Eliana Willis

New data from travel technology company IBS Software reveals that despite more than two thirds (68%) of passengers being inconvenienced by disrupted journeys since COVID travel restrictions were lifted and 66% expecting more of the same during upcoming trips, most (83%) still plan on flying for a break in the next six months.The research, which polled 2000 recent travellers in the UK and US*, warns that holiday providers have one more chance to get it right; if holidaymakers experience disruptions again during their upcoming trips, over half (55%) will avoid booking with the airline in the future. When asked who they blame for their poor experiences, 50% said it was the fault of the airlines when flights were delayed, with just 13% blaming the airport. However, when it comes to lost luggage the jury is out – 42% say it’s the airport’s responsibility and 40% are seething at the airline.
Delayed flights or missed connections was the most common holiday hurdle, affecting over a third of all passengers (35%), followed closely by waiting in longer than normal queues (31%) and cancelled flights (15%). Lost luggage, which dominated the news headlines in the Summer, is confirmed by the research as a major annoyance, blighting nearly 1 in 7 passengers’ holidays over the last 18 months.
Despite a clear desire to travel, passengers won’t accept more disruption without protest. If passengers find out their journey is going to be disrupted, 53% will complain to the airline and 38% will use social media to broadcast their annoyance. And if an airline doesn’t have a reputation for punctuality they’re likely to lose out with 93% of travellers saying this is an important factor when deciding which airline to buy from.
However, there is still an opportunity for airlines to win back the loyalty of their passengers. When terminal turmoil occurs, passengers can be placated by automatic refunds when eligible; proactive customer support to suggest alternative routes; and automatic alerts on their phone when something goes wrong. As one passenger who took the survey commented: “Just actually organise yourselves properly, there’s no excuse for all the disruption”.
Philip Hinton, SVP, IBS Software, comments: “The pent-up desire to travel was always going to put airlines and airports under extreme pressure – and so it proved, with widespread disruption plaguing many long-anticipated journeys. Airlines know this is a major issue and we are seeing them prioritising on-time performance and customer satisfaction because the widespread issues have directly impacted business performance.”ADVERTISEMENT

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Ontario International named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fifth straight year

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The accolades keep rolling in for Ontario International Airport (ONT), the gateway for choice for millions of Southern California air travelers and now, for the fifth straight year, the fastest-growing airport in the United States
The ranking is based on a survey of frequent travelers by Global Traveler, a magazine geared to business and luxury fliers who travel extensively in the U.S. and abroad, and comes as ONT is poised to reach its highest annual passenger volumes since 2008. Ontario is on track to serve a quarter of a million more passengers this year than the 5.6 million recorded during the last pre-pandemic year of 2019, making it one of the fastest-recovering airports in the U.S.
Being a member of Global Traveler’s five-time club puts ONT in rarified air and underscores the airport’s emergence as one of the industry’s great success stories since its return to local ownership six years ago. Ontario also is one of the Top 10 cargo airports in North America and a major economic driver in Southern California, generating $3.8 billion in activity, supporting 27,800 jobs and serving as the hub for a global supply chain network that generates $17.8 billion in economic output.
“We’ve committed to establishing Ontario International as a premier aviation gateway, and are thrilled with the response we’ve received from the community and region we serve. Being recognized as the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. is something we’re very proud of, but what matters most is being able to offer our travelers a safe, convenient airport experience they won’t get anywhere else,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
Atif Elkadi, OIAA chief executive officer, noted that 10 million Southern Californians live or work closer to ONT than any other airport.ADVERTISEMENT“We appreciate the trust our community has put in us and recognize the responsibility that comes with that to grow the right way. As we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, that partnership with the community and the region will allow us to add more flights, more destinations and enhanced customer-experience amenities that matter to travelers from across the Inland Empire and Southern California,” Elkadi said.

