Travel News

The winners of VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2022–2023 have been revealed, honoring the top visitor experiences available all across England. The awards, given to 91 sites throughout England, honor all facets of the visitor experience. They are given in five categories, including “Hidden Gem,” “Best Told Story,” “Quality Food and Drink,” “Welcome,” and “Gold,” which is given to attractions that receive the highest overall scores. Based on the ratings they achieved following their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment, attractions have been recognized. “These accolades are a testament to the outstanding experiences and customer service that attractions in England give visitors,” said Andrew Stokes, director of VisitEngland. They also honor other facets of the visitor experience at attractions that go above and beyond, such as providing outstanding food and drink or captivating storytelling. The places honored today go above and above to make visitors memorable, giving people a reason to visit new places and stimulating local businesses all around England. The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades, now in their ninth year, are available to members of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme for a variety of tourist destinations, including historic homes, gardens, country parks, and farm attractions as well as galleries, museums, churches, and cathedrals. The network of highly skilled and knowledgeable assessors that supports participating attractions provides them with guidance on enhancing and promoting the caliber, accessibility, and sustainability of their offer.  Winning attractions may use the award logo in their marketing materials, online, and at their attraction. Fiona Pollard, a member of the VisitEngland Advisory Board (VEAB), will also be presenting at the 2023 Visitor Attractions Conference (VAC) today at the QEII conference center in Westminster, London, highlighting England’s world-class attractions.  The VEAB Chairman, Lady Victoria Borwick, will also be present. One of the biggest and most profitable industries in England is tourism, which supports hundreds of thousands of businesses, employs about 2.6 million people, and will bring in £66.3 billion in domestic visitor spending by 2022. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/winners-of-visitenglands-visitor-attraction-accolades-announced/

On October 20, 1950, the Sydney Opera House had its formal debut.  According to Cameron Logan, an architecture professor at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, “The Sydney Opera House is much more than its spectacular design and extraordinary position.However, despite being infamously derided as a “circus tent” by Frank Lloyd-Wright, Sydney has come to be embodied by the shape and environment of Utzon’s masterpiece. “The Opera House has influenced how the city is viewed today by its own citizens and serves as a hub for tourists from around the globe. The state government and its advisors have tried in recent years to quantify its value in terms of money, but the value to the city ultimately outweighs and defies all attempts at measurement. Engineering and Construction According to Dr. Faham Tahmasebinia, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, “The Sydney Opera House heralded a new era of concrete, constructed during the relatively early days of prestressing in Australia, a method which increases the performance of concrete over time.” The original design concept was based on a reinforced shell construction, however it was far too difficult to build. Engineers and architects developed a precast ‘rib’ approach, with all the segments stressed together on-site, to realize Utzon’s concept. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/sydney-opera-house-turns-50/

At the IAAPA Expo Europe in Vienna, Austria, Embed, the leading cloud-based, cashless solutions provider for the amusement, entertainment, and leisure industries, displayed its SaaS solutions and other ground-breaking innovations. Saeed Abdillahi, EMEA Sales Manager at Embed, exclaims, “We’re happy to have another successful trade show for the books — and the biggest one in Europe at that. The Mobile Wallet virtual gaming card and STATS business analytics dashboard are the first SaaS products we are bringing to the region as advocates of our customers’ success to assist FECs in moving from manual to digital procedures. The Mobile Wallet, which recently demonstrated a 5x increase in reload value versus cash and credit card for our customers based on 2022-2023 success metrics, is one of Embed’s Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. “As we are taking STATS global – the data visualisation dashboard powered by Amazon Web Services – we are seeing a great reception and turnout for our SaaS solutions,” says Renee Welsh, CEO at Embed. “The European market is indeed ready to move toward cashless transactions, with 