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    UNWTO sets stage for Global Youth Tourism Summit in Italy

    The Summit, organised by UNWTO in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Italian National Tourist Board, will provide a unique opportunity for young people aged between 12 and 18 to share their vision for the future of the sector. For one week, 100 young delegates will network with and work alongside politicians, leading figures from across the tourism sector as well as from the worlds of entertainment and sports.
    Against the backdrop of the BIT travel trade show in Milan, UNWTO Director for Europe Alessandra Priante joined representatives of the project partners to share more details of the landmark Summit. The inaugural event will be held around the theme of International Sustainable Tourism. The program will include interactive activities oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals and how they interact with tourism, during which participants will learn how to build a sector that combines sustainability, culture, gastronomy, innovation and climate action.
    Empowering the next generationUNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “The Global Youth Tourism Summit is a unique platform to celebrate and empower the next generation of tourism leaders. It will help build a lasting legacy by providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to transform tourism not only in their communities but everywhere.” UNWTO Director for Europe Professor Priante added: “Tourism offers opportunities to the youth. But youth gives tourism the opportunity to become stronger and more resilient. We are extremely proud of the first generation of GYST-ers, who already show their promise and commitment to transform tourism – starting from their local communities.”
    High-level participationIn Milan, the organisers confirmed that several Italian Ministries will be involved (education, foreign, south), as will a number of key UN institutions, including FAO, UNICEF and ITU. The Summit will bring together major international players convened by UNWTO, including the Global Tourism Economy Research Center of Macao, the Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, the Azerbaijan National Tourism Agency, Hilton International, Mastercard Europe and MSC Crociere. Confirmed institutional guests will include Commissioner Gabriel, the UN’s ENVOY for YOUTH Jayathma Wickramanayake, some of the UNWTO Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism Valeria Mazza, Didier Drogba, Gino Sorbillo and many other international VIPs and influencers.
    Hosts anticipate ‘unique experience’“A moment of osmosis between past, present and future can only benefit Italy which is being reorganised and reborn. We believe in the contribution and enthusiasm of the generations of tomorrow, not only for the lessons they can teach us and for the necessary comparison of what will come next, but also because new opportunities arise from this dialogue, not only in terms of tourist offerings, but also in terms of tourist training,” says Enit President Giorgio Palmucci.ADVERTISEMENTFelice Casucci, Councillor for Tourism of the Campania Region adds: “The institutional chain must be compact at a time when it is necessary to have a broad vision and focus on young people for a great international message of peace. Sorrento is a unique opportunity to put together a highly recognised tourist destination with a narrative that is open to the territorial contexts and regional identity values among the most exclusive and attractive in the world.”
    The Mayor of Sorrento, Massimo Coppola says: “Our city is honored to host the first edition of Global Youth Tourism. The objective of the event is to bring participants, selected and from all over the world, to live a unique experience, promoting the comparison and ensure that the new generations can pursue the mission of environmental sustainability. To animate it will be young people aged between 12 and 18 years, who will confront themselves and contribute to the definition of the World Tourism Agenda 2030.”

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    Global travel & tourism sector unites to support Ukraine

    Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC
    Travel and tourism businesses around the globe have come together to support Ukraine with millions of hotel rooms for refugees escaping the conflict, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
    WTTC members such as Accor, Airbnb, Carnival Corporation, the European Travel Commission, Expedia, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, Internova Travel Group, Marriott International, MSC Cruises, Radisson, and Uber to name just a few, have opened their doors to refugees in neighbouring countries donating rooms, transport, clothing, food, shelter, urgent supplies and financial contributions.
    In Ukraine, hotels have continued to stay open offering a base to charities, journalists, and those stranded by the conflict. Businesses across the global Travel & Tourism sector including airports, airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators, are going to extraordinary lengths to help alleviate the suffering of those affected.
    This invasion has caused the biggest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War.
    In addition to providing urgently needed accommodation, businesses large and small have made multi-million-pound donations to disaster relief funds which have been supplemented by individual fund-raising initiatives. ADVERTISEMENTJulia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “There has been an outpouring of support from Travel & Tourism companies across the globe.
    “Hotels have opened their doors receiving refugees, and in Ukraine, teams on the ground are keeping hotels open for aid agencies, journalists, and those stranded and desperate.
    “Cruise lines and airlines have transported supplies, and across the board the response has been incredible, and I salute the courage of teams on the ground.
    “WTTC and our Members stand for peace and respecting the national sovereignty of every nation and our hearts go out to all those who are suffering from this brutal invasion.”
    Many companies around the world have generously matched their employees’ contributions to support charities providing help through emergency aid and essential supplies.Temporary accommodation has been arranged thanks to generous Travel & Tourism employees opening their homes to provide emergency shelter. Airbnb also devised creative solutions to get money into the hands of local people.
    In addition, much needed medical and hospital supplies have been provided by businesses’ donations through various charities around the world.
    WTTC and the Global Travel & Tourism sector are united in providing help to those affected by this crisis.

