Travel News

Celebrity Cruises has had a tremendous week as the delivery of the ship of their dreams, the Celebrity Ascent, has finally taken place. The cruise liner currently owns the ship, and her public debut is scheduled for less than a month from now. At the shipyard located in St. Nazaire, France, the Chantiers de l’Atlantique officially handed over Celebrity Ascent to Celebrity Cruises. She is the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet and the fourth vessel in the state-of-the-art Edge class. With regard to other ships in her class, Celebrity Ascent is unmatched because of her remarkable and distinctive features. Attendees included other cruise line officials as well as the ship’s co-captains, brothers Captains Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis. At the shipyard, 1,400 employees from all around the world were prepared to provide guests with outstanding service. “An further example of innovation advancing our goal of offering the greatest vacations sustainably is Celebrity Ascent. The ship carries forth Celebrity’s mission to revolutionize and elevate luxury travel, according to Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. “I would like to express my gratitude and congrats to the Chantiers de l’Atlantique team, our Newbuild and Celebrity Cruises teams, as well as their associates, for their incredible vision, skill, and dedication in creating this magnificent vessel. The event featured a toast in the three-story Grand Plaza of the ship, the signing of papers transferring ownership from the shipyard to the cruise line, and the flying of new flags to symbolize her new association. As said by Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges-Bethge, “I can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard.” “All of the cutting-edge and acclaimed Edge Series signature experiences that heralded in a new era in cruise ship design are featured in Celebrity Ascent.” It is a great honor for this ship to join our fleet, and I sincerely appreciate all of the hard work that so many people put into it. Celebrity Ascent was delivered a day after the cruise liner celebrated the steel cutting ceremony and revealed the name of Celebrity Xcel, the last ship in the Edge class. Celebrity Ascent offers some unique improvements in addition to sharing the state-of-the-art features of Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex 2020, and Celebrity Beyond 2022. The ship features enormous Retreat, a resort inside a resort that is only accessible for suite guests, in addition to two-story villas with endless verandas that offer ample space both indoors and outdoors. To offer more open space and unmatched panoramic views, the Rooftop Garden has been extended. Simultaneously, customers of Aqua Class can enjoy al fresco dining at the Blu speciality dining restaurant. Additionally, visitors can experience the recently designed Le Voyage restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud. As the most noticeable and recognizable element of Celebrity Ascent, the magnificent Magic Carpet—a morphing platform cantilevered above the ocean that offers varied sensations depending on the time of day—returns. “I’m sure Celebrity Ascent will have the same level of success as the other vessels in the esteemed Edge Series.” It is a remarkable ship because of its exquisite exterior and interior design as well as its superb seaworthiness. According to Laurent Castaing, general director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, “Celebrity Ascent embodies the strong bond between the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Royal Caribbean Group, and Celebrity Cruises teams.” After a few quick trips to “break in” the new ship, Celebrity Ascent will embark on its first voyage, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, leaving Fort Lauderdale on December 3, 2023, with stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata. Following that, a variety of 7-night itineraries will be available on the new ship, including trips to Mexico, the Bahamas, and various ports of call in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Celebrity Ascent will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on April 14, 2024, for a 13-night transatlantic journey to Barcelona, where she will commence her inaugural Mediterranean summer season. She will return to her homeport in Florida at the end of October 2024. Source- Travel daily

