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    The capital of the Middle of the World offers a variety of attractions and experiences for children

    The museums in Quito have a lot to offer, combining learning with fun activities. For example, at the Interactive Science Museum (MIC), located in the traditional Chimbacalle neighbourhood, kids can learn about everything from the life of insects to the laws of physics. There’s also Yaku Park Water Museum in the El Placer neighbourhood, where exhibitions and educational programmes create a space to reflect on the relationship between human beings and water. Other museums with activities for the smallest members of the family are the Alberto Mena Caamaño wax museum, the City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) or the Intiñán Museum.
    Wildlife is always an attraction for children, therefore, the Guayllabamba Zoo, a shelter for wild animals and rescue centre for diverse non-domesticated species; or the Vivarium, the home of around 350 amphibians and reptiles, are ideal for learning about the importance of these living beings and the commitment we have in order to look after their habitat.

    Experiences such as Quito Tour Bus route; the traditional games of La Ronda; chocolate making in museums, workshops and cocoa galleries; energy experiments in Mitad del Mundo; climbing to the heights in the TelefériQo cable car; or travelling through space at the Mundo Juvenil and Ciudad Mitad del Mundo planetariums, are ideal for letting your imagination run wild.The open spaces are also a good option when planning an outing with children. For example, Cerro La Luz in Puéllaro, the camping areas in Pululahua or Ilaló, visits to Antisana or Chocó Andino. The Piragua waterfall in Nanegal is another option, or the chain of metropolitan parks, together with a wide variety of estates, country houses and hotels which offer activities and meals for the family.
    And when eating, the cuisine from Quito has an ample range of sweets which captivate the palates of all ages: almond sweets, meringue, fruit ice cream and other delicacies are some of the desserts that you can enjoy in Quito.ADVERTISEMENTVisit these magical places in the capital of the Middle of the World and relive childhood adventures, whilst you discover why your story begins in Quito.
    For more detail visit https://visitquito.ec/

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    Lights, Camera, Adventure: Set-Jetters Boost Bookings For Frontier Canada

    Proving the power of the set-jetting trend, tailor-made tour operator Frontier Canada is seeing a serious rebound in travel to Canada. With the country’s larger-than-life landscapes bursting onto our screens in two critically acclaimed TV series, including the BBC’s Race Across The World and HBO’s The Last of Us, the UK’s passion for travel to the Great White North appears to have been well and truly ignited.
    And, there will soon be even more to look forward to, as the second series of The Last of Us is set to be filmed in British Columbia. Canada is also gracing the covers of top-tier publications, with British Vogue including Canada in its top 10 list of Trending Travel Destinations To Explore This Year and TIME magazine highlighting Churchill, Manitoba, as one of the World’s Greatest Places in its third annual roundup.
    ​Jeremy Timms, Managing Director of Frontier Canada, comments, “Last summer was our busiest yet for at least a decade. Once the country’s borders opened in October 2021, there was a dramatic surge in bookings. This summer is proving to be just as busy, and the cost-of-living crisis clearly hasn’t affected the demand for holidays to Canada. The provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are performing particularly well, and Canada has certainly benefited from the set-jet craze, with the BBC’s Race Across The World and HBO’s The Last of Us inspiring many of us to take a trip to the Great White North.”
    ​A likely contender for TV show of the year and filmed primarily in Alberta, The Last of Us took the UK by storm, with the finale of the nine-part series watched by over 3.1 million Sky UK viewers—Sky’s biggest finale audience ever for a US debut series. The largest film production in Alberta’s history and one of the biggest in Canada, season one featured 180 locations, from Grande Prairie to Waterton Lakes National Park. Stampede City made several appearances, with notable places like Inglewood (Calgary’s oldest and one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods), the Heritage Park Historical Village (Canada’s largest living history museum) and the Calgary Zoo all making the final cut. The 10-night Hidden Treasures BC & Alberta fly-drive starts and ends in Calgary, with time spent in Waterton and Canmore—most of the filming taking place in the small mountain town. Where the Alberta prairies meet the majestic Canadian Rockies, Waterton Lake National Park (see the wilderness scenes in episode eight) borders Montana’s Glacier National Park and is renowned for its hiking and wildlife viewing. It is also the only spot in Alberta where you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an international peace park, a dark sky preserve, and a biosphere reserve all rolled into one. A favourite of the lead actors (Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) and a jumping off point for adventure including hiking, biking, and even golf, Canmore has its own Banff-esque Quarry Lake, the iconic Ha Ling Peak, and Mt. Rundle towering above it. British Columbia’s Fernie, Panorama, and Kicking Horse resorts also feature on the itinerary before crossing back over into Alberta to explore Banff. From £1,950pp (two sharing), including accommodation, car hire, and return flights. Frontier Canada is also able to create tailor-made fly-drives for die-hard fans of The Last of Us: the capital city of Edmonton and the smaller suburbs of Fort MacLeod and Bragg Creek, other locations from the hit series.
    ADVERTISEMENT​British Vogue’s list of the top 10 trending travel destinations to visit in 2023 featured Canada. The publication touted the country’s abundance of national parks, wildlife, and energetic cities and highlighted several provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia. The 10-night Stunning fly-drive Circle Best of British Columbia & the Rockies starts and ends in Vancouver and includes two nights in Banff (episode three’s checkpoint) and the chance to take in the stunning coastal scenery and mountain splendour of the Sea-To-Sky Highway, both the national park and the legendary roadway, which runs from Vancouver to Whistler, mentioned in Vogue. The itinerary also includes stops in Whistler, Jasper, and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, one of BC’s many celebrated wine regions. From £1,995pp (two sharing) including accommodation, car hire and return flights.

