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    Influential speakers revealed for WTTC Sustainability & Investment Summit

    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils its speakers for the upcoming Sustainability and Investment Summit in Puerto Rico, including environmental activist and filmmaker, Alexandra Cousteau, and 41st Treasurer of the U.S., Rosario Marin.
    Taking place on June 14 in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the event will bring together world leaders in the field to analyse the challenges facing the sector.
    Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, is a sustainability and environmental activist with the unique ability to inspire audiences on the weighty issues of policy, politics and call to action advocating for the importance of restoration and sustainable management of water sources.
    As Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, Marin was tasked with greening California through defining standards, improving waste management and supporting hospitality sustainability.
    At this one-day event, WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, will endorse the sector’s commitment to preserve the planet, its biodiversity and reduce climate change. It will focus on building resilience in Travel & Tourism through investment, sustainable growth and the development of communities.ADVERTISEMENTAlso taking to the stage at the Sustainability and Investment Summit will be Tourism Ministers from around the Caribbean and other destinations, including Argentina, Barbados, U.S. and Bahamas, amongst others.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are delighted to have such influential speakers at our summit in Puerto Rico.
    “It is an honour to have Alexandra Cousteau and Rosario Marin addressing delegates, where they will be able to share how sustainability has shaped their work and share lessons learnt on how to bring about sustainable change.
    “Puerto Rico is a strategic destination for the Caribbean region. This event will serve as a platform to discuss investment in sustainable tourism.”
    Other notable speakers set to address the Sustainability and Investment Summit will be Arnold Donald, President & CEO Carnival Corporation and Chairman at WTTC; Senator Lisa Cummins, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Barbados, Jennifer Aguinaga, Deputy Director for Policy & Planning, U.S. Department of Commerce; Nicola Madden Craig, Manager Caribbean Hotels Tourism Association; Carlos Mercado, Executive Director Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Frank Rainieri, Chairman & Founder Grupo Puntacana;, José Ricardo Botelho, Chief Executive Officer at ALTA; Megan Morikawa, Director of Global Sustainability Office, Iberostar; and Rick Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA, amongst others.
    To attend this live event or join thousands around the world virtually, please click here.

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    ITB Berlin and Statista: how environmental awareness is influencing travel behaviour

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    ITB Berlin and Statista: how environmental awareness is influencing travel behaviour

