Travel News

A revised winter schedule for MSC Orchestra has been revealed by MSC Cruises. The ship will make port calls in Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia; Civitavecchia for Rome; Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma in Mallorca before sailing again to Valencia on December 16, 2023, and April 19, 2024. This new program was created to take the place of the Red Sea itineraries that were canceled because of limitations in some neighboring countries and the close proximity of some ports of call to Israel. Its primary concern has always been and always will be the safety of its passengers and crew, the line repeated. It would continue to keep an eye on the situation as it changed and alter ship itineraries as needed. Two large restaurants, a Shanghai Oriental specialty restaurant and buffet, 10 pubs, and lounges make up MSC Orchestra’s worldwide eating selections. The 1,200-seat Covent Garden theatre features large-scale, creative theatrical productions, and the extensive range of games and activities is sure to delight children. Those who want to unwind can get a soothing massage at the MSC Aurea Spa or spend an hour in the thermal area, which has a whirlpool, sauna, and steam room. Alternatively, if you want to dance the night away, the R32 disco is the place to be. The ship’s outdoor amenities include three pools, shuffleboard, minigolf, and a multipurpose sports center where visitors can play volleyball, tennis, or basketball. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/msc-cruises-unveils-west-mediterranean-winter-programme-covering-spain-italy-and-france/

The B2B brands of dnata Travel Group UK have launched a multi-brand campaign called Winter Escapes, which goes live on November 1st, for the first time ever. Four themes—Festive Breaks, Unique Experiences, Winter Sun, and Winter Wonders—are represented in the winter recommendations and experiences offered by Gold Medal, Pure Luxury, Cruise Plus, and Incredible Journeys. Throughout November, marketing communications will highlight a range of winter sun and snow offerings, and agents will have access to a dedicated Winter Escapes digital brochure on the micro-site. Worldwide tailor-made 3-5* holidays to places like New York for Christmas breaks, the Caribbean for those looking for a sunny getaway during the chilly UK winter months, or the Galápagos or Japan for once-in-a-lifetime experiences are all available to agents.   Mother and baby of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on pack ice, north of Svalbard Arctic Norway In collaboration with Air Canada, the brands are offering agents the opportunity to win a trip to Canada as a way to commemorate the launch of Winter Escapes. The period for this exclusive offer is November 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023. Travel includes round-trip economy airfare, full-length vehicle rental, three nights in Quebéc City, and one night at the Hôtel de Glace. Agents just need to book a Gold Medal, Pure Luxury, Cruise Plus, or Incredible Journeys package that departs between November 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, or November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, in order to be eligible. For double entrance, make a reservation with Air Canada that includes flights.  Kathleen Lancashire “Our brand-new Winter Escapes campaign features sought-after winter sun and snow worldwide holidays, luxury retreats, cruises, and touring – perfectly showcasing the expertise of each of our dnata Travel Group UK B2B brands,” said Sarah Lancashire, Marketing Director of dnata Travel Group UK B2B.  Lancashire went on, “We know that many destinations come to life in the winter months, but our focus has been primarily on sunshine holidays.” We believe our agents and their clients will enjoy the beautiful and inspiring collection of snow activities that are exclusive to winter in fascinating destinations throughout the world, which we have sourced in close collaboration with our amazing supplier partners. Having said that, agencies should anticipate seeing winter sun inspiration as well because we acknowledge the allure of traveling to warmer regions in the winter.  Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/gold-medal-pure-luxury-cruise-plus-and-incredible-journeys-launch-multi-brand-winter-escapes-campaign/

The low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY reported a profit of USD 5.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, an 84% increase over the same period the previous year in its financial reports. PLAY’s most successful financial quarter to date was the third quarter of 2023, with the addition of four planes and thirteen destinations. The CEO of PLAY, Birgir Jónsson, stated: “We are all quite happy of our third-quarter financial and operational performance, and particularly of the fact that PLAY turned a profit of 5.2 million USD—the first quarterly profit since our first flight in June 2021.  