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LEGOLAND® New York Resort is giving guests a fun way to groove while they move when visiting the Park this summer with the addition of its newest attraction: The Minifigure Skyflyer. Opening this summer, the new gondola-style ride – a first for LEGOLAND® Resorts – offers an interactive new way to travel between themed lands of the Park.
In anticipation of the new ride, LEGOLAND New York Resort has partnered with Belleayre Mountain to give families an early taste of what’s to come and bring the same party-in-the-sky experience to life via two specially-themed ski gondolas. Starting today through April (weather permitting), skiers can catch a lift on two special gondola pods on The Catskill Thunder Gondola wrapped in the image of the LEGOLAND New York Minifigure Skyflyer Pirate Party Pod as an immersive and fun-filled way to ride to the top of the ski mountain.
Belleayre skiers who catch a ride on the LEGOLAND New York Minifigure Skyflyer gondola pods can scan a QR code and receive exclusive access to “Kids Go Free” tickets, with the purchase of an adult ticket, so families can return to LEGOLAND New York this summer and be one of the first to ride the real Minifigure Skyflyer.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane! It’s the Minifigure Skyflyer!
LEGOLAND New York guests can expect a fully immersive, interactive experience on the Minifigure Skyflyer from queuing to disembarking. Prior to boarding, guests can help “charge” the cable car batteries through hand-powered cranks then follow the rainbow road before reaching the boarding platform’s disco-themed dance floor. Complete with LEGO® brick disco ball lights, the dance floor invites families to show off their most imaginative dance moves to help the Minifigure Skyflyer truly fly!ADVERTISEMENTBefore boarding, guests are greeted by the Resort’s famous minifigures who tell the story of how they designed and built the new Minifigure Skyflyer – but they need guests’ help to make it fly. Once in flight, families can use their imaginations to help “power” the ride through movement as they dance while traveling across the Park with the best views over MINILAND and more – all from the sky!
Once aboard one of seven individually themed Party Pods, ranging from pirates to space to disco, it’s time to partake in the in-flight interactivity features. Guests will learn how to speak like a pirate, talk in a space alien language or participate in a sing-along all while flying through the sky. All pods are ADA accessible and seat up to ten people.
“There’s a lot to enjoy at LEGOLAND New York, but it’s a big Resort and our fans asked us for more ways to move easily from the upper and lower levels of the Park,” said Divisional Director of LEGOLAND New York Stephanie Johnson. “We take our guests feedback seriously and the Minifigure Skyflyer gives them a way to do exactly that while igniting creativity, sparking imagination, and inspiring movement through disco and dance.”
Family flyers who enjoy the Belleayre gondola party pods are encouraged to snap, post and share their experience tagging @LEGOLAND.NewYork as you party through the sky. To learn more and buy tickets for the upcoming season, visit https://www.legoland.com/new-york/.

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H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of United Nations (UN) Tourism, (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization – UNWTO) will deliver the Keynote Address during the opening ceremony of the second Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which will be hosted by Jamaica from February 16-17, 2024.
The much-anticipated conference, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, will be attended by local and international tourism stakeholders. These include government ministers from several countries, policy advisors, academics, executives of several international organisations, international business leaders among other key stakeholders. The conference forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and its tourism partners, including the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), to bolster resilience in global tourism. Day one of the conference will feature panel discussions on building tourism’s digital and infrastructural resilience, women in tourism resilience and how to finance tourism resilience. Jamaica will also officially recognize the second annual Global Tourism Resilience Day during the conference on February 17.

At last year’s World Travel Awards Jamaica was again named Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the 17th consecutive year with the Jamaica Tourist Board winning the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the 15th year in a row.
www.Worldtravelawards.comADVERTISEMENT

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness will deliver the Keynote Address during the Live Celebration of Global Tourism Resilience Day on the final day of the second Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference. Minister Bartlett will also address the high-level summit.This year’s staging follows Jamaica’s efforts to bolster resilience in global tourism by proposing the official designation of February 17th as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually, which yielded great success, as the United Nations (UN) ratified the move last February to facilitate its observance globally. The much-anticipated conference will be attended by government ministers from several countries, policy advisors, academics, executives of several international organisations, international business leaders, among other key stakeholders. The event forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and its tourism partners, including the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), to boost resilience in global tourism. The Prime Minister’s address will be followed by remarks by international speakers from Malaga, Spain, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. Following a brief book launch, a Ministerial Round Table discussion will be held with UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili and representatives from across the globe.
At last year’s World Travel Awards Jamaica was again named Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the 17th consecutive year with the Jamaica Tourist Board winning the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the 15th year in a row.

