Starfish Travel Corporation Team

According to the ARM index Programme, Aer Lingus has received “Airline Retailing Maturity” accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This status acknowledges that Aer Lingus and our travel agency partners share the purpose of contemporary retailing. By increasing its options to customers who make their reservations through travel partners, the airline has taken a key step towards confirming its dedication to and ongoing investment in boosting the customer experience. The New Distribution Capability (NDC) is an essential enabler for streamlining processes for airlines to create and distribute relevant offers to customers regardless of how they choose to book, and the IATA’s ARM index programme supports airlines and their partners on this journey towards digital selling. Travel sellers can sell and modify travel ancillary products for customers thanks to expanded capabilities supported by NDC, which also streamlines and enhances communication between airlines and travel agencies. Airlines, vendors, and technology providers who can demonstrate technical prowess, collaborative relationships, and potential value realised while moving towards airline retailing are recognised by IATA on the Airline Retailing Maturity (ARM) index. “Receiving IATA’s recognition is another key milestone for the airline as we continue to improve customer experience for all who choose to fly with Aer Lingus,” said Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer. We look forward to collaborating with more global travel merchants to increase our product offers to their clients. Travel partners can learn more about NDC via the Aer Lingus website, which has been set up as an NDC portal. Additionally, our travel partners can register for NDC through this centralised platform. Source- Travel daily

According to Georg Enzweiler, the German Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, the wait time for a visa appointment has been shortened to eight weeks. “We have significantly increased our staff in Mumbai, and I believe the waiting time has significantly decreased,” Enzwiler added. Regarding the substantial volume of visa requests from India to Germany, he stated, “We are working to further reduce the waiting time for visa applicants from India.” “Roughly eight weeks have passed. We aim to improve in that area; we don’t want to bring you to this event in order to encourage Indian tourists to visit Germany, only to ask them to apply for a visa three years in advance in order to have a good chance of getting one,” Enzweiler added. Source- Travel biz

For the first time, the Hockenheimring will host the GLÜCKSGEFÜHLE Festival. In keeping with the tagline “The Happiness is coming home,” for four days, everything centred on music to rejoice, fresh experiences, and joyful people. As a sponsor, AIDA Cruises will pull a few rabbits out of its hat both at the festival stand on-site and in the lead-up to the event. According to AIDA Cruises’ Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Alexander Ewig, “We were immediately moved by the festival message. Our goal on board the kissing ships is to provide guests with the best time of the year and unforgettable happy experiences. AIDA is a symbol of amazing experiences, explorations, and unending joy. Visitors to the event will hear this message from us, and we hope it will motivate them to embark on their own travels. We are honoured to support this wonderful event and delight thousands of festival-goers with the distinctive AIDA atmosphere. Whether it is Cro, Materia, Nico Santos, Felix Jaehn, Robin Schulz, or Sarah Connor. Pop, rock, hip hop, or electronic dance music—the line-up only offers positive vibes. Additionally, open-air theatre, an E-go-kart track, a XXL chairoplane, Germany’s largest mobile zip line, and many other features are available to festival attendees. The Hockenheimring is intended to grow into the biggest and happiest festival in Germany, with up to 100,000 attendees on 1 million square metres, according to ambitious goals set by festival organisers Lukas Podolski and Markus Krampe for their inaugural event. AIDA Cruises is a sponsor and is distributing special festival tickets. The winners will hopefully be able to enjoy a party at the Hockenheimring. AIDA is giving away 2 tickets, each of which includes an overnight stay from September 14 to September 17, as well as 2 tickets, each of which includes admission to the festivities on September 15 and 16, 2023. AIDA will be present at the festival with cutting-edge interactive installations and events in unorthodox settings. The AIDAradio Aftershow Party, a relaxing massage, and a fun selfie spot on the Kissing Sofa are all available. The two-story AIDA booth, which has its own roof terrace, provides a stunning view of the main stage and delights with water projections, a sea of bubbles, and the show booth to give the festival grounds a more oceanic atmosphere. Source- Travel daily

On Sunday, August 13, when Chelsea FC plays Liverpool FC in its season-opening match, Oman Air’s ground-breaking collaboration with the English Premier League (EPL) club will officially begin. A series of commercials showing some of the nation’s most well-known locations will convey the beauty of Oman to spectators at Stamford Bridge Stadium and those watching from home. Around the pitch, Oman Air’s striking logo and cabin staff personnel will be visible. It’s a huge milestone for the airline as its first formal event with the team since finalising the contract last month, with over seven million people expected to watch the game globally. Oman Air will engage in a variety of interesting promotional activities over the next three years as Chelsea’s official worldwide airline partner, utilising the club’s extensive global reach as one of the top EPL clubs. In the meantime, the airline continues to seize opportunities to promote Oman to new markets throughout the world, underlining its appeal as a premier tourist destination, as part of its commitment to supporting Oman’s 2040 Vision. Source- Travel daily

