Travel News

Wizz Air stated last week that it has entered into a deed of undertaking with the Civil Aviation Authority. Wizz Air agreed to review welfare applications it had received after flight delays as part of the arrangement. This includes fees for care and support, often lodging costs, transfers when alternative flights were via separate airports, and replacement airline costs. Which claims are subject to assessment and how customers can request a refund are covered by the Q&A that follows. 1) May I have my claim reopened? A review of closed expense claims for customers on flights scheduled to leave the UK or arrive there on or after March 18, 2022, is being done by Wizz Air. They are also referred to as welfare claims.   If the assessment reveals that you are owed money, Wizz Air will make arrangements for you to get a refund or, if you have already received a payment from the airline, an extra payment to make up the difference owed. 2) What am I able to assert? Welfare expense claims are fees that consumers paid out of pocket for when Wizz Air flights were cancelled, including hotel stays, ground transportation, and airline tickets. Welfare claims are distinct from claims for compensation. Wizz Air will only examine claims that are accompanied by receipts and comprise one or more of the items listed below: Cost of a replacement flight (because one was not provided, or the one that was provided was inadequate, for example, since it was provided days after the original when earlier, equivalent choices were available) if a passenger is diverted to another airport, the costs of transporting them to their original airport or to a nearby destination care costs, generally for lodging overnight What is not included?   Wizz Air won’t examine your claim if: You have already started the process of taking it to court or Wizz Air’s ADR body. You simply submitted claims for meals and hydration. Less than £20 per booking was the sum you claimed for all of the aforementioned expenses. Your disrupted flight was not due to depart from or arrive into the UK Your flight disruption was before 18 March 2022 (if it was please see further information below)  4) How can I get my claim re-opened?  Claims for passengers on flights that were scheduled to depart from or arrive into the UK on or after 18th March 2022 will be automatically assessed by Wizz Air. If the review shows that you are owed money, the airline will arrange for you to receive a refund, or an additional payment to make up the difference owed if you have already received a payment. By September 30, 2023, Wizz Air promises to get in touch with passengers who are eligible for a payout. Passengers are instructed to respond to their prior email correspondence with Wizz Air if they wish to access their claim once more. If they cannot access their previous email exchange, they can contact Wizz Air’s bookings line with information to help the airline locate the claim. The booking number, case number, flight date and route, as well as the names of the passengers, should all be provided by customers. 5) If I’m successful, when and how will I get my money back?  You have two options for your refund, either cash returned to your bank account, or you can receive 120% of your claim in WIZZ credits. Wizz Air will make 120% WIZZ credit refunds within 24 hours and process 100% ticket refunds within 7 working days once their claim has been approved. Source- Travel daily

 With Independence Day just around the bend, Indian travellers will fortunately have a long weekend to take a much-needed vacation. The most trending locations for this time period as well as notable flight search trends compared to last year are revealed by flight search data from KAYAK, the world’s top travel search engine. It’s good news for Indian tourists since the average roundtrip economy flight currently costs 11,584, a 4% decrease from the previous year, for travel over the lengthy Independence Day weekend. The cost of a round-trip international travel is currently sitting at $77,431, a rise of 11% from 2022*. “Our data shows that Indian travellers are eager to immerse themselves in new experiences in locations like Madurai, Varanasi, and Bhubaneswar,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager at KAYAK. A lot of Indians are also considering trips abroad to Toronto, Auckland, Jeddah, and Colombo. Indian travellers are now even more drawn to some of the top popular local and foreign destinations because to significant price drops. The Independence Day long weekend is likely to be action-packed for Indian tourists, and KAYAK is all set to help them with essential ideas and tools to enable all those looking to travel for the holiday at a fantastic price!” Domestic tourists may be choosing spiritually enlightening excursions, since unusual locations rather than well-known tourist spots are featured on the list of top trending destinations. Despite a 7% increase in travel fares from 2022 to 2024, there has been a significant 102% increase in searches for flights to Varanasi, the spiritual centre of India. Even with a 22% price rise compared to last year*, airline searches have increased by 97% in Madurai, a historically significant city. In addition to these, the top domestic locations where flight searches increased the most from the prior year were Bhubaneswar (90%), Thiruvananthapuram (71%), and Kochi (51%).* These patterns suggest that Indians are taking advantage of the extended weekend to explore the rich and seductive cultural attractions of their nation. According to flight searches, Colombo and Auckland have taken the top 2 rankings, with impressive increases of 5 times and 4 times, respectively, since 2022.  The decrease in average airfare prices from the previous year may be to blame for the rise in tourist searches: Average airfare costs in Colombo, Sri Lanka, have dropped by 10% since 2022, while those in Auckland, New Zealand, have plummeted by 16% since last year. Source- Travel daily

