Travel News

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

This project would drastically minimise paper waste while providing travellers leaving Dubai with a simple and quick digital check-in process. UAE’s DUBAI – Emirates will start requiring most passengers leaving Dubai to utilise a mobile boarding pass rather than a printed paper version on May 15 in an effort to provide consumers with the convenience and certainty of digitally connected travel itineraries. The mobile boarding pass will be sent to passengers checking in at Terminal 3 through email or SMS. Online check-in passengers have the option of retrieving their boarding pass from the user-friendly Emirates App or loading it into their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The checked baggage receipt may now be seen on the Emirates App or directly emailed to travellers. This project would drastically minimise paper waste while providing travellers leaving Dubai with a simple and quick digital check-in process. It lessens the possibility that boarding tickets may be forgotten or lost, providing travellers with peace of mind. By displaying the mobile boarding pass on a phone, travellers may utilise the pass in Dubai Duty Free, through security checks, and during boarding. As customers proceed through the airport and onboard the aircraft, Emirates representatives and airport officials will simply scan the QR code on the mobile boarding ticket. For example, when travelling with babies, unaccompanied children, passengers needing special assistance, travellers with subsequent flights on other carriers, and all passengers flying to the US, certain travellers may still need to print a real boarding ticket. If passengers do not have a mobile device or are unable to access the information on their devices due to issues such as low battery life, system errors, delayed message delivery, or an inability to connect to WiFi or a network, they may request to print a boarding pass from Emirates agents at check-in counters. The simplicity of digitally connected travel has already been appreciated by millions of Emirates travellers. Those who use the Emirates app can take advantage of convenient check-in and itinerary management, as well as access digital menus beforehand. They can also take the time to curate a playlist of their favourite films, TV shows, and music playlists that are available on ice, which they can synchronise from their app the moment they board to save time.Effortless biometric travel in Dubai At Dubai International Airport, registered travellers may now have a smooth journey by using the biometric devices or smart gates to pass through the airport’s numerous stations. Residents of the UAE may sign up to utilise the Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3 to bypass immigration lines every time they visit Dubai. GCC nations or tourists who qualify for visa on arrival can pass through the Smart Gates with a biometric passport, while UAE citizens and residents can use their passport, boarding pass, or a valid UAE ID. Source: traveldailynews

Chile no longer mandates a PCR test upon entry, a COVID-19 immunisation certificate, or random testing of visitors as part of the “Protected Borders Plan.” CHILE – SANTIAGO In our nation, the “Protected Borders Plan” has come to an end, according to the Ministry of Health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) proclaimed the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Importance (PHEIC) caused by SARS-CoV2, which led to the adoption of the measure, which went into effect on May 9, 2023. The sanitary resolution specifies that all sanitary requirements for visitors arriving from outside Chile, including the requirement for a PCR test upon entry, a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, and random traveller testing, are eliminated. “With the help of this move, the industry can resume its long-awaited return to normalcy. In fact, we anticipate 3.5 million international visitors to visit our nation in 2023. We are hopeful that this declaration will offer inbound tourism a fresh boost. The Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo Lagos, stated that this is a fantastic opportunity to advertise Chile as a distinctive and top-notch travel destination. The authority emphasised the need for responsible travel in all circumstances and said that “it is also important to thank the different guilds and associations of the tourism industry for their collaboration and work during the more than three years of international health emergency and for their relevance actors in the implementation of measures and the construction of agreements for their relaxation.” The Ministry of Health stated that it is crucial to emphasise that, even while the COVID-19 epidemiological picture is at a low level, the spread of other respiratory viruses has accelerated as winter approaches. As a result, it’s critical to preserve vaccination records for COVID-19 and influenza as well as the self-care practises that were taught during the pandemic, such as frequent hand washing, ventilation of enclosed rooms, and the use of masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms. Source: traveldailynews

