Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Santorini, which received an 8.22 out of 10, is the ideal vacation destination for individuals travelling alone. Many people visit to this Greek island as a traditional holiday location to see the mystical sunsets and blue domes. This location is the top ultimate adult-only destination because it has the most restaurants, bars, and romantic activities per 100,000 people of any place. Bruges, one of the hippest locations to visit and a popular item on many people’s bucket lists, came in second. There are 58 romantic restaurants per 100,000 residents in the city, including the Michelin-starred L’Esperance and Little Siam, which serves real Thai food. This romantic dining location has a score of 6.95, making it the perfect hotspot for an adult-only retreat. People looking for a southern getaway frequently vacation in Savannah, Georgia. The oldest city in Georgia is a popular tourist destination and ranks third globally with an adult holiday score of 6.55. There are plenty of romantic restaurants in the city, with 38 of them for every 100,000 residents. For foodies and adult explorers, this resort is ideal because it has 28 pubs and 114 romantic activities per 100,000 residents. Source- Travel daily

At the renowned Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the pioneer in international cruise travel with a 56-year history of pushing boundaries, today took delivery of Norwegian Viva, the newest ship in the fleet of now 19 ships and the second ship in the ground-breaking Prima Class. The historic occasion commemorates the arrival of the second of six Prima Class ships scheduled to make their debut through 2028. The award-winning Norwegian Prima will be replaced by the Norwegian Viva in 2022, continuing to set new standards for cruising. The ship’s slogan, “Live it Up,” embodies the improved guest experience and on-board characteristics of this innovative class, including elevated offerings, more spacious designs, exhilarating onboard activities like the three-story Viva Speedway, and new dining concepts, most notably Indulge Food Hall, an outdoor food market with 11 different restaurants. According to David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, “ships as stellar as those of the Prima Class are only possible in collaboration with an incredible shipyard like Fincantieri.” “Delivery marks an important turning point for Norwegian Viva, and we are beyond thrilled to bring this magnificent ship to life as we welcome guests aboard next week,” the company said. While the ship features many of the highlights that are essential to the Prima Class, Norwegian Viva is distinguished by the at-sea debut of the Tony Award®-nominated play, “Beetlejuice,” in which passengers may “Live it Up” with the undead during a musical interpretation of Tim Burton’s 1988 film of the same name. Press Your Luck Live, an immersive game show experience taken right from the television screen, is one of the evening’s additional entertainment options. It gives viewers the chance to take part in the traditional game and win prizes. With a length of 965 feet, a gross tonnage of 143,535 tonnes, and a capacity for 3,100 passengers, Norwegian Viva also has The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture park in Ocean Boulevard. This boardwalk’s wraparound design brings passengers closer to the water than before. Six artists who have had their works shown aboard past Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ships—Kevin Box, Jonathan Prince, Arik Levy, Richard Hudson, Sophie Elizabeth Thompson, and Pablo Atchugarry—will have pieces in this space that have been reimagined for Norwegian Viva. The 52-foot-long interactive work of art “Every Wing has a Silver Lining,” created especially for Norwegian Viva by contemporary British digital artist Dominic Harris, will be added to Metropolitan Bar, the ship’s unique sustainable cocktail bar. According to Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, “Norwegian Viva is a testament to our wonderful partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line.” “We are honoured to contribute to the groundbreaking Prima Class and look forward to continuing our partnership with the next four eagerly awaited Prima Class ships for years to come.” Norwegian Viva will have her first trip on August 10, 2023, and then cruise a number of Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries before being officially christened in Miami on November 28, 2023. The Queen of Latin Pop, Paulina Rubio, “Saturday Night Live” cast member and Miami resident Marcello Hernandez, and singer Pedro Capó will all be present at the ceremony to formally name the Norwegian Viva, along with Luis Fonsi, a Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning musician. From December 2023 to March 2024, the ship will be based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and make calls at Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Source- Travel daily

