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      Ontario International Airport welcomes 30 millionth passenger since return to local ownership

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      When Jessica Burchett arrived at Ontario International Airport (ONT) last Thursday, she had no idea she was about to become an instant celebrity as the 30 millionth passenger since the transition of the airport to local ownership six years ago.The departing Southwest Airlines® passenger and Rancho Cucamonga resident could barely contain herself when her boarding position was announced as the lucky traveler, winning free round trip airline tickets during a festive – and surprise – celebration at Gate 404.
      “I won! I can’t believe it,” Burchett screamed as she was called up to the podium, unaware moments earlier that a celebration was being planned. It wasn’t until she got to the gate, and saw the balloons, signage and TV cameras that she realized something was up. In fact, she wasn’t even scheduled to be on the departing flight to Denver, with a connection to Minneapolis, but changed her travel arrangements the night before.
      “We literally were on a later night flight, but I needed to get to Minnesota, so I changed the flight. And there was so much fun, and here we are. I’m super excited,” she said.
      Burchett said she frequently flies out of ONT to attend her children’s sporting events.
      “It’s super convenient. It’s a few miles from the house. It’s easy to get in and out of. It’s my favorite airport,” she said. As for the free tickets, courtesy of Southwest®: “I travel so much for my kids sports that this is a money saver and it’s phenomenal.”ADVERTISEMENTThe celebration of 30 million passengers comes a little more than six years since ONT’s return to local ownership. In that time, passenger volumes have increased by more than one-third as ONT has become one of the aviation industry’s great success stories. Ontario International welcomed more than 5.7 million airline travelers last year, 2.8% more than 2019 and its highest passenger volume since 2008. It was also among an elite group of airports in the U.S. that, on a full-year basis, exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2022.
      “It’s not about the number – 30 million passengers. It’s about 30 million lives being impacted. That’s 30 million people meeting up with their families. It’s 30 million travelers who are contributing to the local economy, creating thousands of jobs for folks out here. That’s what this milestone really means,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
      “On behalf of the nearly 200 Southwest Employees at ONT, we’re thrilled to be part of this exciting milestone, connecting our Customers to the people and places that matter most in their lives,” said Jesse Perez, Ontario Station Manager for Southwest Airlines. “We’re thankful for this 38-year partnership with Ontario International and look forward to our next milestone.”

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      IATA and AWS launch datathon to boost gender diversity in aviation industry

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      The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) is launching a virtual datathon to stimulate the development of data-based solutions to further the aviation industry’s gender diversity.
      The datathon builds on the success of IATA’s 25by2025 initiative.
      “The launch of the 25by2025 initiative in 2019 prompted the industry to take a closer look at the gender diversity of its workforce and take actions to make sure it is reflective of the societies it serves. The IATA & AWS diversity datathon is intended to further strengthen gender diversity in the industry, which complements the existing IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards,” said Jane Hoskisson, IATA’s Director Talent, Learning, Engagement and Diversity at IATA.
      “We are thrilled to be working with IATA on the virtual datathon, and it is brilliant to see the aviation sector working together to strengthen gender diversity within the industry in this way. Initiatives like this are instrumental in fostering diversity and inclusion globally and will help us all amplify underrepresented voices and empower diverse communities,” said Charlene-Elise Anderson, Leader Intergovernmental Organizations, AWS.
      Datathon participants will be asked to address one of two challenges:ADVERTISEMENTHow to demonstrate to a CEO the impact of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion using data and/ or new technologies?How can airlines redress the gender balance on the flight deck and other technical roles through data and/ or new technologies?Who can participate:
      Registration for the datathon will start on 22 March and is open to professionals in the airline industry, including airlines, airports, software vendors, start-ups, systems integrators (SIs), and any other organizations working in aviation. All participants will be granted access to an AWS environment which will enable them to build their proofs of concept. Importantly, all teams will be given an opportunity to join training sessions on technical and business topics which will be held by AWS architects and industry specialists from IATA and IATA’s member airlines.
      Timelines:
      This virtual datathon will run between 22 March and 28 April 2023.
      Judging:
      Submissions will be evaluated by an independent panel of experts from IATA and AWS. Key criteria taken into account will include the originality of the solution, its applicability in the aviation sector and the value-add it will bring to further strengthen gender diversity of the industry.