    Globally, the world’s travel industry contributes around ten per cent of GNP, but worldwide it is also responsible for about five per cent of CO2 emissions – The majority of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by transport – Climate change is creating eco-awareness but not dampening people’s desire to travel – Travellers want to avoid flying, but are still planning trips abroad – Policymakers are called upon to support research and investment in green transport.
    According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the tourism and travel industry accounts for around ten per cent of global GNP, seven per cent of global exports and more than ten per cent of jobs. The industry is large – and also has a noticeable impact on the environment. Globally, tourism accounts for around 5 per cent of CO2 emissions.
    A 2020 eco-awareness survey by the German Environmental Agency found that for 65 per cent of Germans environmental and climate protection is a very important issue. Over 77 per cent of those polled see human activity as being the main cause of climate change. According to the Global Consumer Survey (GCS) by Statista, which worldwide polled up to 60,000 people per country in over 55 countries, climate change has an influence on the travel behaviour of 65 per cent of all tourists in Germany.
    Consumers are aware of the transport problemAccording to the UNEP, transport is responsible for three-quarters of global CO2 emissions resulting from tourism. Air transport (40 per cent) and car use (32 per cent) account for the majority of these CO2 emissions. Train and bus transport is responsible for only a small share (three per cent). In Germany in 2019 (the base year in order to exclude pandemic effects), a domestic flight with an average passenger load emitted 214 g of greenhouse gases per passenger km – almost 40 per cent more than a car (154 g per passenger km at a load factor of 1.4 persons/car) and almost 638 per cent more than a long-distance train journey (29 g per passenger km).
    The current Statista survey now shows that German travellers are indeed aware of the environmental impact of their individual transport. In response to whether they would change their travel behaviour because of climate change, the most frequent answer given was “avoiding (long-haul) flights“.ADVERTISEMENTClimate change has little effect on people’s desire to travel – trips abroad remain in high demandHowever, deciding not to travel at all for reasons to do with sustainability is rare. Of the German interviewees planning not to travel in 2022, only six per cent gave protecting the environment as their reason. Accordingly, the threat posed by climate change is not generally affecting people’s desire to travel, but potentially influencing how they go on holiday.
    Despite 24 per cent of German travellers interviewed by the GCS saying environmental reasons had recently motivated them to change their foreign travel plans, in 2022 these trips are still in high demand. 70 per cent of Germans planning a trip this year want to (also) cross international borders. Only later will we discover whether people have actually changed their travel behaviour as indicated and actually refrain in numbers from (long-haul) flights and long-distance trips.
    Sustainable tour operators are a possible solutionHowever, in the case of both domestic and foreign trips the following applies: sustainable travel is feasible. A general assessment of package tours, all-inclusive hotels or budget travel is not possible. In addition to the type of transport, there are other aspects which influence how sustainable a trip is and which are of interest to tourists. Thus, for 48 per cent of German travellers avoiding waste is important on their holidays, for example. For 40 per cent, saving resources such as energy and water is important, and 39 per cent would like local staff to be fairly paid. Rika Jean-François, CSR commissioner for ITB Berlin: “Every step towards sustainability counts. Even an all-inclusive resort can be run responsibly and sustainably if it has a proper waste and water management system, uses renewable energy and offers local produce, and if the employees are from the region – however, the management must support these measures. Nowadays, customers no longer have a binary choice between ‘low-cost’ and ’ethically correct’ travel, as more and more operators are including sustainability in their product portfolio without raising prices. This is an investment in the future. Beyond that, independent certification is no less important, as it offers operators and customers orientation and helps to prevent greenwashing. Sustainability must become part of a general mindset, including towards our travel behaviour. If I take a local trip by train I am reducing my carbon footprint. If I fly, will I stay longer at my destination instead of indulging in short trips? We all have to ask ourselves if we really need to jet somewhere to go shopping. I hope that soon this will no longer be hip and believe we will see this lifestyle changing in the near future.”
    Sustainable tour operators offer many types of eco-friendly travel. They include companies such as Forum Anders Reisen, Gebeco and Intrepid Travel. According to the GCS findings, the potential exists in all the markets that were specifically examined (Germany, UK, USA). More than 40 per cent of those polled were willing to book a trip with a sustainable tour operator, and around 36 per cent were even willing to pay a premium for booking with one. However, in the past two years only 19 per cent of respondents had done so. Here too, time will tell whether travellers actually abide by their resolutions. Contradictions between one’s expectations or convictions and actual behaviour are not a new phenomenon, especially where protecting the environment is concerned. However, what is clear too is that travellers are not only aware of their individual behaviour, but also see the travel industry as having an obligation to provide attractive sustainable travel options.
    Policymakers and tour operators must actIn the GCS, 92 per cent of travellers in Germany demand that policymakers and tour operators introduce measures for more eco-friendly holidays. For travellers in the US and UK, certification of eco-friendly resorts and providing information on a trip’s carbon footprint are a big factor. In Germany, banning private planes tops the list of measures (28 per cent, first place), compared with 19 per cent (fourth place) in the UK and 11 per cent (ninth place) in the United States. Tourists in all countries are unanimous that above all there needs to be more research (combined: 23 %) and investment (combined: 24 %) in eco-friendlier transport options.

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    Eve and Falcon Aviation Services announce partnership

    In April 2022, a subsidiary of Eve Holding, Inc. (“Eve” or the “Company”) and Falcon Aviation Services (“Falcon”), a leading Business Aviation Services operator in the Middle East and Africa region, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for up to 35 electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft. With deliveries expected to start in 2026, the partnership will introduce the first eVTOL touristic flights from the Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Eve and Falcon will work together with the local stakeholders and authorities to support developing the Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) ecosystem for the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”).
    Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, Chief Operating Officer of Falcon, said: “We are ecstatic to partner with Eve and be the first operator of eVTOL in Dubai & the MENA region. The launch of this concept fully aligns with the Smart Dubai vision and will contribute to positioning Dubai as a global leader in sustainable Urban Air Mobility transportation. Falcon is actively engaged in Urban Air Mobility emergence and committed to delivering an effective and sustainable new urban transportation mode and providing the community with better and faster solutions. We are particularly proud to take a new step in the UAE, in a project that will be revolutionary for sustainable urban mobility.”
    “We are thrilled about partnering with Falcon and having the immense opportunity to enable the future urban mobility in the United Arab Emirates and launch eVTOL flights in Dubai. This is a massive challenge for both companies, which will help to position Dubai as a leader in the urban air mobility market. Eve’s global experience, which spans different regions across the globe, will surely benefit the achievement of this project,” said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve.
    This collaboration reinforces Eve’s commitment and efforts to safely enable the global UAM ecosystem by providing an agnostic and holistic portfolio of solutions.

