Travel News

A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between Trip.com Group and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to work together to promote tourism in Thailand. This partnership intends to promote Thailand as the top travel destination for Chinese mainland visitors, who routinely rank it among their top travel picks. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Amanda Wang, Vice President, Global Destinations, Trip.com Group, signed the LOI in Beijing, China. It was a component of a high-level delegation’s official trip to China under the leadership of Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. Thailand has continually won over the hearts of vacationers from the Chinese mainland, establishing itself as an alluring location, according to Ms. Wang. We anticipate that this trend of travel to Thailand will continue with the recent implementation of visa-free travel to the country. We look forward to collaborating with TAT to increase tourism to the “Land of Smiles.” “The signing of this Letter of Intent marks the beginning of a new phase of comprehensive cooperation in the promotion of Thai tourism in the Chinese market,” stated Ms. Kiatphaibool. This will serve as a framework for the Tourism Authority of Thailand as we maintain our close cooperation and make every effort to safeguard the safety and security of visitors coming to Thailand. In order to promote the high-quality growth of our tourism sector, we will also organize a number of promotional activities to entice more visitors from the Chinese mainland to Thailand. The letter of intent (LOI) signed between the two parties will act as a catalyst for enhancing the current collaboration and utilizing the depth of Trip.com Group’s knowledge and insights regarding Chinese travelers. It will comprise sharing of knowledge and information, collaboration on marketing campaigns, and the creation of official channels of communication for ongoing bilateral tourism updates. It formalizes an already-existing and productive working partnership between the two companies, with the Thailand edition of the Group’s “Super World Trip” livestream series from January serving as a significant recent example. With nearly 60 products, including attractions, tickets, and staycation packages at hotels across Thailand like The Peninsula Bangkok, Capella Bangkok, InterContinental Pattaya Resort, and Banyan Tree Krabi, the three-hour livestream session aimed at the outbound mainland Chinese audience generated sales of more than 20,000 room nights totaling more than RMB 40 million. During the recent Golden Week holidays, Thailand was one of the top tourist destinations for Chinese visitors, with outbound travel to Thailand reaching almost 11 times the volume for the same period in 2022. Volume increased by 27.6% in comparison to the May Day celebrations this year. Trip.com Group’s platforms saw an 800% increase in searches for Thai locations after last month’s news that Chinese tourists would no longer need visas to travel there. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/trip-com-group-tourism-authority-of-thailand-sign-partnership/

“The Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka” is slated to debut in the Namba Parks shopping center in Osaka in the early summer of 2024, according to Hanshin Contents Link Corporation. The Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka is a brand-new entertainment venue in Japan where patrons may watch a Sumo match while dining and enter the arena (referred to as the “dohyo”) to engage with the athletes and take pictures. Visitors will be able to fully immerse themselves in the world of sumo during two evening performances each day (each lasting roughly 60 minutes). Additionally, there is free time (about 30 minutes per show) for mingling with former professional Sumo wrestlers, getting up-close pictures with them, and buying for authentic HIRAKUZA items and souvenirs. English-language program commentary introduces their lengthy history—more than 1500 years—rules, and way of life, which makes them a welcoming host for visitors. Every concert ticket includes one drink and an authentic Japanese bento filled with local delicacies from Osaka. Vegan and upscale bento choices are also offered upon request (extra fees can apply). The position is in the heart of the city, adjacent to Namba Station, highly handy for tourists, and only a 20-minute stroll from the Dotonbori River. Source- Travel biz Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/hanshin-contents-link-corporation-set-to-open-new-entertainment-show-the-sumo-hall-hirakuza-osaka-next-year/

