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    Cayman Islands – what’s new and happening in 2024

    New Hotels in the Cayman Islands for 2024Scheduled to open in Q2 2024 is Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. The 282-room 10-storey beachfront property will provide an upper midscale experience featuring multiple restaurants, a 6,700 square foot ballroom, a pool deck and a rooftop bar. Indigo’s restaurants and bars around the world are known as a favourite destination for visitors and locals alike. With sustainability in mind, the hotel is being built to LEED standards, which ensures high-performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment. Hotel Indigo will use a geothermal/ice storage combination and will feature insulated glazing throughout to reduce energy consumption. The latest in Cayman real estate developer, Dart’s, hospitality portfolio, Hotel Indigo is expected to generate several hundred jobs when it opens. In 2022, Dart launched its Hospitality Training Programme, which provides Caymanians with the opportunity to obtain first-hand industry experience via a three-month work experience within the Dart hospitality portfolio.
    Looking Ahead on Grand Cayman In 2025, the island’s luxury hotel scene will be elevated further as two new properties make their debut. Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman, located on the coast of St. James Point in Bodden Town, will have 100 hotel rooms and 89 residences on a 67-acre resort. The property will feature multiple swimming pools, a swimming cove and beach; a spa will offer a meditation pavilion, Zen pathways, serenity gardens and private treatment villas; food options will include the Ocean Grill, specialising in locally sourced seafood; The Restaurant, a signature restaurant with an exhibition kitchen, chef’s dining counter and wood-fired pizza oven; the kids’ club will include an interactive playroom and adjacent activities park.
    Seven Mile Beach will gain another 10-storey hotel in mid-2025 with the opening of the 354-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences. The property will comprise 190 hotel guest rooms, 88 condo-hotel rooms, and one-, two- and three-bedroom condo-hotel suites. Boasting six restaurants, a 12,000-square foot destination spa and fitness centre, three swimming pools, beach cabanas, a screening room, indoor meeting space and a Camp Hyatt kids’ club, the Grand Hyatt will be the only other five-starinternational hotel brand in Cayman after The Ritz-Carlton, which opened in 2005.
    Also scheduled for a 2025 opening is the 177-unit One/GT, a boutique hotel that will feature a cafe, a signature restaurant and luxury rooftop venue Sky Club. Accommodation will range from one-bedroom units to four-bedroom apartments.
    Don’t Miss Out In 2024There’s something for every day of the year in the Cayman Islands; we’ve selected just some of the not-to-miss events taking place throughout 2024.ADVERTISEMENTCayman Cookout | 9-15 JanuaryAs the epitome of exclusive culinary festivals, 2024 marks the 15th anniversary of the annual Cayman Cookout – a celebration of food and wine, granting guests an extraordinary weekend dedicated to indulging their senses. Returning from 9-15 January 2024, the event is hosted by Chef Éric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, who runs the resort’s signature restaurant. The four-day event will bring some of the biggest names in the culinary industry with Éric Ripert, including Angie Mar, José Andrés, Kristen Kish and Sommelier Aldo Sohm. Events include a “Hendrick’s & Croquet” experience, “Treasures of Truffle”, as well as a “Ripert & Petanque” signature session. Meanwhile, cooking and mixology demonstrations will occur along the stunning Seven Mile Beach. caymancookout.com
    Taste of Cayman | 12 AprilTravellers arriving in the Cayman Islands this April are in for a treat of the senses as the month also features Taste of Cayman and will bring together a host of food festival experiences, as well as live music and entertainment – the perfect reason to explore more of the Cayman culture and its diverse range of restaurants and cuisine. Tasteofcayman.org
    Cayman Art Week | 22-26 MayThe art scene in the Cayman Islands is flourishing. There are more than 150 nationalities represented on the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and this inclusive cultural scene has led to a movement of artistic expression, enabling artists to tell their stories. From 22-26 May, Cayman Art Week (CAW) takes up its annual place in the events calendar with its week-long curated programme of gallery tours and open studios around the Cayman Islands. The event is designed to celebrate and encourage the collection of Caymanian art. CAW offers unparalleled access to over 30 art venues, providing an opportunity to showcase exhibitions and host a range of discussions to local and international audiences. caymanartweek.com
