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      Spring Skiing Unpacked

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      Iglu Ski has researched the top destinations for skiing in France in April, and today confirms the top 8 in the country.
      The team has multiplied the total number of bluebird (sunny) days with the average weekly snowfall (based on historical snowfall data*) to derive an April skiing score for each of the most popular French ski resorts.The results show that Chamonix is top of the league for skiing in France in April.

      Here’s how to get there: Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £1,109 (was £1,268) per person based on two sharing a twin room with valley view, on half board at the 4* Hotel Les Aiglons, Chamonix, France, departing on April 6, 2024 from Manchester (+£100 Gatwick; +£100 Glasgow; +£100 Stansted; +£100 Birmingham; +£129 Leeds Bradford;  +£169 Newcastle) and including transfers.
      1. Chamonix – scores 173.6 ADVERTISEMENTAverage weekly sunny days
      6.2
      Average weekly snowfall
      28cm
      Resort height: 1035m
      Highest lift: 3777m
      Average April snow depth: 119cm
      Closing date: Early May
      When it comes to sun and snow, Chamonix and its surrounding areas is the clear winner, offering not just an average 28cm of fresh powder per week, but a glorious 6.2 days of sun, 2.5 of which are bluebird powder days.
      This traditional Alpine town is home to France’s oldest ski resort, and thanks to its lively après scene, it’s especially popular with off-pisters who like to unwind after a day of laying fresh tracks in the backcountry.
      Advanced skiers will particularly enjoy Argentiere, which boasts mainly north-facing slopes that are open until early May, and Les Praz, which offers lift access to Chamonix’s more challenging runs.
      2. Les Deux Alpes –  scores 169
      Average weekly sunny days
      6.5
      Average weekly snowfall
      26cm
      Resort height: 1651m
      Highest lift: 3600m
      Average April snow depth: 87cm
      Closing date: Last week of April
      Straddling two glorious peaks, the appropriately-named Les Deux Alpes really does offer something for everyone. Across its 200km of slopes, you’ll find excellent beginner routes, especially up on the glacier, as well as world-class freestyle and off-piste opportunities.
      With mostly south-facing slopes, you’ll be able to make the most of the spring sunshine, whilst also enjoying its reliable snowfall.
      3. Les Arcs – scores 147.2
      Average weekly sunny days
      6.4
      Average weekly snowfall
      23cm
      Resort height: Arc 2000, Arc 1950, and Arc 1800 are the highest resort levels
      Highest lift: 3250m
      Average April snow depth: 204cm
      Closing date: Late April
      All linked by the Vanoise Express – an impressive double decker cable car – and an efficient transport network, Les Arcs and the Paradiski area offers a generous 425km of pistes, great for beginners and advanced skiers alike.
      If you want maximum convenience, opt to stay in the popular Les Arcs 1800 village, with ski-in-ski-out chalets, great restaurants and plenty of family-friendly activities. The altitude promises snow, and there’s outstanding scenery to enjoy on those bluebird days.
      4. La Rosière – scores 103
      Average weekly sunny days
      4.7
      Average weekly snowfall
      22cm
      Resort height: 1850m
      Highest lift: 2800m
      Average April snow depth: 164cm
      Closing date: Mid-April
      If you’re planning an Easter holiday trip, La Rosière is perfect for families. This quieter, relatively small resort forms the San Bernardo ski area with La Thuile in Italy, offering mostly nursery, blue and red runs across its 160km of slopes.