A service-tested fuel burn decrease of between 1.5 and 2.0 percent /PRNewswire/ — FORT WORTH, Texas, August 2, 2023 — Aero Design Labs (ADL) released the findings of its in-service data validation today while using a Boeing 737-800 fitted with the company’s exclusive drag reduction equipment. Aircraft Design Labs Following the installation and certification of our drag reduction kit on a 737-800 aircraft, Jeff Martin, president and chief executive officer of ADL, said, “Over the past few months, we have gathered and studied results from several hundred in-service revenue flights at various altitudes, speeds, and operating weights to verify the cruise fuel benefit of our kits. “We are happy to report that we have observed fuel use reductions during cruises of 1.5 to 2.0 percent. This is in line with the outcomes of our computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, which were independently confirmed. Chris Jones, Chief Commercial Officer of ADL, said: “With solid fuel reduction data in hand, we can focus our efforts on assisting airlines around the world.” “We have a highly relevant solution that delivers on both for airlines flying the 737NG family of aircraft, whether airlines are trying to save on the cost side or the carbon reduction side. Our gear can immediately yield lower fuel costs and a substitute for carbon offsets because delays in the delivery of new aircraft have an impact on airlines’ aspirations to modernise their fleets. Our teams are continuously developing kit designs for other aircraft to expand our range of available products while also assisting airlines in meeting their cost- and carbon-reduction objectives. In the second half of 2023, our manufacturing partner NORDAM will increase production in response to client demand, and the certification process with other regional agencies, such as those in Europe and Latin America, will follow. Information on Aero Design Labs L.L.C.  Aero Design Labs (ADL), which was established in 2015, is a world leader in the study, creation, and installation of devices for reducing drag on aircraft fleets. ADL alterations to airlines’ current fleets may result in fuel savings and the ability to stop the emission of billions of pounds of CO2. Press inquiries: Richard Bartrem Source- Travel daily

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced that the electronic visa (e-visa) system will soon be implemented for temporary visitors, beginning with a pilot programme for Chinese nationals and expanding to include Indian nationals by year’s end.  The DOT, DFA, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) had discussed the streamlining of the visa application process in order to improve convenience and accessibility for all international travellers, starting with Chinese visitors, during the visa reforms convergence meeting held by the DOT last March 24, 2023 in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. “We are grateful that the DFA will soon implement President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s order to implement the e-visa system, as this will undoubtedly improve the experience of inbound travellers and tourists and have a positive impact on our international arrivals, particularly in the Chinese and Indian markets. According to Christina Garcia Frasco, the secretary of tourism, “We think this will also foster even closer intercultural exchanges, cultural understanding, and vibrant tourism cooperation.” The DOT estimated that more than 1.7 million Chinese tourists visited the Philippines in 2019. The agency recorded 137,822 arrivals from China as of July 26, 2023, after Chinese travel restrictions were just lifted. Due to the anticipated ease and improvement in visa processing, the e-visa is also regarded as one of the opportunities that could increase the confidence of airlines, charter operators, and travel agencies to resume flights from various points in China directly to tourist destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Legaspi, Clark, Laoag, Lallo, and Manila. In the Chinese market, which currently favours other Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia that provide landing visa to Chinese travellers, the e-visa will undoubtedly change the game. This will help these countries recover from the pandemic’s negative effects on tourism more quickly. “The beneficial effect this project can have on reviving the Philippine tourism industry is one of its main benefits. China was the Philippines’ second-largest tourist market before the pandemic, and its record-breaking 1.7 million visitors in 2019 made a big contribution to our country’s thriving tourism industry. The launch of the e-visa system holds up the possibility of revitalising the Chinese market and expanding access to the Indian market, she continued. The primary goal of the visa reform convergence meeting was to streamline the Philippines’ visa application processes in light of the DOT’s desire to hasten the country’s tourism resurgence as borders are gradually opened as the pandemic’s lockdown effect fades globally. Additionally, it was intended to solve the bottlenecks in tourism caused by red tape and formalities. In order to entice visitors from particular nationalities to visit the Philippines, no less than President Marcos, Jr., instructed the relevant government agencies to extend the e-visa to those individuals earlier this year. “The Philippines is quite proud of its many fascinating tourism attractions, rich cultural heritage, and kind people. According to Secretary Frasco, “We are confident that the introduction of the e-visa system will encourage more Chinese and new Indian visitors to discover the wonders of our archipelago, creating unforgettable experiences and lasting memories that will undoubtedly make them Love the Philippines as a top-of-the-mind tourist destination.” Source- Travel daily

