Travel News

There are many other active winter vacation options that are just as thrilling if skiing isn’t your thing. That’s absolutely fine. Find a list of alternative active winter vacations that compete with skiing excursions below, from taking winter walks across the Alps to visiting the second-oldest theme park in the world. Walk the Camino de Santiago and finish with a cuisine tour in San Sebastián if you’re a foodie. There are unanticipated advantages to walking the Camino de Santiago in the winter, even if it may be the least crowded season. The beautiful views during this journey through northern Spain are uncrowded in the winter, and the frequently rugged terrain seems at its most breathtaking in the chilly winter temperatures. In addition, the albergues have plenty of hot showers for everyone, and because the sun sets early, walkers have a lot of free time in the evenings. While there are numerous ways to complete this trail, why not finish in San Sebastián, Spain’s gastronomic epicenter, where you may refuel after burning off all those calories? San Sebastián is a city for all seasons because of its profusion of beaches, busy ambiance, and world-famous pintxos locations. The exquisite Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian, which boasts a prime location on the river and overlooks the sea, is without a doubt the best place to stay in this charming city. With the beginning of the 1953 San Sebastian Film Festival, the hotel drew its first movie stars, including Elizabeth Taylor and Bette Davis. The Maria Cristina Hotel has been strongly associated with historical and cultural events in San Sebastian since its opening in 1912. Now, it still attracts movie stars, such as Brad Pitt and Woody Allen, upholding the hotel’s glitzy reputation. In January, twin rooms are available for as little as £210 per night. Family: Visit the Copenhagen amusement park that served as a model for Disneyland Tivoli Gardens, the second-oldest continuously operational amusement park in the world, was founded in 1843 and is a location rich in history. The unique family atmosphere and architecture of the theme park were claimed to have inspired none other than Walt Disney. Walt Disney visited Tivoli several times before establishing Disneyland in 1955. At the time, Tivoli offered lovely gardens, fun rides for kids, and even the first rollercoaster. It is well known that Disneyland as we know it now was inspired by Tivoli. Every Christmas, live music, dazzling lights, and holiday treats transform Tivoli Gardens into an enchanted winter wonderland. There is an exhilarating holiday adventure to be had for the entire family with more than one million lights lighting the area, 40 kilometers of Christmas tree chains bordering the gardes, and 11,800 liters of mulled wine flying around every holiday season. The Moxy Copenhagen Sydhavnen is one of Europe’s top sustainable hotels, so the whole family can enjoy a stay there while you’re in Copenhagen. The hotel is dedicated to further decreasing its environmental effect by operating on 100% renewable energy. It is the second hotel in Denmark to earn the highest LEED Platinum certification for green building. This will make for a wonderful family getaway because it is placed perfectly to take advantage of Copenhagen’s renowned pastry shops, top-notch restaurants, and beautiful architecture. In January, twin rooms are available for as little as £210 per night. Observe the Northern Lights while going sledding in Troms once in a lifetime. The epicenter of outdoor adventures, both in the summer and the winter, can be found in northern Norway’s Troms, which is situated above the Arctic Capital. The absolute best time to see the Northern Lights is from November through February when the evenings are the longest. Troms, a well-known location to explore the lights, guarantees a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Troms offers more than just a light show, as it is a well-liked location to try dog sledding, observe reindeer, and even go on humpback whale excursions. The newly constructed Moxy Troms’s prime position makes it the ideal base for thrilling Arctic experiences. After a long day of discovering all that this Arctic Capital has to offer, Sky Bar Moxy on the rooftop of the 11th floor is the ideal place to relax with a “Got Moxy” cocktail while taking in the unobstructed views of the fjord and mountains beyond. Moxy Troms is the best hotel for thrill-seekers to cross off their bucket list because it offers a unique stay and experience for each season. In January, twin rooms are available for as little as £151 per night. Adventure: Go on an Alps hike and discover a different side of Verbier. You don’t necessarily need to ski or snowboard to enjoy and explore a snow-covered landscape while on vacation. Winter trekking in the Alps has become popular among tourists looking for adventure, perhaps one for the more serious athletes. The Verbier region offers a wide variety of excursions and hikes at