To help those applying for US work visas, the Biden administration has proposed significant modifications to the H1B foreign workers program. On October 23, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will publish these new regulations.  The same was noted by Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, who said that “the Biden-Harris administration’s priority is to attract global talent, reduce undue burdens on employers, and prevent fraud and abuse in the immigration system.” However, Congress’ mandated annual cap of 60,000 H1B visas will continue to apply. What adjustments are being suggested? To prevent potential abuse and fraud, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering reforms that would change the way H1B registrations are chosen.  Currently, a person’s chances of being chosen through a lottery improve as more registrations are submitted for them. According to the proposed rule, each person’s registration would only be considered for the selection process once, regardless of how many registrations were made on their behalf, the DHS said in a statement. This would streamline the process and improve fairness and transparency. “By considerably lowering or eliminating the benefit of submitting many registrations for the same beneficiary only to raise the likelihood of selection, this would increase the likelihood that a legitimate registration would be chosen. Furthermore, because each registrant who submitted a registration for a chosen beneficiary would have the authority to file an H-1B petition on the beneficiary’s behalf, it may also give beneficiaries more options between valid employment offers, it added. By forbidding connected organizations from submitting numerous registrations for the same beneficiary, misuse and fraud in the H1B registration process would be decreased in addition to strengthening integrity safeguards and altering the selection process. The DHS added that the regulation would also formalize USCIS’ right to conduct site visits and make it clear that failure to comply with site visits might lead to the petition being denied or revoked. “These proposed changes mark a significant step towards streamlining our immigration system and making it more accessible for highly skilled professionals and students from around the world,” Indian American Ajay Bhutoria, a key proponent of immigration reform, said in a statement to PTI. The H1B program assists US employers in filling open positions with the staff they require to run their companies successfully and compete on a worldwide scale, all while abiding by the legal requirements for worker protection in the US. Source- Livemint Link- https://www.livemint.com/news/world/h1b-visa-selection-process-to-see-major-changes-will-increase-chances-for-11697860019644.html

On Sunday, Swiss voters chose their new parliament, many of whom had concerns about the environment and immigration. The majority of Swiss citizens voted by mail, and the final ballots will be gathered on Sunday morning. Both houses of parliament are at stake. The country’s centrist party may win more seats in parliament’s lower house than the free-market party, strengthening their position in the executive branch. The main stakes, if pollsters are correct, are whether two Green parties perform worse than they did in the previous election in 2019. According to polls, the Swiss are primarily concerned about three issues: climate change, which is eroding Switzerland’s numerous glaciers; rising costs for the mandatory, free market-based health insurance system; and concerns about refugees and immigration. The decision could be a sign of how another group of Europeans are approaching right-wing populist politics and the need to invest money and resources in the battle against global warming at a time when inflation is on the rise and many people’s wallets are being squeezed, even in wealthy Switzerland. The Federal Council, which includes President Alain Berset, who has decided to resign from office at the end of the year, will ultimately be determined by the vote for the legislature, which takes place every four years. The Swiss president, who serves as the country’s ambassador abroad, is basically “first among equals” in the seven-member council. Each member holds a portfolio as a government minister, and they alternate each year occupying the top position, which is largely ceremonial. The moderate Viola Amherd would succeed socialist Berset as mayor the following year. The right-wing Swiss People’s Party, the Socialists, the pro-free market Liberals, and the Center party, each with one seat, are the four largest parties in the council. Council members, also referred to as “department chiefs” informally, are appointed by parliament and are eligible to serve for life or for as long as they like. Thus, there aren’t many significant changes in the council’s makeup; as a result, Berset’s seat will be open for grabs among his Socialist siblings. And if the Center party outperforms the pro-free market Liberals, they might take one of the two Liberal council seats. The two-two-two-one balance of seats in the Federal Council is referred to as Switzerland’s “magic formula”; it is intended to reduce the likelihood that any one person will hold an excessive amount of power and to ensure balance in the functioning of government. Add to that Switzerland’s direct democracy, which allows citizens to cast ballots for a variety of political decisions four times a year on average. Parliament must react to those referendum results. In a broader sense, Switzerland has found itself torn between its much-lauded “neutrality” in international affairs and two fundamental components of its identity: Western democratic norms like those in the European Union, which Switzerland has declined to join. Relations between Brussels and Bern, two important economic partners, have worsened due to a protracted and impasse over more than 100 bilateral Swiss-EU accords on topics like police cooperation, commerce, tax, and agricultural policy. The Swiss did support the EU in imposing sanctions on Russia due to its involvement in the crisis in Ukraine. The Federal Council is debating whether to declare Hamas a terrorist group with the EU and the US. The United Nations and Switzerland have both designated Al-Qaida and ISIS as terrorist organizations. According to the IMF, Switzerland, which has a population of only 8.5 million, ranks 20th in the world in terms of economic output. It is also the center of the world’s wealth management, where the wealthy of the globe park a large portion of their income to take advantage of low taxes and a private environment. (AP) Source- Hindustan times Link- https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/swiss-elect-their-parliament-on-sunday-with-worries-about-environment-and-migration-high-in-minds-101697862626064.html

