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    Athens Crowned Europe’s Top City-Break Destination at World Travel Awards 2024

    Athens has clinched a prestigious title in the tourism realm, emerging as Europe’s Leading City-break Destination at the World Travel Awards 2024.The announcement came during a glittering ceremony held in Berlin on Wednesday, coinciding with ITB Berlin, a major tourism exhibition. Athens, represented by its special pavilion at the EOT Pavilion, took centre stage at the event.
    The honour was accepted by Ioannis Georgizas, Managing Director of the Development and Tourism Promotion Company of the Municipality of Athens (EATA), who expressed pride in the achievement. “We are thrilled to receive this important recognition, which puts our city among the best city-break destinations in Europe,” Georgizas remarked. “Athens offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, with new attractions for short getaways. It’s not just about our rich cultural heritage and sunny days; it’s also about our museums, modern cultural venues, fine dining, and authentic experiences in our neighbourhoods. At EATA, we’re committed to enhancing quality, sustainable tourism while ensuring Athenians’ quality of life.”
    The accolade crowns Athens’ decade-long efforts, led by This is Athens, a project of the Municipality of Athens, to position the city as a competitive year-round city-break destination. In 2023, Athens welcomed over 7 million international visitors, setting a new record.Athens was also nominated in five other categories at the World Travel Awards, including Top Cultural Destination, Top Meeting and Conference Destination, Top Cruise Destination, Top Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Top Sight for the Acropolis.
    This isn’t the first time Athens has been recognised by the prestigious awards. In 2018, the Greek capital bagged the same title, beating out renowned cities like Amsterdam, Venice, and Paris. Over the past decade, Athens has earned several accolades at the World Travel Awards, including leading Cultural Destination worldwide in 2022 and 2023, and best Convention and Visitors Bureau in Europe for 2018 and 2022. The iconic Acropolis has also been celebrated as a top Tourist Attraction in 2014 and 2018.
    Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/ADVERTISEMENT

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    Spain’s Leading Sports Resort At World Travel Awards 2024

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    MADEIRA IS, FOR THE 10TH TIME, THE BEST ISLAND DESTINATION IN EUROPE. More

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    Spain’s Leading Sports Resort At World Travel Awards 2024

    Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa has been named ‘Spain’s Leading Sports Resort 2024’  at the World Travel Awards 2024 for the fourth time – a recognition of the hotel’s world-class sporting facilities that are enjoyed by hotel guests, locals and elite sports teams. The five-star hotel, owned by Grupo Inversor Hesperia, opened its doors in May last year, becoming the first Grand Hyatt in Spain following an ambitious renovation project. It is located at the heart of the La Manga Club resort, in an idyllic enclave off the Mediterranean coast, and is surrounded by the stunning Calblanque Natural Park with views of Mar Menor, a tranquil coastal lagoon.
    The award was presented at the gala ceremony for the 31st edition of the World Travel Awards in Berlin on Wednesday 6th March. Ángel Holgado, general manager at Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa commented: “Receiving recognition of this magnitude in the most prestigious international awards in the sector, and for it to be in our first year since reopening as a Grand Hyatt, is a huge honour. It drives us to continue improving and delivering the finest sport and leisure experiences to all our guests”.Since its creation in 1972 by Gregory Peters, La Manga Club and sport have always gone hand in hand. Most commonly known for its world-leading golf facilities, the resort is home to three of the best golf courses in Europe: the North Course, South Course and West Field. Today, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa also offers golf academies for adults and children at all levels, a large practice area and other exclusive services such as the Clubhouse, the 37 Spikes & Sports Bar, Caddy Master and a renovated pro shop.
    The hotel also has world-class facilities for a range of other popular sports, including football with eight FIFA-sized football fields and a stadium for 700 supporters, a total of 28 courts across a variety of surfaces at The Racquets Centre, as well as seven padel courts, a pickleball court and a high-performance gym.
    The resort has also hosted a number of prestigious sporting events since opening over five decades ago, notably the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup, the Spanish Open and the ATP. Golf legends such as Severiano Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, and tennis stars, Arancha Sánchez Vicario, Andy Murray and Juan Carlos Ferrero, all play at its venues. The world’s biggest football teams have also trained at La Manga Club through the years, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Liverpool FC, Galatasaray SK and Newcastle United as well as the national teams of both Spain and England.
    Lastly, the golf courses at La Manga Club have also played a part in a number of Guinness World Record achievements. In June 1985, Otto Bucher, who was 99 years old at the time, putted a hole-in-one from the 12th tee of the South Course (Par 3), which to this day still stands as the record for a hole in one by the oldest person. In November 1995, two English players hit the longest shot at 310 metres on Hole 3 of the South Course.ADVERTISEMENTSource: https://premierconstructionnews.com/