The Singapore Tourism Awards 2023 honoured 25 people and companies for providing extraordinary experiences and exhibiting business excellence when tourism fully resumed the previous year. The Singapore Tourism Awards, given out by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), are intended to increase the competitiveness of the industry by encouraging people and organisations to provide engaging experiences and implement best practises. From 90 finalists[2] submitted for the Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence, and Customer Service Excellence categories, winners[1] were chosen. “I congratulate all of our award recipients and finalists for their outstanding achievements,” stated STB Chief Executive Mr. Keith Tan. Their initiatives have improved the experiences of tourists to Singapore and benefited Singapore’s tourism industry. I hope that others in the tourist industry will be motivated by their successes to rise to the occasion and provide even more in the future. Outstanding Lifetime Achievement for Tourism Contribution The Award’s highest honour, Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, was given to Mr. George Tanasijevich, former president, chief executive officer, and managing director of Marina Bay Sands. He led the successful 2006 bid by Las Vegas Sands Corporation to build the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. It is currently one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, generating good jobs for locals and substantial economic gains for Singapore. Recognising excellence in travel For their exceptional efforts in Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence, and Customer Service Excellence, 24 people and businesses were also recognised. Avatar: The Experience received the Outstanding Attraction Experience award in the area of Experience Excellence (Leisure). While giving a “eco-smart tourable experience” that can be moved about and reused, it engaged visitors in the “Pandora” universe while lowering its total carbon footprint. fish in a kayak The Outstanding Tour Experience award was given to Fever’s Kayak Sailing in Singapore, Mangrove and Culinary Adventure for bringing tourists near to the natural ecology and habitats while providing a unique look at life on Pulau Ubin. Due to its innovative use of an open wood and charcoal fire smokehouse and grill to create distinctively Asian flavours with Nanyang Teochew cuisine at the centre, Blue Smoke was selected Outstanding Casual Dining Experience. For splitting FHA 2022 into two tradeshows, Informa’s Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) won the Outstanding Business Event award under the Experience Excellence (MICE) award category. It attracted significant attendance, making it Asia’s best-attended Food and Hospitality event. For transforming Marina Bay Sands from a single venue attraction to a lively and connected district, Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Marina Bay Sands) received the Outstanding Event Venue Experience award. Additionally, it received the Exceptional Achievement[3] award for three consecutive years of Outstanding Event Venue Experience. For demonstrating leadership in sustainability and conservation, Mandai Wildlife Group received the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability award from the Enterprise Excellence award category. The organisation concentrated on improving neighbourhood habitats and ecological linkages at Mandai Wildlife Reserve in order to conserve biodiversity. Additionally, it reduced the amount of single-use plastics in the parks by 80% and changed the trams and buggies inside the parks to run on electricity. The Discovery Neverending NFTs from Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) won the award for Outstanding Marketing Idea because it effectively increased brand recognition and user engagement by capitalising on the acceptance of non-fungible tokens (NFT) among its target markets. The creative marketing strategy raised SDC’s loyalty programme sign-ups and attracted significant involvement, obtaining 1.96 million impressions on their social media platforms. It also included a clear analysis and mapping of audience behaviour. Due to its organised approach to personnel management and development, Resorts World Sentosa was honoured as an Outstanding Employer (formerly known as the Exemplary Employer award). In 2022, the business created a tiered skill allotment system and completed about 300,000 training hours. A specialised Innovation Department is also there to support and collaborate with other departments on work practises and innovation. Outstanding wellness experience receives a new award The Outstanding Wellness Experience award was launched this year in keeping with STB’s vision for Singapore to develop into a global hub for urban wellness and to expand our tourist services in this field. The first-place prize was won by Xiu Nature Connections. Xiu Nature Connections has developed a novel approach for tourists to see Singapore through its unusual forest bathing experience that draws on Singapore’s little pockets of greenery. Additionally, it worked with partners including Far East Hospitality, Seek Sophie, and ClassPass to promote their forest bathing activities internationally. The Singapore tourist Awards, which are presented by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), unite Singapore’s tourist industry to honour those people and businesses who succeed at providing unique experiences and achieving business excellence. The Awards are a crucial component of STB’s initiatives to increase the competitiveness of the Singapore tourism industry by inspiring businesses and individuals to provide memorable experiences or adopt best practises. Visit www.singaporetourismawards.com for more details. Source: breakingtravelnews

