Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The most costly airport for parking fees is Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, which charges a staggering £433.61 each week. However, Hamad International consistently receives votes from travelers as one of the greatest airports in the world, winning first place in 2021 and 2022 because to its cleanliness and variety of businesses. Long-term parking there can be expensive. The second-most costly airport in the world for parking fees is London’s Heathrow Airport, where a week’s stay costs £255.30. With more than 80 million passengers passing through each year and an average of one flight departing every 45 seconds, the airport is among the busiest in the world in terms of passenger traffic. With a weekly fee of £180, London Gatwick Airport is the seventh most costly airport for parking. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/topmost-expensive-weekly-airport-parking-rates-across-the-world/

The Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) has brought together more than 600 young people from 100 nations to discuss how to achieve net zero in travel and tourism as part of the UFCCC MENA Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The new STGC, which is promoting a quicker approach to resolving climate change challenges and making travel and tourism more sustainable, especially among small and medium-sized firms, passengers, and destinations, has as one of its main goals engaging with and listening to young people from all over the world. According to estimates, 16% of the world’s 8 billion inhabitants are between the ages of 15 and 24. The 600+ attendees this week are among the first to join the STGC’s Youth Champions Initiative, which successfully brought together 400 students from 80 different countries last year. The goal is to have 100,000 young people from more than 150 different nations living here by 2030. The Saudi Arabian Minister of tourist, Ahmed Al Khateeb, stated: “We are enabling young leaders to play a critical part in constructing a more sustainable travel and tourist sector by providing them with the necessary resources to promote the net zero transformation of the business. The Sustainable Tourism Global Center, founded in Saudi Arabia, is an investment not only in the country’s future but also in the future of the entire world. The Ministry of Energy will host UNFCCC MENA Climate Week, where the young leaders will come together for sustainability-related sessions. Discussions will center on the potential and difficulties the industry faces as it works to transition to a net zero future, as well as environmental protection generally and the part that the younger generation will play in that dialogue. Young leaders will have unprecedented access to cutting-edge case studies and best practice solutions as the project develops and the STGC forges partnerships with more institutions of higher learning and international organizations. They will also get assistance with advocacy and training programs for sustainable tourism. Saudi Arabia’s development strategy, Vision 2030, places a strong emphasis on youth participation and empowerment. We’re happy to see so many young people at this successful MENA Climate Week, conducted for the first time in Riyadh, said Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor of the Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism. It is admirable that His Excellency wants to make sure that young people are at the center of finding solutions. It is crucial that we pay attention to and take into account the opinions of today’s young because they want to actively participate in their local communities and be a part of positive change. Their contribution is essential to making the tourism and travel sector a part of the net zero solution. The STGC seeks to deeply engage young future leaders in order to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive travel and tourism industry, realizing the enormous potential of youth to assist in this transformation. Participants in this endeavor will acquire the skills, resources, and assistance required to use research for advocacy and awareness-raising activities. The new Global Solutions Hub, which will offer solutions to visitors and destinations as well as micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) to assist them move faster at implementing their own adjustments to become more sustainable, was also presented during MENA Climate Week. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/600-youth-from-100-countries-gather-at-stgc-for-solutions-to-sustainable-travel/

The South East’s largest light-weight solar array, to be completed at Farnborough Airport, the center of British aviation and Europe’s top airport for premium air travel connectivity, will allow the airport to produce 25% of its own power. The cutting-edge terminal building, the airport’s control tower, the ground support facility building, and the award-winning 169-room Aviator Hampshire hotel will all have solar panels installed as part of the creative and comprehensive designs. Additionally, the installation will make it possible for the Airport’s operating fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using electricity produced on-site. The new solar installation will enable us to reduce our controllable emissions as set out in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to being Net Zero by 2030 or so, according to Simon Geere, CEO of Farnborough Airport, “In our efforts to be a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we are always looking for new ways to supply and create sustainable energy sources.” The project also complies with a recent government law that favors rooftop solar over solar on agricultural property and encourages more rooftop solar. The installation will be completed by the solar power producing company Solivus, with work set to begin in 2023. In terms of new, innovative light-weight solar installations, Solivus is in the forefront.  