Starfish Travel Corporation Team

American tourist arrivals to Japan grew 3.6% year-to-date in 2023 over the same time (January-April) in 2019, a year that set a record for foreign travel to Japan, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). Nearly 184,000 Americans visited Japan in April 2023 alone, an increase of 8% over April 2019. This makes the US the only Western country to experience an increase in tourism to Japan, aside from its North American neighbour, Mexico, which saw a 13.1% increase in visitor numbers over the same period. Michiaki Yamada, Executive Director of the Japan National Tourism Organisation in New York, reports an exponential rise in American travellers’ interest in visiting Japan. Following the end of all Covid-related entry restrictions this spring and the reopening of our country’s borders to foreign tourism in late 2022, “we will likely be welcoming more Americans than ever before in the months to come due to the incredible pent-up demand to experience the wonders of Japan post-pandemic.” Japan is one of the most talked about travel destinations of 2023 with the country as a whole, along with its top cities and regions, appearing on some of the most coveted “Where to Go” Lists of the year, including: the Japanese cities of Morioka and Fukuoka in the New York Times’ annual list of “52 Places to Go in 2023”; Kyoto and Nagoya featured on Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Places of 2023”; The Washington Post named Japan on its list of “The Top Travel Destinations for 2023”; the “art islands” of Naoshima included in CNN Travel’s list of “Where to Travel in 2023: The Best Destinations to Visit”; Kyushu featured in Bloomberg Pursuits’ “Where to Go in 2023” list; Osaka named to The Daily Beast’s list of “Where to Travel in 2023”; Japan on the Reader’s Digest list of the “20 Best Places to Travel in 2023”; Japan included in the TripSavvy list of “Where to Go in 2023: The Most Exciting Destinations of the Year”; Tokyo featured on CNBC’s list of “The 7 Cities You Must Visit Before You Die”; and the list goes on. Source- travel daily

Following the announcement that “Belleair Holidays” had been acquired by Alfendo Limited, the parent company of JTA Travel Group, a new agent-only website called www.Belleair.co.uk is now available for agents to search and make reservations.  Agents will have access to the most recent version of our booking engine through the brand-new website, which also offers a quick and simple platform for searching and booking a variety of top resorts and fantastic flight package options. In addition, we offer a professional, specialised team booking service for more complicated requirements that can’t be handled through the website. Since the company’s founding in 1977, Belleair Holidays has established itself as the go-to travel authority for Malta, earning a solid reputation for providing great service and industry knowledge. With the launch of our new website, we are happy to carry on this tradition. We offer a selection of the top sun and beach destinations in the Mediterranean, Aegean, North Africa, and Middle East in addition to our focus on Malta and Gozo (along with quite a few lesser-known treasures, too). Every trip to Malta and Gozo comes with our in-destination local representation service. We offer a 24/7 hotline for all customers, regardless of the trip they have booked, because we are dedicated to giving consumers the greatest experience possible. All of our vacations come with complete ABTA and ATOL protection, giving clients peace of mind before, during, and after their trip. We respect our relationships with the industry, and we encourage all agents to look into and learn more about the alternatives and products offered at www.Belleair.co.uk. Agents can access the website and make reservations right away using their current JTA login credentials. “Today is a historic day for Belleair, and I would like to thank all the people within our team who have been working tirelessly to make this happen,” said Dave Green, managing director. I also want to express my gratitude to the innumerable travel agency community members who got in touch with me and many of my colleagues to express their intention to continue supporting us. Source- Travel daily

The relationship between Lijiang Yulong Tourism Ltd and the international hospitality organization The Lux Collective, which first started in 2013, has now lasted ten years. Lijiang Yulong Tourism Ltd. and LUX* Tea Horse Road collaborated with international editorial photographer and author Mr. Michael Freeman to present an exclusive photo exhibition titled “Michael Freeman – Yunnan Through the Lens” in Lijiang as part of the celebration of the milestone. They also unveiled the Group’s upcoming eighth LUX* Tea Horse Road China resort, LUX* Lashi Lake. Michael began a significant leg of his journey through China in the summer of 2008, and while there, he fell in love with the 13th-century Tea Horse Road. His two and a half-year photography effort there resulted in the 2011 release of the book “Tea Horse Road.” The well-received book covers destinations from Lijiang and Shangri-La to Nujiang and Tengchong, capturing the history, community, and culture of the Tea Horse Road. The Lux Collective hired Michael in 2016 to create the inaugural brochure LUX* Tea Horse Road China, which marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. Some of the most remote locations on earth are home to the luxurious retreats that make up LUX* Tea Horse Road China. The “Michael Freeman – Yunnan Through the Lens” exhibition was co-hosted by Lijiang Yulong Tourism Ltd. and The Lux Collective on June 3, 2023, with assistance from the Lijiang Photographers Association, to commemorate the anniversary and Michael’s return to the Tea Horse Road. 100 local and international guests attended the Lijiang exhibition, which featured 36 of Michael’s works. Source- travel daily