the base of prominent peaks. Why not leave the bustling town of Verbier behind and go through the woods on a winter track to the Le Chateau ruins for spectacular views of Valais and the Rhone Valley? Verbieer’s famed mountain eateries and some of the valley’s spectacular views may still be enjoyed while trekking the top winter hiking trails in the 4 Vallées. W Verbier has all you need for a cozy spot to lay your head between hikes or a night out at one of the renowned bars in Verbier. W Verbier Retreat blends urban architecture with an alpine touch and is perched in the Swiss Alps at 1,531 meters with direct access to more than 400 kilometres of skiing and hiking terrain. The Eat-Hola Tapas Bar, the bistronomic Bô!, and the greatest mixology are just a few of the many dining options available at this opulent ski hotel. The hotel’s spa, which includes two pools, nine treatment rooms, and a 24-hour gym, offers guests a chance to relax in 1,300 square meters of Alpine tranquility. Source- Travel

Due of the approaching Halloween holiday, Ubuy has finished researching Europe’s most eerie castles. By looking over TripAdvisor ratings and descriptions, they discovered five cities that are home to possibly haunted castles. Faizan Khan at Ubuy commented on the news and said: As Halloween draws near, we made the decision to update our research on castles and find out which ones are thought to be the most haunted globally. We anticipate that many thrill-seekers will add these five European towns to their winter vacation bucket lists so they can investigate for themselves. These cities were discovered to be the home of creepy ghosts and spooky happenings. This Halloween, spooky buildings may be seen anywhere over the continent, from Dublin to Ghent. Let’s now examine five castles that may be haunted in Europe: Italia’s Milan Let’s start with taking a look at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, which was first constructed in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, the duke of Milan at the time. One of the most spooky locations in the city is undoubtedly the castle; ‘the Veiled Lady’ is merely one of the many ghosts rumored to roam the grounds of the castle. One TripAdvisor review mentioned a “haunted night tour” that some fortunate travelers were able to take, providing more details on the frightening place and its spooky residents. Cyprus’s Larnaca Next is the 12th-century Larnaka Medieval Castle, which is located in the Greek city of Larnaca. Since then, this historic building has served as an outdoor theater where a variety of artwork is on display, but may it also house something a little more eerie? The castle had “an air of familiarity,” according to a TripAdvisor user, who went on to say that they thought it was “still haunted by the nearby, in the wall, execution sala, where they hanged convicts, in the last period of British rule.” Czech Republic’s Brno One of the castles mentioned as having the potential to harbor bad spirits is the Spilberk Castle near Brno. The city’s landmark, which blends Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, is located on a hilltop and is clearly recognized. One visitor said of the building, “You quickly realize that the people working (in the castle) are both haunted and possessed.” Visitors are cautioned to remain aware of the personnel and any potential ghosts inside the castle. Brussels, Belgium The Gravensteen castle, which is located in the Belgian city of Ghent, has a particularly ghastly past. Gravensteen, which dates back to 1180, has a history of being a place of torture and questioning, where many victims suffered agonizing deaths. As a result, many people assert that the castle may be inhabited by the supernatural. One TripAdvisor user described the site as “a bad Halloween haunted house” and said that “a grotesque and morbid theme” is present throughout the castle. Ireland’s Dublin Lastly, Eleanor Barnwell, who is supposedly looking for her first love, is reported to haunt the Drimnagh Castle in Dublin. Many visitors have reported having supernatural encounters. The 15th-century castle dates to Norman times, is steeped in history, and is reportedly haunted, according to a TripAdvisor review. Overall, the research has shown that there are numerous castles spread out across Europe that may be home to the paranormal. Will you take the risk and travel to one of these eerie places this Halloween? Source- Travel daily

