Starfish Travel Corporation Team

For the first-ever AlUla World Archaeology Summit, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is bringing together world leaders from the domains of archaeology, cultural heritage, media, innovation, entrepreneurship, and more. This invitation-only conference will take place from September 13–15 at Maraya in AlUla will include panels and open discussions focused on expanding the discipline of archaeology globally and fostering new discoveries and innovations around the globe. The Summit will offer a global forum for cooperation with broader audiences in addition to scientific conversation. The influence of archaeological relevance to global challenges will be expanded by more than 60 speakers from a variety of professional backgrounds, who will together develop innovative, heritage-based solutions to current problems across industries. The AlUla World Archaeology Summit will promote interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge sharing, according to Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation, and Collections at RCU. We will concentrate on cutting-edge solutions that can have a significant impact on the globe, inspired by our shared human history. The globe came to AlUla to meet, and we will meet there again, therefore we are thrilled to hold the inaugural Summit there. The AlUla World Archaeology Summit supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by emphasizing the positive effects on mankind of knowledge garnered from both cultural heritage and scientific developments. The event at AlUla takes place during the same time that Saudi Arabia is hosting the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh from 10 to 25 September for the first time. Four major themes—Identity, Resilience, Ruinscapes, and Accessibility—will be the center of the main program. Young professionals and students in Saudi Arabia and abroad who are interested in archaeology will be chosen to participate in a parallel “Future Forum” that will provide them the opportunity to participate in and contribute to significant discussions about archaeology and cultural heritage. Field trips will be taken all across AlUla, which has lately developed into a center for archaeological fieldwork and conservation. Source- Travel daily

A well-liked Cove UK-owned and -operated vacation park in the Scottish Borders has announced a number of significant luxury enhancements, including architecturally-designed lodging, communal areas, a new bar, and an owners’ lounge. The improvements, which honor the area’s past and current natural beauty, are a part of an ongoing £8 million investment by Cove UK in Springwood Estate Holiday Park. Springwood Estate Holiday Park, which is close to the storied market town of Kelso, was acquired by Cove UK in July 2022. Cove UK has completed the first phase of the site’s rehabilitation in less than a year since taking possession. The multi-million pound construction project, built by architects UNICK Consulting, consists of 29 new luxury vacation homes with driveways, a community firepit, a play area surrounded by wildflowers, and the River Teviot on one side. Additionally, five brand-new riverfront luxury lodges have been constructed, with open-air broad lawns, hot tubs, wildflower gardens, and glass-faced balustrades. A purpose-built luxury owners lounge with indoor and outdoor eating areas, social areas, a sunken garden, and rustic firepits has also been created from the ancient Roxburgh House stables, which were renovated together with the rest of the house’s original cobblestone courtyard. “Springwood is a tranquil holiday haven immersed in nature – and these upgrades go a long way to improving the park and the amenities on offer,” said Kyle Robertson, general manager of Cove’s Springwood Estate Holiday Park. Small parties, couples, and families looking for luxurious, tastefully furnished lodging will find the new lodges appealing because they are built to a very high standard. Everyone is invited to our new bar and owners’ lounge area, which has many of parking spots, gorgeous indoor and outdoor areas, and is dog-friendly. It is open to owners, hire fleet guests, and inhabitants of the retirement village. “The improvements will assist us as a company in meeting the demand from the increasing number of visitors discovering this beautiful region of the country. Already, the demand has increased significantly. “We have opened up the entire park to emphasis on dog-friendly walks and riverside strolls along the banks of the River Teviot in addition to the additional lodging and amenities. Everything has been planned to blend in with the park’s natural setting. It’s a unique tranquil natural atmosphere for owners and guests to love, whether it’s seeing wild creatures, taking in the stunning parkland and woodland regions, or listening to the River Teviot where salmon jump in and out of sight. Director at UNICK Consulting Ltd. Allan Baillie stated: “Springwood Estate Holiday Park is located in a tranquil environment. There is a lot of open space, a lovely river, wild flowers, and a palpable sense of tranquility. To reflect and respect the natural beauty of the site, our design brief called for the creation of a number of residential and communal areas that would take all of that into account. We were thrilled to collaborate with Cove to create a newly upgraded staycation site that enables guests to disconnect and get in touch with nature. The new lodges and gathering places are now accessible. Springwood, which encompasses 180 static caravans and 10 lodges, is located on the banks of the River Teviot in picturesque estate parkland and is encircled by thick woods. It covers roughly 32.14 acres (13.01 hectares). The vacation resort was first built in the 1960s amid the lovely grounds of a former grand house. Due to its beautiful scenery, vast variety of recreational opportunities, and excellent road transportation links, the neighborhood is well-liked by both residents and visitors. There are many treks in the area for people of all fitness levels, and there are a lot of outdoor country activities nearby, such as salmon fishing and shooting on the Roxburghe Estate, one of the best sports estates in Scotland. Source- Travel daily