      La Rosière has a great track record for snow all season and thanks to the lack of crowds, the powder doesn’t get as churned up as other French resorts, making it a great choice for an April ski holiday.
      5. La Plagne – scores 81.6
      Average weekly sunny days
      4.8
      Average weekly snowfall
      17cm
      Resort height: 2100m
      Highest lift: 3250m
      Average April snow depth: 162cm
      Closing date: Late April
      La Plagne is the quieter, often cheaper, and more family-friendly part of the Paradiski area. Catering to all abilities, there’s challenging terrain to be found up near the glacier, while wide blues and reds across the rest of the resort keep intermediates and beginners happy.
      While there’s après to be found, jump on the Vanoise Express to Les Arcs if you’re after some proper early afternoon partying (the Folie Douce starts bouncing from lunch time), and to enjoy the full 425km of slopes.
      Just make sure you return to Peisey Vallandry in time for the last Vanoise Express lift back to La Plagne.
      6. Alpe d’Huez – scores 80
      Average weekly sunny days
      4
      Average weekly snowfall
      20cm
      Resort height: 1850m
      Highest lift: 3300m
      Average April snow depth: 95cm
      Closing date: Mid-April
      With an average 300 days of sunshine per year, 249km of south-facing slopes, and an impressive altitude, Alpe d’Huez is a great April ski destination for sun-seekers. It offers runs for all abilities, as well as 4 snow parks for the freestyle-inclined, and a fantastic selection of bars, restaurants, cinemas, and more.
      7. Val d’Isère – scores 74.4
      Average weekly sunny days
      2.4
      Average weekly snowfall
      31cm
      Resort height: 1850m
      Highest lift: 3450m
      Average April snow depth: 276cm
      Closing date: Early May
      Val d’Isère offers a vast 300km ski area, great snow year round and a buzzing après scene. A pretty Alpine town, its reputation as a high-end ski destination is deserved, but there’s still a variety of accommodation on offer and good deals to be found.
      Val d’Isère is linked to the even loftier (and therefore often cloudier) resort of Tignes, which is more beginner friendly and tends to be more affordable. With the lower slopes in Val d’Isère getting quite slushy and mogul-heavy towards the end of the day, head up high to enjoy the best of the April conditions.
      8. Val Thorens – scores 63.8
      Average weekly sunny days
      2.9
      Average weekly snowfall
      22cm
      Resort height: 2300m
      Highest lift: 3230m
      Average April snow depth: 183cm
      Closing date: Early May
      As it stands, Val Thorens comes in at number 8, thanks to its fantastic snow record but not so great clear skies – fair weather skiers will likely need to weigh up powder vs visibility here. A vast ski area with plentiful high altitude skiing, in addition to an abundance of bars and things to do, Val Thorens really is the full package.
      Gordon Ritter, Head of Product and Commercial at Iglu Ski says, ‘With generous snow falls, plenty of sunny weather, vibrant nightlife, a variety of slopes and freestyle fun, there’s something for everyone across the 8 featured resorts. It means that if you are planning an April skiing trip to France, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to deciding on where to go.
      If you are less concerned about the sun and more concerned about the snow conditions, you may wish to look at Val Thorens and Tignes – France’s highest resorts. They receive a fantastic amount of fresh snow in April, however are less sunny, making them less attractive to fair weather skiers.
      Do remember that April skiing can vary from season to season and low altitude slopes can be unreliable when it comes to snow conditions. However, venture a bit further up, or head to the glaciers or north-facing slopes and you’re sure to find fantastic spring skiing’. 

