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    UNWTO sets out shared goals and opportunities for tourism in Paraguay

    The President of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benitez, welcomed this week UNWTO’s support as the county works to make tourism a central pillar of economic growth and social opportunity.
    Leading an official UNWTO delegation to Paraguay, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Abdo Benitez to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for tourism in Paraguay and identify ways of working together to grow and the sector in both size and relevance. Paraguay currently serves as Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas and is a member of its Executive Council. Such an active role in the mission of UNWTO underscores the government’s commitment to establishing the country as one of the region’s top tourist destinations and the sector as a driver of sustainable development.
    Making tourism a priority for Paraguay
    Secretary-General Pololikashvili noted that Paraguay is already “on the world map as a destination”, and that, working together, UNWTO and the government can “make this beautiful country better known and make tourism a priority for creating jobs and opportunities for economic growth”.
    Opening a special session on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Tourism, held against the backdrop of the UNWTO visit, President Mario Abdo Benítez, said: “The task of the National Government is to promote Paraguay as a destination as part of our strategy to generate income, strengthen our culture and give opportunity to a large number of young people who, as the UNWTO Secretary General said, have the potential to be tourism’s greatest strength.”ADVERTISEMENTAlongside meeting with the President, the UNWTO delegation also met with Minister of Tourism for Paraguay Sofía Montiel de Afara, with the National Tourism Advisory Council of Paraguay, as well as with representatives from the World Bank and from across the private sector. The presence of high-level representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, of Industry and Commerce and of Education and Sciences, underlined the cross-cutting importance of tourism for Paraguay and for the wider region. The Minister of Tourism stated her desire to build on her Ministry’s existing work with UNWTO and develop a new series of capacity-building initiatives to guide tourism in sector out of the pandemic and towards a more resilient future.
    Youth empowerment and rural development
    Reflecting one of UNWTO’s core priorities, as illustrated by the recent inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit, Secretary-General Pololikashvili also met with young tourism leaders and advocates from every part of Paraguay to hear their thoughts on the future of the sector and to ensure that they are part of the decision-making process. The UNWTO delegation also visited the historic community of San Cosme y San Damián, named one of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages in 2021 in recognition of its significance preserving the country’s unique cultural heritage and as a provider of rural development.

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    GBTA Foundation relaunches to Advance People and Planet Initiatives

    Helping the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet is the mission behind the Global Business Travel Association’s relaunch of its charitable arm, the GBTA Foundation. The GBTA Foundation will focus on the strategy and execution of GBTA’s global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and other talent-related topics via education, research, and advocacy.
    “We are excited to re-establish the GBTA Foundation within a fine-tuned scope of ‘people and planet,’” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “It’s an important moment in GBTA’s 54-year history, as we renew our commitment to creating lasting, positive impact. The GBTA Foundation, along with its newly appointed Board of Directors, will focus on making a positive impact in our industry and beyond.”
    Paul Abbott, CEO for American Express Global Business Travel, will serve as the Chairperson of the GBTA Foundation Board of Directors for the next two years. “I’m very pleased to lead the GBTA Foundation at this critical time − to pave the way for progress via ambitious programs and initiatives focused on sustainability,” he said.
    GBTA’s new Sustainability Program initiative, which launched in late 2021 to build a greener future for business travel and help reduce its climate impact, will now be managed under the Foundation, as will GBTA’s existing people-related programs, WINiT by GBTA and GBTA Ladders.
    Appointed by the GBTA Board of Directors, the Foundation Board will help ensure ambitions are large enough for the environmental and human sustainability challenges at hand, and to elevate the work of GBTA in research, advocacy, and practitioner learning – to reach those beyond the industry.ADVERTISEMENTLeaders from across the global travel industry with distinct interests and strengths in key ESG (environmental, social and governance) areas will serve as the Board of Directors for the Foundation for staggered terms of one and two years:
    Paul Abbott, CEO, American Express GBT (two-year term)
    Leslie Andrews, Director of Global Travel Category, JLL (two-year term)
    Erica Gordon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Public Affairs and ESG, Hilton (one-year term)
    Scott Kirby, CEO, United Airlines (two-year term)
    Darragh Ormsby, Global Travel Manager, Google (one-year term)
    Tyronne Stoudemire, Senior Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Hyatt (one-year term)
    Caroline Strachan, Managing Partner, Festive Road (two-year term)
    Denise Truso, GBTA Board President (as per Foundation bylaws)
    Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA (as per Foundation bylaws)
    Delphine Millot, Managing Director, GBTA Foundation (ex-officio)
    The Board held its first meeting this month and is prioritising Foundation governance, providing guidance on GBTA’s existing people and planet program efforts, and determining strategic areas of focus and priorities within environmental and human sustainability initiatives for 2023.
    Delphine Millot, hired by GBTA in January 2022, will administer the Foundation as its Managing Director and Senior Vice President-Sustainability. According to Millot, “This is an important opportunity for GBTA to create lasting impact via relevant research, education, and other programs that not only benefit our industry but bring the general public and policy makers closer to us on these relevant topics.”
    The GBTA Foundation was originally formed in 1989 as a US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA. Until early 2018 when it was put on hiatus, the GBTA Foundation was the center of all GBTA education and research. The education and research areas of GBTA were subsequently moved to the core GBTA organisation’s 501c6 tradeshow arm where they will continue to reside when not related to the “sustainability of people + planet” focus of the Foundation.

