Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The Oaga Art Resort in the Maldives has appointed ISA Tourism as its representative in India. Consequently, ISA Tourism will be in charge of marketing, sales, and PR services. The recently established Oaga Art Resort is only 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. A modern, indigenous brand driven by a Maldivian team to curate an experience that elevates the collective narrative of the Maldives islands and provides a platform for local artists and artisans. The Oaga Art Resort offers an eclectic mix of activities and vivid impressions for inquisitive travellers, with something for everyone just around the corner – all inspired by the finest of Maldivian history, art, culture, and heritage. At Oaga, one can discover what the authentic Maldives have to offer while creating their own narrative, on the island where the magic of tales comes to life in a stunning manner. Manas Sinha, director of ISA Tourism, commented on the appointment by stating, “This alliance is comprised of ‘like-minded’ and’shared-vision’ parties. Oaga Art Resort, a genuinely Maldivian resort, has partnered with a genuinely Indian company in order to increase the business from Indian stakeholders and the number of Indian visitors to this magnificently designed, occurring, and of course the best All-Inclusive stay plan in the Maldives. The resort has the largest art collection in the Maldives and the largest mural pool in the world, which is connected to the private pools of a collection of villas by a languid river. The best excursions, F&B options, activities, mini-bar, and in-villa dining are a few of the enticing inclusions for each guest. The resort will have overwater pool villas with thrilling slides that lead directly into the pristine lagoon in the Indian Ocean by autumn. Oaga Art Resort elevates the bar as the best All-Inclusive resort option for Indian operators and Indian guests with its introduction to the Indian market. Source: travelbizmonitor

As part of the people-to-people initiative, U.S. authorities have announced the introduction of ‘in-country’ renewable H-1B visas. This initiative aims to simplify the H-1B visa renewal process for Indian professionals who are presently working in the United States on an H-1B visa. This development eliminates the need for Indian professionals to travel abroad to renew their work visas. The US visa office made the announcement just before Thursday’s crucial bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, DC. H-1B visas, also known as work visas, are essential for technology companies that annually acquire tens of thousands of employees from countries such as India. The validity period for these visas is three years. When H-1B visa holders renew their visas, their passports must be inscribed with the new expiration dates. This certificate is required if they intend to travel outside the United States and reenter the country. It is essential to note, however, that H-1B visa re-stamping is not permitted within the United States and must be done at a consulate. Source: travelbizmonitor

Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) has announced that, beginning 18 July 2023, Ho Chi Minh City will become its sixth destination. This new route will operate twice per week between Hong Kong and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chin Minh metropolis, also known as Saigon, is a thriving metropolis in Vietnam with a variety of natural wonders, historical sites, and delectable cuisines. Vietnam has become one of Hong Kong’s most popular vacation destinations since all COVID restrictions were lifted and it was reopened to international tourism. Source: traveldailymedia

IATO and FAITH Office Bearers who attended the G20 – 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa met Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH; Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO & Secretary General, FAITH; Ravi Gosain, Vice President, IATO; Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, ICPB; Aashish Gupta, Consulting-CEO, FAITH met Pololikashvili informally and had an introduction and general discussion with him. From 18 to 21 June 2023, the Taj Resort & Convention Centre in Goa will host the G-20 Tourism Working Group’s fourth meeting. Source: travelbizmonitor

as Island Abu Dhabi is lighting up the internet with a contagious and foot-tapping remix of “AlHamdulillah w Chefnakom” by Miami Band! This catchy rendition has taken over social media, with over 75 million views and thousands of compliments, likes, shares, and remarks across TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The playful and lighthearted video not only gets you moving, but it also highlights the countless marvels of this bustling location.Yas Island Abu Dhabi has everything, from thrilling award-winning theme parks to opulent hotels, premier dining experiences, and unbeatable retail destinations. Viewers can witness ‘AlHamdullah w Chefnakom’ on the destination’s TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram social media pages. Source: traveldailymedia

Thai Vietjet and Centara Hotels & Resorts have joined forces to initiate a marketing partnership that will provide special perks to Thai Vietjet’s passengers and Centara’s guests throughout the year. In accordance with the new marketing partnership, Thai Vietjet passengers will receive a 19% discount on Flexible and The Place To Be room rates when logging in as a CentaraThe1 member and booking through Centara’s website at www.centarahotelsresorts.com/vj at participating Centara hotels & resorts in Thailand, UAE, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, the Maldives, Japan, and Vietnam. In addition, CentaraThe1 members will receive a 20% discount code Centara also offers Thai Vietjet’s passengers additional special perks when staying at Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne (Vietnam), including a complimentary hotel upgrade to the next higher category (subject to room availability upon check-in) and a 10% discount applied for spa treatments during their stays (for advance reservation) when presenting Vietjet’s boarding pass upon check-in. Thai Vietjet and Centara surprised passengers on Thai Vietjet flight VZ110 from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai on June 6, 2023, with a lucky draw for a special prize of a complimentary voucher from Centara for two nights stay at Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne, and two round-trip complimentary tickets from Thai Vietjet, in the presence of Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Director of Commercial of Thai Vietjet and Pini “Thai Vietjet is pleased to announce its partnership with Centara Hotels & Resorts.” This is our second campaign with Centara, after launching the first one last year to overwhelmingly positive market response. This co-promotion between Thai Vietjet and Centara will not only provide special benefits to our customers, but will also play a significant role in stimulating the travel industry in the post-pandemic era, according to Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Director of Commercial at Thai Vietjet. Source: traveldailymedia

