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    Post COVID Recovery of the Largest Natural Tourism Attractions in the World Remains Mixed

    Results of a recent survey of operators of the largest natural tourism attractions in the world, show caves, indicates that recovery from the pandemic remains challenging. In 2021 there were 120.8 million visitors to show caves, an overall 16% decline from a pre-pandemic high in 2019 of 144 millionHowever, show caves in the United States (U.S.) were up 27%, from 13.8 million in 2019 to 17.5 million in 2021. The assumption is the accelerated opening of tourism in the U.S. along with pent up demand and an emphasis on outdoor recreation may have been the reason for the difference.Worldwide staffing remains a challenge for show cave operators who rely on tour guides and hospitality professionals. Worldwide employment at show caves is down by 17% from 2019 levels, tracking with hiring challenges that continue to be endemic within the tourism industry as a whole. However, another surprising finding was that direct spending at show caves was up 7% globally (corrected for inflation), indicating the visitors who did come were willing to spend more on the experience overall.
    Yet, according to Dr. Jim Petrick, Professor at Texas A&M, “Direct spending at a local attraction is just one aspect of the impact caves have on local economies.  Typically, spending doesn’t stop at the attraction as visitors often stop at other businesses in the area including restaurants, hotels, shops, and more.  Since tourism spending is also new money to a community, it also has multiplier effects (beyond direct spending) as dollars spent at a cave can often trickle down to the rest of a community.  Thus, the economic impact of the cave industry is likely considerably higher than just direct spending.”
    The International Show Caves Association (ISCA) and the National Caves Association (NCA) in the U.S. joined together to survey more than 1500 show caves around the world. Respondents represented 10% of the world’s and one third of the U.S. show caves, minus Southwest Asia caves. Operators in Southwest Asia have not responded to surveys, although efforts continue to keep lines of communication open. This year’s survey follows a 2020 effort to establish a baseline of the industry and its impact, and to show the impact of the global pandemic on these hubs for tourism. The 2022 survey follows up on the industry, tracking recovery, growth, and, unfortunately, closures around the world of these unique natural wonders.
    “Ongoing capacity restrictions were causing real challenges for show caves around the world,” said Friedrich Oedl, president of ISCA. “Some caves are still closed; others have ongoing mandates that are keeping them from operating fully. This makes it hard for them to return to pre-pandemic levels of visitation.”
    “Show caves are more than unique natural wonders,” said Joe Klimczak, president of NCA. “They have long served an important economic role as engines for local tourism as well. While it’s clear some level of recovery has begun, we still have some ways to go.”ADVERTISEMENT
    The findings included:
    VisitationIn 2021, 120.8 million people visited show caves worldwide, and 17.5 million in the U.S. This is down from the peak of 2019 of 144 million worldwide, but up from 2019’s numbers of 13.8 million in the U.S. The U.S.‘s 27% increase in visitors in 2021 is believed to be due to an emphasis on outdoor travel and faster rate of reopening in 2020 and 2021. Still, given that in 2020 94% of show caves worldwide closed due to COVID, the recovery so far is a hopeful indicator of continued possibilities for a full recovery.
    Direct Economic ImpactShow caves generated direct visitor spending of $2.14 billion worldwide with $382.1 million in the U.S., an increase of 7% and 3% respectively when corrected for inflation. This spending reflects only revenue for the show caves, the impact in the communities surrounding these destinations is also significant. Restaurants, hotels, and many other local businesses as well as local government entities all benefit from the visitor spending in the communities around show caves. Up from 2019’s spending of $1.93 billion and $354 million in the U.S., the change is remarkable, particularly in light of the loss in the first half of 2020 closures that resulted in a loss of 61% of revenue and the drop in visitors in 2021 for caves outside the U.S. It is on track with a reported trend of visitors to attractions spending more while traveling in 2021, a trend that is helping fuel a rebound for the industry.
    JobsDuring the closures in 2020, 40,000 people lost their jobs at show caves worldwide, over 3,400 in the U.S. The lower number in the U.S. was largely due to the Paycheck Protection Program established in the U.S. Worldwide show caves in 2019 employed 69,000. The good news is nearly 57,000 of those jobs have returned (including 7,600 in the U.S.), however hiring remains challenging with two-thirds of respondents indicating they have more jobs than applicants.
    Survey respondents represented a sampling of show caves in 195 countries across six continents, including Europe, Asia, Oceania, North and South America, and Africa. Participants included a wide range of government owned and privately held show caves with visitation levels ranging from zero (caves which are still unable to open due to local restrictions) to over 500,000.