Halloween is quickly approaching, so people all around the UK will be looking for spooky activities to make the most of the occasion.  The UK is full with haunted and frightening places, therefore LKQ Euro Car Parts has investigated the top Halloween-themed road trips in each region to enable motorists experience the spookier side of the nation. Time in Scotland: 433 miles, 3 to 4 days. This tour begins in Edinburgh, a city known for its several allegedly haunted locales, including Edinburgh Castle and a number of historic cemeteries with famous tombs. You’ll then journey to Culzean Castle, halt at Crathes Castle, and then continue up the country to the renowned Stirling Castle. Cruden Bay is the next stop before arriving at Culloden Moor to complete the journey. eerie sightings  Edinburgh: Old cemeteries, notable tombs, and the ghosts of Edinburgh Castle A mystery lady and a ghostly piper live at Culzean Castle. There are several ghosts at Stirling Castle, including a phantom Highlander. The Green Lady’s ghost haunts Crathes Castle. Large portions of Dracula by Bram Stoker were written in Cruden Bay. Ghostly combat sounds from the combat of Culloden in 1746 can be heard on Culloden Moor. 2. Northern England  Time: 3 to 4 days and 247 miles. The voyage starts at the impressive Bamburgh Castle, continues through Northumberland to Chillingham Castle, and then descends into Yorkshire to reach Whitby. You will next go to York, where you will stop by Treasurer’s House and spend the night in the eerie Black Swan hotel. You’ll enter Lancashire the following morning to reach Pendle Hill, where your tour will end. eerie sightings Bamburgh Castle served as the backdrop for the 2015 MacBeth movie. Chillingham Castle: Touted as the spookiest castle in all of Britain. Whitby: In Bram Stoker’s novel, this is where Dracula initially arrived in England. York: the haunted Black Swan hotel and the Treasurer’s House, where spectral Roman legions have been seen. Pendle Hill: The location of the 1612 witch trials, which is rumored to still be inhabited by the specters of the accused. The Midlands 3. Time: 2 days and 136 kilometres. You’ll leave from Croft Castle and go to Kidderminster to see the Drakelow Tunnels, a spooky military bunker, before going to Dudley Castle. The historic Aston Hall in Birmingham is the next stop on the tour. Before going to Kelham Hall in Nottinghamshire, you’ll journey to the Leicester Guildhall. Both places have been in the television program Most Haunted.  eerie sightings Owain Glyndwr’s seven-foot ghost is said to haunt Croft Castle. Visitors at Drakelow Tunnels report strange mists and eerie wartime music. Dudley Castle is inhabited by ghosts including The Grey Lady. The White Lady, the jailed daughter of a previous owner, resides in Aston Hall. Most Haunted featured Leicester Guildhall. Kelham Hall is the residence of many spirits. Wales Time: 2 to 3 days and 269 miles. You will leave from the historic castle town of Conwy in North Wales, stop at the infamous Ruthin Gaol prison, and then continue on to Abergavenny, where you may spend the night at the renowned Skirrid Mountain Inn. Before seeing Craig y Nos Castle, you will drive through the settlement of Crickadarn as you enter South Wales. You’ll visit Tenby for its renowned ghost walk last. eerie sightings Conwy: The town’s medieval ghost tour. Experience slamming doors and eerie whispering sounds at Ruthin Gaol, a historic prison. The most haunted pub in Wales is located in the historic Skirrid Mountain Inn, which has a sordid past. An American Werewolf in London’s Yorkshire village was Crickadarn. A number of ghosts are said to haunt Craig y Nos. Tenby: Fairies, witches, and ghosts are said to live in the region. Northern Ireland, 5. Time: 2 days and 121 kilometers. Before seeing the Giant’s Ring, close to Belfast, you will start your tour in Donaghadee at Grace Neill’s, which is reputed to be the oldest tavern in Ireland. The Crumlin Road Gaol, which is also in Belfast, is reputed to be the most spooky place in all of Northern Ireland. The tour then continues to Ballygally Castle, Ossian’s Grave, and finally Springhill House, which is the last stop. eerie sightings The oldest bar in Ireland, Grace Neill’s Pub, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Grace. An old holy site called The Giant’s Ring is rumored to occasionally encounter odd, unnatural mists. Old Crumlin Road Gaol, the most eerie location in Northern Ireland. Ballygally Castle: A haunted house. Ossian is rumored to be ready to rise from his grave, an old burial place. Springhill House: The previous owner haunts the property. South England 6. Time: 2 to 3 days and 233 miles. Before travelling to London to see The Tower of London, your adventure will begin in the Kent village of Pluckley. Then, before visiting Hampton Court Palace, travel across the metropolis to All Saints Church in Fulham. Before arriving at Dunster Castle, your next stop is Stonehenge. Source- Travel daily

