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    A Culinary Oasis in Southern Corsica

    Corsican Places is thrilled to announce the addition of the 4-star hotel A Cheda to its holiday collection. Situated just 5 minutes from Bonifacio, A Cheda is a welcoming new option within southern Corsica. Catering to the discerning tastes of food and wine lovers, guests will enjoy a perfect blend of luxury, tranquillity, and culinary excellence, as well as a strategic location for exploring Corsica’s striking medieval town and surrounding area.Key Features of A Cheda:
    Gastronomic Delights: Organic Culinary Experience:
    The hotel’s Michelin recognised restaurant, L’A Cheda, has gained a reputation for its superb gastronomic Corsican cuisine and attentive service. Specialising in wild fish, organic meats and vegetables from the gardens, as well as a fine wine list, the sommelier will guide guests through its prestigious Corsican wines. Steeped in romanticism, the restaurant’s large glass walls fully open to welcome the outside in and add to the ambience, while in the evening local delicacies are complemented by the gentle sounds of piano music.
    Luxurious Guest Rooms with Garden View Terrace:
    Guest rooms each offer a relaxing space and garden view terrace, providing privacy to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the surroundings. Two suites offer an additional indulgence with their own private sauna.ADVERTISEMENTAmenities:
    Facilities include a heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, while Thai, Swedish and Reiki massage services are available for extra pampering.
    Ideal for Touring:
    Enjoying a prime location within the region, A Cheda serves not just as a retreat but also as an outstanding hub for discovering Corsica’s L’Extreme Sud. Whether guests are drawn to the historical allure of Bonifacio’s ancient walled citadel, the lively waterfront of Porto Vecchio, or some of the island’s finest beaches, the hotel provides an exceptional base and starting point. Additionally, for those with an interest in exploring Corsica’s Italian neighbour, Sardinia, day trips from the conveniently located ferry port are just a 5-minute drive away.
    Pricing:
    Corsican Places is offering seven night bed and breakfast packages from £1599pp, including flights and car hire with a saving of £50pp on all package holidays booked by 15th December.
    Book at Corsica.co.uk or call 01489 866931.

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    Local Vibes Come to a Regenerated Area of Aruba

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    Local Vibes Come to a Regenerated Area of Aruba

    Drab winter nights prompt dreamy thoughts of warm balmy evenings in a setting more tropical than December in the UK. Winter sun destinations like the Dutch Caribbean Island of Aruba are ready, willing and able to make those desires come true and even offer a new twist.
    Anyone visiting Aruba and looking for authentic experiences and local vibes should add a visit to the historic Rancho neighbourhood on the outskirts of island capital Oranjestad.
    Once a village of fishermen and their families in the mid-1800s, the area’s population grew in the 1920s when a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell built a small refinery in the area. Needing to accommodate its workers and their families, the area saw the addition of stone houses, traditional to Aruba’s architecture at the time.
    But the closure soon afterwards of the refinery – thanks to the construction of a larger one elsewhere on the island – started Rancho’s decline. With the exception of a lime kiln, operating from 1892 to 1949 (currently preserved as a national historic monument), there was little activity in the area and eventually the residents moved away.
    But this ghost neighbourhood found new life. Revival began in 2010 when it was marked for historic preservation by the non-profit Rancho Foundation. Now it is starting to bloom, with the help of an eclectic collection of bars, cafes and restaurants, adding a lively nighttime ambiance for culture seekers and foodies.ADVERTISEMENTA lynchpin for this renaissance is Flor de Oriente, a Dutch-style café housed in the oldest bar in Aruba. Originally established in 1935, this gem of a relic was lovingly restored in 2018. Attention to historic detail left much of the original building intact, with a fascinating collection of antiques decorating just about every corner, while outdoors, guests can relax under sparkling bistro lights, enjoying the colourful streetscapes of this area.
    In 2021, live music began filling the air with the addition of Hard Grooves Jazz Café, where some of the island’s best musicians, as well as visiting guest musicians, are highlighted. Owned and operated by local jazz musician, Erik Eman, the café features music events, impromptu jam sessions, and music trivia nights paired with craft cocktails, a selection of local and craft beers, wine, and a light menu of sandwiches and typical Dutch snacks.
    Most recently, two new additions to this up-and-coming area of hospitality and entertainment opened. Nusa Indonesian Restaurant is an al fresco Balinese garden, offering a traditional rice-table experience, as well as classic Indonesian favourites like sate and rendang.
    Nearby is Beer Garden Aruba, boasting vintage charm and a fresh boho beach-house vibe. The interior pays homage to its over 100-year-old history, with one side of the house functioning as a beer-tasting room, while the other is dedicated to private events and groups. The original rock walls were opened up in several areas, offering a window to this bygone architectural era of Aruba. The outdoor garden offers several relaxation spaces to chill or wander up to the bar and strike up a conversation with the friendly and knowledgeable bartenders.
    Continuing preservation efforts are set to encourage more dining and nightlife options in Rancho, helping to fulfil the dreams of those looking for balmy and fun evenings outdoors.
    Aruba lies 15 miles north of the South American coastline, benefitting from year-round sunshine, an average temperature of 32 degrees and a cooling breeze. With a nine-mile stretch of award-wining pristine beach, turquoise seas, colonial Dutch architecture and a Latin vibe, Aruba is a delightful alternative Caribbean experience. Now served weekly by direct British Airways flights from London-Gatwick and with additional connections available with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Aruba is easily accessible, and a host of tour operators feature packages there. These include British Airways Holidays, Trailfinders, Tropical Sky and Caribtours.
    With major international brand name resorts, as well as smaller boutique accommodation, Aruba offers a vibrant nightlife, as well as a host of watersports and other activities. It also has a busy schedule of major international sporting and cultural events throughout the year.

