Starfish Travel Corporation Team

A recent study that examines the greatest American towns for vegan travelers has been released, illuminating the local food scene in places all throughout the nation. Two million of the more than 15 million Americans who eat exclusively vegetarian food are vegans. The popularity of food tourism, particularly vegan tourism, has increased dramatically in recent years, and this study offers useful information about dining options for locals and tourists looking for a variety of culinary experiences. In 48 cities, we standardized the most recent data in categories like the standard and cost of restaurants and the accessibility of vegan amenities in order to achieve this. The values were multiplied by 10 to give a score between 0 and 10, and the data were then normalized using min-max normalization. With an overall score of 8.14, New York won the title of the greatest city for vegan tourists, demonstrating its dedication to providing a varied and lively food environment for both locals and visitors. The average of 93 restaurant reviews (4.41/5) was used to calculate the city’s overall restaurant quality, yielding a remarkable score of 9.82 out of 10. In the city, there were 73 inexpensive restaurants and nine expensive ones, giving the analysis a 7 out of 10 cost rating overall. The emphasis on vegan comforts was one notable trend that was seen. To ascertain the range of vegan-friendly options in each city, the study emphasizes the accessibility of juice and smoothie bars as well as farmer’s markets. With 22 farmer’s markets and 79 juice/smoothie shops, New York distinguished out and earned an impressive amenity rating of 6.97 out of 10. The city is committed to offering a wide variety of dining alternatives that appeal to different tastes and preferences, as seen by its strong performance in the restaurant quality, price, and vegan-friendly amenities categories. Chicago earned a total score of 6.33 to come in second. The Windy City was notable for having 46 vegan restaurants, with an overall quality score of 7.39/10 and an average rating of 4.5/5. Due to its poor rating for vegan amenities, it fell short of reaching the top slot. The city received a meager 4.57 out of 10 because there are just 32 farmer’s markets and 27 juice/smoothie establishments. The top five U.S. cities for vegan tourists include Las Vegas (6.04), Los Angeles (6.14), Washington DC (6.14), and New York (6.14). Hartford, CT, which had a total score of 2.64, is the city that caters the least to vegan tourists. It contributed to its low-cost rating of 1.83 by having only 18 low-cost eateries and 2 high-cost restaurants. The final two U.S. cities that are least welcoming to vegan tourists are Detroit (2.73) and Jacksonville, FL (3.01). It can be challenging for vegans to locate adequate dining options, particularly while traveling, said Sarah Webber, Director of Marketing at InsureMyTrip. We hope that our study will assist all tourists in locating a destination that they can truly sink their teeth into, given the growing popularity of food tourism. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/top-vegan-friendly-u-s-cities-every-traveller-must-visit/

Many vacationers who are trying to make last-minute travel arrangements are still anxious about what’s to come as the summer season draws to a close. In reality, during June and July of this year, almost 6 million UK travelers experienced delays when flying. Unsurprisingly, the UK was one of the nations with the longest flight delays among those in Europe. There is no denying that labor disputes, strikes, and technical issues at UK airports have hurt air traffic. In light of this, it’s crucial that travelers are aware of their rights and know how to assert them in the event of delays or cancellations. In accordance with UK 261, passengers are entitled to compensation for delays longer than three hours, cancellations made less than 14 days before departure, refusals to board due to overbooking, and missed connections that result in arrival delays of three hours or more. When airline employees go on strike, UK passengers have the right to care, such as food and drink or accommodations, as well as a replacement trip when their flight is disrupted and compensation for a three-hour delay. It has never been more crucial for travelers to understand their rights when making last-minute travel arrangements because the UK’s hunger for travel is still greater than it was throughout the summer of last year. Tomasz Pawliszyn, the CEO of AirHelp, will examine what rights passengers have in the event that a flight is delayed or canceled in this article and offer suggestions for how they can enforce those rights. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/air-passenger-rights-the-complete-guide-to-your-holiday-consumer-rights/

