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    Visit Malta announced as Official Headline Sponsors of The Travel United Cup 2023!

    Visit Malta has been announced as the official headline sponsors of The Travel United Cup 2023.
    The tournament will give attendees exclusive access to the home of English football, St. George’s Park, which is generally closed to the public – whilst also giving attendees the opportunity to experience playing on the iconic David Beckham Pitch and some down-time in the Club England Suite. The event, which will help raise money for Just a Drop and the Street Soccer Foundation, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will unite the travel industry through football.Visit Malta’s sponsorship of The Travel United Cup 2023 demonstrates their commitment to using travel as a force for good whilst also supporting the travel industry in coming together for a unique and exciting event.Tolene van der Merwe, Director UK & Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority said “We are thrilled to confirm our headline sponsorship of the inaugural Travel United Cup with Just a Drop and the Street Soccer Foundation. Visit Malta has a strong affiliation with football through our ongoing sponsorship of Manchester United and we are looking forward to our trade partners and agents getting their teams together to be crowned the first Travel United Cup champions. Travel agents have been a vital support to the recovery of Malta in this post-pandemic world and we are always keen to support trade focused events and initiatives. Not only will this be the battle for the best in the travel industry, but it will also be supporting the vital work of two incredible charities who are changing lives across the world, we look forward to watching the winning team lift the trophy on 7th July.”.Just a Drop, an international water charity in the travel industry, invites professionals from the industry to join The Travel United Cup 2023, to be held on Friday, 7th July 2023. The event is held in partnership with the Street Soccer Foundation.The Street Soccer Foundation is an award-winning sport-for-change charity operating throughout England using football as a catalyst to help educate, up-skill and inspire disadvantaged children and vulnerable and homeless young people in communities nationwide.Andrew Mabbutt, the force behind this event, says, “I am thrilled that Visit Malta have chosen to be the inaugural headline sponsor for this amazing event. We have planned a fantastic day for the travel industry to enjoy a football experience whilst at the same time contributing to making a huge positive difference to people’s lives. The power of football! The power of the travel industry!”.The event will see 16 teams from across the industry battle it out for the title of Travel United Cup Champions. Places are selling fast, with some great brands including EasyJet Holidays and Audley Travel already registered.To enter the tournament, you will need to a team of 7-10 people and sign up through Just a Drop’s website here: https://www.justadrop.org/Event/the-travel-united-cup-2023 or by emailing Ruth Mileham, [email protected]

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    ITA Airways takes delivery of its first A330neo

    ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, has taken delivery of its first A330-900, on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (NYSE: AL), during a ceremony held in Toulouse. The A330neo will join the ITA Airways fleet in June to serve its long-haul routes and new intercontinental destinations.
    The A330neo is the latest-generation aircraft type from Airbus to join the ITA Airways’ fleet. The airline already operates all Airbus aircraft Families with a fleet of 68 Airbus aircraft (4 A220s, 50 A320 Family, 8 A330-200s and 6 A350-900s). By selecting A330neos, ITA Airways is further consolidating its strategy of being an all Airbus operator and leveraging new levels of efficiency and flexibility.
    With the introduction of the latest generation eco-efficient A330neo, ITA Airways continues its fleet modernisation to meet its ambitious sustainability targets. To further support this ambition the delivery flight will be powered by a 16% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
    The A330neo delivers unbeatable operating economics and boasts an award-winning Airspace cabin with more passenger space, a new lighting system, the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity throughout the cabin.
    ITA Airways’s A330neo named Gelindo Bordin, to commemorate the Italian Olympic marathon champion, will feature a three-class cabin layout designed by renowned designer Walter De Silva. It’ll feature 30 full lie-flat bed business class seats, 24 premium and 237 latest generation economy class seats of which, 36 are dedicated to comfort economy. All seats will be equipped with on demand video and audio content as well as full WiFi connectivity and highly customisable mood lighting throughout the cabin.ADVERTISEMENTThe A330neo is the new-generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The A330-900 is capable of flying 7,200 nm / 13,334 km non-stop.
    At the end of April, the A330 Family had registered a total of over 1 775 firm orders of which 289 are A330neos from 25 customers. To date, 100 A330neos have been delivered globally.
    @Airbus @ITAAirways #A330neo