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    Amilla Maldives’ Commitment to Inclusivity and Sustainability Recognised by Two Leading Institutions

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    Amilla Maldives’ Commitment to Inclusivity and Sustainability Recognised by Two Leading Institutions

    Private island resort Amilla Maldives has been recognised for its continued commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity, with accolades from two leading institutions, EarthCheck and Blue Badge Access Awards. Amilla achieved its third consecutive EarthCheck Silver certification following an extensive audit of its sustainability practices; while the resort’s innovative and stylish approach to accessible design saw it named ‘Best International Venue’ in the Blue Badge Access Awards 2023.Amilla Maldives secures EarthCheck Silver certification for third consecutive year
    As the leading scientific benchmarking certification group for sustainable travel and tourism, EarthCheck’s certification programmes are recognised by travellers, brands, and destinations across the world. Its rigorous science-backed, people-focused sustainability certification process enables consumers to make informed decisions on their tourism experiences.
    For its efforts in initiating sustainability projects and continuously improving its environmental measures, Amilla Maldives was certified Silver for the third year in a row. One of the resort’s most recent projects was the installation of solar panels in February 2023, which has generated 600,000kwh in nine months – reducing diesel consumption by over 170k litres. Proactive in reducing waste, from plastic, glass and cardboard to food waste, green waste, e-waste and more, the resort regularly audits and investigates its waste output to ensure accurate reporting and identify areas for improvement – as well as organising regular reef cleaning to remove plastics, cans, old rope, and ghost nets from its house reef.
    The resort’s heartfelt commitment to sustainability is further embodied by its Homegrown@Amilla and Homemade@Amilla initiatives. Homegrown@Amilla sees 40 different types of produce planted, cultivated, and grown across 58 acres of the island’s natural green spaces, supplying all the island’s kitchens with ingredients such as leafy greens, herbs, vegetables, and bananas. Homemade@Amilla encompasses a diverse range of organic products which are home-made on the island, from soaps, muscle relief oil, lip balm, bath salts, coconut oils and scrubs, and bathtub tea, to kombucha, nut milks, and bread.
    ADVERTISEMENTAmilla Maldives named ‘Best International Venue’ for accessibility
    Raising awareness of the importance of accessibility in the hospitality and leisure industry, the Blue Badge Awards recognise venues that achieve high standards in this area. Amilla Maldives was named ‘Best International Venue’ in this year’s awards, in recognition of its pioneering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
    The world’s first IncluCare-certified resort and a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, Amilla Maldives is devoted to ensuring everyone can enjoy the Maldives. The resort has designed its accessibility features to feel like an integral part of the property, blending seamlessly with its interior design and architecture. Adaptations range from subtly lowered mirrors, sinks and counters in its bathrooms to ramps all over the island – including a growing menagerie of local wildlife-inspired designs. Amilla continually adapts and evolves its offering in order to further improve the resort experience for guests of all abilities and needs, while staff undergo regular training on how they can best support guests with mobility or sensory challenges at all points of their journey.
    For further information and reservations visit www.amilla.com.

