Travel News

The British Virgin Islands are the ideal destination for an amazing family vacation because of its pure white sand beaches, wealth of nature parks and reserves, carefully selected kids’ clubs, and vibrant local traditions. There is something for the entire family to do while on vacation in the BVIs, whether it is learning a new skill like diving or sailing, snorkelling on an underwater safari, or learning about the natural environment, animals, and history of the islands. There are plenty of unique activities and thrills in the BVIs for every member of the family this summer, including snorkelling in the shallow seas with a wide variety of marine life, flying through the treetops on a canopy tour, and turtle-tagging at Rosewood Little Dix Bay. LODGING Rosewood Little Dix Bay This eco-friendly beachfront resort is one of the first in the Caribbean to advocate sustainable luxury, placing the natural environment at the centre of its design. Since it opened its doors to visitors in 1964, Rosewood Little Dix Bay has always been recognised as one of the best luxury resorts in the world. This resort is perfect for the whole family because it is motivated by a sense of purpose to uplift, enliven, and have a good impact on both people and the earth. All ages can participate in activities that inspire and educate them, such as underwater explorations and Chef’s Garden cooking workshops using food from the property’s sustainable farm. Families can also spend quality time together playing tennis or unwinding on the lovely beaches. Families won’t want to leave thanks to the two pools, fitness facility, spa, watersports, and numerous other activities available. While vacationing at Rosewood Little Dix Bay, the turtle-tagging experience is a must-do. Turtles are tagged once a month at this regional “hot spot” for hatchling green and hawksbill sea turtles as part of a project with the Association of Reef Keeps, a marine conservation organisation run by marine biologists, to maintain tabs on the area’s turtle population and health. Visitors to the programme will discover how this endangered species is protected in the BVI, from monitoring turtle hatchlings to tagging them to find out where they are. The Rosewood Explorers children’s programme offers a variety of activities from creative pursuits like landscape painting and making local jewellery to outdoor adventures like treasure hunts, sandcastle competitions, and nature walks. It is designed to celebrate Caribbean culture and encourage a connection with the surrounding natural environment. Rose Buds provides a wide range of services and amenities for babies and toddlers that are intended to improve family vacations, including baby monitors, baby bathtubs and towels, play tents, and a pushchair. Private butlers can organise individualised experiences and activities in addition to babysitting services, making sure the needs of the entire family are met. Energy Nut Bay The 400 acres of undulating hills and white sand beaches that make up Oil Nut Bay on the easternmost point of Virgin Gorda, with views of the highly sought-after North Sound, are encircled by the Caribbean Sea. Families seeking a secluded island retreat with larger resort amenities, such as The Beach Club, Nova Restaurant serving fresh sushi and boisterous Sunday brunches, and The Nut House Kids Club, will find Oil Nut Bay, which can only be reached by boat or helicopter, to be the perfect choice. The collection of one- to six-bedroom villas and suites at Oil Nut Bay was created by some of the most renowned architects in the world and offers breath-taking ocean views. Private chefs and butlers are available to create unforgettable dining occasions for the entire family, from kid-friendly beach picnics to opulent dinner parties for gatherings of extended families. The island’s history, fauna, and unique vegetation are highlighted at the on-site interactive Nature Centre, which was created. Visitors can enjoy touch tanks, live webcams, tiny gardens, educational images, interactive exhibitions, and kid-friendly publications. Horses, cats, emus, and 20 red-footed tortoises reside in the resort’s Rescue Barn. The Nut House Kids Club and outdoor playground offer a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Other gratis services include coral watches, turtle tagging, bird watching, mangrove snorkelling lessons, educational biking, beach cleanups, and a ranger programme for kids. Villa Leases There are many different villa rentals available in the British Virgin Islands, with alternatives for every budget and every type of family. Villa rentals are the ideal getaway for families with young children seeking complete solitude and a home away from home. Beachside villas are the perfect site for guests to take advantage of everything the BVIs has to offer, including swimming in the warm Caribbean ocean and day trips to neighbouring islands. They are ideal for beach babies and water aficionados. From the Cooper Bay Villas on Tortola, which sleep four to ten people and provide unobstructed views of Trunk Bay Beach, to a number of villas on Virgin Gorda’s lovely Mahoe Beach. Source- Travel daily

