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    WTTC unveils unique diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging report

    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveiled today its first-ever global tourism report focussing on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) during its Global Summit, taking place in Kigali.
    The report – Creating Belonging: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in Travel & Tourism – is the result of a collaboration between WTTC and HospitableMe, a global leader in inclusive hospitality.
    Supported by AIG Travel, the report offers data around tourism employment, aiming to equip both the public and private sector the tools they need to spark change and make tourism more diverse.
    Drawing on data from six economies, Rwanda, Australia, US, UK, South Africa and the EU, it offers a deep dive on metrics such as gender, age, sexual orientation, disability status and educational skills
    According to the global tourism body, the share of female workers in tourism was highest in Australia, at 54 per cent, followed by the US (48 per cent), higher than the overall average.
    In terms of youth employment, the sector has always been considered a key employer for those aged under 25 years.
    This research shows the US saw 26 per cent of youth employees in the sector, more than twice the share of the total economy average (12 per cent), with Australia (26 per cent) and Rwanda (24 per cent) following closely.ADVERTISEMENTLast year, according to this new study, UK tourism employed a higher share of LGBTQ+ employees (5.2 per cent) than the overall economy (four per cent), with a near 2.7 percentage points increase since 2011.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC president, said: “Travel has always been a people sector, whatever their background.
    “Hospitality goes beyond travellers; it is about how we welcome and care for our colleagues and employees.
    “Our sector has come a long way.
    “Across the board, we are seeing efforts and changes led by major tourism businesses, who are now paying more attention to creating a sense of belonging, supporting their employees, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”
    Travel supports people from all walks of life, employing the highest share of workers with lower levels of formal education across the EU, UK and the U.S, compared to the overall economy.
    WTTC draws from the findings to offer opportunities for the challenges faced by the sector, such as education on DEIB and senior leadership support, recruitment process, and benchmarking and research.
    A majority of the companies analysed (60 per cent) had dedicated personnel to their DEIB efforts, making clear this is a pressing topic all tourism stakeholders should pay close attention to, to ensure the term “hospitality” equals “partnership”.
    To access this report, visit the WTTC Research Hub.
    More Information
    Take a look at a selection of Breaking Travel News video interviews from the Global Summit here.

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    Sri Lanka – Tourism Soars in 2023 & Sets Sights on Sustainable Growth More

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    Sri Lanka – Tourism Soars in 2023 & Sets Sights on Sustainable Growth

    2023 has marked a triumphant chapter for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry; a return to 1 million visitors by September and a total of 1.5 million anticipated for the year. With rebranding for a strong country brand to be launched at WTM, enhanced trade partnerships and collaboration, and a substantial Global Tourism Brand marketing budget for 2024 the destination looks set for further growth in 2024.
    Despite the challenges that loomed at the beginning of the year, including an economic downturn, dollar deficits, and commodity price hikes, Sri Lanka’s resilient and resourceful government efficiently managed the situation, swiftly putting the nation back on its feet. This positive turn of events ushered in a reinvigorated tourism sector including the operation of new airlines with improved airline connectivity and increased cruise calls. In September a notable milestone was achieved as Sri Lanka welcomed its one millionth tourist arrival.
    Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has proven its competitive edge, especially compared to regional counterparts such as the Maldives, India. The UK, Germany, France and Russia are the primary source markets driving growth. The positive trend continues, and Sri Lanka remains optimistic about surpassing its annual target of 1.5 million tourists by the year-end.
    At WTM, Sri Lanka is poised to unveil a new brand for tourism. The “check-in” campaigns, already underway, will pave the way for a “thematic” campaign in the coming year, 2024. Its primary objective is to attract more visitors from key markets through these strategic campaigns while championing sustainable tourism initiatives. Visitors to WTM can find out more at the opening ceremony of the stand, press conference and networking event. 
    “The Ministry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s paramount focus is to create a robust country brand through a comprehensive rebranding exercise, highlighting Sri Lanka’s unique assets. To achieve this, we will prioritise the key source markets through year-round digital and PR campaigns, with a particular emphasis on the UK” commented the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando “Ongoing promotions will introduce new initiatives to maintain a competitive edge for the destination” he added. ADVERTISEMENTThe UK is traditionally an important market for Sri Lanka. British visitors enjoy the unique culture, many historical sites, wildlife, diverse gastronomy and tea plantations with their British architectural style.
    Sri Lankan Airlines, the national carrier, is gearing up to extend its routes, connecting more UK cities and other key destinations, thereby providing travellers with convenient access to Sri Lanka. Details of these expansion plans will be unveiled shortly.
    Enhanced Partnerships and Collaboration were secured in 2023, through country partner status with key travel associations such as ABTA and the ITAA, while maintaining a longstanding relationship with Antor. These affiliations strengthen Sri Lanka’s rapport with the UK travel trade and allow it to deepen relationships with influential media outlets and journalists through collaborative efforts.