Farnborough seized this decarbonization opportunity because traditional solar is too heavy for 40% of major structures like airplane hangars. “At Solivus, we are on a mission to simplify the decarbonization of the built environment, so we are proud to be working alongside a business who have likeminded goals,” said the company’s chief executive officer Jo Parker Swift. Plans for the solar installation at the Airport come after a string of noteworthy achievements in recent years. The first business aviation airport to attain Carbon Neutral 3+ designation was Farnborough Airport in 2018. It started providing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to all clients in 2021, and in 2022, ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, it became the first airport in the world to do so for the same price as regular Jet A1 fuel for a two-week trial period. Farnborough Airport pledged to become Net Zero for emissions it can control by 2030 or earlier in 2022, setting one of the aviation industry’s most challenging goals. The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) initiative granted Farnborough Airport Level 4+ certification earlier this year, the highest level of carbon accreditation. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/farnborough-airport-embarks-on-one-of-the-largest-solar-installations-in-the-south-east/

Rescompany has been chosen by Exploris Expedition Cruises to supply the onboard digital systems on their first ship, the recently rebuilt MV Exploris One. Resco will be there to implement Resco’s cutting-edge Inventory System together with comprehensive PMS and POS apps for guests, travelers, and crew. Exploris One, which flies the French flag, was built specifically to navigate the world’s most challenging waterways, particularly those in the polar regions. She is the best vessel for exploring glacial regions in total safety because to her reinforced hull; in fact, she is considered as a global benchmark in this area. Rescompany Systems Ltd offers shore and ship software solutions that give small and medium-sized businesses access to the same competitive capabilities as major enterprises while making systems accessible and resource-conserving. Resco’s user-friendly technology gives clients an ever-evolving 360 degree view of the customer, from shore to ship and beyond, whether the full software suite of Rescompany is implemented as a stand-alone platform or its component modules are effortlessly integrated with third-party interfaces. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/exploris-expedition-cruises-selects-resco-systems/

The European Regional Airline Association (ERA) has chosen Loganair Airline of the Year for 2023. The most prestigious prize was presented to the UK’s largest regional airline at a formal awards ceremony that was a part of the ERA General Assembly in Innsbruck, Austria. A group of impartial, well-known judges from around the world chose the winner of ERA’s top honor, Airline of the Year. Loganair, which employs over 850 people across its network, was recognized for its “impressive performance” in getting back to a profit after the pandemic while also improving conditions for its employees. The judges also praised its forward-thinking environmental policy. The airline’s GreenSkies program was the first of its kind in the sector and was launched in 2021 with the goal of managing and reducing the environmental impact of flying through a combination of carbon offsetting, renewable energy investment, and sustainable aviation research. “It is an incredible honor to be named the ERA Airline of the Year award for 2023 and I’d like to thank our magnificent employees for their extraordinary efforts in recent years,” stated Jonathan Hinkles, CEO of Loganair. During the epidemic, we were one of the few airlines to continue operating daily flights, providing vital transportation to isolated villages, air ambulance services for Covid patients, and energy industry charter services that ensured the UK’s lights remained on. Being recognized for our environmental innovation is also incredibly rewarding. For the sake of both the industry and the future of our planet and its inhabitants, developing sustainable aviation is essential. “With an impressive overall performance during 2022, Loganair has overcome the challenges of the previous two years brought on by the pandemic,” remarked Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA. “At the same time, it has implemented significant and ground-breaking environmental measures, aided social and humanitarian causes, and implemented critical strategic advances intended to safeguard its future. The airline’s focus on detail, clarity of thought, and decisiveness have produced quantifiably favorable results.The entire Loganair crew deserves congratulations for this outstanding accomplishment. A trade organization that speaks for the European aviation sector is called ERA. More than 50 airlines, as well as 150 associate and affiliate members, make up its membership, which collectively represents the entire aviation industry, including airlines, airports, manufacturers, and suppliers. The regional aviation industry’s accomplishments are celebrated each year with the ERA awards. Since it was first presented in 1991, its Airline of the Year award has expanded to become the most prestigious honor in this industry. Since its founding in 1962, Loganair has grown to become the UK’s largest regional airline in terms of both fleet size and passenger volume, serving approximately 100 destinations across the UK, Scandinavia, and Ireland. It also maintains usage of Barra Airport, the only airport in the world to use a beach as a commercial runway, and runs the shortest scheduled commercial route in the world between Westray Airport and Papa Westray Airport, a distance of just 1.7 miles. ERA’s Airline of the Year honor went before to Loganair in 2018. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/loganair-named-airline-of-the-year/

Executive of the Year – Tourism went to Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, at the Middle East Management Excellence Awards ceremony in Dubai. The evening honored the region’s most remarkable business executives, with Cruise Saudi CEO taking up this prestigious title. Attendees included C-suite level, senior management, digital and technology business department heads, and marketing communications executive visitors. The “Executive of the Year – Tourism” award honors an individual who has made a noteworthy contribution to the development and success of a business. Lars Clasen has overseen Cruise Saudi’s ambitious offshore and onshore cruise ecosystem-building process in conjunction with esteemed international partners, government and local entities, and a passionate team of visionaries with the goal of establishing Saudi as a top international cruise destination. Lars Clasen has led Cruise Saudi through its exponential initial growth phase. By the end of its third season, Cruise Saudi had welcomed more than 300,000 visitors to Saudi Arabia’s shores from more than 100 different countries. Since its launch in 2021, the company has fully equipped three ports with the infrastructure needed to welcome international cruise ships: Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. By 2035, Cruise Saudi hopes to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers to the country by sea. This ambitious goal is made possible by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the government’s own goal of receiving 100 million tourists annually. Notably, Cruise Saudi has continued to implement training and development programs in conjunction with regional universities and foreign cruise lines, and additional plans are in the works to give Saudi youth the knowledge and experience they need to work in the cruise industry. Cruise Saudi is having an impact on the local economy in addition to the worldwide cruise market, with 50,000 direct and indirect employment expected to be produced by 2035, a current Saudization rate of 77%, and ambitions to hire additional Saudi residents in the coming years. A future-focused approach is a key component of the plan for Cruise Saudi’s sustained expansion and success on the global cruising arena, especially with trailblazing innovation like the introduction of its owned-cruise line, AROYA Cruises, the first of its kind created with Arabian tastes. Lars Clasen commented on the victory, saying, “Since joining Cruise Saudi in February of last year, I am extremely delighted to have witnessed the organization make enormous steps in establishing Saudi as a global cruise destination. This award was definitely a team effort, so I would want to receive it while also praising the cooperation and commitment of all Cruise Saudi employees. We are set to begin our fourth season, which will strengthen local communities, provide jobs, and expand Saudi Arabia’s great tourism industry by drawing in more foreign tourists. As the innovative cruise line sets sail for season four, Cruise Saudi will keep collaborating with the government and local organizations to develop ports and curate top-notch destination experiences that boost both tourism and the local economy—many of which are welcoming visitors for the first time. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/cruise-saudi-recognised-for-growth-of-the-cruise-sector-in-saudi/

An amazing celebration has been presented amidst the picturesque hills and foothills of Uttarakhand by the eco-friendly boutique hotel brand Stotrak Hospitality, which has properties spread across Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Kenilworth Mussoorie & Hotel Luxury Inn Mussoorie in Mussoorie and Sukhoon Retreat in Dakpathar, two of the group’s most picturesque resorts, will be hosting a delightful stay this holiday season. Stotrak promises a spectacular journey, including the allure of Mussoorie, the serenity of Dehradun’s Great Yamuna River, and the meditative vibes of Rishikesh.  The owner of Stotrak Hospitality, Manish Goyal, remarked, “The most anticipated season of the year is back. Our staff will serve as your ambassadors throughout the area and design an agenda specifically for your visit. Visitors will have the chance to discover secret pathways and relax in the great outdoors. To celebrate the holiday spirit, we present a variety of scrumptious treats, excellent experiences, and an appealing ambiance with upbeat rhythms.  