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    WTTC reveal Paris as the World’s Most Powerful City Destination

    New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals French capital Paris as the world’s most powerful city destination but predicts it will be overtaken by Beijing by 2032. The report, sponsored by Visa and researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, analysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment and traveller spend.
    COVID-19 had a devastating impact on Travel & Tourism and in particular major cities around the world as countries closed their borders in response to the pandemic.
    As borders reopened, many leisure travellers swapped city visits for less-populated destinations such as coastal and rural destinations, but latest research from WTTC shows that city holidays are back and growing in popularity.
    Paris takes the crown as the world’s most powerful city destination with a Travel & Tourism sector worth almost $36BN USD in 2022, in terms of direct GDP contribution to the city.
    Over the next 10 years, WTTC predicts it will drop down to third place, although its value will rise to over $49BN.ADVERTISEMENTBeijing is currently the second biggest city destination in the world with a Travel & Tourism sector worth nearly $33BN. However, WTTC predicts it will leapfrog Paris within the next 10 years, growing to a staggering $77BN.
    Often dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando’s Travel & Tourism sector was valued at $31BN in 2022, but despite predictions suggesting it will grow by almost 50% to $45BN by 2032, it will drop down to become the fourth biggest city destination.
    China’s national Travel & Tourism sector has seen phenomenal growth over the last decade as the country has invested in new hotels, transport infrastructure and new tourist destinations.
    This investment in Travel & Tourism sees Shanghai’s sector, worth nearly $30BN last year, predicted to more than double to almost $71BN by 2032, to become the world’s second most powerful city destination.
    Las Vegas is the only city in the top 10 list which holds its place, firmly staying as the 5th largest city destination.
    Last year, Las Vegas’s Travel & Tourism sector was worth nearly $23BN and is predicted to grow to over $36BN by 2032.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Major cities such as London, Paris and New York will remain global powerhouses but over the next few years, Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau will be moving up the list of top city destinations.
    “Tourists will always have favourite cities that they will return to, but as other countries prioritise Travel & Tourism, we are going to see new and emerging destinations challenging the traditional favourites.”
    Other cities outside the top 10 showing promising growth as emerging destinations include the Polish capital of Warsaw which has seen a 14.4% increase in its GDP contribution in 2022 versus 2019.
    Sanya, the Chinese coastal city which has become a popular tourist destination in recent years as holidaymakers visited its stunning beaches witnessed a 10.2% growth during that same period. Its Travel & Tourism sector represents an incredible 43.6% of the city’s total economy. Macau’s Travel & Tourism sector represents 40.4% of the city’s total economy.
    Orlando and Las Vegas are the only cities currently in the top 10 most powerful city destinations based on the sector’s value, which rely heavily on the sector as a share of the city’s overall economy.
    Travel & Tourism represents 20.4% of Orlando’s economy and 16.3% of Las Vegas’s economy. In comparison, Paris’s Travel & Tourism sector represents just 3.5% of the capital’s economy in 2022.
    •  The top five cities with biggest international travellers spend in 2022 were:
    1.  Dubai – $29.42BN2.  Doha – $16.79BN3.  London – $16.07BN4.  Macau – $15.58BN5.  Amsterdam – $13.59BN6.  Istanbul – $13.13BN7.  Barcelona – $12.73BN8.  New York – $12.45BN9.  Singapore – $10.97BN10.  Paris – $9.76BN
    •  In 2032, WTTC predicts the top five cities with biggest international traveller spend will change to be:
    1.  Hong Kong – $52.06BN (up 38 places from 2022)2.  Macau – $43.14BN (up two places from 2022)3.  Dubai – $42.98BN (down two places from 2022)4.  Singapore – $37.43BN (up five places from 2022)5.  Bangkok – $33.45BN (up seven places from 2022)6.  Doha – $31.63BN (down four places from 2022)7.  Tokyo $25.44BN (up 30 places from 2022)8.  New York $21.73BN (no change from 2022)9.  Amsterdam $21.53BN (down four places from 2022)10.  Shanghai – $21.3BN (up 11 places from 2022)
    Over the next decade, Travel & Tourism is on track to become a key driver of economic growth once again, with faster GDP growth than other sectors, generating 126 million new jobs around the world.