The company’s operational profit climbed tenfold compared to the same quarter last year, while revenues increased by 84% and the number of passengers increased by 74%. These are impressive results that attest to a well-functioning business strategy and a talented team of professionals. Even with a large capacity increase, there was a notable gain in revenues and load factor. In Q3 2023, PLAY conducted flights to 33 locations in Europe and North America, with a 71% increase in capacity, expressed in available seat kilometres (ASK), over Q3 2022. From 85% in Q3 2022 to 88.4% in Q3 2023, the load factor increased by 3.4%. Compared to Q3 2022, when PLAY carried 311 thousand passengers, it flew 540 thousand passengers in Q3 2023—a 74% increase. Unit revenue (RASK) increased by 9% while revenue climbed by 84%. The fact that load factor and unit revenue have improved year over year shows how well-established PLAY has grown in its major regions. 24% of all passengers flown in Q3 2023 were from Iceland, with 33% arriving in Iceland and 43% connecting (via VIA). The load factor on routes to and from North America was 92% throughout the quarter, despite a 4% year-over-year increase in via traffic. With an 88% increase in passengers flying to and from North America and a 66% increase in passengers flying to and from Europe, the number of passengers flown grew by 74% year over year. In comparison to Q3 2022, VIA traffic rose in terms of both passenger count and percentage of overall traffic due to improved network connection, increasing knowledge of PLAY in international markets, and robust demand from U.S. consumers. In comparison to Q3 2022, all of these variables, together with the introduction of bundled pricing in February, contributed to higher yields from VIA passengers. With 85.1% of flights arriving on schedule in Q32023, PLAY maintained its high operational performance. This is a substantial improvement over the airline’s primary rivals. Q3 Financial Results 2023 With revenues of USD 110.2 million in Q3 2023 compared to USD 59.9 million in Q3 2022, PLAY’s net profit for the quarter was USD 5.2 million, an improvement of USD 8.1 million from the net loss of USD 2.9 million in Q3 of last year. With enhanced product offerings including bundled fares, which debuted in February, and other auxiliary items, PLAY has placed a strong emphasis on growing ancillary revenue. Compared to Q3 2022, when it was USD 43, ancillary yield per passenger climbed by 35% to USD 58 in Q3 2023. The total amount of auxiliary revenue so far in 2022 is 150% less than that of this year. With total operating costs of USD 82.1 million in Q3, including depreciation, the unit cost per available seat kilometer (CASK) was 5.3 US cents, down 2% from the same period the previous year. Ex-fuel CASK was 3.4 US cents and grew 11% annually as a result of one-time maintenance costs and inflation. For the entire year, PLAY projects its Ex-Fuel CASK to be approximately 3.7 USD cents. The quarter’s financial revenue and expenses came to a negative $6 million, of which USD 4.6 million was attributable to lease liabilities’ interest costs. At the end of the quarter, PLAY’s total assets were USD 493.8 million, up from USD 331.5 million at the end of 2022. Over that time, the business flew ten aircraft. The majority of the USD 27.9 million in trade and other receivables was made up of unpaid ticket purchases from the acquirer. Due to seasonality, deferred income declined over the period, ending September at USD 40.7 million as opposed to USD 82.4 million at the end of June. Due to seasonality, the unwinding of the working capital position during the third quarter resulted in less cash than in the second. The company had USD 39.2 million in cash at period’s end, including restricted cash. Equity totaled USD 25.5 million at the conclusion of the quarter. There is no foreign debt that bears interest for the company. Jónsson goes on, “PLAY has been growing at a very rapid rate as we have been adding more Players to our staff, growing our fleet, and developing our network. Our ability to raise both our unit revenues and ancillary revenues concurrently is a noteworthy accomplishment because growth is costly. This has led to a solid net profit and a sound financial position.  “Instead of expanding as much as we had planned, we will concentrate on streamlining and stabilizing our operations and boosting profitability until we start our next growth phase in 2025, which will include more aircraft—some of which have already been secured—and a denser and more expansive network.”  “Our team has been able to maintain a highly competitive unit cost, which is a real challenge in the current inflationary business environment, but it is something that is absolutely critical for our success,” the team said, keeping a laser-like focus on our cost base. I genuinely want to express my gratitude to each and every one of the amazing people that comprise the PLAY team for their amazing effort, and I firmly believe that nothing can stop them from playing to win in the future.  A digital onboard passenger self service through passengers’ personal devices has been introduced by PLAY on a few aircraft. Space Seats are aisle or window seats at the front of the aircraft with extra legroom and no neighbors because the middle

