Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Gold Premium tickets for 2024 on The Ghan and Great Southern are already on sale, according to Journey Beyond. With premium amenities and modern Australian cabin and carriage designs, Gold Premium, which sits between Gold and Platinum, is more than just a cabin. To offer interior design that combines a true sense of location, a crucial component throughout Journey Beyond’s experiences, Journey Beyond hired international design firm Woods Bagot. Since they carried out an upgrade to the Platinum carriages across the train fleet in 2019, Woods Bagot has had a relationship with the trains. The design company has created best-in-class lodging with Gold Premium, whose colour scheme is inspired by the deep hues of Arrernte painter Albert Namatjira’s breathtaking landscapes. Consider upholstery with Indigenous designs that evoke the Australian bush together with walnut wood and polished brass accents. The Gold Premium Twin cabin has premium facilities in the en-suite bathroom, high-quality linen prepared for the comfy lounge seat to convert to a sleeper each evening, and a few unexpected treats to entertain passengers along the way. A Gold Premium Suite option is also available. With a bit more room to roam around in, this cabin class offers the same advantages as Gold Premium. A fold-down upper sleeper, a three-quarter-size double bed, and a sitting area are all included in the cabin. Exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge, the ship’s social centre, is provided with both Gold Premium stateroom classes. The modern lounge has swivel chairs and luxurious leather banquettes, and mood lighting creates an elegant atmosphere that alludes to the romance of train travel. Here, visitors can relax while sipping on a variety of high-end drinks. Another option is Gold Premium Dining, which is a feast in many ways. The modern carriage design honours Art Deco and provides a backdrop for meals that have been thoughtfully chosen. The sumptuous four-course dinners and hearty four-course lunches served here use the finest products from regional producers, farmers, and suppliers. Naturally, there is a selection of fine wines and beverages on the accompanying wine list. Highlights of Gold Premium include: Exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining in a freshly constructed, modern cabin that transforms from a lounge to sleeping berths at night Lunches of two courses with a regional theme and evenings of four courses Premium Australian wines, beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks included in the price sumptuous extras, soft linens, and silk eye masks All-inclusive Experiences outside of trains and preferences for tours Per visitor, a weight limit of 75 kg (3 pieces of 25 kg each) Priority check-in for bags when departing Source- Travel daily

The flagship namesake brand, Ascott, has undergone a renovation, according to The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit that is entirely controlled by CapitaLand Investment (CLI). This relaunch of the brand highlights its flex-hybrid hotel idea, which has emerged as the preferred design in the lodging sector and has shown durable during and after the pandemic. With the added flexibility of this hotel-in-residence model, Ascott is able to accommodate guests with a variety of needs, including those who are travelling alone or in groups and who require varying lengths of stays from short to extended periods. The hotel-in-residence model allows flexibility to pivot as demand evolves across various market segments and geographies by adopting new room models, facilities, amenities, and features. This presents a value proposition that is exclusive to Ascott. What would otherwise be a standard stay in a serviced house is further elevated by adding a wider range of hospitality services to the experience. Similar to this, Ascott’s portfolio of hotels will be able to accommodate extended stays if necessary. “Operating on a “flex-hybrid” model helps Ascott to stay agile and adaptable in the face of volatile business cycles,” stated Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer for Ascott and CLI Lodging. Ascott can quickly adapt its operations to the needs of the market and maximise occupancy to support revenue growth by being sensitive to changes in demand. The strategy also reduces the dangers brought on by relying too much on a particular market segment. The business can concentrate on other areas that are functioning better while one sector undergoes a slump. Because of their versatility, they have a more steady income and are less vulnerable to market fluctuations. “There is definitely demand from our visitors looking for these types of hotel-in-residence facilities within a revamped hospitality market post-COVID. The integration of enlarged serviced residential space and intelligent hospitality services, amenities, and facilities will further enrich the stay experience, whether it be for business travellers seeking extended stays or relocations, families on vacation, or lone travellers on shorter pleasure visits. Even in the midst of the pandemic, additional property owners and developers are embracing this trend favourably and adding to the growing momentum of management contract signings. The hotel-in-residence concept boosts our hospitality portfolio’s effectiveness by adjusting to market movements, intensifying asset utilisation, diversifying income sources, increasing guest satisfaction, and minimising operating expenses. According to Mr. Goh, “Ascott’s agility enables it to proactively allocate its resources, resulting in improved returns for our investors and owners. Source-Travel daily

