Travel News

The Middle Eastern area continues to receive publicity through Tourism Malaysia’s extensive marketing campaigns. The Malaysian delegation will take part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from May 1–4, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), under the direction of the Honourable Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. The four-day ATM provides Malaysia with a fantastic venue for marketing and promoting the most recent tourist attractions and vacation spots for luxury travel, eco-adventure, honeymoons, and family fun. The fact that Malaysia will be participating in ATM 2023 for the 29th time shows the country’s dedication to bringing more Middle Eastern visitors to Malaysia as well as its support of the renowned event. A Malaysian delegation from 76 organisations, including the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Penang Global Tourism, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Melaka, Tourism Pahang, and Tourism Johor, will be present at this prestigious annual event as they have in previous years. These organisations include hotels and resorts, travel agencies, owners of tourism-related products, and representatives from various state governments. The objective seeks to renew and strengthen the dedication to forging strong tourism partnerships, participating in upcoming partnerships, and collaborating with the local travel and tourism sector. During the launch, the Honourable Khairul Firdaus stated, “In line with Visit Malaysia in 2025, Tourism Malaysia will work to increase the number of visitors from the Middle East to Malaysia. We are sure that we will succeed in making Malaysia the top travel destination for Muslims. The Malaysian delegation conducts interviews with the local media as well as meetings with the top executives of a few Middle Eastern airlines, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Saudia Airlines, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and Salam Air to discuss potential partnerships. The signing of two Memorandums of Collaboration (MOC) between Tourism Malaysia and Saudia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia and Air Arabia took place on May 2 and 3, 2023, in the presence of Honourable Khairul Firdaus. Through the tourism sector, this MOC will benefit the Malaysian economy and strengthen ties between Malaysia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. After then, on May 2, 2023, Honourable Khairul Firdaus presented a “Malaysia Nite Gala Dinner” to express gratitude to the Dubai tourism industry and the local media for their cooperation in promoting Malaysia. Malaysia has registered a total of 10,070,964 (10.07 million) visitor arrivals after fully reopening its international borders, exceeding its initial objective of 9.2 million foreign tourist visits and earning RM28.2 billion (AED 23.5 billion) in tourism revenues in 2022. Malaysia aims to receive 16.1 million foreign visitors (including 300,000 from West Asia) and earn RM49.2 billion (AED41.1 billion) in tourism revenue in 2023. Source: breakingtravelnews

UTAH’S SOUTH JORDAN – The debut of Travelpass Group’s new trip-planning platform, a website with curated experiences and public and private reduced accommodation rates, is announced. Travelpass Group is a prominent provider of travel technology and booking solutions. Travelpass.com unlocks lodging rates by utilising a multi-supplier network of hotels and provides support, inspiration, and community when travelling. The Travelpass platform offers consumers options that make trip planning easier and more enjoyable. Hotel discounts in North America will be available to everyone who visits the website. Travellers may form a free member log-in to peruse its huge inventory pool and have access to hotel discounts that aren’t often made public. Additionally, a team of agents is available by phone around-the-clock to unlock the biggest discounts and offer customer service. Bookings are made directly on the Travelpass website after a traveller selects the ideal location. According to CEO Ryan McCoy, “the modern traveller demands a simple platform that offers transparent pricing and personalised trip-planning tools, so they can efficiently book an amazing getaway.” Since the introduction of rideshare apps, the travel industry has a reputation for being sluggish when it comes to innovation. Our ability to access a variety of supply channels allows us to provide insider prices as well as specialised, technologically advanced trip planning tools, which is what makes Travelpass unique. As summer tourism picks up, several cities are already seeing a spike in bookings from people trying to secure hotels before they go up in price and become more scarce. According to research by Travelpass Group, the top five U.S. cities for travel between May 1 and September 30 this year are: Las Vegas Orlando, FL Nashville, TN Seattle New York Wherever you decide to travel this summer, Travelpass is improving the travel experience with open pricing and simple assistance. In accordance with Google statistics from 2022, 43% of travellers claimed that their pre-booking research took at least one month. With the help of the company’s platform, travellers can organise their whole trip in one location. 