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    Summer 2022 poised for strong tourism business

    The global tourism market is expected to reach $637 billion this summer, an increase of 50 per cent, according to forecasts by ITB Berlin and Statista. The study says long-term changes in travel behaviour due to Covid will not affect decision-making and destination choices, whilst the war in Ukraine is unlikely to severely impact the travel industry.
    The ITB Berlin and Statista study, Statista’s Mobility Market Outlook (MMO), forecasts that the global travel industry will grow by a projected 48 per cent, reaching $637 billion in 2022. In 2023 it will overtake pre-pandemic levels by around five per cent, reaching almost $756 billion. In 2022, the highest growth rate is forecasted for the cruise industry (180 per cent year-on-year) and the hotel trade (57 per cent). The hotel trade represents the largest tourism market segment and will likely exceed private accommodation and holiday apartments as well as package tours. At the same time, the MMO predicts that the market for private accommodation and holiday apartments will exceed $81 billion in total turnover, only two per cent short of the market volume in 2019.
    War in Ukraine unlikely to severely impact the travel industry
    As these forecasts do not take the impact of the war in Ukraine into account, the question is whether it will affect the global travel and tourism industry in the long term – and if so, in what ways? According to an analysis by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), apart from the coronavirus pandemic, the events with the biggest long-term impact on global civil aviation were the combination of the dotcom bubble bursting in 2000 and the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. In 2001 and 2002, global air passenger numbers declined year-on-year by one per cent, briefly interrupting the growth trend in air travel, before returning to and exceeding pre-crisis levels in 2004. According to data received from the UNWTO, in 2019 Russia and Ukraine, the two countries currently at war, accounted for three per cent of global tourism spending on international travel. Assuming the war does not spread to other regions, it is unlikely that it will severely impact the global travel industry. However, it is possible the crisis could have a bigger impact on individual markets. In Cyprus, according to the finance minister Konstantinos Petridis, Russian tourists account for around 25 per cent of international visitors. Their absence could cost the country up to two per cent of GDP. According to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, last year his country was host to more than 4.5 million Russian tourists and two million from the Ukraine – together almost 30 per cent of the foreign visitors holidaying there. Unlike Cyprus, the Turkish government has yet to impose sanctions on Russia, so it is unclear how heavily Turkey’s tourism industry will be affected.
    Holidays are back: airlines can expect record business this summerADVERTISEMENTDespite the crises, Germans appear to have rediscovered their lust for travel and holidays. According to Statista’s Global Consumer Survey (GCS), more than 62 per cent of Germans are planning at least one trip over the next 12 months. In an interview with the trade magazine watson, Dr. Bernd Eisenstein, director of the German Institute for Tourism Research, interpreted this as the market catching up again: “During the period of wide-ranging restrictions there was a pent-up demand for travel which is now really asserting itself.“ This effect is noticeable in a different segment of the market too. According to the German Aviation Association, the number of passenger seats now available to the tourism market has risen by three per cent compared with summer 2019. In an interview with Deutsche Presseagentur, Jens Bischof, head of the market leader Eurowings, said: “After two years of the pandemic, millions of people finally want to catch up on their holidays or meet important business contacts face-to-face again.“ That was why, starting in March, his airline would be flying to more destinations than ever before. According to Eurowings, the focus of holidaymakers is on the Mediterranean. Among the most popular destinations are Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. European destinations are generally high on the list of German holidaymakers. According to the GCS, 54 per cent of people travelling this year plan to holiday in Europe and 18 per cent in Asia, which ranked in second place.
    Covid has changed a lot – but not everything
    It is no secret that the pandemic has fundamentally changed holidaymakers’ travel behaviour on both the domestic and international markets. According to the GCS, the pandemic has influenced the travel behaviour of 90 per cent of travellers in Germany, the UK and the USA. This impact would seem to be long-lasting: only 31 per cent of interviewees do not believe that the changes in travel behaviour will be permanent.
    However, some things will stay as they are. As the flight schedules of Eurowings in Germany and the findings of the GCS seem to show, the reasons for choosing a destination have hardly changed. In 2022 as in 2019, the five most important criteria listed by Germans for a holiday destination are the weather, nature, personal safety at one’s destination, local attractions and the price. As far as prices go, 36 percent of interviewees in Germany want to spend more on holidays than before the pandemic, 31 per cent the same amount, and 31 per cent aim to spend less. Specifically, 50 per cent of travellers plan to spend more than 2,000 euros on themselves and, where applicable, their family, while 17 per cent actually plan to spend over 3,000 euros. Ultimately, the tourism industry can expect business to return during the summer, and in some markets and at some destinations it will already reach pre-pandemic levels.
    YOU CAN CHECK ALL WORLD’S Leading Travel Events at… https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/events/