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    Trip.com announces long-term green tourism goals

    Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider, has announced its long-term goal to build green tourism, covering three key areas, including: working with partners to launch over 10,000 low-carbon travel products; promoting sustainable travel concepts and engaging 100 million travellers in low-carbon practices; and, aiming to further reduce carbon emissions across its own operations.
    Launching 10,000 low-carbon travel products
    Trip.com Group aims to launch over 10,000 eco-friendly travel products, with several initiatives already underway in the Group’s long-term plan. Trip.com and Skyscanner, sub-brands of Trip.com Group, have partnered with CHOOOSE, a company dedicated to offsetting the CO2 emissions for flights by supporting impactful climate solutions worldwide and enabling customers to seamlessly address their CO2 emissions as part of the customer experience. Users from over 35 different Trip.com sites are now able to purchase this carbon offsetting option across almost all flight inventory.
    In mainland China, Trip.com Group’s sub-brand Ctrip, has been working with suppliers to offer a wide variety of eco-friendly travel products, such as zero waste camping and eco hiking. Trip.Biz, a corporate travel brand of the Group, has recently conducted a campaign to promote “Green Hotels” and “Green Flights” in mainland China. The corporate travel brand was also awarded a Silver rating by EcoVadis, an internationally recognised corporate social responsibility (CSR) rating platform in 2022. In its car rental business, Ctrip advocates travel with alternative fuel vehicles and through this promotion has seen related orders grow at an annual rate of approximately 140%. According to the current order assessment, compared with traditional vehicles, renting alternative fuel vehicles will reduce carbon emissions by about 10,000 tons in 2022.
    Promoting sustainability awareness and inspiring 100 million travellersADVERTISEMENTAs part of the Group’s long-term commitment to improving sustainability awareness, consumer brand Trip.com surveyed its customers to learn more about user sentiment towards sustainable travel and how the pandemic has impacted consumer opinion. Crucially, the survey revealed that travelling sustainably is essential to most respondents.
    Trip.com Group continues to build upon its content marketing strategy to provide awareness of more sustainable options. Trip Moments, the home of user-generated traveller content on Trip.com, encourages users to review, recommend and share their travel content with over two million travellers worldwide. Building up to World Environment Day 2022, Trip.com South Korea held various events and activities to encourage users to think more sustainably and share content on Trip Moments with the hashtag ‘sustainable travel’ – driving awareness among users.
    In promoting sustainable tourism, Ctrip is using its self-produced variety show to advertise eco-friendly travel. The green travel variety show is a collaboration between Ctrip and National Geographic featuring environmental experts and travel professionals who accompany special guests to explore sustainable lifestyles whilst discovering the beauty of China’s cities and countryside. It is China’s first travel variety show focusing on ecological awareness.
    Reducing carbon emissions across operations
    As a one-stop travel service provider with more than 30,000 employees and businesses across the world, Trip.com Group continues to value operational practices that look after the environment. The Group pledges to further reduce carbon emissions across its own operations in the near future.
    The Group has adopted several environmental initiatives, including building intelligent energy management system, solar hot water system, and renewable heating system to reduce energy consumption. Its headquarters in Shanghai has been awarded LEED Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. From 2019 to 2021, a new round of energy saving investment was made in the Trip.com Group Shanghai headquarter offices, this upgrade resulted in a 45-50% reduction in energy used for lighting the buildings.
    In 2021, Trip.com Group announced to establish its ESG Committee and joined the UN Global Compact, committing to create a more sustainable future for tourism and society.
    Jane Sun, Trip.com Group CEO commented, “We have always adhered to the vision of ‘pursuing the perfect trip for a better world ’ and will work with our users and partners to further reduce carbon emissions in a more holistic and systematic manner. We still have a long way to go and much more to do.”

