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    LG FIRST TO BRING APPLE AIRPLAY TO HOTEL ROOM TVS

    LG Electronics, the leading provider of in-room hotel TVs, is introducing the world’s first commercial television sets to feature Apple AirPlay technology support for hotels, offering guests a seamless and secure way to share content from their iPhone or iPad to their guest room TV.
    Speaking in advance of next week’s HITEC hospitality technology trade show, Michael Kosla, hospitality vice president at LG Business Solutions USA, said AirPlay will be available to guests on LG Pro:Centric® Smart Hotel TVs starting later this year at select properties.
    “This is a major advancement for in-room entertainment in the travel and hospitality industry, and underscores how closely we are listening to the needs of consumers who increasingly demand simple access to their personal media options on the biggest screen, wherever they are,” Kosla said. “Hotels that offer this feature will have an immediate leg up with travelers who use Apple devices, boosting guest satisfaction while providing real differentiation from local competition.”
    LG Electronics and Apple worked together to ensure that AirPlay will be as easy to use as when at home. Guests will connect their iPhone or iPad securely to the LG smart hotel TV by simply scanning a unique QR code. With no logins or passwords to remember and no separate app to download, this will be the simplest way for a hotel to enable guests to access their personal entertainment apps and accounts on the big screen in their room.
    Built on a foundation of privacy and security, AirPlay allows guests to stream, control and share videos, photos, music and more from their iPhone or iPad to the smart, in-room LG TV so they can watch popular streaming services* such as Apple TV+, rehearse presentations, enjoy vacation photos, and more, in the comfort of their hotel room.ADVERTISEMENTLG is the first display manufacturer to confirm AirPlay integration following Apple’s announcement at the company’s WWDC23 event earlier this month revealing that AirPlay will be available in hotels. The collaboration demonstrates LG’s dedication to innovations that empower hotels to enhance guest satisfaction.
    Hotel operators will be able to start offering AirPlay capability on LG smart hotel TVs later this year. AirPlay capability will be available on 2023 LG smart hotel TVs and on recent year’s models.
    For more information about LG’s hospitality-focused products shown at HITEC 2023, click here.  https://b2bmkt.lge.com/us-hitec23

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    Abu Dhabi welcomes Tom Cruise on first flight into Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Terminal

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    IATA launches World Sustainability Symposium

    With governments now aligned with the industry’s commitment to decarbonise aviation by 2050, this symposium will facilitate critical discussions, in seven key areas:
    – The overall strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
    – The crucial role of government and policy support
    – Effective implementation of sustainability measures
    – Financing the energy transitionADVERTISEMENT- Measuring, tracking and reporting emissions
    – Addressing non-CO2 emissions
    – The significance of value chains
    “In 2021 airlines committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Last year governments made the same commitment through the International Civil Aviation Organization. Now the WSS will bring together the global community of sustainability experts in the industry and governments to debate and discuss the key enablers for aviation’s successful decarbonisation, our biggest challenge ever,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General who is confirmed to speak at WSS.
    The WSS will provide a platform specifically tailored for airline sustainability professionals, regulators and policy makers, as well as stakeholders in the industry’s value chain.
    Speakers will include
    Patrick Healy, Chair, Cathay PacificRoberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines GroupRobert Miller, Professor of Aerothermal Technology and Director of the Whittle Laboratory at the University of CambridgeSuzanne Kearns, Founding Director, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aviation (WISA)Andre Zollinger, Policy Manager, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology MITMarie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, IATA
    Source: https://www.timesaerospace.aero

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    Singapore GP and Singapore Tourism Board on track to drive change at the Formula 1

