Eliana Willis

More stories

  • 138 Shares179 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Emirates and AIDA Cruises Extend Partnership, Elevating Dubai’s Maritime Tourism Status

    Solidifying Dubai’s place as a major maritime tourism hub, Emirates and AIDA Cruises have renewed their partnership for a further two seasons.
    The renewed partnership was signed on the sidelines of the first day of ITB Berlin and is in line with Dubai’s efforts to significant grow its cruise capacity. Dubai continues to attract the biggest players in the industry through offering a seamlessly integrated maritime hub, with state-of-the-art handling facilities supported with unrivalled air connectivity.
    Emirates will explore a number of opportunities with AIDA Cruises for joint marketing, operational alignment and strategic planning around flight schedules from across its network, in addition to enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International Airport and Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.
    The partnership will continue to focus on sharing relevant data and insights to improve service delivery, providing dedicated support teams for cruise passengers, and facilitating a smooth check-in process at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. The airline will also dedicate capacity for the next two seasons to ensure continued momentum to meet the demand for cruise packages to Dubai.
    The MoU was signed by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline; and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.ADVERTISEMENTAdnan Kazim commented on the renewed partnership: “We’re proud of AIDA Cruises’ long-standing commitment to Dubai, when they were one of the first cruise liners to home port in 2006.  We are readying the business for another robust cruise season in Dubai, and through the support of partners like AIDA Cruises anchoring in our home city and hub, we’ll continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as an attractive gateway for winter cruising.”
    “The Arabian Gulf is one of our most popular winter destinations due to its moderate flight times, pleasant summer temperatures and many hours of sunshine. Combined with the new state-of-the-art terminals at Dubai Harbour within easy reach of the city’s attractions and excellent airport connectivity, our cooperation with Emirates will further enhance the attractiveness of this destination for our guests with tailor-made flight options,” said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.
    AIDAprima has been operating to Dubai Harbour since 2021 and can accommodate up to 3,200 passengers. This season, passengers embarking and disembarking from Dubai can look forward to diverse itineraries that include destinations like Muscat, Doha, Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi.
    Dubai has been a first mover in joining up the entire travel and tourism ecosystem to facilitate hassle-free entry and visas for cruise passengers, seamless handling at ports which includes access to Emirates check-in desks at Dubai Harbour along with a host of other amenities dotted across the entire air and ground journey. Travellers have the added advantage of disembarking at one of the world’s most iconic tourism destinations, with landmarks and attractions that suit every taste, age and budget.
    The 12 Emirates check-in counters in Dubai Harbour allow passengers who are disembarking from their cruise ships to fully check-in up to 4 hours before flight departure with the convenience of exploring Dubai without their luggage before heading directly to the airport and breezing past most formalities before their flight.
    Last year, Emirates transported around 400,000 cruise passengers using Dubai cruise terminals. The city welcomed over 166 ships during the last cruise season, making it the region’s biggest port of embarkation and most popular call for cruise liners. The city expects an increase of 23% more cruise passengers for the upcoming season.

    Older
    InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Partners with Igee Okafor to Showcase Global Travel Experiences

    Newer
    JW MARRIOTT CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF JW MARRIOTT ST. MAARTEN BEACH RESORT & SPA More

  • 88 Shares179 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Jamaica Awarded Global Destination of the Year

    Jamaica has been named Global Destination of the Year at the renowned travel trade show, ITB in Berlin. The award was presented yesterday by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The PATWA is a nonprofit international media organization of travel writers founded in 1999 and the awards seek to recognize organizations, destinations/brands and individuals achieving the highest standards in their field.In accepting the award on behalf of the destination, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is known for its food, music and indeed love so we are humbled to be recognized for these experiential offerings to our visitors that provide meaningful memories.”
    The PATWA awards are held during ITB and are among the most coveted recognitions where nominees are evaluated on various standards with an extensive internal evaluation for each category.
    The Minister of Tourism is participating in the 2024 staging of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel tradeshow. With over 20 thousand participants expected for this year, ITB Berlin is viewed as a critical platform for the international tourism industry, fostering networking and facilitating knowledge exchange.
    “PATWA remains one of the highest honours you can receive in tourism and travel and Jamaica continues to punch above its weight to excel in its products and services. It is truly the perfect backdrop for all things romance – engagements, weddings, honeymoons – you name it,” added Minister Bartlett.
    Jamaica has received several awards based on its authentic and unique tourism offerings. Last year, the island was named ‘Caribbean’s Best Culinary Destination’ at the World Culinary Awards. In the same year, Jamaica won 33 World Travel Awards, chief among them was being named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination.’ADVERTISEMENTThis award also comes on the heels of phenomenal arrivals and earnings for the island last year. The destination welcomed over 4 million international visitors and earned US4.2 billion.

