Starfish Travel Corporation Team

American Airlines has announced the addition of three new European destinations for the summer of 2024, as well as the return of popular seasonal flights, as part of its ongoing effort to grow its presence across the Atlantic. American will operate 67 flights weekly from 17 European cities to 11 U.S. destinations during the busiest part of next summer. Copenhagen is reached from Campania, and Cannes is close by. Beginning in May or June 2024, American will provide sporadic nonstop service from Philadelphia (PHL) to Nice (NCE), Copenhagen (CPH), and Naples (NAP) in Europe. To make traveling to the French Riviera even simpler, American will also end up being the only airline operating between PHL and NCE. American offers easy one-stop access for consumers across the nation to Europe with service to more than 70 domestic destinations from PHL. According to Kyle Mabry, American’s Vice President of Operations and Commercial, EMEA and APAC, “We are thrilled to be introducing three new European summer destinations in 2024, catering to the increasing demand for flights between the U.S. and Europe over the summer period.” “Travelers can have a rich, varied experience at each of the three new places. Whether they want to take in the natural beauty of the Nordic countries, discover the Riviera’s coastal scenery, or simply want to relax with an aperitif and some pizza while Vesuvius is in the background. Or Philadelphia serves as the ideal entry point for travelers making summer trips from Europe to the United States to see a wide variety of locations, each offering a unique sense of adventure. Linking the City of Water and the Windy City For the first time since 2019, American will resume daily service between Chicago (ORD) and Venice (VCE), reuniting the Windy City with the City of Water. Customers will have additional scheduling freedom thanks to the service from ORD, which will connect them to more than 100 domestic locations and supplement the current route between PHL and VCE. Source- Travel daily

Now that summer is in full swing, women can enjoy a unique trip to Yas Waterworld with the waterpark’s much awaited signature event, “Ladies’ Day,” which will run every Friday until October 13 during the whole season. This summer, Yas Waterworld is the place to be, where the ladies can enjoy a full day of splash-tastic activities and authentic encounters at this distinctive waterpark with an Emirati theme. Ladies are in for a treat this summer, from cooling off in Yas Waterworld’s crystal-clear pool to trying a unique pearl diving experience, to enjoying heart-pounding attractions like Dawwama, Jebel Drop, and Liwa Loop, to relaxing under the cabanas while sipping on scrumptious mocktails. Women can dance the day away to groovy sounds provided by a live female DJ, which adds to the thrill. Visitors to the park can take pleasure in the seclusion of their own privacy, embrace the day with confidence, and make lasting memories with their loved ones thanks to its design, which offers a safe and delightful experience solely for women. Source- Travel daily

Through a partnership with Juniper Travel Technology, a leading provider of online solutions and connectivity in the travel industry, TUI Group, one of the world’s largest travel companies, has expanded the distribution of its Tours & Activities. Customers of Juniper TravelTech may now easily access and integrate TUI’s catalog of more than 88,000 excursions, activities, and attraction tickets, which are offered in more than 100 countries. TUI’s portfolio of experiences will initially be made accessible as a separate catalog, but later it will also be incorporated into Juniper’s packaging and call center modules. The collaboration with Juniper Travel Technology is a continuation of TUI’s strong and strategic growth in Tours & Activities as well as the expansion of its digital distribution. “This partnership benefits both parties and enables TUI and Juniper Travel Technology to broaden their product lines and attract new clients. We are thrilled that businesses can now seamlessly integrate our carefully curated portfolio of the most relevant experiences from around the world thanks to Juniper’s industry-leading technological solutions. Said Nishank Gopalkrishnan, the TUI Group’s Tours & Activities division’s Chief Business Officer. We partner with the finest companies and offer the best products, therefore a partnership with TUI was unavoidable. We are happy to supply our customers with their excursion, activity, and attraction tickets. This is a great partnership for both industries because we have pioneered creative and frictionless digital integration and TUI is well-known for its top-notch goods and customer service worldwide.  The general manager of Juniper Travel Technology, Juan Mateos, said. TUI, one of the biggest companies in the tours and activities sector, sold more than seven million experiences in 2022. The complete TUI catalog of experiences can be integrated right away, or a customized selection based on a company’s requirements, such as particular locations or experience categories, can be made. TUI has the largest product sourcing team in the tours and activities sector, and experiences are evaluated against high quality, health and safety, and sustainability standards, including Green & Fair experiences, a first-in-the-industry certification based on GSTC criteria. Source- Travel daily