    Batabano Cayman Carnival | MayAn explosion of Caribbean music, dancing and costumes, the annual Batabano Cayman Carnival celebrates the Cayman Islands’ multicultural history and diversity of music. An eye-popping fiesta, the carnival is well known throughout the Caribbean and attracts thousands of locals and tourists alike. Caymancarnival.com
    CayMAS Carnival | July CayMAS Carnival takes place over a whole wonderful weekend in July and event-goers can expect an all-encompassing complete Carnival weekend. Including steel pan, Soca Monarch, Parade and a host of fetes and parties for both locals and visitors alike, it’s a not-to-be-missed event on the Caymans calendar. www.caymas.ky
    National Iguana Awareness Day | 8 SeptemberThe Caymans Islands is home to both the rare blue iguana and the rock iguana. Indigenous to Grand Cayman and the only place in the world where they are found in the wild, blue iguanas faced a bleak future at the turn of this century and, in 2002, the blue iguana was declared ‘functionally extinct’ with only an estimated 25 of the species remaining. However, thanks to the extensive breeding programme, in 2018 the 1000th iguana was released back into the wild. Today, the figure stands nearer 1700. Today, visitors can spot these amazing creatures at the Blue Iguana Conservation facility at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, where all entry fees help support Blue Iguana Conservation. The sister islands rock iguana found on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman faces threats from cars and other predators; there is even an iguana hotline for people to report any sightings or injuries to. National Iguana Awareness Day marks a time to acknowledge and celebrate the fascinating community of iguanas inhabiting the islands.
    Cayman Cocktail Week | October It’s safe to say that visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to cocktails in the Cayman Islands. Indeed, the destination has its own Cayman Cocktail Week each October to celebrate as such. With the original Mudslide cocktail said to have been invented during the 1970s at the Wreck Bar on Grand Cayman’s Rum Point, today, the Cayman Islands’ cocktail scene is flourishing and a number of exceptional bars have popped up over the last three years, e recruiting bartenders from some of the world’s best bars. caymancocktailweek.com
    Cayman Pirates Fest | NovemberA swashbuckling good time for all three Islands, the annual Pirates Fest, complete with mock-pirate ‘invasion’, music, street dancing, competitions, local food and drink, children’s day, sea swims and firework displays, has been running for over 40 years and attracts some 35,000 patrons.  The event kicks off in September with district Heritage Days, but the main event is in November, when even a Pirate Pooch Parade takes place, as well as a Turtle Release in celebration of the Cayman Islands’ work in conservation through the Cayman Turtle Centre. Piratesfestcayman.com
    Gimistory | November/December Storytelling is as old as mankind and is one of the most ancient arts. In Gimistory, professional storytellers come from all over the world to celebrate the art of communication, telling stories that illuminate their heritage, explore myths and legends, and provide laughter and drama. Curated by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, 2024 will mark 25 years of the annual event. artscayman.org/gimistory
    About the Cayman IslandsLocated south of Miami and a short hop from Cuba, the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands is a premium holiday destination where laidback discovery awaits. Ideal for adventurous travellers, nature-lovers, diving aficionados and those looking to relax and unwind on world-class beaches, there’s as much thrill as there is chill. Friendly and hassle-free, with no all-inclusives, the trio of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac islands provide the perfect off-the-beaten-path experience. Recognised as the No. 10 Island in the Caribbean & Atlantic by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards and voted best diving and best culinary destination in the Caribbean, and with incredible wildlife and mouthwatering cuisine to boot, 2023 saw British Airways welcome a fifth weekly direct flight from London Heathrow.
    To discover more about the Cayman Islands visit: visitcaymanislands.com