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    Hanoi moves to optimise golf tourism potential

    Hanoi is believed to hold rich potential for golf tourism, and it is taking various measures to tackle challenges and turn this type of tourism into its signature travel products.The capital city is currently home to five golf courses and about 10 golf training sites. The system of accommodation facilities is relatively diverse and professional, including modern four- and five-star hotels of such brands as JW Marriot, Sheraton, and Metropole, according to the municipal Tourism Department.
    Deputy Director of the Tourism Department Nguyen Hong Minh said golf tourism is one of highly potential luxury tourism products of Vietnam, including Hanoi, helping attract the travellers who are ready to spend big, particularly international ones.
    Surveys show that local golf courses are all large, professional, and up to international standard with diverse and beautiful landscapes. Many have attracted players from nationwide, he noted, adding that this is an advantage of Hanoi.
    Sharing the view, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Golf Association Pham Thanh Tri said golf tourism is helping increase travel earnings for the country in general and Hanoi in particular, especially from visitors from such key markets as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, the US, and Europe.
    At recent workshops and discussions, experts pointed out that the modest number of golf courses and high expenses have made Hanoi not charming enough in the eyes of domestic golf tourists. Meanwhile, most of the courses are still operating independently and lack connectivity with one another or travel companies. A shortage of high-quality manpower with golf knowledge is also a hindrance to the courses’ operations, the Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) daily reported.ADVERTISEMENT
    Tri perceived that it is necessary to have a specific business mechanism for golf tourism of Vietnam, including Hanoi, to compete with regional rivals. Golf course operators should also enhance connectivity to organise more national and international events to attract visitors.
    Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi branch of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents, said more quality experience and entertainment activities connected with golf need to be created so that travellers can not only play the sport but also have chances to explore the city and spend on other services.
    He also pointed out the need for golf courses to partner with travel firms to develop attractive and diverse tourism products.
    During his visit to Vietnam in 2022, President of the World Travel Awards Graham Cooke suggested Hanoi develop infrastructure serving international professional golf tournaments which should also be held near international-standard accommodation establishments as well as famous tourist sites.
    Dang Huong Giang, Director of the municipal Tourism Department, said golf tourism will be one of the important tourism products of Hanoi in the time ahead, adding her department will work with other parties to step up golf tourism promotion and host reputable golf tournaments to draw more travellers, especially international ones, to the city
    Source: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/

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    Discover Qatar Unveils the Ultra-Exclusive F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package More

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    Discover Qatar Unveils the Ultra-Exclusive F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package

    Discover Qatar is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated Formula 1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package, offering motorsport enthusiasts a unique opportunity to be in the midst of the most prestigious racing event, the Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023, taking place in Doha between 6 – 8 October 2023. Adding allure to this premium package, car enthusiasts will enjoy complementary entry into the first Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar.
    Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “At Discover Qatar, we are dedicated to continuing our legacy in providing world-class packages to our travellers and ensuring exceptional experiences in Doha. The latest F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package offers motorsport enthusiasts three days of thrills and luxury with meet-and-greet opportunities, Paddock Club™ access, and entry into the prestigious Geneva International Motor Show 2023. We have curated this spectacle to be one fans will never forget, maintaining our excellence when it comes to large-scale global events.”