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    Most Expensive Travel Destinations Revealed

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    Most Expensive Travel Destinations Revealed

    Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.com analyzed data from thousands of travelers to determine the world’s most expensive destinations in 2022.Trips to Africa, Antarctica, and the islands of Oceania cost the most. This year, travelers spent 44% more on trips to these 25 destinations compared to any other countries.
    Travelers Spend Over $133 Million on Expensive Destinations Alone, Up Nearly Half from 2021

    Over 21,000 travelers spent over $133 million to visit the 25 most expensive nations.This year, Squaremouth saw a 57% increase in travelers and 44% increase in spending to expensive destinations compared to 2021.The average individual trip cost to these destinations in 2022 was just over $11,000 – 2.8x more than the average traveler spent this year.Africa Leads All Continents in Most Expensive Destinations
    ADVERTISEMENTFor the second consecutive year, nearly half of the most expensive trips were to African nations.
    Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya were the five most expensive African countries to visit.Travel to the Oceania islands increased in 2022, comprising 24% of the most expensive destinations.

    Antarctic Travel Continues to Trend Higher in 2022
    Antarctica continues to trend as a popular destination more than ever before.

    Travel to Antarctica in 2022 increased by 134% compared to the previous year.Antarctica is the only destination among the top 10 most expensive travel destinations and the top 2022 holiday season destinations.Travel Insurance Remains a Good Deal for High Priced Destinations
    Comparing costs, travel insurance remains a good, low-cost investment compared to the price of the most expensive trips:
    The average travel insurance premium for the top 25 most expensive destinations was $717.44. That’s nearly three-times higher than the year’s average travel insurance premium of $242.55The cost of insuring a trip to the most expensive destinations was only 6.5% of the average trip price.Methodology: Squaremouth analytics compared travel insurance policy sales for trips being insured between January 1 and November 27, 2022.

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    Discover the World Together Through Unforgettable Family Travel Experiences with Four Seasons

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    China Airlines Picked by DJSI for Seventh Consecutive Year