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    Phocuswright 2023: Tech start-ups come under spotlight with Innovation: Launch

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    Phocuswright 2023: Tech start-ups come under spotlight with Innovation: Launch

    As the Phocuswright Conference kicks off this week, Phocuswright has revealed which companies are about to unveil their ground-breaking tech innovations at its Innovation: Launch competition.
    Innovation: Launch, which will take place at the Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale on November 14th, highlights new concepts, technologies and business models entering the scene. 
    This year’s conference, themed ‘You, Me & the Machine,’ will explore the massive possibilities for AI in the travel space – so many of this year’s innovations are expected to focus on this.
    At Innovation: Launch, companies ready to unveil new, breakthrough and market-changing innovation will present it live onstage to more than 1,300 attendees. 
    At this year’s competition, VisaHQ, TourReview, Mobi, BabyQuip, Justt, Ramp, Weeva, Terrapay, rePUSHTI by Qtech Software, Connexpay and TripFusion by Vacayou are expected to unveil new innovations.
    “Phocuswright is thrilled to bring another amazing group of companies to our Launch stage that are shaping the future of travel,” said Mike Coletta, manager, research and innovation, Phocuswright. 
    “From improving sustainability efforts and customer satisfaction, to reducing fraud and operational inefficiencies, to streamlining payment and distribution infrastructure, this group is directly addressing many of today’s industry pain points.”
    This year’s Innovators will compete to win one of two awards – the Travel Innovation Award, which will be decided by an expert panel, and the People’s Choice Award, which will be decided by audience voting.ADVERTISEMENT“Each year, attendees are eager to see the latest innovations and the most forward-thinking companies in the industry,” said Eugene Ko, director, marketing and communications, Phocuswright. 
    “At Phocuswright, we make it our mission to not only showcase these companies, but to also make them available for the audience to network with. 
    “This type of connection helps solve industry problems, create new partnerships and move the industry forward, together.”
    Innovation: Launch is Phocuswright’s platform for companies of any age that are changing the travel landscape. 
    Launch provides companies that are ready to unveil a ground-breaking innovation with a spot in the limelight and a chance to wow the travel industry’s most savvy and engaged audience during the Phocuswright Conference.
    More Information
    More details about the Phocuswright Conference’s Innovation initiatives – Innovation: Launch, Hot 25 Travel Start-ups and the Start-up Program – can be found here.

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    Phocuswright 2023: Phocuswright warns PMS must be redefined to survive new era of travel

    Phocuswright, the leading global travel industry research authority and producer of the annual Phocuswright Conference, has urged the hospitality industry to rethink the traditional property management systems (PMS).
    Hoteliers are urged to adopt AI to harness real-time data and transform hotel operations.
    The Phocuswright Conference, which takes place in Fort Lauderdale from November 13-16, is themed ‘You, Me & the Machine,’ will explore the massive possibilities for AI in the travel space. 
    One major focus area at the event is hospitality. 
    Entrepreneur Richard Valtr will take one of the main sessions on the Centre Stage to talk about how artificial intelligence is redefining the hotel PMS.
    “The post-pandemic travel industry is on the cusp of unprecedented change due to rapidly advancing AI, meaning the hotel industry faces new challenges and opportunities,” said Gene Ko, director of marketing and communications at Phocuswright.  ADVERTISEMENT“Hotel operators today have unparalleled access to real-time and forecast data. 
    “However, they need the ability to translate it into actionable insights that can be applied to everyday operations. 
    “The traditional PMS – which is used to informing operating decisions based on historic data – is no longer fit for the challenge. 
    “It must be redefined to enable hotels to survive and thrive in this new era of travel.”
    Attendees at The Phocuswright Conference will hear about Valtr’s start-up Mews, a technology company that is using artificial intelligence to rethink hotels’ physical spaces, services and guest experiences. 
    Its future-focused PMS is now powering more than 3,500 of the world’s best hospitality brands.
    “The PMS needs to bring operational, labour and revenue data together,” continued Ko. 
    “When every aspect of the system is connected, leadership can look at the operation holistically, they can respond to the precise situations that unfold each day – and a new kind of decision making can happen.”
    The Phocuswright Conference
    The Phocuswright Conference ignites solutions and collaboration whenever cutting-edge innovation demands a rethink of our products, services and processes. 
    For more information, click here.
    Chris O’Toole

