Starfish Travel Corporation Team

In 2030 Hurtigruten Norway plans to debut its first zero-emission cruise ship in 2030, with the goal of eventually making the entire fleet emission-free. The new Sea Zero ship, which will carry 500 passengers, will be electric and run on 60 megawatt batteries that are refilled with renewable energy while the ship is docked. The 135-meter-long yacht will also have 164-foot retractable sails with solar panels, numerous retractable thrusters, contra-rotating propellers, and a manoeuvring system powered by artificial intelligence. The new AI manoeuvring system will enable Hurtigruten Norway to significantly reduce the size of the ship’s navigation bridge. Insights gained from the data it generates will also help to improve docking practises. In the meanwhile, the ship’s streamlined form will increase passenger comfort by lowering air resistance and energy use. Onboard, there will be 270 public staterooms with big windows and lots of outdoor area. Using an interactive smartphone app, passengers can regulate the ventilation in their cabins and monitor their energy and water usage while on the ship. When we first launched the Sea Zero initiative more than a year ago, we faced the issue of not knowing which technologies will be accessible to us in 2030, said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway. Our goal was to improve existing technologies while paving the way for new ones that would further our environmental objectives. Even though some of these technologies are quite advanced, they need careful research and development in order to be used in a maritime environment. “However, some technologies are still in their infancy and need thorough testing and fundamental research.” We determined the most promising technology for our cutting-edge future cruise ships after conducting a detailed feasibility analysis. We plan to offer a ship that is superior to all others in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability within a few years. Additionally, Hurtigruten Norway is beginning “one of the most extensive environmental upgrades in European maritime history,” according to the firm. Two of its current vessels have been converted to battery hybrid power, and a third will receive an upgrade this autumn. In order to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 25% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, it is also equipping five boats with varied technology. Source- Travel daily

In 2024, Oceania Cruises will introduce 94 brand-new cruises with a Mediterranean theme. On the company’s 7- to 59-night itineraries in this incredibly rich and diverse region, there will also be a wide range of exciting shore activities accessible in various ports. In 2024, Oceania Cruises will begin offering trips with a Mediterranean focus, allowing travellers an unrivalled chance to explore and take in the region’s many landmarks in an entirely new way. These cruises with a Mediterranean theme will stop in famous and lesser-known cultural centres in and near Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, and London (yes, we know that London isn’t in the Mediterranean). There are classes available in history, architecture, gastronomy, and other topics. Oceania Cruises CEO Frank A. Del Rio remarked, “We are delighted to offer such a wide variety of destination-intensive Mediterranean itineraries, allowing our well-traveled and curious guests to look at beloved Mediterranean destinations through a different lens.” For small parties on these trips, the business will also provide hundreds of immersive shore activities. Del Rio continued, “Our carefully chosen variety of shore activities, along with the comfortable home-away-from-home atmosphere on board our boutique ships, gives the ideal luxury vacation option. Travellers will be able to board ships including Marina, Riviera, the 67,817-gross-ton Vista, which is the cruise line’s newest vessel, as well as the smaller and older 30,277-ton Sirena, which was finished in 1999 at the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The fascinating history, legendary civilizations, delectable cuisine, and enduring traditions of the Mediterranean region are intended to be fully experienced by tourists on these excursions with a Mediterranean theme. On their ‘Mediterranean Sojourns’, Oceania Cruises will offer a variety of speciality excursions catered to a variety of interests and tastes. Foodies should find “Food & Wine Trails” and “Culinary Discovery” excursions to be the best ways to fully experience Mediterranean cooking customs. With cooking demonstrations, instruction, and excursions to nearby farms and vineyards, the regional cuisine and wine will be the main topics of these small-group vacations. If you have a passion for architecture, the “Beyond Blueprints” trips will increase your appreciation of famous buildings from across the world by giving you exclusive access and insider knowledge. The “Go Green” excursions, which aim to show how nearby towns and businesses contribute to conservation and use innovative green practises, are ideal for anyone who care about the environment. Valencia, the paella capital of Spain, Ephesus, Turkey, Syracuse, Sicily, and the city walls of Kotor, Montenegro, home to the neo-classical Museum of King Nikola are just a few of the locations on the itinerary. The “Seafarer’s Inspiration,” a 59-day Grand Voyage onboard the Sirena from Miami to Rome with overnight stays at Seville and Bordeaux, will launch Oceania Cruises’ 2024 Mediterranean Itineraries on March 27, 2024. The Grand Voyage will make several stops in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Mediterranean, including (but not limited to) Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Edinburgh, Palma de Mallorca, Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo, and many others. There will also be other trips during the season, such as the 10-day “Ionian and Adriatic Seas” sailing from Valletta to Venice on board Vista on April 21, 2024, and the 30-day “Mediterranean & Beyond” sailing from Athens to Barcelona on September 3, 2024. The 17-day “Timeless Turkey & Greece” cruise on The Riviera came to an end in October 2022. Additionally, beginning on July 1, 2023, Oceania Cruises will offer upgraded amenities through the More programme, including free roundtrip air travel, free airport transfers, and a credit of up to $1,600 for shore excursions for new bookings made for voyages departing on or after October 1, 2023. With this wonderful price, eager cruise travellers may find these amazing journeys even more affordable, giving them an unrivalled chance to see the Mediterranean like never before. Source- Travel daily