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    Sustainability, AI, and ‘Slow’ Travel Set to Be Key Travel Trends

    Travellers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) plan to increase their spending on breaks and holidays over the next three years and will have more of an eye on sustainability than ever before. In fact, most now check the sustainability of their travel plans, and are prepared to pay over 20% more for environmentally-friendly accommodation.
    Other key trends will also come to the fore. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become a key tool for holiday planning – with half of people in both the UAE (52%) and KSA (50%) already using it for this purpose. Meanwhile ‘dupe’ destinations – that are similar to traditional holiday destinations but closer and cheaper – will be another key theme.

    In addition, ‘slow holidays’ – where travellers take their time, connect with the local culture, disconnect from technology and minimise their impact on the environment – will be another significant trend.
    ADVERTISEMENTThese are the key outtakes from the Middle East findings of Marriott Bonvoy’s 2024 Future Travel Trends research, in collaboration with foresight agency The Future Laboratory, which analysed the travel plans of 14,000 travellers across Europe and the Middle East over the next three years.

    The rise of AI
    The era of AI holiday planning is very much here – half or more (52% from the UAE and 50% from KSA) have used AI to help them plan or research a holiday. Meanwhile 77% in both countries say they are likely to in the future, showing the trend is set to grow further still.

    Amongst those who did use AI, 95% in both the UAE and KSA say it influenced their holiday decision in some way. This includes booking the accommodation it recommended (36% in UAE and 39% in KSA), booking the activities it recommended (39% in UAE and 31% in KSA), and booking food it recommended (34% in UAE and 35% in KSA).

    Emerging trends
    The research investigates several travel trends that are likely to emerge or strengthen over the coming years. Amongst them, ‘slow holidays’ are becoming increasingly popular. Four in five travellers from the UAE (82%) and 77% from KSA say they have already been on a ‘slow’ holiday. Meanwhile, 82% from the UAE and 80% from KSA say they plan to go on a slow holiday in the next three years.

    In addition, ‘dupe destinations’ – such as the vineyards of Northern Spain instead of South Africa or surfing in Portugal instead of Hawaii– will be another key theme. A third from the UAE (33%) and a similar number from KSA (34%) that are intending to go away in the next three years are planning to save travel time and money by having a similar experience through a ‘dupe destination’.

    Solo holidays, something 70% of travellers from the UAE and 69% from KSA who have been away in the past three years have done in that period, will also continue to be a significant trend, with 70% from UAE and 72% from KSA planning to do one.

    Changing Summer holiday patterns?
    The extremely high temperatures that parts of Europe experienced this summer could be set to impact holiday plans in the coming years for Middle Eastern holidaymakers. Eighty six per cent in the UAE and 83% in KSA say that if these temperatures became a regular occurrence, it would impact their summer holiday plans. While there is no suggestion that people would avoid holidays because of this, some may be amending what they intend to do and when they choose to travel.

    Nearly half in the UAE (46%) and over half in KSA (53%) say they would instead choose to go somewhere cooler, and 26% in UAE and 24% in KSA would visit the destinations at different times of the year.

    Spending and sustainability both up
    More than nine in ten UAE adults (93%) and 89% of adults from KSA say they will be going on holiday next year. Of those going on holiday next year, 66% from the UAE and 69% from KSA say they plan to ‘spend more than usual’ on holidays over the period.

    Over the next three years, sustainability will be on the agenda more than ever before. More than eight in ten from the UAE (83%) and a similar number from KSA (78%) say they would be happy to pay more for environmentally friendly accommodation. The amount extra they would be happy to pay is significant – 21% for those from the UAE and 22% for those from KSA.

    In addition, nearly nine in ten (88%) from UAE and eight in ten (79%) from KSA say that accommodation providers and holiday companies have a responsibility to support the local communities where they offer holidays.

    For many, sustainability is already important – 75% of those from the UAE and 70% of those from KSA say they looked into how sustainable the last accommodation they stayed in was. In addition, 45% from the UAE and 42% from KSA say they check the environmental impact of their travel plans most or every time they travel when they book a holiday.

    Value for money will be key
    Whilst on the whole spending on holidays is set to increase, travellers will continue to seek good value for money and save where they can. Just one per cent of those from the UAE and two per cent of those from KSA planning to take holidays in the next three years say they won’t be looking to save money on some elements of their holidays.

    A third of UAE and KSA travellers (both 32%) will try to save by going on more domestic holidays. And 34% from the UAE and 29% from KSA will use loyalty programmes to pay for some or all of their holiday with points.

    Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International – Europe, Middle East & Africa: “With the leisure travel market well and truly back to ‘normal’ we are now in a stronger position when it comes to looking at future trends and travel habits for the sector over the next few years. The post covid travel rebound is still going strong but because of what travel means to people, there’s been a seismic shift in people’s thought processes and prioritisation of funds. We are seeing that there is a more considered approach to travel, and a more emotional connection to travel that’s really unfolding in tandem with people’s core values.

    “Two trends we have seen coming to the fore in particular from the consumer research are sustainability and AI – particularly amongst younger travellers under the age of 45. Being ecologically responsible is moving from being a ‘nice-to-have’ to a ‘must-have’ for many of these travellers and will only become more so.

    “What’s really interesting to see from this research is the already-established use of AI for holiday planning. Generative AI is perfectly placed to analyse huge amounts of information for travellers, and offer them recommendations based on it. With nine in ten of those who have used it saying it impacted their travel plans, we expect its use to become even more mainstream in the next three years. As a result, travel providers like us need to ensure that we have the information available for AI to find and share with those doing their holiday research.”

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    Luxury pet resort gears up to board an extra 150 festive furry friends

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    Luxury pet resort gears up to board an extra 150 festive furry friends

    My Second Home, the world’s largest indoor dog park and Dubai’s first and largest luxury pet resort, is serving up a pawsome family feast this festive season, with Christmas dinner for humans – and a special, free festive meal for their dogs. My Second Home has teamed up with Harness Foods to offer a full traditional Christmas dinner – with a choice of meat, vegetarian and vegan options – and a special festive menu just for their pets.  Priced at AED195 per person, with free delivery in Dubai, My Second Home’s festive feast includes a choice of roast turkey, lamb or beef, salmon en croute, vegetarian wellington, and vegan lentil seed loaf. Each comes with all the trimmings: roast potatoes, honey parsnips, orange and thyme carrots, balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts, cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, chickens-in-blankets, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing, lashings of gravy and cranberry and bread sauce.  Diners can also choose two desserts from mince pies, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate yule log or apple and blackberry crumble.And the family’s four legged friends can tuck in to roast turkey, lamb or beef, followed by doggie ice-cream, at no charge. To order, email [email protected], or call 055 899 2235 by Thursday, 14 December. My Second Home is also gearing up for its busiest festive season yet in terms of pet boarding, with an additional 150 dogs and cats booked in over Christmas and New Year. Some pooches will stay at My Second Home’s new, AED3.5 million small dogs facility, opening this December. Paul Sowerby, Co-Founder of My Second Home, said: “The festive season is a time for families, and pets are integral to the family unit. Our Christmas dinner offering – for humans and hounds – is part of our continued efforts to enhance the services at My Second Home, and we are expecting a big response to this great-value festive feature.“And for pets who will be without their families this Christmas, we’ll be offering our usual home-from-home comforts as we welcome hundreds of pets festive boarding at our original facility at Dubai Investments Park, our second venue at Al Quoz, and our new premises – exclusively for small dogs – which will open this month.”For more information on My Second Home, visit the website, email [email protected] or call 04 881 8002. 

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    Johnnie Walker Princes Street crowned World’s Leading Spirit Experience by World Travel Awards

    Johnnie Walker Princes Street has been crowned the World’s Leading Spirit Experience by the World Travel Awards (WTA), further cementing Scotland’s reputation as one of the world’s best food and drink tourism destinations. The global flagship visitor experience for the world’s number one-selling Scotch whisky*, which opened its doors in September 2021, has quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s leading attractions for international and local visitors. It was created as part of Diageo’s £185million investment in Scotch whisky experiences, that was designed to put Scotch and Scotland at the pinnacle of global food and drink tourism.
    The award from WTA, dubbed the ‘tourism Oscars’, adds to a growing trophy cabinet at Johnnie Walker Princes Street with a host of awards recognising the quality of the experience it offers its guests.

    Rob Maxwell, Head of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “Everyone associated with Johnnie Walker Princes Street is enormously proud of this award.
    ADVERTISEMENT“When we set out to create Johnnie Walker Princes Street, we had the ambition of putting Scotland at the forefront of global food and drink tourism, and this award is recognition that we have made great strides towards that ambition.

    “We are now focused on the future and building on this award to make Johnnie Walker, Scotch whisky and Scotland even more successful.”

    Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Congratulations to Johnnie Walker Princes Street. This achievement recognises the investment and time that has been put in by Diageo and the team at Johnnie Walker Princes Street to create a truly world-class visitor experience.

    “Research continues to show visitors love to connect with the people and places associated with our iconic food and drink. Whisky has huge international appeal, and this award confirms the important role it plays in the Scottish tourism experience.”

