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    London City Airport teams up with Leidos to replace conventional security X-ray machines

    The best airport experience in London is about to get even better from April 2023. London City Airport is investing in replacing its existing conventional security X-ray machines with new, state of the art, CT scanners, provided by Leidos.With close to 4 million passengers expected through London’s most central airport in 2023, the upgrade will mean travellers can leave everything in their hand luggage, as the new scanners eliminate the need to remove items, such as laptops and approved liquids, before going through the X-ray machine.
    And for LCY, already renowned for its unique passenger proposition of speed and convenience, the new CT scanners will mean an even faster and improved experience at the airport for passengers, which follows the separate £12 million departure lounge investment.
    Commenting on the upgrade, the airport’s Chief Operating Officer, Alison FitzGerald, said:
    “Following our one-lane trial this year, we know the new CT scanners are high performing and our passengers love them.
    “We are always challenging ourselves to make the LCY experience even better, so this, alongside the £12 million upgrade in the departure lounge will mean the journey through the airport in 2023 will be even slicker, with more space and better food & beverage and retail options.ADVERTISEMENT“Thanks to the Leidos solution, alongside speed, it also delivers the highest security specifications.”
    Commenting on the partnership, Leidos’ Jonathan Stone, Division Manager and Director of Aviation, said:
    “We’re excited to expand our partnership with London City Airport and enhance their security checkpoints.”
    “Leidos focuses on constant innovation and discovery. Through our next-generation technology, airports can achieve high security levels, while providing a better travel experience for their passengers.”
    FitzGerald added: “Speed, convenience and consistency of service are qualities that we know are so important to our passengers, especially now. So we also hope the results from the recent Which? survey will encourage more people to use London City Airport this Christmas and through 2023.”
    London City will be amongst the first UK airports to offer a full CT security proposition.

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    UNWTO Affiliate Members network expands with 18 new entities

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    UNWTO Affiliate Members network expands with 18 new entities

    The newly admitted UNWTO members reflect the diversity of the broad tourism sector, with private companies, Destination Management Organizations, universities, professional associations, Intergovernmental Organization and NGOs, all represented. The new additions also reflect UNWTO’s global mission, six from Europe; four from the Americas; four from Asia and the Pacific; two from Africa and two from the Middle East.
    We are proud to see the Affiliate Members network growing while adding value to the Organization, and wish a warm welcome to the 18 new entities joining our community
    In accordance with the current legal process of admission, the 18 candidatures were submitted for consideration and approval of the 117th Executive Council after being previously reviewed and endorsed by the Committee on Matters related to Affiliate Membership, during the meeting of the Committee that took place on 17 November. With this official approval of the Executive Council, the new members can enjoy all the rights and benefits corresponding to this UNWTO membership, in accordance with the statutes and rules of the Organization.
    UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “We are proud to see the Affiliate Members network growing while adding value to the Organization, and wish a warm welcome to the 18 new entities joining our community.”
    The 18 new Affiliate Members are:ADVERTISEMENTAsociación Española de Directores y Directivos de Hotel (Spain)Busan Tourism Organization (Republic of Korea)Cappadocia University / Kapadokya Üniversitesi (Türkiye)Comité International Des Festivals Du Film Touristique – CIFFT (Austria)Escuela Profesional De Turismo De La Universidad Nacional De San Antonio Abad Del Cusco (Peru)Eturia CLM (Spain)Hospitality & Tourism Association of Eswatini (Eswatini, the Kingdom of)Innovaris SL (Spain)Jeddah Central Development Company (Saudi Arabia)Johannesburg Tourism Company (South Africa)Manifest Destinations Group, INC. (United States of America)National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova (Moldova)ONWARD (United States of America)Osaka University of Tourism (Japan)Pacific Tourism Organization (Fiji)Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (Jordan)PT. Pintu Bali Digital (Indonesia)Smart Tourism & Hospitality Consulting SA – SMART THC (Panama)

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    Reconnecting the World Sustainably at the PATA Annual Summit 2022