50% of consumers in the UK alone already favoring it over cash.” The Veltmeijer Group, Funstation UK, FARO Games, and BALO are just a few of the notable clients and partners that the Embed Mavericks have had the chance to network with. Bandai Namco UK, a local partner of Embed, also expressed support for the transformation of the FECs in the area. FECs from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Romania, and the Czech Republic stopped by the Embed booth to talk about how to advance their businesses by switching from primarily coin-op to totally cashless using Embed. Serving the Veltmeijer Group for ten years The Embed Mavericks and the Veltmeijer Group honored their 10-year cooperation over dinner following the first day of the exhibition. With Roger Tubée and the rest of VG, “we raised our glasses to an amazing partnership. We are excited to see this relationship continue skyrocketing into the future for more years to come,” adds Bonnie Cheraparambil, EMEA Operations Director at Embed. Next, what? From November 14 to November 17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, catch the Embed crew next at the IAAPA Expo. In addition to the Mobile Wallet and STATS, Embed’s Bling Trunk will feature game cards and wearable media in addition to free demonstrations of its portfolio of integrated hardware and software solutions including KIOSK+ and TOOLKIT. Keep an eye out for more groundbreaking news and releases! Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/embed-rocks-europe-with-saas-solutions/

141k Indian tourists have traveled to Vietnam in the first five months of 2023. The Anam Group plans to open Vietnam’s first pool-villa-exclusive resort in Phu Yen and AXI Plaza, also an all-inclusive convention center, in Cam Ranh in anticipation of a record number of Indian tourists. More information is provided in a special interview with Laurent Myter, Group General Manager of The Anam Group. TD Brand: What would you say The Anam Group’s properties’ USP is? Laurent Myter: I’d argue that what makes us special is that we didn’t follow a predetermined definition of luxury. In addition to providing top-notch luxury, The Anam Resorts also uphold the rich Vietnamese culture. Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) acknowledged our concept, making The Anam Mui Ne the first and only resort in Vietnam to join their portfolio. According to Condé Nast readers’ votes, the award-winning beachfront hideaway The Anam Cam Ranh was one of the top 25 hotels in Southeast Asia. Both lavish Indian weddings with 200 guests and small gatherings are ideal for the beachside property. Travel agencies that cater to corporate groups have a positive attitude toward MICE facilities that are distinctive, like the 60-seater 3D movie theater that can be customized for high-power events. The first pool-villa-only resort in Vietnam will soon open in Phu Yen. Next to the Cam Ranh property is the inclusive convention center AXI Plaza. What environmentally friendly procedures does The Anam Vietnam employ? Myter: Sustainability is a priority for both of our properties. Our 12-hectare seaside property at The Anam Cam Ranh has been set aside 8,500 square meters for the promotion of sustainable farming, which provides food for our chefs. Additionally, we have chosen environmentally friendly items like bamboo bags, recyclable glass bottles, and rice straws. At Anam Mui Ne, we use solar electricity, locally sourced food, and repurpose laundry water for the gardens as part of our concrete efforts to lessen our carbon footprint. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) key cards have been replaced with non-toxic, biodegradable ones. These have the support of the global non-profit Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes ethical forest management. TD Brand: What kind of visitors do you get? Business, pleasure, NRIs, or home use? Myter: Our strength has always been the variety of visitors we attract from the leisure, family, honeymoon, and corporate markets. What incentives do you provide to travel agencies and tour operators, Brand TD? Myter: Our interaction with the tourism sector has improved our standing in the Indian market. We do not adhere to the “one size fits all” philosophy, which is why we provide our trading partners with customized incentives based on many variables, such as group size. In addition to our continuing assistance, which includes providing special discounts and help with their travels, we recently invited eight high-end travel agents from Mumbai to visit both of our hotels. It gave them a comprehensive overview of the resorts, MICE and wellness offerings, and amenities to help them design immersive itineraries for their customers. What patterns have you noticed in Vietnam’s hospitality sector, Brand TD? Myter: Travelers are increasingly looking for customized experiences, roomy lodgings, amenities that make working productive, on-site activities, and sustainability initiatives. Numerous