    TIME magazine listed Churchill, Manitoba—episode four’s checkpoint—as one of the world’s greatest places to visit in 2023. From July to November, around a thousand polar bears migrate to Churchill, earning it the nickname of the “Polar Bear Capital Of The World.” Located at Polar Bear Point, home to the largest concentration of polar bears in this part of Canada, the Tundra Buggy Lodge offers 24/7 wildlife viewing and the chance to sleep alongside the bears themselves. Lucky travellers might even catch sight of the Northern Lights – visible here for 300 days of the year. Five night Polar Bears in Churchill Enthusiast from £5,889pp (two sharing), including Air Canada flights, 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill and 2 full days on the Tundra Buggy.

    ​In episode five, the teams headed from Manitoba to Ontario and made a roughly 1,864-mile journey to Lake Huron and Manitoulin Island—the heart of the Great Lakes (the Great Lakes holding 20% of the world’s freshwater) and the largest island in a freshwater lake on the planet. Canoeing, fishing and beachcombing are on offer, and home to one of Canada’s top hikes, the family-friendly Cup and Saucer Trail (part of the Niagara Escarpment, with 70-metre cliffs, over 2 km long) leads to Manitoulin’s highest point. The route features four lookout points, including the east lookout, a rock ledge with a panoramic view of the millions of trees that cover the island. Home to six Anishinaabe First Nations, the island’s Indigenous guides make the adventures here truly authentic. Starting in Toronto and ending at Niagara Falls, the 13-night Lakeside Adventures in Ontario fly-drive includes a stay on Manitoulin Island and stops in the Killarney and Algonquin provincial parks. From £2,595pp (two sharing) including accommodation, car hire and return flights.
    ​Canada’s first zero-emission hydrogen-powered train (only emitting water vapor) is set to launch this June in Québec. The Train de Charlevoix, will run from the Québec City (episode six) Terminal at Chute-Montmorency through to Baie-St-Paul—known for its mountains and art galleries—between June 17 and October 22, 2023. Throughout the summer an eco-agrotourism guided tour will be available in Baie-Saint-Paul, with stops at local sustainable breweries. Seven-night Quebec City Break | A Whale’s Tail and Two Cities from £1,440pp (two sharing) including accommodation, transfers, day tour to Tadoussac and return flights.
    ​A new activity, cage diving with great white sharks, will be available at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, from August 01—episode seven’s checkpoint. Described as “the ultimate life experience and adventure,” the excursions will include the opportunity to search for sharks while learning from experts and contributing to research. Starting and ending in Halifax, an eight-night tailor-made Nova Scotia fly-drive includes stops in Kejimkujik National Park and Cape Breton, and a night at White Point Beach Resort near Liverpool from £2,000pp (two sharing), including all accommodation , car hire, and return flights.
    ​Frontier Canada (020 8776 8709; [email protected]; Frontier-Canada.co.uk).