GlobalData, a data and analytics company, reports that 365 deals—including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture financing deals—were announced in the travel and tourism sector globally during the first half (H1) of 2023, a decline of 38.8% from the 596 deals announced during the same period in the previous year. All the deal categories covered by GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database experienced a fall in deal activity, according to a review of the database. When comparing H1 2023 to H1 2022, the number of merger and acquisition (M&A), private equity, and venture finance agreements decreased by 41.6%, 33.3%, and 30.4%, respectively. According to Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, “the travel and tourism sector is seeing distressed transaction activity in several worldwide markets. Rising interest rates, the impending threat of a recession, and the current geopolitical tensions are just a few of the variables influencing deal activity. The region of Europe accounted for the largest portion of the transactions announced internationally in the travel and tourism industry, followed by Asia-Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa, South and Central America, and then North America. While deal volume declined 46% YoY in Europe, it declined by 19%, 47.6%, 20%, and 23.1%, respectively, in the Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle East, and Africa, South, and Central America areas during H1 2023 compared to H1 2022. In comparison to H1 2022, several important markets saw a downturn in deal activity connected to the travel and tourist sector in the first half of 2023. For instance, during H1 2023 compared to H1 2022, deal volume decreased in the US, UK, India, Australia, France, South Korea, Japan, and Spain, respectively, by 47.7%, 44.8%, 21.4%, 21.1%, 33.3%, 20%, 62.1%, and 69.2%. The announcement of deals for the travel and tourist sector increased by 18.2% in China during H1 2023 compared to H1 2022, becoming a major outlier to the downward trend. Source- Travel biz

For travellers who want to take quick excursions within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations from Al Maktoum International Airport, Emirates has introduced an on-demand regional charter service. For its charter flights, the airline will fly its Phenom 100 aircraft, which has a four-passenger capacity. Customers can use the service to travel to a variety of GCC locations both inside and outside of Emirates’ network, with short turnarounds to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. A small carry-on bag and a medium bag up to 15 kg each are allowed for each traveller to check in. According to Sakina Fatima for The Siasat Daily, refreshments are offered, and travellers or reservation staff can accommodate special requirements. According to a statement from Emirates, the services provide discerning passengers with busy schedules with privacy, a high degree of flexibility, and a hassle-free ground experience. Private chartered aircraft are increasingly used by business travellers and those who prefer convenience and speed. To go to Al Maktoum International Airport, passengers from Dubai utilising Emirates services will be able to take chauffeur-driven cars. In addition, visitors will be treated like VIPs upon arrival, with a dedicated agent assisting them in minimising pre-flight wait periods. Passengers will also profit from quicker VIP customs clearance, immigration, and on-the-ground escort arrivals, which are offered by the terminal’s own service partners. Source- Travel biz