The world leader in ultra-luxury travel and adventure travel, Seabourn, has unveiled its expedition itineraries for 2025–2026. Using its ultra-luxury expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, customers will visit far-flung and exotic places across the globe. More than forty thrilling adventures to the Northwest Passage, the South Pacific, the Arctic, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Kimberley region of Australia will be available on board the ships. All of the expedition trips for 2025 and 2026 are presently for sale; www.seabourn.com has the dates and complete itinerary details. Additionally, a range of freshly selected experiences will be available to Seabourn guests throughout the season, including: a pearl reveal in Australia’s Kimberley region while gazing out over Kuri Bay with a skilled pearl grower. Black and polar bears can be seen in Labrador’s Torngat Mountains National Park, which is maintained by the Inuit people. Admiring the magnificent landscape and diverse fauna of the Northwest Passage while traversing the Bellot Strait. a nighttime journey through the Amazon to witness nocturnal animals, such as black caimans, skulking along the banks in search of their prey. Scuba diving and snorkeling on the stunning coral reefs of Fiji. Our goal was to introduce the ultra-luxury style of Seabourn to the adventure industry. As we present our adventure journeys for 2025–2026, I am delighted to declare that we have realized this dream. “Without sacrificing their comfort or our renowned Seabourn signature service, our ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ships will take our extraordinary guests to truly bucket-list destinations like Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, or Australia’s Kimberley region,” stated Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “Our guests will have numerous unforgettable “Seabourn Moments” on these voyages as we introduce them to the world’s wonders and the annals of human civilization.” Seabourn Venture will run 21 eight-to 28-day trips from the Arctic to Antarctica between May 2025 and March 2026. Seabourn Venture will start operating in May 2025 and provide in-depth expedition experiences in Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland, which are surrounded by shimmering ice towers. It will also provide in-depth shore excursions focused on culture and explore East Greenland, which is home to some of the most stunning and desolate fjords in the world. The ship will set sail again in August 2025, heading for the well-known Northwest Passage, where visitors will be able to trace the footsteps of the explorers and seamen who forged their way through this illustrious passage. Ultimately, the vessel will head south to Antarctica, where it will spend three months exploring the “Great White Continent.” There, visitors will be able to navigate ice towers and have life-changing experiences with wildlife. Seabourn Pursuit will set out on 20 distinct 10- to 20-day trips starting in late March 2025. In addition to seeing unspoiled coral reefs and a variety of fish species in the South Pacific, visitors will have lots of chances to engage with the amazing local cultures. After that, the ship will travel to the Kimberley region of Australia, where visitors may witness wildlife, rivers, waterfalls, gorges made of red sandstone, and Aboriginal history and living. The Seabourn Pursuit will next make its way back across the Pacific to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, where it will investigate the remarkable landscapes and distinct biomass that these regions have to offer, nestled among some of the most productive waters on Earth. On expeditions tailored for those who enjoy blazing their own trail and going where few have gone before, Seabourn Venture will sail to the North Pole. Expanded to accommodate more guests, Seabourn’s exhilarating Svalbard experience will take them through regions that few other ships can reach, arriving only 600 miles from the North Pole for views of wildlife on pack ice, including the elusive polar bear, and glittering ice towers through the ship’s state-of-the-art GSS Cineflex camera. These trips will interact with native Arctic cultures to discover more about their fascinating past and ecological relationships. Walking tours of Qaqortoq in south-west Greenland, a driving tour of Lake Mvatn near Akureyri, the location of Goafoss, one of Iceland’s most magnificent waterfalls, and an optional exploration of the ice sculptures of Lofthellir Cave, which were naturally formed by thousands of years of dripping water, are all included. Seabourn Venture will offer eight to 26-day Svalbard excursions from Reykjavik to Edinburgh or back from Edinburgh, departing from Edinburgh in mid-May to mid-June 2025. The ship will also provide a 12-day trip from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq to visit Greenland in late July 2025. Accommodations in Edinburgh or Reykjavik prior to and during the trip are included in both expeditions. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit offer guests the same luxurious small ship experience that they have come to expect from Seabourn, with the added benefit of state-of-the-art equipment that enables the line to offer its widest array of expedition activities under the guidance of a knowledgeable 24-person expedition team made up of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and other professionals. Additionally, the ships have improved Wi-Fi connectivity with SpaceX’s Starlink, which offers expedition visitors better connectivity, faster service, and more stable Wi-Fi anywhere Starlink’s services are available. The Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture, like the rest of the Seabourn fleet, provide an abundance of space and luxury, eight gourmet dining experiences, and opulent all-suite accommodations, including two two-level Wintergarden suites. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/seabourn-unveils-2025-26-expeditions-antarctica-the-arctic-and-other-iconic-destinations/

On November 9 and 10, 2023, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will play host to the 67th Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents. The Asia Pacific Association of Scheduled International Carriers (AAPA) is a trade association of fourteen member airlines. The Assembly, which will take place at Singapore’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is anticipated to draw more than 200 delegates, guests, and media representatives from across the globe. Representatives from important organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI), Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, as well as the larger aerospace and aviation community, will be present alongside delegates from member airlines, including CEOs and senior management. On Friday, November 10, 2023, Chee Hong Tat, the Acting Minister for Transport of Singapore, will be the special guest during the opening session. The significance of international air travel and the industry’s dedication to sustainability are highlighted by this year’s topic, Sustainable Air Transport Growth in the Asia Pacific. The Assembly offers a forum for talking about the advantages and disadvantages facing the aviation sector, with an emphasis on creating a plan for long-term, regional growth.  Air Astana, Air India, Cathay Pacific Airways, Bangkok Airways, China Airlines, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways International are the airlines that make up the AAPA. Joint Press Release No. 05/23, November 1, 2023 Following the pandemic, the aviation sector in Asia Pacific recovered, with passenger capacity in the area reaching 77% of pre-pandemic levels in August 2023. This has contributed to the strong demand for air travel, with international passenger traffic in the Asia Pacific region predicted to reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year after doubling from the previous year in August 2023. “Singapore Airlines is pleased to host our friends and partners at this year’s AAPA Assembly,” said Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.  Sustainable expansion necessitates closer cooperation amongst airlines as well as with our partners and ecosystem stakeholders. This will make it possible for future generations to continue to gain from aviation’s many advantages. carries. We anticipate stimulating conversations that will contribute to creating the foundation for an even more promising future for the airline sector in Asia Pacific. The AAPA’s Director General, Subhas Menon, continued, saying, “2023 is a watershed year for Asia Pacific aviation.” Air travel is once again booming, despite the general slowdown in the world economy. The sector faces difficult geopolitical, economic, and environment realities as it attempts to grow again. With so many notable speakers scheduled for this year’s Assembly of Presidents, it is certain that many thought-provoking but inspirational talks will be presented. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/singapore-airlines-to-host-association-of-asia-pacific-airlines-67th-assembly-of-presidents/

A noteworthy breakthrough occurred when Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda breakthrough Board, welcomed attendees warmly to Kigali, Rwanda for the 2023 World Travel and Tourism Council Global (WTTC) Summit. The esteemed visitors, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza of Burundi, were cordially welcomed before the address began. Gatare conveyed his sincere appreciation for these leaders’ steadfast support of the travel and tourism industry. Additionally, he thanked Julia Simpson, Arnold Donald, and the entire WTTC community for selecting Rwanda to host the summit this year. It was emphasized as a significant accomplishment for Africa because Rwanda hosted the WTTC Global Summit for the first time. This incident demonstrates Rwanda’s and Africa’s steadfast dedication to environmentally friendly travel. The CEO emphasized how important travel and tourism are to the development of Rwanda’s economy and the promotion of world peace. All guests received a unique invitation to join in the celebration of the Kwita Izina ceremony’s 20th anniversary, which is set for the following year. It’s a wonderful annual celebration of conservation that includes the endearing custom of naming infant gorillas. During his speech, Gatare emphasized the event’s significant relevance, the commitment to sustainable tourism, and the critical role that tourism plays in Rwanda’s economy. An additional exciting prospect for the attendees is the invitation to the upcoming conservation festival. Source- Travel biz Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/rwanda-showcases-africas-commitment-to-sustainable-tourism-by-hosting-wttc-global-summit/