59% of summer travellers choose the convenience of booking over the phone with assistance from the Travelpass staff. “Travelpass caters to the adventurous at heart. According to Austin Lowe, president of Travelpass, “We are enthusiastic about enhancing people’s lives via travel. This emotion drives every part of this firm. “This platform opens up new opportunities while bringing together a vibrant community of adventurous, inquiring, and entertaining travellers. The journey has only just begun. In the upcoming months, Travelpass intends to release a number of new products, including an app for managing travel itineraries and scheduling destination activities like sporting events and concerts. Additionally, the platform will offer individualised travel agent support and expand its domestic hotel inventory with global choices. If travellers need assistance with trip planning, they can turn to Travelpass for AI-driven travel suggestions utilising ChatGPT. Users will have the opportunity to make draught itineraries, store them, and then share them with their friends and family for input. Source: traveldailynews

FL, HOLYWOOD – Scenic Group USA is kicking off Travel Advisor Appreciation Month with the launch of their new trade focused campaign – Partners in Travel – as well as celebrating the contribution of valued travel advisors with bonus commissions and giveaways of free luxury river and ocean cruises – air included. This is done in appreciation of the travel industry’s hard-working travel advisors and all they do to promote Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises. Ken Muskat, Managing Director of Scenic Group USA, said, “We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication our travel partners have shown our two brands throughout both the toughest of years and our more recent strong recovery.” We wanted to develop a campaign for our travel advisors that encapsulated our relationship with them and helped them expand their businesses while we increased brand recognition in the US market. What better time to launch our Partners in Travel campaign than during Travel adviser Appreciation Month? It aims to reinforce our commitment to the travel adviser community. New deposited reservations made between May 1 and May 31, 2023, will earn travel agents an extra $100 commission per cabin for river cruises and $250 for ocean cruises as part of the month-long celebration. For each booking, they will also receive one entry into the “Win a Free Cruise” drawing, with two winners and guests sailing on the luxurious Scenic Eclipse II from Portland, Maine on October 13, 2023 for an 11-night trip to the Atlantic Islands and the Caribbean, and one winner and guest sailing on the luxurious Emerald Cruises Danube Delights between Regensburg and Budapest on July 8, 2023. flight included. The winners will be selected at random from all submissions, so the more reservations you make, the better your chances are. Scenic and Emerald Cruises have both increased their per-person discount offers to $400 and $250, respectively, for travel advisers who specialise in group reservations on rivers. These offers are valid for new group agreements on all European and Southeast Asian river cruises departing in 2023–May 2025. Participating guests may save $250 on Scenic and $200 on Emerald Cruises thanks to new ocean group arrangements. Additionally, the business provides a wealth of resources for travel advisors, such as ExpressBook, an Agent Academy (which may result in higher commissions), an image library, a social media posts kit, and more. Over the course of its 37-year existence, Scenic Group, which consists of Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours, has expanded to include award-winning river and ocean cruises as well as handcrafted land journeys that take travellers to many of the world’s most fascinating locations on all seven continents. Since 2008, Scenic has been the industry leader in providing genuinely all-inclusive, five-star river cruises across Europe, Southeast Asia, and on private luxury charters on the Nile in Egypt. With the launch of Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship in 2019, and Scenic Eclipse II, its sister ship, in 2023, Scenic continued to uphold its dedication to setting new standards for the cruise industry while introducing a number of innovative features. Nine Star-Ships under the Emerald Cruises brand provide river cruises throughout Europe and on the Mekong. Emerald Azzurra, a 100-guest superyacht that will cruise the warm seas of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Caribbean, and Central America, was the first vessel to launch under the Emerald Cruises brand in 2022. Emerald Sakara, her sister ship, will follow in August 2023. Source: traveldailynews