luxury hotels and resorts in Vietnam are effectively adjusting to changing consumer needs, and the country’s hospitality sector is expanding significantly. The demand for travel experiences and discovering hidden gems has been steadily increasing. In Phan Thiet City of the province of Binh Thuan, Nha Trang and Mui Ne are growing in popularity with Indian honeymooners and leisure travelers. They are making the decision to immerse themselves in various cultures and opulent amenities, such as The Anam Mui Ne. Due to its expansive facilities for sizable events and premium amenities, The Anam Cam Ranh is chosen by high-spending travelers, long-stay tourists, and MICE groups. How has tourism increased in Vietnam since CAVID? Could you provide 2023 inbound Vietnam statistics? Myter: Vietnam had a substantial increase in foreign visitors in 2022 and 2023 as the country decided to allow quarantine-free admission and restore the majority of its pre-pandemic visa policies. In the first half of 2023, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism recorded more than 5.5 million foreign visitors, surpassing the entire number of foreign arrivals in 2022. 141k Indian tourists have traveled to Vietnam in the first five months of 2023. The administration intends to target 8 million foreign visitors this year, with ease visa access serving as a motivating factor. India has become one of the source markets with the quickest growth post-Covid, spanning a variety of industries like MICE, leisure, and extended family vacations. South Korea, the US, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, China, and India will be Vietnam’s top import markets in 2023. TD Brand: Where did your hotelier career begin? What guidance would you provide newcomers to the industry? Myter: In Bern, Switzerland, at The Schweizerhof, one of The Leading Hotels of the World, I began my professional life. I’ve since had the honor of working in a variety of hotels all around the world, including those in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. As a hotelier, I have closely watched dynamics change, especially in the post-COVID period, such as changing visitor needs, diverse age demographics, and various travel reasons. The hospitality sector demands that heartfelt services be continuously provided. I would advise the newcomers to keep up with modern trends, be flexible, always assess the needs and preferences of guests, and even anticipate their demands when feasible. Success in this field can be attributed to meticulousness and an eagerness to solve problems. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/post-covid-india-has-emerged-as-one-of-the-fastest-growing-source-markets-for-vietnam-myter/

The idea of luxury has significantly changed in the constantly changing travel industry of today. The hospitality sector is reinventing itself to fulfill these demands as discerning tourists search for meaningful vacations that incorporate local culture and sustainability. It is no longer just about richness and excess. José Cláudio Silva, Design Principal at 10 Design, talks with Brand TD about how luxury has changed over time, the design trends influencing its future, and the fine line between extravagance and sustainability. He also provided insight into how to work within financial limits without sacrificing the caliber of the guest experience as well as the art of incorporating regional culture and heritage into designs while preserving a feeling of authenticity. Brand TD: When it comes to constructing hotels and resorts, what, in your opinion, captures the true sense of luxury? José Cláudio Silva: Authenticity, experience, and attention to detail are essential in today’s travel environment. Conscious tourists look for memorable travel encounters that respect the environment and give them a taste of the local culture. Hotels are reinventing what it means to be a friendly and sustainable location in order to satisfy this demand. Hotels are adopting environmentally friendly methods that help the neighborhood, starting with the architecture of the structure itself. TD Brand: What trends do you anticipate influencing the future of the luxury concept in hotel and resort design? How has it changed over time? Silva: The modern traveler looks for adventures that excite all of their senses and put them in a blissful condition. Designers are infusing natural features into hotel designs to encourage mindfulness and well-being in order to satisfy these higher demands. Our research has demonstrated that immersing visitors in nature through well planned settings can produce transcendent experiences that promote joy and emotional connection. In the modern world, there is a growing demand for social connection and a sense of community as people become increasingly separated. In order to address this need, the conventional members’ club concept is being updated. This will give people a place to congregate, connect, and forge lasting relationships. Hotels