The first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the area, which is situated at the picturesque Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon province, was formally launched on Friday, August 4, by the Department of Tourism (DOT), under the direction of Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.   In addition to Medellin, Cebu in July, this is the second TRA that the DOT has officially handed over to a local government unit (LGU). The recently opened facility has an information desk, charging stations, a coffee shop, clean restrooms with showers, a lactation room for nursing mothers, and a pasalubong centre where local goods from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are displayed. These include the renowned Bukidnon coffee, beaded items from T’boli tribes, and more. Additionally, it features native Bukidnon painters and leaf carvers’ creations, which liven up the tourist attraction’s overall appearance. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Ferdinand Jumapao, Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque, Vice Governor Clive Quio, Mayor Rogelio Quio, Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas, Jr., 4th District Representative Laarni Lavin Roque, and Vice Governor Rogelio Quio were all present. The LGU received a symbolic key during the inaugural event as well. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Wilmar Sumahoy, a local town artist, created a leaf art depicting a “key” that was ceremoniously installed at the TRA location as a symbol of the DOT’s constant dedication to improving the overall tourism experience in the nation. In a speech, Secretary Frasco explained that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had ordered the creation of the TRA in order to strengthen the nation’s tourism infrastructure and the entire tourist experience. To fulfil our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s promise to give tourism development priority under his administration, to invest in infrastructure, connectivity, innovation, digitalization, and most importantly to equalise tourism opportunities, the tourism chief said, “It fills me with great joy to be back in the beautiful province of Bukidnon.” One of the ten rest areas for tourists that are now being built, some of which have already been finished across the nation, is this one. There is a tourist rest area in Ilocos Norte, one in Baguio City, many in Cebu, one in Bohol, one in Samal Island, one in Davao del Norte, and of course one right here in Manolo Fortich. The good news is that this is only the first of ten; construction has already begun on fifteen additional tourist rest spots across the Philippines in the hopes of using tourism to advance national development. The local government leaders of Bukidnon province, for their part, commended the DOT for giving Mindanao priority in its tourist programmes, saying that this would help to increase tourism in the province. “Bukidnon’s tourism potential has only just begun to be explored. The top ten highest mountain peaks in the nation can be found in our province. In particular, we would like to thank Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and the Department of Tourism for providing us with this visitor information centre and rest space. The development of Bukidnon’s tourism industry will greatly benefit from this infrastructure investment, according to Governor Roque. As one of the first towns in the nation where travellers can rest well and receive assistance while enjoying tours to and from so many beautiful places in Mindanao, Mayor Quio expressed gratitude to Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan. Source- Travel daily

The Best of Bigo Live Vietnam’s Special Journey to Thailand Will Be Live-Streamed Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, August 7, 2023 — Bigo Live superstars from Vietnam will travel to Phuket, Thailand on a special adventure dubbed “Bigo Summer 2023 Phuket Adventure,” where they hope to experience Phuket’s wonderful culture and share the real friendships and relationships they have made with others in the Bigo Live community. Image of the Amazing Summer Adventure that is Bigo Summer 2023 Over the course of the four-day trip, nine stunning female idols, including the Top 5 winners of the Bigo Summer 2023 Amazing Summer Adventure competition, AG3979, Nana3011, tracycutie99, cotham, Mimi306, Tho.cute, Traruby, Oanhta1, and Mia2k, will have the chance to interact with other broadcasters and members of the user community in Phuket. All Idols will broadcast their travel experiences to millions of followers worldwide using the Bigo Live app, the industry leader in livestreaming. Bigo Live Online to Offline Transfer On July 31, there was a lively and spectacular warm-up exercise before the journey officially started. The 10 quickest and most accurate users who correctly predicted the identity of the nine idols travelling with them won special presents from Bigo. The beginning of the voyage has heightened anticipation and preparedness for the coming unique moments. Each Idol will face a variety of specific questions from Bigo’s knowledgeable tour guides, making this trip more than just a regular journey. These inquiries not only increase audience knowledge of the characteristics and preferences of the idols but also provide hours of nonstop amusement. The tour is not just about the picturesque surroundings, but also about the humour and distinctiveness of the Idols’ responses. Additionally, engaging and fun group games will be planned regularly during the voyage. The nine Idols will engage in exciting challenge battles and contend for cute BTC prizes. The voyage of these attractive and endearing Idols promises to be everything but boring thanks to these interesting and satisfying activities. Bigo will make a rating board for the nine idols, so let’s support and offer gifts to your favourite affable and lovely idol because Bigo has a special surprise in store for the top three on this ranking! Four days of new and original content will be added to the Bigo Live Vietnam Fanpage in an update. Users will be plunged in a world of flawless cuisine, visit mesmerizingly beautiful locations, encounter other cultures, and hear about the idols’ singular experiences. We can’t help but be thrilled and anticipating the Bigo Summer 2023 Phuket Adventure with the Idols with all the amazing and wonderful things that are in store for us on August 8th. They will certainly carry treasured moments and wonderful memories with them on this voyage. Update further details at https://activity.bigo.tv/live/act/act_16907/index.html?id=39186.  Regarding Bigo Live One of the fastest-growing livestreaming social groups in the world is Bigo Live, where members broadcast in real-time to share life events, display their abilities, and communicate with others from across the globe. More than 400 million people utilise Bigo Live across more than 150 nations. Source- Travel daily