    Older
    Turks and Caicos Islands tops the Americas in Visitor Arrivals in 2023

    Newer
    TUI Airline awarded as Europe’s Leading Charter Airline More

  • 150 Shares99 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Turks and Caicos Islands tops the Americas in Visitor Arrivals in 2023

    The Turk and Caicos Islands has emerged as the best-performing destination in the Americas for 2023.
    In its Tourism Barometer, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) said the Turks and Caicos Islands saw its arrivals more than double at +127% since 2019. The World Tourism Organization is the United Nations specialised agency mandated with the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.The UNWTO said an estimated 1286 million international tourists (overnight visitors) were recorded worldwide in 2023, an increase of 34% over 2022, or 325 million more. This puts international tourism at 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, following a sustained recovery, especially during the first half of the year supported by strong pent-up demand and increased connectivity.When the Turks and Caicos Islands re-opened on July 22nd, 2020 with the implementation of stringent entry protocols including a vaccination requirement, the Government’s vision was on ensuring the safety of visitors and locals while continuing to attract a high-income, luxury niche market rather than a high-volume mass market.

    “Tourism is our main economic driver and as such, it was imperative that we got the sector up and running as early as possible but in a carefully managed and strategic way. The establishment of Experience Turks and Caicos in 2023, took a more intentional approach tomanaging the tourism sector around three pillars: Inclusive Growth, which speaks to all citizens and residents benefitting from the tourism industry, Sustainability, which assures the protection of our natural assets, and Competitiveness, which speaks to collaboration acrosssectors to ensure the destination remains a premier location for its multigenerational, affluent, luxury market,” said Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly.
    ADVERTISEMENTToday, with visitor arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic levels, the Turks and Caicos Islands is also focused on managing the influx of visitors with the strategic development of the destination through the Tourism Carrying Capacity Study. The Turks and Caicos Islands is the first Caribbean country to implement this study which aims to guide the Government’s policies for the sustainable development of the tourism industry through the analysis of the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of the sector.

    Older
    DidaTravel signs strategic agreement with Visit Oman to drive demand from China to Oman

    Newer
    Jamaica Awarded Global Destination of the Year More

  • 188 Shares189 Views

    in organisations-operators

    DidaTravel signs strategic agreement with Visit Oman to drive demand from China to Oman

    DidaTravel – a tech-driven global travel distribution company – is pleased to announce that during the ITB tradeshow in Berlin it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter into a strategic partnership with Visit Oman – the National Travel Operator – to promote the country to DidaTravel’s network of 25,000+ travel trade partners in China.The MOU outlines potential areas of collaboration between DidaTravel and Visit Oman, which include DidaTravel offering Visit Oman’s varied portfolio of contracted properties, transfers, and experiences to their extensive B2B network through API integration. As a result of this agreement Visit Oman will also be able to access DidaTravel’s consolidated portfolio of high value, yet hard to reach, Chinese travel trade customers. The two companies will embark on joint marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and drive travel demand from China to Oman.
    Jinyan Li, VP Global Account Management at DidaTravel commented “We are thrilled to partner with Visit Oman and leverage our B2B distribution network to introduce the beauty and cultural richness of Oman to our extensive network of travel partners in China. This collaboration holds immense potential to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties between our nations”.https://www.didatravel.com/home

    Older
    Celebrating the Triumph of ITB Berlin 2024: A Showcase of Global Tourism Resilience

    Newer
    Turks and Caicos Islands tops the Americas in Visitor Arrivals in 2023 More