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      UNWTO has opened applications for the third edition of its Best Tourism Villages initiative

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      Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO was launched in 2021 as part of the Organization’s work to make tourism a driver of rural development and wellbeing. To date, over 70 villages from almost 40 countries have been recognized as Best Tourism Villages.
      A further 40 have been selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme where they benefit from expert mentorship and networking opportunities. 
      One initiative, three components
      UNWTO’s Members States can present up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will close on 23 June 2023 and the winners announced towards the end of the year. As with previous editions, the initiative has three components: The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects. Selection is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development, economic, social and environmental.  The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme benefits a number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and partners to address the gaps identified in the evaluation process.  The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices and opportunities. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge. 
      The applications are evaluated by an independent International Advisory Board consisting of experts in different fields (cultural and natural resources preservation, sustainability, tourism product development, marketing, value chain, etc.) based on nine areas, including sustainability, infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism value chain integration. ADVERTISEMENTRecognition and mentorship for Villages
      Announcing the launch, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Tourism can make a real difference for rural communities, delivering jobs, supporting businesses and celebrating and protecting traditions. Through Best Tourism Villages, UNWTO is recognizing those rural destinations that committed to making tourism a pillar of opportunity and wellbeing.”
      For the villages in the Upgrade Programme, besides individual mentoring, the villages join also the Best Tourism Villages Network, which today numbers over 100 villages in five world regions. Since its inception the BTV Network had organized a series of training sessions and masterclasses, allowing hundreds of participants to benefit from expert guidance and feedback from sector leaders.

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      WYNDHAM PALMAS BEACH & GOLF RESORT ANNOUNCES TRANSFORMATION

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      Alaska Airlines announces agreement with Shell Aviation to expand sustainable aviation fuel market

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      Alaska Airlines has announced an agreement with Shell Aviation to expand the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market beyond a standard fuel supply agreement
      The innovative cross-industry collaboration brings together a world-class fuel supply chain and the fifth-largest domestic carrier to procure and use sustainable fuel, while working together to define and tackle what it will take to advance SAF technology, development, infrastructure and investment.“Alaska Airlines has set our course to net zero by 2040 and sustainable aviation fuels represent the greatest near-term opportunity to make a step-level change on that journey,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president for public affairs and sustainability at Alaska. “That’s why we’ve pioneered SAF technologies for more than a decade. But we can’t scale the market alone. We’re excited to take this next step in the journey with Shell, to leverage their deep knowledge of the energy industry, its infrastructure requirements and supply chain to make lower lifecycle carbon SAF more widely available for the future.”
      Details of the agreement include commitments to deepen understanding of the technology, infrastructure, carbon accounting systems and public policy support needed to bring SAF to more markets, in greater quantities and at a more sustainable long-term cost. The companies will put particular focus on enabling supply to the West Coast and alleviating fueling infrastructure challenges in the Pacific Northwest. Shell Aviation will also supply up to 10 million gallons of neat SAF to Alaska Airlines at their hub in Los Angeles.
      “We’re excited to expand our strong relationship with Alaska and amplify our efforts to help decarbonize aviation through SAF supply on the West Coast and in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jan Toschka, president of Shell Aviation. “We need support from the entire ecosystem to build a sustainable future for aviation. This deep level of collaboration will help us put the technologies and supply chain in place to advance the industry.”
      Both Alaska Airlines and Shell Aviation share an ambition to help scale the SAF market by concurrently addressing cost and volume through multiple strategies to grow availability and commercial viability of SAF.ADVERTISEMENT“With Shell’s world-class fuel supply chain and deep technical knowledge, we’re aiming to transform West Coast fuel supply,” said Ann Ardizzone, vice president of strategic sourcing and supply chain management at Alaska Airlines. “By leveraging the fuel infrastructure expertise of a major fuel producer, we can advance SAF access in more markets, accelerating the market scale of SAF to reach our environmental goals.”
      SAF is a safe, certified drop-in fuel that meets the jet fuel standards to reduce carbon emissions by as much as 80% of lifecycle emissions.
      Learn more about Alaska Airlines efforts to reduce its climate impact and go net zero by 2040 at news.alaskaair.com/collection/planet.