In the first quarter of 2023, Dubai received 4.67 million foreign overnight guests, up from 3.97 million visitors in the same period of 2022. According to the most recent information provided by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this is a 17% YoY gain and the city’s highest Q1 performance since the pandemic, putting it firmly on course to become the most popular foreign destination. In order to solidify Dubai’s position as one of the top three cities in the world, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 in January. This growth puts the city on track for a full tourism recovery. His Majesty “The remarkable growth in international visitation achieved by Dubai in the first quarter of 2023 demonstrates the city’s emergence as one of the key destinations leading the way in the rebound of the global tourism sector,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. This accomplishment is the result of the leadership’s expansive ambition to make Dubai the world’s leading centre for tourism, talent, entrepreneurship, and investment. Dubai is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises. His Highness just announced the Dubai Economic Agenda. Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, lays out an ambitious new course for Dubai in order to increase its contributions to determining the direction of the world economy. In addition to being one of the strongest economic foundations in our country, the tourist industry plays a crucial role in enabling Dubai’s unique position as a global link between markets, cultures, and regions. In the next years, Dubai will keep launching innovative new projects in an effort to stand out as a tourism destination and fulfil its ambition of becoming the finest city in the world to live, visit, work, and invest. At 98% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023, according to the most recent industry results, Dubai is the destination that is recovering the fastest globally, beating the UN World Trade Organization’s prediction that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80 and 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. A remarkable achievement since turning the tide in July 2020 by reopening the city to international tourists, and in spite of current global economic headwinds, was the number of visitors in Q1 2023, which fell just two percentage points short of the pre-pandemic volume of 4.75 million tourists that arrived in Dubai in the first three months of 2019. The sector’s achievement also marked the culmination of a stellar first quarter for Dubai, which saw the city named the top worldwide destination once more in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023. This is just the second occasion in history that a city has received the prestigious award for two years in a row. The Honourable “Q1 2023 has set us off on a very strong trajectory for the year and is driving us closer to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the most visited and returned-to destination,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. The robust performance of the industry is confirmation of our clearly defined strategy and evidence of the unwavering support of our stakeholders and partners in the travel and tourism sector. As we put more effort into fulfilling the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033, the next ten years will witness our sector go through unprecedented phases of transition in terms of infrastructure, technology, attractions, and experiences. The multi-pronged strategy that helped us succeed in 2022 will be continued in order to keep Dubai’s appeal as the top travel destination in the world: evolving the destination promise, taking a multi-geographic approach to markets, constant international outreach through global campaigns, hosting international MICE, business, and leisure events, and further strengthening stakeholder relationships. The pillars of sustainability, cuisine, trade, and technology will serve as the cornerstone of our future success as we anticipate more accelerated momentum in our tourist sector. A significant milestone for us is that this year has been designated as the UAE’s “Year of Sustainability” as the nation gets ready to host COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference. As we aim to become the finest city in the world to live and work in, sustainability will be at the centre of all we do. We will integrate sustainable practises into every part of the visitor experience. strong reversal The effectiveness of the city’s diversified multi-geographic approach is further demonstrated by the fact that Dubai’s traditional source markets continued to have a positive influence on foreign visitors during the first quarter of the year. The top area was made up of the GCC and MENA, which contributed 29% of the overall volumes, demonstrating the city’s sustained attraction to visitors from nearby markets. South Asia accounted for 16% of all overseas visitors, followed by CIS and Eastern Europe with a combined contribution of 15%, the Americas (7%), North Asia and South East Asia (6%), Africa (4%), and Australasia (1%). Western Europe accounted for 22% of tourist arrivals. While four regions have fully recovered and surpassed Q1 2019 levels, including MENA (32% vs. Q1-2019), the Americas (9% vs. Q1-2019, and Australasia (2% vs. 2019), the majority of regions have shown significant growth in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. In terms of tourism volume, South Asia and Western Europe are both almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Dubai’s hotel industry is driving development Performance at hotels in Dubai increased significantly in the first quarter of 2023. The industry’s average occupancy from January to March was a staggering 83%, ranking among the highest in the world and nearly matching the