Many of the most amazing cities, coasts, and countrysides in the world welcome tourists from all over the world in July, which continues to be one of the most popular months for packing up and taking a vacation. Being the warmest time of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least) and falling in the middle of the summer break, it presents many people with the ideal opportunity to travel the globe in search of sunshine. There are many locations that offer continuous sun without the risk of record-breaking heatwaves, despite the fact that some regions are susceptible to extremely high temperatures. Anyone who is willing to look long and hard enough can find a good deal, even though there is a chance for higher prices and busier locations at that time of year. And if your main objective is to find some sun, July offers options that range from nearby to far away. Here are our top picks for idyllic summer vacations, from visiting European cities and Greek Islands to having adventures in Indonesia or Mexico. Spain’s BarcelonaJuly’s average temperature is 26C.Sunlight hours per day: nine Even in the winter, the weather in the Catalan capital is excellent, but July is the hottest and driest month of the year. Even though it frequently gets into the 30s, don’t let that deter you from visiting this wonderful city (just make sure your accommodations have air conditioning). The beach and port sections, which have miles of shoreline and a lovely sea breeze, provide a wonderful alternative to meandering through the Gothic Quarter’s winding alleyways or seeing the city’s ancient sites. Nevertheless, the numerous cobbled streets offer much-needed shade in addition to a large number of cafes and bars to visit if the temperature rises too high. The weather is nicer at night, and it’s a fantastic time to explore some of the attractions, including the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, which stay open until 8.30 p.m. Portugal’s AzoresJuly’s average temperature is 22C.Sunlight hours per day: 8 The Azores, a volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean just over 1,500 kilometres from Portugal’s main peninsula, offers fantastic options for adventurous sports. The days are rarely oppressively hot in July because the average high is approximately 24C, and there are only three days when it rains. The capital of the Azores is Ponte Delgada, which has an odd fusion of architectural forms, including a Gothic entry gate, Baroque religious retreats, and even a few instances of Moorish influence. There are many beautiful places in the countryside, such as the twin lakes at Caldeira das Sete Cidades, the Lagoa de Fodo lake, and Parque Terra Nostra. Italy’s BolognaJuly’s average temperature is 25C.Sunlight hours per day: nine This city is well-known for its porticoes, which are included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and university, which is the oldest continuously operating institution in the world. Although Bologna may not get as much attention as other Italian tourist destinations, it is still worthwhile to visit. As visitors explore the Plaza Maggiore and climb the Asinelli towers, they can almost always expect sunshine thanks to July’s average high temperature of 30C (and almost no rain). Bologna, a genuine centre of Italian cuisine, is a fantastic place to eat and even boasts a theme park dedicated to food a few miles outside the city. France’s ProvenceJuly’s average temperature is 24 C.Sunlight hours per day: 10 Provence, a former province of France that is now part of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region, is arguably best known for the lavender that blooms in its parks and countryside throughout the summer. While the region’s capital city, Marseille, is a popular destination for travellers, smaller towns like Aix-en-Provence are much less crowded and offer a more genuine taste of France. With it come options for cycling or trekking, and if the days grow too hot, the numerous lakes, rivers, and coastal regions offer a pleasant respite. Greece’s Santorini and the CycladesJuly’s average temperature is 26C.Sunlight hours per day: 13 It is simple to understand why the Cyclades, particularly islands like Santorini, have become so well-liked by tourists given the region’s remarkable 13 hours of sunlight each day and average highs of 30C. Rows of white houses perched above rocky cliffs and coastlines provide for incredible photo possibilities, and the weather makes it possible to swim, tan and explore as much as you like without having to worry about getting wet. The Cyclades consist of nearly 220 islands, yet the official tourist website provides in-depth information on only 23 of them, including Ios, Neros, and Mykonos. In addition to its fantastic weather, this collection of Aegean islands offers something for everyone, from charming settlements to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the upmarket nightlife of Mykonos. Bali, Indonesia’s CangguJuly’s average temperature is 26C.Sunlight hours per day: nine Bali, a renowned vacation spot in the Southern Hemisphere that has high temperatures and minimal rain in July, had more than six million foreign visitors in 2019. After strict entry requirements during the Covid pandemic, the number of visitors to Bali has been steadily increasing. A trip to Bali means embracing nature, whether it be through mountain hikes, beach lounging, or strolls through patches of jungle. Although those seeking particular activities can take advantage of the numerous animal sanctuaries, temples, and, in some areas, a vibrant nightlife scene, this is the place to unwind and enjoy the sunshine. Tulum, MexicoAverage July temperature is 29CSunlight hours per day: nine Tulum is a popular tourist destination because of its well-preserved ancient Mayan ruins, white sand beaches, and clean seas. It is located on the Caribbean coast on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Other natural features include many cenotes, places where natural limestone bedrock has crumbled, revealing a natural pit and groundwater. The Mayan castle is perched on a rocky cliff overlooking one such beach, which is bordered by woodland and palm palms. There’s a good chance you’ll need to go to one to cool down with typical highs