The National Sales Office Director and Market Director of Sales and Distribution for Marriott Philippines is Sophia Altamirano. She will be based at the Manila Marriott Hotel. For Altamirano, 2023 has proven to be a turning point in her career. In June, she moved back home to the Philippines to resume her advocacy work. She has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector and has held a variety of positions and with different brands, including 18 years with the AccorHotels Group, where she served as the director of sales and marketing for Mercure, Grand Mercure, Novotel, and Sofitel properties in the Philippines and Vietnam before taking on her first corporate position as regional director of sales in charge of hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. After that, she relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, where she joined the Upper Southeast Asia team as its Regional Director of Sales, overseeing seven major brands across properties in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Myanmar. She later moved into operations, serving as Executive Assistant Manager for Pullman Bangkok Sukhumvit, before joining Onyx Hospitality Group as its Vice President of Sales, also based in Bangkok, Thailand. Altamirano was the Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing for Raffles Hotels Cambodia before returning home. Due to Altamirano’s extensive exposure, she was able to lead teams and develop strategies that took into account the diversity of today’s associates, customers, and audiences. She brings with her years of experience in sales, brand, digital marketing, public relations, revenue management, distribution, and hotel operations. She is a strong commercial leader with a demonstrated track record of performance milestones. Altamirano will be in charge of managing the sales and distribution operations for the entire Marriott Philippines portfolio in her current position. She will work together with the managers of the properties and their sales and marketing groups. Altamirano made the following comment regarding her new position with Marriott Philippines: “I am eager to finally be able to bring my knowledge and expertise home and share them with the team as we collaborate with our properties to meet our goals. It’s an exciting time for our business as we diversify our offerings beyond Manila to include other well-known tourist spots in the Philippines. Altamirano, a supporter of developing local talent for future leadership roles, believes that having a localized, approachable platform, a role model on the ground, where women and other future leaders are in a safe space where common cultural and professional experiences are shared and resonated, is essential. Altamirano supports potential women leaders in their career aspirations through mentorships, counseling, or serving as a referee. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/marriott-philippines-appoints-sophia-altamirano/

The new exclusive partnership between Princess Cruises and Dario Cecchini, the most renowned butcher in the world, is based on a mutual love of tradition, cuisine, and holidays. The new specialty impromptu restaurant “The Butcher’s Block by Dario” is a part of this cooperation and will debut in February 2024 aboard the next Sun Princess. Eight generations of fathers have taught their sons how to run Cecchini’s butcher shop and restaurants in the Tuscan town of Panzano, Italy, and he has more than 48 years of expertise. Through the use of different types of meat and the inclusion of his grandmother’s recipes, which he fell in love with as a child, Cecchini, who is featured on Netflix’s well-known “Chef’s Table,” is known for his compassion for the animals and efforts to restore respect to the butchering craft. The Butcher’s Block by Dario, a unique unplanned experience with a sizable shared, family-style table serving up a carnivore’s fantasy, debuts on deck 9 of the new Sun Princess. Including Cecchini’s famous cuts of beef and steak, this luxury dining establishment serves food that is expertly cooked. Additionally, Cecchini will create a sophisticated, upmarket cuisine for Crown Grill, the cruise line’s signature restaurant. The famous “Bistecca Alla Fiorentina,” a rare Florentine steak served with the bone, is prominently listed on the menu. It is directly imported from Panzano’s renowned Antica Macelleria Cecchini butcher shop. According to Cecchini, “Princess’ culinary offerings embody a rich Italian heritage, uniting a shared passion for family recipes, lively social dining, and a love of celebrating every day of life.” “My life as an artesian butcher holds deep significance because I hold a profound respect for the gift of the animal, and I ensure that shines through when guests enjoy my new restaurant and delectable menus sailing the world on the beautiful Sun Princess.” In addition to The Butcher’s Block by Dario and Crown Grill, previously announced speciality restaurants on Sun Princess include Kai Sushi, a modern sushi bar; Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, a Princess favourite serving up fresh-made Italian pasta and unique courses; Umai Teppanyaki, a Sun Princess exclusive offering a fusion of teppan cuisine and showmanship; and The Catch by Rudi, from renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin featuring treasures from the seas. Customers will enjoy everything the Sun Princess brings to the table, from fine dining to casual, from sumptuous to healthy, according to John Padgett, CEO of Princess. “Princess is dedicated to creating the finest experiences for guests spanning all cultures, tastes, and preferences,” he added. 29 brand-new, exclusive dining and lounge options will be available to guests at Sun Princess, offering delectable excursions, exciting feasts, opulent drinks, and gratifying snacks. The Sun Princess’s three-story main dining room, Horizons, enhances the dining experience with breathtaking wake views, natural light, art sculptures, and delicious meals served by hospitable waitstaff. The 4,300-passenger, 175,500-ton Sun Princess, which is now being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, will also have opulent staterooms and suites in a range of categories as well as an assortment of thrilling new entertainment and activity options. Since it features the most sun decks and balconies of any Princess ship, passengers may take advantage of the sunshine and pristine waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom. The Arena! represents an advancement and the most technologically advanced Princess Theatre design, while The Dome, a transforming entertainment space inspired by Santorini’s terraces, is the perfect place to decompress. The addition of the special Princess Medallion on Sun Princess would strengthen Princess’ position as a leader in providing the exceptional personalized experiences typical of small ships while utilizing only the best large ship amenities. Sales are under underway for the inaugural 2024 sailings of Sun Princess to the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Caribbean. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/princess-cruises-partners-exclusively-with-world-famous-butcher-dario-cecchini/