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    New NEOM Head of Tourism revealed

    NEOM has a new head of tourism. Niall Gibbons has joined the US$500bn project from Tourism Ireland and fills a role that has been empty for over two years, last filled by Andrew McEvoy, who has since returned to Australia.Gibbons takes on one of the most high-profile positions in the company, leading the giga-roject’s tourism vision, which spans developments such as Sindalah and The Line.
    NEOM is expected to help turn tourism into one of KSA’s top economic drivers.
    With a career spanning more than 35 years, Gibbons has been spent the entire time in his native Ireland.
    His most recent role was CEO of Tourism Ireland, a position he held for 14 years. From 2002 to 2009, he was the company’s director of corporate services.
    He announced his departure from Tourism Ireland in January 2023, saying: “I want to thank everyone for all the support I have received over the last 21 years. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the next few months before I depart. I wish the staff of Tourism Ireland and the tourism industry well in 2023 and beyond.”ADVERTISEMENTHe is also an honorary fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute
    Source: Hotelier Middle East

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    Sandals Resorts Celebrates One Year Milestone of Future Goals Program with Month-Long Celebration

    Future Goals, a landmark partnership program between Sandals Resorts International (SRI) and AFC Ajax that turns fishing nets sourced from the ocean and recycled plastic waste into soccer goals for children, celebrates its first anniversary this month. Founded to expand opportunity to Caribbean children through the power of youth sports, the program which began in Curaçao with the debut of Sandals Royal Curaçao one year ago, announces milestone achievements and events marking the occasion.
    According to Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, SRI’s on-the-ground philanthropic arm, the Future Goals program has been a resounding success, providing goals for play, while removing plastic waste, training new coaches and most importantly, making a difference in the lives of local children.
    Working with innovative local Curaçaon plastic recycling company Limpi, Future Goals has created 40 football goals since its launch last year; each made from recycled plastic bottles and caps, of which more than 600,000 have been collected through recycling efforts of residents as well as clean-up drives at beaches and in communities. In addition, 160 square meters of ghost fishing nets – nets that have been lost or abandoned in the ocean – were retrieved from the Caribbean Sea and used to make the goals with enough material leftover to make 300 nets for the transport of soccer balls (footballs) provided by partner adidas. Overall, Future Goals programming was available at 29 classes, impacting more than 750 students island wide.
    “We are incredibly proud of this partnership with AFC Ajax for their commitment to Future Goals that has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Caribbean children,” said Clarke. “Over the course of this outstanding first year, we have watched young peoples’ love for the game of football be the catalyst that pushes them to learn important life skills such as teamwork, goal setting and resilience while empowering them to become stewards of the environment.  We are grateful for all that they have achieved and look forward to an even brighter future and the opportunity to expand programming through Future Goals to others.”
    “It’s a special moment for us here at Sandals Royal Curacao, as we not only celebrate the resort’s first anniversary but our continued commitment to the region. Although Sandals was new to Curaçao when we began our partnership with AFC Ajax, we were not new to the Caribbean, and have long understood the power of youth sports to lift kids up and teach them important life skills. We are so grateful to the team for their commitment to this community and to our new home, Curaçao. We are part of something wonderful here and I know, together, we will continue to make a difference for children and this beautiful country,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of SRI.ADVERTISEMENTCelebrations kicked off yesterday when legendary AFC AJAX players including Ronald de Boer, Richard Witschge, Rob Witschge, Ricardo van Rhijn, Henk Timmer, Jari Litmanen and Nordin Wooter joined Sandals Resorts International CEO Gebhard Rainer and other SRI team members at Sandals Royal Curaçao to commemorate the extraordinary year.
    On June 3, kids participating in Future Goals are invited to take part in The Legends Football Tournament, the annual event sponsored by The Curaçao Tourist Board, where this year, well-known former soccer players from AFC Ajax, Brazil, Colombia, and Curaçao come together for fun and friendly play. During the final match’s halftime show, local kids will participate in a crossbar challenge using the up-cycled goals from the Future Goals program. The event takes place at the Curaçao Airport Venue, in a specially built stadium with an artificial turf field.
    Fishing nets lost at sea, also known as ghost nets, make up nearly half of the world’s ‘plastic soup’ – a term for the accumulation of waste, including plastic, that ends up in the ocean. Helping to address that in Curaçao was an important impetus behind Future Goals and why on June 8, World Oceans Day – designated by the UN to raise awareness about protecting our oceans, Sandals Resorts International will donate $100 on guests’ behalf to the Sandals Foundation for every reservation made at any of the company’s resorts throughout the Caribbean on this commemorative day.
    Celebrations culminate when Future Goals will host its first “Trophy Event” for participants of the program at SDK Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao, the island’s largest stadium, with a capacity of 10,000 spectators. June 20 Nearly 700 kids are expected at the event – which gives them the chance to vie for earned recycled plastic coins through a series of “sports stations” activities that reflect the core principles of the Future Goals program and are based on AFC Ajax values on the field including cooperation, respect, discipline and fun.  Children will also have the chance to earn extra points for their teams by demonstrating the success of their recently concluded Plastic Challenge, a central part of the Future Goals sustainability curriculum that teaches how to repurpose waste plastic and ways to influence peers and the community. All kids also earn a repurposed plastic medal of participation and the school with the most coins will take home an impressive trophy made of recycled plastic.
    Since its inception in 1981, Sandals Resorts has taken an unparalleled approach to supporting the communities where it operates. Through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, the luxury all-inclusive resort company began its work in Curaçao – its seventh and newest destination in the Caribbean, ahead of the 2022 debut of Sandals Royal Curaçao, SRI’s first hotel in the country.