The most well-liked summer vacation spots this year, according to data from Cirium, are recovering to pre-pandemic levels. Analysis of summer travel by Cirium Data departures in August: 92,549 flights, or more than 16.5 million seats, are scheduled to leave UK airports in August 2023. As the post-pandemic recovery progresses, this August is expected to witness the biggest number of UK departures since October 2019. Pre-pandemic departures from the UK were 104,007 this month, and departures this month are anticipated to reach 89% of August 2019 levels. As passengers resume their business and vacation travel, scheduled UK departures are up 11% compared to August 2022 and up 101% compared to August 2021. Dublin continues to be the most often flown to from the UK, followed by Amsterdam, Palma, Malaga, and Faro. Hotspots in Europe Using data from Cirium, the following top summer vacation destinations are examined to see how each market has rebounded in appeal since the pandemic: Source- Travel daily

According to recent study, Norway is the cruise location that Brits choose the most frequently. Medical Travel Insurance experts at AllClear Travel used a list of phrases, such as “cruise to X” and “X cruise holidays,” and combined them with various places to analyse data to find the most frequently Googled cruise-related queries. To produce the rankings, the most popular search phrases were divided by continents, countries, regions, and coastal states. With an average monthly search volume of 134,018, Norway tops the list of popular nations for cruise vacations. The nation, which is a part of Scandinavia, is home to several stunning scenery, including the Kjenndalen glaciers, the Jostedal Glacier National Park, and the UNESCO-protected fjords. With a monthly search volume of 41,378 on average, Greece comes in second on the list. In addition to opulent islands like Mykonos, which is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, mainland Greece also has Athens, a city rich in historical landmarks including the Acropolis Museum, Tower of Winds, Pantheon, and others. The third-placed country is Italy, which saw an average of 29,889 searches every month. Italy has several beautiful cities where you can visit to enjoy the coastline views and Italian cuisine, including ports in Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento. Iceland, with an average monthly search volume of 18,036, came in fourth. The Blue Lagoon, the Glymur Waterfall, and not to forget the Aurora Reykjavik to watch the Northern Lights are just a few of the attractions in or close to Reykjavik, which is the stunning capital of Iceland. Australia is ranked fifth, with 10,921 searches each month on average. Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast are just a few of Australia’s coastal towns where you can enjoy both the city and the beach life. There are also many thrilling activities for thrill-seekers, such snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef or scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source- Travel daily

The Financial Express said that while INDIGO, a low-cost carrier with a 63.2% domestic market share, starts on an international expansion plan under CEO Pieter Elbers, it is considering adding more direct flights to Central Europe and the Far East. Two direct flights from Mumbai to Nairobi and Jakarta marked the beginning of the first phase of this development campaign earlier this week. Georgia’s Tbilisi was connected to Delhi. Later this month, there will be direct flights to Baku (Azerbaijan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Almaty (Kazakhstan) in Central Asia. To put things in perspective, on international flights, IndiGo competes with the Air India network. Industry insiders estimate that IndiGo has about 16% of the market, compared to Air India’s 23%. According to Vinay Malhotra, global head of sales for IndiGo, a number of international locations are reachable from India in six to seven hours of flight time, creating opportunities for the low-cost airline to transport people to and from these locations. Given that a significant section of the world’s population lives within a six- to seven-hour flight of India, the country is in a favourable geographic position. In addition, a handful of Airbus A321 XLR planes are among the aircraft IndiGo expects to operate over the next ten years. “These aircraft will allow us to travel to locations in Central Europe on the west coast as well as locations in the far east,” Malhotra said. Considering the continued high demand for direct flight services on this route, industry sources believe the airline may target locations like Frankfurt, Rome, and Tel Aviv in the future. It may also consider operating a flight directly from Mumbai to Bali as early as October of this year. In the upcoming months, the firm may establish a connection between Delhi and Jakarta as part of a larger plan to connect major domestic hubs with important overseas destinations. The airline now serves 28 international and 79 domestic points (Shivamogga will be connected this month through Bengaluru). Elbers had previously stated that after the company’s current phase of worldwide expansion was over, it will reach 32 different countries. For instance, the airline will offer direct service between Dammam and Lucknow, Chennai, and Kochi in West Asia, as well as between Abu Dhabi and Goa, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad; Ras Al Khaimah and Hyderabad; Bahrain and Jeddah. In addition, in August, there will be more frequent flights between Mumbai and Dhaka, and this month, daily flights between Delhi and Hong Kong will restart after being suspended because to the Covid-19 outbreak. Through its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, IndiGo has improved its access to Europe on the western side. Currently, the codeshare agreement provides connection from Istanbul to 33 European destinations. The business recently added Casablanca in Morocco as part of its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, according to Malhotra, who claims that four US points currently — Washington, New York, Boston, and Chicago — are accessed via codeshare agreements with Turkish Airlines. Additionally, the airline has code-sharing agreements with six other airlines, including Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, American Airlines, and Qatar Airways, which allow it to connect to many other locations across the globe. Malhotra claims that as part of its future growth goals, the company is looking at codeshare agreements with additional carriers in addition to direct flight services. Source- Travel biz