Many Britons desire to emigrate for a better quality of life. The world’s healthiest location for expats has been identified as a “absolutely beautiful” city. The world’s healthiest cities were determined by travel firm Holidu by examining the places with the least pollution, the highest levels of happiness, and other significant variables. First place was shared by two stunning cities, both of which would be a wonderful spot for a British expat to settle down. world’s healthiest cities Sweden’s Stockholm and Portugal’s Faro Stockholm, Finland Barcelona, Spain Iceland’s Reykjavik Israel’s Tel Aviv USA – Las Vegas London, England Espaa, Malaga Spain’s Seville As the healthiest city for expats, Faro, the capital of Portugal’s Algarve, and Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, tied for top position. But why is living in Stockholm such a healthy environment? People in Sweden have access to a lot of fresh seafood and fruit, and their diets are generally healthful. However, Sweden takes its sweets very seriously, and the country’s capital is teeming with pick-and-mix stores. Stockholm’s citizens may easily go outside and exercise because the city has a lot of green space and relatively little air pollution. One of the largest parks in the city is located on the island Kungliga Djurgrden. There are several museums around the vast open area. Absolutely gorgeous, wrote a traveller by the name of ‘tmdowney69’ on Tripadvisor. Stockholm is such a lovely, clean city. The Abba Museum and Skansen, an outdoor museum with its own animals, are both accessible to tourists on the island. Stockholm is sunny and dazzling in the summer, when the sun rises as early as 3:30am. However, during the winter, when the city has significantly fewer daylight hours than in the UK, newcomers might struggle. Faro, Portugal, is one of the most affordable towns in Western Europe and offers some of the nicest weather in all of Europe. The Algarve offers year-round access to some of Europe’s top beaches for expats. The region is renowned for its golf courses, some of the greatest in the world. The diet of the Portuguese people includes a lot of fresh foods. People have access to a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, and it is rich in healthy fats like olive oil. Helsinki, which came in third on the list, would be the ideal option for Britons seeking a fresh start. In this year’s rankings, Finland was named the world’s happiest nation for the sixth consecutive year. The top-ranked city in Spain was Madrid, while Reykjavik came in at number four. Las Vegas was the top-rated location in the USA, and Tel Aviv was the highest-rated city outside of Europe. Source: express

A lady shared her terror on TikTok after learning that the Airbnb she was renting with her pals had a hidden camera. According to Stuff, Kennedy Calwell and 14 other people were staying in Vancouver, Canada, to celebrate a friend’s 30th birthday when their “paranoid” acquaintance said she sensed cameras observing them. They originally believed her friend was “just being dramatic,” according to Ms. Calwell, but then they began to search “every single showerhead, all the picture frames, doorknobs, and everywhere in the house for a camera.” They disassembled it with a butter knife after discovering a peculiar outlet that was too small to accommodate any equipment. They quickly discovered there was a little camera in the wall socket she said “faced directly to the shower,” as they had been told. “As you can see, there is nothing in the top here; everything appears to be normal. Finally, she said in the video, “Look at that tiny camera in the bottom one. According to communications displayed by Ms Calwell in the film, the police appeared to acknowledge that there were several cameras in the building when the group called them. The buddies are still awaiting the cameras’ analysis findings. How to recognise whether an Airbnb has hidden cameras On the tape, Ms Calwell made light of her own embarrassment, saying, “I was really embarrassed because of all the absolutely atrocious things I was doing in the bathroom the night before.” Before requesting guidance on what to do, she said, “Part of me wasn’t convinced it was real and then they found the cameras, which means we’ve been there for a night showering and things. There have been almost 6.5 million views of the video. The owners of the residence “claimed they didn’t know anything about hidden cameras,” Ms. Calwell wrote in the comments section later. However, they were renting the property to someone. The home-stay website has suspended the listing where the camera was discovered. The Independent was given the following statement from an Airbnb spokesperson: “We ban hidden cameras and previously refunded the guest as we investigate this allegation.” When a couple couldn’t cancel their reservation, they sought revenge by keeping the taps running for a month, leaving the Airbnb host in South Korea with a $1,570 (£1,260) bill. Source: independent