are now including amenities like restaurants, workspaces, fitness centers, and creative spaces in addition to offering guests a comfortable place to stay in order to appeal to a larger spectrum of visitors and entice them to stay longer in the hotel. TD Brand: For many people, luxury can imply different things. How do you go about making designs that suit a variety of opulent tastes and cultural backgrounds? Silva: To provide enough space and opportunity for people’s preferences, a design that is founded in the local context and that offers spaces for both connection and disconnection is vital. In order to give visitors a feeling of place and make them feel linked to the location, the physical and cultural environment of a place should be mirrored in the design. In other words, authenticity and an accurate portrayal of the setting are crucial. TD Brand: In the design sector, sustainability is becoming more and more significant. How do you strike a balance between the desire for luxury and concepts of sustainable and green design in your projects? Silva: Sustainability is no longer sufficient; it has become the norm and the absolute minimum. Instead, we need to think about regeneration and create hotels that enhance their surroundings rather than just mitigate their bad effects. By including the local climate, ecology, and community into the design process, we may incite a shift in mindset and produce hotels that are considerate of their surroundings and helpful to the environment. Brand TD: Dedication to detail is frequently associated with luxury. Can you name a few particular design features or components that, in your opinion, significantly contribute to a hotel or resort’s opulent ambience? Silva: The guest experience should be viewed as a whole rather than as a collection of discrete locations. Architects may create an environment that feels natural and intuitive by carefully studying how people move through a hotel. It’s also essential to focus on the small print of a hotel’s design, from the choice of materials to how those materials interact. Every decision should be deliberate and take the surrounding context and culture into account. TD Brand: Today’s travelers are looking for distinctive and immersive experiences. How can you preserve a sense of luxury while giving visitors a sense of place and authenticity through the incorporation of local culture and heritage into your designs? The most discerning travelers seek out locations that are genuinely related to their surroundings, spaces that draw inspiration from the historical and cultural context of the location, rather than merely a cosmetic imitation of the past. A sense of connection and long-lasting impression are fostered by this regional approach to design, which enables visitors to interact with the destination on a deeper level. We may design environments that are more meaningful and ageless if we have an understanding of how people have lived in the location. TD Brand: The degree of luxury in hotel and resort design can occasionally be constrained by financial restraints. How can you overcome these obstacles without compromising the level of design or the visitor experience? Silva: It’s important for us, the client, and the cost consultant to collaborate and prepare early on to grasp the vision and restrictions. If this happens, it’s possible to design places that seem luxurious without going over budget. We may create an experience that feels opulent without overspending if we carefully focus on specific “wow” moments. Source- Travel daily

The region’s waters will be cleaned up as part of a new fundraising initiative launched by Mammoth waters Tourism. This comprehensive clean-up is taking place at Mammoth Lakes, one of California’s most picturesque and magnificent mountain destinations, in order to give both tourists and residents the best possible experience. The tourism board has collaborated with Clean Up The Lake, a group dedicated to combating garbage and pollution on land and in the water, and will match all funds received over the next four years, up to $100,000. Cleaning up at Lake George started this month and will go on until 2026. Four of the lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin—Lake George, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, and Lake Mamie—have had pilot research dives throughout the past year. The team’s comprehension of the environmental concerns at hand and the steps that must be taken to preserve the wellbeing and long-term preservation of the region’s titular treasures was improved by these dives. The partnership’s objectives are to guarantee that submerged litter is removed, to record any and all aquatic invasive species that are endangering the lakes, to work to safeguard animal species both above and below the surface, and to stop any further pollution. In order to remove fishing debris, plastic pollution, and other environmental threats, volunteers from Clean Up The Lake started