The loss of PRS Oberoi, the Executive Chairman of the Oberoi Group, is greatly regretted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI. The hospitality sector, where his history of quality and visionary leadership has left an enduring mark, has suffered a great loss with his recent passing. Mr. Oberoi, who was affectionately referred to as Biki, was a key figure in the Oberoi Group’s growth into one of India’s top chains of lodging. Under his direction, the Oberoi Group grew, establishing unparalleled standards for elegance and service throughout the Trident and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts brands. “The hospitality sector laments the passing of PRS Oberoi, a pillar. His foresight and commitment have transformed the Oberoi Group into the pinnacle of luxury and established industry-wide standards for excellence. According to Pradeep Shetty, President of HRAWI, “His visionary leadership, dedication to quality, and ceaseless efforts to provide guests with unparalleled experiences have not only elevated the Oberoi Group but have also significantly contributed to shaping the hospitality landscape in India.” The Oberoi Group gained international recognition and established itself as one of the best luxury hotel brands in the world thanks to PRS Oberoi’s consistent focus to providing exceptional service and ensuring guest pleasure. “Oberoi’s leadership legacy in the hospitality industry will serve as an inspiration for future generations.” The Oberoi family has made an incalculable contribution to improving hospitality standards both in India and beyond the world. A key figure in the history of the sector, his father, the renowned hotelier Mr. Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, established the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in 1955. Since then, the Association has assiduously continued to build on its rich history, and it is honored to have been a key player in fostering the explosive expansion of India’s tourist industry. In light of this tragic loss, HRAWI offers its sincere sympathies to the Oberoi family, the Oberoi Group, and the whole hospitality industry, said Shetty in closing. Source- Travel daily

A new alliance between humanitarian assistance group Airlink and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) aims to facilitate first responders’ quicker access to disaster zones. In order to support communities in the wake of disasters, Airlink offers free transportation to a pre-screened network of more than 200 NGOs and charities worldwide. In order to expedite and simplify the intricate process of bringing disaster relief workers who respond quickly to their location, Amex GBT will be implementing customized travel booking solutions and services for Airlink and its non-governmental organization partners as part of this new project. Through the cooperation, Amex GBT’s social impact travel desk will also be supported by a large number of NGO travel bookings handled by volunteer travel counselors. Early in 2024 is when the collaboration is anticipated to begin operations. The new program expands on Amex GBT’s previous collaborations with Welcome.US and Miles4Migrants, which have assisted in transferring more over 12,400 migrants and refugees from dangerous situations to safe havens. Amex GBT’s Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Evan Konwiser, stated: “We think that travel drives progress, and one of the best examples is getting people where they need to go.” We are demonstrating our ideals through collaborations and deeds. In addition to our efforts with Welcome.US and Miles4Migrants, we are thrilled to introduce this new project with Airlink to assist communities during times of need. “Airlink manages thousands of ticket bookings for disaster responders, across multiple global airlines,” stated Steve Smith, President and CEO of Airlink. This collaboration excites us since it will enable us to dispatch responses more quickly to the locations where they are required. It’s a fantastic illustration of how the resources, know-how, and abilities of the business and humanitarian sectors can be used to help those affected by both man-made and natural disasters and give them hope. Source- Travel daily

Senior research analyst at Phocuswright, Madeline List, began the day by sharing findings from the most recent sustainability study released by the research authority. The study, which polled thousands of tourists from the US and Europe, found a large discrepancy between people’s words and deeds about sustainability: “If they can immediately feel the consequences of not acting, people are more likely to follow through on what they say,” according to List. For instance, about half would like to stay somewhere less well-known and crowded; many people genuinely adhere to this preference since it would immediately influence them. People care about environmental issues, yet they are not immediately affected by decisions they make that are not sustainable. Travelers also want their money to support the local economies of the places they visit. Only 1 in 4 respondents indicated they had ever looked up whether the product they had purchased was locally sourced, though. People care about each other emotionally, but they’re not acting practically to make those decisions. Visitors find sustainability perplexing. Are tourists aware of what sustainable travel really entails? The majority of respondents claimed to be perplexed by the requirements for ecologically friendly travel; in fact, those who are already focused on sustainability seem to be even more perplexed than those who don’t care. Additionally, 19%–26% of respondents think their infrequent travel doesn’t have a big enough environmental impact. Even though they make up a sizable portion of travel, individuals who take two trips annually don’t believe they have much of an influence. There