The World travel Organisation (UNWTO) and Qatar Tourism have partnered to create the Qatar Tourism Awards, a programme intended to commemorate and honour the extraordinary contributions made by companies in providing exceptional and distinctive travel experiences in Qatar. By honouring tourist companies that consistently perform exceptional customer service, the Qatar tourist Awards aim to draw attention on the elements that go into designing a visitor’s experience at every touchpoint of their journey. The goal of this effort is to inspire all parties involved in the direct or indirect delivery of tourist experiences to keep creating and emulating extraordinary initiatives that stand out for their originality, sustainability, accessibility, and high level of service. His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar tourist and Chief Executive of the Qatar Airways Group, stated: “We are thrilled to announce the Qatar Tourism Awards, which are intended to highlight the outstanding work of stakeholders in the tourist sector. The vision, tenacity, and passion of the organisations and people involved in the tourism industry have allowed Qatar to become home to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Through this programme, we seek to motivate and inspire our collaborators to create fresh, cutting-edge projects that will further enhance Qatar’s standing as a premier travel destination. The three main categories of the Qatar Tourism Awards—Cultural Experiences, Smart Solutions, and Service Excellence—highlight various facets of the traveller experience. All tourism firms, operators, entrepreneurs, visitor attractions, organisations, and events that operate in Qatar and market Qatar to a local and worldwide audience are eligible to enter the Qatar Tourism Awards. The awards are already accepting submissions, and later this year, a special event will be held to announce the winners. Source: breakingtravelnews

This platform, run by New Perspective Media Group, encourages financial literacy and fosters successful partnerships for a wealthy future. UAE’s DUBAI – The largest investment conference and property exhibition for the Philippines was launched in Dubai by His Excellency Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., Minister of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Radisson Blu Hotel, Deira Creek, Dubai, hosted the first Philippine Economic and Investment Summit (PEIS) and the ninth Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE) on May 12–13. The public can attend the two-day international activities without charge. The UAE Travellers Festival Chairman, His Excellency Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Mujrin, and the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Alfonso Ver, officially opened the two events in front of important local and international investors. PEIS and PPIE are sponsored by Ayala Land as a silver sponsor, Rockwell Land and RLC Residences as gold sponsors, and New Perspective Media Group as the organiser. Speaking at the event will be H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., Minister of the Philippine DILG, Hon. Renato Dueas Jr., Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, and Charmaine Mignon Yalong, Commercial Attaché to the Middle East and Africa for the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Murjin, Chairman of the Emirates Travellers Festival, Michael Makdah, Director of Market Intelligence, The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo, Executive Vice President, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Atty. Arifa A. Ala, Assistant Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines), Valerie Jane The Minister of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government, H.E. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., stated, “We are pleased about the excellent economic opportunities that lie ahead of us. Our objective is to improve the procedures, governance, and ease of doing business at all levels, from the community to the industries. This dedication will guarantee a smooth and effective business environment. The people of Dubai have our sincere thanks for their constant support of the Philippines and for making us feel incredibly proud to be Filipinos. The most precious capital we have here, according to H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine ambassador to the UAE, is our people. They serve as a catalyst for luring investments, with the government providing crucial regulatory backing. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Karen Remo for taking this action. This project provides yet another way for us to advance and deepen our bilateral relationships. The chairman of the Emirates Travellers Festival, H.E. Awad Mohammed Sheikh Al Mujrin, said: “I am happy to be here and ready to offer my views and trade information about your nation. I’ve had the privilege of travelling to the Philippines around ten times, and each trip is one of my most treasured and lovely experiences. The people’s friendliness and kindness, together with their sincere grins, make for a very unique experience. In my opinion, the Philippines is a country that merits more research. I’m convinced it has a bright future in front of it. We are steadfastly devoted to widening avenues for collaboration and offering whatever essential assistance to make your efforts easier. Through the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE), the largest and most established international Filipino investment expo and conference, New Perspective Media Group has been promoting financial literacy for Filipinos as part of its CSR initiatives for almost a decade. The event is currently in its ninth iteration, thanks to all of your support, said Dr Karen Remo, CEO & Founder of New Perspective Media Group and Chairman of PPIE and PEIS. In an effort to provide institutional and ordinary investors with a larger variety of investment ideas and tools, we created the Philippine Economic & Investment Summit this year. “And by doing so, NPM Group can further reinforce and strengthen the economic and social ties between the Philippines and the Middle East by providing a platform that can bring forth a better and wealthier future, for everyone,” continued Dr. Remo. Source: traveldailynews