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    Amar Latif named as UKinbound keynote speaker

    Travel trade association UKinbound is pleased to announce Amar Latif, broadcaster, entrepreneur and blind traveller as its keynote speaker for its 2022 Annual Convention, taking place in Aberdeen on 28 and 29 September.
    Latif is the founder of Traveleyes, a touring company specialising in supporting blind travellers, and has presented a number of documentaries, including the BBC’s critically acclaimed Beyond Boundaries. He plans to deliver an inspiring keynote, with a focus on recovering from adversity.
    Bookings officially open on Tuesday 7 June, for the event at P&J Live, which will bring together more than 200 travel trade professionals from across the industry.
    Alongside the keynote, delegates will have access to two days of networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, one-to-one business meetings, and engaging discussions on the critical issues facing the industry.ADVERTISEMENTIn addition to a full day B2B workshop with one-to-one scheduled appointments and free-flow sessions, the association is excited to bring back its Awards for Excellence, to celebrate the resilience and innovation of the industry.
    Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said “Amar is an inspirational leader that really understands the travel and tourism industry, and I’m incredibly excited he’ll be joining us in Aberdeen as our keynote address.”
    Amar Latif commented “I am delighted to be attending UKinbound’s Annual Convention in Aberdeen and I’m really looking forward to sharing my experiences, passions and insights with attending delegates.”
    Post-convention, on the morning of Friday 30 September, delegates will also have the opportunity to join a half day Aberdeen fam trip, including a Street Art Tour and visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery.
    Additionally, buyers are invited to join an overnight fam trip from Friday 30 September to Saturday 1 October, which will showcase exciting Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, travel trade ready, bookable itineraries.

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    DA to divert 60% of all DXB waste from landfills by mid-2023

    Dubai Airports is marking the World Environment Day by kicking off a new waste management initiative that will play an integral role delivering on its commitment to keep 60% of all waste from Dubai International (DXB) from entering landfills by the middle of 2023.
    As part of the new programme, the operator has implemented an innovative food waste treatment plan which is expected to capture and compost more than 2,000 tonnes of food waste annually from food and beverage outlets, lounges and hotels across DXB terminals and concourses. Decomposing food waste in landfills results in the emission of methane gas which is 72 times more harmful to the environment than CO2.
    The innovative new food waste plan was created in partnership with Dubai Airports’ waste management partner BEEAH Group, the Sharjah-based sustainability pioneer. It uses a special high-tech biodigester compost system installed in multiple locations across DXB that dramatically increases the speed at which food waste breaks down and becomes reusable compost and clean wastewater.
    The DXB waste diversion strategy is designed to sustain a resilient waste management system that identifies the least economic, environmental, and social impact methods to capture, treat, reuse, or recycle all forms of waste. To date, the programme has already achieved greater than 40% reduction in waste, including a special initiative that captures 100% of all cooking oil used in airport F&B outlets and converts it to biodiesel fuel.
    “Capturing and diverting all forms of waste from landfills is a strategically important component of our waste management programme. While airport operations contribute a very small percentage of the overall waste generated at DXB, we are working in close partnership with airlines, F&B facilities, and all other partners across the airport to make a unified commitment to achieving and surpassing our 60% waste reduction objective,” said Jamal Zaal, Vice President of Safety and Sustainability at Dubai Airports.ADVERTISEMENT“BEEAH Group is committed to being Dubai Airports’ partner to create a range of innovative new programmes to capture and find a useful purpose for all forms of waste in the most practical and impactful ways possible. Deploying Power Knot technology across all DXB terminals and concourses is a great example of that innovation and will put us on the path to achieve our goal of eliminating food waste and achieving our waste diversion targets,” said Rafael Sanjurjo Lopez, CEO Bee’ah Tandeef.
    World Environment Day is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. Held annually since 1974, it has grown into the largest global platform for environmental outreach. The campaign slogan for World Environment Day 2022, hosted by Sweden, is “Only One Earth” and is focused on living sustainably in harmony with nature.
    Dubai International Airport is considered the World’s Leading Airport by voters at the World Travel Awards.