was disagreement among travelers on who should be in charge of sustainability: some felt that the government should be in charge, while others thought that travel agencies, destination associations, or even individual tourists should be in charge. Travelers don’t question where their money goes after they spend it because they believe destination groups should be in charge of keeping tourism-related funds in the local economy. Additionally, 36%–47% of passengers believe that eco-friendly travel options cost more. Furthermore, people are more inclined to conclude that sustainable travel offers more expensive options the more they consider it at home. People claimed they would be willing to spend an additional 10% to 15% for environmentally friendly travel. According to List, “I don’t think this belief-behavior gap is coming from a bad place.” “They want to think that they will choose the best course of action, but [travel agencies] need to realize that this isn’t always the case.” List concluded by offering some useful recommendations for the travel sector: Boost the number of sustainable options accessible and make them more feasible from the start. These options should appeal to travelers in general and shouldn’t only be about sustainability. Green options must be widely available and conspicuous. Propose sustainable options at a range of pricing ranges to demonstrate that sustainability is both affordable and accessible.Assist tourists in realizing that sustainability affects many other spheres besides the environment. Teach, teach, teach: encourage tourists to strive for group transformation by emphasizing the why rather than the what and fostering comprehension from the bottom up. Source- Travel daily

In July and August of 2024, two brand-new, nine-day, family-friendly voyages from Indonesian sailing experts SeaTrek Sailing Adventures will depart from and return to the spectacular islands of the Komodo National Park. Travel aboard SeaTrek’s UNESCO-heritage traditional Indonesian wooden pinisi sailing ship, Ombak Putih, which departs from 30 July to 7 August and from 10 to 18 August 2024. This ship is built in the same style as used by the renowned Indonesian pirates, the “Boogey Men” (Bugis men) of southern Sulawesi, who still build and maintain SeaTrek’s ships today. These two voyages, which are specifically designed with children, teens, and adults in mind, will follow the new Whale Sharks, Corals & Dragons cruise on an island hopping adventure along Indonesia’s Ring of Fire. They will be led by two extremely knowledgeable conservationists and naturalists from the UK, Ray and Angela Hale. Families may anticipate learning about animal camouflage, the significance of protecting wildlife and habitat, and the evolution of the renowned Komodo Dragon to live on the desolate and ancient islands of the Ring of Fire. Numerous opportunities will present themselves to get up close and personal with nature, ranging from secluded encounters with Komodo dragons to mild treks through Komodo National Park where you may seek for bats, butterflies, and beetles. Additionally, there’s the opportunity to observe a kaleidoscope of vibrant coral reefs, encircled by hundreds of fish and coral species beneath the waves, and swim alongside whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. Or explore on gorgeous white sand beaches while kayaking or paddleboarding. Families can enjoy the extra benefit of exploring the night sky in the southern hemisphere after dark, where they can see constellations like Orion, Scorpio, and the South Cross and pick up some celestial navigation skills. Source- Travel daily

In collaboration with Al Jumaiah Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, a prominent global hotel chain, has announced the signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Taif and Staybridge Suites Taif. In Al Shafa, Taif, a tranquil location 2,500 meters above sea level and renowned for its historical sites, panoramic beautiful views, agreeable weather, and fragrant rose gardens, both villas are scheduled to open in Q4 2025. The addition of the two resorts will strengthen IHG’s ties to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while also contributing significantly to Taif’s expanding hospitality sector. Taif is one of the ten strategic destinations under Vision 2030, and with significant government expenditures in infrastructure and its rise to prominence as a travel destination, it is helping Saudi Arabia realize its goals for the tourism and hospitality sector. The twin signing of IHG hotels will add 280 rooms, meeting the city’s high need for world-class hospitality offerings with its attractiveness for leisure demand throughout the year. “We are pleased to strengthen relationship with our existing partner, Al Jumaiah Group and bring two brands from our essential and suits offering to the beautiful city of Taif,” stated Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts for India, the Middle East, and Africa. As Taif develops into a well-known travel destination in the nation, we are honored to be able to maintain our presence there and introduce new brands, having opened the