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    Phocuswright 2023: Phocuswright predicts $1.4 trillion in travel bookings for 2023

    Phocuswright research projects $1.4 trillion in global travel gross bookings in 2023, just four per cent below 2019 levels.
    The United States travel market grew to $422 billion in 2022, becoming the first major travel market globally to surpass its 2019 size.
    In Europe, travel is well on its way to recovery and normalization in 2023, as Europeans broadly remain eager to travel and continue to prioritize spending on leisure trips, even while facing some economic challenges and shifting their travel shopping and booking activities.ADVERTISEMENTIn APAC, pent-up demand swept in a travel spike.
    In China, a dynamic domestic market and a reviving outbound sector will propel total gross bookings of $185 billion in 2024.
    Latin America’s travel market experienced a second year of strong double-digit growth in 2022, as gross bookings climbed 37 per cent.
    The Middle East travel region grew by 95 per cent year-over-year, partly supported by new players entering this still-developing market.
    Travel companies find themselves in an exceptional period, building a competitive edge through innovations in the next game-changing travel technologies.
    [embedded content]
    More Information
    The research was released ahead of the Phocuswright Conference, taking place this week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
    The event offers the brightest mix of attendees, speakers and partners, all of whom will work together toward for a better future for travel.
    Find out more on the official website.

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    World’s best ski brands 2023 announced by World Ski Awards

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    Ski Whizz! There’s snowfall in the Alps and 10% off ski flights too

    There is ‘snow’ better time to take off to the slopes, as the first major snowfall of the season has hit the Alps, and Jet2.com is offering 10% off all ski flights for this winter too. 
    With eight ski destinations on sale this Winter 23/24 with the UK’s leading leisure airline from ten airports (Belfast International, Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle International), customers have plenty of choice when it comes to grabbing a piste of the action in the French, Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps, as well as the Tyrolean Mountains and Pyrenees. 
    The winter sale also means customers can slope off to the snow for less this winter, as Jet2.com is offering 10% off all ski flights until March 2024. 
    Offering an array of services to eight top ski destinations – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lyon, Barcelona (Andorra) and Turin, Jet2.com’s ski flights provide fantastic flexibility and great flight times, making them perfectly timed for customers looking to make the most of the fresh snowfall for a weekend, long weekend, or longer mid-week break. 
    There is ‘snow’ way skiers and snowboarders will want to miss out on this sale, and wide choice of ski destinations and flights, as the flakes sweep the mountains for a thrilling winter season. When booking ski flights with Jet2.com, customers can enjoy VIP customer service as well as 22kg ski carriage*, 22kg baggage* and 10kg free hand luggage.  ADVERTISEMENTSki destinations by base for Winter 23/24 are as follows:
    Belfast International – Salzburg Birmingham – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Barcelona (Andorra) and Turin Bristol – Chambery, Innsbruck and Geneva East Midlands – Geneva and Salzburg Edinburgh – Chambery, Geneva, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Turin Glasgow – Geneva Leeds Bradford – Chambery, Geneva, Barcelona (Andorra) and Salzburg London Stansted – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck and Salzburg Manchester – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Lyon, Salzburg, Barcelona (Andorra) and Turin Newcastle International – Geneva, Grenoble, and Salzburg Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “As the Alps welcomes its first snowfall of the season, and we launch a winter sale on ski flights, there is no better time for skiers and snowboarders to take off to the slopes. Our fantastic ski programme for Winter 23/24 is on sale from across ten UK airports and gives customers access to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Offering fantastic choice, flexibility and flight times, skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes for a weekend, a short break or for longer, whilst flying with our award-winning airline and benefitting from our VIP customer service. We know skiers and snowboarders will be clamouring to hit the slopes for less, and we are looking forward to another successful ski season this year.”