The cutting-edge online eSIM Marketplace from social travel platform Alike has expanded the selection of travel services that customers may order on the Alike website. “This unique online hub provides a comprehensive suite of eSIMs, catering to the modern traveller across 200 global destinations, all at exceptional prices,” reads a press release from the firm. Travellers may now say goodbye to using physical SIM cards or looking for Wi-Fi hotspots by selecting and downloading the appropriate eSIM in advance of their trip. In honour of the opening of the eSIM market, Alike is providing eSIMs to 80 international locations for a very appealing price of just US$ 1! When purchasing eSIMs at www.alike.io/esims, use the promo code ALIKE to take advantage of this momentary offer. With more consumers choosing eSIMs over conventional physical SIMs, Juniper Research predicts that by 2023, there will be around 1 billion smartphones worldwide using eSIMs, with that figure rising to 3.5 billion by 2027. The launch of the Alike eSIM marketplace couldn’t have happened at a better time to support the growing global consumer shift to digital SIMs. As a social travel network, we are well aware of how important it is to maintain contact when on the road. Due to prohibitive roaming fees, visitors have long been forced to turn off their cellphone data, switching from a digital feast at home to a digital fast while travelling to an uncharted foreign location. A significant step towards redressing this injustice is the introduction of our eSIM marketplace, according to Ashish Sidhra, co-founder of Alike. Beyond its remarkable selection and competitive price, which were made possible by Alike’s reliable partnerships with several major international telecom providers, the eSIM Online Marketplace from Alike offers a wide range of customization options. Customers may easily navigate and identify the ideal eSIM for their particular travel needs thanks to the platform’s user-friendly layout and in-depth eSIM information. Additionally, Alike takes great pleasure in its customer-centric philosophy, which is exemplified by its excellent customer service. Travellers may rest easy knowing that timely and helpful support is always available to them thanks to a multilingual support team that is accessible 24/7 through a variety of channels. Alike’s focus on client satisfaction solidifies its dedication to providing a thorough and enjoyable user experience. Source- Travel biz

Yas Island is Abu Dhabi’s top destination for leisure and amusement, providing tourists with a wide range of activities. One will be spoiled for choice between world-class theme parks, an exhilarating Formula 1 racecourse, the largest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the Middle East’s first real Links golf course. Yas Beach, with its white sands, blue waters, and surrounding mangroves, is the perfect place to relax for those looking for a peaceful retreat. Alternatively, you can indulge in any of our many renowned hotels. Yas Island also offers a wide variety of dining, shopping, and world-class entertainment alternatives. Waterworld Yas Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island This enormous water park in the UAE, which covers 37 acres, offers the pinnacle in aquatic experience. Visitors of all ages can find thrills that suit their preferences thanks to the more than 45 exhilarating rides, twisting slides, and amazing experiences. It’s a vast, fun-filled family-friendly location that promises never-ending enjoyment. Ride the exhilarating waves, ride a looping free-fall waterslide, and hang on tight as you ride the Middle East’s longest suspended rollercoaster. With a special pearl diving attraction that displays conventional Emirati pearl diving, Yas Waterworld honours the Emirati culture and legacy of pearl diving. Yas Island’s Ferrari World is in Abu Dhabi. Visit Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi to experience the fastest speeds. This exhilarating location offers a fantastic selection of record-breaking rides that ignite passion and inspire excitement in the hearts of visitors of all ages with the fastest rollercoaster in the world and a heart-pounding atmosphere. Yas Island’s Warner Bros. WorldTM is in Abu Dhabi. Enter a colourful animated universe where renowned Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera characters like Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and The Flintstones coexist with DC Super Heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The world’s first indoor theme park with a Warner Bros. brand offers top-notch entertainment, family-friendly immersive experiences, and a fantastic fusion of fiction brought to life with breathtaking realism. Abu Dhabi’s SeaWorld® Yas Island The experience at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is interesting. Eight immersive zones in the park take visitors on a spectacular journey across the frozen regions and vivid tropics. Customers at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi may enjoy more than 100 animal interactions and shows that give them a close-up opportunity to understand how our huge aquatic environment is interconnected. The One Ocean that binds us all will become more clear to guests through enthralling explorations and wonderful interactions. Beyond encounters with aquatic life, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi provides a wide range of engaging games and exhilarating rides. Visitors can engage on thrilling adventures while taking in the wonders of the park by selecting from more than 35 fascinating attractions and rides. With 17 restaurants offering a variety of delectable fare, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has an excellent assortment of dining options to meet the different demands of visitors. Visitors may also peruse 13 retail establishments, guaranteeing they can bring home a keepsake to treasure from their wonderful visit. CLYMBTM Dubai The ultimate adventure centre that revolutionised climbing and indoor skydiving. Explore the tallest indoor climbing wall in the area as well as the largest indoor skydiving flight chamber in the globe. Prepare to conquer two revolutionary experiences all in one thrilling location. Marina Yas set against the lovely shoreline of Abu Dhabi. There is something for everyone, whether it is enjoying a dinner on the sea, strolling quietly down the wharf, or taking a tranquil paddle through hidden mangroves. Get on a cruise to see the picturesque coastline or participate in a range of water sports for an added excitement. Source- Travel biz