Some consider breakfast to be the most significant meal of the day, while others frequently skip it. The same conundrum arises with every new hotel reservation: Should I include something or not? In order to rank customer preferences for 10 Asian markets, Agoda looked at the data. According to Agoda’s insights, visitors from Taiwan were the country’s most frequent breakfast-bookers over the previous two months. The majority (46%) of Taiwanese visitors choose breakfast included, closely followed by Vietnamese (43%), and Indian visitors (42%). On the other end of the breakfast requirement popularity spectrum, we find South Korea (29%), Japan (27%), and Malaysia (23%), which are ranked 8, 9, and 10 respectively. Agoda discovered that travellers on international trips are more inclined to choose some comfort and peace of mind when compared to those travelling domestically. Compared to 31% of travellers who choose to stay within national borders, 37% of international travellers choose the “breakfast included” option on Agoda. “There are lots of factors at play to determine the popularity of including breakfast when booking your accommodation” said Enric Casals, Regional Associate Vice President Southeast Asia at Agoda. “It’s often the flexibility to decide last-minute depending on your plans during the trip, but it’s well worth noting that if you do plan to start the day with a meal, it’s often most economical to include it during the booking. And anyone who achieves VIP Platinum level on Agoda is automatically eligible to receive free breakfast at various lodgings. The desire to travel will then be the only appetite remaining. According to Agoda data on specific locations, breakfast is more frequently chosen for travel to Vietnam, followed by Taiwan (#2) and the Philippines (#3). There appears to be less appetite for the breakfast buffets in Japan (#7), Malaysia (#8), and Singapore (#9), but it is least popular in South Korea (#10), where only 1 in 10 travelers include the morning meal in their hotel reservations. For those who don’t want to miss out on breakfast, there is a ‘Breakfast included’ filter on Agoda.com and in the Agoda app, to quickly find the best deals that will not only provide a good night’s sleep, but also the best way to wake up. Source- Travel daily  

Due to the announcement of numerous strikes taking place across Europe that will affect air travel in the next weeks, customers may expect their travel plans to be delayed as the summer vacation draws near. The greatest organisation in the world defending the rights of air travellers, AirHelp, offers advice on what to do while confronting strikes called by various parties. Many employees at airlines and airports, including air traffic controllers, are on strike due to chronic manpower shortages, long hours, and unfavourable working conditions. One in three flights across Europe are expected to be impacted by these strikes, which started on June 30. Air Europa in Spain announced its third recent strike. Over 60 flights were impacted by the first strike, while 115 more were impacted by the second strike. There have already been cancelled more than 15 flights, and there will likely be more. In addition, the strike in Spain, which has been going on since last February, has been joined by Air Nostrum and Iberia Regional. Data from AirHelp shows that more than 25 flights have already been impacted, with 8 of them being cancelled. Local ground personnel have also announced a strike, which is scheduled to happen in July and August and will affect travellers heading to Portugal or Italy. When airline employees go on strike, passengers have the right to sue for financial compensation for aircraft delays or cancellations. However, when airport employees go on strike, travellers cannot make a claim for compensation. All passengers must be provided with an alternate flight, which they can decline if they do not want to continue their travel, regardless of the cause of the strike. Passengers under these circumstances have the option of requesting a complete ticket refund. Additionally, customers can ask the airline to pay for any additional expenses they incurred during the delay as a result of the flight disruption (such as meals, lodging, or lost luggage charges). How can AirHelp assist travellers? For the past ten years, AirHelp has fought for travellers who become vulnerable as a result of flight delays or cancellations. Over 1.5 million people have already won compensation for their cases during this time. Although many passengers are now aware of their rights, AirHelp has updated its Passenger Rights Guide with the most recent industry guidelines. AirPayout, an insurance service added to AirHelp Plus, was also introduced by AirHelp. Regardless of the cause of the disturbance, this insurance allows travellers to obtain an immediate €100 reimbursement for aircraft delays or cancellations. This implies that any delays brought on by bad weather, unexpected medical situations, or airport employee strikes—disturbances that, in accordance with EU Regulation 261, may relieve the airline of its compensation obligations—will also be covered and compensated. Source- Travel daily