A new digital transformation platform for Aer Lingus has been announced by Datalex plc. Datalex will grant Aer Lingus complete access to its product suite through this platform, enabling faster transfer of current products while also enabling future product delivery. This latest partnership renewal follows Datalex’s previously announced comparable long-term renewals in 2023 with Air China, Air Transat, JetBlue, and Edelweiss. The firms also announced the continuation of their long-standing cooperation for an additional 5 years. Dublin-based Aer Lingus is a member of the International Airlines Group (IAG). With a digitally empowered value offer, Datalex’s software will support and strengthen Aer Lingus’s customer-focused brand. The renewal is a historic deal since it contains a program for digital transformation that is compatible with Aer Lingus’s larger digital goals. Additionally, the agreement states that value will be created for both businesses through a combination of transaction and license models that take into account the value that Datalex adds to Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus will have access to the most recent Datalex cloud-based platform products and capabilities thanks to Datalex. Improvements to the self-service options available on www.aerlingus.com and the airline’s mobile apps are among the other product improvements. All of these improvements will guarantee ongoing scalability and dependability, as well as a constant focus on removing obsolete technology in favor of a system that is future-proof. In order to achieve a completely connected customer experience, this will also serve as the foundation for the future toward an Offers & Orders transition pathway, minimizing dependency on legacy technology while prioritizing new scalable solutions. Dave O’Donovan, Chief Digital and Information Officer & Head of Business Transformation at Aer Lingus, commented on the partnership renewal signing at the company’s headquarters in Dublin: “Datalex continues to be a vital cog in the Aer Lingus digital transformation engine. Aer Lingus will be able to continue to enhance and hone our end-to-end digital customer experience thanks to Datalex’s scalable product portfolio. To ensure that our customers may swiftly and simply self-serve on the channel of their choosing, this is a crucial component of our mission. Datalex CEO Sean Corkery commented on the partnership extension, saying: “This is a milestone in our cooperation with Aer Lingus as we provide a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to long-term future-proof one of our longest-standing airline customers. With a transaction model now in place, both businesses will be completely aligned in pursuing digital development, and we will both profit from it. We anticipate playing a crucial role in this effort of digital transformation. Source- travel daily

To promote future expansion of its Tours & Activities sector, TUI Group, one of the top travel companies in the world, has announced changes to the TUI Musement executive team. Former TUI Musement Chief Business Officer Nishank Gopalkrishnan has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, where he is in charge of all B2B strategic alliances for distribution and international product supply. One of the Musement co-founders and former Chief Supply Officer Claudio Bellinzona has made the decision to leave TUI, but he will still assist the company as an outside advisor and collaborate with the TUI Musement leadership team on different new growth opportunities. “Since joining TUI in 2018, Claudio has been a vital member of our leadership team and has had a significant impact on our strategy and culture. I’m thrilled he’ll continue to work with us as an external advisor to support further business success. I am eager to follow his future business endeavors as well. Peter Ulwahn, the chief executive of TUI Musement, the TUI Group’s Tours & Activities subsidiary, said. The moment has come for us to take our business to the next level, and B2B is a key emphasis area. We have recovered from the pandemic, are growing quickly, the integration of Musement is complete, and TUI is established as a leading player in the Tours & Activities industry. We will be more focused, nimble, and effective in delivering better products, solutions, and services to our entire partner ecosystem by combining our partnership professionals into a single B2B commercial team. One of TUI Musement’s fastest-growing segments is B2B, which contributes about 50% of the company’s revenues through distribution agreements with some of the biggest travel companies in the world. Nishank will be the manager of a new commercial team that brings together all coworkers in charge of managing connections with distribution partners, including OTAs, airlines, and hotels, as well as those in charge of managing product supply by collaborating with attraction and activity providers all over the world. The commercial team will promote partner ties across supply and distribution and encourage more alignment amongst B2B stakeholders as they lead the efficient portfolio development of pertinent own and third-party experiences. Greater internal synergies will aid in the development of more efficient procedures to deliver quicker outcomes, produce more value, and offer a better overall partner and customer experience. “When you combine supply and distribution, you enable deeper comprehension and foster partner relationships, which always result in better outcomes.” Said Nishank Gopalkrishnan, the TUI Group’s Tours & Activities