With the announcement of a new direct service to Denver, Colorado, and the resumption of the Minneapolis-St. Paul route, both departing from Dublin as part of its summer 2024 program, Aer Lingus plans to significantly broaden its North American network.  The additional Aer Lingus routes will increase the overall number of routes operating between Ireland and North America up to 18 in total. This tactical growth demonstrates the airline’s dedication to its Dublin Hub strategy, which offers seamless connections to Europe in addition to Ireland and North America. Beginning on April 29th, 2024, service to Minneapolis-St. Paul will increase from four times weekly to daily beginning in October. Beginning in the winter of 2024, our newest aircraft, the A321XLR, will fly these flights. Starting on May 17, 2024, flights between Dublin and Denver will also run four times each week. Customers leaving from these cities can take advantage of the convenience of continuing connections via Dublin to 20 European cities. Aer Lingus is the fifth largest European carrier based on the number of seats it offers between the US and Europe and ranks fourth in the world in terms of the length of its long-haul network serving major US gateways. Aer Lingus Chief Executive Lynne Embleton stated: “Aer Lingus is ideally situated to connect people and places across the Atlantic thanks to Dublin’s geographic position as the entrance to Europe, pre-clearance facilities at the airport, and the strong, long-established Irish American ties. Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul are important US business destinations, and the new Aer Lingus routes make it easier for businesses to connect with one another in Europe and North America through our Dublin Hub. ‘Denver’s position as the ‘Gateway to the Rockies’ and its outdoor appeal, from world-class skiing to hiking, offers up a whole new US experience to leisure travelers from Ireland and Europe,’ says the article. “With 2.25 million seats to North America and the successful inclusion of Cleveland, Ohio to our network, this summer has been our biggest ever. We have faith in our growth strategy and are eager to welcome travelers to these two new routes in 2019. Increased corporate collaboration between Ireland and Colorado’s strong industries will be made possible by the new direct route to Denver. Many Colorado-based businesses have already established their European headquarters in Ireland, including Level 3 Communications, Otter Products, Webroot, Graebel, Emergentics, and Paragon 28. The expansion of aerospace, renewable energy, and technology in Denver gives Irish companies a chance to delve into other markets. Business contacts can be strengthened amid the city’s robust Irish American population and rich Irish heritage. The resumption of the Minneapolis-St. Paul route enhances Ireland’s interaction with the vibrant Twin Cities business community.  Companies with successful Irish operations include 3M, Smiths Medical, and Medtronic, all of which have their corporate headquarters in Minnesota. The headquarters of 15 Fortune 500 companies, including well-known retail giants Target and Best Buy, are located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. These cities are among the tech hubs with the highest growth in North America, and they have many similarities to Ireland. Source- Travel daily

The number of screening zones has expanded at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Two additional entrance groups, which are situated in the T2 section of the passenger terminal and are intended to accommodate foreign aircraft, are now available to air harbor patrons and guests. In T2, a multi-level service system has been put in place to allow for the division of passenger flows. The terminal building and the courtyard have entrances and exits on various levels for incoming and departing passengers. The zero admission group is the most practical for travelers arriving on international planes because, after going through it, they are directly at the T2 check-in area. The entrance group, which is situated next to the arrival area, is ideal for people who have just returned from a journey. The addition of more inspection channels has resulted in a 20% increase in the terminal’s entrance group capacity. The terminal complex now has 5 regularly spaced entrance groups available to travelers and visitors at the airport. Additionally, depending on the volume of passengers, the number of inspection channels is adjusted for each entrance group. A new generation of X-ray television introscopes is used at security checkpoints at the terminal building’s entrance at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. This is a cutting-edge two-course system for the automatic detection of liquid and solid explosives in checked baggage and hand luggage. Source- Travel daily