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    UK government pledges £7.6 million for rail innovation

    The UK government has made £7.6 million available for cutting-edge technology that will help transform rail travel.
    Rail Minister Wendy Morton has officially announced this year’s First of Kind competition, which invites bids from companies specialising in innovative ways to modernise the railways.
    In partnership with Innovate UK, this year’s competition will award up to £7.6 million to projects creating cutting-edge ideas that are striving towards transforming rail travel for passengers and decarbonising the network.
    The competition officially opens to applicants on 20 April 2022 and closes on 8 June 2022, with bids welcome from organisations of all sizes for projects creating a greener, more cost-effective and passenger-focused railway. The year’s competition is focusing on technologies that improve the industry’s cost efficiency and network performance to support a more reliable railway for passengers and improving rail freight.
    Rail Minister Wendy Morton said:ADVERTISEMENT“I am incredibly excited to launch the sixth round of our First of a Kind competition. In partnership with Innovate UK, we have already invested £35.4 million into over 100 groundbreaking projects.”
    “We’ve seen cutting-edge technologies such as HydroFLEX developed, the first ever trial of a hydrogen-powered train on the UK mainline and software improving accessibility such as the Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay app.”
    “As part of our Plan for Rail, it’s key we continue breathing life into new ideas and supporting innovation and design to deliver greener rail journeys and transform rail travel for all passengers.”
    Last year saw 33 innovators receive grants of up to £400,000 each.
    The First of a Kind fund has helped trial and launch over 100 projects which are promoting greener railways, improving passengers’ rail experience and accessibility on the transport network, and helping the railway to be more cost-effective. Some of these projects include:
    HydroFLEX – the first mainline trial of a hydrogen train in the UK with Birmingham University’s HydroFLEX project, as pictured above
    Window seater – an innovative app, connecting rail travellers to the world outside their window with geolocated audio stories along the railway
    Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay (HEAR) – HEAR is an affordable software supporting hearing impaired passengers that automatically broadcasts audio announcements to passengers’ own devices

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    Aurora Expeditions celebrates successful Antarctica return

    The Australian adventure travel company, Aurora Expeditions has recently completed its return season to Antarctica and is celebrating a 100% success rate for its first season in almost two years.
    Hundreds of adventurous expeditioners from around the globe joined Aurora Expeditions on the Greg Mortimer across eight voyages, ranging between 10 and 23 days from January to April 2022. The mix of passengers included passengers from Australia, the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore and more.
    “Aurora Expeditions is thrilled with the success of our return season to Antarctica, getting back to what we do best in our 30th year of operation,” commented Aurora Expeditions’ VP of Operations, Tomas Holik.
    “Our exceptional safety record and lack of interruptions during this season is a testament to our team’s commitment, planning, and expertise in ensuring that our expeditions were as safe and enjoyable as possible for our passengers. It was undoubtedly a combination of our strengthened health and safety measures and the fantastic cooperation of our passengers that ensured our incredibly successful return to operations.”
    “We are honoured to have received so much remarkable feedback from our expeditioners who joined us this season. No one comes back from Antarctica the same, it changes them,” commented Hayley Peacock-Gower, Chief Marketing Officer for Aurora Expeditions. ADVERTISEMENTShe continued, “We know that travellers are increasingly returning to their ultimate travel wish lists and looking to make up for lost time, explore and push their own personal boundaries. Expedition travel is a type of travel like no other, taking passengers on true adventures to some of the wildest and most remote reaches of our planet.
    Aurora Expeditions has been leading perspective-altering expeditions for thirty years, and with our successful return to operations and the imminent launch of our second ship, we are incredibly well placed to meet the increasing desire for people to take that once in a lifetime trip.”
    Aurora Expeditions’ 22-23 Antarctica season commences in October 2022, and forward bookings are in high demand, with many voyages close to being sold out. Expeditions still upcoming for this season include voyages to Costa Rica & the Panama Canal, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Greenland, The European Arctic and Canada’s Northwest Passage.
    The company also recently released its 2023 Arctic season with new itineraries including the Jewels of Coastal UK, Across the Arctic Circle, and an expedition to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and the Azores, all of which have so far seen an overwhelmingly positive response.
    Aurora Expeditions’ second purpose-built expedition ship, the Sylvia Earle, is due to debut in late 2022.