first internationally branded hotel in the city decades ago with the InterContinental Taif. He went on, saying, “Saudi Arabia is a priority market for IHG. The steady expansion of our global portfolio within the Kingdom underscores our commitment to supporting the ambitious transformation of the Kingdom and reflects our unwavering commitment to the vision of the leadership of the country.”Our two new hotels, Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn & Suites, will each contribute significantly to the growth of the tourist and hospitality industries in the city by providing a distinctive combination of amenities. “We are pleased to further strengthen our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts through the debut of Holiday Inn & Suites and Staybridge Suites in Taif,” stated Abdulaziz Al Jumaiah, CEO of Al Jumaiah Group. We appreciate that we will keep adding to our investment portfolio and fortifying our alliance. Crowne Plaza Jeddah Al Salam and Crowne Plaza Riyadh Al Waha are two hotel projects that our firm has managed and operated in partnership with IHG in the past. We are honored to be a part of Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and hospitality industry. This agreement is in line with our goal of providing Taif with great hospitality experiences, and I am sure these hotels will be a big success because of their excellent location, first-rate amenities, and IHG’s top-notch reward program and systems. One of Abdullah Ali Al-Jumaiah’s multifaceted investment firms, Al Jumaiah Group, has kept up with the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding hospitality industry. The corporation makes investments in this industry through a number of multipurpose projects across the Kingdom, such as hotels, resorts, and multipurpose tourist and entertainment projects. These projects are anticipated to significantly advance Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality industry. Staybridge Suites Taif: Located in the charming mountains of Al Shafa, Taif, this hotel will have studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as standalone villas with direct views of the surrounding range. The resort will have a pool, fitness facility, and specialty restaurant in addition to all-day dining. Holiday Inn & Suites Taif: Nestled in the serene Al Shafa Mountains, this Taif hotel is the perfect option for those seeking a rejuvenating and restful vacation. In addition to the breathtaking surroundings and cozy lodging options, such as standalone chalets, guests will enjoy a range of amenities, such as a specialty restaurant, lobby lounge, and all-day dining. The resort’s fitness center and swimming pool are the ideal combination for visitors trying to unwind. The location will also have a movie theater, retail stores, and a ballroom for special events. IHG One Rewards, a best-in-class loyalty program, offers guests of both hotels an enhanced guest experience with richer incentives that can be accessed through IHG’s new mobile app. Depending on the selected benefit level, the perks include everything from suite upgrades and yearly lounge memberships to longer check-outs and much more. IHG has a solid pipeline of 32 properties that are scheduled to launch in the next two to five years. Currently, IHG manages 40 hotels in Saudi Arabia under five different brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Voco, and Staybridge Suites. Source- Travel daily

As the number of tourists from important source markets like the UK and China keeps rising, Al Rais Travel, the official DMC partner of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has highlighted the most recent developments bolstering the expansion of the tourism industry in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the rest of the GCC. Al Rais’s insights indicate that Dubai’s standing as a reliable brand and a safe haven has led to an increase in traffic from important source markets. The globe over, consumers trust the Dubai brand. Following COVID-19, the nation has recovered very well; the most recent data for the first half of 2023 is the highest on record. Our numbers, as a travel agency, are a good representation of this. The top five inbound markets have somewhat changed, with Saudi Arabia experiencing a decline and the number of British visitors rising. Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director of Al Rais Travel, praised “the return of the Chinese market, which, despite only coming back in Q1 of this year, has already moved into a top five position.” The most recent data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) confirms these patterns, which ATM’s other partners, like Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts, have undoubtedly noticed as well.The latest data from DET indicates that India, which saw a 44% increase between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year, Saudi Arabia, which saw a nominal 5% decrease during the same period, the UK, which saw an increase of 14%, and the Chinese market, which saw a 309% jump in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, are Dubai’s top source markets. Additionally, the