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts expands partnership with AWC to open Kimpton Pattaya in Thailand

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts expands partnership with AWC to open Kimpton Pattaya in Thailand

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, is proud to announce Kimpton Pattaya, as an exciting extension of its long-standing partnership with Asset World Corp Public Company Limited or AWC in Thailand.The agreement is another major milestone in the relationship between IHG and AWC – renowned as being the Kingdom’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, with a stellar track record in market-leading tourist destinations. This will be their second collaboration for a Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in the country.
      The strategic partnership between IHG and AWC already includes five outstanding properties: the highly-anticipated 302-room InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping which will open this year: two hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown – the 332-room InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown and 63-room Vignette Collection Bangkok Chinatown; the 234-room Vignette Collection Pattaya; and 124-room Kimpton Hua Hin.
      Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG said: “Our partnership with AWC goes from strength to strength and, thanks to this latest collaboration for Kimpton Pattaya, together we have now signed 1,250 rooms across six fantastic properties in the past three years, in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya.
      “This will be the fifth Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property signed in Thailand which shows the confidence owners have in the brand. Together with Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Kimpton Kitalay Samui and the upcoming Kimpton Khao Yai and Kimpton Hua Hin, the brand already has a strong following amongst affluent and discerning travellers.
      “I’m delighted that Kimpton Pattaya is joining Vignette Collection Pattaya – also situated in Aquatique Pattaya – and two open hotels – InterContinental Pattaya and Holiday Inn Pattaya – in the district, establishing IHG as a market leader in Pattaya.”ADVERTISEMENTWallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited said: “We are very pleased to continue our long-term strategic partnership with IHG to bring top quality hotel brands to one of Thailand’s leading beachfront destinations. The launch of the first Kimpton hotel in Pattaya, comes after signing a multi-property agreement with IHG in 2020, with a fantastic brand offering a bold playful design and award-winning dining experiences for a memorable stay. By bringing world-renowned brands to a broader customer base, the Kimpton brand will also strengthen Pattaya as a global beachfront destination only a couple of hours drive away from Bangkok.”
      “AWC sees strong demand in both the lifestyle luxury and family segments in Pattaya, which is one of the most popular destinations for leisure travellers and business travellers and aligns with AWC’s strategy to develop quality assets in prime locations by expanding our portfolio in central Pattaya. Located in AWC’s mega mixed-use project in Pattaya, as part of the Aquatique, the Kimpton Pattaya will help elevate the area to a new level of luxury with a world-renowned hotel operator, and a variety of activities in the complex, to help create long-term value, and enrich the surrounding communities and society,” Mrs. Wallapa added.
      Pattaya has been identified as a leisure and economic growth district in Thailand, with upcoming infrastructure projects designed to connect it to the country’s international airports via a high-speed train, thereby cementing its position as an Eastern Economic Corridor hub. With strong and consistent travel demand predicted, domestic and international tourist arrivals in Pattaya are set to rise from 18 million in 2019 to 25 million in the next five years.
      Opening in early 2028, the new-build Kimpton Pattaya will be located in central Pattaya, as part of the Aquatique, a concept devised by AWC which will be a first-of-its-kind in Pattaya as an ultimate all-in-one seaside destination, accentuating the Company’s leadership in innovative real estate and paving a new chapter in Pattaya’s reputation as a premier lifestyle and tourism hub in Thailand. The project will be the centre of fun and happiness in central Pattaya, offering the most variety of attractions in one place and comprise a diversified array of exciting commercial spaces including a shopping mall, hotels, a theme park, performance art space, and F&B seafood market, located just steps from Pattaya’s beach.
      Just 30 minutes’ drive to U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport and 60 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the 193-rooms-and-suites property will be inspired by, and immersed in, elements of nature.
      Kimpton Pattaya will be located within walking distance of Central Pattaya Beach and Central Festival Pattaya, and just 10 minutes’ drive from the famed Walking Street. Facilities include four restaurants and bars, 630-square metres of meeting space, including a cooking studio with dedicated stations, a health and fitness centre, spa and pool with easy links to a community mall.
      Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG. The signing of Kimpton Pattaya is the latest milestone in the company’s desire to grow its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in the country by 50%, and double its estate across all of its brands, by 2026.
      Kimpton’s global expansion continues to move at pace, with 76 open hotels* and a 41-strong pipeline in destinations such as Bali, Rotan in the Caribbean and Mexico City that will see it surpass more than 100 properties worldwide. Recent openings include Kimpton Kitalay Samui in Thailand and brand debuts in Australia with Kimpton Margot Sydney and in China with Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou.