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    Ras Al Khaimah announces new MICE incentives

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    Ras Al Khaimah announces new MICE incentives

    As a growing MICE destination in the region, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced new progressive initiatives to support their Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Event (MICE) offering, further strengthening the Emirate’s position on the international map.
    Ras Al Khaimah has hosted several prestigious international and regional events over the past years with Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre being named the first safe meeting facility in the world, as certified by Bureau Veritas. With a dedicated outdoor event venue at the Jais Adventure Park and extensive facilities across the Emirate’s portfolio of hotels, each venue has specific elements that provide guests an inspiring overview of Ras Al Khaimah’s culture, hospitality, and unique offerings.
    Having partnered with prominent associations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council and Deutscher Reiseverband pre-pandemic, the Arab Aviation Summit was the first in-person event to be held in 2021 due to the Emirate’s safety and hygiene initiatives implemented across its venues. The Emirate also played host to the Global Citizen Forum’s acclaimed annual summit in 2021, bringing together some of the world’s leading minds including country leaders, philanthropists, activists, acclaimed artists and athletes, entrepreneurs and top-tier economists, as well as hosting the Schweizer Reise-Verband’s (Swiss Travel Association’s) first annual General Assembly since the pandemic, welcoming 180 leading Swiss travel agents and tour operators. Most recently, the Emirate welcomed the World Tourism Forum Lucerne’s International Start-up Innovation Summit and is set to host several association events and conferences this year including The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), marking the first time that the not-for-profit travel trade association has hosted its Annual Summit in West Asia.
    To further attract associations, the Emirate has launched a series of new initiatives to further support business tourists and MICE groups in 2022, which include:Flexible rates at Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre facility (2700 sqm)
    Incentive Program (rebate on accommodation rates*)
    Waive of Permit fees
    Free PCR Test for the delegation
    Free extension of hotel stay and meal plan for those who tests COVID positive
    Free medical coverage for those who need medical attention at Ras Al Khaimah hospital
    Reduced delegate rates for the attractions With a growing corporate tourism offering, Ras Al Khaimah is cementing its reputation as a leading MICE hub in the region, with visitors able to experience a unique mix of culture, nature and adventure, combined with an extensive hospitality offering and close proximity to Europe, Asia and Africa.
    “With our impressive portfolio of hotels offering an array of first-rate meeting and events facilities, plus our world-class Al Hamra Exhibition Centre, specifically designed to provide a new level of flexibility to host all types of events, Ras Al Khaimah is perfectly suited for the MICE travel sector. With high profile and successful events behind us, we are focused on further strengthening the appeal of the Emirate within this segment and look forward to welcoming even more business travellers in 2022,” said Iyad Rasbey, Executive Director, Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

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    Ras Al Khaimah holds roadshow in India

    Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, representing the Northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, held a 2-city roadshow in India. The 4-day networking event in Delhi and Mumbai received an overwhelming response with over 400 travel trade, MICE, wedding specialists and leading media. The 2022 Roadshow successfully showcased key highlights and upcoming tourism developments in Ras Al Khaimah that will help facilitate additional traveller demand from India.
    The event kicked off in New Delhi on April 4 th followed by Mumbai on April 7 th where the tourism authority delegation, led by Iyad Rasbey, Executive Director, Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, met business partners and media.
    Commenting on this year’s roadshow, Iyad Rasbey said “It was great to reconnect with our travel partners in India since the start of the pandemic. India is a very viable and highly valued travel market; last year alone it was the third largest international source market for Ras Al Khaimah, welcoming over 30,000 visitors. This is considerable given that the Indian market was largely closed or restricted last year. We aim to increase this and go back to pre-pandemic tourism numbers through promotional activities geared towards leisure travellers and incentives targeting MICE, destination weddings and other celebrations.”
    Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced a tourism strategy that will see the destination become the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025. It maps out key steps for the Emirate to secure long-term sustainability that will drive overall tourism growth objectives and contribute directly to national and international climate change and environmental policy commitments. An investment of USD $134 million is geared towards 20 sustainable tourism developments across the Emirate especially on Jebel Jais where our projects have been designed to not just protect the mountain ecosystem, but to enhance it. By creating attractions that preserve the Emirate’s culture and local communities, guests will be able to enjoy authentic experiences that will see them leaving a positive impact in Ras Al Khaimah when visiting.ADVERTISEMENTOn new and upcoming destination attractions in 2022, the Jais Sledder, the region’s longest toboggan ride were highlighted amongst a line-up of upcoming enhancements on Jebel Jais like the Jais Wings (paragliding) and Jais Mountain eco-golf. New sustainable accommodation includes Earth Altitude, an eco-based pop-up hotel concept and Cloud7 Camp Jebel Jais, the ultimate sustainable glamping experience. In addition, a brand-new tethered hot air ballooning experience in Manar mall, RAK airventure, which will offer panoramic views of the city above the beautiful mangroves and a Scallop Ranch at Al Hamra Marine will offer oyster/scallop diving, live cooking, family and kids’ experiences, and cultural activations.
    Expanding the destination’s portfolio of world-class hotels, the Emirate recently welcomed the opening of InterContinental Mina Al Arab with 351 rooms, the largest Hampton by Hilton globally, with more than 500 rooms and Radisson Al Marjan Island with 388 rooms. Operated by global hospitality brands, a series of new hotels and resorts will be launched across the Emirate over the next three years including Marriott, Movenpick, Anantara, Sofitel and Conrad, adding 3,525 keys to the current 7,720 keys in Ras Al Khaimah.

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    Bangkok to host 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that Thailand, in its role as the host of the APEC 2022, will hold the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 60th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting in Bangkok from 14-20 August, 2022.

    H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, said that the meetings will discuss the tourism direction after the COVID-19 crisis in the Asia-Pacific region to revitalise tourism in the region for the better, which the deliverable results will be reported at the APEC Leaders’ Summit. The tourism sector will reflect on the restorative strategy of the Thai economy by focusing on promoting tourism under the new normal of safety and health and providing service quality and consistency, and most importantly, supporting responsible tourism under the 5 factors of safe tourism – clean – love the environment – fair – and sustainable or Safe – Clean – Green – Fair – Sustainable.
    In its leadership role as the host country, Thailand is aiming to push forward the APEC Policy Recommendations on Regenerative Tourism to pave the way forward for the future of tourism that ensures that the industry contributes to all types of well-being locally. This is in line with the Royal Thai Government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, which is being used to revive Thailand’s tourism industry with the aim for safe, inclusive, and sustainable travel. The BCG Economy Model capitalises on Thailand’s strengths in biological diversity and cultural richness, and conforms to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The arrangement of the event will be environmentally conscious and embrace the use and presentation of local products, which reflect creativity and local wisdom knowledge.
    Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Thailand’s tourism transformation, in response to growing trends in the new normal era, is in a direction towards stronger and sustainable, more responsible, more digital, and more inclusive growth. These objectives are incorporated into TAT’s ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ marketing campaign, and are being used in the organisation and hosting of the various APEC events Thailand as the APEC host country will stage throughout the year.”ADVERTISEMENTThailand’s theme for its hosting of the APEC 2022 is “Open. Connect. Balance.” under which it is pushing forward three key priorities to develop the Asia-Pacific region. These include facilitating trade and investment with a refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific or FTAAP, promoting balance, sustainability, and inclusivity through the concept of the Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, and restoring regional connectivity, particularly in the travel and tourism industry towards safe and seamless cross-border travel in the region, including the APEC Information Portal for Safe Passage as a one-stop portal for information on cross-border travel within the region and the proposal to expand the scope of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to cover a broader range of businesses and professionals as the world exits the COVID-19 era.
    At the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2022, Thailand will propose the “Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy”, in response to the BCG Economy Model, Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, UN SDGs, and APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040. The paper is to serve as an affirmation of the 21 APEC nations’ commitment to pursue a more inclusive, balanced, and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and achieve long-term environmental and climate objectives.

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