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      Launch of ‘GoNexus Group’ marks start of new era for NexusTours to become global

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      In a historic moment at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun during the 25th-anniversary celebration, NexusTours proudly announced a transformative change in its structure and brand identity. The event, which marked a quarter-century of success and innovation, has become the stage for the introduction of GoNexus Group and its three dynamic sub-brands to support global expansion.As the company embarks on the next phase of its journey, the unveiling of GoNexus Group represents a strategic move towards a cohesive brand architecture. GoNexus Group will serve as the overarching parent brand, and will go to market with a collection of best-in-class solutions, each with a clear proposition and market focus that meets the needs of its growing and diverse guests and partners globally. The business lines reshaping the landscape will be:Nexus Tours: Elevating DMC Services – Nexus Tours, the longstanding Destination Management Company (DMC), will continue to be the cornerstone of the receptive services and product sourcing. With a legacy of excellence, Nexus Tours remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences across 19 countries and 52 destinations, managing 3 million travellers annually.Nexus Cube:  Experiences and Mobility Marketplace – Nexus Cube emerges as the gateway for B2B partners to access a spectrum of experiences and mobility Marketplace products and bespoke tech solutions. This platform underscores GoNexus Group’s commitment to leveraging technology while ensuring a personalised approach, offering tailored solutions for over 1,000 B2B partners, with product in 140 countries and 6,600 destinations.Nexus Lab: Catalyst for Innovation – Nexus Lab will be a dedicated brand for innovation and the development of cutting-edge products, consultancy, and technological solutions to travel partners. Nexus Lab embodies the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements, driving innovation, and shaping the future of travel experiences.Rubén Gutiérrez, President of GoNexus Group, expressed, “Our 25th anniversary is not merely a reflection on our past, but a preview of the dynamic future we are shaping. The introduction of GoNexus Group and its sub-brands underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence in service, and the profound impact we aspire to make in the ever-evolving travel industry. This is not just a celebration; it’s a declaration of our dedication to creating extraordinary travel experiences that resonate globally.”In line with its ambitious global expansion focus, driven by its visionary approach and the introduction of its innovative brands, GoNexus Group is poised to elevate the travel experience across borders. Currently operating in 140 countries and spanning 6,600 destinations, the company is at the forefront of redefining the travel landscape. With an extensive array of offerings, including 30,000 mobility options, 92,000 diverse experiences, and 100,000 car rental services, GoNexus Group has positioned itself as a comprehensive travel solutions provider. Managing the travel needs of more than 3 million travellers annually, the company’s global reach is further accentuated by its collaboration with more than 1,000 travel partners (B2B partners) worldwide. This strategic expansion not only underscores GoNexus Group’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of travellers but also reinforces its status as a global leader in the travel and tourism sector.

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      Emirates Flight Catering Completes Acquisition of Bustanica, World’s Largest Indoor Vertical Farm

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      Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s largest catering operations, has fully acquired Emirates Bustanica, formerly called Emirates Crop One, and its consumer brand Bustanica, the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.
      This strategic move establishes Emirates Bustanica as a fully UAE-owned company, helping sustain the country’s vision of enhancing food and water security and its agricultural capabilities. The acquisition empowers Emirates Bustanica to leverage its local expertise and the latest tech know-how to meet the growing demands of the market.
      Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Bustanica’s 330,000sqft facility has the capacity to grow more than 1 million kilograms of exceptional quality leafy greens a year, equivalent to 3 tonnes daily, while using 95% less water than conventional agriculture.
      Operating under the brand name Bustanica, the produce is available across all major retailers in the UAE such as Spinney’s, Waitrose, Carrefour, and Choithrams. Customers on Emirates and other airlines enjoy this farm-fresh produce in their salads and meals.
      Since its launch in July 2022, Bustanica has become a part of UAE’s dinner table conversations, thanks to its growing range of leafy greens, herbs and microgreens that can and should be eaten straight out of the box – even tap water can contaminate the produce. Bustanica’s produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides, and is 100% clean, fresh, and nutrient-rich. Bustanica produces a variety of lettuce, spinach, parsley, and kale.ADVERTISEMENTBustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other patented technologies – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists, and plant scientists.
      More recently, Emirates Bustanica was a preferred produce supplier for COP28, a recognition of its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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      Japan Airlines Joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council Spearheading Eco-Friendly Travel Initiatives