division’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We are a vital enabler in realizing the ambitious growth plans of our partners, both distributors and suppliers. TUI Musement is much more than a simple listing of things to do; together with our partners, we painstakingly craft and effectively share amazing travel experiences. TUI Musement offers a wide range of services to B2B partners, including call centers and in-destination services, API and white label distribution platforms, a curated portfolio of over 88,000 experiences, more than 1,000 multi-day tour itineraries, and 125,000+ transfer routes in more than 100 countries. Virginia Quintairos, Director of Business Development, and Olga Piqueras, Managing Director of Port Operations, will continue to oversee all commercial activities for Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, TUI Musement’s B2B brand that specializes in cruise ground handling and port operations. Source- Travel daily

The management team for the Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay has been appointed. The pre-opening team for the opulent hotel, scheduled to open in 2023, will be managed by a group of senior hospitality specialists assembled by Hilton with extensive experience. With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Andreas Jersabeck, General Manager of the Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, has worked with some of the most prestigious Hilton brands in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including the renowned London Hilton on Park Lane, The Trafalgar London, Hilton Doha, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, Tokyo Bay Hilton, and Conrad Dubai. The Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay staff will benefit from Andreas’ strategic vision implementation and his enthusiasm for premium service. Andreas is a true global hotelier. Joost H.P.E. Folkers, director of operations, delivers strategic skills from a perspective of creativity, innovation, and crisis management. The Resorts of Hawaii, Maldives, and the Philippines to W San Francisco, Nikki Beach Worldwide, and a private member’s club in Hong Kong, Joost is a Dutch national and lifelong expat who has impressive experience spanning over 5 continents. He is currently working to conceptualize a seamless guest journey through the hotel’s food & beverage venues, the four-story spa, wellness activities, and external experiences. Ewoud Roosjen, a native of the Netherlands who now serves as Commercial Director, is a seasoned hospitality executive and a valuable addition to the staff at Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay. He built and maintained a global network of influential people in the travel industry while working at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, which enabled him to make the future hotel launch a milestone in the GCC and one of the best luxury hotels in the world. The Executive Committee is strengthened by a group of passionate hospitality workers and eminent industry specialists who will guarantee that guests receive the most opulent service possible. Elias J. Ajaka and Sirena Di Martino, who both bring a lot of expertise via their knowledge of luxury lifestyle and food & entertainment standards, are appointed as directors of finance and human resources, respectively. They are both driven by motivation and zeal. German Executive Chef Thomas Jakobi has more than 30 years of culinary expertise in prestigious 5-star hotels in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including, to name a few, the Hilton Tokyo, Six Senses in Thailand, and Hideaway Zighy Bay in Oman.  Thomas will infuse the hotel’s hospitality with innovation, creativity, and vigor. His goal is to make the Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay a must-visit location in Qatar’s culinary landscape by ensuring that each dining concept has its own distinct personality. ‘Quintessence’, which for Chef Thomas represents thoughtful consumption through the use of seasonal, sustainable, and local ingredients, may be used to sum up both his cooking philosophy and approach. Giuseppe Soccio, who has been named Director of Food & Drink, is a highly experienced professional with more than 17 years of experience in the field. In Italy and the GCC, he has established a reputation for producing outstanding outcomes for a variety of famous hotel chains, including The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons, as well as hospitality organizations like Zuma and Nammos, winning numerous awards in the process. Giuseppe will utilize his skills and knowledge to improve the dining experience for customers with his meticulous attention to detail and capacity for team leadership and motivation. Nazley Mohamed, who serves as the spa’s director, has an impressive background and more than 20 years of experience in the thriving wellness sector. Her professional history includes noteworthy employment with prestigious companies like Mandarin