DidaTravel, a tech-driven international travel agency, reports that bookings for hotels worldwide for the summer season (June 1 to August 31) have already surpassed 2019 levels by an astonishing 93% over the same period in 2019. This sharp increase in reservations denotes Dida’s international expansion and growth as well as the robust rebound of the larger hotel industry, most recently in the APAC area. Summer reservations reach record levels Looking at reservations made through DidaTravel’s platform for the month of August, they have increased by 214% year over year, demonstrating a robust comeback in travel demand. For the arrival months of June, July, and August, reservations for hotels in European destinations have increased by an astounding 123% year over year. While growth rates for the same period in APAC, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas were 68%, 65%, and 16%, respectively, adding to the global recovery. Average Daily Rate (ADR) of Hotels is Increasing The ADR has grown 35% year over year on average during the time period, outpacing 2019 levels by 7%. However, despite ADR year-over-year improvements of 55% and 14%, APAC and the Americas are still slightly behind 2019 levels. However, with ADR increases of 29% and 23%, respectively, year-over-year, Europe and the Middle East & Africa have surpassed 2019 levels, demonstrating a solid rebound in these regions. Extended window for booking in advance Travelers are showing greater confidence to book hotels earlier, with an average of 23 days compared to just 10 days during the same period last year, and even exceeding the norm of 21 days in 2019. This is due to the loosening of travel restrictions in APAC. While the booking window has expanded dramatically for other markets, it has still not reached 2019 levels. For instance, Europe has 31 days, up from 24 days last year but less than the amount of 41 days in 2019. Americas has only 19 days, up from 12 days last year but still far less than the 37 days of 2019. Last but not least, the Middle East and Africa are at 12 days, up from 8 last year but still under the threshold of 18 for 2019. Source- Travel daily 

TUI is exploring the possibility of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by integrating ChatGPT into its smartphone app. An initial trial has been launched on the TUI app in the UK, capping off what three TUI tech engineers and the app product teams first started as a tech experiment. Customers who use the new feature receive personalized recommendations for excursions, activities, and attraction tickets as well as educational comments about popular vacation spots. The app will offer a more honed and pertinent shortlist of descriptions, photographs, and links for suggested experiences based on the quantity of detail the consumer offers about the type of experience they desire, such as culinary activities, adventurous excursions, or museum visits. Then, customers can use the mobile app to make direct experience bookings on tuiexperiences.com. “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are changing our lives, and TUI is seizing the potential this presents. ChatGPT technology can aid in streamlining customer services and operations or facilitating easier access to information. Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group, states, “Our goal is to be a leader in the use of new technologies and to actively shape the future of tourism.” The addition of ChatGPT to the mobile app is a part of TUI’s effort to integrate AI elements into every aspect of the company. TUI’s strategy is to develop internal competencies across the company while collaborating with its strategic cloud partner AWS and other third parties. To lead the endeavor, TUI has built an internal AI Lab that serves as an open platform for all TUI employees to receive training, support, and direction. To promote a deeper comprehension of the difficulties and opportunities presented by AI for TUI and the travel sector, ChatGPT training was recently established. “Generative AI is beginning to alter how customers look for and communicate with TUI. We keep testing brand-new innovations that benefit both our clients and staff. We can expand on the extensive machine learning and artificial intelligence expertise that is currently a part of our technological foundation. According to Pieter Jordaan, member of the group executive committee and chief information officer of TUI Group, “This pilot will provide us with critical insights to further enhance the functionality. Additional trials utilizing generative AI tools are also in progress. These trials include post-holiday customer communication, automated knowledge base analysis to assist contact center teams, content language translation, as well as other applications that assist TUI technology teams in coding and testing. Customers utilizing ChatGPT on the TUI mobile app can rest easy knowing that their personal information is never shared. Additionally, developers have put policies in place to prevent abusive answers. The feature is a pilot, thus input is always being gathered to make sure TUI standards are always being followed. Source- Travel daily

