Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The promotion will offer 50% cashback (up to 1,000 yen) on train, bus, and ferry fares when using JCB Contactless payment with JCB cards issued outside of Japan. This announcement is made by JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan’s only international payment brand. From June 15, 2023, through September 30, 2023, this promotion will be active. Through this programme, foreign JCB card holders traveling to Japan can save money and have a hassle-free trip utilizing JCB Contactless payment for things like the train from Kansai International Airport to Namba, the bus to Mount Kya, a World Heritage Site, and the boat to Tokushima. A first-of-its-kind programme in Japan is the cashback offer using JCB Contactless payment that is only available to international JCB cardholders. To take advantage of this benefit, JCB cardholders should to tap their JCB Contactless cards over the designated card reader at the train ticket gate or while entering or exiting (whether boarding or disembarking trains, buses, or ferries). As a Japanese company with a welcoming culture, JCB offers services that improve the travel experience for JCB cardholders. For helpful promotions and practical services in several languages, go to “JCB Global”, the official YouTube channel, and the JCB Special Offers website. Source: traveldailymedia

Jirawat has been a mainstay of the Thai cultural scene for nearly 20 years, and he effortlessly transitions between fine art, commercial photography, and fashion runways. Jirawat is a vital source of new ideas. He is a cultural outlaw who produces photos that highlight his personal sense of style and provide visual impact to fashion campaigns. By offering contemporary interpretations of well-known terms, he seeks to study and recreate the art of Thai typography and calligraphy in his “Thaipology” project. The Standard, Hua Hin is inviting visitors to stay, play, and sashay with a series of LGBTQ+-friendly Love Fest events beginning on June 2 with the unveiling of Jirawat Sriluansoi’s art installation titled “Your Own Pride,” which is a tribute to Thai fashion icon Jirawat Sriluansoi. The specially commissioned works of art celebrate diversity by utilising terms that were previously derogatory but are now accepted by the queer community.Jirawat has been a mainstay of the Thai cultural scene for nearly 20 years, and he effortlessly transitions between fine art, commercial photography, and fashion runways. Jirawat is a vital source of new ideas. He is a cultural outlaw who produces photos that highlight his personal sense of style and provide visual impact to fashion campaigns. By offering contemporary interpretations of well-known terms, he seeks to study and recreate the art of Thai typography and calligraphy in his “Thaipology” project. The month of June at The Standard, Hua Hin will be devoted to building a safe environment where the local queer community may assemble after the inaugural event on June 2. Bohemian Rhapsody will be shown on June 3 as part of the poolside movie night with free popcorn; on June 15, Not Your Standard Bingo – Pride Edition will be held in Praça from 6.30 to 7.30 pm; and on June 17, visitors are invited to Pride Talk with GIRLxGIRL, an online community that promotes connection and empowerment among women who love women, to celebrate LGBTQ+ diversity, explore body positivity, and gain new perspectives on identity in a secure environment. The presentation will be held in the Courtyard from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 24, Hyper-Pop Princess DJ Peachji will be playing some queer classics and Y2K bubblegum sounds poolside. Source: traveldailymedia

Zealous, the first digital networking app in the United Arab Emirates, is excited to announce a strategic alliance with Creative Zone, a top supplier of company setup services. By providing a cutting-edge platform for seamless connections, meaningful conversations, and enduring partnerships, they hope to revolutionise networking experiences in the UAE’s entrepreneurial community. Zealous was created with the specific intent of empowering goal-driven people in the tech industry by giving them the resources to locate, connect with, and stay connected at their preferred time and location. Zealous minimises the ambiguity, awkwardness, and hassle typically associated with traditional networking by utilising smart technology and human-centric design concepts. Zealous will offer Creative Zone-affiliated businesses and startups an exceptional and unrivalled networking experience thanks to the relationship with Creative Zone. By making tech networking deliberate, simple, and rewarding, the cooperation hopes to encourage and promote it. Members of the Creative Zone will have access to a wide range of services through the Zealous mobile application, enhancing their networking chances and enabling them to make the most of their time, build meaningful connections, and continue to participate long after events and programmes have ended. By receiving personalized connection ideas based on their location and preferred meeting times, members of Zealous can network and cultivate relationships while on the road. By automating administrative activities like monitoring referrals and organizing meetings, the app efficiently frees up time and improves the effectiveness and enjoyment of networking. The co-founder and CEO of Zealous, Maryam Ahmed Hassani, highlighted her excitement about the collaboration with Creative Zone, saying, “At Zealous, we’re on a mission to rethink networking such that it’s intentional, simple, and meaningful. Nowadays’ digital environment makes networking feel impersonal and daunting. Zealous is dedicated to bringing back the human touch by giving our members the freedom to interact, contribute, and succeed in their local tech communities whenever it’s convenient for them. We are excited to cooperate with Creative Zone since they share our aim for maximising tech networking. Source: traveldailymedia