a comprehensive clean up and survey of the invasive aquatic species in Lake George’s 2-mile circumference this month. They collaborated with volunteer scuba divers, free divers, and kayakers. The founder and executive director of Clean Up The Lake, Colin West, remarked, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working in the Mammoth Lakes Basin this fall.” Action is required to assure the continued conservation of the Sierra’s most important resource since there is a significant litter problem that has gone unaddressed for decades. In order to involve tourists and the local community in increasing education and fostering volunteer efforts for lake clean-ups over the next four years, Clean Up The Lake will collaborate with Mammoth Lakes Tourism. “Our investment in this program is a commitment to the natural resources that make this place so special,” said Mammoth Lakes Tourism Executive Director John Urdi. Not only will this work immediately affect our magnificent alpine lakes, but it will also emphasize how crucial it is to preserve our recreational spaces for both locals and tourists. Just below the surface, a significant impact on our environment is taking place. Out of sight and out of mind, much of this trash is. Source- Travel daily

With the opening of a brand-new Worldshop at Vienna Airport, the most significant Miles & More Retail division is now available to travelers in Austria. Here, they can choose from a wide range of high-quality travel and lifestyle products. Customers can browse the selection, get ideas, and collect and redeem Miles & More reward miles daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Terminal 3, Airside, near Gate F. Fans of airlines will enjoy special promotions and limited editions. Customers can anticipate enticing special promotions upon the store’s opening. For instance, you can receive ten times as many award miles for every dollar you spend, get a 20 percent cash and mile discount on Travelite Airbase Trolleys in a variety of colors, participate in a lucky wheel promotion to win instant prizes, and, of course, enjoy Mozarttalers, a beloved and distinctly Viennese tradition. The recently unveiled Austrian Airlines Upcycling Collection is another highlight. This provides furniture and accessories manufactured from former Austrian Airlines aircraft parts to aviation enthusiasts. Along with wine racks and hanging cabinets constructed from the actual luggage compartment doors of the Austrian Airlines Airbus A321 with the registration OE-LBD, Aircrafttag keychains made from aircraft skin are also offered. According to Michael Trestl, CCO of Austrian Airlines, “Worldshop stands for inspiring ideas, the highest quality standards, and a distinctive shopping experience.” “As a result, we are especially thrilled that we now have a shop in Vienna, where we can provide our visitors with a unique range of co-branded goods from Austrian Airlines as well as other cutting-edge travel and lifestyle goods. This enables our visitors to bring a piece of Austria home with them, even above the clouds. A must-see for all aviation enthusiasts, according to Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport. At the Vienna Airport, travelers can now purchase well-liked items made from recycled airplane interiors as well as everything they require for their trip. The new Worldshop is conveniently situated in Terminal 3’s departure area for Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa. We are providing visitors with a genuinely one-of-a-kind shopping experience in Austria in collaboration with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Miles & More. Worldshop: A Story of Success The Miles & More GmbH brand Worldshop is a key component of the company’s retail offering. Worldshop, launched in 2002, has grown to be Miles & More GmbH’s most significant e-commerce platform. There are currently more than 5,800 goods available from more than 400 top companies. Worldshop turns into a true travel companion with limited in-house productions in Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines design and beyond. Johann-Philipp Bruns, Managing Director of Miles & More GmbH and in charge of the Sales division, says, “Our extensive experience in the retail sector and an established process and service provider structure enable us to tailor our products to the needs of our customers and to continue developing them. It is a logical and significant step to extend to additional countries with our airport stores and provide travelers with a distinctive shopping experience at the point of sale, as evidenced by the popularity of our items and the 190 billion award miles redeemed since our founding. Worldshop is one of the most popular methods to use award miles from Miles & More after flight and upgrade awards, as well as hotel and rental car incentives. Shopping is available not only in one of the nine Worldshop locations with a combined retail space of more than 870 square meters at the airports of Berlin-Brandenburg, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna, but also online at worldshop.eu, while flying on Swiss (International), Austrian, or Lufthansa, and at any time. Source- Travel daily