Breezeway has been recognized as an official Airbnb Software Partner. The integration makes use of several data connections to provide hosts and property managers with automation and operational insights. By integrating with Airbnb, hosts and property managers can use Breezeway to manage all aspect of their business, from cleaning and property preparation to scheduling, while utilizing intelligent checklists, automatic messaging, and workflows to create a dependable guest experience. Breezeway uses the Airbnb reviews API to give hosts and property managers the ability to link individual tasks and particular property workflows with Airbnb guest reviews, gaining invaluable insight into homes, cleaning procedures, and other workflows that may benefit from additional management and support. Because of this, hosts and property managers, including the thousands of Breezeway customers who also use a third-party property management system, may quickly apply changes to the guest experience to fix operational gaps and produce higher-quality stays. The alliance streamlines the planning, communication, and guest services for hosts and property managers. As a result of fully integrated messaging between Breezeway and Airbnb, hosts and property managers can now view and respond to Airbnb message threads within the Breezeway platform. They can use this functionality to answer questions from guests, notify them when a home is ready for check-in, or update the status of open service requests. Through the Airbnb integration, Breezeway Guide, a customized digital welcome book, and Breezeway Assist, a round-the-clock call service enhanced with Breezeway’s AI-driven engine, are also linked. Breezeway’s CEO and founder, Jeremy Gall, expressed his excitement at the company’s selection as an official Airbnb Software Partner. We are both dedicated to assisting hosts and property managers in delivering dependable hospitality in distinctive and genuine homes. There is a ton of work done behind the scenes to create a pleasant guest experience, from cleaning and quality assurance to supply restocking, linens, regular maintenance, upkeep, property safety, and assisting the guest in taking advantage of all the home’s facilities. Breezeway automates these processes, minimizes errors, and aids hosts and property managers in consistently exceeding visitors’ expectations. Breezeway’s integration of Airbnb review insights provides hosts and property managers with crucial information that links their preparation efforts and guest reviews. This is yet another example of how cutting-edge technology is facilitating operational excellence and delivering improved guest experiences, raising ratings and increasing bookings. Across more than 250,000 properties in 80 countries, Breezeway, a platform for managing all the work of upkeep and cleaning short-term rental houses, has assisted thousands of hosts and property managers in providing the best quality hospitality experiences for millions of guests. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/breezeway-becomes-official-airbnb-partner/

The largest independent hotel brand in the world, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, has given 1 million I Prefer Hotel Rewards points to Ireland’s National Breast Cancer Research Institute, the event’s charity partner, in honor of the 2023 KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which is the official hole-in-one sponsor for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open this year, declared that it would donate 2 million I Prefer Hotel Rewards points, which can be exchanged for up to 40 hotel nights, to the charity and the first professional golfer to make an ace in the competition. Smilla Soenderby won the tournament with a final score of 10-under par, but there was no one who aced the hole. An extensive research program is funded by the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, an Irish nonprofit organization, at the University of Galway. In order to achieve significant and demonstrable improvements in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients, the research team, in partnership with universities and hospitals around the world, focuses on the creation and refinement of diagnostic techniques and treatment options. The National Breast Cancer Research Institute’s Play in Pink national coordinator, Miriam Hand, said, “We are thrilled with the generous 1 million I Prefer points donation. “Our volunteers and researchers, to whom we want to give them as a present to encourage their ongoing Play in Pink activities, will feel a big impact from this. Thank you, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, from the bottom of our hearts. I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the largest loyalty program for independent hotels in the world with more than 4.5 million members, offers members points, status, and other complimentary benefits for eligible stays at more than 650 participating luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. “We are overjoyed to have given the National Breast Cancer Research Institute of Ireland these I Prefer Hotel Rewards points. As Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ vice president of loyalty, Jennifer Munro remarked, “It is an honor to assist such a deserving cause. In order to ensure that the volunteers for the charity will have access to even greater advantages and experiences across our hotels, we re-introduced the program this year with deliberate changes, including the creation of a content-rich, independent website and an improved mobile app. The KPMG Women’s Irish Open, held for the second time at the Dromoland Castle Hotel in County Clare, began on August 31 and ended on September 3. It brought together the world’s top female golfers to compete in a wonderful venue that epitomizes the breathtaking Irish countryside. The 18-hole, 6,824-yard par 72 championship course at Dromoland Castle, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ elite Legend Collection, had a €2 million facelift in time for the 2022 competition and completed additional renovations this year. I Prefer members who book the Complimentary Golf Offer receive a complimentary round of golf as part of the Preferred Golf portfolio with every two-night stay at Dromoland Castle. Visit the website to learn more about I Prefer Hotel Rewards and to sign up for the program. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/preferred-hotels-resorts-donates-1-million-i-prefer-hotel-rewards-points-to-cancer-research/