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    EGYPTAIR Announces Expansion Plans

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    Sustainability Takes Centre Stage for the Region of Valencia in 2024

    The Region of Valencia announces its theme for 2024 “sustainability” at WTM. In a landmark move the region has committed to joining the World Tourism Organisation and will adhere to its Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET). This strategic commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism represents a significant step toward preserving the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Managing tourism is imperative to the region as visitor figures rise in 2023.
    To mark this milestone, a press conference will be held on Monday 6 November at the Region of Valencia stand N5-520 from 3.30 pm-4.30 pm, which will include presentations from the seven regional brand partners: Costa Blanca, Benidorm, Alicante, Visit Elche, Valencia Turisme, Visit Valencia and Castellón talking about sustainability initiatives across the region’s tourism sector.
    Ms Nuria Montes, the newly elected Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce & Tourism for the Region of Valencia will speak at the press conference about new developments and her new long-term strategy for the region’s tourism sector. Ms Montes will also be attending a press breakfast with the seven brand partners, on Tuesday 7 November 9-10 am, at Tapa Tapa, next to Excel West (invitation only).
    Elected in the recent elections Ms Montes is from the private sector. Her first initiative in the post was to announce that the region will not be adopting a Tourist Tax on 01 January as planned by the previous administration and that this law has been repealed. The new minister is the former General Secretary of the Hotel Association, HOSBEC.
    The latest data shows that the number of British visitors to the Valencia region in July 2023 topped 1,438,565, up by 16.5% in 2022. In 2022 the region received around 2.2 million British visitors, which is just over 14% of the total number of British visitors to Spain and was the fourth most visited area in Spain by Brits, after the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Andalucia. The region aims to capitalise on these positive visitor figures in 2024 and beyond, in its promotions and activities in the UK market.ADVERTISEMENTThe region is running a taxi, bus and Excel advertising campaign with twenty taxis and two city tour buses featuring the Region of Valencia brand for two weeks to coincide with WTM, to raise awareness of the region across London and in particular targeting visitors to WTM. The region will also have a hall entrance wrap and boulevard direction screens at Excel during the trade show..
    The Regions’ capital, Valencia City is the European Green Capital 2024, elected by the European Commission in recognition of the city’s efforts to improve the environment and the quality of life of its residents and visitors alike. Furthermore, another green initiative sees Valencia as a pioneer of smart cities. The city has been chosen as one of the three major European supernodes of the European Union’s Citcom.ai project. This involves the installation of an artificial intelligence experimentation and testing centre in the city to apply technology to sustainable mobility and transport, urban energy efficiency, waste management and solutions based on nature or collaborative solutions for the protection of the environment.

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    The Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) will attend the WTM

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    The Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) will attend the WTM

    Travelers are looking for ways to explore and experience, with a smaller carbon footprint and fewer impacts on the environment. However, identifying low carbon activities can be confusing.
    The Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) will attend the WTM to promote 20, new carbon light travel routes around Thailand. These routes weave hands on local experiences, eco-exploration and local insights across Thailand.  If your company sends travellers to Thailand, these routes can help to reduce your emissions inside Thailand, without reducing the experience!
    The carbon footprint of each route has been calculated. Routes are designed to reduce carbon emissions, with remaining emissions offset locally, inside Thailand, through local Thai projects, under the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO).
    Carbon Neutral Thai tourism routes?
    Since 2020, the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) have worked with Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO), Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) to design and develop fun, inspiring new tourism routes; reducing and offsetting carbon emissions using local Thai offsetting schemes. The EU SWITCH-ASIA Tourlink project brough together European and Thai carbon experts, to compare and align methods for calculating the carbon footprint of Thai tourism itineraries. Mutual recognition of the TGO system by Carmacal adds international credibility to the Thai tools, while enabling carbon offsets to directly support local, Thai projects.ADVERTISEMENTMeet us ONLINE and/or at the World Travel Market 2023 in London between November 6th to 8th, to learn more about a suite of fun, innovative and inspiring Carbon Neutral Tours, which have been developed by the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) across Thailand, in partnership with Thai research and carbon management expert organisations.
    For a short overview of sample tours, see: https://drive.google.com/…/1eurny-pmORX2…/view