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Disney Cruise Line Returns to Tropical Destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico

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Following the success of the annual Terry Spurlock Halloween Fly-In event held this past October, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA), in collaboration with its Bahamas Flying Ambassadors, will continue its series of fly-ins with a 5-day fly-in excursion to Marsh Harbour, Abaco, December 8-12.BMOTIA’s annual fly-ins were put on pause for the last two years due to Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 pandemic. The recently held Halloween Fly-in was named in honour of The Bahamas’ first Flying Ambassador, who died earlier this year.
Only days away, the much-anticipated December fly-in will host more than 50 private pilots and flight enthusiasts with the goal of demonstrating how easy it is to fly to The Bahamas and the process required to do so while simultaneously allowing participants to experience a quick immersion in Bahamian life and culture.
Guests will have an opportunity to attend meetings with Richard McSpadden, Executive Director of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute before and during the trip on the safety of flying to The Bahamas. The Association recently hosted a webinar with more than 593 attendees.
BMOTIA is also excited to join its partners, Flying Ambassadors Valerie Talbot and Eric Larson from Skyline Baron Pilot, as well as SUN ‘n FUN and Banyan for a taste of why It’s Better in The Bahamas.
During the 3-day Terry Spurlock Halloween Fly-In held October 28-30, Ahmad Williams, BTO District Manager for General Aviation and Verticals Department, BMOTIA, along with Brandon Gardner, Bahamas Flying Ambassador, led a group of 10 flying enthusiasts to Green Turtle Cay, Abaco where they were accommodated at Bluff House Hotel.ADVERTISEMENTThe fly-in experience provided participants with a unique island experience, showcasing that the island of Abaco is open for business.
Guests can expect similar experiences and more, with the latest instalment of the fly-in event this December.
“We are looking forward to continuing this unique experience for pilots and all those interested in flying to The Bahamas,” Williams said.  “Our whole objective is to attract as many guests as we can to come to our 16 island destinations and show them step-by-step, how easy it is to fly to The Bahamas.”
The Bahamas is the leading destination for general aviation in the Caribbean and on the Eastern Seaboard, a designation it has held for years. No other destination even comes close to capturing the record that The Bahamas enjoys as the #1 destination for private pilot arrivals.
Over the past five years, private aviation delivered more than half a million passengers to Bahamian shores. In 2021 alone, there was an unprecedented spike in private aviation stopovers, more than double that of any recorded in a pre-pandemic year. To date, The Bahamas has already surpassed 2021 numbers with over 188,000 private pilot visitors. The Bahamas has 54 airports throughout the archipelago – 25 are private and 29 are government owned – 20 of which are official ports of entry, equipped with Bahamas Customs and Immigration officials to process private pilots’ entries and departures.

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OCEANIA CRUISES ACCELERATES DEBUT OF NEW SHIP VISTA

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Not only is Finland an important market for TUI, but the country is also a destination in its own right. The province of Lapland in northern Finland is a favorite winter holiday spot for TUI’s customers and over the coming season, TUI will fly nearly 50,000 holidaymakers to Lapland from the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
The work to create a true TUI Winter Wonderland starts months in advance. This year’s preparations began in June and right now 200 elves, 56 reps and 33 entertainers from the TUI family are based in Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo. All of them are dedicated to making holidaymakers’ Christmas dreams come true this holiday season. Guests will enjoy snowmobile rides, cookie making, sleigh rides around the snow village and last but not least, a visit to Santa Claus himself.
Finland is also the place where TUI’s cruise ships are built. The Meyer Turku shipyard in the southern Finnish city of Turku built two vessels for TUI Cruises in 2018 and 2019 and in June of this year, construction began on another cruise ship for TUI’s fleet: the Mein Schiff 7.
“I am so excited to visit Finland and the incredibly beautiful Lapland. Finland is not only a very important destination for us, but the country is also an important partner for the entire TUI Group because some of our cruise ships are manufactured here. This season, a record number of guests will travel with TUI to Finnish Lapland and discover its wintery magic. Together with our partners from Finavia, the hoteliers and people of Rovaniemi, we are happy to offer holidaymakers experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Sebastian Ebel, CEO of the TUI Group. “Furthermore, investment in a modern airline fleet has been an essential part of TUI’s sustainability agenda for many years now. With our new Boeing 737-8 airplane named Rovaniemi, we continue on our journey of becoming Europe’s most fuel-efficient airline,” Ebel added.
“TUI naming its new aircraft Rovaniemi symbolizes the great cooperation between the travel industry partners in the Lapland area. TUI is an important customer for Finavia and we are grateful for the long partnership together! Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in improving customer experience and customer service as well as redeveloping our airports in Lapland. We have also increased cooperation with our partners to market Finland as a holiday destination in order to attract visitors to experience the magical North”, said Petri Vuori, Vice President, Sales and Route Development at Finavia.ADVERTISEMENT“It is a great honour for Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus® because our long-term winter holiday partner and true Lapland specialist, TUI, has given the name Rovaniemi to one of their aircraft. Rovaniemi is the starting point for all Christmas holidays in Lapland and our region has charmed British and Dutch holidaymakers for decades. This winter, we expect a full season and a strong tourism recovery, which will mean record-breaking winter months for Rovaniemi”, said Sanna Kärkkäinen, CEO of Visit Rovaniemi.
“This time of the year is very special to me because on the one hand, TUI´s Finnish customers go on holiday to warmer and sunnier destinations such as the Canary Islands and Thailand; but at the same time I am proud to welcome tens of thousands of TUI holidaymakers to my home country to experience the magic of Lapland,” said Peik Martin, Marketing and Sales Director, TUI Nordic.
“We want to highlight our local partnerships externally, so we will be naming our new airplanes after destinations in our holiday and partner countries. We are aiming to emphasise that tourism links people, regions and cultures. By giving our TUI Airline airplanes the names of our partner destinations, they will become ambassadors of the regions and highlight our partnership with the area,” added Dawn Wilson, COO of TUI Airline, after the name-giving ceremony where Santa Claus himself inaugurated TUI’s new Rovaniemi plane with a handful of snow.