The rapid change in how we vacation has been brought about by businesses like Airbnb, but there may also be a negative aspect. In recent years, a number of reports of tourists discovering covert cameras in vacation rentals have prompted concerns about the security of staying in a stranger’s house. Kennedy Calwell expressed her shock on Tiktok in April 2023 after learning that the Airbnb she and her pals were rented had a hidden camera. When their “paranoid” friend claimed she had a sensation there were cameras monitoring them, she and 14 other people were staying in Vancouver, Canada, to celebrate a 30th birthday. They continued to search “every single showerhead, all the picture frames, doorknobs, and everywhere in the house for a camera” until discovering one concealed behind an odd plug that was too small to accommodate any gadget. The party quickly learned there was a little camera in the wall socket that “faced directly to the shower.” Meanwhile, in February of last year, Texas resident Brittany Walsh shared a TikTok video of a ping-pong ball-sized camera she had discovered plugged into the wall in the bathroom of her Austin rental home. She depicted the arrival of neighbourhood police to document the incident on her film, which is against the law in Texas. “Someone’s boutta catch a felony for invasive visual recording,” Ms. Walsh captioned the video, which has received over 548,000 views. In 2017, Jason Scott shared a photo of a motion detector with a camera placed inside that his coworker, who must remain nameless, had found in an Airbnb flat. He tweeted: “(He departed at 3am, reported, host is suspended, colleague got refund.) In ‘oh, that’s a thing now’ news, a colleague of mine thought it unusual that there was a single’motion detector’ in his Airbnb in the bedroom and voila, it’s an IP camera linked to the web. Should everyone now check their vacation rentals for cameras? If so, how exactly? “You have to be vigilant to the likelihood of possibility,” Keith Roberts, a technician with Advanced Sweeping, a service that finds bugs for people and corporations, told The Independent. “The world contains some bad people.” He claims that during the past few years, Advanced Sweeping has discovered more concealed cameras. These days, cameras and listening devices are much more common. There used to be a small, exclusive market, and you needed a connection to access it. Anyone can now purchase them off the shelf from Amazon or eBay, making it much simpler. There are various things a layperson can do to check for cameras, however Roberts advises having a professional business in to check if you want to be absolutely certain you aren’t being filmed.Take a look around. “With cameras, you should look for tiny holes, which is where the lens will be,” advises Roberts. “Verify ordinary objects, like the backs of books, mirrors, lightbulbs, and houseplants. Look in the obvious places; if someone needed information, they would have left a device in the living room. A camera would probably be placed in the places used for grooming, such as the bathroom, shower and bedroom, if the individual was a voyeur. Source: independent

The tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” entices visitors from all over the world to enjoy the nation’s stunning beaches and lush highlands. But getting there isn’t always easy, as anyone who was unfortunate enough to be at Manila’s airport during this year’s two devastating power outages discovered. Tens of thousands of travellers were affected by hundreds of flight cancellations as a result of those disruptions, which occurred on Labour Day and New Year’s Day. The Philippines will shut down the whole nation’s airspace on May 17 for six hours in an effort to address that problem in order to repair broken electrical equipment. Bryan Co, senior assistant general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, stated at a news conference on Tuesday that “the entire Philippine airspace will be shut down.” It will take place between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time, which is typically a time of less flight travel, to replace the uninterruptible power supply for the air traffic management centre. Airlines were urged by Co to modify their flight itineraries and provide early-warning information to customers on alternate plans in case its airspace went black. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, which was built 75 years ago and serves as the nation’s primary international entry point, has been unable to handle the influx of travellers since flights restarted following the lifting of the pandemic restrictions. 48 domestic flights operated by Cebu Pacific were cancelled on May 1 due to a nearly nine-hour outage at Terminal 3 of the airport during the Labour Day long weekend vacation. According to recordings from CNN affiliate CNN Philippines, groups of disgruntled travellers queuing up at the Cebu Pacific counter heckled personnel since the details of the flight arrangements weren’t made clear. Following the incident, a thorough electrical analysis is being carried out, and an audit that will determine which updates should be given priority may take up to 90 days, according to the airport authority. The group of six conglomerates said in a statement on Thursday that just days before the chaos, the newly formed Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) had submitted plans to the national government outlining a number of improvements at the country’s busiest airport with an aim to double annual passenger capacity to 62.5 million by 2028. Despite being built to accommodate 31.5 million people, the