A 3-star boutique hotel called The Kenilworth Mussoorie by Stotrak is situated in the center of Mussoorie. It offers generously sized accommodations, simple access to the Mall Road, parking options, and top-notch hospitality. The Hotel Luxury Inn Mussoorie by Stotrak, meanwhile, is a short stroll from the Mall Road and features 26 opulent rooms with breathtaking valley views, a rooftop multi-cuisine restaurant, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour hot water. Visitors can travel to Sukoon travel in Dakpathar, an eco-friendly haven that offers activities like swimming, Ayurvedic wellness, trekking, and secret waterfall hikes, for those who want to get away into nature. Diwali is a time of joyous celebration, and Stotrak Hospitality has offered a number of Diwali specials to make the occasion even more memorable. There is also a list of must-attend festivals that will begin the next month. Visitors can take part in the Egaas festival in Mussoorie, Dehradun, and Rishikesh following Diwali. Adventurers can enjoy water activities at the Tehri Lake Festival in Mussoorie from February 4 to February 6. Yoga fans should put March 8 through March 14 of 2024 on their calendars for the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh. With their winter sun and chilly Mall Road strolls, December and January in Mussoorie provide a “White Christmas of the Hills.”  The Uttarakhand region’s Operation Manager, Ankit Mishra, stated: “The beauty of Uttarakhand is not confined to breathtaking hills; it has a lot more to offer. We chose these locations because they each provide distinctive experiences for that reason. Visitors can even select among the well-known Ayurvedic resorts in Uttarakhand, which range from the highlands of Mussoorie to the adventurous and spiritual Rishikesh and the calm environment of Dakpathar. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/stotrak-hospitality-unveils-unforgettable-festive-experiences-amidst-nature/

This autumn, long-distance travelers are eager to discover European places, with travel intentions from major markers maintaining stable or rising in comparison to previous year. Travel to Europe has becoming increasingly popular, especially in China. In spite of worries about expensive travel and increased airfares, 74% of Chinese survey participants want to travel to Europe between September and December 2023. This reflects a significant 10% increase from the same time last year and a 9% increase over the last travel season before China closed its borders to travel, which was in the fall of 2019. Despite rising inflation, travel interest climbed marginally in both the US (+3%) and Canada (+2%). In Australia and Brazil, travelers’ intentions to visit Europe have somewhat decreased from the previous year. Australia saw a 3% decline, which may be attributed to travelers’ growing desire to visit new places and the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere, which make domestic travel more alluring. Brazil also had a 3% decline, but opinion is still positive there, with more than half (52%) of respondents saying they want to visit Europe. When compared to the same time in 2022, Japanese respondents’ travel intentions to Europe increased significantly, by 12%. Even still, Japan continues to be the most cautious market among all those questioned, with only 25% of respondents planning to go to Europe in the next few months. This is supported by the most recent Long-Haul Travel Barometer (LHTB), which the European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail BV released today. In six significant long-haul markets—Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, and the United States—the LHTB tracks travelers’ plans to visit Europe. The most recent issue discusses travel behavior between September 2023 and December 2023. Following the release of the LHTB 3/2023, ETC President Miguel Sanz made the following statement: “After a protracted period of disruption due to the Covid pandemic, Europe is reestablishing its connection with Asian tourists.” Our allure to long-distance travelers continues to be strong, with Europe’s ageless culture and history serving as the main pull. It’s very exciting to observe how rail travel is becoming more and more popular, and how tourists are becoming more interested in slow travel. It’s critical that we focus especially on the responsible growth of the tourism business right now more than ever. The travel plans of tourists are changing as a result of high prices. Overall, there is still a high level of interest in visiting Europe, but in all six markets, this interest is mostly hampered by high travel costs. This is particularly true in Brazil and Australia, where 45% and 40% of visitors, respectively, are deterred from taking a vacation in Europe because of the high costs. The perceived affordability of services and experiences inside the location is therefore becoming more important to travelers across all markets (32% vs. 28% last year). Tourists are implementing new tactics to get the most of their experience while staying within their budget as travel-related expenditures rise. The most common strategy is to cut back on shopping spending (35%), a strategy that is especially well-liked by respondents from Canada, Australia, and Japan. Use of reward programs and reasonably priced all-inclusive packages are two further new spending trends that 30% of respondents in all regions, but are especially popular in Brazil and China, are considering. The culture and history of Europe particularly appeal to long-distance travelers In five of the six markets examined, travelers cite culture and history as Europe’s top draws. China is an exception, where tourists’ keen interest in culture and history is surpassed only by their