Oriental and Anantara as well as significant properties like The Chedi Muscat and Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi. She is a capable, results-driven leader who is ready to oversee the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Spa with a ground-breaking wellness journey that combines tradition and cutting-edge technology to produce a singular and exceptional experience that raises the bar for the sector. “We are delighted to welcome this highly competent and talented team to the Waldorf Astoria family,” said Andreas Jersabeck, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay. “Their expertise and passion will enable us to provide the highest levels of service to our guests and establish ourselves as a leading luxury hotel in Qatar.” The Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay will provide breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and bring an aspirational New York state of mind to the area. It is a new, contemporary reflection of the illustrious legacy of the Waldorf Astoria New York. The hotel’s 283 opulent guest rooms and suites, 50 opulent apartments, remarkable roster of world renowned dining establishments, state-of-the-art wellness center, and sumptuous 4-story spa elevate Qatar to the status of a premier culinary and wellness destination. Source- Travel daily

There are various ways to travel sustainably and still see remote parts of the world, from volunteering in the local communities you visit to selecting eco-friendly travel companies when making travel arrangements. This year’s World Tourism Day was centered on the need for increased green investment in the travel and tourism sector, which includes fostering environmentally conscious, ethical, and easily accessible travel. “Holidaying sustainably means being mindful of our carbon footprint, supporting local economies, and respecting the cultural heritage of communities around the world,” explains Natalie Quiney, Content and E-commerce Manager at Co-op Holidays. We can dramatically lessen the influence we have on the places we visit by making a few minor changes to the way we travel. Natalie has provided her top five suggestions to assist vacationers in thinking about how they might travel more mindfully: Select eco-friendly lodging and cruises When choosing your holiday destinations, pick hotels and cruise lines that have a strong emphasis on sustainability. A growing number of lodging establishments are making the decision to use eco-friendly practices, reduce trash, and help the neighborhood. Travelers can frequently check their websites for sustainability policies, which should indicate whether the hotel or cruise has been accredited by reliable agencies, like The Green Globe Certification, allowing you to make sure before you go. You can support responsible tourism practices that lessen your vacation’s impact on the environment by including this as one of your criteria when choosing your lodging. Take part in conservation initiatives Keep a look out for possibilities to participate in conservation initiatives when visiting new places, or perhaps think about making this the main focus of your vacation. Activities like coral reef preservation, rainforest replanting, and wildlife rehabilitation are available in numerous places all over the world. You may both benefit a nation’s ecosystems and local communities by incorporating these activities into your vacation plans and have an absolutely unforgettable experience. Get involved in your community. Connecting with local cultures and communities is one of the most enriching elements of travel, and the best way to achieve this is by interacting with locals and their businesses. You can learn more about your location while also boosting its economy by eating the local food, taking part in cultural events, and helping on community projects. In collaboration with regional businesses, Co-op Holidays offers a variety of touring vacations that are geared toward letting visitors fully experience the places they go. This entails visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites to learn more about the history of various regions, collaborating with local partners to find excursions that let you cook alongside people using locally sourced ingredients, and much more. Eliminate paper from documents. Choose paperless documentation whenever possible to embrace the digital age of travel. Examples include electronic boarding passes, trip itineraries, and e-tickets. This can lessen the demand for printed documents, saving trees and cutting down on waste. Additionally, it can facilitate and expedite your travel by enabling you to obtain crucial information directly from your phone. Choose a service provider that gives back. Selecting a travel company that gives back can result in more sustainable and ethical travel, help local communities, and promote the preservation of cultural and natural assets. Every time a traveler uses Co-op Holidays, we donate to our charity partner Go Beyond and plant a tree through our sustainability partner Ecologi. With a tree planted for each traveler on a Co-op Holiday, Ecologi runs Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard carbon reduction programs all around the world, including reforestation. To date, we’ve helped our customers offset their carbon footprint by planting about 11,000 trees, and we’ve also taken over 100 kids and teenagers on excursions through Go Beyond so they may experience new things. This implies that our members can contribute to accomplishing good deeds collectively by selecting Your Co-op Travel. source – Travel daily

