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In April 2024, Royal Caribbean International will make its way back to China, sailing from Shanghai on Spectrum of the Seas, the biggest and most technologically advanced ship in the continent. On 4- and 5-night cruises to a selection of well-liked vacation spots including Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Tokyo, Japan, travellers may create memories with family and friends. Beginning in December 2024, Spectrum will additionally provide eight departures from Hong Kong to locations such Ishigaki and Miyazaki, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China; and Nha Trang, Vietnam. From one thrilling premiere to the next: In late 2024, Singapore will serve as the departure port for the maiden Asian voyage of the cruise line’s Anthem of the Seas. Many of the iconic favourites that tourists are familiar with and adore are included in Anthem, along with a variety of brand-new methods for any kind of visitor to have an adventure. “We have been waiting for this moment, together with Chinese tourists. When Spectrum of the Seas made its Shanghai debut as the newest and greatest Royal Caribbean ship in 2019, it instantly became a household name among Chinese families and tourists. Bert Hernandez, senior vice president, international, Royal Caribbean International, described our return to China as an exciting milestone that could only be marked with Spectrum of the Seas. “We congratulate the Chinese government for laying the groundwork for progress and remain dedicated to growing the cruise sector in an area from which we have sailed for more than ten years. With the arrival of Anthem of the Seas in Singapore, a new award-winning ship, this has also created a wealth of options to increase the diversity of vacations available in Asia. April 2024: Spectrum of the Seas departs from Shanghai. A variety of restaurants with locally inspired meals and entertainment, including Hot Pot, Teppanyaki, Sichuan Red, karaoke lounge Star Moment, and creative performances like Showgirls at the Royal Theatre, are available at Spectrum, a resort especially created for Asia and tourists of all ages. Along with the comfortable amenities, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of unique adventures, such as skydiving on the RipCord by iFly, ascending more than 90 metres above the ocean in the North Star all-glass observation capsule, and The Effectors in the Royal Theatre, an innovative, transformative space that comes to life with performers, robots, and more. And when it comes to luxury, the ship’s exclusive suite enclave has you covered with everything from exclusive dining, shopping, and more to a two-level, 2,809-square-foot ideal Family Suite with an in-suite slide and space for up to 11 people for the ideal multi-generational family holiday. Late 2024: Anthem of the Seas departs from Singapore. Travellers on Anthem may anticipate days of playtime with a selection of activities. After sunset, there are lounges and bars where you can unwind with live music, as at the Latin-themed club Boleros and the popular English pub Brass & Bock, which features pints of various types and a live guitarist. The Olivier Award-winning musical sensation We Will Rock You, which includes a soundtrack of killer Queen hits, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity area at sea, where passengers can enjoy classic games like bumper cars, are also on deck. There are several dining options available, including the all-day café café Promenade, American shakes, burgers, and more at Johnny Rockets, which has a throwback feel, and the Mediterranean-inspired Solarium Bistro. Popular eating establishments such as the traditional American steakhouse Chops Grille, the fresh Japanese cuisine at Izumi, and the imaginative delicacies created for all the senses at Wonderland are all returning to the area. In the next weeks, travellers may mark their calendars and reserve their trips to far-off locales aboard Spectrum or Anthem at Royal Caribbean’s website. Source: breakingtravelnews

The bay, which is shielded by prevailing winds and makes for a perfect position for a mooring site for yachts and sailboats, will be home to 75 guest villas and 20 branded houses for sale that will all discretely blend into the contours of the bay. Six Senses will launch its first resort in Greece in collaboration with Grivalia Hospitality, one of the country’s largest investors in the ultra-luxury travel industry. The “Greek Maldives”‘ greatest hidden beaches may be found on Megalonisos, one of the ten Petalioi islands and islets, in a southerly white-sand cove. Short boat rides will be required to reach Six Senses Megalonisos from Marmari on the west coast of Evia or Rafina, which is located directly across the mainland from Athens. The tranquil and isolated Megalonisos has been left by history and mythology to snooze in the sun, in contrast to the island of Evia or Euboea, which was said to have been separated from mainland Greece by a strike from Poseidon’s trident, the childhood home of Goddess Hera, and the site of the Titans versus the Giants battle. The bay, which