Travel News

Over the past ten days, airlines have been a key component of the relief operations in Maui.  In addition to other actions, airlines increased flight service in the days following the fire to aid in the evacuation, occasionally to locations outside of their normal Maui network.  Airlines have been essential in getting supplies and aid workers to Maui.  The biggest airline in Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, reported that it had given more than $600,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to the relief efforts, including more than 4,000 free seats for volunteers and locals of Maui.  Additionally, Hawaiian reported that in the first six days following the accident, its aircraft flew 54,000 pounds of vital supplies to Maui, including kennels for animals and communications equipment as well as life-saving blood and medical supplies. In addition, Hawaiian increased its collaboration with neighborhood food banks by contributing $150,000.  In addition, Hawaiian Airlines increased their flight schedule, offering rates as low as $19 while transporting more than 17,000 passengers from Maui’s Kahului Airport in the first 72 hours following the fire.  The five other major airlines that fly to Maui, Southwest, Alaska, American, United, and Delta, have made similar kinds of contributions.  Southwest, the second-largest airline serving Maui, for instance, claimed to have provided more than $100,000 in cash and air travel in the days following the fire. The carrier has also offered free delivery of essential supplies, and it is working with regional authorities to provide transportation for volunteer firefighters.  Southwest, like Hawaiian, offered $19 tickets as soon as the fire broke out, and the airline announced on Friday that it has been expanding operations daily across the Pacific and within Hawaii.  “Our work and partnerships will continue as we support long-term recovery efforts,” the airline declared.  After the fires, Alaska Airlines, which doesn’t frequently fly within Hawaii, ran rescue flights from Maui to Honolulu. The airline also provided food, water, beds, diapers, and other supplies on special cargo-only flights into Maui from its Seattle freight hub. As of Thursday, Alaska said that it has shipped 189,000 pounds of help to Lahaina fire victims. After the Lahaina fire, American also increased its air service to and from Maui and increased the size of its aircraft for additional trips to help with the evacuation. The airline claimed to have also prepared emergency supplies for incoming aircraft. Related: Cruise lines contribute to the relief work in Maui Through this week, United has continued to provide aid to Maui, and on Wednesday it brought in 24,000 pounds of supplies from Chicago. In the week following the fire, United transported more than 12,000 people off of Maui, frequently using planes that had been flown onto the island solely for disaster assistance.   In the wake of the storm, United also increased capacity from Honolulu to the mainland.  One of Delta’s post-fire initiatives was a donation of $250,000 to the Red Cross for Maui fire assistance. Source- Travel weekly

An official announced that soon visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be able to rent luxurious caravans in remote areas of the archipelago. The ‘caravan’ will be air-conditioned and have plush bunk beds, a lounge space with mood lighting, recliners and fold-away tables and chairs, a chic kitchenette, a bathroom, and power backup. According to the official, it would incorporate GPS navigation and a 360-degree security camera for the tourists’ protection. In accordance with the original idea, the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T) will map out a number of unique spots near beaches, in the hills, and in the jungles where tourists who rent these caravans can park their cars for an exciting and cozy stay. Basic amenities like water connections, electricity, outside grills, lovely lawns, and a caretaker or guide to help the tourists will be available in these unusual places. Travelers can enjoy their holiday, stay for a few days (depending on the package), and cook for themselves at these spots. To let visitors to walk around in the caravan and see different sections of this lovely island, the administration is considering enabling them to travel from one spot to another based on the occupancy status of the exotic locations that have been mapped out. Liberty Sale “Caravans are a distinctive tourism product that encourages family-friendly travel even in routes and locations without sufficient hotel accommodations. At chosen, acceptable areas, caravan parks will be built, offering either basic or sophisticated services and facilities for overnight parking of caravans. While assuring adherence to quality, standards, and safety rules, it is believed that caravan tourism will satisfy the growing demand for eco, adventure, rural, and beach tourists. Young people, families, seniors, and foreign tourists would all be drawn to caravan tourism, according to Dr. Jatinder Sohal, director of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ tourism department, who spoke to PTI. Source- The indian express