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    Wartime deception – discover at English Heritage sites in 2024

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    Wartime deception – discover at English Heritage sites in 2024

    June 2024 sees the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings by Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy. An undercover operation in Dover Castle’s secret tunnels was crucial to the success of the Normandy landings, helping to save thousands of lives and bring about the liberation of Europe.To mark this anniversary, visitors to English Heritage’s Dover Castle in Kent can see the secret tunnels where British and Canadian troops worked tirelessly sending fake radio messages which helped to mislead the enemy about the timing and location of the Allied invasion of north-western Europe. The messages supported the illusion of a fictitious army preparing a major assault from the south east of England via Calais – while in reality, the real invasion force gathered secretly further west and landed on French shores in Normandy.
    The tunnels hidden beneath King Henry II’s mighty castle also housed a wartime hospital – complete with wards and an operating theatre – and the operations centre where in 1940, Operation Dynamo was masterminded – the dramatic evacuation of over 300,000 British troops stranded on the beaches at Dunkirk.
    In England’s north-east, English Heritage has just completed a multi-million-pound conservation and improvement project at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens – which has transformed this wonderful site with 30-acres of Grade I listed grounds into a star attraction. There’s plenty to see – stunning gardens and grounds, a new café in the former coach house and new interpretation in the medieval castle and Grecian-style hall.
    Other recently transformed sites to include in itineraries during 2024:
    Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island in Northumbria is renowned as a centre of Christian learning, Rare artefacts in a new museum give an insight into the lives of the monks who once occupied the isolated religious community, founded in AD 635.Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre close to Dover Castle in Kent was the landing point for the Roman invasion in AD43 and witnessed the end of Roman occupation 360 years later. Visitors can now climb a replica Claudian gateway to better understand the site’s development as a military supply base, then a thriving port town – and finally a fort. English Heritage is a charity which opens over 400 historic places to visitors –  including world-famous sites like Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, Osborne – Queen Victoria’s seaside home – and Tintagel Castle. Great value multi-site passes are available for overseas visitors travelling individually and English Heritage gives 15% discounts for groups of 11 or more (10% at Stonehenge). For more information and to help plan visits, go to the group visits pages at www.english-heritage.org.uk or email: [email protected]ADVERTISEMENTAt WTM 2023, English Heritage can be found on the Heritage in Britain stand, no: N9-401

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    Jamaica Takes Top Spot in The Caribbean

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    Jamaica Takes Top Spot in The Caribbean