    The results of the 2022 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) have now been released. China Airlines placed first in the global aviation industry, breaking its own ranking and scoring record and making this the first time that a Taiwanese transportation operator has been crowned.China Airlines was also the only airline to be chosen as a constituent stock for Emerging Markets for seven consecutive years, another milestone moment for the Taiwanese transportation industry. As part of its corporate anniversary celebrations, China Airlines will implement ” Net Zero Carbon Emission Flight” for all flights departing from Taiwan on December 16. Providing every passenger on the day with “Carbon Neutral” travel is China Airlines’ way of putting its love for Earth into action.
    Annual Improvements in Sustainability Performance See China Airlines Top ESG Ratings
    DJSI is the most trusted corporate sustainability performance index in the world and is an important reference for global institutional investors. S&P Global, the international sustainability assessment body, evaluates the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of 61 industries around the world and identifies the top 10% of businesses within each. A total of 33 Taiwanese companies were selected this year. China Airlines emerged from a field of 57 participating airlines from around the world and placed first in the global aviation industry for its strong overall performance.
    The DJSI assessment awarded China Airlines top marks in the environmental and social aspects. These included full scores in categories such as environmental reporting, social reporting, human capital development, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, passenger safety, sustainable marketing and brand perception. China Airlines also topped the airline industry in ten categories including environmental policy and management system, operational eco-efficiency, climate strategy, food loss and waste. The demonstration of how corporate business strategy can be successfully combined with sustainability ideals showcased the sustainability prowess of Taiwan to the world.
    Celebrating with Travelers through Carbon Neutrality with Taiwan’s First “Net Zero Carbon Emission Flight”As the ESG leader in global aviation, China Airlines announced it will also implement “Net Zero Carbon Emission Flight” through the Eco Travel carbon offset platform it set up with a professional environmental protection organization. Carbon emissions will be offset for all flights departing from Taiwan on December 16. The internationally certified high-quality carbon offsets provided direct support to the development of renewable energy programs and contributed to global energy transformation. China Airlines hopes that this first-ever large-scale “carbon neutrality” initiative in the domestic transportation industry will not only serve to put ESG and sustainability into practice, but also encourage travelers to join in protecting the environment and reducing their carbon emissions by taking public transport to the airport, using online check-in, booking their meals in advance, and bringing their own duty-free eco shopping bags.ADVERTISEMENTClimate change is an important issue for China Airlines. In addition to being the first airline in Taiwan to sign and implement the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) initiative, China Airlines also issued the first independent TCFD report in the global airline industry and signed the letter of commitment for Science-Based Reduction Targets (SBTi). In recent years, the airline also accelerated the introduction of more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient next-generation aircraft such as the 777-300ER, A350, A321neo, 777F and 787, optimized flight operations and ground facilities, adopted Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), installed renewable energy, improved aircraft repairs and performance maintenance, introduced weight-cutting measures on aircraft, and put electric vehicles into service. ESG sustainability management was expanded to the Group and supply chain to boost flying efficiency and reduce overall operational carbon emissions. As a result, China Airlines is now the benchmark on carbon emissions efficiency for the Asia Pacific aviation industry and is well on its way to realizing the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
    China Airlines supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has incorporated them into the company’s core philosophy and sustainability strategy. ESG sustainability initiatives are now being actively implemented. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China Airlines conducted transportation missions for epidemic prevention materials, emergency medical supplies, and COVID-19 vaccines. These included the transportation of up to 120 million doses of vaccines across the world. The airline also recently demonstrated its capability for high-quality pharmaceutical transportation by obtaining CEIV Pharma certification for pharmaceutical cold chain logistics from the IATA.
    Talent cultivation is another top priority at China Airlines. China Airlines announced that it has joined the “TALENT in Taiwan” alliance to support and promote the sustainability of talent. China Airlines has long paid attention to social issues and disadvantaged groups. Direct support included preparing boxed meals for medical workers, airport police, and epidemic prevention taxi drivers on the frontlines of COVID-19 prevention to thank them for their hard work. China Airlines also hosts charitable activities such as annual banquets, senior citizen support, tree-planting, coastal clean-up, and volunteer teaching to give back to society.
    The long-running ESG sustainability initiatives of China Airlines have received widespread recognition both locally and overseas. This year, national awards won by China Airlines included the “National Sustainable Development Awards” by the National Council for Sustainable Development and the ” Giant Thumb Award of the National Enterprise Environmental Protection Awards” by the Environmental Protection Administration. The S&P Global 2022 sustainability evaluation also resulted in a “Silver Class” award in the airline industry. In addition, China Airlines is also a frequent constituent stock in the UK FTSE4Good Index Series and Taiwan Sustainability Index, as well as the winner of consecutive Global Corporate Sustainability Awards (GCSA) and Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards (TCSA).

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    Reservations Now Open for Growing 2024 Calendar of Four Seasons Private Jet Journeys