    More than 200 delegates from around the world came together in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE to build a stronger and more resilient tourism economy for the future.The PATA Annual Summit 2022 (PAS 2022), under the theme ‘Reconnecting the World Sustainably’, opened in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE on Tuesday, October 25 with 237 delegates from 128 organisations and 36 destinations attending the three-day event.
    Generously hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the event featured 16 main stage sessions, four breakout workshops, various destination tours, two mobile photography workshops, and a sustainability leadership forum that united 21 senior government and travel industry leaders from the public and private sector in Asia and beyond for dialogues on unique approaches towards overcoming challenges and unlocking new opportunities as the world works towards rebuilding a stronger tourism future.
    “By bringing together such a diverse group of thought leaders, senior representatives from the public sector and other non-governmental organisations, we addressed the challenges and solutions to our complex and stage-wise recovery,” said PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera. “Travel and tourism will continue to be a critical contributor to the economic well-being of the Asia Pacific region and PATA remains committed to facilitating discussions and catalysing actions.”On Tuesday, October 25, the PATA Board, PATA Chapter Congress and related internal meetings took place, while other delegates at the opportunity to choose from three different a half-day destination tours, as well a mobile photography workshop by award-winning Nikon Professional Photographer and a frequent Apple collaborator and iPhone content creator Scott Woodward. The day ended with a welcome reception at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
    The following day began with PATA’s inaugural Travel Sustainability Leadership Forum, a closed door, invitation only session that brought together travel leaders focused on holistic sustainable tourism development. The half-day forum established a travel leaders community that will ongoingly do best practice exchange, dialogue, and collaboration, with participants bringing to the roundtable dialogue their unique approaches towards overcoming challenges and unlocking new opportunities as the world rebuilds a stronger tourism future. At the same time as the forum, a range of concurrent breakout sessions on the topics of destination resilience, destination marketing and the immediate needs for MSME recovery took place.
    The official opening ceremony was followed by keynote speeches, a fireside chat with Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and a series of panel discussions, including the “Ministerial/Government Session – Reinspiring, Reimagining and Rebuilding: Strategies for Sustainable Travel Recovery”, which included Raki Phillips; Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister, Ministry of Tourism Maldives; Florian Sengstschmid, Chief Executive Officer, Azerbaijan Tourism Board; Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA; Shri Arvind Singh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, India; Mitsuaki Hoshino, Vice Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency, and Sandiaga Uno, Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia (virtual), moderated by Anita Mendiratta, Founder & President, Anita Mendiratta and Associates. The day concluded with a dinner reception and the PATA Awards Presentation at the Sonara Al Wadi Camp, The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert.ADVERTISEMENT
    The final day of the PATA Annual Summit opened with a virtual keynote presentation on “Empowering A Sustainable Future through Public Private Partnerships” from Pansy Ho, Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings Limited. This was followed by a panel discussion on developing responsible destinations which included Steven Schipani, Principal Tourism Industry Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB); Damià Serrano Miracle, Experience Marketing & Research Director, Catalan Tourist Board; Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board; Dhananjay Regmi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board, and Sione Moala-Mafi, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Tourism – Tonga, moderated by Archana Shukla, India Business Correspondent, BBC News. Other topics discussed on the final day included future leaders and the investment in human capital, supporting women in MSMEs, a keynote on global hotel industry trends by Chip Rogers, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and an aviation session on the route to recovery.That afternoon, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the main stage conference kicked off.

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    WTTC unveils world-first global Travel & Tourism climate footprint data

    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector.
    The findings were launched today at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center.In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.During her opening speech Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC announced the findings of the Environmental & Social Research (ESR). In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact industries within the sector have on the environment.
    Previous estimates have suggested that the global Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for up to 11% of all emissions. However, WTTC’s pioneering research shows that in 2019 the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled just 8.1% globally.
    The divergence of the sector’s economic growth from its climate footprint between 2010 and 2019 is evidence that Travel & Tourism’s economic growth is decoupling from its greenhouse gas emissions. 
    These emissions have been falling consistently since 2010 as the result of technological developments, as well as the introduction of a number of energy efficiency measures across industries within the sector. ADVERTISEMENTBetween 2010 and 2019 our sector’s GDP has grown on average 4.3% annually whilst its environmental footprint has only increased by 2.4%.
    The broader Environmental & Social Research (ESR) will include measures of the sector’s impact against a range of indicators, including pollutants, energy sources, water use, as well as social data, including age, wage and gender profiles of Travel & Tourism related employment.
    WTTC will continue to announce new data on how the sector fares against these indicators throughout 2023.
    Governments around the world now have a tool to inform their decision-making and accelerate environmental change more accurately.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Until now we did not have a sector-wide way to accurately measure our climate footprint. This data will give governments the detailed information they need to make progress against the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
    “Travel & Tourism is making huge strides to decarbonise, but Governments must set the framework. We need a steely focus on increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation fuels with Government incentives. The technology exists. We also need greater use of renewable energy in our national grids – so when we turn on a light in a hotel room, it is using a sustainable energy source.
    “8.1% is the stake in the ground. The key is to become more efficient and decoupling the rate at which we grow from the amount of energy we consume From today, every decision, every change, will lead to a better and brighter future for all.”
    Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb added: “We are proud to be a partner to the WTTC in this important research that will monitor impact for the future.
    Saudi Arabia recognizes that travellers and investors want policies that promote sustainability in the industry and we have embarked on a journey that will make the Kingdom a pioneer in sustainable tourism.
    “Under the Saudi Green Initiative, we launched more than 60 initiatives in the past year to do just that. The first wave of initiatives represent more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy.”