tourism expert thinks that rather than competing with one another, Saudi Arabia and the UAE may promote travel to both countries, much like travelers in central Europe do when they visit many nations in a single trip, which benefits the travel business throughout multiple boundaries. The announcement made recently by the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, that a single, standard GCC tourist visa will be implemented by 2025—facilitating smooth travel between the Gulf States and fostering regional tourism—supports this viewpoint. “Visitors who qualify will be able to travel to any nation in the GCC and tour with ease, helping tourism in all countries,” Al Rais continued. “This affords not only the UAE and Saudi, but the rest of the GCC.” Al Rais Travel is collaborating with several airlines that have not yet established ties with the United Arab Emirates and offering assistance in their establishment, all in keeping with the ATM theme of “Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship” and the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. “There are many examples of exhibitors seamlessly aligning with our show’s overarching theme,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director of Arabian Travel Market. “This is further underscored by the impactful contributions regional tourism entities have in pioneering innovative approaches to propel the industry into the future.” “As a platform, our goal is to elevate the voices of industry participants and bring attention to their varied projects, which include cutting-edge technology, innovative lodging options, environmental sustainability, and transportation innovations.” The 31st edition of ATM is set to bring together policymakers, industry executives, and travel experts from the Middle East and beyond. The aim is to facilitate the creation of new connections, knowledge sharing, and the identification of innovations that have the potential to transform the travel and tourism landscape globally. The 2018 show will showcase how innovators, from startups to well-known businesses, improve consumer experiences, drive efficiencies, and hasten the industry’s transition to a net-zero future. In keeping with the theme of ATM 2023, “Working Towards Net Zero,” eco-friendly travel will be a major emphasis of the 2019 show. Inspired by the United Arab Emirates’ Year of Sustainability and the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, ATM 2024 will investigate how innovation can be used to create a more environmentally friendly travel and tourism industry for future generations, thereby contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In May 2023, 30,000 guests and over 40,000 travel industry experts visited the 30th edition of ATM, creating a new exhibition record. ATM’s net-zero pledge was unveiled on a worldwide platform thanks to the attendance of over 2,100 exhibitors and representatives from over 155 nations at the expo. Source- Travel daily

Poland celebrated its regaining of independence on November 11, 1918, 105 years ago. Today, November 11 is the national holiday of Poland. This time, the Polish Embassy in New Delhi added a touch of polish to the nation’s capital by hosting a joyous gala celebration for 400 guests, which included important commercial partners in India, representatives from Indian ministries, and members of the diplomatic and Polish communities living abroad. LOT Polish Airlines, a Star Alliance member with roots in 1929, was honored to be part of this occasion. In honor of Poland’s National Independence Day, the Polish flag carrier brought in well-known Polish chefs, who enhanced the Embassy’s gala with some exceptional culinary masterpieces that demonstrated how elegantly Polish and Indian delicacies can be combined. LOT Polish Airlines also provided information to guests regarding its excellent offerings, including its modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, excellent product and service from Delhi and Mumbai to Warsaw, and easy connecting choices to other parts of Poland. A contemporary airline that links Central and Eastern Europe with the rest of the globe is called LOT Polish Airlines. Direct long-haul flights to airports in the US, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, and India are among the services provided by LOT. By steadily expanding the number of its flights to such locations, the Polish airline has been bolstering its standing in Central and Eastern Europe. One of the world’s most modern wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is used for its long-haul trips. Being one of the most well-known Polish companies abroad, the Polish airline has been operating since 1929, making it the 12th oldest airline in the world. Source- Travel daily