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His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, has announced the development of Sindalah, the first luxury island destination in NEOM and one of the most important projects supporting Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy.A main gateway to the Red Sea offering bespoke nautical experiences, Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services.
Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design.
His Royal Highness said: “This is another significant moment for NEOM and a major step in the Kingdom realizing its tourism ambitions under Vision 2030. Sindalah will be NEOM’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in the Red Sea, providing a scenic gateway to the Red Sea that will become the region’s most exciting and attractive tourism location. It will be a destination where travelers can experience the true beauty of NEOM and Saudi Arabia, above and below the water, making Sindalah the future of luxury travel.”
Adding to NEOM’s growing tourism offerings, Sindalah will reshape the luxury international yachting calendar offering a new season for visitors and guests to enjoy. It will feature a prestigious 86-berth marina, an ideal destination for accommodating luxury vessels, while offshore buoys will house superyachts. Providing one-of-a-kind nautical experiences, Sindalah will offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333 top-end serviced apartments. A luxe beach club, glamorous yacht club, and 38 unique culinary offerings will provide an incomparable experience in the Red Sea.
With its incredible array of amenities, state-of-the-art marine facilities, strategic location and exceptional natural landscapes, Sindalah is expected to become established as one of the most alluring islands in the Red Sea.ADVERTISEMENTBuilding on its ability to design new tourism opportunities from the ground up, NEOM is working with world-class leisure and hotel brands to make Sindalah an exclusive and glamorous destination in the Red Sea for the world’s yachting community. NEOM is developing the island to be a premium destination surrounded by a stunning and diverse marine environment which has one of the world’s most beautiful coral reserves.
Sindalah is also expected to become a popular golfing destination by offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a world-class 6,474-yard (5,920 meters) par 70 course. With its 18 tees, the Sindalah golf course will deliver two unique nine-hole experiences.
The announcement of Sindalah affirms the accelerated pace in the development of NEOM towards achieving the ambitious vision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, with the development of its flagship projects such as THE LINE, its designs recently revealed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince; TROJENA, its global mountain tourism destination that will be the Arabian Gulf’s first outdoor skiing retreat; and OXAGON, its reimagined manufacturing and innovation city. All NEOM projects are aligned to redefine the way humanity lives and works in harmony with nature.

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BEST WESTERN® HOTELS & RESORTS CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH BONUS POINTS FOR LOYALTY PROGRAM MEMBERS More