The Golden State offers something for every member of the family in addition to the well-known attractions like Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Watersports enthusiasts may learn to surf at Santa Monica, theme park aficionados can enjoy Trees of Mystery Amusement Park, and history buffs can get their teeth into learning about the Gold Rush at Volcano Memorial Park. REDGING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Prepare to enjoy the rivers, lakes, and mountains in the Redding region, nature enthusiasts. Discover the botanical gardens and arboretum at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, cool off in Whiskeytown Lake, bike along the Sacramento River Trail, and arrange a day excursion to the famed Mt. Shasta or Lassen Volcanic National Parks. Bring the kids to WaterWorks Park for an afternoon of tubing, slides, and splashing. Make the recently opened Home2 Suites by Hilton your home base. For families, the all-suite accommodations are ideal. Contra Costa County In the extreme northwest region of the state, in Del Norte County, adventure awaits. Choose between a low-key redwood canoe tour lead by a Yurok tribe member or a guided flat-water kayaking or whitewater rafting trip to experience the gorgeous blue Smith River. Get your heart racing with a Klamath River jet boat excursion, or find your Zen with a tranquil stroll through the redwood forest. Visit the Trees of Mystery theme park with its SkyTrail gondola ride and Redwood Canopy Trail with the kids. Places to stay The Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn, conveniently situated next to Crescent City Beach and the Redwood National Forest, provides free breakfast for families. Tahoe Lake Heavenly Mountain Resort isn’t just for skiing; the resort serves up a plethora of outdoor summer adventures too. Along with hiking trails for all levels, the resort offers two zip line courses, a climbing wall, gemstone panning and both summer and snow tubing. Places to stay The only all-suites hotel in South Lake Tahoe, the Lake Tahoe Resort, is located right at the base of Heavenly. With the standard two-room suites, the family will have plenty of room to relax. Palm Springs In the Greater Palm Springs region, explore the famous Joshua Tree National Park on a jeep tour, book a family-friendly horse ride or soar above the desert in a hot air balloon. Enjoy the cooler evening temperatures with a guided stargazing experience. Where to stay: Enjoy many amenities like bowling, pickleball, tennis, golf and a big pool with slides for the kids at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa. HISTORY COMES TO LIFE Amador Located in the Sierra Nevada, Amador County was the heart of the Gold Rush. Let the kids try their hand at panning for gold at Volcano Memorial Park and learn the history of the Gold Rush on a guided tour of the Kennedy Mine, one of the deepest mines in the world. Where to stay: The 16-room boutique Rest Hotel Plymouth is the perfect base for exploring all the county has to offer. Madera County Known as the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Madera County offers plenty of reasons to stop before heading into the park. Jump aboard the historic Shay steam train on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad to take a trip back in time learning about the logging industry in Madera and the flora and fauna of the Sierra National Forest. At the Fossil Discovery Center, kids’ eyes will widen seeing fossils of sabre-tooth cats, dire wolves and Columbian mammoths. Head to the Coarsegold Historic Village to experience life in the region in the 1800s. Where to stay: The Springhill Suites Madera affords families spacious suites and complimentary breakfast. Source- Travel daily