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, jointly announced the beginning of the Visa Thailand Grand Sale campaign. The campaign aims to increase foreign travel to Thailand while accelerating tourist spending at the most well-known retail locations across the nation, such as King Power Duty Free, Central, The Mall Group, and Gaysorn Village. The latest partnership between the two agencies is the Visa Thailand Grand Sale campaign, which aims to increase tourism and hasten Thailand’s economic recovery.  It follows the recently announced MOU to examine data on the spending patterns of foreign visitors and create a long-term strategy to draw in high-spending, high-quality visitors. “Building on a strong partnership for the past two decades, we are fortunate to continue supporting TAT in attracting more international tourists to Thailand and ultimately revitalising spending,” said Serene Gay, Group Country Manager for Regional Southeast Asia at Visa.  We expect that the campaign will contribute to accelerating the tourism sector’s recovery and consequently open up new chances for cross-border trade and retail firms in Thailand. Over 10.6 million tourists have already visited Thailand this year, an increase of 713% over the first 5 months of 2022.  Thailand is one of the top ten Asia Pacific travel destinations, according to the recent “Asia Pacific Destination Forecasts 2023-2025: Thailand” research produced by PATA for Visa. According to the survey, the country’s tourism industry is likely to continue to grow, and more tourists are anticipated in the third quarter of this year. The survey also showed that housing and motels will fully recover by 2024 in terms of current prices, while the retail value of attractions and experiences in Thailand is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023. International Visa cardholders can take advantage of a variety of discount coupons and exclusive offers at nine top department stores in Thailand that are taking part in the Visa Thailand Grand Sale campaign. These stores include King Power, Central Department Store, Siam Paragon, Emporium, EmQuartier, Icon Siam, Ratchaprasong, One Siam, and Jungceylon.  The campaign runs through August 31, 2023. Offers comprise: 500 THB off at King Power with a minimum purchase of 8,000 THB Spend a minimum of 6,000 Baht at Central Department Stores, Paragon Department Store, Emporium, or EmQuartier and receive a gift certificate worth up to 400 Baht. Up to 300 THB in gift certificates are available at Icon Siam, Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery, and Siam Premium Outlets with a minimum purchase of 4,000 THB. Bangkok At Gaysorn Village and Junceylon, you may get a Starbucks gift card worth up to 200 THB for just 3,000 THB in total.   Source- Travel daily

The World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) will hold its debut event in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 19–21, 2023, with the topic “Leadership in Action: Driving Safer and More Efficient Operations.” The host airline will be Vietnam Airlines. The prior Cabin Ops Safety Conference, the IATA Safety Conference, and the Emergency Response Planning and Aircraft Recovery Forums are all combined into this event.  Airports are busy, borders are open, and flights are fully booked. All aviation stakeholders must uphold the same steadfast commitment to safe operations as we did during the epidemic years while we restore airline networks and balance sheets. According to Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, “The WSOC provides the platform for discussing and debating today’s prospects and challenges to maintain the industry on a trajectory of better safety and more effective operations. “Safety is the first concern in aviation, and it forms the basis of all Vietnam Airlines’ activities and procedures.  Le Hong Ha, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, who will participate in the WSOC Opening Plenary leadership panel with Walsh, said, “We are excited to be the host airline for this important inaugural conference, bringing together cutting-edge leaders, regulators, and a larger global community to address key topics relating to safety and infrastructure to ensure stronger safety operations in the wider industry.  Stanley K. Ng, President and COO of Philippine Airlines, will also participate in the discussion. Safety, Cabin Operations, Flight Operations, Emergency Response Planning, and Aircraft Recovery will all be covered in separate session tracks. Runway safety, regional aircraft operations, lessons learned from recent accidents and incidents, cabin crew training and wellbeing, unruly passengers, digital transformation of aircraft flight and technical operations, performance-based training, safe integration of airspace new entrants, technology, and procedures are just a few of the subjects that will be covered. Source- Travel daily