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    Royal Commission for AlUla announces contractor

    RCU CEO Amr AlMadani and Bouygues Construction Deputy CEO Pierre-Eric Saint-André
    The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has begun construction of its Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.The project will be built directly into the mountains of Sharaan Nature Reserve and aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals for the construction phase and resort operations.In a ceremony at Sharaan Nature Reserve, RCU signed an agreement with Bouygues Construction, a French engineering group, which will manage construction of the resort through a joint venture with Almabani, a leading Saudi engineering firm. Bouygues Construction brings a unique combination of experience in tunneling and construction of ultra-luxury hotels, both required for this complex development.
    RCU’s Development and Construction sector is spearheading this project with consultation from Canadian firm WSP and with program management support from Jasara, a Saudi firm. Together they will deliver the masterful vision which will immerse guests in the natural and cultural heritage of Sharaan Nature Reserve.
    Just as the Nabataean civilisation carved structures into nearby sandstone more than 2,000 years ago, Sharaan resort will carve a new chapter in stone for AlUla’s living museum while preserving the natural scenery and native flora and fauna at the heart of RCU’s vision for Sharaan. RCU consulted with the world’s top experts in mining and excavation to engineer solutions in line with the architectural vision.
    Built into a mountain dating back 500 million years, the Sharaan resort will offer a memorable and timeless experience with 38 suites, a spa and wellness center, kids club, sport centre, all-day dining restaurant and business centre. In addition, a signature fine-dining restaurant will sit atop the mountain with panoramic views of Sharaan. A unique glass elevator will connect the resort with a geologic and artistic experience, offering views of ancient sedimentary layers and niches filled with art and engravings.
    ADVERTISEMENTInside an adjacent mountain, the Sharaan International Summit Centre will host events and leaders from around the world. With a completely secure and private environment, its design will enable chance encounters and private interaction for guests with shared leisure activities in an informal setting. Facilities will include an auditorium, meeting rooms, majlis (sitting room), library, and a sport and leisure area.
    The Summit Centre will also have 13 total hospitality pavilions and two private villas will be constructed nearby, completing the project with 53 total hospitality keys.
    Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, the Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre is designed in harmony with its natural environment. Discreet studies of the site have informed the design of passive strategies and natural geological heat transfer to efficiently cool the property in summer and provide warmth in the winter. The project also aims for zero wastewater by using potable water only when needed and by recycling all treatable wastewater for irrigation and other purposes.
    Mohammed Altheeb, RCU Chief Development and Construction Officer, said: “Sharaan resort is our most ambitious project currently under construction. The resort was designed with complete reverence for the human and natural history of AlUla, and we are committed to sustainable building practices in line with this same philosophy. RCU and its partners are excited to unveil a new chapter in the story of these ancient mountains, where guests will experience the wonders of Sharaan Nature Reserve.”
    Pierre-Eric Saint-André, Deputy CEO of Bouygues Construction, said: “We are grateful to be part of the ambitious cultural and tourism project of AlUla, and in particular to have been chosen by the Royal Commission of AlUla with our partner Almabani to build the iconic Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre. The bold vision of Jean Nouvel’s architectural firm – with whom we have already had the opportunity to work on the Paris Philharmonic Center for example – is a great source of inspiration for us, since the technical prowess it requires are absolutely unique and incredibly stimulating. We are confident that we will be able to bring our passion for challenges and our state-of-the-art expertise acquired over 70 years on all continents to ensure that this great project becomes an iconic reference in terms of exclusive tourist experience, respect for the environment and harmonious integration within grandiose landscapes.”

