparing the first quarter of 2019 to the same period in 2018, passenger traffic at the Majors (the top 5 European airports in 20193) increased by +52.4%. Volumes were -11.2% below pre-pandemic levels (Q1 2019) because hub carrier capacity deployment was less extensive and the impact of China’s reopening was still only marginal. Istanbul (+5.9%) and Madrid (0%), two of the top five airports in Europe today, were the only ones to return to their pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2019. The busiest airport in Europe is once again London-Heathrow (-5.7%), which is followed by Istanbul, Paris-CDG (-13.2%), Madrid, and Amsterdam-Schiphol (-20.8%). Frankfurt (-23.3%) and Munich (-30.1%) in Germany considerably underperformed their rivals, with strikes and a reduced penetration of Low-cost carriers as major causes. In the meantime, a number of other large5 and capital airports exceeded their pre-pandemic volumes in the first quarter, including Lisbon (+13.9%), Tel Aviv (+14%), Palma de Mallorca (+2.4%), Athens (+2.3%), and Dublin (+1.9%). This was due to the leisure demand’s resilience to inflationary pressures and higher air fares as well as the reliance on Low-Cost Airline traffic.Low cost bases and a few regionals perform better Numerous significant Ultra-Low-Cost airport bases, like Beauvais (+34.3%), Bergamo (+19.7%), and Charleroi (+16%), continued to profit from the same recovery patterns and market dynamics. They also benefited regional and smaller airports6, where first-quarter passenger traffic was just -4.5% lower than pre-pandemic (Q1 2019) levels. They included Kutaisi (+61.4%), Varna (+59.1%), Madeira (+43.5%), Asturias (+36.4%), Memmingen (+40.3%), Trapani (+31.9%), Rotterdam (+26.8%), Lodz (+36.7%), Paphos (+29.1%), and Chania (+20.6%), which served famous tourist destinations and/or relied on low-cost carriers. Aviation movements Compared to the same time last year, aircraft movements climbed by +24% in the first quarter across the European airport network, with airports in the EU+ markets seeing +25.1% growth and those in the rest of Europe seeing +18.2% growth. Airport group data Airports that receive more than 25 million passengers annually (Group 1), between 10 and 25 million passengers annually (Group 2), between 5 and 10 million passengers annually (Group 3), and less than 5 million passengers annually (Group 4) reported an average adjustment of -12.2%, -11%, -4.3%, and -6.2%, respectively, as compared to pre-pandemic traffic levels during the first quarter of 2019 (Q1 2019). The following airports recorded the largest increases in passenger traffic during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2019: Group 1 includes Dublin (+1.9%), Lisbon (+13.9%), Istanbul IST (+5.9%), Palma de Mallorca (+2.4%), and Athens (+2.3%). Group 2 consists of the following cities: Milan BGY (+19.7%), Tel Aviv (+14%), Catania (+12.6%), Porto (+12.1%), and Naples (+9.2%). Group 3 includes Krakow (+15.7%), Sochi (+79.6%), Almaty (+55.1%), Belgrade (+26.9%), and Charleroi (+16.0%). Group 4 includes Tirana (+91%), Varna (+59.1%), Madeira (+43.5%), Memmingen (+40.3%), and Yerevan-Zvartnots (+37.6%). Source: traveldailynews

Diriyah is being transformed into a metropolis within the Saudi capital as part of a €57 billion “giga project.” There has never been a better moment to travel to Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah. Diriyah, which is only 15 minutes from the centre of Riyadh, is well known for the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is regarded as the birthplace of the country. It is now being built into a metropolis within the capital. The charming mud-brick city is redefining itself with the inauguration of eating destination Bujairi Terrace in December 2022 and a spate of new hotels. The €57 billion “giga-project” is a component of Saudi Arabia’s master tourism strategy, which seeks to bring in more than 100 million tourists annually by 2030.27 million travellers are anticipated to visit Diriyah. Diriyah has great goals in mind. The city itself intends to bring in 27 million tourists and provide 55,000 new permanent jobs, which will boost GDP by almost €6.5 billion. “That sounds monumental,” says Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer of Diriyah Company, the organisation responsible for the project. “However, if you analyse what we’re doing, it’s a city. It fulfils all of your expectations for a city. The strategy is working so far. At the Arabian Travel Market in 2023 in Dubai, Haslam announces that “38 hotels have already signed up with us.” They then have museums, art galleries, scientific centres, restaurants, and shops in their sights. “Therefore, it’s everything you would anticipate if you were to create a city on a blank canvas.” There have already been several well-known visitors to Diriyah. Lionel Messi, a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and a professional footballer from Argentina, recently travelled there with his family. They visited a neighbouring rewilding project that is home to Arabian gazelles and leopards in addition to viewing the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saudi Arabia was founded at the city