desire for culinary and urban experiences. Notably, slow travel is becoming more popular overall this fall (+7% compared to 2022), particularly with visitors from Japan, Australia, Canada, and the US. Long-distance travelers are also drawn to well-known locations this fall. Compared to the same period in 2022, a growing number of respondents (+6%) said that they are most interested in visiting places that are home to famous landmarks in Europe. Another important factor that influences where travelers choose to go is the weather. Chinese visitors place the greatest emphasis on climate factors (39%), followed by Australian and Brazilian visitors (both at 34%). To get between European destinations, travelers prefer trains and inexpensive flights. An intriguing shift in preferred modes of transportation between destinations has been seen among Australian travelers. While flying continues to be the most popular option, interest in rail passes has significantly increased (+8%) and that of bus travel has slightly increased (+2%). With 34% of poll participants inclined to purchase a rail pass and 32% interested in at least one train ticket, rail travel remains the top means of transportation for Canadian tourists. Despite previously favoring air travel, US travelers are now becoming more interested in rail transportation due to its price and efficiency in terms of trip durations. Despite rail’s strong position as a long-distance travel alternative, low-cost airplanes remain the most widely used. Although rail has historically been the primary mode of transportation for Brazilians, interest in low-cost aircraft has increased by 13% in that country. The Canadian market, where the appeal of low-cost flights increased by 9%, exhibits the same pattern. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/europes-culture-and-history-draw-in-long-haul-travellers-despite-rising-costs/

What does this mean for the broader travel sector, given that France has banned domestic flights when there is a rail alternative and major European carriers like Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa are backing the change?  How can travel agents and B2B suppliers participate in and support this crucial climate initiative?  To learn more, we consult experts from all facets of the travel value chain. According to Alice Ferrari of aviation technology company Kyte, there is a commercial potential for airlines in the rail boom. “The shift to rail doesn’t mean airlines need to lose out,” she tells us.  “Future-focused carriers have already realized there is an economic opportunity, thanks to airlines like KLM.  Airlines should consider intermodality, which involves providing several modes of transportation for a traveler’s whole journey, and provide travelers with options for using public transportation on some or all of their itineraries.  Additionally, airlines can consider forming partnerships with train businesses to acquire and sell rail seats and simply count this as an additional source of revenue. Travel agencies, including airlines and train carriers, must be prepared to plug and play with several travel apps and itinerary-planning tools as multimodal transit becomes more significant to consumers. The switch to rail is, however, hampered by a number of real-world obstacles.  Many booking systems and third parties are not adequately set up to manage the B2B payment with rail providers automatically, or even at all, according to Spencer Hanlon of the worldwide real-time payments platform Nium.  We must collaborate to find quick solutions to these problems in order to meet the growing demand for rail. The industry may not be ready to accept rail bookings in bulk at this time due to the complexity of rail ticketing, the variety of providers and schedules, as well as the possibility of cancellations or rebookings. I firmly believe that rail is and will continue to develop as an alternative to air for any route that can be covered in less than four hours by train, says Emilie Dumont, Managing Director at Digitrips, the company that owns the popular French multi-product travel platform MisterFly.  In the upcoming years, high-speed train improvements will also be beneficial.  Train travel is practical because stations are located inside cities, there are no security lines, and passengers can arrive as little as ten minutes prior to departure and still enjoy comfort and wifi onboard.  The primary problem I notice is with carbon estimations; the approach is a little out of date compared to air… However, I see progress in this.  In 2024, we also intend to improve our rail services, offering our B2B clients train-inclusive travel options. As a last point, Andres Fabris of Traxo, the sole supplier of real-time business travel data capture in the globe, points out that booking train tickets presents a substantial challenge. According to Fabris, “Many business travelers avoid official booking channels because rail reservations are complicated and there aren’t enough options in standard corporate booking systems or through Travel Management Companies (TMCs).” This issue hinders the promotion of train travel despite its significant advantages for lowering the company’s carbon footprint, not to mention it leaves travel managers who are responsible for duty of care in the dark. For enterprises to adopt train travel, capture technology like ours that can capture rail reservations wherever they are made is essential. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/from-planes-to-trains-how-will-the-shift-impact-the-way-travel-is-sold/