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    Global stars on the red carpet at the launch of iconic new ultra-luxury resort: Atlantis The Royal

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    Global stars on the red carpet at the launch of iconic new ultra-luxury resort: Atlantis The Royal

    Last night, Atlantis The Royal hosted a star-studded Red Carpet to celebrate the launch of the world’s newest and most iconic ultra-luxury resort, located on the Palm Island in Dubai.  Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, the new resort is hosting some of the world’s most recognisable faces for a three-day-long extravaganza of curated events and experiences across its “Grand Reveal Weekend”.

    This evening’s Red Carpet featured global A-Listers including Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Liam Payne, Rebel Wilson, Ellen Pompeo Winston Dukes and Letitia Wright. Stars from around the world also gathered including Germany’s Verona Pooth, British TV presenter Mark Wright with wife Michelle Keegan, former Australian Masterchef judge and chef Gary Mehigan, as well as former champion boxer Amir Khan. Dubai faces Huda and Mona Kattan and Mahira Abdelaziz joined Bollywood stars Sibani Dandekar and Farhah Khan on the carpet that brought together celebrities from the four corners of the globe.

    Guests walked the carpet showcasing an array of eye-catching outfits including Beyoncè dazzling in custom Dolce and Gabbana dress and coat, with shoes from Rene Caovilla and bag from Marzook.ADVERTISEMENT
    Eight years in the making, Atlantis The Royal has been specifically designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination and reshape what ultra-luxury travel means. The Grand Reveal Weekend has firmly cemented Atlantis The Royal as an unmistakeable icon in Dubai and around the world. 

    To find out more about the Grand Reveal Weekend’s individually and meticulously curated guest itinerary, visit https://www.kerznercommunications.com/atlantis/ for further media alerts and information.
    To be one of the first to stay at Atlantis The Royal, guests can make a reservation at www.atlantistheroyal.com. Reservations are now open, for stays from February 2023 onwards.

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    Helsinki Airport Implements Innovative Underground Wetland to Improve Water Management

    Finavia has built an underground wetland at Helsinki Airport to improve water management. The project is the first of its kind in the Nordic countries.“Water management is an important part of our environmental work, and we do our best to ensure good conditions for flora and fauna alike in nearby streams. The new underground wetland will improve the condition of the streams by improving the quality and oxygen balance of the water flowing to them,” says Mikko Viinikainen, Vice President, Sustainability & Environment at Finavia.
    The underground wetland is a basin filled with gravel and sealed at the bottom, where the storm water that drains onto its surface is cleaned when it passes through the gravel layer. The cleaning is enhanced by the compressed air supplied from the bottom of the basin through the aeration system.
    This is an exceptional structure and first of its kind at a Nordic airport.
    “Quantitative and qualitative water management reduces the load on bodies of water and the erosion of streams caused by aircraft deicing and runway anti-skid agents,” says Finavia’s Environmental Expert Tuija Hänninen.
    “Storm water passes through the gravel into underdrains, and air bubbles from the aeration pipes below the underdrains oxidise the water. Aeration also prevents the wetland from freezing in winter. The layer growing on the treatment layer, in turn, acts as insulation in cold weather.ADVERTISEMENTThe surface area of the wetland is 3,200 square metres. The basin is built from 7,000 cubic metres of gravel. The aeration system of the wetland has a total of 150 metres of steel pipes, through which a fan feeds compressed air into the area at a rate of thousands of cubic metres per hour. In addition, there are hundreds of metres of sewer pipes and cables.Similar wetlands have been tested at other airports around the world, such as Buffalo Niagara Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
    “The activity of the wetland is monitored both continuously and with water samples analysed in a laboratory. Sensors continuously provide information on the wetland’s flow and oxygen concentrations, and this information is used to control the aeration of the wetland and water circulation speed,” Hänninen says.
    The completion of the underground wetland at Helsinki Airport is a significant investment in improving the quality of bodies of water in the surrounding areas and in managing the quality of stormwater.