    Leading luxury company Four Seasons reveals the next set of Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences for 2024, featuring a collection of extraordinary journeys to far-reaching destinations across the globe, all in the comfort and care of Four Seasons on the ground, and in the air.  “Since launching the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience seven years ago, we have taken guests on 20 journeys through 35 countries, often including remote destinations rarely visited by tourists, and showcasing the very best of great cities, important landmarks and nearly-untouched wilderness locations in ways that only Four Seasons can,” says Marc Speichert, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Four Seasons. “A focus on the guest experience is always at the centre of our innovating and decision-making. Feedback from our guests – including many who have joined us for a second, third or even fourth journey – continues to shape the experience, from the custom-design of the new Four Seasons Private Jet to the introduction of shorter itineraries, such as Asia Unveiled for time-challenged travellers who want to experience more in less time, and the family-focussed African Wonders.”
    This year, Four Seasons added 10 new destinations to the program, including Antarctica with the debut of the Uncharted Discovery itinerary currently underway, and Easter Island as part of the Ancient Explorer itinerary – both of which are offered again in 2023 and 2024 – while eight more new destinations feature in itineraries over the next 18 months, including Fort Lauderdale, Taormina, New Orleans, Costa Rica, Bogotá, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Tokyo.
    As always, accommodations on Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences are at Four Seasons hotels and resorts. In more remote locations, guests will stay at luxury accommodations selected by the Four Seasons team.
    In addition to four journeys already announced for 2024 Four Seasons continues to add to the calendar with the return of three popular trips later in the year.
    Now Taking Reservations: Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences for 2024ADVERTISEMENTAncient Explorer, May 12 – June 4, 2024Fort Lauderdale – Mexico City – Easter Island – Bora Bora – Great Barrier Reef – Bangkok – Lost City of Petra – The Pyramids – Athens – Madrid

    Meet fellow travellers at a welcome dinner in Fort Lauderdale before heading to the Mexican capital, where diversions include an after-hours museum visit or a hot air balloon ride over the Aztec city of Teotihuacan. On Easter Island, travellers can hike and cycle among the remarkable moai statues before flying farther across the Pacific and enjoying the glorious tropical paradise of Bora Bora.  There, the fun continues with submarine scooter rides through the lagoons, and more.
    Then it’s off to Australia, where divers and snorkellers will enjoy a private cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, while land lovers can explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest in the company of an Aboriginal guide. Next, see Bangkok in a whole new way during a private klong cruise before settling into an evening of cocktails at one of the World’s 50 Best Bars at Four Seasons. Jetting westward to the Middle East, travellers will visit both Petra and the Pyramids before heading to the Athenian Riviera and the Parthenon. Finally, guests arrive in the pulsing capital of Spain, staying of course in the heart of it all at Four Seasons Madrid, before saying their final goodbyes.
    International Intrigue, September 21 – October 14, 2024Seattle – Kyoto – Hoi An – Maldives – Serengeti – Marrakech – Budapest – Florence – Paris
    One of the original Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences remains one of its most popular, and for good reason. Taking off from Seattle, the first stop is the ancient imperial city of Kyoto, where travellers can explore numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and take in the breath-taking beauty of the 800-year-old ikeniwa (pond garden) within the grounds of Four Seasons. In central Vietnam, guests can opt for a culinary tour by Vespa, wander the charming town of Hoi An, or take a cooking class at Four Seasons Cooking Academy, knowing there will be plenty of time to relax at the next stop on the Kuda Huraa atoll in the Maldives.

    From there, it’s off to the Serengeti where game drives take on new meaning as guests follow the herds with cameras in hand, or take in endless panoramas during a sunrise hot air balloon ride. After arriving in Marrakech, many guests will have spent hours in the souks and the medina, while others will want to opt for a day trip to a Berber village in the Atlas Mountains. Then it’s time to jet off to Budapest, where one can indulge in the famous thermal baths, and then on to Tuscany, where an after-hours visit to see Michelangelo’s David, leisurely lunch at a winery or a truffle hunting expedition are all on the menu. The trip ends with a farewell dinner in the culinary capital of the world, Paris.
    Uncharted Discovery, November 30 – December 20, 2024New Orleans – Costa Rica – Machu Picchu – Buenos Aires – Antarctica – Bogotá – Bahamas
    A recent addition to the portfolio, Four Seasons immerses guests in one of America’s most popular cities with a private streetcar tour of New Orleans. Then it’s off to the beaches and jungles of Costa Rica, where Four Seasons has just introduced an extensive adventure course for active travellers, while others might enjoy a round on an Arnold Palmer golf course, or perhaps a rum and chocolate tasting experience with local experts. Next, Four Seasons guests go from private jet to chartered train on a journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu in the Andes before heading across the continent to Buenos Aires. There, they can enjoy the nightlife the city is known for, or perhaps spend the day in the country enjoying an asado lunch and traditional gaucho show.
    A true highlight of this itinerary takes guests on a four-night Antarctic expedition aboard a luxury polar ship and guided exploration of astounding glacier-sculpted landscapes. Back north again, a stop in Bogotá includes a private performance from the renowned Bogotá Philharmonic before the custom-designed Four Seasons Private Jet makes its final stop on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, where travellers can raise a toast to new friends in a bar where James Bond himself ordered his Martini “shaken, not stirred” in Casino Royale.