On Monday, August 14, at the 35th annual Virtuoso Travel Week, Virtuoso®, the top worldwide network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, presented the winners of the network’s “Best Cruise Lines” awards. Virtuoso Travel Week, which took place from August 12–18, attracted hundreds of top luxury travel experts, advisers, and preferred partners from more than a hundred countries. At “Cruise Night Out,” one of the week’s hottest tickets, which brings together the network’s cruise partners and its advisers who specialize in cruises for an invitation-only party, the top cruise partners of 2023 were recognized. Best Ocean Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line, and Best Expedition Cruise Line nominations come from both Virtuoso advisors and preferred partners. The winners are then chosen by a vote of the advisors. The competition is fiercer than ever as the cruise industry experiences growth in both market size and consumer demand.  The winners this year have a shared dedication to innovation, creativity, client satisfaction, support of the travel advisor community, and, of course, wonderful travel experiences in some of the most extraordinary places on earth. And the winners are Quark Expeditions (best expedition cruise line), Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and Silversea Cruises (best ocean cruise line). OPTIMUM OCEAN CRUISE LINE This prize honors the cruise line that provides Virtuoso tourists with the finest overall ocean cruise experience. Silversea Cruises wins. The intimate luxury ships offered by Silversea are intended for travelers who like the rush of exploration while indulging their senses in the most opulent settings possible. More than any other cruise line, Silversea trips and cruise adventures visit nearly 900 locations on all seven continents. Additionally, sailing the world has never been more effortless thanks to enhanced all-inclusive service, door-to-door transfers, and extra shore excursions for classic journeys. The best river cruise route This honor is given to the river cruise company that offers Virtuoso travelers the best overall trip experience. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is the winner. Itineraries in stunning locations around Europe, Egypt, Asia, and Peru are available from Uniworld. Its fleet includes opulent vessels with an average passenger capacity of 120, one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the river cruise industry, all-inclusive advantages to the highest degree on the rivers, alluring shore excursions, top-notch gourmet cuisine, and flawless service. With sustainability at its core, Uniworld has banned more than 60 single-use plastics across its activities and aims to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 EXPEDITION CRUISE LINE, BEST This honor is given to the adventure cruise line that offers Virtuoso travelers the best overall trip experience. Quark Expeditions won. For more than 30 years, Quark excursions has been the top supplier of excursions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Quark Expeditions gives tourists unrivaled access to the most inaccessible locations on the planet with a wide fleet of small expedition ships that are carefully outfitted, icebreakers, and uncommon land-based excursions. The cruise company has a long history of operating in the arctic areas, and it is committed to providing transformative experiences for those travelers traveling there. With the best teaching, photography, and overall experience for travelers on board, Quark Expeditions offers the highest expedition guide-to-passenger ratios (1:6). Source- Travel daily