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    Disney Theme Parks Escaping Economic Aftermath

    Disney executives express confidence in their theme parks segment and refute concerns about an economic deceleration.Amid ongoing discussions about economic challenges, bookings at Disney’s theme parks remain robust, as highlighted during a Wednesday earnings call.
    Walt Disney’s interim Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Lansberry, stated:
    “We’re not seeing anything in terms of an economic hangover. Domestically we feel good. Internationally we feel good.”
    Moreover, he added that the bookings at both Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line are still “very, very strong.”
    The financial performance of Disney Theme Parks and Experiences in the fourth quarter underscores this resilience, with revenue reaching $8.2 billion, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. Operating income surged to $1.8 billion, reflecting a substantial 31% rise.ADVERTISEMENTWithin the domestic division, operating income witnessed a 9% increase to $808 million in the quarter. This growth was attributed to positive developments at Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club. However, domestic parks and resorts faced challenges, grappling with elevated costs linked to the closure of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and inflationary pressures.
    On the international front, operating income experienced an impressive surge, exceeding 100% to reach $441 million. This substantial increase was driven by the success of Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. Both parks witnessed heightened guest spending, attributed to increased ticket prices and a rise in attendance.
    CEO Bob Iger emphasized the pivotal role of Disney Parks and Experience as one of the four key building opportunities essential to Walt Disney Corporation’s success. He underscored the company’s dedicated focus on “turbocharging growth in our parks and experiences business.”
    Throughout the fiscal year, Disney demonstrated its commitment to this growth by investing $5 billion in parks, resorts, and property developments. The strategic investments align with Disney’s proactive approach to enhancing and expanding its offerings within the thriving theme parks and experiences sector.

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    UNWTO CELEBRATES QATAR TOURISM AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN THE SECTOR

    The inaugural Qatar Tourism Awards, developed in partnership with UNWTO, focused on three principal categories: Service Excellence, Cultural Experiences and Smart Solutions. At the awards ceremony, Qatar Tourism Awards also announced a surprise category, the Community Contribution Award, to recognise individual community members who have gone above and beyond to display hospitality and provide exemplary services to visitors.
    The winners were announced at a ceremony that took place at Raffles Doha, attended by Basmah Al-Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East at UNTWO and His Excellency Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism. The winners reflected the broad and diverse nature of the tourism sector, including destinations, experiences, hotels and hospitality establishments. They also recognized those leading the way in building a more innovative and sustainable tourism, in line with UNWTO’s key priorities for the sector.
    The full list of all the winners can be found on the Qatar Tourism Awards website.  https://www.qatartourism.com/en/qatar-tourism-awards

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    TOURISM’S IMPORTANCE FOR GROWTH HIGHLIGHTED IN WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORT

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    TOURISM’S IMPORTANCE FOR GROWTH HIGHLIGHTED IN WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORT

    According to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) Report, the global economy will grow an estimated 3.0% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024. While this is higher than previous forecasts, it is nevertheless below the 3.5% rate of growth recorded in 2022, pointing to the continued impacts of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and from the cost-of-living crisis.
    Tourism key sector for growthThe WEO report analyses economic growth in every global region, connecting performance with key sectors, including tourism. Notably, those economies with “large travel and tourism sectors” show strong economic resilience and robust levels of economic activity. More specifically, countries where tourism represents a high percentage of GDP   have recorded faster recovery from the impacts of the pandemic in comparison to economies where tourism is not a significant sector.
    As the report Foreword notes: “Strong demand for services has supported service-oriented economies—including important tourism destinations such as France and Spain”.
    Looking AheadThe latest outlook from the IMF comes on the back of UNWTO’s most recent analysis of the prospects for tourism, at the global and regional levels. Pending the release of the November 2023 World Tourism Barometer, international tourism is on track to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Prospects for September-December 2023 point to continued recovery, driven by the still pent-up demand and increased air connectivity particularly in Asia and the Pacific where recovery is still subdued.

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