Four new journeys, each delivering distinctive and immersive cultural experiences that will immerse travelers even more deeply in a place, have been announced by Azamara, the small-ship cruise company that leads the industry in place Immersion experiences. Extended Destination Days provide visitors additional time to explore each destination at their own speed by providing overnight stays and ten or more hours in port. According to Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara, “We are thrilled to offer these new sailings, giving our guests the opportunity to experience some truly special celebrations around the world.” With these new itineraries, we offer our passengers to stay with us for even longer periods of time while they take part in local celebrations in amazing nations like Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Vietnam, and elsewhere. The following new itineraries from Azamara are currently available for booking: Asian Holiday Voyage for 7 nights on the Azamara Journey Guests will enjoy two overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh, the largest city in Vietnam, before the well-known Vietnamese festival commemorating the Lunar New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan. The ship will depart Singapore on December 5 and spend 92 hours in port. In order to attend Christmas on Great Street, which has glistening lights, festive decorations, and local holiday performances, guests will also spend the night in Singapore. St. Patrick’s Day Iberian cruise for seven nights on the Azamara PursuitTravelers can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by visiting Irish pubs in Portimo, Portugal, with locals on March 3, 2024, when the ship sails from Lisbon, Portugal, giving passengers 80 hours in port. Guests will have plenty of time to explore the undiscovered attractions at each destination thanks to four Extended Destination Days and an overnight stay in Lisbon. Azamara Quest’s 7-night Celebration of Spanish Culture & History voyage The Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and home to historic treasures like the tomb of Christopher Columbus, will be open to passengers on this Spain-focused voyage departing from Lisbon, Portugal on April 1, 2024, for 66.5 hours in port. Additionally, tourists can visit Bellver Castle in Palma, Majorca, one of the few round castles in all of Europe. Spanish Wine Discoveries for 7 nights Azamara Quest voyage Travelers may enjoy traditional food, flamenco dancers, and music on the opening day of Seville’s biggest and most vibrant festival, Feria de Abril. This trip to Spain will depart from Barcelona, Spain on April 8, 2024, spend 83 hours in port, and end with an overnight stay in Lisbon, Portugal. Source- Travel daily

In recognition of the expansion of its corporate events and group reservations segment, Bonza is giving 20% off of more than 300,000 tickets from November to March. Event organizers may now engage with Bonza’s dedicated Group Travel Champions on a customized planning and booking process for groups of ten or more with the opening of Bonza’s group bookings division. We’re excited at Bonza to improve and formalize our group booking capabilities. We already notice a rise in interest in group reservations as more people opt to go to nearby destinations for business activities. Additionally, there is a substantial demand for travel on Bonza for sporting events; in fact, one of our very first bookings, when we initially went on sale in January, was 550 netball players going to Townsville for a competition. Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza, said, “We’re humbled to have them return for the event next year. Event organizers can get a price from Bonza’s Group Travel Champions if they have 10 or more guests traveling on the same airline. Each quote comes with a 23kg checked baggage allowance, an 8kg hand luggage allowance, and the choice of “picking seats.” Within seven days, a 25% deposit is required. Final names and payment are due 30 days prior to departure. Up until two days prior to departure, Bonza can make no additional charges to modify the names on the reservations. Bank transfer or credit card payments are accepted, giving organizations and enterprises more possibilities. More companies take a brief break to rejoice with their staff as the silly season draws near. For the same cost as a regular restaurant reservation or catered event, numerous organizations are choosing to celebrate the end of the year by traveling through our network, Jordan continued. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/bonza-launches-its-business-events-and-group-bookings-unit/