airport handled 48 million passengers in 2019, according to the statement. The estimated cost of the renovation is $1.8 billion (100 billion Philippine pesos). Upgrades were long needed, especially after the massive power outages that disrupted air traffic control at the country’s busiest airport on New Year’s Day this year, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded in the Southeast Asian hub. At least 56,000 people were impacted by the over 300 flights that were either delayed, cancelled, or diverted to other regional airports. During the busy year-end travel season, when many foreign tourists and overseas residents fly into the country from abroad to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, the Philippine government opened an official investigation into what caused a severe outage on New Year’s Day. Source: cnn.com

The Honourable Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, declared that the tourist industry in the UAE has begun a bold new chapter. The new goals were set in response to a boom in Abu Dhabi’s tourist industry in 2022. Hotel occupancy rates and other measures show that the business is already on the mend. The overall number of visitors to the emirate increased by 13% from the previous year to 18 million, while hotel occupancy rates surpassed the Middle Eastern norm of 67 percent by reaching 70%. The emirate attracted tourists from all over the world, with the majority of them coming from India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in that order. The expanded selection of year-round entertainment and athletic events, as well as trade events and roadshows, in Abu Dhabi may be credited for the enhanced local and international market performance. “Our ambitious goal to welcome more 24 million visitors by the end of 2023 builds on healthy growth over the past year,” said H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi. The delivery of outstanding vacation and business experiences over the whole year, underpinned by an integrated ecosystem of best-in-class services, infrastructure, and effective marketing, made it possible for this optimistic performance. In Abu Dhabi, we are showcasing the value of collaboration throughout the tourist industry and how successful we can be as a whole. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, commented on the new goals, saying: “The success we have already attained drives us to strive for more. By intensifying the effective approach of developing and providing one-of-a-kind experiences for everyone to enjoy and a varied range of year-round activities for tourists in partnership with our international IP partners, we are dedicated to achieving our goals for 2023. This is supplemented by the MICE sector, which continues to grow as a result of the emirate’s top-tier venues, hotels, and supporting infrastructure. Over 100 events in 180 days were successfully hosted by Abu Dhabi Calendar the previous year, with an impressive lineup of A-list international talent. The events fascinated and thrilled spectators with performances by Oscar-winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman, iconic Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sting, and K-pop phenomenon BLACKPINK. The Mother of the Nation (MOTN) and LIWA festivals, two well-known local family events, were held throughout the emirate, adding to the city’s cultural diversity and liveliness. By hosting significant events like the renowned Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA, and UFC, Abu Dhabi further established itself as a premier location for international sport. These occasions drew sizable crowds and received widespread media coverage, establishing Abu Dhabi as a top travel destination for fans of entertainment and sports. Two tourist ads, “Experience Abu Dhabi, Find Your Pace” and “Summer Like You Mean It,” were launched in 2022 in keeping with DCT Abu Dhabi’s objective to offer a variety of experiences. Along with two prominent events, namely the Abu Dhabi Art and Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, a month-long programme of events was also held to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to offering even more ambitious campaigns and events in 2023 that demonstrate its dedication to provide unforgettable experiences to a global audience while harnessing the power of its relationships. Source: breakingtravelnews

With the launch of JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, JW Marriott, one of 30 remarkable hotel brands in Marriott Bonvoy’s worldwide portfolio, debuts its newest property in Clearwater Beach, Florida.The opulent new oceanfront hotel, which is situated along a remote section of what has been repeatedly awarded “America’s Best Beach,” presents a sanctuary of coastal elegance and provides a tranquil setting to think and refuel. Bruce Rohr, vice president and global brand leader for JW Marriott, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa to the brand portfolio and continue to highlight the finest in holistic well-being. This new resort “completely embodies our commitment to offering an experience that revitalises mind, body, and spirit” as the first coastal property to be built from the ground up. A Sanctuary on the WaterWhether relaxing on the resort’s private beach, enjoying the breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from the privacy of one’s