Recognizing the value of a diversified business mix is more important for hoteliers as the hotel industry changes in response to shifting consumer tastes and changes in the global economy. It is a strategic need that can make or break a hotel’s long-term success that diversification is more than simply a trendy word. During economic downturns or unforeseeable crises (like the recent pandemic), hotels in the APAC area that only rely on one or a small number of revenue streams put themselves at risk. For instance, during a recession when businesses cut their spending, hotels that are unduly dependent on business travel may suffer. Hotels are protected from such economic changes by a varied business mix. A more consistent revenue stream is guaranteed throughout the year with a well-balanced portfolio that comprises corporate clients, leisure travelers, group reservations, events, weddings, and local markets. why it has historically been difficult to set prices for various market sectors Many hoteliers today rely on a variety of product offers to obtain a more diversified market mix, such as extended stay business travelers, limited-service packages, city escapes, loyalty discounts, and so on, in order to meet demand and run successfully in a disrupted business environment. In the past, hotel operators faced significant difficulties with pricing for various market groups because their Revenue Management System (RMS) could only support dynamic pricing derived from one rate, namely their daily rate. The ability to charge for extended stays is further restricted by legacy pricing systems, which impose rigid room type or occupancy-based offsets. When selling their daily rates, which also have their own derived prices, incentives, and discounts, extended stay properties with serviced apartments must negotiate a complex web of products by length of stay. while overseeing facility operations and visitor interactions. This presents a challenge for hotel operators, who must quickly determine how to secure the highest-value bookings at the best rate while taking into account the cascading effects that a change in pricing will have on all linked products, each of which has its own barriers or constraints to appeal to specific market segments. As an illustration, business travelers wanting to book a serviced apartment for a stay of a month or longer behave significantly differently than short-stay leisure customers who purchase a hotel’s daily rate (for stays of less than a week). In contrast, longer-staying guests—who are often more profitable—tend to make reservations for longer stays that overlap a few busy nights, which may result in higher prices and the possibility of other accommodations. In reality, balancing such a dense web of factors frequently led to poor revenue management decisions. Profit from the demand from visitors with various needs. Hoteliers want innovative technologies that enable operators to set their base rates independently of one another, optimize the associated discounts and add-ons in accordance with the individual demand patterns, and take into consideration the overall demand and revenue potential of the property. The business challenge is to be able to automatically and concurrently price the daily flexible rate, which is frequently offered for the retail market, as well as other independent products, like extended stay monthly rates, which are only displayed/sold to a very specific type of client. The new Independent Products feature in IDeaS’ G3 RMS enables hotel operators to capitalize on demand from visitors who have a variety of needs for the various sorts of accommodations that are available at their establishment. Independent Products make it possible for each product to be optimized and priced separately, maximizing income while maintaining rate hierarchy and product positioning. The technology eliminates the intricate web of regulations, labor-intensive manual rate administration, and static offline pricing that frequently increases the risk of mispricing, enabling hoteliers to price and optimize in real-time. Hoteliers now have unprecedented levels of flexibility to improve rate control and expedite distribution thanks to the recently announced Independent Products feature working in conjunction with Linked Products. Now, G3 RMS is not only able to use deep learning to create a rate structure that maximizes revenue for multiple products across all dates of occupancy and types of accommodations, but it can also automatically change prices for the rates that go along with those products (like discounted rates for advanced purchases or loyal customer memberships). This helps avoid the needless income loss that results from employing a static discount rate. With an advanced RMS, you can generate revenue and capture the right bookings. Hotel operators across the APAC region are being forced to reconsider their business mix and pricing strategy due to a combination of shifting booking habits and escalating competition. To reduce the risks brought on by economic changes, improve their competitiveness, stimulate innovation, draw in top talent, and assure long-term sustainability, hoteliers must now develop a more diverse mix of business. Modern RMS systems represent a significant improvement over conventional pricing strategies. Hoteliers can now easily capitalize on the distinctive demand patterns of all their important base goods to get the most valuable reservations and generate new levels of revenue for their company thanks to solutions like Independent and Linked goods. Source- Travel daily