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

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

    JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the opening of the first Marriott International luxury hotel in St. Maarten: JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa. Nestled in a tropical haven exuding multicultural charm, JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa embodies the brand’s mindful ethos, offering travelers an enriching Caribbean retreat that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit.“JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa marks our debut in this striking corner of the Caribbean, not only punctuating our incredible growth in the region, but also strengthening our global presence,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “JW Marriott is committed to anchoring in premier destinations worldwide and this property seamlessly blends JW Marriott’s guiding wellness principles and luxury amenities, with locale-forward complements and tropical warmth closely in tow. We are poised to reimagine the hospitality landscape in St. Maarten and are eager to welcome guests to our newest jewel.”
    Upon arrival at JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa, guests are welcomed by a majestic two-story stone clad tower, crowned with an ornate steel dome that pays homage to the island’s rich Dutch architectural heritage. Inside, the property unfolds into a series of inviting spaces, beginning with a welcoming grand lobby adorned with a library, lounge, and an elegant JW Bar. The property boasts versatile event spaces, a convenient JW Market, and a culinary school where guests can participate in a plethora of enriching and uplifting experiences throughout their stay. Adding to the property’s allure is a tranquil courtyard garden, offering guests a serene retreat for moments of quiet reflection.
    JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa welcomes travelers with 200 stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites blending modern flair and coastal elegance that feature stunning views of the sea and St. Barths in the distance. Designed by Cauhaus Design, the spacious guest rooms provide unparalleled comfort offering a warm atmosphere infused with rich tones, natural wood finishes, handcrafted tile accents, and elegant cove lighting alongside best-in-class entertainment systems encouraging guests to Stay in the Moment®.  Distinctive artworks and artifacts enhance the guest rooms and suites and pay homage to the island’s rich history and reverence of craftsmanship.
    The hotel also features four elevated dining venues, each with its own tie to the multicultural destination. Liguria is a vibrant celebration of the sun and the sea, drawing inspiration from the coastal Mediterranean with a menu that emphasizes regional flavors including fresh vegetables, seafood, citrus, grains, and herbs. Basil, grape tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes from the JW Garden are incorporated into popular menu items such as the pastry chef’s house-baked Focaccia. Complementing this breadth of Mediterranean soul, the wine list ranges from French rosés and Italian reds to more unique expressions from Greece, Spain, and other coastal regions. Carambola represents the laid-back breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining scene locally referred to as “flip-flop fine dining” utilizing fresh ingredients from the JW Garden such as curly parsley, used in the signature tabbouleh, and bok choy which is used to make Carambola’s housemade kimchi.
    The Lobby Bar is the hub to the contemporary food forum with creative mixologists expertly preparing drinks exclusive to the bar, such as the Gin-Z, a thirst-quenching combination of gin, Aperol, and Prosecco. At the pool, guests can find Breeze perfectly positioned with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. The menu features new takes on many familiar items as well as exotic handcrafted cocktails and frozen libations that feature garnishes from the JW Garden.ADVERTISEMENTIn addition to the fully equipped Fitness Room, the Hibiscus Spa combines modern design elements with a color palette of soothing earth tones, natural textures, and plush furnishings. Guests will discover 16 tranquil treatments, all evoking peace and repose. Skilled providers offer an indulgent menu of therapies incorporating local fruits and flowers, each crafted to renew body and mind.
    In total, venue spaces spread across 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and can be arranged in countless ways to host conferences, board meetings, team building activities, social gatherings, product launches, and more. The hotel is home to 10,000 square feet of flexible indoor function and event space, including the Soualiga Ballroom and four function venues for memorable gatherings. From lushly landscaped spaces on the lawn, JW Garden, and pool deck to the ethereal blues and whites on Dawn Beach, the venue’s prestigious surroundings and enticing seaside views are enhanced by customizable services including catering, audiovisual, event design, and destination concierge services.
    Located a convenient 30-minute drive from Princess Juliana Airport, the resort is easily accessible by commercial airline, private plane, chartered flight, or boutique luxury cruise line. St. Maarten is often referred to as the yachting capital of the Caribbean and serves as an ideal hub for visiting nearby islands as its geographic location makes inter-Caribbean travel a breeze.
    “JW Marriott offers guests a legacy of luxury hospitality matched with principles of mindfulness that are integral to today’s traveler,” said Todd Reichelt, General Manager, JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa. “Situated on the world-famous Dawn Beach, our resort stands as a serene enclave and island getaway in this historically rich destination. We look forward to welcoming and providing our guests with a truly memorable and holistic well-being experience.”
    For more information or to make a reservation, please visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sxmdb-jw-marriott-st-maarten-beach-resort-and-spa/overview/

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

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

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

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

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    Jamaica Awarded Global Destination of the Year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Two million visitors again to the United States

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