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, is a magnificent temple complex built on a cliffside in Bhutan’s upper Paro valley. Both pilgrims and tourists are drawn to this Himalayan beauty by its alluring allure. According to Bhutan Live, the trek itself is a remarkable experience, offering breathtaking vistas of the Paro Valley and its verdant surroundings. However, thanks to recent developments in drone technology, we can now get a fresh perspective of this important site, enabling us to explore the monastery in ways we previously could only have imagined. Drones were used to capture overhead footage of Paro Taktsang, and the results are a treasure trove of breathtaking images that showcase the architectural wonder and unsurpassed beauty of the monastery. We can better appreciate the exquisite details of the temple complex, which consists of eight caves and four main temples, thanks to the drone’s bird’s-eye perspective. Bhutan Live is a daily that reports on social, cultural, and political events in the nation. A breathtaking sight that enthralls viewers is created by the striking contrast between the monastery’s immaculate white walls and the rocky cliffside. According to Bhutan Live, the drone video also depicts the dangerous entrance to the monastery, which includes a tiny bridge connecting the main buildings and a set of steep, rock-carved stairs. Drones offer a distinctive viewpoint that offers an insight into Paro Taktsang’s mythological and historical fabric. In accordance with legend, Guru Padmasambhava, who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, established the monastery in the eighth century. Local folklore holds that the Guru rode a flying tigress to this sacred location, giving rise to the moniker “Tiger’s Nest.” According to Bhutan Live, the drone footage even shows the cave where the Guru is reputed to have meditated for an unparalleled duration of three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours. Undoubtedly, there are difficulties involved with using drones in Paro Taktsang. Drone maneuvering is difficult due to the high altitude and severe gusts; in order to get stable video, trained and experienced operators are required. Source- the print

The gold award for health and safety performance, the gold award for leisure safety, a safety influencer of the year award for one of the Emirates team members, a highly commended award in the health and safety initiative, and the trophy award for best fleet safety in the Middle East. Emirates is the only airline globally to claim a gold award for health and safety performance in transport and has won the award annually for the last 4 years. The gold award for health and safety performance covers overall health and safety performance for all aspects of the service that affect both staff and customers, while the gold award for leisure safety is for health and safety performance recognises services offered directly to guests and visitors. The influencer of the year award went to Roshan Menon, Manager of Transport Services, for his work in promoting safety in the Middle East. A highly commended award was achieved in the health and safety initiative category – Middle East, for the extensive transport support and safety measures implemented during COVID19 for the Emirates Group. The final award, trophy award for fleet safety was presented for excellence in managing occupational road risk in the Middle East. In the UAE, Emirates operates a fleet of over a thousand vehicles to transport passengers, cabin crew and flight deck, as well as other employees to and from the workplace, averaging 2.5 million road trips in an average year. One of the many benefits offered to Emirates Cabin Crew is a dedicated state-of-the-art shuttle service to and from their accommodation to the airport. Emirates’ Pilots are chauffeur-driven between their home and the airport for their flight duties. Ground staff for both Emirates and dnata are also transported to and from work. Emirates Group Transport Services operates in over 167 countries, offering Emirates customers the opportunity to avail of convenient coaches with Emirates Shuttle Services, and luxurious Emirates Chauffeur Drive services for First and Business Class passengers. Emirates shuttle services are comfortable coaches available in selected destinations in the UAE, Japan, US and Canada, transporting Economy and Premium Economy passengers from the airport to nearby cities. Emirates Chauffeur Drive ensures First and Business Class customers enjoy a smooth transfer to and from the airport in a high-end vehicle like a BMW or Mercedes. Emirates also manages standards and protocols for external service providers internationally who transport premium customers to and from the airport in comfort and safety as part of the signature Emirates Chauffeur Drive service. Source- travel daily