In celebration of the nation’s National Day this year, the well-known music and entertainment extravaganza AZIMUTH is scheduled to make a triumphant comeback to the gorgeous oasis city of AlUla in Saudi Arabia. The third iteration of the musical festival, which is eagerly anticipated, will take place in AlUla, a city renowned for its remarkable fusion of natural and cultural heritage, on September 21 and 22. In due course, the full programme for this two-day extravaganza—featuring a combination of international superstars and outstanding local talent—will be revealed. The third edition of AZIMUTH promises an extraordinary weekend to focus on Saudi National Day, and attendees can anticipate nothing less than an explosive environment, thrilling live performances, and awe-inspiring art installations. Building on its prior successes, AZIMUTH is still dedicated to supporting and developing the Saudi entertainment sector. The festival not only turns the picturesque desert into an immersive stage but also aims to promote up-and-coming Saudi musicians and strengthen the region’s thriving music sector. With breathtaking nightly performances by well-known international icons like Jason Derulo, DJ Snake, and Damian Lazarus, AZIMUTH enthralled spectators in 2022. In addition, the event featured well-known local artists including Vinyl Mode, Kayan, Dish Dash, and Solskin. These artists delivered an unparalleled combination of Eastern and Western melodies and inspirations through vivacious performances and breathtaking large-scale art works. A diverse spectrum of emotions will be evoked in attendance at AZIMUTH by the compelling variety of musical styles that will be played, from pounding techno to upbeat melodies and soothing tunes. This musical variety not only enhances the appeal of the event but also honours the wide range of cultures for which AlUla has long been known. It is evidence of the seamless blending of music, culture, and the alluring spirit of AlUla. Visitors to AZIMUTH will have the chance to discover the mesmerising sites in AlUla, including Hegra, Elephant Rock, the Old Town village of AlUla, as well as its thriving surrounding communities of AlJadidah Arts District and AlUla Oasis. A wide range of thrilling outdoor activities, including ziplining, rock climbing, dune buggy tours, enormous swings, mountain stairways, and more, will tempt thrill-seekers. The AZIMUTH music festival serves as the official relaunch of the AlUla Moments calendar, a series of flagship festivals and major events that will soon be announced for the remaining months of 2023 and 2024. Source: traveldailymedia

These initiatives, which are being overseen by the integrated Coastal Resources team of the Okaloosa County Tourism Development Department (TDD), are committed to preserving Northwest Florida’s natural splendour, safeguarding local species, and creating famous coastal tourism experiences. Please find additional details about the area’s Artificial Reef Programme, its yearly Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament, and its initiatives to enlighten the public about sea turtle protection through the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Centre below: A NEW HOME FOR SEA LIFE AND A DIVE DESTINATION The artificial reef programme in Destin-Fort Walton Beach is a part of a broader five-year effort to improve the local marine ecosystems and pique interest in nearby water sports. The artificial reefs, which can be anything from concrete pilings to specially designed modules and even substantial shipwrecks, provide habitat for more than 150 different fish and invertebrate species that are both recreationally and commercially significant. As a result, they make excellent locations for fishing, diving, and snorkelling. The artificial reef programme claims several ecological advantages, including the increase in the possibility that juvenile fish, who depend on reef structure for sections of their development, would survive. This is in addition to lowering adverse effects on naturally-occurring reefs by spreading out diving and fishing trips. It should come as no surprise that artificial reefs increase fish breeding potential, support the local fishing economy, and guard against overfishing. Each new reef is overseen from procurement to deployment by coastal resource manager Alex Fogg, who also manages a maritime contracting team that transports and meticulously cleans each vessel to prevent any negative environmental repercussions. Since 2019, around 1,500 concrete structures and 10 vessels have been installed at Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Recent vessel deployments include the R/V Manta (180′ x 38′ steel hulled research vessel), R/V Dolphin (192′ x 39.9′ steel hulled, bottom cable research vessel), and the RMS Cyclops (105′ x 24′ steel hulled, offshore supply vessel). These deployments were done in collaboration with Starborough Wines, Destin High School, Emerald Coast Reef Association, and Saltwater Restaurant Group. The RMS Atlantis and The Deep Stem are the next in line for this summer and the beginning of the autumn. Source: traveldailymedia