Leading international archaeologists and academics’ recent discoveries have shed new light on the intricate cultural environment of ancient Ula and the larger region of northwestern Arabia. The research was published in the new book “Revealing Cultural Landscapes in North-West Arabia,” which was edited by Dr. Rebecca Foote, Director of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Research at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), and a group of esteemed international experts. The articles, which were first presented in a Special Session of papers organized by Foote at the 54th Seminar for Arabian Studies, highlight the rich archaeological legacy of AlUla and demonstrate how the influence of ancient societies extends beyond well-known landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, the oases, and long-established settlements. The book, which was released not long before RCU will host the AlUla World Archaeology Summit, has a broad appeal to both academics and everyone who value our common human history. Its release completes the broad schedule of activities that will be held at AlUla’s Maraya location from September 13–15 as part of the first summit. A specially invited international audience of experts and specialists in archaeological discovery, research, preservation, conservation, and more will participate in the three-day AlUla World Archaeology Summit and reflect on the discipline and its potential transformational role in society while also having the opportunity to tour the ancient landscape and cultural urban centers of AlUla. The findings described in “Revealing Cultural Landscapes in North-West Arabia” show how comprehension of life in north-west Arabia is essential to understanding the complexity of the various peoples who lived throughout the greater Middle East region from the Palaeolithic to the Islamic era. The book provides information of an excellent aerial and ground-based archaeological landscape survey that was conducted, highlighting findings made in AlUla, Khaybar, and other locations. Outstanding discoveries include a Neolithic site in Sakaka with unmatched life-size camels carved in high relief that give Saudi Arabian rock art a new perspective. A different article discusses excavations in AlUla that uncovered incredibly intricate rituals and interactions with the natural world in Neolithic circular and mustatil household structures. Pre-Nabataean habitation of the site is inferred from a range of pre-Nabataean numismatic and ceramic artifacts found at egra. “AlUla is an exceptional archaeological frontier, drawing attention from a wide range of audiences, from specialized experts to tourists eager to explore the world’s largest living museum,” stated Dr. Foote. In addition to the upcoming AlUla World Archaeology Summit and the recently released book “Revealing Cultural Landscapes in North-West Arabia,” AlUla has long played a crucial role in the region. Each new discovery and line of inquiry helps us learn more about the history of north-western Arabia. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/complex-cultural-heritage-of-north-west-arabia-especially-alula-revealed/

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Red Sea Global (RSG) have formed a new, comprehensive, and long-term strategic partnership to develop and expand Saudi Arabia’s quickly expanding tourism industry and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as one of the most sought-after travel and investment destinations in the world. The Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC), which was signed by John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, and Amr AlMadani, CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and expansion of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry by enabling each project to transfer knowledge, expertise, best practices, creative ideas, and solutions as they advance toward their common goal of fulfilling the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aspirations. The ongoing regeneration of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea region and AlUla share many characteristics as two of the most ambitious tourism projects in the world and are only 350 kilometers apart. Both projects face and overcome various distinct challenges as they advance with comprehensive development strategies. The new alliance, which will operate on a national and international level, will support the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification by enabling each location to realize its full potential while gaining favor with both stakeholders and local communities. RSG is leading a new model of regeneration that is helping to reimagine the sustainable luxury tourism industry by fusing the vast coastal area’s rich environmental biodiversity and cultural heritage with unmatched amenities and hospitality services. RSG is the core developer of Saudi Arabia’s stunning Red Sea region. AlUla is one of the most diversified and engaging travel destinations in the globe, accepting visitors from all over the world. It is now recognized as a must-visit location for tourists looking for luxury accommodations and unique cultural activities amidst breathtaking natural scenery. For the scope, ambition, and success of their efforts to position the Kingdom as a hotspot for tourism and a vibrant hub for economic development, RCU and RSG have both attracted the attention of the globe. Exciting developments will result from the opportunities provided by this new MoC in fields like sustainability, destination marketing, heritage & archaeology, art & culture, economic development, community engagement, education & learning development, green mobility, construction management, and sports. “National partnerships are a vital pillar of our strategy,” said Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU. “The Memorandum of Collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla and our partners at Red Sea Global represents a new wave of multi-level cooperation across diverse areas of investment, all of which are aligned with the common goal of super-charging Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector.” “RCU and Red Sea Global share many similarities, but our mutual commitment to bringing our aspirations to fruition is most obvious. We look forward to collaborating on creative regeneration projects that result in lastingly beneficial social and economic benefits. John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, stated: “As a custodian of some of Saudi Arabia’s most important areas of natural beauty, environmental significance, and dynamic community life, we are determined to leading a new model of development that prioritizes people and nature. Our partnership will promote innovation in how we create destinations and infrastructure and, moreover, how we do so sustainably, as RCU shares our environmental aspirations and social principles. Together, we have the power to propel the Kingdom forward in a way never before possible and to upend conventional wisdom in the fields of sustainability and tourism, ” Pagano continued.Source- Travel daily