The finest Canadian city for digital nomads is Brampton. According to Ontario Casinos, Brampton, Ontario, has the highest digital nomad suitability rating of 7.79/10, which is 0.29 points better than Ottawa, the nation’s capital (7.50/10). The average monthly cost of living for nomads in Brampton is $2,591, which is one fifth less than the comparable figure in Toronto, which is a nearby city and has an average monthly cost of living of $3,258. According to the rating, Brampton is also the happiest Canadian city, getting 57.4/100 on the Happiness Index, 22% higher than Toronto’s score of 46.97/100. Not only that, but Brampton scored 47.5 on the crime severity index between 2020 and 2021, making it the second-safest Canadian city in the rankings. Despite having the highest monthly average coworking hot desk costs in the country, Brampton’s rates for Airbnb ($3,012.32) are 40% less expensive than those in Vancouver ($5054.48), making it a great place for long-term digital nomads. Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada, comes in second with a 7.50/10 rating for its suitability for digital nomads. In comparison to Toronto ($3,258), Ottawa’s average monthly cost of living for nomads is $2,326, giving it a 29% cost advantage. The most affordable option nationwide, the average cost of a coworking hot desk in Ottawa is $120.12 per month, making it the perfect place for digital nomads to work. The cost of renting a one-bedroom studio apartment in Ottawa is 30% less per month than in Vancouver ($2,548), despite the fact that the average nightly rate for an Airbnb in the capital is higher at $3,331.24 per month. With a crime severity index of 50.2/100, Ottawa is one of the top 5 safest Canadian cities on the list. It is 1.6 points safer than Quebec (48.6) and earns a noteworthy score of 56.05/100 on the Happiness Index. The capital now has the title of second-happiest city in Canada, where citizens enjoy a thriving economy and a strong sense of neighborhood. With an aggregate rating of 7.47/10, Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario, comes in third. Toronto provides many advantages for remote workers despite having the second-highest cost of living for a digital nomad at about $3,258 per month – 40% more expensive than the capital city, Ottawa ($2,326). The city has a low crime severity index (56.7), and the average monthly cost for a coworking hot desk there is $331.32, less than half that of Brampton, GTA ($648.12). Toronto also receives a high Happiness Index score (45.97/100) due to its high sense of belonging and community, excellent air quality, and low perceived stress, making it a desirable area to live and work in Canada. The tenth-best Canadian city for digital nomads is Banff. Banff, Alberta, is in tenth position with a score of 7.03/10. For individuals looking for an economical place to work remotely, Banff is not the best option because it has the highest monthly Airbnb costs in the nation ($17,080.98) and the 7th highest cost of living for digital nomads ($2,425 pcm). However, a coffee in Banff may cost you an average of $6.60, making it the most costly in the nation. For those who prefer an office environment, the city provides coworking hot seats for an average monthly cost of $300.96. Despite this, Banff has the highest Happiness Index score of 47.75 and the fastest average internet speed of 34Mbps, providing a practical and delightful setting for nomads with a greater budget. Source- Travel daily

With the introduction of a Member Deal platform, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is utilizing the substantial consumer use of the ATAS website to highlight recognized firms. Pre-Covid, the ATAS.com.au website received more than 300,000 views per year. In accordance with the increased emphasis on emphasizing how crucial it is to choose ATAS businesses while traveling, every certified firm will now have access to the Member Deal advantage, which includes at least one Deal Spotlight each year. To date, ATIA has spent about $20 million on developing and staffing ATAS.One of the significant revisions recently announced is the creation of an independent ATAS Advisory Committee with representation from the entire ATIA membership base to provide independent governance separate from the ATIA Board. “Heroing members everywhere we can, including through one of our most potent communication assets the ATAS website, is not new,” ATIA CEO Dean Long once remarked. “Consumers already have a lot of trust in atas.com.au when looking for accredited companies to book their vacation. Already 100,000 Australians have used the website this year, and we aim to make it even more enticing with our Member Deals as visits return to the pre-Covid levels of 300,000+ and beyond. “Member Deals is a new direct sales channel and promotional opportunity for authorized businesses. We are reiterating ATAS’ primary value while also promoting our members. Source- Travel daily