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      On September 1, 2023, Japan Airlines (JAL) became the world’s first airline group to join The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an organization that establishes and manages global standards for sustainable tourism (*1). This membership allows JAL to utilize GSTC’s specialized knowledge on SDGs quality in tourism and its global network.
      To contribute to the realization of sustainable tourism incorporating GSTC’s philosophy, JAL has partnered with Sakura Quality Management Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Sakura Company”), the only organization based in Japan to have received recognition of its unique evaluation standards by GSTC. Through this partnership, JAL aims to promote and expand sustainable tourism.
      (*1) Press release dated October 6, 2023, “JAL becomes World’s First Airline Group to Join the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)” https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202310/007665.html
      Sustainable tourism is positioned as a key initiative in the government’s “The New Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan” inbound recovery strategy. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) defines it as “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” To evaluate tourism activities, objective indicators such as GSTC Criteria are in demand for its assessment.
      Through this partnership, JAL and Sakura Company will offer tourists the option of sustainable tourism recognized by global standards, creating new connections and relationships through travel, and contributing to the resolution of social issues such as overtourism, environmental destruction, and the loss of local culture and traditions.ADVERTISEMENTJAL will continue to contribute to the promotion and expansion of responsible tourism, region revitalization, economic development, and the increase of related populations.
      Future initiatives (Examples):
      ● To contribute to the promotion of certification for domestic accommodation facilities, JAL is dedicated to fostering auditors internally. Independent qualified auditors (*2) will conduct certification audits to ensure their credibility.
      (*2) Qualified Auditor: Qualified individuals who have completed the GSTC Auditor Training and passed both written and practical exams. Other requirements to become qualified auditors shall be reviewed and confirmed by the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
      ● JAL will organize seminars, education, and consulting services, and set up a system to receive inquiries from Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and others, working in cooperation with related local government agencies and local communities to contribute to regional revitalization and the creation of human flow.For inquiries regarding certification audits for accommodation facilities, education, and consulting, please contact: [email protected]

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      Qatar Airways Unveils Fan Packages for FIA Formula One World Championship™ 2024

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      Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced the launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship™. The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences.
      From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all global races (excluding Qatar). Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1.
      Qatar Airways Holidays Senior Vice President, Steven Reynolds said: “We are thrilled to once again provide our F1 Fan Packages to motorsport enthusiasts around the world, offering our passengers an unparalleled experience to witness the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of F1. We have worked hard to create these affordable packages that offer unbeatable value and look forward to helping fans travel to races globally, for what promises to be yet another blockbuster F1 calendar.”
      Similar to the inaugural packages, this year’s fan packages include an array of flexible and competitively priced options for select F1® 2024 race destinations.
      This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages. One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the pinnacle of F1® hospitality. In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards future travel and experiences while helping them retain and quickly reach their next tier. Members can also purchase their package using Cash + Avios.ADVERTISEMENTAs the racing season nears its end, the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2024 will take place in Doha from 29 November to 1 December 2024. Packages can be booked at: qatarairways.com/f1.
      To highlight its commitment to growing motorsport globally and particularly in Qatar, the airline will be the Title Partner of four races this year including the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2024, FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2024, FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2024, and the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2024.

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      Travelzoo Launches the Ultimate Guide to Cruising

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      Travelzoo®, the club for travel enthusiasts has launched the brand-new ‘Cruise Hub’ – a guide to cruising from some of the most influential voices in the industry.Created for Travelzoo’s audience of cruise lovers, 84% of whom are open to going on a cruise, the platform is set to help travellers with fresh inspiration when it comes to cruising.
      From no-fly cruises that offer hassle-free exploration to once in lifetime expeditions that are off the beaten path, Travelzoo’s new cruise hub covers no-fly, gourmet, river, expedition and luxury. Experts from Hays Travel, Oceana Cruises, SAGA, Seabourn and Imagine Cruising have joined forces to share their cruising knowledge, and ensure existing cruise goers and those new to cruise have everything they need to know before taking to the seas.
      Check out the cruise hub here and keep an eye on Travelzoo’s social pages to catch their new ‘Sunday Sailings’ specials, all around the topic of cruising.https://www.travelzoo.com/uk/custom/travelzoo-guide-to-cruising/