 Popular Island Retreat Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort Unveils Property Reimagination—A Modern-Day Classic The Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is happy to announce that, as part of a multi-phase property refurbishment, its public areas and suites have recently undergone an elegant update. The resort’s striking new appearance combines modest tropical touches with modern simplicity and an international vibe. The beloved resort’s dedication to immersing visitors in Pearl Island’s attractions while assisting in the preservation of Phu Quoc’s pristine environment is reflected in the reimagining and the introduction of new sustainability initiatives. a contemporary community centre The newly renovated lobby area serves as an intimate social centre and a meeting space for guests to interact or do business with its utilitarian décor and focus on comfort and residential aesthetics. The &More by Sheraton, a brand-new, cleverly designed space where visitors can gather with the locals and immerse themselves in an inviting, warm and inclusive setting, is next door. The space is decorated with rugs and custom-made furniture upholstered in muted tropical tones and has a lived-in feel. A specialty coffee concept with light bites by day and a lively bar with creative cocktails after dark, &More promises to be the new focal point of the resort. Here, visitors can work at a mahogany communal table or relax in a plush recliner with mid-century design. Sheraton’s Community Table, a long, oak table that is dining-height with personal drawers and integrated technology, combines comfort and productivity to act as a hub for the neighbourhood. interiors showcasing Phu Quoc’s innate beauty The freshly renovated lodging at Sheraton Phu Quoc allows the island’s beautiful landscape to shine. A fresh, calming colour scheme has been added to all oceanfront rooms, suites, and villas, offering a cosy setting for visitors to repose and relax. No matter if visitors are staying in a room or a villa, distinctive objects and furniture have been chosen with care to evoke a sense of serenity and belonging. The rooms are flooded with natural light during the day, and the wonderfully framed views of the dazzling ocean, the blond parquet floors, the thick cream carpets, and the dove-grey walls all work together to create a unified, contemporary aesthetic. Discreet blackout curtains, meanwhile, guarantee sound sleep. “Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort prides itself on being ahead of the curve, and the reimagined interior spaces reaffirms its position as one of the leading resorts in Vietnam,” said Daniel Muhor, general manager of the hotel. “As the most internationally recognised brand under Marriott International, Sheraton seeks to provide a community hub that encourages extended stays amidst modern settings and social components. We’re excited to welcome back our regulars and first-time visitors to this beautifully appointed, refreshed beachfront base where they can commune with nature, experience world-class dining, or rebalance with healing spa therapies.” Source- Travel daily

In-person meetings and corporate industry events are once again in demand, provided that commercial requirements are harmonised with social and environmental concerns. The policy is now Purposeful Travel, all delegates concur. Business travel spending, according to Accor research, is only down 24% from 2019 and is predicted to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2024 (Deloitte). In line with this return to pre-pandemic spending, 57% of respondents in Accor’s most recent global business travel survey anticipate higher travel budgets in 2024 than they did in 2023. The same corporates rank “traveller experience” as the second-most important factor in 2024, trailing only cost savings in importance. And 46% of those polled said they were certain they would not restrict their business travel for the remainder of the year. Master of Travel gives us an in-depth look at the status of corporate travel today, said Saskia Gentil, SVP Sales, Europe & North Africa at Accor. It’s a period of significant change and revaluation for the sector as companies struggle to reconcile production with purpose. It is evident that following a lull in activity, delegates are keen to resume travelling. Businesses may boost income and revive the art of face-to-face communication by being cognizant of value, sustainability, and finding a balance between work and leisure that supports the wellbeing of people. Professionals estimate that in-person meetings generate 25% more income, demonstrating the irrefutable value of face-to-face interactions. When employees need engagement with coworkers and associates for their mental health and job satisfaction, the bottom line isn’t the sole factor in the equation. Every trip is thoroughly assessed in terms of ROI and ROE – return on investment and, increasingly, return on expectation – with the rule that if you don’t return, you don’t fly. In ways that weren’t typical before Covid, virtual meetings are now a normal occurrence in the workplace. However, until technology catches up and holograms can smile with emotion, deals are still closed with a handshake. Many people were particularly concerned about the environment. According to a poll conducted by Accor of corporate clients, “supplier sustainability performance for 2024 hotel sourcing and selection” was rated as being extremely essential in their booking decisions by 54% of respondents, who also placed carbon emissions as their top CSR priority. Both guests and travellers must cooperate in order to promote more environmentally friendly travel. Delegates were willing to pay more per night for better environmental credentials, and more than 70% of Accor hotels have carbon assessment instruments in place. Meetings and deliberate downtime mean that tourists are staying longer, doing more, and slowing down to maximise their carbon footprint. Despite being in its infancy, delegates and their staff clearly value “bleisure.” Blended ‘bleisure’ trips, which combine business and pleasure, are more common among younger employees, but the trend is becoming more widespread. 67% of clients surveyed in an Accor poll extended their business trips in 2022. Travel bookers urge caution from an insurance standpoint, as partners and families are often not covered and grey areas exist when it comes to splitting invoices, dividing loyalty points and benefits. The wellbeing of business travellers should be of utmost importance. “Consumers today understand that they need to own their health and immunity in a different way,” said Emlyn Brown, global senior vice president of well-being at Accor. “Our ability to deliver an authentic, holistic, and highly considered wellness offering is vital.” He added: “Four out of five of our guests, irrespective of age, demographics, or country, are taking a daily step to improve their well-being — so we need to meet and exceed that demand in all our brands no matter which one travellers are staying in.” Source- Travel daily