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    Atlantis The Royal’s Grand Reveal Weekend Showcases The Ultimate ‘Feast Of Dreams’

    Last night, the world’s newest and most iconic ultra-luxury resort, Atlantis The Royal, kicked off its exclusive Grand Reveal Weekend with the ultimate ‘Feast of Dreams’ – offering a show-stopping gastronomic experience like no other, with food served by six world-famous chefs who are all opening restaurants in the new resort this February.Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, the new resort is hosting some of the world’s most recognisable faces for a three-day-long extravaganza of ultra-luxury curated events and experiences across its Grand Reveal Weekend.
    Guests attended the once-in-a-lifetime epicurean dining adventure to toast the opening of Atlantis The Royal’s eight brand-new celebrity chef restaurants, headed up by culinary icons including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jose Andres, Costas Spiliadis, Ariana Bundy, the Queen of couture cakes Mich Turner, and Gaston Acurio all under one roof for one night only.

    VIP’s from around the world gathered in the resort’s unrivalled dining experience, Gastronomy, which features a host of live cooking stations serving up a treasure trove of culinary masterpieces from around the world. Guests at the Grand Reveal Weekend were the first to experience the eclectic dining on offer to guests, before Atlantis The Royal officially opens its doors to guests in February this year.
    ADVERTISEMENTThe specially curated ‘Feast of Dreams’ menu offered guests culinary delights from across the world including blue lobster from Peruvian restaurant La Mar, Wagyu Bresaola Sicilian style pizza at the hotel’s world-class pizzeria, and an expansive selection of sushi at The Seven Seas sushi counter housed within Gastronomy (full Feast of Dreams menu attached).  To satisfy their sweet tooth, guests were invited to end their evening with a choice of delicacies from The Little Venice Cake Company owned by Mich Turner MBE – baker of patisseries and breads to royalty and global celebrities. The world-famous selection included sweet treats from Raspberry and Rose Buttercream Cake to Caramel Shortbread, as well as the piece de resistance, an enormous Grand Reveal Weekend Celebration Cake, presented to Atlantis The Royal by Turner to commemorate the resort’s hotly anticipated launch.  Weighing a metric tonne, the 5ft tall by 4ft wide cake was baked to feed 1,200 guests, boasted a total of seven layers and was adorned by 25 handmade sugar birds and 80 hand painted butterflies which took seven pastry chefs six days to create. 

    The Friday evening ‘Feast of Dreams’ marked the beginning of the special and exclusive weekend taking place before the resort officially opens. Guests are invited to enjoy the hotel’s ultra-luxury offerings with a curated itinerary of events and experiences, including a Saturday night spectacular performance from a 29-time Grammy award-winning artist – more details on this to follow tomorrow. 
    In total, Atlantis The Royal’s 17 world-class restaurants and bars not only treat guests to an unmatched gastronomic experience, guests are also welcomed to a dazzling array of unforgettable entertainment destinations including Cloud 22, an outdoor entertainment space featuring a swim up-bar and a glittering head-shaped DJ booth, and the iconic and world-famous Ling Ling, a modern Pan-Asian restaurant offering the ultimate day to night experience.

    Eight culinary icons are set to open their doors at Atlantis The Royal*:
    Nobu by the BeachDinner by Heston BlumenthalJaleo by José AndrésAriana’s Persian KitchenLa Mar by Gastón AcurioEstiatorio Milos by Costas SpiliadisLittle Venice Cake Company by Mich Turner