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has collaborated with Collinson, a global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty, and customer engagement solutions, to offer Lounge Pass to SIA’s passengers. As of right away, thanks to this agreement, SIA travelers can reserve airport lounge access for both their departure and incoming flights. No matter their cabin class, programme status, or itinerary, all passengers flying with Singapore Airlines and their codeshare airline partners are eligible to purchase a Lounge Pass. In order to ensure that SIA’s passengers have an improved experience wherever they fly, Lounge Pass now enables pre-bookable airport lounge access at over 600 airport lounges worldwide, spread across 100 regions and countries, at over 350 airports. This partnership with SIA is perfect as travel is once again booming and customers are looking for upscale experiences that enhance their trips. According to Collinson’s most recent Global Traveler Sentiment Survey, approximately 62% of travelers are prepared to forgo making non-essential retail purchases in order to fund their trips and pay for upscale experiences that will improve their visits. In particular, 47% of respondents stated they would pay for a direct flight, 43% an improved seat, and 39% lounge access. “Singapore Airlines has a superb reputation for giving its customers excellent service. According to Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer and President of Asia Pacific at Collinson, “Collinson is happy to work with this prominent airline and to help further enhance their travelers’ experience by giving access to airport lounges. “We are eagerly anticipating welcoming SIA customers to our airport lounges and providing them with a relaxing airport environment where they can unwind and recharge before their flight.” Source- travel daily

Following a fruitful short-term arrangement, renowned elite private and corporate jet charter business KlasJet, an ACMI service provider, has signed a one-year contract for wet-leasing services with FlyEgypt, an Egyptian low-cost and charter airline. Through this partnership, a Boeing plane will be leased and based at Hurghada International Airport, where it will fly to numerous cities in Europe. With regard to this collaboration, Augustinas Riskus, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer at KlasJet, said: “Earlier this year, we started working with FlyEgypt for a 2-month partnership and are thrilled that the airline was satisfied with our services, leading to an extension of our collaboration for an additional year. We place a strong emphasis on quality and professionalism in all facets of our operations because we are committed to providing our clients and their guests with a flawless experience. The choice to prolong this contract was simple because of the skill displayed by the KlasJet team, according to Ahmed Elhelw, vice chairman and CEO of FlyEgypt. We are confident that both businesses will continue to benefit from this successful and beneficial cooperation. KlasJet is a member of the Avia Solutions Group family, the largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) supplier in the world with a 180-plane fleet that travels to every continent. Additionally, the company offers a range of aviation services like MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), training for pilots and crew, ground handling, and other related solutions. Source- travel daily

A contract has been given to BLS International to start offering visa and legalization services in Senegal in July 2023. According to the agreement, BLS International will offer visa and legalization services in Senegal, The Gambia, Cabo Verde, the Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mali, six important nations that fall under the purview of the Italian Embassy in Dakar. BLS International has increased its footprint in Africa and the surrounding areas as a result of this development. The agreement covers a wide range of services, including document legalization and the gathering and processing of visa applications. Maintaining the highest levels of client satisfaction and operational effectiveness, BLS International will make sure that candidates have a flawless and trouble-free experience. BLS International is dedicated to provide Senegalese people a quick and simple procedure by utilizing its vast experience in offering visa and consular services abroad. A seamless and effective application procedure will be made possible by the company’s cutting-edge technological platforms and skilled people, reducing response times and raising general customer satisfaction. The joint managing director of BLS International Limited, Shikhar Aggarwal, commented on this by saying, “It is our main aim to ensure an efficient experience for the Embassy of Italy. We are using this chance to give digitalization of services top priority because it will definitely improve the general customer experience in public services. We feel comfortable handling and managing the amount of applications because we have experience in the field. The contract’s award confirms BLS International’s standing as a provider of dependable services related to visas and legalization. This collaboration demonstrates BLS International’s commitment to growing its worldwide reach and helping countries improve their consular and visa services. A seamless experience for candidates across borders is made possible by the company’s wide network, which spans multiple nations. A contract has been given to BLS International to start offering visa and legalization services in Senegal in July 2023. According to the agreement, BLS International will offer visa and legalization services in Senegal, The Gambia, Cabo Verde, the Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mali, six important nations that fall under the purview of the Italian Embassy in Dakar. BLS International has increased its footprint in Africa and the surrounding areas as a result of this development. The agreement covers a wide range of services, including document legalization and the gathering and processing of visa applications. Maintaining the highest levels of client satisfaction and operational effectiveness, BLS International will make sure that candidates have a flawless and trouble-free experience. BLS International is dedicated to provide Senegalese people a quick and simple procedure by utilising its vast experience in offering visa and consular services abroad. A seamless and effective application procedure will be made possible by the company’s cutting-edge technological platforms and skilled people, reducing response times and raising general customer satisfaction. The joint managing director of BLS International Limited, Shikhar Aggarwal, commented on this by saying, “It is our main aim to ensure an efficient experience for the Embassy of Italy. We are using this chance to give digitalization of services top priority because it will definitely improve the general customer experience in public services. We feel comfortable handling and managing the amount of applications because we have experience in the field. The contract’s award confirms BLS International’s standing as a provider of dependable services related to visas and legalization. This collaboration demonstrates BLS International’s commitment to growing its worldwide reach and helping countries improve their consular and visa services. A seamless experience for candidates across borders is made possible by the company’s wide network, which spans multiple nations. Source- Travel biz