is shielded by prevailing winds and makes for a perfect position for a mooring site for yachts and sailboats, will be home to 75 guest villas and 20 branded houses for sale that will all discretely blend into the contours of the bay. Numerous diving options in the crystal-clear, turquoise seas and unbroken hiking routes through unspoiled environment contribute to the creation of a variety of unusual experiences that can stimulate, energise, and rejuvenate. The attractiveness of discovering Greece’s cultural legacy, which includes the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Parthenon, and Temple of Olympian Zeus, to mention just a few, as well as its thriving fine dining and street food scene, is enhanced by the accessibility of day visits to Athens. Six Senses was selected for this initiative in part because of its environmental credentials in terms of energy, resources, and operations, which help Greece’s transition to sustainable and ethical tourist practises. The community’s own solar electric farm will provide all of the energy needs. All-day eating, a beach bar and grill, and a speciality sunset bar are offered at the three restaurants. Along with a store, there will also be a pastry café, ideal for a coffee after a sun salutation or morning swim. Four double sensory suites, a Watsu for a variety of hydrotherapies, and a Hammam for a warm herbal steam and body scrub are just a few of the treatment rooms available at the 1,700 square metre Six Senses Spa. Along with signature experiences and brand differentiators like Sleep, Eat, and Grow With Six Senses, the Alchemy Bar, Earth Lab, and Integrated Wellness, visitors may indulge in regionally inspired food and spa services. According to Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, “Six Senses Megalonisos offers a unique opportunity to set foot on a Greek island that even the Gods left undiscovered.” “We look forward to extending emotional hospitality to our guests, which includes cutting-edge wellness, sustainability, and meaningful experiences.” The Chairman and CEO of Grivalia Hospitality, Mr. George Chryssikos, said, “We are excited to work with Six Senses as we share similar ideals in terms of sustainability and well-being. Through our investments, Grivalia Hospitality seeks to develop distinctive and one-of-a-kind hospitality projects and experiences while also enhancing Greece’s status as a top travel destination for luxury travellers and luring top-tier companies that are aware of our nation’s enormous potential in the high-end hospitality market. Private boats may take guests to Six Senses Megalonisos from Rafina port on the island of Evia, which is 16 km and 30 minutes by car from the Athens International Airport. The end of 2027 has been chosen as the intended opening date. Source: traveldailynews

Have you been wanting to visit Hong Kong? This may be your opportunity. Australians have the option to purchase inexpensive roundtrip tickets to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. This is a part of a campaign that Airport Authority Hong Kong is supporting that will provide 50,000 international travellers reduced tickets. It’s a part of the “hello Hong Kong” campaign, launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to encourage travellers back to the city now that travel restrictions to Hong Kong have been abolished. On Monday, May 29, 2023, at 12:00 PM AEST, the discounted tickets will only be available for purchase by Cathay members. Not only low-cost airfares, however. “Welcoming offers” from more than 16,000 establishments around the city have been compiled by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the tourism and hospitality industries for visitors. At least 1 million “Hong Kong Goodies” tourist consumption certificates would be distributed among them at first. These coupons are good for a complimentary welcome drink at participating bars, restaurants, and hotels or a cash voucher that may be used for transportation, dining, shopping, and activities. You need to be a Cathay member in order to take advantage of this exclusive voucher offer. On Cathay Pacific’s website, you may register for a free membership by clicking here. Australian citizens will be able to purchase 6020 reduced round-trip tickets to Hong Kong. On Monday, May 29, 2023, tickets will go on sale, and they will be offered on a first come, first served basis. To purchase them, members must go to the Cathay Pacific campaign website and join up using their Cathay membership information. Dominic Perret, Cathay Pacific’s regional general manager for Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, comments on the sale: “We are pleased to be rebuilding both our company and our home hub as markets begin to recover after the previous three difficult years for Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong. We are honoured to be a part of this effort to promote Hong Kong in Australia, and we want our clients to take advantage of all the city has to offer. There is something for every tourist in Hong Kong, according to Karen Macmillan, Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board for Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific: “With a diverse culture, unique attractions, exciting nightlife, and delectable cuisines.” Vivian Cheung, Chief Operation Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, states, “Various new services and facilities are in place at Hong Kong International Airport, and we are looking forward to providing passengers with a brand new airport experience.” Source: escape