    Discover Qatar’s F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package grants fans exclusive privileges to the most sought-after areas of the race circuit to witness the intense action from prime viewing locations, in addition to access to the team garages, pit lane, and the start and finish line. Fans will also receive an invite to a meet-and-greet lunch with F1® Drivers or Legends.
    ADVERTISEMENTWith access to the Formula 1 Paddock Club™, enthusiasts can enjoy pit lane walks, fan zones, guided track tours, and dedicated Paddock Club™ parking. For those eager to immerse themselves in the electric atmosphere of the grandstand, complementary seating will be provided.

    Automotive enthusiasts looking to be a part of the exhilarating and luxurious weekend can secure their F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package with a starting price of QAR 26,795. With limited ticket availability, bookings can be completed on www.discoverqatar.qa/F1.

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    Emirates relaunches the Skywards Everyday app

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    Emirates relaunches the Skywards Everyday app

    Emirates is taking its loyalty program experience to new heights with the relaunch of Skywards Everyday – an app that enables members to earn Skywards Miles all day, every day across dining, high street and luxury shopping, entertainment, beauty and wellness, groceries, and services.Start racking up Miles easily with Skywards Everyday and unlock rewards faster, such as Cash+Miles on flights, hotel stays, duty free shopping and money-can’t-buy-experiences.
    Three simple steps: Download, link and earn
    To start earning Miles, simply download the Skywards Everyday app from iOS App Store or Google Play Store and log-in using Emirates Skywards details.
    Link up to five Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards* in the app.
    Earn Miles every time you pay with any linked payment card at over 200 Skywards Everyday partners in the UAE. Members earn 1 Mile for every AED 3 spent on high street shopping, leisure and entertainment, luxury shopping, beauty and wellness, services, and dining; and 1 Mile for every AED 5 spent on groceries and pharmacy. ADVERTISEMENTMembers who live outside the UAE can also download Skywards Everyday and earn Miles when they visit the country.
    Hundreds of partners across the UAE
    Members will be spoilt for choice with over 200 partners across the UAE. Explore, earn and get closer to your next reward. Participating brands include –
    ·  Shop till you drop: Dhamani 1969, Mont Blanc, TAG Heuer, Vilebrequin, Springfield, Bait Al Kandora, Borders, Natuzzi.
    ·  Dining and earn: CE LA VI, Café Bateel, Costa Coffee, Arabica, Tresind Dubai, Folly by Nick and Scott.
    ·  Entertainment for all:  Bounce, City Sightseeing, Padelae, The Arena Games, Dubai Dolphinarium.
    ·  Errands for the week: Al Maya, Champion Cleaners, Pet Corner, Saeedi Pro.
    ·  Stay healthy and earn: Barry’s Boot Camp, Bin Sina Pharmacy, Seven, BR Performance Studios, Holland and Barrett.
    ·  Indulge and relax: Belle Femme, Beauty Connection, Jacques Le Coupe Salons, Anantara Spa, Chaps and Co.

    Members can earn even more Miles with every purchase made when using their Emirates Skywards credit card. Stay tuned for more fantastic opportunities to earn bonus Miles with Visa while shopping at any participating brands in the next few weeks.
    Emirates Skywards has more than 30 million members worldwide. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets on partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, tickets, hospitality at sporting and cultural events, tours and money-can’t-buy experiences.
    For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards.
    * Applies to all Visa card holders issued in worldwide; and MasterCard cardholders issued in the UAE, UK, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Qatar, Australia, Canada, Denmark and USA.
    *Terms and conditions apply

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    Jamaica’s S Hotel and Spanish Court Hotel Recognized as Tripadvisor®  Winners