The second ship of the ground-breaking Prima Class, Norwegian Viva was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. The fleet now consists of 19 ships. The historic occasion commemorates the arrival of the second of six Prima Class ships scheduled to make their debut through 2028. When Norwegian Prima debuts in 2022, Norwegian Viva will continue to set new standards for cruising. The ship’s slogan, “Live it Up,” captures the enhanced onboard experience and guest experience that this innovative class is known for, including upgraded amenities, more roomy designs, thrilling onboard attractions like the three-story Viva Speedway, and novel dining concepts, most notably Indulge Food Hall, an outdoor food market with 11 distinct restaurants. According to David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, “Ships as stellar as those of the Prima Class are only possible in collaboration with an incredible shipyard like Fincantieri.” “Delivery marks an important turning point for Norwegian Viva, and we are beyond thrilled to bring this magnificent ship to life as we welcome guests aboard next week,” the company said. With a length of 965 feet, a gross tonnage of 143,535 tonnes, and a capacity for 3,100 passengers, Norwegian Viva also has The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture park in Ocean Boulevard. This boardwalk’s wraparound design brings passengers closer to the water than before. Six artists who have had their works shown aboard past Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ships—Kevin Box, Jonathan Prince, Arik Levy, Richard Hudson, Sophie Elizabeth Thompson, and Pablo Atchugarry—will have pieces in this space that have been reimagined for Norwegian Viva. The 52-foot-long interactive work of art “Every Wing has a Silver Lining,” created especially for Norwegian Viva by contemporary British digital artist Dominic Harris, will be added to Metropolitan Bar, the ship’s unique sustainable cocktail bar. “Norwegian Viva is a testament to our wonderful partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line,” stated Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri. “We are honoured to contribute to the groundbreaking Prima Class and look forward to continuing our partnership with the next four eagerly awaited Prima Class ships for years to come.” Norwegian Viva will cruise a number of Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries after departing on her first voyage on August 10, 2023, before having her official christening in Miami on November 28, 2023. Source- Travel biz

The Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam will host the biggest and most renowned travel show in Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region from September 7–9, 2023. The Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam was amended and supplemented by the Vietnam National Assembly on June 24, 2023. This included raising the e-visa’s validity to 90 days. This strategy is anticipated to increase the tourism sector’s competitiveness and provide it a boost to foster development, bringing in more foreign tourists in the future. Additionally, marketing and promotion are crucial tasks to improve the growth of the tourism industry and raise a destination’s competitiveness. ITE HCMC is regarded as one of the crucial and useful solutions for this problem.  The “Connectivity, Growth, Sustainability” theme of the 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City provides attendees with three full days of networking opportunities with both local and international exhibitors, as well as access to high-caliber forums, educational seminars, and first-rate entertainment events. The scale of ITE HCMC 2023 is expected to treble this year while maintaining a high level of quality. As a result, the event is anticipated to draw top figures in the global travel industry and more than 400 exhibiting companies & brands, of which more than 70% of booths are from domestic units and around 30% are from outside. With the participation of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) from nations like Cambodia, Chile, Taiwan (China), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) from St. Petersburg (Russia), Seoul (South Korea), and over 45 provinces and cities of Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City, Da Nang City, and Hai Phon, the exhibition had already occupied over 70% of the exhibition space as of the The exhibition has also drawn top tourism companies like Saigontourist Group, BenThanh Tourist, Vietravel, Tan Son Nhat Hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport, Melia Hotels International, Movenpick, Tam Chuc National Tourism Area, Tung Lam Tourism Area, Muong Thanh Hospitality, and other sponsor in-kind: The Cocoon Vietnam, BLUSaigon, and numerous others. The hybrid model of ITE HCMC 2023 will combine 2D online booths with physical booths. These online exhibits will provide information to foreign customers about goods, services, and a system for scheduling appointments with vendors. Additionally, the