Within the next ten years, Australian visitors may be able to fly to London in just two hours, but there is a caveat. In under two hours, Australians may be able to travel to Europe within the next ten years, suggests new research. The hitch is that they must go through space in order to reduce the journey time by around 20 hours. According to the London-based daily The Times, a new study financed by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is investigating the impacts of suborbital space flights, in which passengers would be launched into space before falling to their destination. “Commercial suborbital space flights are now available for tourism and scientific research, and are ultimately anticipated to mature into extremely fast point-to-point travel, e.g. London to Sydney in less than two hours,” according to the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. While the suborbital flights provided by Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos’ space tourism firms, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are now very pricey (more than $655,000 a seat), authorities believe the trips will be “accessible to anybody” in the future, according to The Times. For the purpose of the study, 24 “healthy” individuals between the ages of 32 and 80 experienced the same G-forces as would be experienced during the launch and descent of a suborbital space mission. The G-forces peaked at 6G during descent for 10 to 15 seconds, which is six times the normal force of the Earth’s gravity. One G is equal to the force of gravity on Earth. One of the 24 individuals temporarily lost consciousness, but no long-term harm resulted. According to Dr. Ryan Anderton, the CAA’s medical lead for space travel, visitors on upcoming suborbital space missions wouldn’t need to be as physically strong as astronauts and go through years of rigorous training. For the majority of travellers, physiological reactions are probably innocuous, he added. Dr. Anderton did mention that experiencing strong G-forces might be hazardous due to several medical conditions. According to him, “that’s not necessarily going to present a problem and there isn’t a detrimental effect on the long run, even for older people.” The goal of the research is to identify those who could be more vulnerable and what we might need to test them for. After a final four-person test trip in late May, Virgin Galactic plans to undertake its first commercial space voyage in late June. The cost of each ticket is around $670,000. Blue Origin has previously carried out paid spaceflights for clients. A single ticket brought in $US28 million ($A41.8 million) at auction. Source: escape

IAATO members must demonstrate their commitment to travelling to Antarctica safely and responsibly while causing the least amount of environmental damage possible. INDIA’S MUMBAI – UnWild Planet, an exclusive Indian travel agency, has announced that it has joined the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) as an associate member, making it the first and only Indian travel agency to do so. IAATO is a nonprofit organisation that was established in 1991 to support, promote, and engage in safe and ecologically conscious private Antarctic travel. It functions under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Systems, which controls operations and safeguards the region’s ecology. The CEO of UnWild Planet, Mr. Rohan Prakash, said, “We are honoured to be recognised by IAATO for our dedication to sustainable and ethical tourism. “For us, travel serves as a means of fostering a richer knowledge and respect of our planet. We pledge to safeguard Antarctica’s vulnerable ecosystems by joining the IAATO. In order to join the IAATO, businesses must go through a rigorous application procedure and prove their dedication to sustainable business practises. UnWild Planet’s affiliation with the IAATO, which has just 107 members worldwide, is a reflection of the company’s commitment to Rethink Travel through its dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practises and protecting the environment in addition to its commitment to offering clients unforgettable travel experiences. IAATO members must demonstrate their commitment to travelling to Antarctica safely and responsibly while causing the least amount of environmental damage possible. They adhere to a number of regulations, including having a qualified and experienced personnel and crew, keeping a safe distance from animals, and properly disposing of garbage. IAATO members also have the requisite skills and a backup plan to handle any unforeseen circumstances that may occur. As an associate member of IAATO, UnWild Planet will continue to set the standard for eco-friendly travel and collaborate with other businesses in the sector to advance ethical tourism practises all around the world. In accordance with IAATO regulations, the business recently rented an entire ship for Indian tourists who wanted to visit Antarctica. The company’s goal was to transform each participant into an ambassador for Antarctica who would promote methods and means to save this vulnerable region in their respective home countries. Source: traveldailynews