AlUla Ever, the newest publication from opulent publisher Assouline, immortalises the legendary city of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia. Assouline’s unrivalled unique style effectively captures and communicates the spirit of AlUla through aesthetically stunning storytelling and gripping storylines. The latest publication in Assouline’s Travel Series, which has been made available throughout the GCC, takes readers on a 288-page tour through AlUla’s remarkable geological landscapes, significant heritage sites, and thriving arts and cultural scene. AlUla Ever captures the genuine charm of this distinctive luxury heritage boutique resort and features a sizable collection of original images and graphics along with the lyrical language of French journalist Jérôme Garcin. The culture-focused travel book aptly illustrates how the destination welcomes innovation and advancement while remaining faithful to the integrity and authenticity of its culture, history, and tradition by providing fascinating insights into AlUla’s seamless fusion of old and new. The collectable weaves together the rich cultural tapestry that makes the AlUla experience truly extraordinary. It includes an eclectic mix of photographs showcasing the distinctive customs, traditions, and genuine hospitality of AlUla. AlUla, a masterwork that spans more than 200,000 years of human history, has just recently been made accessible to tourists from around the world. The ancient Nabataean civilization picked AlUla as their primary southern metropolis, second only to Petra, which is now found in modern-day Jordan. From there, the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan controlled a significant portion of the peninsula. The impressively well-preserved monuments at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO heritage site, and at Jabal Ikmah, the largest open-air library in the world that was recently added to the UNESCO Memory of the World register, are evidence that each progressive civilization has left its indelible mark on AlUla. The echoes of the generations who constantly lived in the area from about the 12th century to the more recent 1980s can still be felt in AlUla Old Town, which was named UNTWO Best Tourism Village in 2022. The area is a maze of small alleyways surrounded with more than 900 ancient mud brick buildings. Future development in AlUla will focus on sustainable, “light-touch” tourism and on responsible growth that benefits the local inhabitants and future generations. The debut of “AlUla Ever” coincides with the city’s full acceptance of its traditional arts and culture, which it shares with the world while also asking national and international artists to participate in the city’s contemporary art future. The third iteration of Desert X AlUla, a juxtaposition of contemporary land art set against ancient landscapes, showcasing the essence of AlUla’s creative spirit, will debut in 2024 in addition to programmes at art school Madrasat Addeera that offer the chance to revive skills in the ancient handicrafts and jewellery, textiles, and leatherwork. The first five pieces of art will be put in Wadi AlFann in 2025. This international art destination offers a profound cultural experience via enduring works of art that coexist in harmony with the breathtaking scenery. The potential of AlUla to take tourists on a transforming trip where the ancient and modern coexist harmoniously is a key component of its attraction. Travellers have the chance to forge a profound connection with this extraordinary destination, one that maintains strong roots in its history and heritage but is constantly evolving with its eyes firmly fixed on the future, by immersing themselves in the cultural richness, natural beauty, and authentic spirit embodied by AlUla. Source- Travel daily

The study by Bounce examined variables including the total volume of wine consumed by each nation and the average amount of wine consumed by a person to identify the top destinations for wine tourism. Portugal uses 600 million gallons of wine annually, which is the greatest when measured per person but less than countries like France and Italy altogether. Portugal is the top travel destination for wine enthusiasts since wine is an essential component of Portuguese culture and has been produced there for thousands of years.  With a vinicultural heritage dating back thousands of years to ancient civilizations, Italy is renowned as the birthplace of some of the most celebrated wines in the world.It is not surprising that Italy consumes 2.3 billion litres of wine annually, ranking second in the world for wine consumption as the nation produces the most wine. France, a nation that also produces wine and is regarded as one of the most prestigious and significant wine-producing nations in the world, comes in third. Given that French wines are constantly ranked among the best in the world, there is no surprise that 2.5 billion litres of them are drank annually. Source- Travel daily