The first group of Bangladeshi visitors has arrived in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, as part of efforts to promote travel to the Himalayan country. About 200 persons make up the first group of visitors, who were greeted by tourism officials at Tribhuvan International Airport while traditional musical instruments were being played in the distance. 700 tourists from Bangladesh would arrive in Kathmandu by Saturday, according to the officials, on a chartered flight from Biman Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, a Bangladeshi visitor who was in Kathmandu stated, “Today is a milestone, a record between Bangladesh and Nepal, as 700 people have traveled from Bangladesh to take advantage of all the city’s attractions. We have a lot of locations to visit. For Bangladeshi tourists traveling to Nepal, ground handling has been handled by Samrat Tour and Travels Pvt. Ltd. The largest crew to date will arrive in Nepal on a chartered jet from Bangladesh. The travelers will spend four nights and five days in Nepal. On Sunday, the group of travelers will attend a seminar in addition to exploring Kathmandu. The entry of visitors from Bangladesh will aid in promoting travel to Nepal. For the first time, a sizable contingent of Bangladeshi tourists is visiting Nepal. Bangladesh, a destination nation with tourism potential, is near to Nepal. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, a sizable number of visitors from Bangladesh traveled to Nepal. 13,624 people from Bangladesh have reportedly traveled to Nepal in the first seven months of 2023, per the board’s figures. 2,694 visitors from Bangladesh traveled to Nepal just in July. According to statistics, 2,402 visitors from Bangladesh visited Nepal in June, 2,217 in April, 2,466 in March, 1,977 in February, and 2,468 in January. 25,384 visitors from Bangladesh traveled to Nepal earlier in 2022. The board reports that 534,207 foreign visitors have come to Nepal overall from different nations during the first seven months of 2023. Source – The print

For the first-ever AlUla World Archaeology Summit, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is bringing together world leaders from the domains of archaeology, cultural heritage, media, innovation, entrepreneurship, and more. This invitation-only conference will take place from September 13–15 at Maraya in AlUla will include panels and open discussions focused on expanding the discipline of archaeology globally and fostering new discoveries and innovations around the globe. The Summit will offer a global forum for cooperation with broader audiences in addition to scientific conversation. The influence of archaeological relevance to global challenges will be expanded by more than 60 speakers from a variety of professional backgrounds, who will together develop innovative, heritage-based solutions to current problems across industries. The AlUla World Archaeology Summit will promote interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge sharing, according to Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation, and Collections at RCU. We will concentrate on cutting-edge solutions that can have a significant impact on the globe, inspired by our shared human history. The globe came to AlUla to meet, and we will meet there again, therefore we are thrilled to hold the inaugural Summit there. The AlUla World Archaeology Summit supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by emphasizing the positive effects on mankind of knowledge garnered from both cultural heritage and scientific developments. The event at AlUla takes place during the same time that Saudi Arabia is hosting the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh from 10 to 25 September for the first time. Four major themes—Identity, Resilience, Ruinscapes, and Accessibility—will be the center of the main program. Young professionals and students in Saudi Arabia and abroad who are interested in archaeology will be chosen to participate in a parallel “Future Forum” that will provide them the opportunity to participate in and contribute to significant discussions about archaeology and cultural heritage. Field trips will be taken all across AlUla, which has lately developed into a center for archaeological fieldwork and conservation. Source- Travel daily