The first travel management company (TMC) to successfully issue a ticket on the ground-breaking Deem platform since its integration with Travelport+ is Christopherson Business Travel, a pioneer in cutting-edge corporate travel solutions, and Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of thousands of suppliers globally. A new era in contemporary retailing and a considerable development in corporate travel management are both heralded by the action. Deem’s integration with Travelport+ exemplifies Christopherson’s dedication to giving its clients the most effective and cutting-edge travel booking choices. The customer experience is eventually improved through the use of new distribution capability (NDC) technology, which enables greater personalisation, flexibility, and openness in the booking and service of travel. Longtime Travelport partners, Christopherson was among the first TMCs in North America to upgrade to Travelport+, allowing the company to provide the cutting-edge retailing experience that clients want. With enhanced retailing capabilities, sophisticated cloud-based point of sale solutions, and tools that streamline operations, Travelport+ makes it easy to access content from multiple sources and creates value for both agents and travelers. The use of Deem with Travelport+, according to Mike Cameron, CEO of Christopherson Business Travel, “is a game-changer for our clients.” This effective implementation not only puts us at the forefront of the sector but also guarantees that our customers get a user-friendly booking tool with Travelport+-powered multi-source material that includes NDC and is displayed in a contemporary storefront. Deem with Travelport+ revolutionizes how business travel is booked and handled by offering unmatched benefits for business travelers. Through a single, user-friendly interface, this integration gives Christopherson travel advisers access to a wide range of travel-related content, including a large number of airlines, lodging options, and supplementary services. “Deem and Travelport+ are modernizing the corporate travel experience, bringing two industry-leading channels together at one source to streamline the integration between the corporate booking tool and agency point of sale,” stated John Eliason, COO and Deputy CEO of Travelport. “Christopherson Business Travel, a dependable partner of ours, is a shining illustration of how a company can take the lead by utilizing cutting-edge technologies. Their emphasis on innovation nicely complements our goal of revolutionizing the corporate travel sector. Through its many features, Deem with Travelport+ offers Christopherson’s clients a great deal of value, including: Access to a wide range of airline material, including NDC-based services, is available to guarantee that customers have access to the most pertinent options. A simplified booking procedure that saves time and decreases complexity through seamless integration and services, including NDC, is known as streamlined booking and servicing. Personalization: Travel arrangements made specifically for each customer in accordance with their tastes and business requirements, improving the overall travel experience. Christopherson Business Travel, which was established in 1953 and provides a range of high-touch services and exclusive tools, has consistently been at the forefront of corporate travel management. The incorporation of Deem with Travelport+ enhances Christopherson’s reputation as an industry pioneer. In March 2023, Travelport purchased Deem, a top corporate travel management platform. This acquisition was made in response to the growing demand for a GDS-independent, tightly integrated solution that offers access to and end-to-end servicing of all multi-source information, including NDC. Visit cbtravel.com to learn more about Christopherson Business Travel’s services and the effective integration of Deem with Travelport+. Source- Travel daily

With its brand-new attraction “Penguin Trek,” the long-awaited eighth coaster to join the park’s ever-expanding ride portfolio, SeaWorld Orlando, already known as the Coaster Capital of Orlando with an impressive array of heart-pounding rides, is about to take your breath away once more. With its unique snowmobile-styled ride vehicle and its design as THE ultimate family launch coaster, “Penguin Trek” transports riders on an unforgettable adventure into the stunning expanse of Antarctica as they take part in a penguin research mission unlike any other. This spectacular coaster travels at up to 43 mph along a 3,020-foot track that travels both inside and outside, with two thrilling launches and a maze of turns. But what makes this experience truly exceptional is its unmatched climax, which places visitors right in the middle of SeaWorld Orlando’s actual penguin habitat, rather than in a fake penguin colony.  