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    DOT, MMC Foundation partnership brings ER bikes to Metro Manila tourist sites

    The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation has launched the Hospital-in-a-Bike project, which seeks to boost tourist safety in three tourism sites in Metro Manila.
    The Emergency Response (ER) bikes will be deployed in the areas of Intramuros, Luneta Park, and Paco Park—which was recently designated as a National Cultural Treasure on its 200th year anniversary. In celebration of MMC Hospital’s 53rd anniversary, these ER Bikes were also donated by The MMC Wellness Center and the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines.
    Two of the sites namely Luneta Park and Paco Park are being managed by the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), while Intramuros is being overseen by the Intramuros Administration (IA). Both NPDC and IA are attached agencies of the DOT.
    The bikes, which are designed for cycle responders, were developed using custom-built mountain bikes fitted with appropriate lights and sirens. The bikes are lightweight and include a strengthened back wheel and stronger spokes, water bottles and pannier bags which contain assorted medical supplies and equipment for first responders.
    Spearheaded by the MMC Foundation, the Hospital-in-a-Bike Project aims to distribute a total of 100 ER bikes among public sector partners around the Philippines, and will be pre-positioned in chosen strategic pilot areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.ADVERTISEMENTTourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat shared her satisfaction with the latest development, citing its positive impact in promoting safe tourism in the three sites.
    In her speech at the turnover ceremony held at the Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Puyat thanked the MMC and PLDT-Smart for their relentless support to the DOT’s initiatives, particularly in medical and wellness tourism.
    “I hope the partnership of the DOT with PLDT-Smart and Makati Med will continue. They have installed free internet in Intramuros, upgraded the Ciriaco Tirol Hospital in Boracay, helped in vaccinating tourism workers in Siargao, and provided health security during the Philippines’ hosting of the WTTC Summit, where our delegates experienced world-class healthcare and hospitality. Together, we showed that when the government and private sector work together, great things can happen,” Puyat quipped during the turnover ceremony.
    Present during the turnover were officials of MMC and PLDT-Smart led by Marge M. Barro, Executive Director of MMC Foundation, and Esther O. Santos, President of PLDT-Smart Foundation.Key officials of the DOT, including Intramuros Administrator Atty. Guiller B. Asido, Medical and Wellness Tourism Director Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, NPDC Deputy Executive Director Jezreel Gaius A. Apelar, among others, also joined the tourism chief in the activity.
    Early in 2020, Puyat has partnered with PLDT-Smart in providing emergency satellite (SAT) phones to regional tourism offices. Likewise, the existing partnership of the DOT and MMC Foundation ensured the necessary upgrade of the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital in Boracay Island.

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    US Secretary Raimondo announces new strategy to revitalise nation’s travel and tourism More

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    US Secretary Raimondo announces new strategy to revitalise nation’s travel and tourism

    Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo has announced a new national travel and tourism strategy that focuses federal government efforts to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry and sets an ambitious five-year goal of attracting 90 million international visitors to the United States each year. It is estimated these visitors would spend $279 billion annually—expenditures that will support job creation in communities across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia.
    The Tourism Policy Council, a federal interagency council created by Congress, was charged by Secretary Raimondo with creating the strategy to focus U.S. government efforts in support of the travel and tourism sector which has been deeply and disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy follows a four-point approach to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, create safe and secure checkpoints, and bolster travel and tourism in underserved and underrepresented communities across the country.
    Specifically, the strategy aims to: promote the United States as a premier travel destination, including broadening marketing efforts to encourage visitation to underserved and underrepresented communities; facilitate safe and efficient travel to and within the United States and its territories; ensure diverse and accessible tourism experiences with a focus on showcasing the nation’s federal lands and waters while also protecting them for future generations; and foster resilient and sustainable travel and tourism with goals to reduce the sectors’ contributions to climate change while rebuilding sectors that protect natural resources, support the tourism economy and ensure equitable development. Read the strategy and the fact sheet.
    “Across all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, communities are safely welcoming back visitors. From the crown jewels of our national parks and forests, to the historic and diverse sites that tell the story of our people and culture, the United States offers destinations for international travelers like no other,” said Secretary Raimondo. “The impact of COVID-19 has taken a toll on our national and local economies, but it also has presented us with a unique opportunity to mold a more inclusive, equitable, sustainable and resilient travel and tourism industry than ever before. Our new strategy leverages the best of what the U.S. public and private sectors offer, which will promote jobs, recover lost revenues, and inspire unforgettable experiences.”
    The travel and tourism sector has historically been a critical force in economic growth and employment in the United States. When non-U.S. residents purchase goods and services while in the United States, it counts as export income for the U.S. economy.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2020, the Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office reported that the decline in travel and tourism to and within the United States accounted for 56% of the decline in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), and travel exports dropped 65% in 2020 when compared to 2019, or pre-pandemic levels.
    However, throughout 2021, as the Biden-Harris Administration implemented a robust vaccine rollout and effective travel policies centered around health and safety, along with lifting travel restrictions when it was safe to do so, monthly overseas arrivals to the United States increased from roughly 775,000 in October 2021 to more than 2 million in April 2022. As a result, international travel to the United States has generated a trade surplus in each of the past five months indicating a positive trend toward recovery even as international travel remains below pre-pandemic levels.