The T2 section of the passenger terminal at Moscow Domodedovo Airport, which increased the air harbor’s size to over 500 000 m2, has been operational and has already handled the first foreign flights. The airport can accommodate more than 60 million passengers annually. “The launch of T2 is a landmark occasion in the history of domestic civil aviation as well as Domodedovo Airport! I wish to express my gratitude to everyone who helped carry out this significant endeavour. I would really like to thank the airlines and the travellers. Because of their decision, they motivated us to design and carry out this special project, according to Andrey Pavlov, director of Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Over 42 billion rubles in investments were made for the building of T2. The new service sector is for foreign carriers. T2 has seven stories and a 240 000 m2 total space. A check-in facility, consisting of three islands with 28 sections each and four reception desks for big bags, is located on the ground floor. Border and customs control checkpoints are located on the second floor. In the sterile zone, there are 22 boarding gates, 16 of which have modern teletraps. Automatic turnstiles at the exits enable passengers to bypass the boarding check on their own. A single terminal enables the most effective use of the airport complex’s transfer capability, and the project is carried out within the parameters of the architectural concept UNDER ONE ROOF. The Domodedovo Airport, which was built with glass on a polygonal structure, is the largest thing in Russia. This is a useful, practical solution that improves energy efficiency in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. Millions of travellers are familiar with the appearance of the air harbour, which was enhanced by the atrium, a new iconic architectural feature. A glass dome covers this circular area of the gallery, which is surrounded by duty-free stores, business centres, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Through the implementation of a multi-level service system, technological solutions in T2 are intended to minimise the reduction of passenger service time. The entrances and exits for these groups of passengers and guests are situated at various levels of the terminal building, preventing the intersection of passenger flows—arriving and departing travellers. A two-level car flyover was implemented simultaneously with the opening of the new segment. Source- Travel daily

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the body in charge of AlUla’s comprehensive regeneration, and the Italian conservation institute Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” (CCR) have joined forces to advance knowledge in the restoration and conservation of northwest Saudi Arabia’s incredible cultural heritage. Twelve young Saudi professionals and recent university graduates have travelled from AlUla to Italy for a knowledge exchange course as part of the collaboration. They were chosen by RCU. The group, which consists of 6 women and 6 men, will take part in workshops in AlUla and Venaria, both in northern Italy, close to Turin. CCR will offer best practises regarding the use of an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation science in the multi-modal course. Six graduates in chemistry and biology, along with six conservation officers from various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will participate in a series of integrated, intensely interactive modules between July 2023 and February 2024. These modules will cover planning, managing, and conserving archaeological sites, among other practical topics. “Partnering with RCU is a unique opportunity to explore the characteristics of our different cultural, social, and organisational contexts,” stated Sara Abram, secretary general of CCR. Through its personnel and the participation of instructors from some of the top Italian universities and conservation institutes, the CCR contributes its technical, scientific, and humanistic knowledge to this project. The curriculum, which aims to increase awareness of artefacts and their historical context, mirrors the methodical approach to conservation used by CCR. The training begins with basic observations, focuses on data collection and processing, moves on to technique analysis and assessment, and concludes with the definition of the most appropriate conservation measures on an individual basis. The program’s two main goals are to increase technical and scientific knowledge of various works of art and their materials that relate to archaeological contexts and to raise awareness of the values of cultural heritage, which is regarded as tangible and intangible proof of history and societies. It was created in collaboration with conservation experts, including conservators, conservation scientists, and historians. To sustain international best practises, the 12-person Saudi team will be given a fundamental understanding of material conservation techniques, procedures, and regulations. The next generation of professionals from KSA will be equipped with the information and abilities necessary to pursue a career in conservation sciences through theoretical and hands-on workshops in heritage conservation and preservation, thereby assisting the sector’s long-term growth objectives. The participants will experience the great Italian tradition of conservation while they are in Venaria, as well as the Italian way of life, through awareness workshops and cultural exchange, exploration of Turin and its UNESCO-listed Royal Palace “Reggia di Venaria,” and interactions with University of Turin students. The partnership between CCR and RCU is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding that His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan AlSaud, Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Minister of Culture of Italy, Gennaro Sangiuliano, signed in Venice in May. The agreement aims to increase cooperation in the fields of archaeology, conservation, restoration, and protection of cultural heritage, the film industry, and literature. “Our partnership with CCR aligns with our ambitions to place our community at the centre of RCU’s conservation and sustainable regeneration efforts,” said Dr. Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, Executive Director of Archaeology, Collections, and Conservation at the Royal Commission for AlUla. With the information and fundamental skills they need to successfully pursue a career in conservation research through this introductory programme, we will help the next generation of conservation specialists advance our long-term goals. AlUla, 1,100 kilometres from Riyadh, is home to a remarkable natural and cultural legacy. A verdant oasis valley, soaring sandstone mountains, and historic cultural heritage monuments that date back thousands of years may all be found in the huge 22,561km2 area. Source- Travel daily