Wizz Air, Europe’s and the world’s most environmentally friendly airline*, has chosen Disrupt to increase brand recognition and trust among younger travelers through artist partnerships. The prestigious agency’s newest high-profile client is Wizz Air. The London-based Disrupt is assembling a powerful, hand-picked roster of brand-authentic innovators who will speak to a diverse millennial audience of budget-conscious, risk-taking, and fearless travelers across a spectrum of travel industries. Disrupt will also use AI-driven sentiment research to track brand uplift as part of this effort. Thanks to the 185 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft that make up Wizz Air’s growing fleet, travel limitations imposed by the epidemic are no longer an issue. “Our Wizz Air campaign is taxiing for take-off and we’re about to put the airline on the tip of everyone’s tongues, as well as on their travel documents,” said Stevie Johnson, managing director of Disrupt and former Made in Chelsea star. “Wizz wants its clients to experience life to the fullest, especially young travelers. With an ever-growing list of destinations from airports in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, Wizz Air is an airline that is upending the travel industry. Disrupt is here to support Wizz Air’s growth while fostering greater confidence in the dependable, ultra-cheap airline that will ensure that young people travel more. Disrupt’s Wizz Air influencer marketing plan will target budget-conscious, intrepid millennials who are eager to discover secret treasures. In 2022, Wizz Air carried 45 million passengers. The organization has recently been recognized as one of the top ten safest airlines in the world by airlineratings.com, the only safety and product rating organization in the world, and will be named Airline of the Year by Air Transport World (ATW) in 2020. The most coveted award an airline or person can win, the Air Transport Awards recognize people and organizations that have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, innovation, and exemplary service. Wizz was named Airline of the Year in 2019 and 2023. Additionally, Wizz Air has been recognized as “Global Environmental Sustainability Airline Group of the Year”* by the CAPA-Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2022 and “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline” in the World Finance Sustainability Awards 2022. “We chose Disrupt because their team was full of campaign ideas that we believe will resonate with our budget-conscious, environmentally conscious, young passengers,” said Fruzsina Polácska, marketing manager at Wizz Air.We are confident that Wizz’s content with Disrupt will help us reach and inform new audiences about the opportunities available to adventurous young travelers by increasing brand clarity and driving attention. Wizz Air has hubs at Gatwick and Luton airports in the UK, as well as in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Liverpool. The airline employs 8,000 people across more than 50 nations, and it offers over 200 destinations worldwide on more than 950 routes. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/disrupt-wins-with-wizz-air/

Emirates says it has expanded its codeshare agreement with United significantly to add nine destinations in Mexico. In addition to Mexico City, which the airline also serves, Emirates customers will now have access to eight additional locations nationwide. Mexico is the first nation outside of the US to be included to the wide codeshare network between Emirates and United, which already includes a number of US destinations. Customers may benefit from flexibility, choice, and seamless connections thanks to the codeshare relationship, which enables Emirates travelers traveling to one of two US cities—Chicago or Houston—to continue on to interesting leisure locations in Mexico. Cancun, Cozumel, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, San Jose Del Cabo, Leon/Guanajuato, and Queretaro are among the new Mexican locations. Additionally, the codeshare agreement offers more flexibility with regard to flight schedules, providing Emirates customers flying to Mexico City a wider range of route alternatives. Depending on their travel intentions, customers can choose between booking separate codeshare flights to Mexico City or using Emirates’ daily services from Dubai with a stop in Barcelona. Customers travelling from the nine sites in Mexico may now access destinations on the airline’s network via Chicago or Houston thanks to the extension of the codeshare network. For travel beginning on September 14, tickets are now available on emirates.com and through preferred travel suppliers to codeshare destinations in Mexico. clients from the Middle East, India, and South Africa, to name a few, are expected to be particularly fond of the recently enlarged network of Mexican destinations currently offered to Emirates clients. India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and a few locations in South East Asia are among the most popular international travel destinations for passengers departing from sites in Mexico. With the addition of the new points to Mexico, the expanded codeshare network now has 134 destinations that are reachable from United’s gateways in the US. Additionally, customers can choose from almost 100 additional points on an interline basis throughout the US, Canada, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. On its flagship A380 aircraft, Emirates operates daily flights to Houston. Emirates just added Premium Economy to its lineup of Houston-bound flights. The largest international airline in the world also runs seven weekly flights between Chicago and Dubai using its Boeing 777 widebody aircraft, allowing passengers to easily organize their travel plans to distant locations. On Emirates flights, passengers with itineraries can book their entire journey on a single ticket, benefiting from hassle-free flight features including the airline’s baggage allowance and easy bag check-through to the destination. Additionally, when booking codeshare flights, users of Emirates’ frequent flyer program, Emirates Skywards, may look forward to accruing and redeeming miles on flights operated by both airlines. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/emirates-and-united-expand-codeshare-partnership-to-include-flights-to-and-from-mexico/