More than 5 million people have used Wizz Air to travel from London Gatwick to 26 locations in 16 countries, according to the airline, which is happy to reveal that it is also the airline with the fastest growth in Europe and the most environmentally friendly in the world. On a trip from Faro Airport to London Gatwick this week, the 5 millionth traveler was greeted with a €200 gift card. With Wizz Air operating 20 flights each day from London Gatwick, including daily flights to Athens, Faro, Nice, and Tel Aviv, this milestone comes at the end of the summer travel period. The airline just announced two new routes from London Gatwick to Hurghada in Egypt and Prague in Czechia, which will begin on October 31st in addition to the existing lines from Gatwick. Wizz Air’s operations at London Gatwick are thriving, having transported more than 2.7 million passengers in the past 12 months, an increase of 131% from the previous year. Wizz Air has also boosted the number of flights from London Gatwick by 133%, and the airline now has over 170 employees working out of its Gatwick hub. This summer alone, Wizz Air handled more than 4 million passengers in the UK from its 8 airport hubs, including London Gatwick. “We’re incredibly happy to celebrate the milestone of welcoming 5 million passengers at London Gatwick,” said Marion Geoffroy, managing director of Wizz Air UK. This accomplishment is a reflection of the hard work of our entire team and the confidence our customers have in us. We are still dedicated to giving customers a seamless and great travel experience, and we look forward to continuing to do so from London Gatwick in the future. We will keep providing clients with the greatest low-cost travel options by growing our team at Gatwick and launching our new routes. As consumers traverse the globe, we look forward to extending our cooperation with London Gatwick and welcoming them. “We are thrilled to see Wizz Air welcome an astounding five million passengers to London Gatwick,” said Stephanie Wear, VP of Aviation Development at London Gatwick. It is evidence of Wizz Air’s tremendous recent growth and performance at London Gatwick, and we eagerly await the next five million. Wizz is an important local employer, and we are eager to watch them expand with the introduction of two more new routes in October. Source- Travel daily

The first of its type in the Kingdom, the UEFA Champions League card portfolio was introduced by the Saudi National Bank (SNB) and Mastercard, the official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League. It offers cashback credit cards and prepaid cards without annual fees. With the help of Mastercard, the official partner of the UEFA Champions League, football fans can now access customized solutions and benefits to connect them to their passion and love for the game. This new launch was in line with SNB’s commitment to provide innovative and comprehensive payment solutions and within its ongoing efforts to achieve one of its strategic aspirations to be the “Best Bank in Customer Service.” “SNB holds a prominent position as a leader in the card business, offering a wide range of products including Cashback, LAK loyalty program,” said Saud Bajbair, Head of Retail market Group at SNB. SNB is still dedicated to launching new goods that support the goals and vision of the nation, particularly those that support sports, youth, and wellness. The innovative product range that SNB and Mastercard are launching is the first of its kind in the kingdom and is a ground-breaking partnership, further highlighting SNB’s dedication to provide its customers with cutting-edge prospects. “For more than 25 years, Mastercard has used its priceless platform to link individuals with their passions. We are excited to work with our dependable friends at SNB to capitalize on this wonderful opportunity to bring consumers’ passion for the beautiful game to life. We are excited to announce today the debut of a genuinely creative and captivating product line that offers football fans an unmatched experience while also honoring the significant advancements the Kingdom is making in this admirable sport. MENA Central’s Adam Jones, Country General Manager, Mastercard As part of its ongoing efforts to create alternative programs and services that satisfy the financial needs of its clients, particularly the younger generation, the bank is