After a four-year absence, Seatrade Cruise announced the return of Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific in October. The conference will take place in Hong Kong and serve as a forum for business players from throughout Asia. Additionally, the second iteration of F&B@Sea will return to Miami, Florida together with Seatrade Cruise Global in April 2024 with increased options in a new venue.  Seatrade Cruise Med will be held in Málaga, Spain in September 2024, and it will be followed by Seatrade Cruise Global. Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise, says, “We invite our international cruise community to join us as we make our highly anticipated return to Asia, bring new conference programming to the Mediterranean, and elevate the art of dining at sea to new heights with F&B@Sea in 2024.” Being in Hong Kong this autumn for Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific at a critical juncture in the industry’s expansion and customer demand is very thrilling. The following is a list of Seatrade’s spring and fall programming schedules:   The global COVID-19 outbreak and the ensuing suspension of cruising around the region caused a pause in the previously annual Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific. The resurrected event, which will include a tabletop exposition and a two-track conference over the course of three days, will bring together important industry executives and stakeholders from around the world to the Asian cruise sector. A wide range of themes, including the condition of the Asian cruise industry, resuscitation of cruise operations, tenacity of the Asia cruise community, and sustainable development, will be covered throughout multiple seminars, presentations, and workshops.  In 2024, Seatrade Cruise Med, the premier event for the Mediterranean cruise industry, will return to Spain’s Costa del Sol with a variety of services and engaging sessions that will highlight up-and-coming locations and industry stakeholders. The Seatrade Cruise Awards, the top awards programme for the cruise industry, will also be back in 2019 to honour the finest in the sector. • Building on the success of the first-ever event, F&B@Sea returns to the Mana Wynwood Convention Centre, a new and larger location with more space to accommodate more exhibitors and sponsors. The two-day bazaar is the first specialised cruise food and beverage event in the world and was created in partnership with industry professionals. Attendees can anticipate seeing additional stages and a compelling destination area in 2024. Source- Travel daily

With effect from 15 August 2023, holders of UK passports may enter Vietnam without a visa for a maximum of 45 days, a threefold extension of the previous maximum of 15 days. Currently, British citizens do not need to apply for a visa to enter Vietnam for up to 15 days for transit, business, or tourism (but not for paid or volunteer work). Instead of the previous maximum of 30 days, British visitors staying longer can now apply for an e-visa using the internet portal and stay for up to 90 days.  In addition, the extended e-visa is now good for numerous entries rather than just one. Vietnam requires travellers to apply for a pre-approved visa letter through a travel/visa agency in order to get the visa stamp upon arrival, in contrast to other nearby nations like Cambodia and Thailand, where visas can be obtained upon landing at border gates.  The planned improvements to visa-free travel and e-visas will greatly increase the flexibility of travel for British visitors to Vietnam and other nations in the diverse region of Southeast Asia, according to a representative for Vietnam Airlines. British tourists with several destinations will be able to visit Vietnam, continue to other countries, and then come back if they want to see more of our stunning country.  With our nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as our broad network of direct connections to other important cities within Vietnam, Asia, and Australia, Vietnam Airlines will be there for them every step of the way. Source- Travel daily