The national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, SAUDIA, announced the addition of the Airbus A321neo to its fleet under the tagline “A neo-way of flying.” This contributes to SAUDIA’s goals for growth, since the airline hopes to increase its fleet by 20 A321neo aircraft by 2026. The narrow-body airliner A321neo is a member of the A320 family, the most widely used single-aisle aircraft family in the world and the aircraft of choice for airlines all over the world due to its reputation for excellent performance and great comfort. The aircraft delivers new performance capabilities and can accommodate 180–220 passengers in a conventional two-class interior configuration. The aeroplane was bought mostly because of how little fuel it need to operate. Since the A320neo entered global service in 2016, the A320 family of aeroplanes have prevented the emissions of 20 million tonnes of CO2. The A320neo has also seen a 20% decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, a 50% reduction in noise footprint, a 5% decrease in airframe maintenance costs, and a 14% decrease in cash operating costs per seat compared to previous generation aircraft thanks to Sharklets, new fuel-efficient engines, and latest cabin innovations. “We are thrilled to expand our fleet with the new Airbus A321neo aircraft,” stated Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA. We will continue to buy cutting-edge aircraft from the best manufacturers in the world in order to uphold our commitment to provide the best guest experience and bringing the world to Saudi Arabia. “We commend Airbus for continually seeking to improve the performance of their aircraft, which is consistent with SAUDIA’s ambition to deliver the best guest experience while helping to make aviation more sustainable,” Koshy continued. The trust and long-standing relationship between SAUDIA and Airbus are highlighted by this alliance. It also contributes to the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a market leader in the sector by promoting customer satisfaction, boosting safety, and fostering environmental sustainability. The plan supports SAUDIA’s plans for growth as the airline strives to welcome 330 million tourists to the Kingdom by 2030. SAUDIA is trying to achieve its objectives of becoming an industry-leading airline by collaborating with Airbus and growing its fleet. The growth of SAUDIA’s fleet will also contribute to the opening up of new posts for pilots, cabin crew, and other operational roles. Source- Travel daily

Under the terms of its Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence, Mastercard has introduced Click to Pay (C2P) in Kuwait in partnership with a prominent digital transformation and innovation organisation, One GlobalTM. By making it quick, simple, and secure for customers to check out without having to enter their card information or save this sensitive information with many merchants, Mastercard’s Click to Pay establishes a new benchmark for guest checkout transactions and gives customers a more uniform experience. Once signed up, users can utilise the stored cards in their profile to check out conveniently at any retailer who supports the service. On one of their vertical markets called Og MoneyTM, One GlobalTM has enabled Click to Pay for the purchase of digital gift cards and gaming vouchers like Amazon, Apple Cards, PlayStation, and Nintendo as well as bill payments. For gaming vouchers, entertainment cards, bill payments, top-ups, utilities, travel, and other digital services, the mobile financial service platform acts as a one-stop shop. One GlobalTM will soon be extending the service to additional nations and supporting more use cases with wider platform adoption. In 2007, Mastercard and One GlobalTM began working together on a variety of projects. The most recent partnership, which took place in 2022, sought to offer specialised financial solutions that would allow the Middle East and North Africa to issue digital mobile wallets. “Mastercard is committed to providing customers with a variety of payment technologies. As we continue to provide frictionless and seamless payment experiences throughout the markets we serve, we are thrilled to partner with One GlobalTM to launch Click to Pay in Kuwait and beyond, said Erdem akar, Country Manager, Kuwait and Qatar, Mastercard. One GlobalTM is a fintech-focused digital transformation and innovation firm with 3.2 million customers on board. The international player has established a significant footprint in more than 20 nations throughout MENA, East Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America since the start of its adventure in 2004. Og MoneyTM, Og TravelTM, Og BusinessTM, and Og StackTM are some of the Mobilised Lifestyle® services that One GlobalTM provides to consumers and enterprises. “At One GlobalTM, we’re always looking for ways to improve our comprehensive digital banking services. The introduction of C2P on Og MoneyTM in Kuwait presents an excellent chance to simplify the online checkout process for our clients. We are well-positioned to address rapidly changing customer needs with Mastercard as our partner because they are a worldwide payments technology expert, said Mohammed Al Rashidi, founder and executive chairman of One worldwide. Source- Travel daily  