    Also Booking in 2024
    Four itineraries previously announced and currently accepting reservations include:
    African Wonders, December 28, 2023 – January 9, 2024Athens – The Pyramids – Serengeti – Mauritius – Rwanda – Victoria Falls – Johannesburg
    Designed with families in mind and also popular with couples and single travellers, this itinerary is both educational and awe-inspiring as guests visit ancient wonders, breath-taking landscapes and more.
    NEW Asia Unveiled, January 11 – 26, 2024Tokyo – Bali – Maldives – Hoi An – Bhutan – Angkor Wat – Bangkok
    Asia Unveiled is an all-new shorter trip of 16 days within one region, allowing guests to do more in less time with a variety of cultural and culinary experiences, plus plenty of time to relax and recharge along the way.
    Timeless Encounters, March 23 – April 15, 2024Oahu – Bora Bora – Sydney – Bali – Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai – Taj Mahal – Dubai – Prague – London
    A perennial favourite of Four Seasons travellers, this 24-day itinerary offers a broad array of experiences in diverse destinations, from a private yacht tour of Sydney Harbour to a special day trip to the incredible Taj Mahal and sunset cocktails on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa.
    World of Adventures, April 17 – May 10, 2024Seattle – Kyoto – Bali – Seychelles – Rwanda – Marrakech – Bogotá – Galápagos Islands – Fort Lauderdale
    One of the original Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences, this itinerary takes guests to remote islands including the Seychelles and the Galápagos, while also showcasing dynamic cities such as Kyoto, Marrakech and Bogotá as only locally-based Four Seasons teams can. Previously ending in Miami, as of 2024 this itinerary will conclude at the just-opened Four Seasons in Fort Lauderdale.
    Limited Space Available for 2023 Itineraries
    Select Four Seasons Private Jet itineraries in 2023 also have limited seats available for booking. Visit the website to learn more, and email [email protected] to inquire about availability and waitlist opportunities.
    The All-New Four Seasons Private Jet
    All announced itineraries will take place aboard the new, custom-designed Four Seasons Private Jet. Fully tailored to Four Seasons exacting specifications with input from previous journey passengers, the Airbus A321neo-LR aircraft offers the widest and tallest cabin in its class, featuring a 48-seat interior configured for even greater comfort. On board the custom-designed Four Seasons Private Jet, an experienced flight crew is joined by a journey crew including a dedicated Concierge, Executive Chef and Physician.
    Both in the air and on the ground, Four Season delivers a flawless, fully immersive experience from the moment a guest books their trip to their return home. From itinerary planning and car transfers to luggage services and visas, Four Seasons staff will see to it that every detail is taken care of, allowing guests to focus on the true joys of travel, not the hassles and logistics of multiple connections, layovers and delays.
    Learn more about the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience and continue to explore by following the #FSJet hashtag on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and traveller experiences.
    The Four Seasons Private Jet Experience is operated by the industry leader in private jet journeys TCS World Travel, dedicated to delivering immersive, worry-free travel experiences for the globally curious and modern luxury traveller. The aircraft is operated by Titan Airways.

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    Trip.com Group launches travel revival plan to reconnect Chinese travellers with global destinations