National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) data recently revealed that passenger enplanements on US-international air traffic totaled 22.719 million in June 2023 – up 19.0% from June 2022, with enplanements reaching 95.4% of pre-pandemic June 2019 volume. Air Travel Non-Stop Starting in June 2023  In June 2023, there were 4.227 million non-citizen air passengers who arrived in the United States from other nations, an increase of 19.7% from June 2022. o This is 80.2% of the June 2019 volume prior to the epidemic. In related news, 2.55 million foreign visitors arrived in the United States in June 2023, surpassing 1.0 million for the twentieth consecutive month. The volume of international arrivals in June decreased from 73.6% in May 2023 to 73.2% of pre-pandemic June 2019 levels.  The number of American citizens who flew out of the country to other nations in June 2023 was 7.541 million, up 18.5% from June 2022 and 9.5% more than in June 2019. Highlights from the global region for June 2023 (APIS/I-92 arrivals and departures) • In terms of overall air passenger traffic (arrivals and departures), Mexico (3.336 million), Canada (2.647 million), the United Kingdom (2.060 million), Germany (1.054 million), and the Dominican Republic (998,000) were in first and second place, respectively. International regional air travel to/from the United States: 7.424 million passengers travelled from/to Europe, up 15.9% from June 2022 and only down (-7.0%) from June 2019. o The population of South, Central, and the Caribbean was 5.303 million, up 3.8% from June 2019 and growing 13.5% from June 2022. 2.165 million people travelled through Asia, up 103.0% from June 2022 but down (-35.2%) from June 2019.  Top foreign ports serving U.S. locations include London Heathrow (LHR), Cancun (CUN), Toronto (YYZ), Paris (CDG), 825,000, and Frankfurt (FRA). Top U.S. ports serving international locations include New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR), and San Francisco (SFO).  Source- Travel daily

Canada has begun granting open work permits for H1-B visa holders from the US in an effort to draw in highly educated professionals. Indians, who make up about 75% of H1-B visa holders in the US, stand to gain from this. Holders of US H1-B visas will be able to enter Canada and work there for three years with the help of the authorization. It also enables the family members of accepted applicants to pursue education or employment opportunities in the nation. The new project will run for a year, or until 10,000 applications are received by the Canadian government. Many of the thousands of workers in high-tech disciplines employed by multinational corporations with significant operations in both Canada and the US have H-1B specialist occupation visas. The Canadian government stated in a release earlier this month that US citizens with H-1B specialty occupation visas and their accompanying immediate family members will be able to seek to travel to Canada as of July 16, 2023. Source- Travel biz

Operated by Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd., is expanding its itinerary to include significant ports in West Asia. Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism, said that the cruise line will now include ports in Oman, UAE, the entire Gulf region, Qatar, and Bahrain from Mumbai after beginning international sailings from Chennai to three coasts in Sri Lanka. By providing three, four, five, and seven-night packages for journeys from Mumbai to West Asia in addition to the five-night package currently offered to Sri Lanka, Cordelia Cruises hopes to provide Indian tourists additional options. These packages would cost between INR 11,000 to INR 13,000 per person per day. By choosing to run foreign routes, Bailom demonstrated the organization’s long-term vision and commitment to advancing India’s maritime tourist sector. Over 400,000 individuals have taken cruises on Cordelia Cruises since September 2021, he observed, and the number of Indian tourists has been rising since the cruise line’s start. This contains 70,000 annual East Coast visitors and 130,000 West Coast passengers. The CEO also said that pre-pandemic levels of travel around the world had been surpassed, and that India and Southeast Asia have strong tourist potential. In order to take advantage of this growth potential, Cordelia Cruises aims to buy a few ships that are bigger than Cordelia in the near future. Each ship is expected to cost roughly INR 500 crore, and the money will come from internal accruals. Source- Travel biz

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) continues to restructure the company’s and THAI Smile Airways’ aviation business operations. Effective improvements have been made to the aircraft utilisation and fleet efficiency. To meet rising travel demand, the airline route network has also been expanded.  Beginning on July 16, 2023, THAI will use Airbus A320 aircraft to fly on the following routes: Bangkok – Yangon v.v., which was previously served by THAI Smile Airways; and Bangkok – Dhaka v.v. 1. The Bangkok-Yangon direct flight will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, offering Silk Class (specially available on A320-operated routes) with a selection of food and beverages to satisfy all passengers’ travel needs and comfort throughout their journey) and Economy Class along with options for in-flight entertainment like e-Reading and short films. 14 flights will be operated each week. Bangkok and Myanmar The TG301 flight leaves Bangkok at 09:35 and lands in Yangon at 10:35 (local time). TG303 arrives in Yangon around 18:00 local time after leaving Bangkok at 17:05. Bangkok – Yangon TG302 leaves Yangon at 11:25 and arrives in Bangkok at 13:25 (local time). TG304 leaves Yangon at 19:00 and arrives in Bangkok at 21:00 (local time).Airbus A320 aircraft will operate the Bangkok-Dhaka direct route (TG339/340), increasing the number of weekly flights from three to seven and adding Economy Class service. THAI will entirely operate twice-daily flights from Bangkok to Dhaka using the TG321/322 aircraft, with the following details: Beijing to Dhaka B777-200ER aircraft are used for flight TG321, which leaves Bangkok at 10:35 and lands in Dhaka at 12:10 (local time). TG339, a flight operated by an A320, leaves Bangkok at 23:50 and lands in Dhaka at 01:25 (local time). Flight TG322 from Dhaka to Bangkok takes off at 13:35 local time from Dhaka and lands at 17:00 local time in Bangkok. TG340, a flight operated by an A320, leaves Dhaka at 02:45 local time and lands in Bangkok at 06:15 local time. Currently, THAI also uses B777-200ER and A320 aircraft to fly to Delhi, Mumbai, and Dhaka. Source- travel daily