Edinburgh and Beijing will be connected twice weekly by Hainan Airlines. This summer, Edinburgh Airport will be happy to see a direct flight back to Beijing when Hainan Airlines lands in Scotland. From June 26 to October 8, the airline will run twice-weekly flights between Scotland’s main airport and the Chinese capital. When it launches next month, this will be the only flight that connects Scotland and China directly. As we prepare for an incredibly exciting summer, Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “The reintroduction of direct flights to Beijing is excellent news and is further proof of the robust recovery we’re experiencing here at Edinburgh. “When it launches, this service will be the only one running between Scotland and China, and Hainan Airlines is really demonstrating its trust in the market by offering it. Scotland’s universities and tourist sector will benefit from this crucial link, which will also provide a plethora of new economic prospects and improve access to other regions of the globe. We’re confident that it will be widely regarded by everyone, including students who are crossing the border to study, families who are reuniting, and visitors who are going to new regions. “I welcome the announcement of this direct service between Edinburgh Airport and Beijing, which is a significant development for both Edinburgh and Scotland’s international connectivity,” said Transport Minister Kevin Stewart. For individuals and companies in Scotland and China, this direct connectivity is excellent news since it fosters strong ties for trade and exports and makes it simpler for tourists and students to visit Scotland. Source: traveldailynews

Greater China is driving the expansion of APAC’s recovery, with pre-pandemic hotel occupancy levels in APAC exceeding post-pandemic levels by 5% in Q1 2023 compared to Q1. As the sector moves into the second half of the year, travel demand is rising across all markets in the Asia Pacific region (APAC), indicating that the industry is well on its road to recovery. Amadeus’ Demand360® data reveals that due to the recent reopening of Greater China’s border, the region’s hotel occupancy growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2023 (January-March) increased by 61.7%, surpassing 2019 levels by 3%. Greater China is driving the expansion of APAC’s recovery, with pre-pandemic hotel occupancy levels in APAC exceeding post-pandemic levels by 5% in Q1 2023 compared to Q1. The greatest hotel occupancy rate in APAC for Q1 is seen in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), which saw an increase from 64.5% in January 2023 to 76.5% in March 2023. Throughout Q1 2023, hotel occupancy rates in significant APAC markets increased. Tokyo is one of the markets that performed well, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding records from mid-March to April 2023 during the cherry blossom season, reaching over 80%. In addition, from February to March 2023, hotel occupancy in Sydney was 85% on average. Hotels in Singapore fared 2-3% better in February and March 2023 than previous record highs in 2019. Hotel occupancy in Seoul increased 7% from January to March 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. Notably, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and Beijing are the top markets with the highest regional hotel occupancy rates in Q1, with rates above 70% over the Easter week from April 7–10, 2023. “We are beyond thrilled by the hospitality resurgence that is currently taking place across Asia Pacific compared to pre-pandemic levels,” says Maria Taylor, Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific, Hospitality, Amadeus. As domestic and international tourism have picked up, this is a positive indication that hoteliers in APAC may anticipate a sizable return in the long run. Source: traveldailynews

‘It’s left us out of pocket … with no cards and lots of tears.’ An Australian woman who was conned out of $2,700 while on vacation in Bali is alerting other visitors following her traumatic experience. The woman, who requested anonymity, claimed that she and her partner had scheduled an hour-long massage at a salon in Seminyak. As they entered, they both gave their phones to the staff so they could relax fully during the massage. The lady posted a warning on a Facebook group: “When we got out, our phones had messages about fraudulent transactions — $2,700 has been successfully stolen, which cleaned out our accounts and put us in the negative.” “What was a wonderful vacation has now become a nightmare.” Although their bank was able to halt two transactions totaling $4,500 and $7,500, the woman claimed their cards had to be terminated. We are now out of money, without any functional cards, and in a lot of tears, she stated. Also, “The bank… can’t guarantee we will get (the money) back, pending a fraud investigation.” After the encounter, the lady told 7NEWS.com.au, they decided to go home early. “Our Marriott hotel has been wonderful, and security and management confronted the massage manager and also assisted us with going to the police to make a report for the bank,” she added. The hoax scared other passengers in the Facebook group. “I really appreciate you showing this. great civic engagement. The only thing I can say is, “I’m so sorry you had to go through this. It was horrible!” Another person chimed in, “This is so disgusting and unfortunately not the first incident I’ve read about.” Source: 7news