centrepiece of this year’s expo will be the local experience areas, which will showcase and introduce the distinctive cultural characteristics of Vietnam to foreign businesses and the general public through handicrafts, coffee, traditional art workshops, and a variety of other activities. Additionally, the Hosted Buyer Programme offered by ITE HCMC gives international tourism businesses the chance to expand their markets and partner networks in Vietnam and the Lower Mekong region. The organising committee will choose and invite approximately 200 foreign buyers from 20 countries and territories (an increase of more than 25% compared to 2022) in collaboration with the advisory board, which is made up of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and key tourism businesses. The Hosted Buyer Programme anticipates welcoming key inbound markets and potential markets like China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia, India, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and many others, as well as decision makers from international travel agencies, MICE travel companies, luxury travel companies, and more. Source- Travel daily

Beds, a global online marketplace for the tourism industry, and Fulham Football Club have established a collaboration in which WebBeds will serve as the Club’s Official Sleeve Partner for a number of years beginning with the upcoming 2023–24 season. The WebBeds logo is shown on the sleeve of the Club’s Men’s, Women’s, and Academy teams, and was on display for the first time at Craven Cottage on Saturday, August 5, when Fulham FC hosted TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in a preseason friendly. With this cooperation, WebBeds—which has operations in 139 nations—reinforces its stated goal of becoming the market leader in the UK and the rest of Europe as it pursues its ambitious expansion strategy amid the ongoing recovery of the travel sector worldwide. With regard to WebBeds’ entry into the sports partnership market, CEO Daryl Lee stated: “Partnering with Fulham FC is a key milestone for WebBeds and demonstrates our dedication to building our global brand, accelerating growth plans, and setting new standards of excellence in delivering value to our hotel and travel industry partners worldwide. This is completely in line with the fervour and determination Fulham has shown on the pitch as they compete for EPL victories. In the upcoming season, we look forward to giving fans and our partners remarkable experiences. We’re pleased to welcome WebBeds as the Club’s Official Global Accommodation Marketplace Partner, Official Sleeve Partner, and Principal Partner for 2023/24, said Fulham Football Club’s Commercial Director Jon Don-Carolis. Both Fulham FC and WebBeds are driven by innovation and superior customer service, and we are excited about the impact our partnership will have both on and off the pitch. Source- Travel daily

What better way to enjoy the cooler months than by embarking on a unique autumn journey, with over half of Americans declaring October to be their favourite season?  These six can’t-miss fall vacations are perfect for all types of travellers, whether they want a lengthy getaway to take in the breathtaking fall foliage or a short journey to take part in local activities. American States Halekulani, Hawaii’s capital city The renowned luxury beachside resort is presenting two exceptional experiences this autumn that are perfect for foodies and wellness tourists. On September 13 and 14, Halekulani will collaborate with Imperial Hotel Tokyo’s Chef du Cuisine Les Saisons and Executive Chef of La Mer Alexandre Trancher to organise an extraordinary French culinary experience, which will include a five-course gourmet meal with special wine pairings, at La Mer. One of LA’s most in-demand hairdressers, Michael Solis, will host “Hair Care Beyond Beauty” at the hotel in October as part of the Art of Wellbeing Visiting Masters Series from Oct. 12–18. Hawaii’s Royal Hawaiian Centre, Honolulu The 77th Annual Aloha Festivals, the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the United States, will kick off autumn on September 9 at the Royal Grove of the Royal Hawaiian Centre, Waikiki’s top dining, shopping, and entertainment destination. On the sacred grounds of Kamehameha Schools, hula and musical performances will take place that evening. This setting is ideal for this year’s theme of Piliina, which is to feel kinship with the land. In addition, on October 29, Royal Hawaiian Centre will conduct their annual Halloween Keiki Costume Contest, which is free and open to the public. Honolulu, Hawaii’s Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani The Aloha Festival festivities take place throughout September, and this gorgeous Waikiki resort is the perfect spot to stay. Enjoy events like The Waikk Ho’olaule’a, Hawai’i’s largest annual block party with local fare, music, and entertainment, on September 23. The Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, and Manoa Heritage Centre are three of Oahu’s top cultural attractions, and Halepuna visitors are welcome to visit them for free (simply present your hotel key!). New York, New York, The Knickerbocker According to U.S. News & World Report, the city that never sleeps has some of the best fall foliage in 2023. Stay at The Knickerbocker hotel to plan an urban leaf-peeping excursion. It is conveniently situated between Bryant Park, Central Park, and the Hudson River Parkway, as well as being halfway between Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden. In the months leading up to the ultimate New Year’s Eve party, guests can enhance their autumnal experience at the