    In the first half of 2023, Jamaica witnessed a significant increase in arrivals from the UK, with a remarkable 69.2% surge in tourist arrivals compared to 2021. This growth has resulted in record-breaking earnings exceeding US $2 billion.This outstanding growth showcases the resilience of Jamaica’s tourism industry in the face of global challenges, affirming its status as a premier travel destination and top Caribbean Island for the UK holidaymaker. As Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board, explains, “We know that in this post-pandemic world, the need to travel and feed the soul is more important than ever. As we continue our bullish pandemic recovery plan, Jamaica remains a leading global tourist destination with many new developments and hotel openings in the pipeline.”.
    In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Jamaica embarked on an ambitious tourism recovery initiative in 2022, kicking off with their renowned “Come Back” campaign. Donovan White, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board elaborates, “Our bullish tourism recovery plan has enabled us to set our targets high and implement our latest global advertising campaign, ‘Come Back.’” Jamaica’s recently launched “Come Back” campaign is an invitation to heal one’s soul in the welcoming embrace of Jamaica. The campaign resonates with travellers seeking more authentic, eco-friendly experiences and ways to immerse themselves in unique local cultures. Donovan White, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board, noted, “In this post-pandemic world, the need to travel and feed the soul is more important than ever, and our island meets this need for every type of traveller.”
    With plans to introduce 8,500 new rooms by 2025, a 33% room capacity increase, and elevate foreign exchange earnings by nearly 50%, Jamaica’s recovery efforts have been nothing short of audacious and continue to set challenges at new heights. Exciting additions include Excellence Oyster Bay, Wyndham, and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
    Visitor statistics reveal a 5.2% increase in stopovers compared to 2019, showcasing the country’s impressive growth and firmly establishing Jamaica as the number one Caribbean destination for UK travellers. This substantial incline in arrivals underscores the unwavering allure of the island. Many accommodation offerings on the island have established sustainable and eco-friendly practices into operations to recognition and certification from international organisations. With sustainability at the heart of its robust tourism strategy, Donovan White points out, “We are incredibly blessed to have such a beautiful asset to work with, and we will always strive to showcase our island to its full potential.”
    Jamaica is dedicated to preserving its rich culture and heritage, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the local way of life through community tourism, further expanding its incredibly rich range of offerings for visitors. From learning about the nature-based Rastafarian way of life, to trying out traditional cooking classes, there are numerous ways for visitors to ensure the native culture continues to be protected, respected, and celebrated.ADVERTISEMENTIn terms of airlift, a new Norse flight from Montego Bay is scheduled to commence in December, operating four times a week from London Gatwick. The island is already easily accessible from the United Kingdom through daily nonstop flights provided by Virgin Atlantic Airways departing from London Heathrow, British Airways departing from London Gatwick, and TUI departing from Birmingham, Gatwick, and Manchester.
    Elizabeth Fox, Regional Director, UK & Northern Europe, underlines the commitment to a brighter future. “We are very happy that Jamaica is the top Caribbean destination of choice for travellers from the UK are grateful to all of our industry partners for their continuous support and faith in our beautiful island. ​As we look ahead, our team has an exciting line-up of plans for 2024 and are confident that we can continue to grow our destination favourability among UK travellers in 2024 and beyond.”. The Jamaica Tourist Board’s visionary approach to recovery ensures that Jamaica remains at the forefront of global tourism, offering diverse experiences and preserving its rich cultural heritage.
    Jamaica’s proactive approach to recovery and sustainability not only cements its position as a top destination for global travellers but also guarantees a rich and authentic experience for those seeking to explore its natural wonders and cultural heritage.

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    Travel Uni steps in to help companies impacted by OTT Closure

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    Travel Uni steps in to help companies impacted by OTT Closure

    The recent news of the closure of Online Travel Training (OTT) came as a complete surprise to the industry, their clients, and apparently their staff. 
    Travel Uni joins all our colleagues and friends in the industry in expressing our concern for those affected by this sudden end to the company and are looking at how best to help those companies whose business dealings with the trade have been severely affected by this loss.
    Equator Global and Travel Uni operate in exactly the same space and are celebrating 20 Years of successful growth as the largest trade e-Learning and engagement platform, with over 330,000 trade members, globally. We are uniquely placed to assist those destinations, hotel groups, cruise companies, airlines and other travel suppliers impacted by this closure.
    We have immediately put together a business continuity plan to help mitigate the significant impact that this shock will have on those organisations that depend on the trade for business success and growth.
    Please get in touch with Kristian Brumby or Ian Dockreay to find out more on how Equator and Travel Uni can help your organisation continue to provide travel trade training and engagement in the UK/I, throughout Europe and throughout the world with a seamless continuity solution. ADVERTISEMENTThe team will be at WTM so please get in touch to arrange to meet up there or shortly thereafter if, you haven’t already.
    Ian Dockreay, CEO, [email protected], Mobile +44(0)78316 74727
    Kristian Brumby, Director, [email protected], Mobile +44 (0)7450 472497 ENDS

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    Quito’s cable car, a passport to the clouds

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    Quito’s cable car, a passport to the clouds

    For travellers ready to take on new experiences, Quito’s cable car is a portal to a natural paradise in the Ecuadorian Andes. From its starting point located at 2,950 metres above sea level, this wonderful means of transport is one of the highest cable cars in the world and offers a gentle ascent up to the heights, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,100 metres. The trip offers breathtaking panoramic views of Quito’s majestic beauty, as well as the impressive volcanoes that surround the city. This natural treasure is more than just incredible panoramic views. It also offers the opportunity to explore the Área de Intervención Especial y Recuperación Pichincha – Atacazo (Pichincha – Atacazo Special Intervention and Recuperation Area), covering more than 23,400 hectares, home to a moorland ecosystem with wild fauna and typical Andean flora. This is a privileged area thanks to its natural resources and water fountains that provide this vital resource to Quito. 
    Quito’s cable car is an experience suitable for all. The most adventurous visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking and mountain biking, always accompanied by a guide. It is open all year round and easily accessed from the city centre, making it an exciting tourism experience, whatever the season.

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    THE CALL TO LEADERSHIP

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    Travel Uni steps in to help companies impacted by OTT Closure More