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    ABTA launches 2022/23 events programme

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    ABTA launches 2022/23 events programme

    ABTA has launched its events programme for autumn 2022-summer 2023 offering a host of high-quality, professional training events and conferences for businesses of all sizes, designed to keep the travel industry up-to-date on important, business critical issues.
    As the industry continues to rebuild from the pandemic and tackles new issues never faced before, ABTA is keen to provide a brand-new line up of events for this new era of travel.
    Taking on board the feedback from our Members, a significant part of the programme is focused on in-depth training events from high calibre specialists and industry experts.
    Attendees can expect advice and guidance in a diverse mix of areas including customer service, social media and marketing, finance, travel law and regulations. The training that is being introduced is suitable for new recruits as well as those returning to the sector and includes: 
    CRM and Data Management Strategies for Travel – 13 September 2022Introduction to Travel – 15 September 2022An Essential Guide to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for Travel – 5 October 2022Carbon Literacy for Travel – 3 October 2022Employment Law – 1 December 2022ADVERTISEMENTTo reflect the growth in new recruits entering the industry, ABTA is offering the option for businesses that wish to book multiple training sessions across the year to book discounted delegate packages that they can use at a time that suits them.
    ABTA will also be hosting its annual conferences, including:
    Travel Trends – 17 November 2022Travel Matters 2022 – 6 December 2022 (rescheduled from June 2022)Travel Finance Conference – 1-2 March 2023Delivering Sustainable Travel – 15 March 2023Travel Law Seminar – 10-11 May 2023Travel Marketing Conference – 17-18 May 2023Travel Matters 2023 – 21 June 2023
    In addition to the multiple training sessions discount, ABTA is offering a 10% discount on all event bookings made before 31 August using the code ABTASUMMER22*. The events are open to the whole travel industry with reduced rates available for ABTA Members and Partners.
    ABTA’s Head of Events, Eve Coburn, said:
    “Following high demand from our Members, we have focused our events programme to offer a wide range of training sessions and conferences as the industry moves forward in the aftermath of the pandemic. ABTA is offering our Members and travel professionals the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills in our ever-changing industry.”
    All ABTA events can be found listed on the Breaking Travel News Travel Events Calendar – https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/events/

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    A&K Travel welcomes arrival of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity

    Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of the A&K Travel Group, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, and executives from shipbuilder Fincantieri welcomed the arrival of the recently acquired ‘Crystal Symphony’ and ‘Crystal Serenity’ to Trieste, Italy, where the ships are being refurbished.
    Mr. Lefebvre took the opportunity to formally announce, on behalf of himself and Co-Chairman Geoffrey Kent, the appointments of Jack Anderson as President of Crystal Cruises and Bernie Leypold as Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations.
    “Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre are icons and innovators in luxury travel,” Anderson said. “With their ownership, leadership and vision for these ships and the award-winning Crystal Cruises brand, we are embarking on a new and exciting chapter.  We and the entire Crystal Cruises family look forward to welcoming guests again soon.”
    “It is an honor to join the new Crystal Cruises with a commitment to not only recreate, but enhance the sophisticated luxury service, cuisine, entertainment, and shore experiences in collaboration with our sister company, Abercrombie & Kent,” Bernie Leypold added.
    “We welcome the return of members of our loyal and well-trained Crystal crew to our family and they will be given priority in the hiring process.” ADVERTISEMENT“There are extensive refurbishments planned for both ‘Crystal Symphony’ and ‘Crystal Serenity’ that will elevate the customer experience.  Some staterooms will be combined, creating more butler suites and reducing overall guest capacity,” explained Cristina Levis.  “This will bring a gracious new feeling of spaciousness to the restaurants and public areas.”
    The CrystalCruises.com website will soon provide further updates on appointments, ship enhancements, new itineraries and employment opportunities.

