Starfish Travel Corporation Team

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

The Republican governor and the entertainment titan are at odds once again after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law on Friday giving a new board under his leadership the authority to revoke development agreements it had inked with Disney with its previous body. According to the legislation, which was mostly approved along party lines by the Republican-controlled legislature, the DeSantis-appointed Central Tourism Oversight District Board will have the authority to renege on any agreements made up to three months prior to the board’s establishment. Walt Disney Co. chose not to respond. The legislature effectively took jurisdiction away from Disney and gave it to DeSantis by establishing the board in February to take the role of the Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District to manage development in the 25,000 acres (10,120 hectares) that surround Walt Disney World. The Republican governor and Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, have been at odds since Disney criticised a new state legislation that forbade teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity to younger children in the classroom last year. DeSantis, who is anticipated to announce his bid for the presidency of the United States in the upcoming weeks, has consistently criticised “woke Disney” in public speeches and labelled it as liberal. The corporation pushed through modifications to the special tax district agreement before DeSantis’ appointees assumed control of the board, limiting the new body’s authority for decades. The agreement was deemed unlawful by the new monitoring board in April after it was determined that Disney’s plans for a prospective expansion of Disney World did not adhere to state law. The same day, Disney filed a complaint in federal court accusing DeSantis of improperly using his position of authority to retaliate against the business for exercising its right to free expression. In retaliation, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board filed a lawsuit in state court, claiming it was an attempt to invalidate “backroom deals” that favoured Disney. Compared to an 8 percent increase in the S&P 500 index, Disney’s stock has increased by over 16 percent so far this year. Source: skift

National Shrimp Day, which was established to honour America’s favourite seafood, comes on May 10. Coastal Mississippi has compiled a number of ways tourists may celebrate throughout the whole month. For lovers of seafood, the area offers a variety of unique experiences, from discovering your own fresh catch to learning about the history of the seafood business. The region produces over three-fourths of the country’s domestic prawns. As the director of communications and engagement at Coastal Mississippi Tourism, Pattye Meagher said, “It’s always a good time to eat delicious Coastal Mississippi shrimp, but National Shrimp Day and the entire month of May is an exciting time to celebrate our Coastal Mississippi shrimping heritage through our nationally renowned culinary scene, annual events and most importantly, the start of the shrimping season.” To kick off the summer and let visitors enjoy the finest of our prime seafood location, we are thrilled to welcome new and returning visitors to the area. You’ll find the ideal location to celebrate National Shrimp Day in Coastal Mississippi this May: You can indulge in Gulf-to-table cuisine while visiting the many diverse towns along 62 miles of coastline, from Ocean Springs or Biloxi, formerly known as the “Seafood Capital of the World,” to quaint towns like Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis: Restaurants Serving Fresh and Award-Winning SeafoodOne of the nicest things about visiting the Gulf Coast is the abundance of fresh seafood, particularly the exquisite prawns. Ninety percent of species in the Gulf of Mexico lay their eggs in the Mississippi Sound, and the area provides 69 percent of the country’s domestic prawn production. While there are countless options for favourite seafood restaurants, tourists should take into account these recent and Award-winning establishments: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Captain Al’s Steak & Shrimp is the place to go for ‘The Original’ surf & turf. Here, steak and shrimp take centre stage in everything they offer, including their bloody marys. Since 1993, finest steaks and prawns have been the focus of Captain Al’s, which has become a family tradition. Order the Shrimp Blast Bloody Mary if you’re feeling daring; this extravagant drink comes with a dozen shrimp. Shrimp lovers will love Beach Blvd Steamer, which is close to Island View Casino & Resort. It’s hardly surprising that this restaurant has gotten great appreciation from its customers given the variety of meals it offers, including the highly sought Royal Red Shrimp, which is only harvested at depths of up to 3,000 feet. Bacchus on the Bayou, a restaurant in Ocean Springs that serves delectable Cajun food with a Mississippi Gulf Coast flair, just opened its doors in March. Bacchus offers everything to please your palate, from handmade cocktails, the freshest seafood and oysters, to their famed pork chop.The Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos at Sea Level in Pass Christian are ready to be