View the most recent sights in New Zealand! Through Kristin Mariano the 4th of August 2023 TD Editor Share Travellers will be enthralled by the abundance of novel and captivating experiences that New Zealand has to offer. Experience the rush at New Zealand’s highest rooftop bar, which offers stunning views, or luxuriate in a one-of-a-kind stay at the cutting-edge PurePod, which offers a wilderness retreat. Enjoy the exhilarating Queenstown night ski parties that combine adventure and celebration, or book a room in a boot made for giants; the options are unlimited Here is a collection of recent offerings you should check out:       1.PMU PurePod Pmu PurePod in Rotorua is the most recent addition to the PurePod line. This stunning house, which is mostly made of glass, is situated in the middle of a green field, giving it a fantastic place to observe the dawn, sunset, and the night sky. The distance to the city centre is only ten minutes by car. launched in July 2023. Wai Ariki Spa and Hot Springs The largest spa and wellness centre in the Southern Hemisphere, Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, opened its doors in late June and is situated lakeside in the heart of Rotorua. This is a five star, deluxe experience. Wai Ariki is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation offering a distinctive blend of ancient Mori healing practises and contemporary wellness experiences. It is owned by Mori (Ngati Whakaue) and managed by Belgravia Leisure. The medicinal mineral-rich hot springs, which are well-known for their restorative and healing qualities, are open to visitors. Mataroa Eco-Tours, third A recently established, locally owned and run Mori Trust business, Mataroa Eco-Tours, is located in the Mataroa forest in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Any lover of environment and wildlife must visit this off-grid eco-centre in the Puhikk reserve, which provides eco-tours and Kiwi bird sightings. Learn about the many plant and animal species and their significance to the forest ecosystem and Mori way of life while enjoying delicious kai (food) in a beautiful natural setting. Source- Travel daily

High-speed trains might potentially replace domestic flights on shorter, up to 500 km, routes, according to research done by Mabrian Technologies, a business that specialises in travel intelligence. The study examines the reductions in CO2 emissions that would occur if numerous European nations adopted the law, which has already begun to be implemented in France. There are 554 such routes in Europe, which will carry around 44 million passengers and generate about 2.3 million tonnes of CO2 this year, according to the analysis, which has examined the whole air schedule for 2023 on domestic routes with ground distances of less than 500km. Using high-speed trains could minimise this environmental impact by an average of 48% due to their superior emissions efficiency. As a result, more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 would be saved in just one year, which is the same as running more than 200,000 cars nonstop for a full year. Following the methods outlined in the EcoPassenger report, Mabrian has examined the type of electrical energy and its sources used to power the train infrastructure in each European nation in order to compare emissions. Using clean and green technologies, this lays out an ambitious transition towards sustainable mobility. In terms of these policies, certain nations stand out more than others. Germany, for instance, has made investments to upgrade its rail network and embrace cleaner technology that promote train travel as a more environmentally friendly option than flying, hence lowering carbon emissions. Sweden has been a leader in the use of renewable energy for rail travel, including hydropower and wind power. The analysis identifies five European nations that, in the event that this transformation occurred, would save the most CO2. Spain tops the list, with a potential annual CO2 savings of 360,000 tonnes if these routes were replaced by high-speed trains. Germany comes in second with a potential annual CO2 savings of 238,000 tonnes, followed by France with 193,000 tonnes, Italy with 189,000 tonnes, and Sweden with 159,000 tonnes. In contrast, Sweden, Austria, and France have the most potential CO2 reductions from the switch to rail, accounting for 97.13%, 92.79%, and 89.73%, respectively, of the annual total CO2 produced by aviation. In fact, France was the first nation to use this safeguard on short-haul flights departing from Orly. Mabrian claims that the potential savings would be substantially higher if all air routes of 500km or fewer joining different countries in Europe were also taken into account, despite the fact that all of this analysis has solely focused on domestic air routes inside each country. The study also emphasises the value of examining a number of factors that are not totally supportive of this transition. Not all nations may have the financial means to develop the expensive train infrastructure necessary to cover every one of these routes. It would also be necessary to take into account the long-term profitability and the potential of these new infrastructures to accommodate a sizable demand. The marketing director of Mabrian, Carlos Cendra, says: “While this study may sound idealistic or impossible to accomplish, at Mabrian we believe in proving the effectiveness of choices through statistics. We have calculated the possible savings from moving in that way using this analysis. The backdrop and the challenges presented by this transformation, however, point to a middle ground where the train takes the stage while still meeting some demand through aeroplanes. Source- Travel daily