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has stepped up its efforts to promote the destination in the first half of the year, including metropolises, Tier-II and III markets, through B2B travel trade engagements like trade workshops, mega familiarisation trips, exhibitions, and roadshows. Dubai is intended to be promoted by DET as the top choice for Indian tourists. Taking advantage of its closeness and direct access to Indian cities, DET is dedicated to growing its presence in secondary markets there while showcasing the wide range of services Dubai has to offer. Dubai had a stunning 23% increase in overnight visitor numbers over the first five months of 2023 compared to 2019. The results so far have been excellent. Over 200 travel agencies from 30 cities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh participated in DET’s massive familiarisation tours between January and June 2023. Exposing Dubai’s offerings at trade shows like SATTE 2023 and ATM 2023 helped draw in new and returning tourists. DET staged roadshows in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai in March to promote Dubai as a popular international vacation spot. By connecting with Dubai stakeholders including airlines, DMCs, hotels & resorts, and attractions in Dubai through these events, the Indian tourism industry was able to forge beneficial collaborations. DET held trade workshops in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru in order to increase inbound travel from India. The workshops provided thorough insights into Dubai’s changing tourism industry, including new and old attractions, top-notch hospitality, and culinary experiences, empowering the travel industry to create varied itineraries that are educational and enriching. Emirates and two of India’s leading airlines, IndiGo and Vistara, participated enthusiastically in these courses. They made a significant point of emphasising Dubai’s excellent flight connectivity, with direct connections to 22 Indian cities, and stressed ease of access, promoting Dubai as an excellent choice for fast getaways and layover locations to and from the UK, Africa, Europe, and North America. Over 350 people from these five cities participated in all of the workshops. Det also sponsored trade dinners in Jaipur, Guwahati, and Bhubaneswar to highlight Dubai’s tourism offers and further enhance the allure of the city as the top choice for travel. This was done as part of DET’s strategy to better penetrate Tier-II cities and understand the market requirements. To publicise the new flight sector between Bhubaneswar and Dubai, DET co-hosted the dinner event in Bhubaneshwar with IndiGo. Owners of the top travel businesses in each location attended these special trade dinners. According to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism’s Head of South Asia, Bader Ali Habib, “India is a key priority for us, and we are devoted to displaying all aspects of the destination to the Indian tourist. With a 23% rise in overnight visitor numbers compared to 2019, we achieved great success with our pan-India outreach, reaching 1 million visitors in the first five months of the year. To further solidify our position as the top outbound destination from India, we have conducted multi-city roadshows, trade workshops, and massive familiarisation visits throughout the country. We have also actively participated in fairs including SATTE 2023 and ATM 2023. We are confident that our upcoming initiatives will increase awareness about Dubai’s diverse attractions, multicultural setting, and abundance of hotels and attractions, making it the top choice for Indian tourists, thanks to exceptional flight connectivity, a simple visa application process, and our ongoing commitment to the Indian market. In the first half of July, the board held a second roadshow in the cities of Lucknow, New Delhi, and Chandigarh. Over 550 people attended. Source- Travel biz