    Today, Trip.com Group’s leading Chinese language platform Ctrip launched its 2023 Travel Revival A Plan to reunite destinations with Chinese travellers.The platform’s four-pronged strategy engages destinations around the world in capturing pent-up travel demand from the vast Chinese travel market.
    In 2020, Trip.com Group launched its pilot Travel Revival V Plan, investing RMB 1 billion in a recovery fund to help the industry battle pandemic pressures. On today’s new iteration of the initiative, Bo Sun, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Trip.com Group, commented: “The launch of our 2023 Travel Revival A Plan is built on three years of experience bucking negative trends to drive growth. Our focus on revival is to assist the industry to meet short-term difficulties, whilst strengthened revitalization efforts will look to reshape the post-pandemic industry by forging new opportunities for the industry and destinations.”
    Reinventing brand value: working with destinations to create innovative “reunion” experiences
    “For Chinese tourists, there has been a huge buildup of anticipation for their first outbound journey. For this reason, our Ctrip platform has been collaborating with destinations in preparation, using the platform’s high-quality, comprehensive supply chain resources to create a full range of ‘reunion’ experience products. Our offering spans Chinese travellers’ desire for scenic locations, entertainment and culinary experiences during their journey, including offering comprehensive coverage of cultural and historical activities.”
    In July 2022, Ctrip independently produced the travel documentary “Hit the Road” that combined destination marketing and the platform’s unique new “Travel + Culture” content marketing model, with the show garnering over 120 million total views. In the future, this model will be extended to tourist destinations around the world as a solution to attracting Chinese travellers – providing a direct line to understanding Chinese tourists’ preferences after three years of travel restrictions. Furthermore, the Ctrip platform is home to thousands of travel influencers, guides and other personalized travel service providers who create personalized in-depth travel products and content for users.ADVERTISEMENTReviving consumer confidence: marketing matrix boosts travel consumption
    As of December 2022, most countries have completely lifted pandemic-related travel restrictions, with travel once again at the top of the agenda. “Since 2022, dozens of global destinations have established Star Hub channel homepages on Ctrip to expand their reach to Chinese audiences. We have built out top destination lists, delivered hundreds of super destination promotions, destination-specific live streaming events, and facilitated the distribution of RMB 1 billion in travel consumption vouchers across 20 countries and regions to boost campaign destination orders. In 2023, we will continue to leverage the cultural travel economy to drive business,” said Mr. Sun on Trip.com Group’s expanded marketing offering.
    Ahead of the upcoming outbound travel boom, Ctrip’s comprehensive marketing matrix is leading the way in connecting global destinations and Chinese travellers. The platform’s Ctrip Community and Star Hub channels enable destinations to engage with hundreds of millions of users every week. Partners can leverage this traffic together with promotions and cultural travel consumption vouchers to offer regular content and products through Ctrip Live, with over 200 million users on the platform. The product system will be updated through dynamic data to meet tourists’ needs.
    Remodelling the industry ecosystem: building a global tourism data and resource sharing platform
    Given the announcement of new policies and optimistic signals from the Chinese government, Trip.com Group is building a global tourism data and resource sharing platform, linking its brands, including Ctrip, in order to help global destinations to better welcome Chinese tourists again.
    In regards to this new venture, Mr. Sun said: “We are opening up our airline ticketing and hotel resources to travel agencies around the world. In the short term, this will facilitate travel service providers to package and sell their products online, and help destinations to access the first cohorts of outbound Chinese tourists. Whilst in the long term, this platform will enable real time supply chain updates according to global traveller dynamics and product supply. As a tech-driven leading travel service provider, we believe we have the responsibility to drive industry progress through such developments and resource sharing.”
    Reiterating corporate responsibility: promoting sustainable travel to hundreds of millions of users
    In 2022, Trip.com Group released its first-ever Sustainable Travel Consumer Report, which found that sustainable travel is now a global trend at the forefront of travllers’ minds. Nearly 80% of respondents stated they attached great importance to sustainable environmental factors when travelling, and nearly 70% of respondents said they were willing to pay higher prices for more sustainable travel options.
    In July this year, Trip.com Group launched its Green Tourism Goals. The ambitious plan includes launching more than 10,000 low-carbon travel products. Expanding on this, Mr. Sun introduced: “We have launched ‘green stays’ and ‘green car rentals’ on our Ctrip platform, and are currently working on launching ‘green flights’, ‘green corporate travel’ and ‘green trips’. We have a duty to develop sustainable travel for the future of the entire industry and to fulfil the tourism industry’s responsibility to the world.”