A well-liked Cove UK-owned and -operated vacation park in the Scottish Borders has announced a number of significant luxury enhancements, including architecturally-designed lodging, communal areas, a new bar, and an owners’ lounge. The improvements, which honor the area’s past and current natural beauty, are a part of an ongoing £8 million investment by Cove UK in Springwood Estate Holiday Park. Springwood Estate Holiday Park, which is close to the storied market town of Kelso, was acquired by Cove UK in July 2022. Cove UK has completed the first phase of the site’s rehabilitation in less than a year since taking possession. The multi-million pound construction project, built by architects UNICK Consulting, consists of 29 new luxury vacation homes with driveways, a community firepit, a play area surrounded by wildflowers, and the River Teviot on one side. Additionally, five brand-new riverfront luxury lodges have been constructed, with open-air broad lawns, hot tubs, wildflower gardens, and glass-faced balustrades. A purpose-built luxury owners lounge with indoor and outdoor eating areas, social areas, a sunken garden, and rustic firepits has also been created from the ancient Roxburgh House stables, which were renovated together with the rest of the house’s original cobblestone courtyard. “Springwood is a tranquil holiday haven immersed in nature – and these upgrades go a long way to improving the park and the amenities on offer,” said Kyle Robertson, general manager of Cove’s Springwood Estate Holiday Park. Small parties, couples, and families looking for luxurious, tastefully furnished lodging will find the new lodges appealing because they are built to a very high standard. Everyone is invited to our new bar and owners’ lounge area, which has many of parking spots, gorgeous indoor and outdoor areas, and is dog-friendly. It is open to owners, hire fleet guests, and inhabitants of the retirement village. “The improvements will assist us as a company in meeting the demand from the increasing number of visitors discovering this beautiful region of the country. Already, the demand has increased significantly. “We have opened up the entire park to emphasis on dog-friendly walks and riverside strolls along the banks of the River Teviot in addition to the additional lodging and amenities. Everything has been planned to blend in with the park’s natural setting. It’s a unique tranquil natural atmosphere for owners and guests to love, whether it’s seeing wild creatures, taking in the stunning parkland and woodland regions, or listening to the River Teviot where salmon jump in and out of sight. Director at UNICK Consulting Ltd. Allan Baillie stated: “Springwood Estate Holiday Park is located in a tranquil environment. There is a lot of open space, a lovely river, wild flowers, and a palpable sense of tranquility. To reflect and respect the natural beauty of the site, our design brief called for the creation of a number of residential and communal areas that would take all of that into account. We were thrilled to collaborate with Cove to create a newly upgraded staycation site that enables guests to disconnect and get in touch with nature. The new lodges and gathering places are now accessible. Springwood, which encompasses 180 static caravans and 10 lodges, is located on the banks of the River Teviot in picturesque estate parkland and is encircled by thick woods. It covers roughly 32.14 acres (13.01 hectares). The vacation resort was first built in the 1960s amid the lovely grounds of a former grand house. Due to its beautiful scenery, vast variety of recreational opportunities, and excellent road transportation links, the neighborhood is well-liked by both residents and visitors. There are many treks in the area for people of all fitness levels, and there are a lot of outdoor country activities nearby, such as salmon fishing and shooting on the Roxburghe Estate, one of the best sports estates in Scotland. Source- Travel daily