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    JetBlue to Launch First Ever Nonstop Service from Los Angeles to Nassau, Bahamas

    The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) welcomes the announcement by JetBlue to launch its first-ever nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Nassau.
    The new service connecting the United States West Coast to the Islands of The Bahamas will debut on 4 November, with a once- weekly Saturday flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nassau’s Sir Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS).
    “Over the past nine months, the Ministry has been in constant dialogue with key international aviation stakeholders, including JetBlue to increase airlift capacity to meet the demand for travel to our destination.” said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.“We are thrilled that within a few short months, travellers will be able to board a JetBlue flight in Los Angeles and be in The Bahamas within a matter of hours, to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the rich culture and the myriad of experiences on offer in Nassau and Paradise Island,” said DPM Cooper.
    JetBlue’s announcement of the launch of nonstop service from Los Angeles to Nassau comes only days in advance of the Ministry of Tourism’s “Bringing The Bahamas to You” Global Sales Mission Tour scheduled for California 12th – 15th June. The 3-day tour will make stops in Los Angeles and Costa Mesa, to showcase the 16-island destination’s latest tourism offerings and developments, spotlight The Bahamas’ longstanding film legacy and celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of Independence.
    The Los Angeles/Nassau nonstop route will also allow for more connectivity from major markets in Asia and the Pacific, putting The Bahamas’ 16 destinations in easier reach for new visitors. The new Los Angeles/Nassau route will also feature JetBlue’s award-winning Mint premium service.ADVERTISEMENTLos Angeles International Airport is the world’s fifth busiest airport, with 645 daily commercial flights to 162 destinations.

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    PLANS TO BUILD THE BAHAMAS’ FIRST CORAL GENE BANK

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    PLANS TO BUILD THE BAHAMAS’ FIRST CORAL GENE BANK

    Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, will be home to The Bahamas’ first coral gene bank, making strides in the global fight against Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), an affliction decimating coral populations in The Bahamas and beyond.Nearly half of The Bahamas and Caribbean’s reef-building coral species are susceptible to SCTLD. Of the 45 reef-building coral species within the region, more than half can catch the disease, including some of the slowest-growing and longest-lived species such as brain, pillar and star corals. Coral survival rate of SCTLD is extremely low and once infected, corals can die within weeks.
    Signed into effect on May 18th, The Bahamas Coral Gene Bank at Atlantis Paradise Island (BCGB) is a collaboration between Atlantis and its 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF), The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) and University of The Bahamas. Under this agreement, Atlantis and ABPF will support the effort to build and equip a biosecure facility to save the most vulnerable coral species from SCTLD until they can be safely returned to the reefs.
    In its 25-year history, Atlantis has established itself as a leader in sustainable tourism with ongoing work to protect, rehabilitate and conserve marine life in The Bahamas. The Atlantis team makes decisions guided by current and future environmental, social and economic impacts. The resort’s innovative, progressive, passion-driven approach to preserving paradise underscores every aspect of the iconic destination resort, from family-friendly activities to diverse dining offerings.
    When visiting Atlantis, guests have a unique opportunity to contribute to marine life conservation. Proceeds from all experiences at the resort’s world-class marine habitats and Dolphin Cay directly fund ABPF initiatives. Most recently, Atlantis, ABPF and Perry Institute for Marine Science led a coral out planting excursion using coral fragments harvested from nurseries at the resort, and replanted a nearby coral reef to accelerate the process of ecosystem replenishment.
    The Atlantis Blue Project Foundation is championing the efforts to preserve marine life in The Bahamas. The foundation has successfully financed the country’s first coral reef report card, which involved surveying over 400 reefs to determine the extent of damage and predict recovery after natural disasters. They have established 25 coral nurseries and planted thousands of corals to aid in the growth of depleted reefs. Their efforts have also contributed to creating 1.4 million acres of Marine Protected Areas on the west side of Andros Island and the designation of 17 marine protected areas with coral reefs in The Bahamas. Additionally, the foundation has provided funding for the implementation of coral reef education programs in schools throughout the country.ADVERTISEMENTThe Bahamas Coral Gene Bank at Atlantis will allow marine biologists and students to rescue, preserve, study and grow coral species in a controlled environment. The BCGB will house up to 600 coral colonies of more than 15 species vulnerable to SCTLD and will be designed to allow for coral propagation, producing tens of thousands of offspring annually. The BCBG will safeguard genetic diversity and foster coral breeding for reef regeneration and restoration.
    “We have a responsibility to the ecosystems surrounding us, and establishing The Bahamas Coral Gene Bank is our next step in the ongoing effort to protect our reefs and stop Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. The Atlantis team is proud of its commitment to conserving marine life and restoring our oceans. As we celebrate World Ocean Month, we aim to raise greater awareness and education to the local and global community about the critical environmental challenges we face,” said Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of Atlantis Paradise Island.
    “The Bahamas Coral Gene Bank at Atlantis Paradise Island goes beyond coral rescue—it is about securing the future of Bahamian reefs,” said Michele Liu, Senior Vice President of Atlantis Marine and Water Park Operations and Board Member of Atlantis Blue Project Foundation. “Through this initiative, our goal is to preserve critical marine life and safeguard the livelihood of future generations, which has been the goal of Atlantis Blue Project Foundation since its inception in 2005.”
    World Ocean Month will be celebrated throughout June at Atlantis with various fun and educational activities for guests of all ages as well as its team members. These include coastal restoration community events, mangrove seedling plantings, ocean conservation talks, ocean-themed culinary adventures for kids, aquatic-themed movies celebrating all things aquatic, and a special scavenger hunt as part of the World Ocean Month experience at Atlantis.
    You can learn more about Atlantis Paradise Island and Atlantis Blue Project Foundation’s sustainability efforts by visiting the website.https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/sustainable-tourism