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      Yas Marina hosts “Movies at The Marina” under the stars

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      Lights, camera, action! Get ready for Movies at the Marina, an unforgettable cinematic experience at Yas Marina, where movie lovers can immerse themselves in a world of entertainment under the night sky in this vibrant waterfront destinationTaking advantage of the sublime temperatures, the excitement kicks off on Friday 23rd February at 7:30pm and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sunday 17th March. Guests can relax in comfort on deckchairs and beanbags while indulging in a selection of blockbuster films, including favourites like “10 things I hate about you”, “Moana”, “Mamma Mia”, “Spiderman” and many more.
      To complement the movie magic, an array of food options will be available for purchase including soft drinks, popcorn, burgers, ice-cream and more enhancing the viewing experience. What’s more? Guests can enjoy thrilling activities such as foosball and air hockey before and after each screening, making Movies at the Marina the most exciting weekend activity.Movies at the Marina is a free-to-attend event guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser; so arrive early to secure front-row seats and be part of the action.For more information please visit: www.yasmarina.ae

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      Bartlett Renews Call for Special Tip to Finance Global Tourism Resilience Fund

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      Bartlett Renews Call for Special Tip to Finance Global Tourism Resilience Fund

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      Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett gesticulates as he renews his call for a special tip to fund tourism resilience initiatives, as he addressed the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from February 16-17, 2024.
      Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has renewed his call for visitors across the world to be asked to support the financing of tourism resilience initiatives via a special tip. While urging the international community to urgently unite to establish a Global Tourism Resilience Fund, Minister Bartlett outlined that “the money collected in each destination from this tip would contribute to the fund and aid in boosting tourism resilience.”Funding tourism resilience was one of the pressing issues explored at the just concluded 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from February 16-17. With an international panel of experts, the discussion focused on how international organizations create and execute tourism resilience financing strategies.
      Leading off the deliberations, Minister Bartlett said tourism offered investment opportunities for all interest groups “but the more important point that we want to focus on is investment in resilience; how do you present to a destination the resources necessary to enable them to be able to forecast and track disruptions, how to mitigate against it, how to manage, recover and recover quickly and how to thrive.”
      “Investment in these areas is not necessarily sexy,” Minister Bartlett added as their return on investment was not easily measured. However, he said: “We are going to build capacity in this area; we’re going to be training people, educating, building structures to enable the education of people to do these things and the building of tools to be able to manage and overcome these pressures.”
      Having closely examined the question of where the funding is to come from, Minister Bartlett pointed to the fact that some 1.5 billion visitors traversed the world in 2019 and “it is expected that in the next 25 years from now, 1.5 billion more people will traverse the world.”
      Faced with the questions of where those 3 billion people will be coming from and where they will be going, he said this raised the issue of personal responsibility on the part of visitors for resilience building. Stressing that tourism is arguably the most consumer-driven activity on Earth, Minister Bartlett said: “If we were to say to each visitor who travels, leave a resilience tip behind at every point of consumption, consider what 1.5 billion visitors leaving a tip at every point of consumption, with their propensity to consume, could do to individual destinations.”ADVERTISEMENTHe explained that the money left in each destination from this tip would be unfettered by the bureaucracy that often comes with multi-national engagements and the difficulty of navigating those processes as well as challenges faced in defining which countries or entities would be able to access these funds.
      “It’s an opportunity for us to think through, and perhaps something that the UN Tourism Secretary-General might want to look at” Minister Bartlett noted. “One hundred and fifty countries are involved here and so we can broaden the scope of available resources for resilience funding and sustainability by making a personal commitment for each tourist travelling across the world, in terms of the consumption pattern and carbon footprint that flows from those consumption patterns and to create a fund that may very well be the answer for building capacity for mitigation, adaptation and the building of human capacity,” said Minister Bartlett.

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