    With less than a 100 days until the Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023, the race is on track to become more environmentally sustainable. The installation of solar panels on the F1 Pit Building has been completed, while installations for a more energy-efficient lighting system at the night race has begun.
    In 2022, Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) laid the foundation for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix to become one of the most environmentally sustainable street circuits on the race calendar. This included initiatives such as moving towards cleaner energy, going digital for greater resource efficiency, improving waste management and reducing single-use plastics.
    This year, to transition the F1 Pit Building to cleaner energy sources, STB appointed ENGIE South East Asia to install solar panels on the facility’s rooftop. Works have just completed, with the 1,396 solar panels now fully operational. By converting sunlight into electricity, the panels are expected to generate 803,155 kWh of energy in a year. This amount of solar energy is sufficient to power the F1 Pit Building for an entire race month. This includes providing the power for the Formula 1 Paddock Club suites, Race Control Room, Media Centre, garages, as well as the administrative offices. Any excess solar energy will be sold to the grid to offset the facility’s utility costs.
    “We are thrilled that the F1 Pit Building can now be powered by renewable energy. This is an important milestone because it will reduce the carbon footprint of the race, as well as all other events that use the F1 Pit Building beyond the race period. Sustainability is a key priority for the Singapore race, and we will continue to work with Singapore GP and our partners to make our race more sustainable,” said Ms. Ong Ling Lee, Executive Director, Sports and Wellness, STB.
    Work is now underway to install a more energy-efficient track lighting system for the remainder of the term until 2028. The metal-halide projectors that were in place since 2008 will be fully replaced by LED track lights to illuminate the 4.928km-long race track. Supplied by DZE Asia in collaboration with Signify Singapore, the upgraded LEDs will require significantly less power per fitting, consuming at least 30% less electricity than the previous bulbs. In addition, the new lights also do not require any warm up time to reach their full luminance when switched on, saving time and energy.ADVERTISEMENTThe new ArenaVision LED floodlights are designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for drivers, while also offering unforgettable experiences for F1 fans, media and broadcasters. Featuring a higher colour temperature of 5,700K, the lighting system will provide outstanding visual clarity, effective heat management, and a long lifespan – all while meeting the latest broadcasting standards.
    The metal-halide lights will be given new life through recycled art. DZ Engineering and Dino Zoli Foundation will be organising an art exhibition featuring creations that artists will make out of the old projectors to promote a more sustainable future. The exhibition is slated for September and more details will be shared later.
    “We are excited to kick off our sustainability efforts for the new term and we look forward to drive change at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. More initiatives are currently being planned for the night race, and we will be announcing these, as well as the results of our carbon footprint report from last year’s event in the coming weeks,” said Ms. Sasha Rafi, Director of Sustainability for Singapore GP Pte Ltd.

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    Sarawak, Malaysia Welcomes Over 270 Delegates to the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023

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    Sarawak, Malaysia Welcomes Over 270 Delegates to the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023

    LR: Thoyyib Mohammed, CEO, Visit Maldives; Harry Hwang, Director, Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO; Sharzede Datu Hj. Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB); Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak; YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister of Tourism, and YBhg. Datu Sherrina binti Hussaini, Permanent Secretary, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak.
    The PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 (PDFM 2023), with the theme “Sustainability in Action”, officially began on Wednesday, June 21 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, attracting 272 delegates from 28 destinations.
    The event, organised in collaboration with destination partners, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts of Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau, brought together delegates from the public and private sectors for inspiring and insightful discussions on some of the major issues in marketing and managing tourism growth as the travel and tourism industry looks for new opportunities to promote sustainability within the industry.
    Delegates travelled from all corners of the globe including Australia, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (ROK), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and USA.
    “The PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023, under the theme “Sustainability in Action” is extremely relevant as the industry begins its road to recovery. Climate change and over-tourism are existential threats to Pacific Asia’s visitor industry. Coming out of COVID, there are really only two options: ignore the environmental and social consequences of mass tourism in a business-as-usual manner; or seize the opportunity to recalibrate how we measure tourism success and account for its invisible burden. As we look towards the future, we need to take concrete actions and avoid the mistakes of the past,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone. “It is this type of collaboration with our destination partners, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts of Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau, that epitomizes the fundamental nature of PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. We as an industry must work together to create a better future for all by achieving long-term sustainability in conjunction with long-term growth and profitability.”
    Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor said,” Sarawak is the perfect venue for PDMF 2023 in highlighting on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel as these themes are very much aligned with Sarawak’s tourism philosophy that emphasises on Responsible Tourism, gastronomy and sustainability in its effort in making Sarawak a preferred eco-tourism destination, in the region.”ADVERTISEMENT“I am happy that all delegates will have an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with Sarawak’s tourism industry stakeholders as well as from around the region to understand more on the importance of adopting sustainable practices, such as waste reduction, recycling, and responsible resource consumption, to minimize the negative environmental footprint of tourism while enhancing the overall visitor experience,” she added.
    On Wednesday, June 21, delegates had the opportunity to join one of three different routes where they could fully experience the destination’s responsible tourism, ecotourism, and gastronomy tourism offerings that highlighted Sarawakian culture, heritage, and history.
    During the conference on Thursday, June 23 and June 24, delegates will hear from a diverse line-up of experts from such organisations as World Tourism Organization, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the Asian Ecotourism Network, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, Intrepid Travel, Expedia Group Media Solutions and Sojern, as well as Audra Morrice, Masterchef Asia/and Singapore Host & Judge, to name a few.
    From climate action strategies to digital marketing, the broad yet critical topics provided a clearer direction for the industry to embrace the new era of travel with greater responsibility and convert their plans into action.
    Topics include ‘Sustainability in Action’, ‘Climate Action Strategies for Destinations & Operators ‘, ‘Recalculating the Measurements of Success’, ‘Tourism’s Role for Development ‘, ‘The Power of Gastronomy Tourism for Destinations ‘, ‘Setting Your Sustainability Goals and Executing them’, ‘Leveraging New Trends in Sustainable Forms of Tourism’ and ‘Using Digital Marketing to Drive Sustainability’.
    Over these two days, buyers and sellers will also have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one networking and contracting opportunities during the table-top tradeshow to explore potential collaborations and business opportunities.
    For more information about the event, visit www.pata.org/pata-destination-experience-forum-and-mart-2023 or email [email protected]