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    U.S. Travel launches Sustainable Travel Coalition

    The U.S. Travel Association has announced the launch of its new Sustainable Travel Coalition, which aims to align the travel, transportation and technology sectors in developing and advancing strategies to enable a more sustainable future for the U.S. travel industry.
    With nearly 60 member organisations at launch, the Sustainable Travel Coalition will serve as an advisory body to inform U.S. Travel on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns within member organisations and destinations. A dedicated Policy Committee will help drive the broader coalition’s efforts to enable regular progress and collaboration.
    U.S. Travel has several long-term goals, which will inform the coalition’s near-term policy priorities. The long-term goals:
    Spotlight industry progress by showcasing innovative technologies and calling attention to the ongoing actions and leadership of travel professionals in the sustainability space.
    Amplify industry goals and commitments to conservation, best practices, waste and emission reductions and both long- and short-term investments.
    Highlight why sustainability matters and the importance of it as a core to travel’s future.
    Play offense by identifying and promoting proactive policies to help the industry achieve its goals.
    Defend against harmful policies that slow progress toward sustainability goals or penalise the industry without progress.
    “Seeing the world and saving the world should not be mutually exclusive,” said U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes. “As technology advances and consumers demand more sustainable travel options, the work of this coalition will ensure that the U.S. travel industry can meet the needs of an evolving market while also protecting our planet’s natural resources.”
    “This is clearly an issue that spans well beyond the travel industry itself to practically all other sectors of the U.S. economy,” added Barnes. “By bringing together stakeholders across related industries, we are aligning leaders in travel, transportation and technology on the critical issues that will affect their businesses for decades to come.”ADVERTISEMENTTRAVEL INDUSTRY LETTER TO CONGRESSTo accelerate investment in sustainable travel, more than 100 travel industry organisations—including groups within and outside the Sustainable Travel Coalition—called on the federal government to advance the following near-term priorities:
    A tax credit for the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), such as those proposed in the Sustainable Skies Act (H.R. 3440/S. 2263).
    An enhanced tax credit to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging stations.
    An enhanced tax deduction to increase energy efficiency upgrades to commercial buildings.
    Federal investments to protect and restore natural attractions, including recreational waterways, shorelines, and National Parks.
    Other clean energy incentives for investment in renewable energy deployment, green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, direct air capture and other innovative technologies to lower the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and the power grid.
    In addition to the priorities detailed in the letter, the coalition will identify and advocate for other priorities in the coming months.

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    States progress towards long term aspirational goal on aviation emissions

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed progress by states towards a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero aviation carbon emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement’s temperature objectives. This is noted in the summary of discussions for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) High Level Meeting held in preparation for the 41st ICAO Assembly later this year.
    “The ICAO High Level Meeting’s support of a long term goal for states that is in line with the aviation sector’s net-zero by 2050 commitment is a step in the right direction. A formal agreement at the 41st ICAO Assembly would underpin a common approach by states to decarbonize aviation. That’s critical for the aviation industry. Knowing that government policies will support the same goal and timeline globally will enable the sector, especially its suppliers, to make the needed investments to decarbonize,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
    In October 2021, IATA member airlines committed to net zero emissions by 2050. The path to achieve this will involve a combination of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new propulsion technology, infrastructure and operational efficiencies, and carbon offsets/carbon capture to fill any gaps.
    “Net zero by 2050 will require a global transition for aviation to new fuels, technologies and operations. The significant investments to get there will need a solid policy foundation aligned with a global way forward. That is why it is so important for states to carry the momentum of the High Level Meeting through to a formal agreement at the 41st ICAO Assembly in a few weeks,” said Walsh.

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    Thailand Privilege Card membership programme extended for 2 years

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that the Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) is extending its Elite Flexible One membership programme for another two years, through until 31 December, 2024.
    The decision to continue the programme – which was scheduled to end in 2022 – is in response to the positive feedback received from foreign investors who have joined as Elite Flexible One members. As a member, foreigners are able to enjoy both membership privileges and favourable opportunities for property investment in Thailand.
    Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The Elite Flexible One programme has proven a valuable tool in promoting property opportunities in Thailand to foreign markets and in generating much needed revenue in what has been a difficult period. We are happy to see the programme being extended.”
    Since the Elite Flexible One programme was introduced in March 2020, it has brought in over 100 million Baht from real estate investment by foreigners, including substantial revenue that was generated for the country during the COVID-19 situation.
    Ms. Ratchadawan Loetsilathong, TPC Acting President, said the extension of the Elite Flexible One membership programme for a further two years would help real estate operators drive their sales volume and thus stimulate the overall Thai economy. It would also draw more foreigners to Thailand, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic weakening and the kingdom having reopened its borders.ADVERTISEMENTThe number of property operators participating in the Elite Flexible One programme currently stands at 22, which between them are offering 77 development projects that members can invest in.
    To be eligible for Elite Flexible One membership, the applicant must purchase condominium-type real estate with a total value of not less than 10 million Baht and be a Thailand Elite cardholder.

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