    Nobu by the Beach After thirteen years of Nobu Dubai, 2023 brings the next phase for the world famous Japanese Peruvian restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa. Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis The Royal delivers the unique chemistry and perfect balance of luxury and lifestyle. The setting merges the modern architecture of Dubai’s newest icon with an intuitive interpretation of Chef Nobu’s signature style. 
    La Mar by Gastón AcurioHeralding from Peru’s multiculturalism, with strong Japanese, Chinese and European influences, La Mar by Gastón Acurio takes Peruvian cuisine to the next level. Presented by the very man charged with transforming the western South American country into a culinary hotspot, La Mar delivers a distinctive culinary experience ranging from upscale Novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion and traditional seafood ceviche.
    Dinner by Heston BlumenthalOne of the world’s most unique and exciting restaurants, Dinner is the brainchild of Michelin-star Chef Heston Blumenthal OBE, who is celebrated worldwide as one of the most progressive chefs of his time. A relaxed and informal dining experience, the menu delves into British gastronomy’s past, with dishes bearing historical dates and stretching back as far as the 14th century. All dishes are accompanied by an eclectic selection of global wines, with a lively cocktail bar offering a bespoke range of drinks, distillations, and infusions. Experiential dining at its best, expect the unexpected.
    Jaleo by José AndrésConceptualised by Chef José Andrés, the only chef globally to have a two Michelin-star restaurant and four Bib Gourmands, Jaleo showcases the traditional and cutting-edge nuevo tastes of Spain. Highlighting the rich regional diversity of the country’s cuisine, at Jaleo, plates are designed to be shared and enjoyed with good friends and great conversation.
    Ariana’s Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy Guests will be swept away into a mystical world of mellow, perfumed, Persian delights, where fruits, nuts, herbaceous plants and floral fragrances merge magnificently with meats, grains and vegetables. The debut restaurant and female-led concept by celebrity Iranian American chef Ariana Bundy is a fresh, modern take on Iranian cuisine, serving Persian classics spun with a refreshingly modern twist in terms of textures, ingredients and presentation.
    estiatorio Milos by Costas SpiliadisAt estiatorio Milos, flavours from the Greek isles are transported to Dubai’s legendary Palm Island. From its sprawling terrace, diners can gaze over the dazzling fountains and the twinkling skyline while savouring the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean. Simplicity meets sophistication with family-style sharing plates, the day’s freshest catches – elaborately displayed on ice for diners to pick – and a raw bar with just some of the highlights, including Greek wild oysters, and whole-fish sashimi and tartar.
    The Little Venice Cake Company by Mich Turner Nestled in the heart of the much-anticipated resort, Little Venice Cake Company will offer guests and visitors a number of distinct experiences. For those with a sweet tooth, visitors can purchase a slice or a whole cake to take away – from posh doughnuts to afternoon tea loaf cakes, homemade fudge and florentines, fresh fruit tarts, exquisite chocolate cupcakes, brownies and biscuits, as well as a selection of stylish piñata and fresh layer cakes. Drawing visitors in with a wonderfully theatrical experience, the glass kitchen within the atelier will blow them away with its bespoke approach to designing one-of-a-kind cakes and indulgent bakes, and even welcome guests to attend selective masterclasses.

    The new iconic landmark of Dubai, Atlantis The Royal welcomes guests to an experience that will completely redefine their perspective of luxury. Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, this is a destination where everything has been designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination. Atlantis The Royal ignites the horizon with a collection of 795 elegant Rooms, Suites and Signature Penthouses. Featuring stunning views of the Dubai skyline and Arabian Sea, 44 of them have private infinity pools. The resort delivers a curated array of awe-inspiring experiences, inviting guests to swim amongst the clouds in sky pools, be dazzled by fountains that breathe fire or dine at more celebrity chef restaurants than anywhere else in the world. Guests are taken on a journey of the impossible, with artful masterpieces, iconic entertainment and beautiful craftsmanship at every turn, where the highest level of service will set a new standard in excellence.
    Atlantis The Royal is the place where something incredible happens at every moment.
    This is Atlantis The Royal.
    This Is It.

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    A Glimpse Inside The Star-Studded Grand Opening Of Nobu Dubai

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    A Glimpse Inside The Star-Studded Grand Opening Of Nobu Dubai

    Kendall Jenner attends the star-studded Sake Ceremony hosted by Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper
    Yesterday evening, Nobu founders, Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper celebrated the grand reopening of Nobu Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm, with an exclusive attendee list featuring A-List celebrities and special guests from around the world. After 14 years of residence in The Avenues at Atlantis, The Palm, Nobu Matsuhisa’s celebrity hotspot, celebrated its 15th year in Dubai in an iconic-new space within the crown of the destination resort. Taking the space formally home to The Royal Bridge Suite, the 22nd floor has been completely transformed to house a brand-new Nobu, complete with an updated menu, a Nobu lounge and bar, and an expansive terrace offering incredible views over the Palm Island and Arabian Gulf.
    Scheduled as the opening event to Atlantis The Royal’s exclusive Grand Reveal Weekend, celebrity attendees and special guests joining the celebrations included Kendall Jenner, Liam Payne, Jonathan Cheban, and Simon Huck.