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    “Harbour Chill Carnival” Starting the Weekend of 8-9 July

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    “Harbour Chill Carnival” Starting the Weekend of 8-9 July

    Hong Kong – Join Interactive Street Performances, X-Games and Miscellaneous Outdoor Experiences Anytime; Tickets for First Eight Music Shows in the Harbour Available Tomorrow
    Starting from 8 July, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will bring the “Harbour Chill Carnival” to the Wan Chai waterfront for five consecutive weekend evenings, featuring street performances, X-game performances, and A Symphony of Lights Waterfront Pyrotechnic Edition.Among the activities, only Music Shows in the Harbour requires tickets for admission. Tickets of the first eight sessions of the Music Shows in the Harbour will be distributed for free through HKTB’s online e-platform (https://www.discoverhongkong.com/hk-eng/what-s-new/events/harbour-chillcarnival/music-shows/ticket.html ) from 10am tomorrow (27 June). All tickets are available first-come, first-served.
    Members of the public can now sign up for an account on the e-platform on the Discover Hong Kong website and check out the performance line-ups (https://www.discoverhongkong.com/hkeng/what-s-new/events/harbour-chill-carnival/music-shows.html ) before getting the tickets tomorrow.

    Each account can obtain tickets for a maximum of two sessions at the same time, with a maximum of two tickets for each session.The first eight sessions will be held on 8 July (Saturday), 9 July (Sunday), 15 July (Saturday), and16 July (Sunday), with two sessions each evening.ADVERTISEMENTThere will be a total of 20 sessions of Music Shows in Victoria Harbour, with over 40 groups from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia taking turns to perform. Tickets for the remaining 12 concerts will be available at 10 am, 27 July, Monday
    Besides the Music Shows in the Harbour, the “Harbour Chill Carnival” features a series of thrilling activities, including characteristic street performances, dynamic X-game performances and time-limited A Symphony of Lights Waterfront Pyrotechnic Edition. Members of the public can visit the Wan Chai Waterfront Precinct during the Carnival and enjoy the shows without admission tickets.
    Come and watch national and top local skateboarders perform challenging and skilled tricks or the dynamic nightview with the summer pyro display along the Harbour front. Don’t miss the chance!