    Since opening, the landmark experience has welcomed over 700,000 visitors, captivating guests from 131 countries across the world. Immersive story-telling and world-class technological design personalises the flagship tour per guest, before taking them on an adventure through the 200-year-old history of the world’s best-selling Scotch, and successfully challenging pre-conceived ideas of how whisky should be enjoyed.

    Alongside this accolade the venue has secured several other international awards this year, including, Europe’s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience at The World Travel Awards in October; Transform Magazine’s Best Brand Experience in Europe, and Visitor Attraction of the Year as part of Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky programme.

    Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Johnnie Walker Princes Street offers various experiences across its eight-floors, with guided tastings and tours, plus a retail area complete with a ‘Fill Your Own’ station and much more. Whether you’re looking for something new and different to do this festive season, or looking for the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life, visitors will be spoiled for choice at the award-winning establishment.

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    Civitatis unveils unprecedented growth in tours & activities portfolio and supplier partnerships sin

    Civitatis, the leading technological platform for booking Spanish-speaking activities, day trips, guided tours, and excursions worldwide – both in the B2C and B2B channels – has today announced a substantial growth in the number of products and supplier partnerships, projecting a significant increase in activities and partners by the close of 2023.
    Comparing data from 2019, Civitatis has experienced exceptional growth of 200% in its product portfolio, rising from 29,000 to 87,000 activities available.
    In a similar vein, the supplier partnership network has undergone a remarkable transformation, witnessing a rise from 3,500 providers in 2021 to over 6,000 at present, marking an impressive 71% increase.
    This expansion has been driven by the internationalisation strategy of Civitatis, particularly targeting Spanish-speaking markets like Latin America, enabling access to superior suppliers, and amplifying the diversity of offerings available to customers.
    The growth in product offerings and partnerships is also backed by the commitment of Civitatis to meeting evolving market demands and amplifying their global footprint, together with significant staff growth and increased investments in marketing efforts.ADVERTISEMENTAlberto Gutiérrez, Founder and CEO at Civitatis, commented, “The exponential growth in our product range and supplier partnership network is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Civitatis team – but I’d also like to thank all those new supplier partners who have placed their trust in our global distribution capabilities. Our strategic focus on expanding our portfolio, particularly in LATAM, and forging strong alliances has positioned us one of the top handful of tours & activities online sellers in the world. We remain committed to furthering our international presence and enriching the travel experiences of our customers.”
    This announcement follows recent news of remarkable growth in traveller numbers for Civitatis, predicting reaching a milestone of roughly 10 million travellers for 2023 by the close of the year, based on current year-to-date sales of almost 9 million.

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    UNWTO Startup Competition Seeks Innovators Shaping the Future of Hospitality and Business Models

    The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is joining with Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) to identify entrepreneurs playing a key role in reshaping the hotel and new business model landscapes.
    The UNWTO Startup Competition for Tourism Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models is open to any startup or entrepreneur worldwide. The competition will award 10 finalists with the best solutions in the categories of Innovations in Digital Hospitality and Business Models, and Sustainability Impact.
    Innovation and technology in the hospitality industry redefine the very essence of the guest experience, transforming hotels into hubs of seamless, personalized services. With his competition, we are sourcing startups on a global level that are pioneering solutions that elevate the standards of guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and sustainability for hotels and new business models. Ms. Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
    Hosting the UNWTO Startup Competition for the second consecutive year at Infecar, with a dedicated focus on technologies and solutions in tourism for hotels, underscores our steadfast dedication to fostering sustainability and innovation within this pivotal industry. Ms. Natalia Santana, Director General of Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria.
    The finalists will pitch their ideas at the Tourism Tech Adventures Canarias on 20 February 2024 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaría, followed by mentorships from international partners. The winning startups will receive tailored support, become a member of the UNWTO Innovation Network with access to venture capital and the private sector, will receive scholarship opportunities from the Tourism Online Academy, and potential implementation of their projects.ADVERTISEMENTAbout the UNWTO Startup Competitions:UNWTO, through its Department of Innovation, Education, and Investments, has developed 14 global entrepreneurship competitions (“UNWTO Tourism Startup Competitions”), and 11 specific challenges that have generated an Innovation Network of over 7000 Members. The UNWTO startup competitions ignite a revolution in the tourism sector, steering it toward higher levels of intelligence, sustainability, and innovation. The competition seeks to identify and support pioneering startups that can contribute to the transformation of the industry.
    For more details about the startup competition, or innovation initiatives, please contact [email protected]

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