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    UNWTO’S MIDDLE EAST MEMBERS MEET IN JORDAN

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    UNWTO’S MIDDLE EAST MEMBERS MEET IN JORDAN

    The 49th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East brought high-level delegations from 12 countries together at the Dead Sea, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to assess the current state of tourism in the region and advance shared plans for its future.
    Middle East: First Region to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
    According to UNWTO data, the Middle East is the first global region to exceed pre-pandemic numbers of international tourist arrivals so far in 2023.
    Overall, international arrivals to destinations in the Middle East during the first quarter of 2023 were 15% higher than in the same period of 2019Jordan welcomed 4.6 million tourists in 2022, close to the 4.8 million recorded in 2029, with receipts from tourism totaling US$5.8 billion for the yearOn the eve of the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein to congratulate him on the “rapid and remarkable” recovery of Jordanian tourism. The Secretary-General also commended the strong support shown to tourism by the Jordanian Royal Family and the Government, including for ongoing work to diversify the sector.UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has shown its resilience in the face of crisis. And now, recovery is well underway – with all the challenges and opportunities this brings. For the Middle East, tourism represents an unrivalled driver of employment and opportunity, as well as economic diversification and resilience.”
    UNWTO Supports Members’ Priorities in the Middle EastParticipants, representing 12 of the 13 UNWTO Member States in the region, and including 7 Ministers of Tourism, benefitted from a comprehensive overview of the Organization’s progress achieving its Programme of Work.:ADVERTISEMENTEducation: Members were given an overview of UNWTO’s work to advance one of its key priorities for tourism. Key achievements include an agreement signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop tourism education, including through online courses with the potential to reach up to 300 million people worldwide, and the Jobs Factory, linking 50 employers with 100,000 jobseekers. UNWTO is also launching a first Undergraduate Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management and developing plans to make tourism a high school subject.Tourism for Rural Development: The UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) is growing as a global hub of tourism for rural development. Members were updated on its work, including the Best Tourism Villages initiative, which is welcoming applications for its third edition.Innovation: UNWTO is working with its Members to make the Middle East a hub of tourism innovation. Recent initiatives include the Women in Tech Start-Up Competition for the Middle East, aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs across the region, and the Tourism Tech Adventures forum held in Qatar.Looking AheadIn line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from the Middle East agreed:

    Jordan will serve as the Chair of the Commission for the Middle East for the period 2023 to 2025. Egypt and Kuwait will serve as the Vice Chairs.The Commission will meet in Oman for its 50th meeting.

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