We heard from a focus group led by progressive organizations in September 2022. The participants, who were dispersed around the nation, had supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election but were uncertain about the upcoming midterm elections. The moderator posed a question concerning migrants and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to send them to Martha’s Vineyard; nonetheless, the majority of the replies expressed dissatisfaction with the border policies of the Biden administration. “Trump opposed a migrant inflow as part of his border strategy. This was undone by President Biden. Over two million are now anticipated for this year,” a woman stated. DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, according to another, are “the first line of defense.” They are not receiving the necessary assistance.” The fact that hundreds of thousands of recent migrants have sought refuge in New York and other major cities has only served to increase people’s discontent with Biden administration policies. Many of them are undocumented immigrants who either crossed the border covertly or were detained but released without charge pending court dates due to the shoddy asylum procedures in place in the nation. Even Democratic politicians have expressed their disapproval, such as the governor of the state and the mayor of New York City. Without immigration, America would not exist as it does now. The nation’s consecutive industrial booms spanning the early 19th and late 19th century would not have been feasible without the work and ingenuity of immigrants. However, immigration frequently had a negative aspect that bred hostility. Partitions between immigrants and between immigrants and native laborers contributed to the United States’ inability to establish a successful labor Source- livemint Link- https://www.livemint.com/politics/how-the-democrats-lost-the-working-class-on-immigration-11699025823370.html

Greg O’Hara, the founder and senior managing director of Certares Management LLC, has been appointed as the new chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). O’Hara, who will assume the role later this month, has served as vice chair of the WTTC executive committee since 2021 and a member of the committee since 2019. He will succeed current Chairman Arnold Donald, who has held the role since the spring of 2021 and was previously President and CEO of Carnival Corporation. O’Hara was the Chief Investment Officer of JPMorgan Chase’s Special Investments Group before founding Certares, one of the biggest investment platforms devoted to travel and tourism industry. He is a member of the TripAdvisor board of directors in addition to being the chairman of American Express Global Business Travel. O’Hara has formerly held directorships in the following companies: Singer Vehicle Design, Hertz Global Holdings, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Worldspan, and the Innocence Project. WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson stated, “First of all, I would like to thank Arnold for his enormous contribution to WTTC, his unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership during his tenure.” She was speaking to participants at the global tourism body’s 23rd Global Summit in Kigali today. “As we begin this new chapter, I’m happy to welcome Greg to the position of Chairman. Greg possesses extensive expertise and a profound comprehension of the Travel & Tourism industry. I am confident that under his leadership, WTTC will achieve unprecedented success in a field that is expanding at a rate that surpasses that of the global economy. “It has been an honor to serve my fellow WTTC Members as Chair,” stated current Chair Arnold Donald. The joint efforts of our Members, made possible by both public and private partnerships, have shown to be indispensable in helping our sector recover from the economic and human consequences of COVID-19. Right now, travel and tourism are seeing extraordinary, sustainable growth on a global scale. “Of course, without the solid foundation I inherited, Julia’s leadership, and the dedication of our WTTC personnel, the enormous success made on all fronts would not have been possible. Serving our Members and collaborating with Julia and her staff over the past few years has been a pleasure. “I am thrilled to be handing over the reins to Greg, a distinguished global leader in the travel and tourism industry and a strong contributor to the WTTC as my term draws to an end.” “It is a great privilege to take over from Arnold Donald—a giant of our sector,” stated Greg O’Hara. WTTC and Julia are two of our members, and I am excited to be of support as the industry grows. WTTC and its members are eager to guide the world’s travel and tourism industry toward a more promising and sustainable future under this new leadership. Source- Travel biz Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/greg-ohara-to-take-over-as-chair-of-wttc/