  • 163 Shares159 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Future Hospitality Summit checks in to Dubai with biggest, boldest event to date

    The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), the region’s most influential hospitality and tourism investment event – now transformed and titled ‘FHS World’ and double in size – returns to Dubai this September.
    Previously known as AHIC and running for 19 years, FHS was last held in Dubai in 2022 and is back for 2024 with a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever event, renamed FHS World to highlight the continued growth of the region’s hospitality and tourism sector and the evolution of FHS as the leading event of its kind. Organised by The Bench and taking place 30 September to 2 October at Madinat Jumeirah under the theme ‘Invest in our Future’, FHS World will be twice the size as the last Dubai event, with a host of new features and focus areas, and a more personalised, immersive experience than ever before. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: “We are thrilled to be back at Madinat Jumeirah, where it all started in 2005. This year, we have added The Arena to our event canvas which almost doubles our floor space for FHS. This has allowed us to put together our biggest summit to date with an expected attendance of over 1,500, including 200 speakers, 300 investors and 100 sponsors.” Alex Lee, Chief Commercial Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “As part of our Mission 2030 strategy we have ambitious plans to evolve our brand and grow our portfolio internationally.  We’re very proud to host FHS World at Madinat Jumeirah and look forward to playing our part in shaping the future of luxury hospitality.”  This year, there will more emphasis on technology, green construction and sustainability, with a dedicated ESG Lab focusing on environmental, social and governance issues. FHS World will also have an investors’ lounge and an expanded exhibition area complete with its own ‘mini Expo’, featuring country pavilions showcasing investment opportunities, projects, plans and partnership prospects.  Key themes, features and attractions for FHS World – and beyond – were discussed among The Bench team, hospitality leaders and industry peers at the FHS Advisory Board meeting, followed by the FHS World Launch Reception, held last week at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.  “FHS World creates an intersection for the world of hospitality where the industry invests in its future. We are delighted to be back in Dubai in six months’ time with a bigger, bolder and better event than ever before. Delegates can expect the usual strong debate, dealmaking, insight and announcements that FHS is known and loved for, along with many more new, personalised and immersive features that reflect the continued growth of our ever-evolving travel, hospitality and tourism sectors. This year we are adding more ways for attendees to engage with conference content through multiple stages and nine conference tracks,” added Worsley.The Bench itself is also growing in line with FHS’s expansion, with new senior appointments among its multi-cultural, highly experienced team. Daria Smith has taken up the position of Portfolio Director; Oliver Marks is now Head of Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Middle East; and Son-Trang Nguyen is Production Manager. A number of trainees have also taken up permanent positions across marketing, production and operations under The Bench’s policy of team member development and promoting from within. FHS is firmly established as the leading event of its kind in the region, with two growing, annual events that underpin the unprecedented expansion of the Middle East’s tourism offering.  This year, FHS Saudi Arabia is on from 29 April – 1 May at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, followed by FHS World, 30 September – 2 October at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
    Registrations are now open at https://www.futurehospitality.com/ae.

    Older
    Two million visitors again to the United States

    Newer
    Celebrating the Triumph of ITB Berlin 2024: A Showcase of Global Tourism Resilience More

  • 100 Shares149 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Two million visitors again to the United States

    Travel from Germany to the United States of America has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Speaking at ITB Berlin, on Wednesday the US ambassador to Germany, Amy Gutmann, stated that the two million mark has again been exceeded, and is now within 85 per cent of the 2019 figure.
    Initial booking results for this year reveal that it will approach 100 per cent in 2024, Gutmann added. The aim is to achieve a total of 2.59 million tourists from Germany by 2028. In tourism to the United States itself sustainability has been assigned the utmost priority. One example that the ambassador gave was of Springville in Utah, where stargazing has been included in the list of tourism activities. Throughout the country the state of Utah is renowned for its dark skies, which remain largely “unpolluted” by lighting produced by human activities, which is further enhanced by the natural and very dry air.
    A Democratic supporter and political scientist, Gutmann emphasizes that the government of the United States actively supports tourism promotion, because this provides an excellent basis for growth and development and can help to reduce the division of the world resulting from different political systems.
    The presentations at ITB Berlin have clearly shown that the efforts being made by many US cities, including those far from the major conurbations on the west and east coasts, are using new and unique features in an effort to attract vacationers. As the second largest metropolis on the east coast, Philadelphia describes itself as the “World Capital of Murals”. Attempts to replace illegal graffiti by more artistic paintings, with the active support of the city authorities, has resulted in the creation of over 4,000 examples of such work. House owners with walls suitable for painting can advertise for artists. “There is a long list of such owners”, according to Dayana Gschechowiak from the marketing agency WTS which has been commissioned by the city for this purpose.
    St. Louis is not only promoting its Gateway Arch, a world heritage site, but also its location on Route 66 and the authentic American lifestyle, as represented by both the National Blues and National Automobile Museums.ADVERTISEMENT