With the announcement of a new direct service to Denver, Colorado, and the resumption of the Minneapolis-St. Paul route, both departing from Dublin as part of its summer 2024 program, Aer Lingus plans to significantly broaden its North American network.  The additional Aer Lingus routes will increase the overall number of routes operating between Ireland and North America up to 18 in total. This tactical growth demonstrates the airline’s dedication to its Dublin Hub strategy, which offers seamless connections to Europe in addition to Ireland and North America. Beginning on April 29th, 2024, service to Minneapolis-St. Paul will increase from four times weekly to daily beginning in October. Beginning in the winter of 2024, our newest aircraft, the A321XLR, will fly these flights. Starting on May 17, 2024, flights between Dublin and Denver will also run four times each week. Customers leaving from these cities can take advantage of the convenience of continuing connections via Dublin to 20 European cities. Aer Lingus is the fifth largest European carrier based on the number of seats it offers between the US and Europe and ranks fourth in the world in terms of the length of its long-haul network serving major US gateways. Aer Lingus Chief Executive Lynne Embleton stated: “Aer Lingus is ideally situated to connect people and places across the Atlantic thanks to Dublin’s geographic position as the entrance to Europe, pre-clearance facilities at the airport, and the strong, long-established Irish American ties. Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul are important US business destinations, and the new Aer Lingus routes make it easier for businesses to connect with one another in Europe and North America through our Dublin Hub. ‘Denver’s position as the ‘Gateway to the Rockies’ and its outdoor appeal, from world-class skiing to hiking, offers up a whole new US experience to leisure travelers from Ireland and Europe,’ says the article. “With 2.25 million seats to North America and the successful inclusion of Cleveland, Ohio to our network, this summer has been our biggest ever. We have faith in our growth strategy and are eager to welcome travelers to these two new routes in 2019. Increased corporate collaboration between Ireland and Colorado’s strong industries will be made possible by the new direct route to Denver. Many Colorado-based businesses have already established their European headquarters in Ireland, including Level 3 Communications, Otter Products, Webroot, Graebel, Emergentics, and Paragon 28. The expansion of aerospace, renewable energy, and technology in Denver gives Irish companies a chance to delve into other markets. Business contacts can be strengthened amid the city’s robust Irish American population and rich Irish heritage. The resumption of the Minneapolis-St. Paul route enhances Ireland’s interaction with the vibrant Twin Cities business community.  Companies with successful Irish operations include 3M, Smiths Medical, and Medtronic, all of which have their corporate headquarters in Minnesota. The headquarters of 15 Fortune 500 companies, including well-known retail giants Target and Best Buy, are located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. These cities are among the tech hubs with the highest growth in North America, and they have many similarities to Ireland. Source- Travel daily

The number of screening zones has expanded at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Two additional entrance groups, which are situated in the T2 section of the passenger terminal and are intended to accommodate foreign aircraft, are now available to air harbor patrons and guests. In T2, a multi-level service system has been put in place to allow for the division of passenger flows. The terminal building and the courtyard have entrances and exits on various levels for incoming and departing passengers. The zero admission group is the most practical for travelers arriving on international planes because, after going through it, they are directly at the T2 check-in area. The entrance group, which is situated next to the arrival area, is ideal for people who have just returned from a journey. The addition of more inspection channels has resulted in a 20% increase in the terminal’s entrance group capacity. The terminal complex now has 5 regularly spaced entrance groups available to travelers and visitors at the airport. Additionally, depending on the volume of passengers, the number of inspection channels is adjusted for each entrance group. A new generation of X-ray television introscopes is used at security checkpoints at the terminal building’s entrance at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. This is a cutting-edge two-course system for the automatic detection of liquid and solid explosives in checked baggage and hand luggage. Source- Travel daily

DidaTravel, a tech-driven international travel agency, reports that bookings for hotels worldwide for the summer season (June 1 to August 31) have already surpassed 2019 levels by an astonishing 93% over the same period in 2019. This sharp increase in reservations denotes Dida’s international expansion and growth as well as the robust rebound of the larger hotel industry, most recently in the APAC area. Summer reservations reach record levels Looking at reservations made through DidaTravel’s platform for the month of August, they have increased by 214% year over year, demonstrating a robust comeback in travel demand. For the arrival months of June, July, and August, reservations for hotels in European destinations have increased by an astounding 123% year over year. While growth rates for the same period in APAC, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas were 68%, 65%, and 16%, respectively, adding to the global recovery. Average Daily Rate (ADR) of Hotels is Increasing The ADR has grown 35% year over year on average during the time period, outpacing 2019 levels by 7%. However, despite ADR year-over-year improvements of 55% and 14%, APAC and the Americas are still slightly behind 2019 levels. However, with ADR increases of 29% and 23%, respectively, year-over-year, Europe and the Middle East & Africa have surpassed 2019 levels, demonstrating a solid rebound in these regions. Extended window for booking in advance Travelers are showing greater confidence to book hotels earlier, with an average of 23 days compared to just 10 days during the same period last year, and even exceeding the norm of 21 days in 2019. This is due to the loosening of travel restrictions in APAC. While the booking window has expanded dramatically for other markets, it has still not reached 2019 levels. For instance, Europe has 31 days, up from 24 days last year but less than the amount of 41 days in 2019. Americas has only 19 days, up from 12 days last year but still far less than the 37 days of 2019. Last but not least, the Middle East and Africa are at 12 days, up from 8 last year but still under the threshold of 18 for 2019. Source- Travel daily 

