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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled revolutionary new data detailing the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Africa.According to the new data, between 2010 and 2019, the African Travel & Tourism sector decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions.
The data shows the total contribution to Africa’s GDP grew on average 2.6% annually, whilst greenhouse gas emissions increased by just 1.2% during the same period.
The data also demonstrates how the sector’s emissions intensity continues to decrease.
In 2010, for every $1 USD of the region’s Travel & Tourism GDP, the sector emitted 1.45kg of greenhouse gas emissions.
But in 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, this figure dropped by more than 11% to 1.29kg. This significant decline demonstrates the progress of changes implemented by governments and business leaders across Africa to create a more sustainable sector.ADVERTISEMENTIn the same year the sector was responsible for an average of just 6.6% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Africa.
In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, the global tourism body can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact industries within the sector have on the environment.
This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Today, we can give governments across Africa the comprehensive information they need to make significant steps towards the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Travel & Tourism sector in the region has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and reduced its emissions intensity by more than 11%, but we know there is still work to be done.
“To reach our goals and ambitions, we must make bigger and bolder steps to reduce our absolute emissions.
“And for this we need government support in accelerating the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels which will have a significant impact on our footprint, as well as bringing in more renewable energy to our national grids.”
The global findings were launched at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November this year.
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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A new interactive #DubaiDestinations guide issued today by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), invites residents and travellers to explore the city’s beautiful outdoors with its extensive Picnic and Camping Guide.The Ultimate Picnic and Camping Guide lists a range of Dubai’s outdoor destinations and sites, offering tips for barbecuing, camping, and making the most of the beautiful winter weather. It includes a checklist of the essential items and equipment to carry when camping on your own. The guide lists online platforms for buying or renting camp gear and picnic kits and a list of Dubai’s best homegrown businesses offering ready-to-use picnic and camping F&B kits.
The camping destinations in the guide include Hatta, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, and deserts across the city, such as Al Qudra, Al Awir, Al Ruwayaah, and the Half Desert Road. The guide’s picnic spots include beach and pond parks, lakes, natural escapes, scenic rest areas,
mountaintop picnic spots and beach and desert locations. The public and private destinations listed in the guide represent Dubai’s vast diversity of outdoor offerings that define its unique destination experience and make it the best city for living. The areas featured in the guide include Dubai Creek Park, Al Barari Nature Escape, Wadi Hatta Park, Al Marmoom Lakes, Safa Park, Leem Rest Area, Jumeirah Beach, Al Khazzan Park and many more.
The guide also lists companies organising picnics. In addition, it lists businesses that help set up camping tents, camper vans, and even outdoor cinemas for groups of all sizes and budgets.
Fatma Al Mulla, City Branding Executive at Brand Dubai, said: “Our interactive winter guide, ‘Dubai: The Ultimate Picnic and Camping Guide’, released as part of the latest #DubaiDestinations campaign, enables both residents and travellers to discover the city’s picturesque outdoor destinations, including landscaped gardens, lakes, beachfront destinations with cafés, and hilltop camping and picnic spots to suit every preference. Our guide covers all aspects of camping and picnicking in Dubai, including locations, companies offering set-up support, digital platforms for buying or renting camping and picnic gear, and Dubai’s homegrown businesses offering F&B kits.ADVERTISEMENT“It really is the ultimate guide for those interested in exploring the outdoors, including desert campsites that offer various activities, beach camps, trekking trails, parks and gardens. We have designed the guide to help families and people of all age groups explore the city and make the most of its outdoors. The latest guide allows residents and visitors the best time during this amazing season.”
The guide is part of the latest phase of the Dubai Media Council’s #DubaiDestinations winter campaign, which returns this year to showcase the attractions and experiences that make the emirate a top pick among global destinations in the cooler months of the year.
The collaborative campaign, implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the GDMO, highlights various activities and experiences that people can enjoy amidst the beautiful winter weather. This season, Dubai offers residents and visitors amazing adventure, entertainment, food, art, culture, sports and fitness experiences.
The campaign tells the story of Dubai’s emergence as one of the world’s best winter destinations and features engaging content from diverse stakeholders.
Al Mulla thanked the media, content creators, and social media influencers who continue to support the campaign by contributing their unique stories and creative content about Dubai’s attractiveness as a must-visit destination. She also thanked the homegrown businesses in the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ network for their exceptional products and services.
Running until February 2023, the latest campaign of the #DubaiDestinations initiative encourages residents and visitors to discover Dubai’s diverse leisure, dining, adventure and family-friendly activities that make the city a distinctive winter destination.