Purple Ski, the premier luxury chalet operator in the French Alps, is delighted to reveal its top family-friendly chalet choices for the 2022/23 ski season. Offering an outstanding concierge service, gourmet quality cuisine and an abundance of activities for little ones and grown-ups alike, families are guaranteed to make memories to last a lifetime with Purple Ski this winter.
Offering an exceptional portfolio of the finest luxury catered ski chalets across Méribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isère, each chalet within Purple Ski’s bespoke collection – sleeping from eight up to 15 people – has been carefully hand-picked and offers first-class service and facilities, family essentials and a distinctive personality.
Purple Ski provide families with all necessary baby equipment as standard, with cots, highchairs, changing mats and sterilisers ready and waiting for families, taking the stress out of travelling and leaving families with nothing to do but unpack and relax.
Activities for All Ages
Purple Ski prides itself on providing outstanding service for each member of the brood, with all staff trained to offer the very best experience for parents, babies and everyone in between. On hand 24/7 to help with everything from childcare to ski hire, restaurant reservations, snowman building and more, nothing is too much for Purple Ski’s dedicated family concierge. The team have even been known to organise extra special birthday celebrations complete with fireworks, games and more!ADVERTISEMENTThe magic starts as soon as guests check in to their chalet, with bespoke gifts provided on arrival for all children. These range from teddies, bath puzzles, colouring books and helmet covers for toddlers to cosy socks, Mikado, dominoes and rubix cubes for slightly older children. A vast selection of activities is available for hard to please teens.
Activities on offer range from in-chalet visits and presents from Santa Claus, igloo-building, sledging, mini skidoo trips, horse and carriage rides, dog sledging, ice skating, treasure hunts, cinema evenings and more. Disney+ is provided in all properties and kids will also receive a complimentary Nintendo switch to play with and enjoy during their stay. Additional toys suitable for a range of ages can also be provided on request.
Gourmet Experiences for Petites Palates
All Purple Ski chalets come complete with a professionally trained, Michelin-star level private chef, so parents of fussy eaters need not fret. From teddy-bear picnics to pizza making evenings and kid-friendly menus, there’s a treat in store for even the tiniest of tastebuds. The team can stagger mealtimes so that little ones can enjoy an early teatime, allowing parents to savour a gourmet tasting menu once their youngest are tucked up in bed.
Sample children’s dishes include: scrambled eggs with bacon, french toast with Nutella, cream and strawberries to start off the day followed by hearty spaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread and other favourite family dinner dishes although chefs are always on hand to take special requests!
Guests of Purple Ski will enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and afternoon tea each day and an extravagant four course dinner six evenings out of seven, exquisitely prepared by a private chef. Fine chateau and domaine-bottled wines and unlimited champagne are also on offer to tantalise adult’s palettes.
Purple Ski’s Top Three Family Friendly Chalets
Best for Teens: Chalet Foinbois, Méribel – Sleeps up to 15
The perfect pick for families travelling with restless teenagers, the rustic-luxe Chalet Foinbois sleeps up to 15 guests across 7 bedrooms, ensuring plenty of room to spread out. Complete with a games room, gym and cinema room (perfect for those Disney+ movie marathons) and outdoor hot tub, this alpine bolthole will feel like the ultimate home-away-from-home.
Enjoying a central location in Méribel Village, just a 5-minute chauffeur ride from the main ski lift and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and more, there’s plenty to explore – if families can tear themselves away from their private winter wonderland.

Best for Multi-Generational Escapes: Chalet Iona, Méribel *Sleeps up to 15
Set in its own secluded orchards, Chalet Iona offers unparalleled views across 13 pretty villages and settlements – stretching towards the Vanoise National Park and the magnificent Grand Bec mountain. Perfect for large families, Iona can be joined with Chalet India to accommodate up to 15 guests in total, meaning the extended family can be housed in their own private quarters.
Parents and teens will love the in-chalet sauna and outdoor hot tub while Chalet India can be transformed into a sprawling play area for little ones. Large communal living spaces provide the perfect setting in which to gather and enjoy a family feast, a movie night or even a dance party with the chalet’s very own vinyl collection and classic record player!
Best for Children: Chalet Machapuchare, Val d’Isère *Sleeps up to 15

Nestled in the exclusive and wonderfully private area of Le Crêt, Chalet Machapuchare commands uninterrupted views of the entire valley, from the rocky cliffs above La Daille across pretty Val d’Isère to the glaciers and snowcapped peaks beyond. Sleeping up to 15 guests in 7 luxurious bedrooms, it offers the very best of serene alpine living, just a 3-minute chauffeur ride away from the buzzing local nightlife, pistes, restaurants and shops.
Perfect for families with school age children, the sprawling property features an indoor private pool for splashing about in after the slopes, a cosy superbly equipped cinema room and snug areas for reading books and playing boardgames. Parents are well-catered for, too, with a spoiling outdoor hot tub, state-of-the-art gym complete with Peloton bike and a massage room. Bliss!

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