    Older
    Israel’s tourism minister promotes travel to and in Israel

    Newer
    Future Hospitality Summit checks in to Dubai with biggest, boldest event to date More

  • 113 Shares179 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Israel’s tourism minister promotes travel to and in Israel

    Israel’s Tourism Minister Haim Katz has appealed for travellers to visit Israel again. Travellers were safe in the country, he said in front of the press on Tuesday at ITB Berlin. He would be urging the German government to drop the travel warnings for Israel issued by the German Foreign Office.
    As proof of the country’s safety, the minister said that the 150,000 residents of the area bordering the Gaza Strip, which had been evacuated after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, had been accommodated in hotels for tourists. “That is not something we would have done if the hotels had not been safe.” In the meantime around 80 per cent of the residents had been able to return home.
    Germany, Austria and Switzerland are among the leading countries for tourism to Israel. According to Ksenia Kobiakov, director of Israel’s government office for tourism, 402,000 visited in 2019. In 2022, after the pandemic, the figure was 207,500, and by 7 October 2023 it was 213,302. After that, tourism came to an abrupt halt. All in all, 13,000 tourists arrived in Israel daily before the pandemic. On 8 October 2023 they still numbered 23. In the meantime the numbers fluctuated at around 2,700 to 3,400, she said. “For the time being we are not counting on 13,000, but perhaps nine to ten thousand visitors“, was Kobiakov’s hope.

    Older
    Albania is the Host Country of ITB 2025

    Newer
    Two million visitors again to the United States More

  • 100 Shares179 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Albania is the Host Country of ITB 2025

    Albania has been announced as the Official Host Country of ITB Berlin 2025. On Wednesday, 6 March 2024, Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro and Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, signed a partnership agreement on the Albanian stand in Hall 1.1. Afterwards, the minister introduced the CEO to various regions and local specialities.
    Whenever Mirela Kumbaro talks about her home country Albania, she finds it hard not to enthuse about it. “Albania is a hidden gem in the Mediterranean with a good tourism infrastructure“, she commented during the signing ceremony. “People are in search of new destinations and experiences. Albania doesn’t fit any of the usual stereotypes, but instead is a small and sort of mystical country where travellers can gain new experiences.“
    According to Mirela Kumbaro, there is more to visit than just the sea and mountains, which together with the rivers and forests cover three-quarters of the country. It is the “Albanian spirit“ and the hospitality of the locals that make Albania so attractive. That has always been firmly part of Albanian culture, and not something just invented for the modern tourism age. “In Albania the house belongs to the guest and God“, said Mirela Kumbaro, quoting a common saying in her country. In Albania, visitors could expect to be treated like royalty, she added.
    Furthermore, distances between tourist attractions in Albania are short. It takes only a few hours to reach the mountains from the coast. The Vjosa is part of Europe’s recently declared Wild River National Park. In the north, the Albanian Alps await with many hiking trails and pristine mountain villages, where visitors can find accommodation.
    The latest statistics are proof that tourism in Albania is taking off. Last year, 10.1 million people visited Albania from abroad. According to UN Tourism (UNWTO), during the first six months of 2023 tourism in Albania experienced the third-highest growth worldwide and the highest in Europe. One million tourists have already visited Albania from abroad this year, 50 per cent more than over the same period last year.ADVERTISEMENT

    Older
    Ensuring Oman remains an authentic destination

    Newer
    Israel’s tourism minister promotes travel to and in Israel More