SITA is updating the 400 self-service kiosks now operated by the Air France-KLM Group in Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, and other European major airports to include new passenger features including contactless and smartphone payments. In order to digitise the passenger experience, Air France-KLM’s self-service offering would be nothing without its kiosks. The great majority of travellers rely on these touchpoints to plan their journey and hasten the check-in procedure. The SITA Flex platform, which enables seamless connectivity with mobile devices, is built into the new SITA kiosks, which will provide improved payment options. Air France-KLM can adapt the kiosk to its particular customer needs without adding complexity or expense by using SITA’s standard TS6 kiosks. The airline group can replace and modify individual components thanks to the TS6 modular design, assuring the durability of the kiosks and making it simpler for Air France-KLM to add new capabilities, like biometrics, in the future. The new kiosks also feature SITA Common Use Payment Service, which accepts supplementary fees via contactless cards, cellphones, and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compatible chip and pin terminals. In accordance with Payment Card Industry standards, this permits compliance with the EU PSD2 SCA law and the provision of end-to-end encryption of payment data. This enables airports and airlines to lessen their PCI obligations while providing more payment options to customers. “Today, our check-in kiosks across our hubs in Charles de Gaulle and Schiphol airports are a crucial part of our self-service offering to our passengers,” said Pierre-Olivier Bandet, EVP Information Systems at Air France-KLM. We require a fleet of dependable, always accessible, and user-friendly kiosks to deliver this. SITA has met all three objectives. “With a continued increase in passenger volumes, digitalizing the passenger journey with new self-service options will be essential,” said Sergio Colella, president of SITA for Europe. Passengers will have more control over their journey and the movement of people through the airport will be streamlined as a result. I’m glad we were able to provide Air France-KLM with a scalable solution to fulfil their passenger demand. Source- Travel daily

Over the next 12 months, consumers will spend 28% more on travel, according to Outpayce According to Outpayce, a fully owned Amadeus subsidiary, the consumer demand for travel is anticipated to continue strong over the next twelve months despite ongoing economic uncertainty. This is according to the second edition of the “Consumer travel spend priorities” report. Consumers once more ranked “international travel” as their top priority for discretionary spending out of a total of six categories. All spending categories saw a slight increase from the research from the previous year, suggesting a shaky improvement in consumer confidence overall. However, the highest percentage gain was seen in the proportion of respondents who rated travel as a “high priority” for the upcoming year, which grew to 47%, up 12% from the previous year. Travellers anticipate spending an average of $3,422 on international travel in the upcoming year, a major rise of $753 per consumer or 28% from the previous year. Source- Travel daily