Numerous tickets are currently available with 20% off all seats and all flights to 130 locations as a celebration of the introduction of the new routes. SEPANG – AirAsia has announced the launch of three new routes from Kuala Lumpur to China’s southern provinces, solidifying its position as the biggest international airline operating in the world’s most populated nation. To the broad network of 15 routes with more than 129 flights per week between China and Malaysia, new services to Quanzhou and Guilin operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK) and to Chengdu (Tianfu) operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) have been added. The 18th of June 2023 will mark the return of twice-weekly Quanzhou flights. Guilin flights will resume three times weekly on July 18, 2023, while Chengdu (Tianfu) flights will begin twice weekly on July 1, 2023, increasing to three times weekly on July 4, 2023. Recently, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) recently started operating daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Wuhan, solidifying its position as the Malaysian airline with the greatest capacity and network in China. According to Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, “Our rapid expansion into China continues and we are proud to connect millions of guests not only to major destinations but also to underserved second-tier cities and launch unique routes such as Quanzhou and Guilin. This is in response to China’s recent opening to the world and strong pent-up demand. China continues to be a crucial market for our future expansion, and we will be reviewing a number of other prospective Chinese routes that we expect to be able to announce shortly. “China has always historically been one of our core destinations for medium-haul air travel,” said Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X Malaysia. “Our newest route to Chengdu (Tianfu) serves as the foundation for more AirAsia X flights to China in the near future, which will significantly boost our North Asia network. We anticipate adding additional flights to and from China as well as boosting frequency on the busiest and most lucrative routes in our network in the short to medium term as the nation quickly recovers. In honour of the opening of the new lines, AirAsia is providing 20% off all seats on all flights* to/from China on all of its 130 destinations. Flights to/from Malaysia, China, Australia, Indochina, India, South Korea, Japan, and other destinations are quite affordable. Bookings for the deal are accepted from now through May 21, 2023, for travel between June 1 and December 14, 2023. From Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanning, and Shantou; Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Wuhan; and Johor Bahru to Guangzhou, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will operate around 118 flights each week on 11 routes to and from China. There will be about 11 flights each week from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu (Tianfu), Beijing (Daxing), Shanghai, and Hangzhou on four routes operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7). Source: traveldailynews

To elevate the reputation and worth of Thai cuisine on the global stage and to develop and market Thailand as a top-tier culinary tourist destination. Thailand – The “Amazing Thailand Culinary City” project was started by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote Thailand as a top-tier culinary tourism destination that offers cutting-edge innovations and high-touch experiences to foster development under a creative economy, in line with the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model. “Conceptualised under the BCG Economy Model, the Amazing Thailand Culinary City project encompasses the AGFEC components; namely, A for Agriculture, G for Gastronomy, F for Food Safety, E for Experience, and C for Creative Entrepreneur,” said Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications. Activities are intended to promote a circular economy and highlight the nation’s goal of sustainable prosperity in the areas of the economy, society, and the environment. Both B2B and B2C components of the Amazing Thailand Culinary City initiative are intended to connect company owners in the culinary tourism industry and foster business networking possibilities, as well as to raise awareness of Thai cuisine throughout Thailand. The Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023, which is scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 2 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, will be held in conjunction with the ‘Amazing Thailand Culinary