The #DubaiDestinations campaign is being rolled out over digital, broadcast, print and outdoor media to ensure it reaches large sections of local and international audiences. Brand Dubai is implementing the #DubaiDestinations campaign with various stakeholders and the creative media community. The interactive guide, available in English and Arabic, can be viewed through the following link: https://www.dubaidestinations.ae/guides/4/2.pdf. The #DubaiDestinations website—www.dubaidestinations.ae—comprises content, videos and guides related to the campaign.

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From Austria to Vietnam, 32 destinations from all around the world have been named as ‘Best Tourism Villages 2022’ by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).The accolade recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products. The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental – and a focus on developing tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2022, a total of 32 villages from 18 countries across the five world regions were awarded the recognition. The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities
Cultural and Natural ResourcesPromotion and Conservation of Cultural ResourcesEconomic SustainabilitySocial SustainabilityEnvironmental SustainabilityTourism Development and Value Chain IntegrationGovernance and Prioritization of TourismInfrastructure and ConnectivityHealth, Safety, and SecurityWelcoming the news, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.”
A total of 136 villages were put forward for consideration by 57 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could nominate a maximum of three villages) for the 2022 edition. From these, 32 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.ADVERTISEMENTA further 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme. All 52 villages will also become part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Global Network created in 2021 which from this date gathers 115 villages from the five continents. The Network provides a number of benefits including onsite and online training, sharing of good practices and international brand recognition and awareness.
Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion
The Best Tourism Villages initiative is the flagship project of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The Programme aims to ensure tourism contributes to reducing regional inequalities in income and development, fighting depopulation, progressing gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment, advancing innovation and digitalization, improving connectivity, infrastructure, access to finance and investment, innovating in product development and value chain integration, promoting sustainable practices for more efficient use of resources and a reduction of emissions and waste and enhancing education and skills. The Programme promotes multi-level governance and partnerships and the active involvement and empowerment of communities.
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO
The Best Tourism Villages initiative includes three pillars:
The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’: Recognizes villages that are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme: The Upgrade Programme benefits a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and its Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Global Network: The Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It includes experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development, as well.The Award Ceremony will take place in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on 27-28 February 2023 back-to-back with the first presential meeting of the UNWTO Network of Best Tourism Villages.
The next edition of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO will open in February 2023.
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2022:
Zell am See, AustriaWagrain, AustriaPuqueldón, ChileDazhai, ChinaJingzhu, ChinaChoachí, ColombiaAguarico, EcuadorAngochagua, EcuadorChoke Mountains Ecovillage, EthiopiaMestia, GeorgiaKfar Kama, IsraelSauris-Zahre, ItalyIsola del Giglio, ItalyUmm Qais, JordanCreel, MexicoEl Fuerte, MexicoKsar Elkhorbat, MoroccoMoulay Bouzerktoune, MoroccoLamas, PeruRaqchi, PeruCastelo Novo, PortugalPyeongsa-ri, Republic of KoreaRasinari, RomaniaAlUla Old Town, Saudi ArabiaBohinj, SloveniaRupit, SpainAlquézar, SpainGuadalupe, SpainMurten, SwitzerlandAndermatt, SwitzerlandBirgi, TürkiyeThái Hải, Vietnam
Additionally, UNWTO will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme:
Trevelin, ArgentinaKrupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia-HerzegovinaFontainhas, Cabo VerdeNinhue, ChileSan Vicente de Chucuri, ColombiaBarichara, ColombiaKalopanagiotis, CyprusPissouri, CyprusAdaba, EthiopiaKhonoma, IndiaNeot Semadar, IsraelOtricoli, ItalyIl Ngwesi, KenyaGrand Baie, MauritiusBella Vista, ParaguayIstebna, PolandFerraria de São João, PortugalCastara, Trinidad and TobagoAnıtlı, TürkiyeCumalıkızık, Türkiye
Applications in 2021 and 2022 were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board. The composition of this multidisciplinary board for 2021-2022 is as follows:
Federico de Arteaga (PhD, Innovation Sustainability, 2022)Joel Callañaupa (Planeterra, 2022)Mari Dunleavy (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, 2022)Ahmed Eiweida (World Bank, 2022)Elena García Garrido (ENRD, 2022)Christian Gsodam (ECR European Committee of the Regions, 2021-2022)Amran Hamzah (CIPD Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2021-2022)Ena Harvey (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, 2021)Lázaro Israel (Member of the Panel of Experts International Fund for Cultural Diversity at UNESCO, 2021-2022)(Dr.) Manal Kelig (ATTA Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2021-2022)Judy Kepher Gona (STTA Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda, 2021-2022)Fergus Maclaren (ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, 2021-2022)Joxe Mari Aizega (BCC Basque Culinary Center, 2021)David Mora Gómez (BCC Basque Culinary Center,2022)Ximena Muñoz Vivas (Instituto Design Thinking, 2021-2022)Fabrizio Angelo Orlando (TripAdvisor, 2021-2022)Helena Rey de Assis (UNEP – UN Environment Programme, 2021)Jacqui Taylor (Agritourism Africa, 2022)Peter Wostner (Researcher and Policy Expert. Chairman of the Working Party on Rural Policy at OECD, 2021)(Dr.) Endo Yoshihide (FAO Food and Agriculture Organization, 2021-2022)

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Heli announced this week that it has closed on the purchase of Great Canadian Heli-Skiing and Heather Mountain Lodge located half-way between Golden and Revelstoke, BC at the East gate of Glacier National Park. The lodge and ski tenure will continue to operate as the leader in boutique heli-skiing and summer gateway to Canada’s Glacier National Park.Andy Culp and Brock Strasbourger, founders of heli.life, both are self-described as “recovering bankers”. With thousands of established relationships and very powerful customer insights it became clear to Culp and Strasbourger that they should vertically integrate their business. “We evaluated a number of opportunities in the last couple years but we couldn’t find the “right” moment until now. This made too much sense from both a strategic and investment thesis perspective,” says Strasbourger of their new purchase.
“We are selling a business full of Best Day Evers,” declared Greg and Maaike Porter, owners for the past 23 years. “We have surrounded ourselves with guests, employees, partners, and now new owners that share that vision. We look forward to working with them over the next year as we help with the transition.”
When asked about what this purchase means for the future of Great Canadian Heli-Skiing and Heli, Culp replied, “Very little will change. We have been in this industry for long enough to know that it’s the lodge staff and guides at these operations that make them so special and successful. We told Maaike and Greg from the beginning that we want the entire team to stay on and we feel very strongly about respecting the legacy of not just Great Canadian Heli-Skiing, but the entire community of operators who we think of as friends and peers.”
To summarize how it feels to have secured the Great Canadian Heli-Skiing asset, Culp paused and answered, “Interior British Columbia is where the forefathers of heli-skiing pioneered the sport – it is where the best and most reliable conditions are with the most diverse and interesting terrain. To be entrusted with one of the greatest trophies on the planet is a true honor.”
About Great Canadian Heli-Skiing and Heather Mountain Lodge:Great Canadian Heli-Skiing was founded in 1988, in prime heli-skiing real estate. It operates in the legendary Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges, just north of the birthplace of heli-skiing. Its neighbor, Rogers Pass, a ski touring mecca is one of the snowiest places in Canada. The company pioneered “small group” and “unlimited vertical” heli-skiing. In 1996, the classically Canadian timber-framed Heather Mountain Lodge was built as a luxurious staging for winter heli-skiing, and summer adventures in Canada’s undiscovered Glacier National Park.ADVERTISEMENT

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Swiss chocolate maker Sprüngli selects Vienna Airport as its first Austrian store location

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Vienna Airport is the first Austrian location with a Sprüngli store: the most well-known Swiss maker of chocolate delicacies is now offering its popular product line of the finest confectionery in Terminal 3 near the G gates.Customers will find exquisite pralines and truffles, iconic Luxemburgerli macaroons and fresh broken chocolate, individually arranged at a separate Chocolathèque. Chocolate creations are produced in accordance with closely guarded recipes and are handmade. Sprüngli has emerged as a symbol of Switzerland and is now represented in Austria for the first time.
“I am extremely pleased with the fact that Sprüngli selected Vienna Airport as its first Austrian store location. This traditional Swiss brand stands for the highest quality and more than 180 years of experience in manufacturing chocolates. People can enjoy Sprüngli chocolate at the new airport shop and take in on their journey. The store is a great complement to the airport’s existing brand offering,” states Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.
“Vienna Airport is the ideal location for us to also present our chocolate boutique in Austria for the first time – featuring delectable chocolates created with passion and in the tradition of craftsmanship. As a premium Swiss brand, what connects us are shared values such as a holistic quality and service concept and a sense for exclusivity and innovation,” says Tomas Prenosil, Chairman of the Board of Sprüngli.