    S Hotel Jamaica, the all-inclusive boutique hotel in Montego Bay, and sister property Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, have been recognized as Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2023 award winners. Celebrating businesses that have consistently received great reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, these winners are among the top 10% of all global listings. S Hotel Jamaica, listed in the Best of the Best among the top 25 All-Inclusive Hotels in the Caribbean, which is presented annually to those businesses that consistently earn excellent reviews and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
    “The Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award is tremendous for not only S Hotel and our sister property Spanish Court but also for Jamaica,” said Ann Marie Goffe-Pryce, General Manager of S Hotel Jamaica. “We are also thrilled that S Hotel received the Best of the Best recognition and was included among the top 25 all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean, especially after our recent shift to an all-inclusive property. While the hotels ranking among the top percentile is a testament to our warm hospitality, we share this award with our guests — we wouldn’t have won without their rave reviews and repeatedly sharing their wonderful experiences.”
    “Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winners,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Earning a Travelers’ Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!”
    S Hotel Jamaica welcomes ages 16 and over and offers an array of culinary options, wellness amenities, guest experiences and local excursions, and the 125-room Spanish Court Hotel in Jamaica’s culture capital, features the popular Rojo Restaurant highlighting a variety of Jamaican and international cuisine, The Sky Terrace and Bar with stunning views of the city, and more. Continually adding various offerings to successfully differentiate the properties in this very competitive market and creating a truly memorable experience for their guests is why S Hotel and Spanish Court Hotel are favorites among travelers.

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    A4A Predicts Record Number of Passengers Traveling This Summer

    A4A projects U.S. airlines to carry an all-time high 257 million passengers from June 1-August 31, 2023. Despite having to trim schedules, U.S. airlines will be able to accommodate demand by using larger aircraft. In fact, year over year, U.S. airlines are adding 297,000 seats per day to accommodate 243,000 more passengers per day.
    “U.S. airlines have been hiring aggressively for positions across the industry. We now have the most workers we’ve had in 20 years. Airlines also are reducing their flight schedules to accommodate current realities, including the FAA’s air traffic controller staffing shortages,” said Nicholas E. Calio, A4A President and CEO. “It has been said time and time again that the U.S. is the gold standard for aviation safety. We take pride in that, and we work hard at that every single day. It takes collaboration throughout the National Airspace System to maintain that safety record. Simply put, safety is—and always will be—our top priority.”
    A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich presented a summer outlook, followed by a panel discussion between A4A Senior Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Policy Sharon Pinkerton, former NATCA president Paul Rinaldi and TSA Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Alexa Lopez. The panel was moderated by CQ Roll Call congressional reporter Valerie Yurk.
    “Airlines are doing everything they can to prepare for this peak season,” said Heimlich. “Roughly 487,000 full-time equivalent workers at U.S passenger airlines. That number is definitely above the pre-pandemic level. It is also the highest number since October 2001.”
    “We want this summer to be a summer in which we are achieving our best operational reliability. It’s in our interest to make sure that our customers are treated right and have a good experience because we compete for their repeat business. I think we’ve gone above and beyond to make sure we are ready for the summer demand,” said Pinkerton. “I don’t necessarily think pulling down flights is a sustainable approach for the long term.”ADVERTISEMENT“As we look at FAA reauthorization, we don’t want another five years of being stagnant or losing ground. We want to be bold. We need to understand what’s going on with our aviation system,” said Rinaldi.  “As you hear, the airlines are cutting back their flights. We should be growing aviation in this country—it’s such an economic engine—we shouldn’t be reducing aviation.”
    “TSA is definitely prepared,” said Lopez. “Last weekend, we hit a record, screening the highest number of passengers screened since the beginning of the pandemic, and we expect this summer to be our busiest. Our staffing levels are much better thanks to finally securing better pay for all TSA employees.”

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    BOOKING.COM AND DISNEY INVITE TRAVELERS TO BE “PART OF THEIR WORLD” THIS SUMMER