City’ event as part of the project’s B2B strategy. There will be 30 gastronomy tourism merchants at the three-day B2B exhibition, and they will compete in the City Dining Experience, Farm to Table, and Culinary Cooking Activity categories. Visitors will be able to sample cuisine from the many participating restaurants, as well as participate in B2B meetings to discuss Thailand’s culinary tourist offerings and receive traditional Thai massages, among other activities. In addition, there will be an exhibition of lesser-known “hidden dishes” from all throughout Thailand, like Tom Yam Kung, Phat Thai, and Green Curry, which have won international awards. International food blogger Mark Wiens, who has over 10 million YouTube subscribers, and Chef Thitid ‘Tonne’ Tassanakajohn, whose Bangkok restaurant Le Du was ranked No. 1 in the recently released Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list, will participate in a panel discussion to discuss the topic of using food to boost the tourism economy, preparing for the expansion of gastronomy tourism, and related trends. Culinary events titled “4 Locations: 4 Styles” are planned to take place in all four of Thailand’s regions in May and June as part of the project’s B2C strategy. These include the dates of Chiang Mai (19–21 May), Khon Kaen (9–11 June), Phuket (16–18 June 2023), and Chanthaburi (23–25 June) in the Northern and Southern regions, respectively. Participants in each of the four events will include local businesses, other entrepreneurs, and food entrepreneurs from the surrounding area. Workshops on how to make regionally specific snacks will be offered, along with culinary demonstrations, an exhibition on the potential and uniqueness of Thai cuisine, and excellent local cuisine to sample. A panel discussion featuring Mr. Vincent Thierry, chef of the Michelin-starred lebua at State Tower, and Ms. Wisa Wangsupachart, well-known food blogger with more than 1.5 million followers on the TikTok channel bon_appetitbkk, was also held as part of the official launch of the Amazing Thailand Culinary City project. Source: traveldailynews

Air New Zealand is extending the test run of the function to 25% of app users flying domestically and releasing the feature to 5% of app users going on an international short range aircraft after executing a successful pilot project for domestic passengers in April. Customers may use the functionality while travelling to check the most recent status of their bag(s) through the Air NZ app. ‘Check status’ will display on the baggage card on the flight information tab in the app when bag drop is complete. From check-in till when it reaches the destination, passengers may follow the movement of their luggage during the flight. Baggage monitoring demonstrates Air New Zealand’s dedication to providing customer-focused innovations, according to Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer of Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand is committed to become the top digital airline in the world. Our ability to create and implement digital solutions that alleviate client pain points has improved as a result of updates to our app made last year. A prime example of this is baggage monitoring. Customers may follow the progress of their bags and get instructions if they take a diversion. Customers will soon have access to reporting and tracking mishandled baggage using the app. This will enable a more smooth deployment to all app users by the middle of the year. “Piloting the features offers us the chance to try and test among a limited sample of passengers to resolve any difficulties. Baggage monitoring puts information in our customers’ hands directly, simplifying operations, alleviating pressure on our personnel, and providing travellers with the assurance that their luggage is travelling with them. The service will be accessible once it is implemented through the Air NZ app, which can be downloaded on both iOS and Android smartphones. Getting rid of the luggage backlog As a result of substantial weather interruptions both domestically and abroad, many bags were delayed during the busy summer season, drawing attention to mishandled luggage. The volume of improperly handled bags during that time period caused a sizable backlog that needed to be cleared through biosecurity inspections before being delivered back to their owners. Air New Zealand collaborated with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Biosecurity Team to develop a new digital tool for its Baggage Tracing Unit to speed up clearance procedures and do away with the need for paper receipts in order to reduce the workload on teams and repatriate bags with their owners more quickly. According to Mr. Ravishankar, “We have created a new digital system in collaboration with MPI that improves the biosecurity baggage screening process, offering efficiencies that ensure consumers are quickly reunited with mishandled items. Since the difficulties earlier this year, the introduction of digital technologies has allowed us to clear the backlog of luggage, and we are now better equipped to handle any potential future interruptions. Source: breakingtravelnews