The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel at Hotel Indigo honors the people, places, and experiences that make the neighborhood unique. The Neighbourhood Gallery at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, a member of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, aims to bring the next generation of travelers inspiration to get out and explore by bringing to light the hidden treasures that are only discovered in a neighborhood. The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel, the company’s newest international marketing initiative, is based on the company’s tenet that when you view the world through your neighborhood, your world is changed. According to a global survey* conducted by Hotel Indigo, 73% of respondents think it’s critical for a hotel they stay at while traveling to be connected to the neighborhood since doing so may encourage more adventurous activities, the desire to try new things, and the chance to meet new people. It also reveals how immersive travel affects our worldview, with 1 in 2 travelers questioning their life’s course after returning from a journey, leading to 63 percent making significant life changes. The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel by Hotel Indigo is proof of that; when you stay there, you don’t just visit a location; rather, you completely immerse yourself in it and then bring a little part of it home with you. The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel, a planned global rollout from Hotel Indigo, is intended to showcase how visitors may discover—or rediscover—some of the most enthralling and culturally significant neighborhoods both within and outside the hotel. No two Hotel Indigo locations are the same, just as no two neighborhoods are the same. A wall of wireless radios at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road as a nod to the neighborhood being the birthplace of wireless radio stations in Thailand, or Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong’s design which is rooted in the village’s fishing heritage. Other examples include the villas at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach that are inspired by typical Balinese houses and Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong’s Peranakan influences found in art murals and guestroom floor tiles. Every single property draws inspiration from neighborhood cues that encourage curiosity about uncharted territory. “The insights from our recent survey continue to reiterate the importance of providing an authentic stay experience that’s reflective of a hotel’s destination,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts, South East Asia & Korea. Due to the fact that our facilities are located in the heart of communities all around the world, Hotel Indigo offers its guests just that. The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel campaign artfully contrasts our brand with the neighborhoods in which we operate, appealing to younger travelers eager to experience the local culture. “It’s wonderful that travelers will soon have the opportunity to explore new neighborhoods with Hotel Indigo as the brand debuts in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and Vietnam’s vibrant city Ho Chi Minh City, as well as expanding its presence into two well-liked vacation spots in Indonesia, Bintan and Bandung.” The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel by Hotel Indigo conveys a local vibe despite being a global advertising campaign. The next-generation explorer-specific graphics and videos will be displayed online, on television, in theaters, in digital out-of-home advertising, and on brand social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. In order to further fuel the desire to have an authentically local experience wherever you are in the world, Hotel Indigo will also be developing customized neighbourhood guides through strategic partnerships. According to survey results, 55% of travelers have changed their plans as a result of a local’s recommendation. The purpose of the brand Hotel Indigo is to bring distinctive and genuine illumination to the neighborhood. Currently, there are 145 Hotel Indigo locations operating, and there are another 128 planned (see Annex A for further details), including new openings in South East Asia in Kuala Lumpur in late 2023 and Saigon, Bintan, and Bandung in 2024. Over the following three to five years, the brand is committed to increasing its global portfolio. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/hotel-indigo-debuts-largest-marketing-campaign-in-brand-history/

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have jointly announced a significant new agreement to create a structured framework for hotel sustainability that will result in GSTC Certification. The partnership paves the basis for a stepwise development toward the GSTC Hotel Sustainability Certification while endorsing the current WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics. WTTC and GSTC are working together to deliver a strong message to the market about the coherence and collaboration in the travel and tourism sector in an era where sustainability is crucial. The WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics verification and GSTC Hotel Sustainability Certification will now be separated by an intermediate verification step, which is intended to assist hotels in their journey towards full sustainability. WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson stated: “Working with a prestigious organization like GSTC strengthens our commitment to guiding the sector toward a more sustainable future. To promote change, establish standards, and motivate others to follow, we must collaborate with significant international actors like GSTC. “With members from all over the world, GSTC’s rigorous accreditation program not only elevates our initiative but also makes sure that the hospitality industry globally moves toward a shared vision of sustainability,” the GSTC’s website states. “WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics is a finely crafted entry level for hotels of any size and type to begin their journey to sustainable practices,” noted Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC. With the greatest levels of assurance currently available, GSTC certification by GSTC-accredited certifying bodies is widely regarded as the gold standard in certification of sustainable hotels. The unified pathway’s release today offers clarity for starting and for ongoing improvement. Stages must be treated as such and not as objectives to be attained and maintained. Industry access to the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics is currently available, and the second and intermediate WTTC verification program, which will soon be offered, is expected to do so in 2024. This will serve as the essential transitional step between the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics and the stringent certification by GSTC, providing a slow but thorough approach towards sustainability. WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics satisfies 9 GSTC Certification requirements. The intermediate verification stage will adhere to 28 GSTC Certification requirements. A premises will acquire GSTC Certification when it satisfies all 42 requirements. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-partners-with-gstc-to-strengthen-global-hospitality-standards/