On November 1st, the opulent Auriga Spa at Capella Sydney opened to the public, providing visitors and residents of Sydney with a range of beauty and relaxation treatments. Prior to this, the spa’s top-notch wellness amenities were reserved for visitors staying on-site. Operating under the Capella house name Auriga Spa, the beautifully constructed chamber is located on the sixth floor of the former Department of Education building. Up to half an hour prior to an Auriga Spa appointment, day guests can utilize the retreat’s ambient spa treatment rooms, steam and sauna rooms, experience showers, and ice fountain. Dianne April Dayagbil, Spa Manager at Capella Sydney, states, “We are thrilled to open Auriga Spa to the public and welcome day guests to discover Capella Sydney’s sophisticated wellness services and facilities.” “We wanted more people to be able to experience the Auriga Spa magic, but Fridays through Sundays have consistently been busy since we opened in March of this year, reflecting a surge in in-house guests around weekends.” These will be opportunities that present themselves as midweek appointments. Renowned for its luxury face and body treatments, Auriga Spa is well-known in Capella’s other worldwide locations. It features prestige items that are local to the nation where the resort is located. In keeping with this philosophy, Capella Sydney’s spa menu has a specially curated line of skincare items from Byron Bay company Synthesis Organics. The spa’s unique and uniquely Australian treatment menu includes trademark massages that aim to balance chakras, improve circulation, and relieve both physical and mental stress. These massages are inspired by the new and full moons. Prestige Rituals are among the most luxurious treatments offered at the resort; they encourage contemplation, introspection, and fresh starts. Dayagbil stated, “The Rituals, which last for two hours each, are an opulent way for guests to treat themselves and escape the pace of the bustling city outside our walls.” There are also other Wellness Journeys available that foster relationships with the earth, such the Connect to Country treatment, which uses stones that are collected from far-off places with consent from Indigenous Elders. There are also Body Alchemy packages on the menu that include luxurious exfoliation, detoxifying masks, and enzyme peel wraps. The goal of the Facial Alchemy treatments is to nourish, alter, and restore equilibrium to the skin through the use of bioactive ingredients, precious oils, and LED light therapy. Dayagbil, who has vast experience in the beauty and wellness field and has held long-term residencies at hotels in Bhutan and the Maldives, says, “Like all other aspects of the Capella brand, the beauty and wellness program is unique to the region in which we operate and highly personalised to the needs of our guests.” “We hope to keep our clients grounded and centred by attuning our experiences with nature, something that I’m sure our day guests will now enjoy being able to tap into.” The spa’s interaction with the century-old sandstone building it occupies is one of its main features. Make Architects and BAR Studio, respectively, handled the site-sensitive architecture and interior design, with guidance from heritage specialists Urbis. Tremendously repaired “heritage lanterns” support three of the four spa treatment rooms. These treatment rooms may accommodate one or two people and look like modern cubes implanted into the atmospheric environment. To further strengthen the connection to history, the flooring is built from salvaged site timbers. Only those staying on site will have access to the Technogym-equipped gym and 20-meter heated swimming pool. If a guest is not staying at the hotel and has an appointment at Auriga Spa, they should check in 30 minutes before to their appointment at the ground floor lobby. Source- Travel daily Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/capella-sydney-opens-luxurious-spa-to-the-public/

In an effort to lessen losses suffered by state-owned businesses as part of a USD 2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiative, Sri Lanka has opened bids for SriLankan Airlines. The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn have caused a decline in tourism in recent years, making the airline one of Sri Lanka’s largest loss-making state-owned businesses, according to Reuters. A notification requesting offers for the airline by December 5th was released by the Finance Ministry. By June, it hopes to have the sale completed. The bid announcement states that the government is now restructuring the business’s debt. According to financial data included in the bid documents, SriLankan Airlines recorded operating losses of USD 575 million since 2015 but reported an operational profit of USD 93 million this year. Source- Travel biz Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/sri-lanka-invites-bids-for-sale-of-srilankan-airlines/