The issue facing Caribbean insurance firms is to play a crucial part in guaranteeing safety and security within the region’s tourism sector. Hon. Edmund Bartlett, the minister of tourism, used Jamaica’s tourism recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. He claimed that during the pandemic, the insurance sector was needed on board as a safety valve to reassure travellers that they had protection if anything unexpected occurred when they arrived at the destination. According to him, this was crucial to the industry’s quick comeback. In his keynote address at the Hall of Fame Induction banquet of the 34th Sales Congress of the Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA), which was held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay yesterday (May 14), Minister Bartlett outlined his viewpoint. “As the islands urgently act to integrate resilience as a core component of its tourism development agenda, Caribbean insurance companies can play a critical role in helping to protect the tourism sector in the face of future crises,” he stated. He outlined a number of ways the insurance sector can support tourism resilience, including by providing coverage for loss of income and property damage brought on by a variety of risks, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or other disruptions; by assisting businesses and individuals in accurately assessing the risk associated with their operations and by offering advice on the types of coverage that should be taken out; and by raising awareness of the significance of taking out insurance. The campaigns, according to Mr. Bartlett, could include advice on risk management best practises, warning people about the repercussions of not having enough insurance, and enlightening travellers who are unsure of the risk they might be exposed to and what insurance coverage to look for. He added that the insurance sector could support initiatives for disaster response and relief, such as providing financial assistance to organisations and people affected by natural disasters or pandemic-related disruptions, as well as supporting rebuilding efforts, to help promote tourism resilience. Minister Bartlett noted that discussions on establishing a full pension plan across the region using as a model Jamaica’s ground-breaking comprehensive Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), which involves two major insurance companies in the management and administration of the fund, took place at last week’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Barbados. Minister Bartlett noted that “it has tremendous implications for capital formation across the Caribbean because there are one million workers in the tourism sector in the region; 643,000 of whom are working directly in the industry and the others indirectly,” and that “if that pension plan is taken across the region as Jamaica has it, there is potential to create a level of domestic saving, the size of which the region would never have.” He stated that because Jamaica’s TWPS is now fully functioning, “We now need a comprehensive health plan for the industry’s workers,” and he tasked the insurance industry with “creating an instrument that will enable a health security arrangement for the workers of the Caribbean tourism industry.” Minister Bartlett urged the insurance providers in the area to “build the human capital of our region” in light of the CARAIFA sales congress’s resilience-focused theme. In his words, “Resilience has to come from knowledge, from building capacity for people to convert ideas into meaningful and practical application that will have a value, and so we must build the capacity of our young people to think, not just to regurgitate information which they get by reading a text but learn to innovate.” In light of this, he requested that CARAIFA collaborate with the educational system on a scheme “to help establish innovation incubators where young people can learn about financial administration, how to use their money properly and wisely, and learn what insurance is all about.” Source: breakingtravelnews

The objective is to integrate the population in tourist efforts, the director of the Mauritius tourist Authority said. Lindsay Morvan, Director of the Mauritius tourist Authority, spoke with TravelDailyNews International at the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2023 about the way to tourist recovery following the epidemic. Lindsay Morvan also discussed Mauritius’ response to the overtourism situation. He also spoke about the more environmentally friendly policies that would guide the sector going forward. Along with Adan Kaptanolu, Chairperson, TURMEPA, Rachel McCaffery, Director, Green Case Consulting/Chair, GSTC’s Destination Stewardship Working Group, Kevin Fsadni, Director of Product Development, Malta Tourism Authority, and Luigi Cabrini, Chairman, GSTC as Moderator, Lindsay Morvan took part in the panel discussion on “Sustainable Coastal Destinations.” From May 9 to May 12, the GSTC2023 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference took place in Antalya, Turkey. Source: traveldailynews