With a single ticket price and hassle-free baggage policy, travelers will have increased connectivity to 70 routes operated by both airlines throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East thanks to the announcement of the activation of their reciprocal interline agreement between Emirates and Condor. Additionally, a frequent flyer program agreement between the two airlines was reached, allowing Emirates Skywards members to accrue and use Miles on any flights operated by Condor. At the Dubai Airshow, Jens Boyd, the director of Condor Commercial, and Adnan Kazim, the chief commercial officer of Emirates, inked the agreements. Passengers traveling on Emirates will now have effortless access to a variety of novel and fascinating destinations in Europe and the Caribbean offered by Condor, including as 24 regional points via Frankfurt, 12 regional points via Dusseldorf, 9 regional points via Hamburg, and 12 regional points via Munich. Customers of Emirates can travel to a number of major places, including Havana, Ibiza, Cancun, and Malaga, all of which only require a single ticket and easy baggage check-through to the destination. Along with convenient additional access to Emirates-operated flights between Frankfurt and Dubai, the interline agreement will benefit Condor’s customers by granting them access to 12 additional points throughout Asia, Australasia, Africa, and the Middle East, including Male, Auckland, Bangkok, Mauritius, and Muscat. Travel agencies can book itineraries on www.emirates.com, www.condor.com, with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), and all major GDSs. Tickets are now available for purchase for immediate departure. Through its current four gateways in Germany, the new collaboration will increase Emirates’ presence in Europe by an additional 57 points, giving its customers more connectivity and options to popular business and leisure destinations in Europe and the Caribbean. Since 1987, Emirates has provided service to Germany, and as of right now, it has 63 weekly flights to Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, and Munich. In order to satisfy consumer demand, the airline is constantly growing its global reach. It collaborates with key partners to provide passengers with convenient access to several locations outside of its own 144-destination network. With the addition of Condor, Emirates’ passengers may now effortlessly travel to more than 1,500 cities on six continents through its partner airline network, which now includes 30 codeshare and 121 interline partners. Obtain and use Miles within the Condor network. Members of Emirates Skywards can now accrue and use Miles on any flight offered by Condor. In Economy Class, members can accrue up to 1 Skywards Mile for every mile traveled; in Economy Premium Class, up to 1.25 Skywards Miles per mile flown; and in Business Class, up to 2.15 Skywards Miles per mile flown. On flights operated by Condor, members can additionally redeem their Miles for a one-way Economy Class ticket starting at 8,000 Miles and a one-way Business Class ticket starting at 16,000 Miles. Over 1.4 million German citizens and residents have signed up for Emirates Skywards, giving them access to special benefits including hotel stays, travel awards, upgrades, and experiences that are beyond price. Source- Travel daily

In order to produce a brand-new, comprehensive European Christmas market guide for 2023, Christmas Tree World has refreshed its 2022 Christmas market rankings in a new study for 2023. Which markets can win the title of Europe’s BEST this year? The UK’s largest independent Christmas tree merchant examined Google search results, Instagram mentions, TikTok tag views, market duration, and the average cost of a hotel in each location. With an overall Christmas market score of 7.84/10, Krakow is this year’s top contender for the BEST Christmas market in Europe for 2023. Over 82K Google searches and an astounding 4.3M TikTok views have been generated by the Christmas market. Krakow is an ideal Christmas destination this year, with nightly rates as low as €90. For 33 days straight, the Polish treasure will be dishing up a variety of holiday treats, such as grilled sausages and mulled wine! Tallinn has an overall score of 7.83 out of 10, making it the second-best European Christmas market for 2023. With 5.4K Instagram mentions, Tallinn’s annual market has been recognized as one of Europe’s most Instagrammable marketplaces. With a 38-day duration, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the market while visiting the capital of Estonia! Budapest has a score of 7.65 out of 10, making it the third-best Christmas market for 2023. This year, Budapest is home to one of the UK’s longest-running Christmas markets, which will be open for 44 days and spread holiday cheer around the country. Budapest received high marks for having reasonably priced lodging; a three-star hotel stay would run you about €101 per night, making it an excellent choice for a last-minute Christmas vacation. A variety of specialty foods and drinks are available for guests to enjoy while they take in the stunning architecture and sparkling kiosks. Other Understandings: The Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Vienna, and Colmar are formally the most Instagrammable in all of Europe. The market in Strasbourg has received around 31,000 mentions on the platform.Prague’s Christmas market has garnered 119,400 Google searches in the past year, making it the most popular in all of Europe for 2023! Source- Travel daily