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      Japan Airlines Selects 737-8 to Grow Sustainable World-Class Fleet

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      Japan Airlines Selects 737-8 to Grow Sustainable World-Class Fleet

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      Boeing and Japan Airlines (JAL) have finalized an order for 21 super-efficient 737-8 jets.The versatile 737-8 will position JAL to strengthen its domestic and regional network as passenger traffic continues to return to pre-pandemic levels. JAL intends to begin introducing the airplanes into its fleet from 2026.
      “We are delighted to select the Boeing 737-8, a member of the very latest 737 MAX family, to replace our Boeing 737-800s, which make up the largest proportion of the JAL Group’s fleet,” said Yuji Akasaka, president of Japan Airlines. “We look forward to carrying our passengers in the utmost safety and comfort and to moving closer to our 2050 carbon-neutral goals, thanks to a combination of these super-efficient aircraft, operational innovations and new fuel-saving technologies.”
      The 737 MAX will provide JAL with greater range and fuel efficiency, reducing both fuel use and carbon emissions by 15% compared to the airplanes the airline is replacing. In addition, the 737 MAX is a quieter airplane, creating a significantly smaller noise footprint than the airplanes it replaces.
      “The integration of the new 737 MAX will provide JAL with greater efficiency across its short-haul network, as the airline continues to upgrade its world-class fleet,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Partnering with JAL to introduce 737-8s into its operations is the latest milestone in our longstanding relationship.”
      The 737 MAX family has the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other aerodynamic enhancements to improve performance. More than 50 airlines globally are operating over 900 737 MAX airplanes, which have made over 1.4 million revenue flights totaling more than 3.5 million flight hours since late 2020ADVERTISEMENT

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      WTTC unveils world-first global Travel & Tourism’s water footprint

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      The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
      The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
      Direct Water Use
      Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021).
      In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector’s total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%. ADVERTISEMENTTravel & Tourism’s direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total.
      Much of the sector’s water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint.
      Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa direct water use by the sector fell by 6%.
      Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector’s water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector’s supply chain.
      “The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased.
      “The data is the most in depth study of the sector’s water use, and like the world-first cli-mate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also re-veal individual countries Travel & Tourism sector’s water footprints. This will enable gov-ernments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage.”
      Water Intensity
      The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use. 
      In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global econo-my.
      In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global economy.
      In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures.
      This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of in-vestment in the green economy.

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      New WTTC environmental data reveals Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector’s climate footprint

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      New groundbreaking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Italy.In one of the largest research projects of its kind, the global tourism body can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
      According to the data, Italy’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its emissions intensity.
      In 2019, the sector accounted for 8.4% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Italy, below the European average of 10.7%.
      But this share dropped even further to 4.2% in 2020, mainly due to the reduced activity in the sector during the pandemic.
      Between 2010 and 2019, Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector’s economic growth decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, the sector’s total contribution to the national economy grew on average 1.1% annually, whilst greenhouse gas emissions increased by just 0.2% per year.
      The figures also show that the sector’s emissions intensity continues to decrease.
      In 2010, Travel & Tourism produced 0.37 kg of greenhouse gases for every €1 generated by the sector in Italy.
      This figure dropped by an average of almost 1% annually by 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, to reach 0.34 kg per €1 created. In the years that followed, this amount decreased even further, reaching 0.27 kg per €1 in 2021.
      This significant decline illustrates the impact of changes implemented by the Italian government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector.
      Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector is growing strongly. But it has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity.
      “We need continued government support in increasing sustainable transportation. That means electric ground vehicles and ensuring Italy has a good supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This will have a significant impact on our footprint, minimising our absolute emissions.”
      Energy Usage
      The global tourism body also provides insights on the sector’s energy usage and efficiency, and shows that between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s total energy usage decreased by 0.2% annually, demonstrating that while Travel & Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient.
      Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy sources in the national energy mix has seen a gradual increase, from 6.1% in 2010, to 9.3% in 2021, whilst the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy also dropped.
      This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
      This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of investment in the green economy.

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