TUI is exploring the possibility of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by integrating ChatGPT into its smartphone app. An initial trial has been launched on the TUI app in the UK, capping off what three TUI tech engineers and the app product teams first started as a tech experiment. Customers who use the new feature receive personalized recommendations for excursions, activities, and attraction tickets as well as educational comments about popular vacation spots. The app will offer a more honed and pertinent shortlist of descriptions, photographs, and links for suggested experiences based on the quantity of detail the consumer offers about the type of experience they desire, such as culinary activities, adventurous excursions, or museum visits. Then, customers can use the mobile app to make direct experience bookings on tuiexperiences.com. “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are changing our lives, and TUI is seizing the potential this presents. ChatGPT technology can aid in streamlining customer services and operations or facilitating easier access to information. Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group, states, “Our goal is to be a leader in the use of new technologies and to actively shape the future of tourism.” The addition of ChatGPT to the mobile app is a part of TUI’s effort to integrate AI elements into every aspect of the company. TUI’s strategy is to develop internal competencies across the company while collaborating with its strategic cloud partner AWS and other third parties. To lead the endeavor, TUI has built an internal AI Lab that serves as an open platform for all TUI employees to receive training, support, and direction. To promote a deeper comprehension of the difficulties and opportunities presented by AI for TUI and the travel sector, ChatGPT training was recently established. “Generative AI is beginning to alter how customers look for and communicate with TUI. We keep testing brand-new innovations that benefit both our clients and staff. We can expand on the extensive machine learning and artificial intelligence expertise that is currently a part of our technological foundation. According to Pieter Jordaan, member of the group executive committee and chief information officer of TUI Group, “This pilot will provide us with critical insights to further enhance the functionality. Additional trials utilizing generative AI tools are also in progress. These trials include post-holiday customer communication, automated knowledge base analysis to assist contact center teams, content language translation, as well as other applications that assist TUI technology teams in coding and testing. Customers utilizing ChatGPT on the TUI mobile app can rest easy knowing that their personal information is never shared. Additionally, developers have put policies in place to prevent abusive answers. The feature is a pilot, thus input is always being gathered to make sure TUI standards are always being followed. Source- Travel daily

Havila Pollux, the final vessel in the Havila Voyages fleet, arrived in Norway early on Thursday morning from the Tersan shipyard in Turkey. A short while later, she anchored next to Havila Polaris, her sister ship. Havila Pollux arrived at Bergen early on Thursday morning, just over a day after her sister ship Havila Polaris. Up to August 23rd, the ship will stay at Festningskaien in Bergen before departing on a voyage along the Norwegian coast. Naturally, this is a new milestone for our business, and having all four of our vessels in Norway is incredibly fulfilling, according to CEO Bent Martini. It is amazing to see our two newest ships side by side in Bergen, and sailors from both ships as well as several resources from our onshore organization are actively working to get them ready for use in coastal operations. The Havila Pollux is remarkably identical to her sister ships, and beginning on August 23rd, she will make sure that the ancient coastal route is finished. The Ministry of Transport, our contracting authority, thankfully helped us throughout a difficult process and showed excellent awareness of the difficulties we had, which unluckily led to considerable delays. We appreciate your assistance, says Martini. “We also want to thank everyone who has supported us, been incredibly patient with us, and most importantly, understood that our difficulties were beyond of our hands. The real job now begins; we will produce an amazing product along the coast, for the coastal villages and all of our visitors,” Martini says. Source- Travel daily