After years of reduced activity, international air travel has restarted, and people are eager to take to the skies once more. In 2024, there will be more than 4 billion travellers worldwide, reaching pre-COVID-19 levels. In Asia Pacific (APAC), travel is anticipated to quickly recover, with travel search volume rising by 50% year over year in Q4 2022. However, airports and airlines are now finding it difficult to keep up with the recovery after cutting employees owing to the protracted slowdown in travel demand. Since the summer of 2022, we have witnessed airports and airlines in Europe struggle to meet the rising demand, which has resulted in dissatisfied passengers and an increase in flight delays and cancellations. Flight cancellations and delays annoy travellers In Australia, during the fiscal year that ended in June 2022, the average on-time arrival rate for airlines was just 77%, while the average departure rate was 76%, and the annual cancellation rate was 8.3%. There is little doubt that flight cancellations and delays will increase the volume of insurance claims, which unintentionally causes longer wait times and low Net Promoter Scores (NPS), which have historically plagued the airline business. The average NPS for the aviation industry in 2020 was -1, which is 13 points lower than the average for all industries. The travel sector is still anticipated to be on track to recover to profitability in 2023 despite decreasing consumer satisfaction, as they continue to cut losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on their business in 2022. Travel companies may increase traveller confidence by providing embedded security Airlines are bearing the burden of irate and frustrated travellers as stories of flight delays, cancellations, and misplaced luggage scream for media attention. There are choices easily available, nevertheless, to assist passengers in controlling their travel hazards. Although trip protection is nothing new, more passengers are now looking for protection from their preferred travel companies to defend their interests. In the Embedded Insurance Travel Report, which Momentive.ai and Cover Genius commissioned, it is revealed that 45% of travellers worldwide prefer to purchase insurance directly from their travel agency, airline, or travel provider. The ability to offer clients “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) protection should encourage travel companies to act as intermediate agents and close any protection gaps that passengers may experience. Travellers can book their flights through CFAR with the assurance that they will get a full refund if they need to cancel for any reason, including illness, a disruption in public transport, or bad weather. Travel companies can use embedded protection to provide their customers with customised solutions that can address these issues in advance of better resourcing and operations anticipated for the rise in demand. Giving customers the proper protection at the moment of booking may help businesses create additional auxiliary income. The addition of a straightforward baggage protection or flight delay option for clients can ensure that travellers are immediately compensated should there be any baggage delay or disasters as airlines struggle with lost and delayed bags. You eliminate the cumbersome second step of looking for and buying third-party travel insurance after purchasing airfare by providing your consumers with incorporated protection during the booking process. Source: traveldailymedia

According to recent statistics from Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS), UK businesses who do not support and encourage low-carbon business travel run the risk of losing out on top applicants. Over half (53%) of respondents in a survey of UK business travellers said they would choose a company that promoted low-carbon travel over a rival that did not, underscoring the significance of taking sustainability into account when formulating business travel policy. The ability of their current employer to hire and keep employees in a tight labour market is another concern shared by nearly half (44%) of respondents. This reflects the fact that 91% of travellers now prioritise sustainability when making travel plans; for nearly three-quarters (72%), this interest has increased compared to pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, slightly more than half (51%) of respondents stated that their firm now either has a formal strategy to support lower-carbon forms of transportation or that assistance is minimal to nonexistent. Up to 62% of respondents admitted to travelling for work on short flights or in cars when rail or other lower-carbon options would have been preferable. The expectation of a negative response from management, either due to cost (26%) or longer travel time (24%), is the most frequent barrier that respondents cite as keeping them from pursuing lower carbon transport choices. Over half (52%) think that companies should, whenever possible, promote lower-carbon travel as a solution to the problem. Many respondents (45%) agreed that businesses should provide employees more time to travel sustainably.According to the data, there is an expanding group of “rail warriors” that prioritise low-carbon travel for business purposes. Seven out of ten respondents (70%) said they would choose to travel by rail even if it took a lot longer than by plane, indicating that this is more important to them than the length of the voyage. In the end, more than half of those surveyed who travel for work (53%) think that the company would benefit from better support for more environmentally friendly business travel. There are currently organisations all around the UK that are setting an example by prioritising support for low-carbon travel solutions. Our organization’s dedication to sustainability is the primary reason that many of our employees are with us, so we travel for business with a purpose and conscience, according to Russ Avery, CEO and co-founder of Avery & Brown, a sustainable marketing agency. We don’t fly within the country, and while travelling abroad, we carefully consider the environmental impact. In November 2022, my co-founder and I led the charge for this commitment when we chose to take a round-trip train from London to Berlin rather than fly, cutting our carbon footprints by 75%. We make an effort to always push ourselves and our staff to rethink how we typically conduct business journeys. International marketing firm Agenda’s co-director Becky Slack stated: “We believe in taking steps to decrease our environmental footprint whenever possible. Since I travel regularly, especially between Belgium and the UK, it’s crucial that I serve as an example and demonstrate that it’s acceptable to value sustainability when going on business trips. Since I can work while travelling, which is difficult to do when flying, the train is more cost-effective than the plane, and, in the end, it’s better for the environment. These are just a few of the reasons why I prefer it over other modes of transportation. Source: traveldailymedia