coupled with ice-cold drinks for the ultimate toes-in-the-sand experience. The BBQ Shrimp at Thorny Oyster in Bay St. Louis float in a delightful soup of lemon, Worcestershire and crushed black pepper if you prefer your crustaceans with a kick. You may also have their renowned bouillabaisse, which includes prawns, clams, mussels and fried bread. Other yearly events include the blessing of the fleet.May heralds the start of the countdown to many of the area’s most eagerly anticipated yearly events; whether visitors are seeking for family-friendly activities, spectacular views of the coast’s boats, or more, Coastal Mississippi is prepared to offer. The yearly celebrations in May include: The Annual Blessing of the Fleet, which started in 1929, celebrates the start of the fishing season for prawn fishermen and invokes a safe and fruitful season as a way to honour Biloxi’s culture, tradition, and legacy. A stunning display of ships will be seen to the whole coast on May 28 as a variety of boats gather at the west end of the Biloxi Channel and start to march east.The 37th Annual Gorenflo’s Cobia Tournament, which offers cash prizes and fishing opportunities for all skill levels, starts on May 20 for sport fisherman who want to experience the greatest fishing on the Gulf Coast. The Annual Pirate Day in the Bay, which is in its seventh year and is geared towards friends and families, is a two-day celebration that begins on May 19 with an adult bar crawl and a treasure hunt. Families may also take part in a cardboard boat race, children’s strolling procession, pirate costume contest, and more on day two. Travellers may take a seat on the War Memorial Park lawn in Pass Christian for Jazz in the Pass on May 28 from 12 to 8 p.m. to hear live jazz music wafting over the Mississippi Sound. What’s best? Everyone may attend for free! The Annual Jeepin the Coast will be held across the destination from May 31 to June 4 to wrap up the month. This five-day gathering welcomes all jeepers to the Gulf Coast to explore the stunning soft sand beaches, take in the breathtaking vistas, and take part in a weekend jam-packed with activities including live entertainment and scavenger hunts.Discover the history of the seafood industry and the coastal watersWithout taking in the sunshine and pure air of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a journey to coastal Mississippi would be incomplete. Through educational, entertaining excursions guided by seasoned boat captains or by visiting a number of specialised museums and cultural centres, visitors will discover a variety of methods to learn about the rich history and culture of life on the water in Coastal Mississippi. Visitors may go on their own shrimping excursion with the Biloxi Shrimping Trip. Passengers receive instruction on how to establish a prawn net properly and learn about each marine animal that comes into contact with it. The Sailfish, captained by Captain Mike Moore, celebrates 70 on May 8. Starting on May 1, the Biloxi Shrimping Trip will begin its “70 Days of Giveaway,” where guests may take part in special prize drawings all summer long. The nautical & Seafood Industry

British Airways will celebrate with clients and coworkers both on the ground and at 35,000 feet this weekend as Britain and the Commonwealth look forward to commemorating the coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort. British Airways and VisitBritain have teamed together to create a mural on the London Heathrow flight path to give guests ‘a royal welcome’ as the United Kingdom welcomes tourists from across the world for a weekend of festivities. The artwork, which measures 47 by 64 metres, sits in Hounslow’s Thornbury Park. Just before the aeroplane touches down at the London hub, passengers landing at London Heathrow runway 27L will be able to view it on the right side of the aircraft. The artwork’s flowers were created by kids from Fun Fest Hounslow, a nearby holiday club. The drawings were based on the idea of “a natural world,” which is a love of the King and a central theme of the King’s Coronation symbol, and were sketched by the two young painters, sisters Jasmine and Raya Prajapati, who are 9 and 12 years old, respectively.joyful flight with Charles and Camilla as the pilots On Friday, May 5, a different BA059 flight from Heathrow to Cape Town, a member of the Commonwealth, will be crewed by coworkers with variations of the names Charles and Camilla. A group of 10 cabin crew members, including three Camillas, five Charles, a Kamila, and a Millie, will take care of passengers on this unusual trip. Three Charles-named pilots will pilot the 777-200 aircraft. Customers are given royal treatment Customers bearing the last names “King” and “Queen” flying from Gatwick and Heathrow will have the opportunity to start their vacation off in style with lounge access before to their flights on the actual day of the Coronation. Customers will be welcome to utilise the First Wing and First Lounge at Heathrow, as well as the First Lounge at Gatwick. On May 6, British Airways will commemorate the historic event by serving Joe&Seph’s Eton Mess customised popcorn made especially for the airline in all cabins departing from Heathrow and Gatwick. The airline and its caterers created desserts with a Coronation theme that would be served on aircraft departing from Heathrow and Gatwick. A custom lemon and white chocolate Coronation tart, an afternoon tea with three royal desserts, and a lemon and white chocolate mousse crowned with a chocolate crown, all of which were inspired by King Charles’ well-known fondness for lemon cream, are among the exceptional sweets. Customers flying with British Airways on WiFi-enabled aircraft will be able to take advantage of these regal goodies while viewing a live feed of the Coronation, which is free to access on passengers’ personal electronic devices. Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for British Airways Lisa Tremble stated, “We are thrilled to be able to commemorate this historic milestone in history. As the national airline of the United Kingdom, we take great pride in welcoming guests to our country and sharing in the festivities with our passengers on board by providing a variety of Coronation-themed delights. It will undoubtedly be a weekend we won’t forget since in addition to crewing an aircraft full of colleagues named Charles and Camilla, we are also celebrating with our wonderful coworkers throughout our airports and offices. The Prince’s Trust and The Big Help Out British Airways is also pleased to support The Big Help Out, a volunteer programme that aims to increase awareness and provide individuals throughout the UK the opportunity to volunteer. The airline will urge employees to volunteer for some of the fantastic organisations that The Big Help Out supports. Last month, British Airways hosted a three-week “Get into Aviation Programme” as part of its relationship with The Prince’s Trust. The programme was designed to help young people develop their employability skills and acquire firsthand experience in the profession. The airline’s initiative was centred on inspiring underprivileged 18 to 30 year olds to think about a future in aviation. Many young adults signed up for the project, which featured confidence-boosting lessons and work experience days in their desired field. After the training was through, 11 young people were given the opportunity to enrol in one of British Airways’ apprenticeship programmes. Source: breakingtravelnews

The state’s tourist board is in danger of failing, along with its sensible regulations for controlling foot traffic to Hawaii’s most revered and stunning locations. Early in 2021, Hawaii’s tourism board launched a ground-breaking initiative to integrate true Native Hawaiian culture into every aspect of its visitor economy, using it to improve the tourist experience while assisting in the protection of its people and sensitive areas. The “Malama Hawaii” or “Care for Hawaii” effort to promote sustainable tourism may be coming to an end after only three years. Hawaii’s legislators have included no funding for the state’s 25-year-old tourism agency in the proposed state tourism budget bill for fiscal year 2023–2024, which begins on July 1. This is despite the fact that a busy summer tourist season is quickly approaching. Late in April, lawmakers examined two measures to dissolve the Hawaii Tourism Authority and replace it with a new organisation that would put more of an emphasis on resource management rather than attracting tourists to the state. Although the bill was postponed and HTA is still in operation, many informed sources who talked with Bloomberg forecast that the agency’s exclusion from the final budget will severely hamper HTA’s ability to manage tourism on the islands. The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s chief executive, John De Fries, stated in a newsletter that without financing, the HTA’s efforts in destination management, visitor education, and brand promotion will be at risk. He stated that the HTA will be “making tough decisions in the coming days” about the cancellation of current contracts and “ongoing community work.” The tourist office can utilise $30 million in unused American Rescue Plan Act monies, which is half of the amount the HTA had asked for the upcoming fiscal year, according to legislators, to continue managing tourism. All of this poses an existential danger to enhanced crowd control methods safeguarding the state’s most vulnerable locations as well as the cultural events, festivals, and community-led volunteer opportunities that have recently made Hawaii such a dynamic place to visit. Vacationer tensions Legislative squabbles with Hawaii’s tourist bureau are nothing new. With 10.4 million visitors each year, it reached a boiling point in 2019, when Hawaii’s 1.5 million citizens saw their home state turn into a case study in overtourism. The negative effects of that unregulated industry include trash clogging up popular tourist destinations, overcrowded beaches where it’s difficult to spread out a towel, coral reefs that are bleaching, traffic jams brought on by tourists taking selfies, and sacred sites being vandalised with graffiti and spray paint. HTA was a victim of its own success in marketing the state to many Hawaiians both inside and outside of the government. And as a result, HTA started making significant changes to itself. The agency’s objectives were refocused on making tourism more sustainable for everyone, replacing an executive leadership that was predominately made up of white people with one that was nearly entirely made up of Indigenous Hawaiians. The “Malama Hawaii” initiative gained traction. In order to assist tourists become