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On April 8 this year a total solar eclipse 115 miles across will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada, and the sky will temporarily darken as if it were night-time.  Given there’s no further total eclipses in the US until 2033, this is a rare and spectacular event likely to create an influx of travel to the region in the days beforehand. This will be even more unique considering its location, spanning across many of the world’s major tourism destinations.
Some reports suggest this could be the most watched celestial event ever – “like 50 Super Bowls happening all at once” comments on solar eclipse expert – with around 40 million people living in ‘path of totality’, crossing 15 states in the US alone.  As a result, many eclipse-related excursions are already booked up and hotels in the viewing zone are in high demand.  With this expected to be amongst one of the biggest ever drivers of travel, how can the industry – B2B and B2C specialists, as well as their tech partners – get involved?
We spoke with a range of online travel experts to gain their view on what is likely to happen and how to prepare.
Civitatis, an online platform for Spanish-speaking booking activities, day trips and guided tours, warns that competition for eclipse-related excursions will be high from both domestic and international travellers. “Whilst late in 2023 US outbound international travel grew over domestic, as people returned to travelling aboard after Covid, this event clearly is likely to turn the tide. When it comes the domestic market don’t forget that one in five Americans is a Spanish speaker, so make sure that you’ve Spanish language content – and are marketing in Spanish sales channels – to stand out to them. Consider too what kind of special deals you can put on or how you can collaborate with tour operators or OTAs promoting eclipse focused packages. Many of the locations falling in the path of the eclipse are not your typical places for tours & activities, but everyone arriving is going to expect for such things to laid on for them so partnerships are going to be key.”
One of Latin America’s biggest global distribution companies, PriceTravel Holding, has also noticed an uptick in demand for the major tourism destinations that fall within the path of the eclipse. A spokesperson for the company states that “given our strength in Mexico we’ve really noticed that, but also for hotel sales in the US and Canada too as there are lots of enthusiasts Latin Americans who would like to experience this one-off event in somewhere they’ve not visited before, and enjoy the experiences that a country like Mexico offers. Travel sellers everywhere should note that the total eclipse happens over the Easter holidays for many parts of the world, which is a typical time for families to take longer holidays – so, it’s a good time to aim your products at families more than you might have otherwise done so, whether marketing in the Americas or in Europe too.”ADVERTISEMENTSuch a big influx of visitors who might never have come otherwise nor ever return again could have an unusual and potentially negative impact when it comes to online reviews, warns Jose Arozarena from TourReview, a platform for tours & activities providers to manage their online reviews. “Destinations and travel service providers in general need to think about what experience visitors might have during this highly unusual event and what reviews they might subsequently post online. No matter if they are being unfair, a traveller who sees overcrowding or is forced to pay higher than normal prices is likely to leave a critical review or lower satisfaction scores on online review pages like Tripadvisor and so on. Is there anything they can do to combat this? Certainly think about those pain points and how you can communicate about those in advance to prepare people or even reduce the negative impacts.”
Janis Dzenis from US focused travel comparison website WayAway, which helps travellers to find the best discounts online, offers some advice for travel companies considering how to respond: “It might seem counter-intuitive to incentivize bookings and offer group discounts at eclipse locations, as they are already in high demand it would seem.  However, attractively-packaged offers can encourage travelers to secure their spots early and even bring along extra family and friends.  Such discounts can also create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, driving more bookings.  On the flipside, the eclipse might present the opportunity for travel business to promote bargains elsewhere in the world; those who are not bothered about seeing the eclipse, or simply don’t have the cash, might be susceptible cheaper travel to other destinations struggling to gain their slice of Easter holiday tourists.”
Finally, more on the topic of business travel, Traxo, which specialises in aggregating traveller booking data from all booking channels, warns the event may lead to duty of care issues for corporations.  “One-off events like the solar eclipse are likely to lead to more ‘bleisure’ bookings, where people making business trips to North America may well try to incorporate this into their trip – or may even arrange their business trips around it. Corporates should make sure they have a way to see bookings across all sources to provide proper duty of care and address non-compliant bookings. Already 40% of travel bookings are made outside of company tools, making it difficult for companies to know where their employees are and that figure is likely to be temporarily ‘eclipsed’, excuse the pun, by this upcoming event.”

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AFC Asian Cup Final 2024: A Triumph for Qatar

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In a momentous occasion for football enthusiasts across Asia, the AFC Asian Cup Final 2024 concluded with an electrifying showdown, marking a significant chapter in Qatar’s footballing legacy. As the host nation, Qatar not only provided a stage for the tournament but also emerged victorious, securing the championship title amidst a wave of excitement and celebration. Qatar became the first country in 20 years to win back-to-back Asian Cup titles with a 3-1 win over Jordan
The road to the final was paved with fierce competition and gripping matches, showcasing the immense talent and passion for football present in the Asian continent. Teams from across the region battled it out on the field, each vying for the prestigious title and the opportunity to etch their names in the annals of football history. From thrilling encounters to nail-biting finishes, the tournament captivated audiences worldwide, drawing attention to the evolving landscape of Asian football.
As the host nation, Qatar spared no effort in ensuring the success of the tournament. With state-of-the-art facilities, impeccable organization, and a warm hospitality, Qatar set the stage for a memorable sporting spectacle. From the dazzling opening ceremony to the final whistle of the championship match, the tournament was a testament to Qatar’s commitment to excellence and its ability to host world-class sporting events.

The final match itself was a showcase of skill, determination, and resilience, as Qatar faced off against a formidable opponent in a clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with passionate supporters from both sides cheering on their teams with unwavering fervor.ADVERTISEMENTIn a display of sheer brilliance, Qatar emerged victorious, clinching the championship title with a stellar performance that will be remembered for years to come. The win not only solidified Qatar’s status as a rising force in Asian football but also served as a source of pride for the nation and its people.
Beyond the thrill of victory, the AFC Asian Cup Final 2024 served as a platform for promoting unity, diversity, and friendship across the continent. Through the universal language of football, nations came together to celebrate the spirit of competition and camaraderie, fostering connections that transcend borders and cultures.

Looking ahead, the success of the tournament bodes well for Qatar’s future as a global sporting hub. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Qatar has demonstrated its ability to host major international events with aplomb, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament in 2022.
In conclusion, the AFC Asian Cup Final 2024 was a resounding success for Qatar, showcasing the nation’s prowess both on and off the field. As the host nation, Qatar delivered a tournament that will be remembered for its thrilling matches, outstanding hospitality, and enduring legacy in the world of football. As the celebrations continue, the tournament stands as a testament to the power of sport to unite nations and inspire greatness.

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