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    World’s first C919 Aircraft delivered to China Eastern Airlines

    On Dec. 9, the world’s first C919 aircraft, with registration number of B-919A, was delivered to its world’s first launch customer, China Eastern Airlines (CEA).The C919 is China’s first homegrown large passenger aircraft in accordance with international airworthiness standards, and owns independent intellectual property rightsIt features advanced aerodynamic design, propulsion system and materials, as well as lower carbon emission and higher fuel efficiency.
    A pattern of a Chinese seal reading “world’s first C919” in Chinese is printed in the front part of the plane delivered.
    The aircraft adopts a 164-seat configuration that comes with a two-class cabin layout, including 8 business class seats and 156 economy class ones. In the economy cabin, the middle seat in each three-seat row is 1.5 cm wider than its neighboring ones, which offers more comfortableness.
    With an aisle height of 2.25 meters, the plane comes with an efficient air filtration system, a passenger-centric lighting system and low noise.
    Besides, there are twenty 12’’ drop-down screens that can play 1080P videos.ADVERTISEMENTOn the day of the delivery, a maiden flight of the C919 aircraft was made by three senior CEA pilots from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
    After arriving at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and passing through a water gate, the aircraft was officially commissioned into the fleet of CEA. It is expected to be put into commercial use in the spring of 2023.
    CEA, as the world’s first airline operator for C919, boasts a fleet of nearly 800 airplanes. It has rich operational experience and enjoys comprehensive advantages. Passengers will soon be able to catch an early experience of the superior and reliable performance of the C919 with CEA.

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    Heathrow ready to welcome millions of passengers heading off for the holidays

    5.6m people travelled through Heathrow in November, down from 5.9m in October. Over 55 million people have travelled through Heathrow already this year, which is nearly 70% of 2019 levels.We expect December will be busy and are looking forward to welcoming people heading off for their first Christmas with loved ones in three years. New York’s JFK is set to reclaim the crown of most popular route this Christmas.
    The vast majority of travellers will be unaffected by Border Force strikes. We are doing everything we can to protect a full flight schedule on strike days, so departing passengers should expect to travel as normal. Arriving passengers with UK, EU, US, Canadian and some other passports will be able to use e-gates as usual and their journeys should be largely unaffected on strike days. Border Force has contingency measures to ensure other arriving passengers are cleared safely and as quickly as possible. We are continuing to support them to strengthen these plans so that as few people are impacted as possible. If passengers who cannot use e-gates are concerned about travelling during the strikes, their airline may be able to offer them alternative travel dates.
    This Christmas is a time for celebration after three years of covid, so we will be bringing the fun back into festive travel. Our customer service and Here to Help teams will be on-hand to give a friendly welcome and provide any extra assistance passengers may need. This year, they will also be handing out 10,000 gifts to departing passengers – ranging from treats to enjoy on the journey, through to lounge access and flight vouchers.
    The airport will be busy, especially during the peak getaway, and we will all be working hard to get passengers on their way.
    These 12 handy tips can help people to speed through Heathrow like a pro this Christmas, including:ADVERTISEMENTArrive no earlier than three hours before long-haul flights, and two hours for short-haulBe ready for security: no liquids, creams or gels over 100ml, seal any liquids in the bags provided and ensure large electricals go in a separate trayCheck eligibility for and use eGates for a quicker journey when arriving back into the UKHeathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “We are ready to welcome millions of passengers heading off to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. We have extra people in the terminals on the busiest days, including me and my management team, to ensure we get people on their way as smoothly as possible and start to bring the joy back into travel. We are doing everything we can to protect full operating schedules on Border Force strike days and departing journeys and the vast majority of arriving journeys should be unaffected.”

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    World Culinary Awards 2022 readies itself for a night of celebration in Dubai

    The World Culinary Awards – the global initiative to recognize and reward excellence in the culinary industry – will announce the winners of its 2022 programme at a glittering dinner reception in Dubai this evening.This year’s edition of World Culinary Awards will host a global gathering of the culinary industry leaders, with pioneers, influencers and leading figureheads travelling from across the world to attend the prize-giving evening at Onze Restaurant, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
    The results follow a year-long search for the world’s leading culinary brands. Votes were cast by culinary industry professionals and the general public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
    BTN will share the highlights from this evening tomorrow, watch this space…and good luck to all the nominees.

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