    In celebration of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, in theaters May 26, Booking.com and Disney have teamed up to kick off the summer travel season with a campaign that’s sure to make a splash!Booking.com, along with spokesperson Melissa McCarthy – who plays the iconic Ursula – is offering The Little Mermaid travel inspiration to help you discover your next adventurous getaway. The global campaign will run in the U.S., U.K, France, Germany and Australia, and highlights the amazing travel experiences and wide range of properties – from hotels to vacation rentals and everything in between – available on Booking.com for families around the world to enjoy, including once-in-a-lifetime “Under the Sea” themed stays for lucky travelers. These seaworthy stays will become bookable on June 7, and will give three pairs of lucky fans from anywhere in the world the chance to immerse themselves in a travel experience fully inspired by The Little Mermaid.
    The three limited-edition overnight stays will take place at a Booking.com beach house in Malibu that has been completely transformed for a true “Under the Sea” experience. Guests will enjoy a mermaid-inspired stay – from exploring Insta-worthy rooms with decor centered around iconic characters including Ariel, Ursula, King Triton and Prince Eric, to a private dinner in the home with a personal chef, and of course, a screening of The Little Mermaid at a nearby theater. Three separate overnight stays will become bookable on June 7 at noon ET, and will take place on June 9, 10 and 11. Each experience will include flights and airport transfers available on Booking.com, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5.26, in honor of the day the new film will dive into theaters.
    Much like travel itself, The Little Mermaid is all about exploring the world and expanding horizons, with this unique experience developed for travelers looking to book somewhere new and truly magical this summer. The lucky travelers who book this incredible stay inspired by the film certainly won’t be ‘poor unfortunate souls,’ as they sing along in theaters as part of this exclusive experience. Booking.com’s #1 Travel Fan Melissa McCarthy even said “if someone told me I could stay in a Malibu beach house inspired by The Little Mermaid, I would pack my bags and move in tomorrow.”

    With the summer travel season around the corner, the campaign will also showcase the vast selection of property offerings on Booking.com inspired by The Little Mermaid – from dreamy beach bungalows and a variety of beachfront vacation rentals to family-friendly seaside resorts and everything in between. Additional properties that can be booked throughout the year on Booking.com that will give travelers “under the sea” vibes include Atlantis, The Palm (Dubai, UAE), Beach Plum Resort (Montauk, NY, U.S.), Château d’Esparron (Esparron-de-Verdon, France), Fanad Lighthouse (Letterkenny, Ireland), Lighthouse on La Palma Island (Barlovento, Spain), Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel (Kirkcolm, UK), Aleria Luxury Cave Santorini (Santorini, Greece).ADVERTISEMENTThe campaign kicked off with Booking.com at the film’s red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles on May 8, and on May 15, the global travel leader launched a co-branded spot to run across TV and digital channels in five markets across the globe. Social content inspired by The Little Mermaid will also run across all Booking.com channels celebrating the bookable consumer stays and the summer travel season.
    “Booking.com is committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world, which is why this collaboration with Disney was a perfect fit,” says Arjan Dijk, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com. “Collaborating with Disney to celebrate the iconic film, The Little Mermaid, and making the premise of exploring the world from the film a reality through bookable travel experiences – from beach homes and family-friendly hotels to lighthouses, boats and castles – is something we’re excited to share with Disney fans and travelers alike looking for a little magic and inspiration this summer season.”
    “Disney’s The Little Mermaid kicks off the summer by taking global audiences under the sea for a stunning cinematic event only in theaters, May 26th. We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Booking.com and bring this film to life for fans through unique and fun travel experiences,” says Lylle Breier, SVP Global Marketing Partnerships, Promotions, Synergy & Special Events.

    Booking.com research reveals that 73% of Americans plan to travel this summer with beach vacations being one of the top trip types. Main motivations for Americans to travel this summer include taking time to relax and mentally unwind for a true mood booster, while visiting and exploring somewhere new. This unique initiative celebrates the incredible diversity of travel experiences offered on Booking.com and is an example of just one of the many unforgettable stays customers can enjoy at one of the more than 6.6 million instantly bookable reported listings in vacation homes, apartments and other unique places to stay on the platform. From vacation rentals to hotels, as well as a range of transportation options including rental cars and flights, Booking.com has travelers covered wherever their “Somewhere, Anywhere” is this summer.

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