    The VIP invitees were some of the first to experience the reimagined Nobu Dubai menu before gathering in the restaurant’s stylish lounge to join Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper for the kagami biraki ceremony – an ancient Japanese ritual dating back to the 15th century that involves the breaking and opening (biraki) of the round sake barrel lid (kagami), ushering in harmony and good fortune for the years ahead. Each of the founders took a wooden mallet and, counting down from three, broke open the lid of an enormous barrel of sake, which was served to revelers in traditional masu cups.
    Japanese Taiko drummers kicked off the festivities as Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper took to the stage for speeches. ADVERTISEMENT
    “Thank you for coming. I like to share Japanese traditions and cultures the world over, which is why tonight we have the sake ceremony. We always do this to open every Nobu. The ceremony means “happy day” and today is a very happy day, as we have Kendall Jenner here to help us launch the new Nobu at Atlantis Dubai.  Enjoy the party” said Matsuhisa as the crowd erupted into cheers.
    Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed champagne and signature Nobu cocktails, while being treated to an array of delicious canapes such as Nobu’s signature Black Cod with Miso, Spicy Salmon Miso Tacos and Tuna Sashimi. Those with space for dessert enjoyed chocolate spring rolls, Mini Pavlova Raspberry Shiso​ and Mochi.
    Tim Kelly Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Atlantis Dubai commented,“The time has arrived, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this special moment, not only with our great family at Nobu but also our extended family who are here with us tonight.  Nobu has always had a proud place in the spirit of the Atlantis brand and tonight’s Grand Reopening is a hugely exciting moment for all of us”.
    Nobu Dubai will open its doors for reservations from Monday, 23rd January 2023. For reservations, please visit www.atlantis.com/dubai/dining/nobu or call 04 426 0760.

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    Marriott International and MARAEY Partner

    MARAEY, Brazil’s principal sustainable tourist-residential enterprise, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Marriott International, Inc., to build three distinct hotels in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro.The projects are strategically located to create an international tourist destination focused on sustainability and innovation, as well as high-end service and experiences.
    Situated just 45 km from Rio de Janeiro, the three-hotel complex is anticipated to mark the introduction of the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to Brazil and South America. In addition, the planned JW Marriott is expected to be one of the brand’s first all-inclusive hotels in the world. The innovative Rock in Rio, Autograph Collection, is slated to be the first thematic hotel bearing the name of the popular festival that attracts thousands of fans.
    Marriott International’s Chief Development Officer for the Caribbean and Latin America region, Laurent de Kousemaeker, noted, “We are excited to announce the agreement with Iniciativas e Desenvolvimento Imobiliario Brasil for three hotels within their vast Master Project in Maricá, which will undoubtably transform the eastern part of Rio in the coming years. In addition to the quality of the projects and ideal beachfront locations, we were impressed by the developer’s passion and commitment to raise awareness around environmental sustainability, sociocultural issues, and education, which aligns with our values.”
    With MARAEY’s estimated investment of approximately US$360 million, the properties are expected to feature more than 1,100 rooms, generate more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs during the building phase, and create over 3,500 positions once operational. An Economic Impact Study, developed by Abacus Group, indicated the hotels will catalyze economic and tourism expansion in Rio de Janeiro state and Brazil, with a projected 300,000 direct and 150,000 indirect visitors per year.
    According to Emilio Izquierdo, Chief Executive Officer of MARAEY, “This agreement reinforces our commitment to create a tourist center of excellence just a short distance from Rio de Janeiro, in Maricá. Each hotel has complementary visions and the highest quality infrastructure, an exclusive leisure experience, comfort, and well-being by the sea and the lagoon, surrounded by the exuberant nature of the region. Also, in association with these Marriott hotels, we anticipate developing 244 exclusive branded residences (villas, duplexes, and apartments). Their unique architecture, quality construction, and services will undoubtedly become South America’s most exclusive first and second-home residential development.”A haven for guests to focus on their holistic well-being, the JW Marriott is anticipated to feature 120 guest rooms, some offering more than 2,500 square feet with large patios and swim-up pools, as well as 164 branded residences measuring up to 6,000 square feet. Showcasing all-inclusive, thoughtful programming, the hotel will be situated at the edge of Marica´s lagoon and hills and is expected to showcase a variety of entertainment spaces including restaurants, gyms, shops, pool areas, a spa, and a sports club.ADVERTISEMENTRock in Rio, Autograph Collection – part of Autograph Collection Hotels, a collection of diverse and dynamic independent properties championing individuality, offering immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint for guests – will bring the experience of the one of the biggest music and entertainment festivals in the world to life. The complex is anticipated to have 912 rooms in a beachfront, nearly one-kilometer structure, and a variety of distinct entertainment that have been carefully crafted for remarkable memories. Among the anticipated attractions are open-air shows by renowned artists, indoor and outdoor recreational sporting activities, wellness areas, and a convention center.
    Roberto Medina, President and Creator of Rock in Rio, is thrilled to provide a structure worthy of the City of Rock. “Rock in Rio goes beyond music, it is a true park of experiences, and having a brand themed hotel has always been a dream of mine. Through Rock in Rio, Autograph Collection, we will provide all the expertise and care that we have with the festival to this new venture. We will be even closer to our fans, creating unique connections any day of the year in a place that will be magical. I’m sure that everyone who visits the property will take away memories for a lifetime, just as the festival does.”
    Leading the project to bring the three hotels and branded residences to life is the Abacus Group, an international architecture and urbanism consultancy firm. “It has been an exciting experience to develop this unique tourist and residential proposal for MARAEY, always focused on the highest parameters of sustainability, innovation, construction and quality, including an impressive range of experiences for future guests and residents,” said Daniel Miguel, CEO of Abacus Property Development.
    Construction of the properties is expected to begin in the second half of 2023. For more information, please visit www.maraey.com