hotel’s crown gem, the St. Cloud rooftop, where they can take in legendary views of Times Square and the New Year’s Ball. JAPAN THE MITSUI KYOTO HOTEL Kyoto, Japan The annual Otsukimi festival, often known as the “moon-viewing” festival, is set for September 29 in Japan, and HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO has planned an exceptional experience for visitors to fully immerse themselves in the long-standing custom. In September, visitors can take part in the short-lived Otsukimi Art Tour, a lantern-guided twilight tour of the hotel’s ancient artwork and architecture that is followed by a traditional tea ceremony. One more motivation to go to Kyoto in the autumn? During the peak foliage season, which lasts from mid-November to early December, magical hues begin to show. Japan’s Okinawa island of Halekulani This October, Halekulani Okinawa is offering special celebrations for two significant cultural holidays. Visitors can celebrate Okinawa Soba Day (October 17) all month long at House Without A Key, where Japanese Head Chef Yuichi Mitsui prepares healthy Okinawa Soba with Pork Ribs with real Okinawan flour soba noodles in a unique umami-flavored broth. Okinawa is the birthplace of karate, therefore visitors looking for a more physical experience can participate in the hotel’s Discover the Island’s Mabui (Soul) programme, which includes instruction from a traditional Okinawan karate master, on October 25, Okinawa Karate Day. Participants gain historical perspective on how the martial art improves the bond between the body and mind, and they even get a personalised karate costume! Source- Travel daily

Contributors are solely responsible for their own thoughts and statements; they are not employed by, paid by, or otherwise controlled by TD.  Share When the Belgium team was named the 2023 winners of the “Switzerland Meeting Trophy,” they exclaimed with joy. The announcement was made at the “Halle Shipyard,” the largest event space at “8008 See Lounge,” which is located next to Lake Zurich. Boats that were being repaired were pushed to the side to create a unique urban city space where guests could enjoy the DJ, bars, buffet, and decking area while the sun set on three eventful days. Teams of about 70 meetings and event planners from the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, the Nordic countries, and North America competed in a series of tasks and experiences that the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) carefully selected between St. Moritz and Zurich. I hear you asking, “Why mention the winners in the first sentence?” While the Belgian team deserves praise, it’s time to use some tired cliches like “it’s all about the journey, not the outcome” and “it’s not about the winning but the participating.” And what a “Journey” it turned out to be, helping participants see two different regions of this interesting and visually stunning country with the help of trains, boats, e-bikes, e-vehicles, and cable cars. “The Meeting Trophy was a fantastic way for me to experience Zurich and St. Moritz and sample activities that I could provide my corporate incentive groups,” the participant said. Instead of sitting across a table in a conference room, spending time with the local CVBs at each site allowed us to converse and learn more about the destination in a much more casual setting, according to Rhian Morgan, MICE Manager, Abercrombie & Kent. The “Switzerland Meeting Trophy,” now in its 17th year, captures why Switzerland Tourism, which includes SCIB, continues to be a trend-setter, innovator, and even disruptor within the tourism industry. This is especially important in relation to “Sustainability” and its “Swisstainable” plan, which is now Switzerland’s long-term travel future’s architectural blueprint. The phrase “I need Swisstainable, I need Switzerland” was plastered all around Zurich Airport upon arrival, reminding visitors of their duties as well as the nation’s investment in protecting environment, their greatest asset for future generations. Boarding the Train Our journey started on the rail lines that departed from Zurich’s main station and circled a portion of Lake Zurich before passing into Chur. The Swiss travel by train more than any other country in the world, and the Jungfraujoch in the Canton of Bern, which is 3,454 metres above sea level, is the highest railway station in all of Europe. It is also known for the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express; however, we were not passengers on the ‘Bernina Express’ and instead, thanks to our Swiss Rail Pass, boarded two private cars, one of which was called ‘Stiva Rustica’ (Rhaetian Living Room), to travel on the same ‘Albula’ route between Chur and St. Moritz. This rail line has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason—trains wind through stunning mountain scenery, passing through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, the most famous of which is the “Landwasser Viaduct,” which crosses the Landwasser Valley and provided the inspiration for the first of our many memorable Instagram moments. The train’s distinctive red carriages disappeared into the mountain tunnel before reappearing in the light, just in time to see the 65-meter high stone pillars recede into the verdant flora and fauna. Our group lowered carriage windows to capture the train gracefully curving across the 142-meter-long, six-arched viaduct. Before we reached St. Moritz, our train had climbed over a thousand metres in elevation, with each carriage window capturing the pristine nature, only sporadically broken by chocolate-box settlements distinguished by church spires and alpine homes. Source-Travel daily