According to Khaama Press, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) pleaded with Pakistan on Sunday to halt the “tragic deportation” of Afghan refugees. It said that the forcible expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is disastrous and endangers the lives of numerous people. A number of human rights activists, protesting women, prosecutors, former government military personnel, and media activists are reportedly among the deported refugees, according to AIHRC. According to Khaama Press, Pakistani officials have been detaining and arresting hundreds of Afghan migrants from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other Pakistani cities during the past week. An Afghan news organisation called Khaama Press was founded in 2010. The AIHRC requested the Pakistani government to stop arresting, harassing, and extraditing Afghan migrants after the deportation of hundreds of Afghan refugees, who have been the main victims of Afghanistan’s political instability, conflict, and regime change. In order to stop the oppression of Afghan refugees, the AIHRC urged the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to have meaningful discussions with important Pakistani government agencies. According to AIHRC, Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, and other significant regional and international bodies should look into the human rights situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Hundreds of Afghans fled to Pakistan after the Taliban made a comeback in August 2021 out of fear of Taliban persecution and death threats. Khaama Press said that human rights organisations and refugee advocacy groups are extremely concerned about the imprisonment and forced return of Afghan refugees. According to the Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR), more than 2,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland from Iran, according to Afghan news outlet Khaama Press. According to the Taliban-run Ministry of migrants and Repatriation (MoRR), at least 534 Afghan migrants entered Afghanistan through Islam Qala in Western Herat province. In addition, it stated that at least 288 of the 2000 returnees had been connected with the International Office for Migration (IOM) in order to obtain the most fundamental assistance. According to Khaama Press, there are many reasons why the number of Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan from Iran has risen in recent months at a never-before-seen rate. According to a Khaama Press story, the head of the Taliban’s refugee department for Nimruz Mawlavi Abdullah Reyaz had claimed that around 65,000 refugees had returned to Afghanistan via the Pul-e-Abresham crossing site in the previous month. In the meantime, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, which is run by the Taliban, reported that more than 527,000 Afghan refugees had returned to their country in 2022. It went on to say that Afghans either voluntarily fled Iran or were forced to. The UNHCR asserted that the persistent repatriation of Afghan refugees from nearby countries is directly tied to the escalating prices and a lack of employment opportunities in the host countries. The Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation stated earlier on May 5 that as many as 2,106 Afghan refugees had returned to Afghanistan from Iran via the Islam Qala border in western Herat province. The Refugee and Repatriation Ministry stated in a series of tweets that these migrants arrived back in Afghanistan on June 3, according to Khaama Press. At least 193 returnees were transferred to the International Office for Migration (IOM) for basic assistance, according to Taliban officials. Source- the print

Pegasus Airlines anticipates its busiest flight schedule to date from London Stansted this summer, with more flights than ever before to well-liked locations all around Turkey (Türkiye). This year, the main low-cost airline in Turkey (Türkiye) will operate 55 direct flights each week to five of the nation’s most popular vacation locations, including Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman, Ankara, and Izmir, giving tourists in London and the East of England greater flexibility and options. Six million people have travelled on airline routes since the airline began operating from Stansted in 2007 with a single scheduled daily to Istanbul. Barbaros Kubatolu, the chief financial officer of Pegasus Airlines, said: “That more than six million passengers have travelled with Pegasus Airlines from London Stansted since 2007 is a remarkable milestone in our history. At the core of what we do is connecting people, places, and cultures, and we’re happy to carry on this purpose by transporting passengers between the UK and Turkey and beyond. We always work to improve the onboard experience on our convenient low-cost flights and advance our sustainability programmes. “We are pleased that Pegasus Airlines has expanded its summer schedule from London Stansted to its largest ever,” said Gareth Powell, managing director of London Stansted. The airline has established a hugely well-liked network that connects travellers from the area to locations all around Turkey (Türkiye) since it first began operations here 16 years ago. Passengers won’t have to travel to other airports because the capacity and frequency on existing routes will be increased. We are extremely proud to have them as a highly valued and important partner at the airport. They operate one of the most up-to-date aircraft fleets in all of Europe, with an emphasis on the Airbus A321 Neo. As they expand and enhance their services out of London Stansted, we anticipate working with them for a very long time. Pegasus Airlines was established in 2005 and offers flights to 129 locations around Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, including 36 in Turkey (Türkiye).  The airline has 93 aircraft in its fleet, including the fuel-efficient Airbus A321 neo. Source- travel daily