In July of last year, the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa opened as a one-stop luxurious destination for experiencing the magical Maldives and vacationing in paradise. Each of the 109 expansive beach and overwater villas features a private pool and enticing views of the surrounding turquoise lagoon. Six restaurants and lounges are available to guests, where they can dine on succulent seafood, beachside barbecue, refreshing refreshments by the pool, and live entertainment and cocktails at night. Spend your days snorkeling in the private lagoon and relaxing at the leisure. Additionally, one can unwind and recharge at the art centre, yoga pavilion, and photo studio. The property is hosting a fun giveaway contest in celebration of its first #AmingiriBirthdayParty if all of this sounds thrilling to you. One recipient and one guest will have the opportunity to stay in the one-bedroom beach pool villa for three nights, including breakfast and shared premium speedboat transfers to and from the airport. While entries for the contest can be submitted until 25th June 2023, the recipient will be announced on the property’s social media account, @HiltonMaldives, on the 1st of July 2023. Source: traveldailymedia

Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Government have announced a $2 million plus investment in the next phase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feasibility studies in Aotearoa. The announcement was made today at the launch of the draught Tourism Environment Action Plan, which was hosted by Air New Zealand and attended by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Peeni Henare. SAF is fuel produced from waste feedstocks, such as forestry residues, municipal waste, and used cooking oils, and can be ‘dropped in’ to existing aircraft refuelling systems without modification. SAF is produced with inputs and processes that result in substantially lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than fossil jet fuel. This new investment follows a one-year RFP process that invited innovators to demonstrate the viability of operating a commercial-scale SAF facility in New Zealand. Along with government officials, the airline evaluated proposals from numerous international SAF manufacturers in order to determine what technologies are available internationally and how they could be adapted to the New Zealand environment.In phase two, the working group is advancing two proposals: one with US-based LanzaJet and the other with Fulcrum BioEnergy. In the next phase, the technical, economic, supply chain, and environmental viability of establishing and operating a SAF production facility in New Zealand will be evaluated further. Air New Zealand’s chief sustainability officer, Kiri Hannifin, expresses gratitude for the government’s assistance in advancing the feasibility of SAF production in New Zealand. “Our climate is deteriorating much more rapidly than anticipated. We must all take immediate and drastic action to protect what we cherish, including our land and all of its inhabitants. “So much of what we depend on in Aotearoa, including tourism and agricultural production, is dependent on our magnificent natural assets. Air New Zealand plays a significant role in transitioning our economy to a future with reduced carbon emissions, and flying with SAF is a crucial component of this transition. “Globally, SAF is in high demand but supply is limited. “Producing SAF commercially in New Zealand would not only help reduce the country’s emissions while creating jobs, regional economic development, and Mori and Iwi investment opportunities, but it would also provide energy security and independence, which New Zealand currently lacks.” The second phase of SAF feasibility work will continue until the beginning of 2024. Source: traveldailymedia

VRetreats is enriched with five new hotels in iconic and strategic locations in Italy: a result that underscores the development of the collection, which has always been dedicated to art, history, and culture aficionados and aimed at redefining the concept of luxury, no longer as an end in itself, but as a means to access the beauty of our country. Founded in 2021 with only three properties, VRetreats now consists of nine delightful hotels and historic residences with a distinct personality: the collection is geared towards luxury travellers who are passionate about Italian art and culture. The path of development has been consistent and gradual, always focused on the search for unique addresses of great artistic value: VRetreats exalt these aspects, enhancing the nature of the original buildings, characterised by a significant past and embellished by cloisters, internal gardens, and terraces seamlessly connected to the external environment and where guests can reconnect with themselves and the place. The strong vision of VRetreats has enabled the collection to position itself among the most promising Italian hôtellerie establishments: the chain closed 2022 with a revenue of over 33 million euros, and 2023 projections call for a revenue of over 57 million euros and an EBITDA of over 20 million euros, thanks in part to new entries. “We are extremely pleased with the results,” says Gabriele Burgio, President and CEO of Alpitour World, of which VRetreats is a component. “It is an excellent illustration of clear vision and the development of strategic assets for business and tourism in our country. The newly acquired properties are all operational with the exception of the Cervino, which will open in the autumn. In 2024, we anticipate the brand to make additional strides in terms of revenue, EBITDA, and infrastructure.” The new VRetreats hotels play a vital role in the positioning of the brand, as they are situated in key tourist circuit locations, including Siracusa, Lecce, Olbia, Cervinia, and Florence. V RETREATS’ NEW HOTELS The historic Hotel Roma is located on Ortigia, an island off the coast of Sicily. A masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque, it is housed in an ancient palace from the late 19th century that was constructed from the same limestone as the Greek temples, has internal courtyards and a suspended garden, is adjacent to the cathedral, and is located in the heart of Siracusa. To restore the building’s dignity and allure, a plan to renovate the common areas and chambers is currently being studied. Palazzo Sant’Anna is located in the heart of Lecce, a city renowned for its Baroque influence, extraordinarily beautiful architecture and the sea of Salento, enters the collection. It was conceived as a small, diffused hotel with courtyards, gardens, and panoramic terraces, and its three original buildings, two from the 18th century and one from the 14th, have been extensively rehabilitated. The structure and Lecce stone of the old convent have been preserved, but contemporary aesthetics, antique furniture, and design objects have been added, along with bioenergy techniques to enhance performance and create a healthy, comfortable environment. Source: traveldailymedia