The ride, a fun activity for the whole family, can accommodate riders with heights ranging from 42 inches to 77 inches. “We ae incredibly excited to unveil our newest addition to SeaWorld Orlando’s outstanding coaster lineup in the spring of 2024,” stated Jon Peterson, president of SeaWorld Orlando. “This family launch coaster reflects the spirit of exploration and adventure, providing a thrilling voyage through the wonders of Antarctica while strengthening the link between our purpose and dedication to animal care, research, and teaching. We are thrilled to reimagine the family launch coaster experience alongside our dependable friends at B&M because we know our customers were ready for a brand-new thrill that the entire family could enjoy. Once inside, riders will set out on an incredible journey on this one-of-a-kind immersive family launch coaster, which will send them across a 3,020-foot track at speeds of up to 43 mph through the Antarctic wilderness. As they put themselves in the position of intrepid researchers, they will go across the freezing plains in a special snowmobile riding automobile while narrowly avoiding being captured by an ice cave. As they launch onto an outdoor coaster track with two thrilling launches and a tangle of turns, this family-friendly adventure picks up speed. Riders experience a heart-pounding trip on this perilous coaster, escaping the impending threat of falling ice to eventually reach the safety of a penguin colony. This voyage perfectly captures the spirit of exploration and adventure. But what makes this experience truly exceptional is its unmatched climax, which places visitors right in the middle of SeaWorld Orlando’s actual penguin habitat, rather than in a fake penguin colony. The thrill of the trip perfectly leads to a touching meeting with these adorable, feathered locals. The whole family can engage with the enthralling world of these mesmerizing penguins thanks to this special and immersive combination of family coaster thrills and real animal connection, making it a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will always stand out in their memory. Bolliger & Mabillard, the renowned designers and manufacturers recognized for their proficiency in roller coaster engineering, are to be attributed for the world-class engineering and design of this family coaster. Penguin Trek is slated to tie SeaWorld Orlando for the record of the most B&M coasters in one location, joining the park’s other five outstanding coasters, including the most current thrill ride, “Pipeline: The Surf Coaster,” which debuted in May 2023 to enthusiastic reviews. The indoor/outdoor coaster “Penguin Trek’s” distinctive experience demonstrates SeaWorld Orlando’s dedication to offering a variety of thrills for all family members. This most recent addition to the family of coasters has the potential to be yet another crowning achievement in a park already renowned for the quality of its coasters. “Penguin Trek” is poised to carry on SeaWorld Orlando’s tradition of pushing the limits of coaster innovation for the whole family, joining the ranks of award-winning rides like “Mako,” which was named the #1 Best Roller Coaster by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice poll for five years running, and “Ice Breaker,” which claimed the #1 New Attraction spot in the same poll. Source- Travel daily

One of London’s most prestigious addresses welcomes The OWO, a spectacular new destination. The OWO, housed in a structure of epic proportions, is where you’ll find The OWO Residences by Raffles, the first Raffles hotel in London, as well as a variety of unique eateries and bars that are inspired by the world’s most exciting foodie destinations. The OWO marks a turning point for Whitehall, a district closely associated with politicians, as a fun location to celebrate, enjoy yourself, unwind, stay, and live. “The OWO is a renowned structure with a colorful past. The Hinduja Group’s Sanjay Hinduja remarked, “From the beginning of the project, we have gone above and beyond to guarantee that this jewel in the center of Whitehall is repaired, preserved, and resurrected in the most suitable way to produce a heritage site for the next generations. The eagerly awaited Raffles London at The OWO, the company’s first establishment in the UK, offers 120 roomy guest rooms and suites, Mauro Colagreco’s signature dining options, impressive entertainment areas like a grand ballroom, and a sizable spa that was developed in collaboration with Guerlain and Pillar Wellbeing. “It is an honor for us to be a part of this enormous undertaking. Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles & Orient Express, described the opening of Raffles London at The OWO as “an incredible highlight” and “one of the most significant moments in the history of the Raffles brand, which has long been synonymous with legendary service, glamour, art, and storied destinations.” Raffles London pays tribute to the building’s heritage while delivering a sense of timeless grandeur, from the brilliant splendor of the Grand Staircase, delicately wrapped around a breath-taking chandelier, to the mosaic-tiled floors and oak-panelled walls. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of some of the most significant figures of the 20th century and consider the crucial choices made inside its illustrious walls. Hinduja Group and Onex Group, the building’s custodians, have been fervently dedicated to the revival of the Old War Office’s heritage elements, drawing on the skills of hundreds of craftsmen throughout its extensive eight-year restoration. “We are thrilled to offer visitors the highly individualized and intelligent service for which Raffles is renowned throughout the world, in an unmatched environment. We have had the great fortune to collaborate with world-class partners to create this new destination, including talented designers, elite chefs, and forward-thinking restaurateurs alongside the biggest names in fragrance, beauty, and wellness. I feel pleased and honored to have been a part of this historic undertaking, which has far surpassed any expectations. Managing Director of Raffles London Philippe Leboeuf stated at The OWO, “It is certainly a legend in the making. Famous designer, the late Thierry Despont, turned magnificent State Rooms and big halls of Raffles London into 120 guest rooms and suites. The Heritage Suites, which were once the offices of prominent military and political figures, are located in the building’s historically noteworthy regions. The Haldane suite can be merged to make a six-bedroom, 500 square foot suite. It was once Sir Richard Haldane’s, John Profumo’s, and Winston Churchill’s offices. One of the largest luxury hotel wings available in London, this area is referred to as The Whitehall Wing and can house up to twelve guests. Eight Corner Suites that are named after famous women and female spies associated with The OWO’s history are also emphasized. These statues, which honor WWII agents like Christian Lamb and British female spy Vera May Atkins as well as notable women like Viscountess Astor and Clementine Churchill, are located in the rounded pavilion corners of the structure. Exclusively with Raffles London, renowned chef Mauro Colagreco will oversee three distinctive dining experiences there. These three distinct ideas will highlight the beauty of the best seasonal produce in the UK, which is obtained from regional farms, fields, and beaches. Diners may experience Mauro Colagreco’s culinary inventiveness and enthusiasm for sustainability at his signature restaurant, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO, thanks to his dedication to sourcing local, seasonal ingredients. Through a series of tasting menus, dishes here will emphasize the vast range of native British vegetables. The small Mauro’s Table, which can accommodate up to 23 people next door, is centered on a stunning dining table. Head chef Leonel Aguirre will transport customers on a sensory tour of English gardens, supported by a theatrical show kitchen. Saison, Mauro’s casual dining establishment, will modernize the classic hotel dining experience. This exquisite establishment, housed in a former Old War Office library, serves seasonal Mediterranean food all day long, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Chef Colagreco’s seasonal culinary devotion and philosophy will be evident in Saison, which will live up to its name. Additionally, Raffles London introduces two moody bars in settings unlike any other. The OWO pays tribute to its lengthy affiliation and illustrious connections with the Household Cavalry at The Guards Bar & Lounge. The Guards Bar and Lounge will offer its own distinctive “London Sling,” which is part of a comprehensive menu of 16 drinks with a focus on British ingredients blended with flavors from the East. The Drawing Room, a laid-back all-day lounge with views of Horse Guards, and Pillar Kitchen, a well-being-focused establishment that goes beyond healthy food, are additional outlets at the hotel. Raffles London at The OWO emphasizes wellness with a cutting-edge Guerlain Spa that spans 27,000 square feet over four stories. The Goddard Littlefair-designed spa offers a wide variety of amenities and services to give visitors a really opulent spa experience. There is also a gorgeous 20-meter swimming pool with plush lounge chairs around it, a vitality pool, a state-of-the-art gym, and a movement studio. There are also Steam and sauna facilities. There are also nine finely designed treatment suites, including three roomy VIP Spa Suites and L’Atelier Guerlain, a private area for beauty and hair services.Through individualized, cutting-edge training and nutrition, Pillar Wellbeing, developed by elite performance coach Harry Jameson, will help members attain their maximum potential. The OWO Residences