of Diriyah. The first Saudi state was established at Diriyah in 1727, a city rich in history. The House of Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s governing royal family, also calls it home. Diriyah is a really special place, according to Haslam. It is a history lesson and the genesis of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom as we know it now. The highlight is the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first Saudi state’s historic royal house and seat of government. The rest of the development was inspired by the area’s historic traditional Najdi architecture, which consists of sand-colored buildings made of unfired mud brick. The ability to sustain change is essential for Diriyah. Diriyah has established itself as an industry pioneer in sustainability as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and the broader Middle East Green Initiative. The idea is not brand-new in the city.”It’s a mudbrick city built ecologically and it’s still standing today,” claims Haslam. But it doesn’t mean they aren’t considering the future. “We take a comprehensive approach to sustainability. That entire lifespan,” Haslam goes on. What would it imply in 20 years when the prevalence of obesity is lower and the average lifespan is longer? When there are more contented individuals who are prepared to work and raise families [here]?” In order to realise this objective, Diriyah is maximising its innate beauty. Haslam mentions Wadi Hanifa, a seasonal river, when he says, “There’s a beautiful wadi that runs through Diriyah.” He continues, “beautiful palm groves, natural indigenous vegetation,” are found in this 2.6 square kilometre green space. This area is being renovated and made available to the public for leisure as part of the city’s master plan. “I believe that excites us since the sustainability path is ingrained in who we are… This is cultural and community sustainability, according to Haslam. By considering its past, Diriyah is building its future. Historically a centre for trade and pilgrimage, Diriyah has long served as a meeting place for intellectuals, artists, and scholars to share ideas. We frequently reflect on our history since it is so important to the present and future, claims Haslam. And we’re making every effort to ensure that we never forget the invaluable lessons we learned from 300 years ago. The city is excited to immerse tourists in the origins of Saudi civilization through its ambitious historical development. According to Haslam, “Many of the lessons we learn from Diriyah in the past are more applicable to the Diriyah we see in 2030 than any other time in the past.” Source: euronews

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) will conduct the first-ever Bahamas diving Week on San Salvador from 6-13 May, building on the city’s reputation as a destination with a wide variety of diving opportunities.One of several major initiatives planned by the Vertical Markets’ Dive Team, directed by Senior Director Greg Rolle, is the Dive Week, which begins its series on San Salvador. The series also features places like Nassau and Grand Bahama Island. Eight days will be dedicated to exploring the island’s top dive sites, such as Riding Rock Wall, Great Cut, and Area 51, by open water certified divers, local dive professionals, Bahamas Dive Ambassador Richard Smith, and 18 American divers. The forthcoming diving week, according to the Hon. John H.W. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary (BMOTIA), will be an experience that divers won’t forget. The Bahamas, he continued, “are known all over the world for our award-winning dive sites and are home to the third largest barrier reef in the world.” “I am thrilled that these divers will be able to see up close why It’s Better in The Bahamas this week on the island of San Salvador,” said Pinder. He said that the Bahamas’ crystal-clear seas are home to some of the country’s true riches. “Our pristine and beautiful underwater habitats, reefs, and sea life will be an experience divers will never forget,” continued Pinder. 13 Scuba Diving Reader’s Choice Awards for 2023 were given to the Bahamas, including the top prize for Big Animal Encounters. The Bahamas has taken first place in the following categories for the previous 20 years: Cave/Cavern/Grotto Driving; Wreck Diving; Beginner Diving; Wall Diving; Snorkelling; Photography; Best Overall and Best Value. According to Jermaine Johnson, District Manager, San Salvador Tourism Office, “We have over 52 dive sites and all of our dive sites are protected because they are all located within the West Coast Marine Park so our divers will not just be diving in regular waters but diving within the five national park systems in San Salvador.” Johnson said that “diving has unquestionably made San Salvador famous and that our island is the best for diving.” Johnson continued, “I am excited, and we are all excited here on the island to have the chance to showcase what we have and advance in the market.” San Salvador Dive Week is being organised by BMOTIA in collaboration with Caradonna Adventures, Riding Rock Resort & Marina, Guanahani Divers, and Bahamasair. Source: breakingtravelnews