To ensure smooth passage for passengers, Hamad International Airport (DOH) has introduced Passenger Digital Assistance Kiosks in collaboration with Atos and Royal Schiphol Group. The kiosks will facilitate information access, aid with navigation, and support travelers by making live video calls to customer service representatives. Suhail Kadri, Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Hamad International Airport, commented on the enhanced traveler experience by saying: “The new Passenger Digital Assistance Kiosks are part of our overarching digital plan to transform traveler experiences. We are dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technology and creative ideas, and we are collaborating with Atos and the Royal Schiphol Group to provide all travelers using and arriving at Hamad International Airport with the smoothest possible airport experience. “We are proud to have successfully delivered this solution at Hamad International Airport to improve the digital passenger experience and to manage passenger flow more effectively, especially during the airport’s critical peak periods,” said Marc Veelenturf, CEO of Middle East and Turkey at Atos. The kiosks have a navigational airport map and are multilingual with 20 language choices. They offer information on flights, airport amenities, shopping and dining options, and passenger events taking place at the airport. As part of its commitment to being the industry leader, setting the standard for the airport industry, and going beyond conventional solutions, Hamad International Airport will continue to add new and strong partnerships to its portfolio with the aim of introducing innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies, in order to deliver an incredibly memorable passenger experience for all travelers.Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/hamad-international-airport-partners-with-atos-and-royal-schiphol-group-to-implement-digital-passenger-assistance-kiosks/

Four different mobile wallets are now recognized in the Philippines, according to Ant Group, the company that runs Alipay+, a global cross-border digital payment and marketing service. These include Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), and Alipay (Chinese mainland), which has been welcomed by Filipino retailers since 2017. As digital payment methods like mobile wallets become the standard for everyday transactions, this enables travelers from these locations to enjoy a cashless experience using merely their home mobile wallets to make payment. With travelers returning to the Philippines, Alipay+ has announced the adoption of three new mobile wallets. More than 3 million tourists visited the Philippines between January 1 and July 19, 2023, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT), indicating a persistently strong recovery. The DOT also revealed that from January 1 to June 30, 2023, inbound tourism receipts will be more than 500% greater than they were during the same time period in 2018. The majority of foreign visitors to the Philippines are from South Korea, but Malaysia is among the top 10. Businesses in Manila and Cebu, the two most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines prior to the 2019 pandemic, currently accept Alipay+. Comparing the first half of 2023 to the same time in 2018, Mactan-Cebu International Airport showed a 219% increase in passenger traffic. The airport has integrated Alipay+ across 90% of its shops in order to meet the growing demands of digital-first travelers, ensuring that visitors can enjoy a digitally improved cashless experience from the time they arrive in Cebu. “At MCIA, we have always placed the utmost importance on providing convenience and ease of travel through seamless processes and world-class services and amenities,” stated Athanasios Titonis, Aboitiz InfraCapital Chief Executive Officer assigned to MCIA. When using MCIA, our passengers now have additional convenient payment alternatives thanks to the integration of Alipay+. With approximately 11 million people passing through it each year, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the second busiest airport in the Philippines and the second largest airport overall. The MCIA intends to establish itself as the primary tourism gateway of the nation with unique travel experiences, linking the world to the Philippines with its advantageous position and top-notch facilities. The Airports Council International has accredited MCIA as the first and only airport in the Philippines to date in the category of Airport Customer Experience (ACX). Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services at Ant Group, offered the following statement in response to this new development: “Philippines and its numerous islands, such as Cebu, have long been a favorite travel destination for Asian travelers, and we look forward to collaborating with our local partners to improve their travel experience. In particular, we think that the way travelers interact with travel-related businesses—from airports and hotels to F&B and retail stores—will be shaped by digital adoption and solutions. Our current priority is to collaborate with more partners to sign up more local small businesses for Alipay+ in the Philippines while also promoting digital travel and travel recovery. Through a one-time integration and straightforward technical adaptation, Alipay+, which was introduced by Ant Group in 2020, seeks to enable local enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized ones, to process a wide range of mobile payment methods and reach more than 1.4 billion regional and global consumers. Along with the Philippines, Alipay+ is extensively accepted in a number of other countries and regions, including the Chinese mainland, Macao SAR, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.