Havila Pollux, the final vessel in the Havila Voyages fleet, arrived in Norway early on Thursday morning from the Tersan shipyard in Turkey. A short while later, she anchored next to Havila Polaris, her sister ship. Havila Pollux arrived at Bergen early on Thursday morning, just over a day after her sister ship Havila Polaris. Up to August 23rd, the ship will stay at Festningskaien in Bergen before departing on a voyage along the Norwegian coast. Naturally, this is a new milestone for our business, and having all four of our vessels in Norway is incredibly fulfilling, according to CEO Bent Martini. It is amazing to see our two newest ships side by side in Bergen, and sailors from both ships as well as several resources from our onshore organization are actively working to get them ready for use in coastal operations. The Havila Pollux is remarkably identical to her sister ships, and beginning on August 23rd, she will make sure that the ancient coastal route is finished. The Ministry of Transport, our contracting authority, thankfully helped us throughout a difficult process and showed excellent awareness of the difficulties we had, which unluckily led to considerable delays. We appreciate your assistance, says Martini. “We also want to thank everyone who has supported us, been incredibly patient with us, and most importantly, understood that our difficulties were beyond of our hands. The real job now begins; we will produce an amazing product along the coast, for the coastal villages and all of our visitors,” Martini says. Source- Travel daily

People all over the world who are seeking a genuine sense of escape, wellbeing, and an opportunity to personally reset have been motivated to just get up and go by the growing trend of solo travel. There are no disagreements about the schedule or budget; instead, there is an opportunity to socialize, experience total independence, and push one’s comfort zone. Google searches for solo travel have increased fourfold since 2020, according to the website Solo Traveler, with middle-aged women driving the trend. Seven four- and five-star hotels and inns under the Crerar Hotels Group umbrella are open to single travelers wishing to embark on their best Scottish adventure. They provide a warm, genuine welcome as well as a variety of culinary pleasures and spa experiences suitable for the ideal solo holiday. The leading hotel chain, known for embracing the “Spirit of Scotland,” has also identified the best five spots in Scotland for a solitary getaway. “Today, the way we travel is different, and the uptake in solo travel is a trend that is becoming incredibly popular as people focus on their own wellbeing and personal mindset,” said Chris Wayne-Wills, Chief Executive of Crerar Hotels Group. Many of our single travelers choose to stay at one of our hotels because it is on the ocean or in a picturesque rural area, where they can experience the great outdoors while also enjoying fantastic food and drink, incredibly warm service, and spa treatments that can truly revitalize the soul. It is wonderful to see so many people traveling alone from around the world. Our locations offer some of the best places in the nation for that crucial “me” time, and we take pleasure in offering a safe and inviting environment for anyone opting to go alone. 1) Mull The Scottish isles offer lone travelers a wonderful range of animals as well as locally sourced cuisine and drink. 72 newly renovated rooms, including opulent Sea View and Retreat Suites, are available at the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, allowing guests to take in the breathtaking views of Craignure Bay and fully enjoy a Driftwood spa experience. The hotel has been transformed into the ideal haven for a restful getaway after its renovation in 2021. The unique “Wilderness Spa,” which is situated on a remote outdoor terrace and extends the Driftwood Spa’s serene inside setting, offers clients a private Thermal Experience in the Mull wilderness. The outdoor hot tub, bucket shower, daybeds, and sauna are all available to guests at this exclusive spa retreat. Dry robes are provided for comfort during the experience. The new service is completed with a distinctive cozy where visitors can find shelter, unwind, read, and relax amidst nature, or just take in the sights and sounds of the island from the lookout window. There is so much to do on Mull that your time there will undoubtedly be filled with activities. There is truly something for everyone, whether it’s viewing whales and dolphins, hiking Ben More, fishing, golfing, or a variety of other activities. One of Scotland’s most picturesque sites is Dunderave Castle (photo credit: Crerar Hotels). 2) Oban The Oban Bay Hotel, which is situated in a prominent area of the famous bay known as the “Gateway to the Isles,” is both a destination and a starting point for exploring Scotland’s west coast. There is much to enjoy both in the quaint resort of Oban and elsewhere in the world. There are many things to do in Oban for first-timers. Step back in time or go deeper with this place steeped in history. For walkers and island-hopping adventurers, ferries connect the mainland to the islands. From an Oban base, day trips to Mull, Lismore, and Kerrera are all straightforward. Like Mull, Crerar Hotels’ Oban Bay Hotel offers a seaside setting with breathtaking views of Scotland’s west coast. Visitors may also enjoy individually customized ishga spa treatments and fully use the exclusive Thermal Experience offered on the hotel’s outdoor Sea Deck. For the ultimate pampering experience, you can spend private time in the outdoor hot tub, the Swedish oak barrelled sauna, the Roman acrylic steam room, and the Zen relaxation room. The hotel’s interior design was influenced by the seaside environment and has warm woods and seashore blues, while the Sun Room’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide a breathtaking view. Source- Travel daily