Leaders in the field of air traffic management (ATM) convened in Bali, Indonesia this week for the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference, which was organised by AirNav Indonesia. From July 11–13, the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference will provide a forum for cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange in ATM for the Asia Pacific area. Industry executives gather at the occasion to talk about recent developments and problems in the area. With titles like “Riding the Digitalization Megatrend to Level Up,” “Fostering Culture and Talent Development for Innovation,” and “Becoming the Architects of Regional ATM for our Best Interest,” the schedule features engaging panel discussions on important subjects. “The CANSO Asia Pacific Conference is especially beneficial for the growth of the aviation industry in the country as well as for the delivery of air navigation services by AirNav Indonesia.” proclaimed Polana Pramesti, CEO of AirNav Indonesia.  This conference will cover a wide range of exciting topics, including the use of digital technology for air navigation services and the development of talent to innovate in the aviation navigation industry. Poh Theen Soh, Regional Director for CANSO APAC, stated that this year’s conference “examines how ATM in the Asia Pacific can be made greater than the sum of its parts under a regional ATM framework.” “We appreciate AirNav Indonesia hosting us, and we are looking forward to a few days of contributions and insights that will help the aviation industry grow and develop in our area and beyond.” Source- Travel daily

The names of the lucky winners from the most recent quarter of the Global Partner Booking Rewards Programme were revealed by Atlantis Resorts. The ongoing exclusive initiative is intended to express gratitude to the resort’s dependable partners for their continuous devotion in making Atlantis their top resort choice. The steps are straightforward, and there are many benefits! From the more than 300 registrations received through this project, the winners were Kapil Narang, Infruit Travels (Gurgaon), Saili Bhide, Bhramati Tourism (Mumbai), Sujata Mukharjee, SOTC (Delhi), Kanav Aggarwal, Karma Holidays (Ludhiana), and Amit Jain, North Ex Travels (Delhi). We’re thrilled to have received such a positive reaction from travel agencies, and we’d want to take this chance to congratulate all the winners.  The Global Partner Booking Rewards Programme is just one of the numerous ways we show our appreciation to the travel industry for their ongoing support and business in India, one of our top outbound markets. Since the incentives are even better in the upcoming quarter, we anticipate to see higher numbers from our travel partners, said Kyp Charalambous, vice president of sales at the Atlantis Dubai. All domestic travel agents are eligible to participate. By quickly registering on Atlantis’ dedicated Global Booking Rewards portal (atlantisresortsincentives.com), agents can activate an account and start documenting each online booking they make on the Atlantis Rewards Portal. After that, participants may relax as they watch their credit increase as they accumulate points for each reserved night’s stay. For the first time ever, the top three room-night bookers will receive a 2-night, 3-day stay at Atlantis, The Palm, while the remaining agents can use their retail online shopping coupons to buy anything they want. Source- Travel daily