One of the GCC’s oldest travel agencies, dnata Travel, has teamed up with TURESPAA, Spain’s national tourist organisation, to offer passengers in all GCC nations options like no other. During a period of strong demand, the alliance will give customers access to a wide range of travel products and services throughout Spain. According to TURESPAA, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 15% more tourists from the GCC market than in the corresponding period the previous year. In order to appeal to tourists looking for fresh and distinctive travel experiences, the tourism authority hopes to draw even more GCC visitors this summer and throughout the year by highlighting a diverse selection of lesser-known places throughout the nation. The number of GCC travellers making reservations for trips to Spain, both inside and outside of the UAE, has significantly increased, according to Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel. The popular Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza provide tourists with top-notch resorts and stunning beaches. With hiking routes that wind through historic forests and volcanic landscapes, the Canary Islands are perfect vacation spots for those who love the outdoors. This region is also becoming more and more interested in Spain’s north, sometimes known as “Green Spain,” where beautiful nature meets outstanding cuisine. The UAE has consistently been one of Spain’s top tourist destinations, and according to Daniel Rosado, director of TURESPAA, 2023 will be the best year ever for travel from the GCC. Air connection has significantly increased recently, and our nations have been promoting cultural interactions and partnerships. These programmes, which support the promotion of tourism and intercultural understanding, include art exhibitions, music festivals, and educational activities. The suggested schedule for a week in Spain this summer by TURESPAA and dnata Travel, titled “Exploring Andaluca,” is broken down as follows: 1-2 days: Marbella Start your trip in Marbella, an opulent lifestyle city that is well-liked by tourists from the GCC. Visit the Puerto Banus marina, which is surrounded by opulent boats, fine dining establishments, and premium designer shops. 3rd day: Ronda Visit the mediaeval Andalusian town of Ronda, which has a famous bridge and is surrounded by mountains providing a beautiful and dramatic backdrop. Day 4: Beach excursion  Visit the well-known beach towns of Benalmadena, Torremolinos, and Estepona, which are along Spain’s most popular stretch of coastline. Drive to Granada, which is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, on days 5 and 6. This vibrant city is full of tapas bars and tea salons with an Arabian flair and is well-known for its stunning Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Source- Travel daily

This year’s AFTA has earned the most nominations ever as the NTIAs rapidly approach. This year’s NTIAs have received a record number of nominations—over 1700—ensuring that it will be one of the biggest-ever celebrations of the Australian travel industry. The eagerly awaited National Travel Industry Awards will take place in Melbourne for the first time in recent years on November 18. 36 award categories, including 27 “Most Outstanding” evaluated categories, 7 “Most Popular” voted categories, and 2 “People’s Choice” consumer campaigns, will be included in this year’s Awards. The Cruise, Airline, Tour Operator, and Wholesaler categories have all been added to in order to reflect the industry’s rapid development and widening of focus. Singapore Airlines has agreed to support the NTIA through a multi-year collaboration and is serving as the event’s principal sponsor once again. The 2023 NTIAs will honour businesses and travel industry experts for their outstanding efforts and serve as a celebration of the resurgence and continued development of the Australian travel industry. Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), expressed gratitude to everyone who had already submitted over 1700 nominations for this year’s NTIAs. Your nominations and entries support our efforts to recognise the finest of Australian travel. The NTIAs, the most prestigious awards for our industry, will be held in Melbourne in November, and we look forward to seeing everyone there. The Awards are a great chance for people to get together to honour and recognise the creativity, tenacity, and resiliency of our individuals and our sector. Source- Travel daily

As part of a new citizen science initiative, Fitzroy Island Resort in Australia is giving visitors the chance to assist in monitoring the Great Barrier Reef and caring for injured turtles.  The resort, which is in Tropical North Queensland, is the first to let visitors participate in hands-on activities at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC), where they will aid with coral restoration efforts and provide care for sea turtles. Six of the seven marine turtle species in the world can be found in the Great Barrier Reef. The CTRC treats any wounded patients, many of which have floating syndrome as a result of human activity, such as nylon wrapping or microplastic ingestion. The Fitzroy Island Resort is regarded as a pioneer in the field of coral reef conservation. The full-day event includes attentive participation in the coral nursery project, which is fostering reef coral restoration. In comparison to the reef, corals in nurseries develop much more quickly. To rebuild damaged portions of the reef and increase resilience, cuttings are removed from each of the growing corals after 6–12 months in a nursery. The initial corals continue to grow in the nurseries, making the cycle permanent. Source- Travel daily