The most recent SEA Travel Insights 2023 study from GrabAds, the advertising division of Southeast Asian (SEA) superapp Grab, demonstrates that travelers’ intentions to travel are still strong. Grab users were polled, and 72% of them said they would travel overseas at least once in the upcoming 12 months, up from 39% when borders reopened in 2022, showing an increase of 84% in travel intention in just one year. Brands can seize this chance to shift their focus from short-term “revenge travel” campaigns to long-term repeat-customer planning as the demand for travel is steadily increasing. Additional information about travel preferences, routines, and behaviors in the area is revealed in the report. ‘Stress-free’ solutions are prioritized by families Families make up one of the largest consumer groups for travel in 2023; 86% of travelers anticipate taking at least one trip with others. Although having fun and playing games is fine and dandy, it’s obvious that these family vacationers put safety and convenience above all else. Group travel is, however, no easy task, especially when traveling with youngsters. For instance, family suites and connecting rooms (65%), kid-friendly amenities (58%) and safety measures like child-proofing or guarded balconies (48%), are among these travelers’ top priorities when choosing their lodging. In order to better connect with families that travel with children, travel advertisers can reassure families that they can leave their anxieties at the front door and emphasize advertisements with “family-friendly” or “child-friendly” advertising. Business travelers are once again prioritising ease and safety. A sizable portion of respondents were also business travelers: 40% of those who plan to travel anticipate making 4 business trips on average over the next 12 months, an increase of 14% over the previous year. For this group, choosing a safe neighborhood (46%), being close to eateries and public transportation (57%) were the most important factors when booking accommodations. Travelers avoid surprises and uncertainty. Travelers are starting to favor planning more and more after the pandemic’s two years of disruption. For long-distance trips (6 to 16 hours), 64% of respondents indicated that they would begin making travel plans at least a month in advance. The percentage fluctuates around 55% for locations that are 3 to 6 hours distant and 51% for short trips (under 3 hours). Nearly half (47%) said that their spending plans are set weeks before they go for their trip. It’s important to note that most travelers like to organize their daily schedules on their own. Additionally, according to a survey of travelers this year, 62% stated they would purchase travel insurance to cover their vacations. Travel firms should start marketing initiatives to influence travelers early in the discovery phase, while they’re still researching and weighing their alternatives, in order to take a bigger piece of the market. It’s important for brands to create loyalty programs. Nine out of ten consumers in the area prefer to shop when a firm offers a loyalty program, according to a 2023 customer intelligence survey.  However, according to our data, 78% of Southeast Asians do not participate in any hotel loyalty programs. There is clearly space for repeat business given that 73% of respondents plan an average of three leisure trips over the following 12 months. This is a fantastic opportunity to inform potential travelers about hotel loyalty programs and the advantages they offer, for instance through gamified or incentivized campaigns with wide appeal and simple redemption procedures. GrabAds can assist travel brands in staying ahead of these changing travel habits by connecting advertisers to Grab’s enormous first-party data. Tapping into GrabAds’ hyperlocal insights to appeal to Southeast Asian travelers. For instance, GrabAds and Mediabank Inc. recently collaborated to develop a campaign for the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) to encourage visitors to ‘Discover Another Side of Japan’ outside of the typical tourist attractions. The campaign linked JTA to the numerous Grab users who rank Japan as one of the top foreign travel destinations by utilizing Grab’s online-to-offline ecosystem and strong understanding of Southeast Asian consumers. “Millions of Southeast Asians use Grab every day, creating a wealth of hyperlocal insights that enable brands and advertisers to build deep and meaningful connections with their consumers,” stated Jennie Johnson, Head of Marketing at GrabAds. Data from GrabAds showed a sharp rise in international travel intentions of 84% since last year.  As knowledgeable Southeast Asian travelers fantasize, plan, book, and experience travel, brands need to alter their focus away from short-term impulse advertising based on pent-up lockdown FOMO (fear of missing out) and toward building long-term relationships with these travelers. “It could be as easy as keeping in touch with customers throughout the year or using online and offline channels to advertise the newest deals,” she continued. For instance, our Grab fleet and app are used in the campaign we developed with Media Bank Inc. for the Japan Tourism Agency to creatively target platform users. We at GrabAds are looking forward to collaborating together with travel and tourism firms to develop and offer Southeast Asian travelers an interesting, dynamic travel experience. Source- Travel daily