Norse Atlantic Airways, the first long-haul low-cost carrier, is proudly commemorating the first anniversary of its first flight between Oslo and New York. This trip marked the beginning of an incredible year in which the airline connected Europe to the US and made flying easier than ever. Norse Atlantic Airways has expanded operations since its first commercial flight a year ago, now serving 12 destinations in Europe and the US and employing over 1000 employees in Norway, the UK, the US, and Europe. The airline has operated around 2630 flights over that time, carrying close to 500,000 passengers. The airline’s cargo operations have increased all year, moving a total of about 14,500 tonnes, including 4000 tonnes of fish, between Europe and the US. “We are excited to celebrate connecting Oslo and New York for the first time. This accomplishment illustrates the growing demand for low-cost, high-quality transatlantic travel as well as the effort and commitment of our entire team. Bjorn Tore Larsen, the CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, said, “We are grateful for the confidence our passengers have placed in us and are looking forward to a busy year ahead. Norse Atlantic Airways is pleased to offer a global sale in all markets to commemorate this important anniversary. Customers can benefit from amazing reductions while enjoying the world-class luxury and service that Norse Atlantic Airways has grown to be recognised for. Booking is now open on www.flynorse.com for special rates from London to the US that include all taxes and fees. Source: traveldailymedia

Consumers, notably those from the Middle East and Africa (MENA), are taking advantage of a more conventional travel environment in 2023, prioritising leisure travel and opening up new routes throughout the globe, according to new findings from the Mastercard Economics Institute. The Travel Industry Trends 2023 research provides important information about the state of travel around the world, which is characterised by altering economic conditions, enduring consumer needs, and a reopening of mainland China. The picture for 2023 is shaped by post-pandemic preferences for experiences over things1 and a steady demand for leisure travel in the face of economic difficulties. Business travel, which had initially lagged behind pleasure travel, began to gain ground in the second half of 2022, particularly in societies where returning to work was valued highly. Although cross-market turmoil is being caused by an uncertain economy, mainland China’s reopening is anticipated to boost global GDP. Major conclusions include: The corridors are created by travellers. In 2023, a brand-new dynamic developed as tourists began visiting nearby locations. This year, Saudi Arabia and Egypt both cracked the top 10, taking seventh and eighth, respectively. The United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, and France continue to be the top international travel destinations for people departing the Middle East. Travel for both work and pleasure is accelerating at the same rate.With a 42% year-over-year shift from 2022 to 2023, both international leisure and business travel are now expanding at the same rate. In areas with a strong return to office culture, business flight bookings overtook leisure in the second half of 2022 and the early months of 2023. Bookings for leisure travel increased 49.5% in the UAE from January to March 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Experiences continue to be prioritised by tourists.There is still a preference for experiences over objects, and tourists from all over the world are showing an increased interest in the unusual. Travellers are choosing less well-known locations in quest of cultural immersion, possibly inspired by social media and entertainment. Compared to 2019, global expenditure on experiences has increased by 65% while spending on things has increased by 12%. Spending on experiences is increasing in several MENA nations, such Morocco, where it increased by an astounding 117.5% year over year by March 2023. The business travel and entertainment recovery is expanding.When comparing March 2023 to March 2022 in the MENA region, small enterprises’ spending on travel and entertainment (T&E) increased by 49%. Spending on T&E by small enterprises increased by 56% from January to March 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, continuing the rising trend.In MENA, spending is increasing 78% from March 2019 to March 2023. Large enterprises also saw growth, but at slower rates for the same periods (14%, 40%, and 37%, respectively). Source: traveldailymedia