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    TTM+ 2023 estimated to generate 3.4 Billion Baht in tourism revenue

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    How Hajj facilities flourished in 100 years under House of Saud

    Nearly one century has passed since King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud founded Saudi Arabia after conquering Mecca in 1924, since then a series of rapid developments took place until present day.
    King Abdulaziz’s first ordered the maintenance of the Grand Mosque of Mecca and the introduction of electricity at the holy site, a vision of continuous improvements that never seized until the Kingdom’s very recent third expansion project of Mecca’s Grand Mosque with a cost that surpassed 200 billion Saudi riyals.
    Two decades after King Abdulaziz entered Mecca, he ordered the creation of an apparatus dedicated to the organization of Hajj and Umrah affairs, and thus the General Directorate of Hajj was established in 1948 to take up the task of serving pilgrims and providing them with all means of comfort.
    The following Kings of House Saud embraced the same path until the reign of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during whose era the Grand Mosque’s area was expanded to 139,000 square meters with a capacity of 400,000 worshipers in 1976.
    However, the largest expansion project of the Mosque was inaugurated by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, targeting urban and security aspects, with the area of the entire project is estimated to be more than 1.3 million square meters with a capacity of 2 million devotees.ADVERTISEMENTThe latest expansion encompasses sub-mega projects, namely the squares project, the foot tunnels project, the central services station, and the Haram Ring Road project.
    Furthermore, the pilgrims’ growing modern needs required infrastructure projects to grow rapidly, including Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, which has been running with full capacity since 2018 to move 60 million people every year between Mecca and Medina in merely two hours.
    Additionally, 17 trains are operating at the holy sites between Mina, Muzdalifah, and Mount Arafat with a capacity of 72,000 people per hour.
    Over the past 80 years the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has always strived to raise the quality of services and to facilitate the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims as well as Umrah performers, whose numbers are targeted for an increase to reach 30 million annually, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

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    Ctrip Reveals Increase in Outbound Travel Bookings for Chinese Mainland Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

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    Ctrip Reveals Increase in Outbound Travel Bookings for Chinese Mainland Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

    Ctrip platform, owned by leading travel service provider Trip.com Group, recently released their Chinese mainland outbound and domestic Dragon Boat Festival trends, with outbound booking for the festival increasing more than 12 times year-over-year.Notably, the average cost of outbound travel reduced for a one-way air ticket by 6%, compared to the May Day holiday.
    The primary groups engaged in outbound travel from Mainland China were individuals born in the post-80s (37%) and post-90s (36%) generations who preferred leisurely holidays. Hong Kong, Bangkok, Macau, Tokyo and Singapore were the most popular destinations, with post-80s and post-90s spending an average of RMB 2,981 (415 USD) per hotel booking.
    Hong Kong was the most popular option for Chinese Mainland travellers, with hotel orders from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong increasing more than 18 times year-over-year. Many travellers chose to take the high-speed rail to Hong Kong, with orders for high-speed rail on Ctrip’s platform rising by more than 60% compared to last month.
    Most millennials opted for destinations based on proximity, visa and flight convenience, with many selecting routes within a three-hour flight time. Shanghai-Osaka, Shanghai-Jeju Island, Beijing-Seoul, and Beijing-Tokyo were among the most popular outbound routes.
    The Dragon Boat Festival is a brief national holiday in the Chinese mainland, prompting many individuals to spend less time travelling domestically and more time relishing their vacation through various activities.ADVERTISEMENTNearby, cross-provincial routes were the mainstay for travellers on vacation, selecting a radius of 300 kilometres or less. The Top 10 popular domestic city destinations were Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, Qinhuangdao and Shenzhen.
    The price of domestic hotels per night decreased compared to the May Day holiday. Xi’an, famously known for the Terracotta warriors, saw hotel prices fall by 29%, compared to May, with Nanjing and Guangzhou hotel prices down 22% and 19%, respectively.
    Many young people have chosen outdoor or rural activities as a great way to escape the heat, with outdoor product bookings increasing by more than 50% in the past two weeks.
    As one of the last short holidays of this year ends, Ctrip data shows a growing trend for summer vacations, with search data rising 50% from the previous year.
    Families are eager to explore and make memories together this summer. In fact, as of June 14th, Ctrip has seen a surge in orders for parent-child tours, making up over 30% of all summer bookings and more than seven times compared to last year.
    With growing supply capacity, it is clear that Chinese travellers have newfound confidence, with many families welcoming in trips this summer season and a positive indication of travel recovery. 