Sprüngli shop in Terminal 3 with confectionery and exclusive Christmas presents
Passengers will find the new Sprüngli shop in Terminal 3 behind the security and passport checkpoints near the G gates. Each day travellers will discover a broad range of handmade own creations in a store covering 45m² open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fresh broken chocolate pieces from the finest ingredients can be individually arranged according to customers wishes in a separate chocolate making space, the Chocolathèque. The finest pralines and truffles, either pre-sorted and packed or individually selected, are a real treat for true chocolate lovers. Similarly, the natural, delicate and light “Luxemburgerli” macaroons from Sprüngli made without artificial colourings also invite customers to enjoy a real delight. The shop also offers a large selection of exclusive creative chocolate creations at Christmas time.ADVERTISEMENTSprüngli – Haut Chocolatier since 1836
The Swiss company Sprüngli was founded in 1836 and played a major role in establishing the reputation of Swiss chocolate today as the best in the world. Today the company is managed in the sixth generation. Sprüngli, pioneer of the Grand Cru chocolates, processes the finest cocoa beans from the best provinces in the world and pays attention to ensuring sensitive handling of nature and conserving natural resources. The pure selection of original premium cocoa beans combined with the intensive taste of delicate aromas makes the Sprüngli Grand Cru chocolate in a rare delicacy – pure, authentic pleasure of the highest quality. The company is mainly represented in Switzerland, but also in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Munich and now at Vienna Airport.

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An analysis of Trip.com travel data reveals the wish list of destinations this Christmas, chosen by European users of the global travel platform.London was the most searched for place by European Trip.com users looking for destinations this Christmas, with fellow European cities Paris and Istanbul making the top five.
Trip.com’s European customers also showed a desire to revisit Asia, with Bangkok and Manila being the second and fourth most searched-for flight destinations this December.
Travellers in the UK continued to explore the best of Britain, with London being the most searched-for destination during the month of December. Data reveals that domestic trips to London were up by a dramatic 232% compared to 2019, before the pandemic.
The easing of travel restrictions in Asia has also caused a jump in popularity for trips to the region, with Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore all being in the top five most searched for destinations by Brits.
Andy Washington, Trip.com General Manager EMEA, said: “December is a popular time for getaways to destinations near and far for Europeans, and Trip.com data shows where our users are searching this festive season to go visit.ADVERTISEMENT“Our data analysis reveals London in the UK is still the top sport according to our search history for Trip.com users looking to travel this month, with popular holiday Asian hotspots like Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore also making the top five.”
For Italian users of Trip.com, the country’s domestic tourism hotspots proved the most popular, with no other destinations – short of long-haul – appearing in Trip.com’s top five.
The most searched for destinations for December getaways were Milan in the north of the country, Catania, the capital Rome, Naples and in fifth place, Palermo in Sicily.
Meanwhile, French users of Trip.com set their sights on exotic long-haul destinations and aside from one major French city – Paris – where searches have reached 96% of 2019 levels.
According to Trip.com data, the most searched for destination was the country’s capital, followed by New York, and in third place Bangkok with Istanbul in Turkey in fourth place and in fifth position, Dubai in the Middle East.
Among German users of Trip.com, Istanbul was the most searched for destination in December followed by Bangkok. Interestingly the cities in third, fourth and fifth places were German domestic destinations; Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich.
Spanish users of Trip.com chose the Spanish capital of Madrid and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, as their top two favourite destinations. London was selected as their third, followed by France as their fourth and the capital of Argentina as their fifth.
For the British market, an analysis of UK Trip.com users revealed that in December the most searched for destination was the country’s capital, London, followed by Bangkok in second place and Manila in the Philippines as third. Maintaining the Asian theme, Kuala Lumpur appeared in fourth place, followed by Singapore in fifth.
Inbound travel to Europe has also remained strong this winter, despite economic headwinds, as Asian travellers returned to the continent for post-pandemic trips.
During December, flight searches reveal that after domestic travellers, the largest inbound market for the UK was Spanish tourists, followed by Thai, German and Chinese holidaymakers.
Across the other European nations, domestic travellers lead the way, with the highest number of regional searches. However, data reveals visitors from Canada, Turkey and the US also led Europe’s inbound travel revival.
Travellers to Europe also continued to immerse themselves into the culture of each country, with bookings for tickets and attractions on the rise.
In the UK, The London Eye on the city’s South Bank proved the most popular attraction this Christmas, followed by the Tower of London, near the world-famous Tower Bridge.
In France, the most popular attractions are Disneyland® Paris & Walt Disney Studios Park and
Eiffel Tower, as travellers enjoy the city’s famous sights and sounds.
Italy, Spain and Germany also saw strong bookings for the most popular attractions of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Park Guell and Neuschwanstein Castle, respectively.

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