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    Discover Fresh and Exciting Tourism Products Across England, Wales, and Scotland

    VisitBritain is set to welcome more than 120 international travel trade buyers for a series of educational visits across Britain.The educational trade visits, underway from 28 January, are a mix of three-to-five-day itineraries to destinations across England, Wales and Scotland, showcasing the latest tourism products to international buyers and that Britain is packed full of fresh and exciting experiences for visitors to come and enjoy right now.
    Buyers from 16 international markets are taking part in the educational visits including representatives from the UK’s three largest inbound markets the USA, France and Germany, as well as from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, India, Italy, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, South Korea and Spain.
    VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said:
    “We are delighted to be showcasing Britain to international buyers to drive bookings. From the beauty of our coast and countryside to the exciting variety of our cultural attractions to our world class dining and accommodation, buyers will experience first-hand the warmest of British welcomes and the outstanding and varied tourism products on offer.
    “Working with the international travel trade is crucial to ensuring they are ready to sell Britain, as well as to broadening travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to explore further and stay longer.”ADVERTISEMENTVisitBritain’s in-country teams have worked in partnership with destination management organisations and destination management companies across England, Scotland and Wales to develop itineraries tailored to each market.All itineraries include London before the buyers embark on visits to destinations including Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District; Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds; Newcastle and Northumberland; Cambridge; Somerset; the West Midlands; the English Wine Region; Edinburgh; Cardiff and other regions of Scotland and Wales.
    The hosted visits are part of the national tourism agency’s ‘Showcase Britain’ event, which gets underway with a networking event for the international buyers and travel media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Thursday 26 January. The buyers will be officially welcomed by VisitBritain Chairman Nick de Bois CBE followed by updates from the agency’s trade teams as well as from London & Partners, VisitScotland and Visit Wales on the latest products, experiences, hospitality and accommodation.
    Before heading off on their educational tours, the buyers will also attend the ‘Britain & Ireland Marketplace’ (BIM) on 27 January. There they will have a full day of appointments with tourism suppliers and destinations from across Britain.
    The educational visits come as VisitBritain also gears up to host its flagship global trade event ExploreGB Virtual from 27 February to 2 March.
    VisitBritain is also set to launch a new GREAT Britain marketing campaign in February to drive bookings, inviting visitors to ‘See Things Differently’, showcasing Britain as a dynamic, exciting and inclusive destination. The campaign is also capturing major events in 2023 including the Coronation of King Charles III in May, with an additional Bank Holiday announced, and Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine, also in May, timely and valuable opportunities to promote Britain’s welcome, creativity and ability to host events of the highest calibre.VisitBritain’s latest forecast for 2023 estimates 35.1 million inbound visits to the UK, 86% of 2019 levels and 18% higher than levels seen in 2022. Its forecast for overseas visitor spending in the UK this year is £29.5 billion, a projected record high for annual inbound visitor spend.