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    Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector nears pre-pandemic recovery despite lengthy restrictions

    The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) this week reveals Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to reach USD 285.5 billion (JPY 37.6 trillion) this year.
    This figure is only 6.8% shy of to the 2019 pre-pandemic high of USD 306.5 billion (JPY 40.3 trillion), and by end of year the sector could represent 6.8% of the total economy.
    Despite the effects of the pandemic spanning into 2023 in Japan, WTTC is forecasting for the sector to create around 470,000 jobs this year, to reach nearly 5.6 million. This means around one in twelve workers in Japan, are directly or indirectly employed in the Travel & Tourism sector.
    While the sector is still shy of 300,000 jobs to reach pre-pandemic levels, by the end of this year it will only be 5.2% below 2019 levels.
    International visitor spend in Japan is forecast to surge by 553.4% this year to reach USD 16.8 billion (JPY 2.2 trillion), still 57.6% below the 2019 peak.ADVERTISEMENTA look back on last year
    Last year the sector’s GDP contribution grew by 50.5% to reach more than USD 257 billion (JPY 33.9 trillion), representing 6.2% of the economy.
    The sector saw jobs increase in 2022, from the previous year, to nearly 5.1 million jobs nationally – one in 13 jobs across Japan.
    International visitor spend in Japan declined in 2022 as the effects of prolonged travel restrictions continued to have a chokehold on the sector. International visitor spend declined a by more than 31%, remaining 93.5% below 2019 levels.
    Domestic visitor spend grew by 61.6% last year, virtually returning to 2019 levels, only 0.2% behind.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism is an important driver of economic growth and job creation to Japan. We predict a significant boost to the global Travel & Tourism sector as residents begin to travel once again.
    “The economic ripple effect of this sector is awe-inspiring. It stimulates job creation, from tour guides and hotel staff to local artisans and transportation providers.
    “International travel will be essential to achieve the long-awaited recovery. We must nurture and support this sector, finding innovative ways to attract visitors and ensure their comfort. By doing so, we not only boost our economy but also support livelihoods and local communities.”
    Hiroyuki Takahashi, JTB Corp. Chairperson of the Board, said: “As the global demand to visit Japan is extremely high and growing, we, JTB Corp., are working together with the public and private sectors and developing new tourism attractions to expand the capacity in rural areas.
    “Adventure tourism would be the innovative driver to address to these demands and challenges. “With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and unforgettable experiences, we envision a future where Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector thrives.”
    Isao Takashiro, JAT Chairman and CEO, said: “Thanks to the government’s efforts and a resurgence in travel demand, our domestic terminal passengers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. This remarkable recovery showcases the resilience of our sector.
    “Haneda Airport’s international terminal is on track to surpass 18 million passengers by the end of this year, despite challenges faced. With increased slots and capacity, and anticipated growth in inbound demand, we project exceeding 25 million passengers by 2025.”
    “As an essential gateway to Japan, we remain committed to enhancing the passenger’s experience, with new international flight facilities and attractive commercial amenities.”
    In 2022, the top source markets for international visitors to Japan were South Korea (24%), mainland China (10%), Taiwan, China (10%), U.S. (8%) and Hong Kong, China (7%).
    What does the next decade look like?
    The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to USD 353.4 billion (JPY 46.5 trillion) by 2033, nearly 8% of the Japanese economy, and will employ 6.7 million people across the country, with one in ten Japanese residents working in the sector.
    Asia-Pacific
    In 2022, the Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism sector contributed USD 1.6 trillion to the regional economy, but this is still 50% behind the 2019 peak. WTTC forecasts the region’s GDP contribution from the sector will reach more than USD 2.6 trillion in 2023 – just 16% below the 2019 highpoint.
    The sector employed over 155 million people across the region in 2022, an increase of 8.7 million from the previous year but still 15% behind pre-pandemic levels. WTTC forecasts the sector will fully recover the jobs lost during the pandemic by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
    For more information, please visit wttc.org

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