launching the new card as a supplement to the sophisticated services it offers to those customers. In addition to receiving many exclusive benefits, such as chances to win UEFA Champions League match tickets, the smart payment plan service, and exclusive deals and discounts at global partner stores involved in the program, the Mastercard UEFA Champions League credit card enables its holders to earn cashback on all purchases. Additionally, it allows access to airport lounges globally with the Mastercard Travel Pass and travel insurance coverage. The Mastercard UEFA Champions League Prepaid Card comes with enticing perks like earning “LAK” Loyalty Program points for all purchases, the opportunity to win UEFA Champions League match tickets, and exclusive discounts at international partner outlets. These benefits are available to all customer segments. Customers can apply for the card immediately by visiting the closest branch or via the AlAhliOnline or AlAhliMobile applications. Source- Travel daily

According to Alipay, the top digital payment and service platform, as Chinese tourists continue to travel abroad, the average amount spent by outbound Chinese tourists during the first five days of the 2023 China National Day holiday, from September 29 to October 6, has surpassed that of 2019. When Chinese visitors travel abroad, shopping is still one of their favorite pastimes. The purchase of goods, such as skincare products and duty-free items, surpassed spending on all other activities as the period’s largest Alipay expenditure. The second and third highest spending categories, respectively, were lodging and food and beverages. Chinese travelers are increasingly using Alipay’s range of digital travel services to enhance their trip experiences in addition to using the app to pay for goods and services. Currency exchange, Coupon Hub, tax return, and transportation were the most popular services among Alipay users over the first five days of the Holiday. Particularly, compared to the same period in 2019, the volume of transactions involving transportation increased by 16 times. With the help of its partners across the world, Alipay now offers a full range of travel services to Chinese visitors traveling outside of China, including the ability to book hotels and plane tickets as well as other services like food delivery, taxi services, in-store payments, and tax refunds. In more than 2,000 cities outside of the Chinese mainland, Alipay users can order a taxi. Major retailers in France, Italy, and Spain are offering an additional 20% tax refund to their customers during this vacation. The Coupon Hub features deals from brands in most destinations, some of which are only available to Alipay customers. Chinese tourists of all ages embrace digital technology for travel preparation and prefer mobile payments, with an overwhelming 84% anticipating using mobile payments like Alipay, according to a recent survey on Chinese outbound tourism. Chinese consumers prefer mobile payments over cash (55%), citing the simplicity and safety of mobile payments over cash (56%), discounts and other value-added services offered (60%), and transparency and advantageous exchange rates (60%). Chinese tourists also favor individualized services like exclusive deals and shopping guidance in Chinese (83%). According to a study done by the Centre for Sustainable Finance Innovation at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, local businesses hoping to attract Chinese tourists may need to prepare for Chinese mobile payment methods and think about providing other value-added services specifically designed for Chinese tourists. Based on overall Alipay purchases, the top travel locations this year mostly held true to those from prior significant holidays. Geographically nearby Asian locations like Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Singapore, and Malaysia continued to lead the list, as did European nations like France and Italy. However, compared to the same period in 2019, there was a large increase in Chinese tourists’ Alipay spending in less popular locations like Estonia and Qatar, suggesting a change in travel tastes. Alipay is an Alipay+ partner e-wallet. Alipay+ was developed by Ant Group as a collection of international mobile payment and marketing solutions. It now integrates with roughly 30 top e-wallets. The program now links tens of millions of merchants globally to more than 1.4 billion payment accounts in Asia and beyond thanks to its recent expansion onto the Chinese mainland. When utilizing their chosen payment methods while traveling abroad, customers benefit from easy payment and a wide selection of promotions. Up to 200% more daily transactions were made by foreign tourists entering China between September 29 and October 6 using the 10 Alipay+ partner e-wallets (AlipayHK, mPay, Hipay, OCBC, Changi Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TrueMoney, Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss Pay). Source- Travel daily