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    ATLAS TO OFFER ‘EPICUREAN EXPEDITIONS’ IN EUROPE

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    ATLAS TO OFFER ‘EPICUREAN EXPEDITIONS’ IN EUROPE

    All Epicurean Expeditions by Atlas include a complimentary Cultural Immersion. Guests will enjoy enriching explorations of food or wine, such as a visit and tasting at a local vineyard.
    Atlas Ocean Voyages has revamped its product offerings to now feature year-round expeditions aboard its 198-guest, luxury yachts. In addition to visiting remote, polar destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic, the line will offer new Epicurean Expeditions to iconic, marquee ports in Europe, beginning in April 2023.“We specialize in expeditions that provide insights, indulge the senses, and inspire discussion among like-minded travelers,” said James Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO. “With the addition of our new Epicurean Expeditions, discerning explorers can now truly immerse themselves in the culinary culture of European ports, while cruising aboard a luxury yacht.”
    Onboard enrichment during Epicurean Expeditions will feature a Visiting Vintner, who may conduct a lecture and tasting to explain the subtleties of regional wines, from an aged Nebbiolo to a Beaujolais nouveau. A Gastronomic Guest – aboard every expedition – might be a renowned chef with a long history of cooking at Michelin-starred venues or a local culinary rock star skilled in the preparation of authentic, regional delicacies.
    In addition to demonstrations or interactive cooking classes, the Gastronomic Guest will participate, along with the ship’s executive or sous chef, in the Yachtsman Cookoff – the Atlas version of a culinary “ironman” competition. They will also accompany all culinary-focused Cultural Immersion shore excursions, which are complimentary on every Epicurean Expedition. Depending on the itinerary, guests might sample tapas in Barcelona; explore a farmer’s market in Corsica; or shop for chocolates and wine in Cinque Terre… to enjoy back on board.
    ATLAS’ NEW EPICUREAN EXPEDITIONS/2
    Epicurean Expeditions also include the Atlas Heritage Dining Experience and Josper Grill Dining Experience for no additional charge at the yacht’s two open-air specialty dining venues.ADVERTISEMENTAlma means “soul” in Portuguese. Alma Alfresco is the outdoor area aft of the main restaurant. The Atlas Heritage Dining Experience showcases the culinary soul of Portugal with recipes passed down for generations and prepared using artisanal techniques. Selections may include Bacalhau a Bras – shredded, salted cod with potatoes, olives, onions, and eggs, from Lisbon; and Torta de Azeitão – a delectable egg custard rolled in pastry, from Setúbal.
    After serving a casual lunch poolside, 7-AFT Grill transforms into a chophouse by night. Here the finest cuts of steak and fresh seafood are seared to perfection on a legendary Josper grill. Founded in Spain in 1969, Josper has become the world leader in charcoal gastronomy. Featured steaks at the Josper Grill Dining Experience may include Black Angus filet mignon, New York strip or a 35-ounce tomahawk – also known as cowboy ribeye. Non-beef selections often include lamb, shrimp, lobster, and vegetarian dishes.
    Whether cruising aboard World Navigator or the new World Traveller, Atlas’ stylish and intimate expedition yachts offer every five-star comfort, from luxurious accommodations and an all-inclusive onboard experience to in-depth shore excursions and customized private tours, for a truly personalized voyage.
    For information and reservations, call a travel advisor or 1.844.44.ATLAS or visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. You can also follow Atlas on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/AtlasOceanVoyages or www.instagram.com/AtlasOceanVoyages.

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