balcony, or indulging at one of the resort’s many dining establishments, visitors will always find moments of calm and heightened sensory experiences. The resort’s 162 bedrooms and 36 roomy Residences were created to represent the brand’s fundamental tenet that genuine luxury is having the time and space to focus on oneself, which is what counts most. The hotel welcomes guests from all generations and offers a JW Market, full-service Spa by JW, 24-hour Fitness Centre, JW Kids Club, and rooftop pool deck. Two beach chairs and access to daily exercise sessions held in the resort’s well-equipped fitness centre or outside are included in every guestroom. The rooftop pool deck on the 11th level has stunning views of Sand Key and the Gulf, making it the ideal spot to observe the passing boats. Created to Exude the Spirit of ClearwaterThe recently constructed resort contributes an eye-catching and distinctive architectural style to the area, distinguished by a coastal blue colour. Visitors approach a calm reception room that is bounded by “Seagrass,” a sculpture made by nearby artist Carrie Jadus, as they go from the Porte Cochere, where they are welcomed with friendly valet service. Visitors will find Mark Aeling’s ceiling installation “Wave” just around the corner. Dr. Kiran C. Patel’s development company, Vision Makers, assembled a group of distinguished regional and national architects and designers whose combined efforts produced a smooth transition from the stunning outside to the inspired interiors. The interior decor of CallisonRTKL is meticulously detailed throughout and is enhanced by CM Kling’s calming and alluring lighting. An lovely outdoor sitting area and beyond are framed by floor to ceiling glass doors and windows. Unexpected flourishes of splendour with an art deco influence coexist with rustic elegance and woven textures to create a singularly stylish comfort. The resort’s design philosophy is emphasised by nature and sustainable practises, fusing various textures, such as waves and weaving patterns, to fully capture the spirit of the location. Each guestroom has serene neutral colours and modern accents that are intended to relax the mind and entice one to the own balcony. Quartz crystal has undetectable sparkles, while driftwood tones and undulating patterns symbolise the blending of sand and water. The Senses Are SatisfiedElevated food and beverage concepts welcome global influence while discreetly reinventing regional flavours. The acclaimed Master of the Craft culinary competition’s 2018 winner, Sous Chef Soumi Hazra, and Executive Chef Inder Suryawanshi are in charge of bringing a new level of refinement to Clearwater Beach with their culinary masterpieces. Seasonal specialities like Chef Suryawanshi’s award-winning wagyu with a tomato gel and red chimichurri are made using fresh, local vegetables as well as ingredients from the resort’s own JW Garden. Latitude 28, which takes its name from the Clearwater Beach neighbourhood where it is located, is open every day for breakfast and dinner. It offers a fine-dining, seasonal Mediterranean coastal menu that can be enjoyed in the restaurant’s design-forward dining room or outside on its large patio, making it one of the few places in the area that truly offers beachfront dining. Outstanding meals like the Smoked Burrata, Soujouk Pide, and Octopus Santorini are elevated by house-made pastas and freshly baked bread every morning. Classic Florida cuisine such Gulf Shrimp Tacos are available at the resort’s informal mid-day beachside bar and grill, Eskape. Tropically-inspired handmade drinks are offered to guests at their beach lounger or cabana. The Nikki-Peruvian cuisine at The Deep End, a restaurant and bar on the hotel’s 11th story rooftop, has traditional foods like the Lomo Saltada and is served with spectacular panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and the hotel’s bustling pool deck. Visitors may drink and savour a variety of cocktails and mocktails, including the Caipirinha and Pisco Sour, while savouring the lively views, tastes, scents, and sounds at this ideal location for seeing Clearwater Beach’s magnificent sunsets every evening. An Event Location with ElevationThe resort has more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space that can accommodate a range of gatherings, conferences, and other events. Modern audio-visual and multimedia equipment is available in every conference room and ballroom. With floor-to-ceiling windows, four breakout rooms and an executive boardroom provide a plenty of natural light for meetings. The ideal location for brides or grooms to get ready for their big day in the company of family and friends is a unique executive boardroom that offers a huge conference table, separate lounge sitting area and dry bar. This makes it well-suited for a number of functions, including corporate offsites. The finest of Clearwater Beach, including nightly entertainment at iconic Pier 60, a wide range of boating and water activity options at the marina, and many bars and restaurants, are all conveniently close to the property. The general manager, Michael Manzari, described the encounter as “a wholly unique experience where classic charm meets a laid-back, seaside atmosphere.” “We are thrilled to welcome guests and offer them a secluded retreat with a blend of luxury, sophistication, and casual elegance.” Source: breakingtravelnews