Roadtrippers who prefer a taste of culture while driving down the open road will find Nevada to be the perfect location. While exploring the numerous public art installations scattered throughout the desert, visitors can stop, stretch their legs, and refuel their spirits. The state’s “Free-range Art Highway,” which connects Las Vegas and Reno and the “Cowboy Corridor,” which runs from Reno to West Wendover, offers visitors a chance to see everything from iconic sculptures by well-known artists to works that seem to have appeared out of thin air. 7 Magical Mountains Seven Magic Mountains, a permanent and recognizable presence in the Nevada desert, were created by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondine in partnership with Nevada Museum of Art. The three-story towers, which are made of desert-sourced rocks that have been painted in a rainbow of vibrant colors, are visible from Interstate 15 and stand out against the surrounding scenery. With its materials and colors, the sculpture aims to represent the natural and man-made worlds. Its location, sandwiched between mountain ranges and Jean Dry Lake, contributes to its prominence by offering artistic visual pleasure for travelers between Los Angeles and Vegas. Forest of the Last Church International The International Car Forest of the Last Church is one of Nevada’s most distinctive sights, and it’s situated near Goldfield just off Highway 95. collection of abandoned vehicles displayed with their noses down, decorated by artists and past visitors. Mark Rippie, a longtime resident of Goldfield, built the automobile Forest in an effort to surpass the previous record for the largest automobile forest in the world. Chad Sort and Zak Sargent, two more artists, helped the three create the forest of cars by burying the noses of more than 40 vehicles. Each car now has a distinctive design, some of which are balanced atop one another, and new artists are regularly hired both locally and internationally to produce an ever-changing gallery that is open to the public for free exploration. Museum of Goldwell Open Air Its nearly eight acres are home to seven enormous buildings made by a group of well-known Belgian artists who were lured to the lonely site to pursue their artistic ideals free from convention. This strange and wild sculpture park is located just off the road towards Death Valley. The park’s sculptures, which are open to visitors around-the-clock and are free of charge, are enduring symbols of the Mojave Desert. They include a 25-foot pink woman, a 24-foot prospector made of steel, and a penguin. A spectral replica of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” which was initially intended to last two years and was built in 1984, is one of the park’s most recognizable artworks. Because of its likeness to Middle Eastern deserts and its proximity to Death Valley—a not so subtle allusion—the artist Albert Szukalski was drawn to the Mojave Desert. Monument at Thunder Mountain Thunder Mountain Monument, a substantial handmade outdoor gallery and sculpture garden built by the late Frank Van Zant, also known as Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder, is located right by Nevada’s Interstate 80. Van Zant built the gallery using artifacts and other things he discovered in the Nevada desert as a monument to the “Great Spirit” who, in his words, was keeping him there and as a tribute to American Indian ancestry. Visitors can now explore the sculptures Van Zant built at Thunder Mountain Monument.  Donations are welcomed to support the site’s preservation even though admission is free. Source- Travel daily

Fusion, a hotel chain with a wellness-inspired aesthetic, is celebrating the forthcoming “Wedding Season” in Vietnam by making a variety of creative proposals to potential brides and grooms. Three of Fusion’s finest resorts have improved their incentives to help couples have their Big Day the best day ever as the demand for destination weddings is at an all-time high. Fusion’s Natural Selection: Alba Wellness Valley This picturesque resort is located in central Vietnam, 30 kilometers from Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The property is bordered by lush mountains and restorative hot springs, and it exudes natural beauty. However, Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion is more than just a place to unwind. Couples who enjoy tranquil environments will be pleased to learn that the resort’s most recent wedding package has everything needed for a memorable event. A lovely forest backdrop can be used to create the ceremony garden. The day will have a champagne fountain, live music, a master of ceremonies, banquet, and wedding cake, as well as a room for bridal makeup and a free wedding night with late checkout. A specialized photographer will capture the happy moments during the ceremony and reception. Fusion’s Alba Wellness Valley is the best option for smaller gatherings with a guest list of up to 100 people. The resort offers a variety of accommodations, including private bungalows and deluxe suites. The special Japanese onsen spa, as well as events like dawn yoga and meditation, and of course the natural hot springs, are highlights of Alba Wellness Valley. Wedding Offer to “Test Drive” at Fusion Resort Cam Ranh Now, prospective couples have the choice of taking a “test drive” of the resort’s amenities with a one-night stay before choosing if this location is best for their dream wedding. Couples will meet the wedding planning staff at the hotel, which includes the executive chef, and partake in a tasting of dishes from a special wedding menu. Fusion Resort Cam Ranh offers an idyllic beachfront wedding setting, with wedding day options including Vietnamese music and performances, spa treatments, and a sparkling wine breakfast served in-villa. It is only an 8-minute drive from Cam Ranh Airport and perched atop a 28-meter-high sand dune overlooking the ocean. Maia Resort Quy Nhon’s Pool Villa Bliss The spectacular beauty of Phuong Mai Bay, manicured gardens, and Fusion’s first culinary-led resort all combine to create the perfect setting for any ideal wedding event. Contemporary, opulent private pool villas with either garden or beach settings are available at Maia Resort Quy Nhon. The resort’s three main dining establishments, Vi, Ad Hoc, and multipurpose space Jade, can each hold up to 120 guests indoors. To ensure a beautifully accomplished big day to say “I do,” the resort’s team of specialists will help with date reservations, event planning, food and beverage suggestions, and all other details and ideas for wedding arrangements.Source- Travel daily