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    Jamaica focused on attracting sustainable and innovative investments

    As Jamaica pursues its Vision 2030 development plan to transform its economy, the island’s government continues to develop and seek innovative investments that can accelerate economic and social growth.
    These investment projects will not only provide economic rewards, but will also be sustainable, create new avenues for development in communities, towns, and cities, and will lead to significant improvement in Jamaica’s overall business environment.
    Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, noted that the government has expended significant resources to foster an enabling environment for economic growth. “Our long term goal is for investment products and partnerships that are sustainable, that will energise our economy and drive positive change at all levels of society,” the Minister underscored.
    “We consider innovative investments to be all about sustainability, transformation and expansion,” explained Norman Naar, Vice President of Sales and Promotions at Jamaica’s investment and export promotions agency, JAMPRO. “These investments will help to protect our environment, meet the challenge of climate change, and create employment opportunities across the society. They will make Jamaica more competitive and strengthen connections between investors and suppliers.”
    Ultimately, the goal is to encourage and facilitate the development of products and services that will enhance the lives of the island’s population. These products and services will also use technology to advance sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and others.ADVERTISEMENTInnovative investment projects already underway – with more to come
    There are a number of innovative and sustainable investment projects already underway within the Jamaican economy.
    In the energy sector, there are three significant solar and wind energy projects generating 115MW kWh in renewable energy; approximately 14 percent of energy generation. Renewable energy is a significant part of Jamaica’s Integrated Resource Plan, which aims to achieve 30 percent of electricity generation from renewables by 2030.
    These projects include the 20-megawatt (MW) Content Solar Ltd. solar energy electricity generation plant owned by WRB Energy Company; the Wigton windfarm with a 20.7 MW plant and an 18 MW extension facility, the largest wind energy facility in the English-speaking Caribbean; and Jamaica’s largest photovoltaic power plant, the 51 MWp (megawatts-peak) Paradise Park solar farm, one of the cheapest producers of energy in the country.
    In manufacturing, the government has highlighted the island’s “clean beauty” sector as an area of focus, where investors would partner with local manufacturers of beauty products that use ethically sourced ingredients like local castor oil. Helping these local companies increase production and find additional markets will increase employment in the communities from which they source their workers and boost the manufacturing industry.
    Another area of focus in manufacturing is the transformation of plants like bamboo to create raw materials and value-added products. The Bamboo Bioproducts (BBP) project, for example, will be the world’s first fully integrated bamboo pulp mill, using a sustainable agro-ecological-industrial model. Locally grown bamboo acquired from company-owned lands and managed farms across the island will be used to manufacture bamboo pulp, which will be exported to global markets.
    In tourism, there are opportunities to create wellness and eco-tourism projects that will protect Jamaica’s environment, while building on the country’s strong brand as a destination for visitors.
    With regards to agriculture, Naar revealed, “We are seeking innovative investments in agribusiness that can improve the sector’s resilience, profitability, and output. In the leveraging of technology in agriculture, we look to reduce risk of theft, improve consistency and significantly increase yield or scale of production. Therefore, we have a major drive to increase the use of agriculture tech or Agtech as it is also known.”
    This includes the creation of projects that have Agtech elements like controlled environment agriculture, automation of commercial greenhouses, and precision farming. Climate smart agriculture and climate-resilient crops are also needed.
    Investment in medicinal plants and the cannabis industry will provide the opportunity to boost medical research and will lead to the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
    Priority Investment Project initiative will facilitate more investments
    To increase the level of these innovative investments that are sustainable, and to create economic benefits and local business and community involvement, the government has launched the Priority Investment Project Initiative as part of Jamaica’s National Investment Policy.
    The initiative prioritises projects that will have high performance in areas like economic impact, innovation, linkages, investment in internationally competitive industries, and developmental impact on the local economy. Once a project meets the required standards and is approved by Jamaica’s Cabinet, the investors will receive non-fiscal benefits to assist in overcoming challenges they may face with the venture.
    Regarding the initiative, Minister Hill said, “We are serious about fostering investments that bring innovation to the Jamaican economy, and that includes working with investors as partners in achieving their goals. This priority investment initiative will help us to give these projects even more support; at the same time, it helps to ensure that we meet our Vision 2030 objectives through projects that will provide a major boost to our economy and society.”
    Jamaica is considered as the World’s Leading Family Destination by World Travel Awards.

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