more aware of the vulnerability of Hawaii’s beautiful and holy locations, it disseminated responsible tourism messages to them before and during their journeys and produced sustainable experiences. Additionally, it assisted in spreading out foot traffic to lessen the negative effects of mass tourism. The state is anticipated to collect a record $1 billion in hotel bed taxes in 2023 since the modifications helped draw in more wealthy, higher-spending tourists. These visitors, in turn, were pleased to participate in community-led educational events including cultural walks in Waikiki, beach clean-ups in Kauai, and tours of a chocolate farm. That development was deemed to be too slow by some Hawaiian politicians. Since then, the government has restricted the tourist office’s spending authority, severed its direct connection to hotel taxes, and started demanding state approval for contracts and yearly budgets. “The legislature didn’t think [the change] was going fast enough,” says Frank Haas, president of Marketing Management Inc. and consultant for the HTA’s 2020–25 strategy plan for sustainable tourism growth. Some lawmakers have been determined to dissolve the HTA for at least five years, according to Mondy Jamshidi-Kent, a professor of travel management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. These legislators made up their minds before De Fries could begin working on the issue. She complains, “I’m disappointed to have learned that they don’t incorporate the last three years of statistically measured improvement,” contending that the present debates are more motivated by feelings than by facts. “Our democratic process is under disturbing threat from this.” According to Jamshidi-Kent, some government officials may have seen this “new way of tourism,” which emphasises Hawaiian culture in corporate operations and adds levels of actual accountability, as a threat. “Why the legislature is trying to fix something that is working doesn’t make sense.” Sustainability Seeds HTA has advanced in a short amount of time in a demonstrable way. In a poll conducted in the fourth quarter of 2022, more than 25% of US mainland visitors to Hawaii said they had seen messages about “caring for and respecting Hawaii’s culture, people, and environment” both before and during their visit. On the subject of sustainability, an increasing number of state parks now demand reservations; as of May 1, the 4,000-acre ‘ao Valley State Monument on Maui became the fourth state park to do so. Through HTA-funded experimental programmes operated by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHAA), in partnership with the nonprofit organisation Travel2change, the number of community-run volunteer opportunities for visitors has more than quadrupled, from 30 to roughly 70, in recent years. According to Mlia Sanders, executive director of NaHAA, all of this improved perceptions of tourism among locals. Nearly half of the 1,949 Hawaii residents polled statewide in the autumn of 2022 said they thought tourism was being managed better than it had been. The percentage of respondents who said their own island was being run for tourists at the expense of residents did not change significantly. What Follows? People who support HTA’s

In a major victory for visitors, Airbnb has made a significant improvement to its checkout process. To avoid any unpleasant surprises after you’ve made a reservation, the new “transparent checkout instructions” feature reveals your host’s cleaning needs before you make a reservation. Since, let’s face it, nothing could be less romantic than arriving at your Airbnb and being instructed to clean the bathroom. All check-out instructions will now be provided right away on a listing’s website, according to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. Chesky wrote, “You said checkout instructions could be a surprise when you get to your Airbnb.” “Now, before you book, you can view all checkout instructions on the listing page.” Guests have long complained that rogue hosts make too many requests for chores, including everything from scrubbed floors to groomed lawns. For $300, you can stay in a “Shameless” Airbnb apartment and sleep on the floor. Warning from woman following ‘terrifying’ discovery in Airbnb toilet Airbnb owner justifies charging $26 per night to use his restroom. Users may rate checkout duties as well, and if the host receives enough unfavourable reviews, their listing will be taken down. “Checking out of Airbnbs can be a pain due to unreasonable checkout tasks,” Chesky said. Starting today, you may comment on any checkout chores that are part of the review flow, and we’ll delete any listings that have a history of receiving poor checkout ratings. In an effort to reinvent its service and revive the business, Airbnb is launching 50 new features and enhancements, including the new policy. Other adjustments include a renewed emphasis on room rentals, making longer stays more affordable and available, and aggressive customer service standards including two-minute English-speaking customer response times. According to Airbnb, the number of nights stayed in private room listings in Australia increased by over 50% last year as a result of tourists searching for more reasonably priced lodging alternatives. On Airbnb, a private room costs, on average, $104 a night in Australia. Source: au.news.yahoo