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    Nobu Hospitality and Aldar Properties Plan for Iconic Nobu Residences, Hotel & Restaurant

    Nobu Hospitality, the fastest growing luxury lifestyle brand, and Aldar Properties (PJSC), one of the leading real estate developers and managers in the UAE, announce plans to create the Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Abu Dhabi.Opening in 2026 on Saadiyat Island, a world class cultural hub, Nobu Hotel will boast 165 luxuriously spacious guest rooms and suites, including a stunning Nobu Villa.  As one would only expect from the legendary culinary brand, the hotel will offer unrivalled destination dining including a magnificent Nobu restaurant with spectacular waterfront and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi views mirroring the famed Nobu Malibu. With access to over 8 kilometers of pristine beachfront, guests will also enjoy a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center, opulent swimming pools, and exclusive access to experience all that Saadiyat Island has to offer.
    Situated alongside the hotel and just a seven-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi, the development includes an exquisite Nobu branded residences. Offering a mix of multi-bedroom waterfront residences and penthouses with unobstructed views of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and positioned in the most coveted location on the island, the Nobu Residences will be one of the most sought-after and desirable addresses in the region.  Residents will enjoy the highest level of service, bespoke amenities, and have exclusive access to exceptional social experiences and events only available at Nobu.
    Saadiyat Island is a world-renowned, leisure, business, residential, and cultural center.  Graced by the presence of free-roaming gazelles, white-sand beaches, and home to the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, Saadiyat Island also offers the world’s largest single concentration of cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum as well as other remarkable attractions.  Guests and residents of the island can also perfect their swing on the region’s premier waterfront golf course, or simply relax on the island’s sprawling stretch of powdery white beaches and protected coastal areas.
    Nobu enters Abu Dhabi in partnership with Aldar Properties, the master developers of integrated, liveable, and thriving communities across the Middle Eastern region’s most desirable destinations.

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    Celebrate the festive season with the return of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Winterfest

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    Celebrate the festive season with the return of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Winterfest

    Ring in the season and celebrate the holidays in full swing with the return of Winterfest at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Winter Spectacular at Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, running until January 8, 2023.The highly anticipated events of the year will be delighting guests and visitors at Yas Island Abu Dhabi’s world-class attractions, entertaining park-goers with the biggest festive celebrations and dazzling shows, spreading the holiday cheer with new character meets and greets and festive performances that are bound to amaze.
    With a myriad of unforgettable experiences in store, guests can welcome the season of the year with ever-spectacular shows and holiday displays unlike any other. This year, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will be gearing up to celebrate the season with the park’s signature festive tree, captivating overlays, sparkling snow globes, fairy lights and festive wreaths at every corner. Starting from the Welcome Plaza, park-goers will get the chance to collect picture-perfect moments as they get immersed in The Story of Winterfest. Few steps away, at La Piazza stage, guests can enjoy a captivating work of art as skilled sculptors carve unique ice masterpieces and display the full art collection once completed in spirit of the festive season.
    Over at the Italian street, guests can enjoy a live performance of Italian band and the festive Poi performers lighting up the season with an unrivalled festive show. In addition, an exhilarating ice-skating spectacular will be taking place at the Red Theatre starting from December 1st, reciting the story of an Italian festive tale featuring skilled skaters, acrobats and aerialists. What’s more, guests can head to Enzo’s House on the Italian street to watch a fascinating light and projection artistry during the Tree Lighting Ceremony, including state-of-the-art lighting shows, projections, streamers and snow.
    This season, fan-favorite festive characters the Snow Globe Lady and Gingerbread Lady will be making a return alongside Befana, a new character who will be making her first appearance at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Known for her generous acts in the Italian folklore, Befana will be treating holidaymakers with gifts and cheer upon their visit to the world’s leading theme park.
    Only minutes away, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park, will be welcoming guests who will get to witness Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and an international cast of 50 singers, dancers, acrobats, and specialty artists as they perform an unforgettable festive spectacle in the all-new show – The NutQuacker! The largest theatrical production ever brought to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi featuring the fan-favorite duo alongside Lola Bunny, Tweety, Sylvester, Taz and Tom and Jerry who will be adding their own touch to the classic Nutcracker ballet with their high-spirited performances and warm presence. The state-of-the-art show will also feature projection mapping, special effects, and the most festive popular music during the most wonderful time of the year, including an all-new original song “Let it Shine”, created exclusively for the show.ADVERTISEMENT
    Inside Cartoon Junction where all things whimsical await guests, Scooby-Doo & The Mystery INC. Gang will be dressed in their festive winter attire, ready to solve mysteries this Winter Spectacular. The dance party of the season, Daffy Holiday Dance Party, will be led by Daffy Duck, featuring festive dance moves for the young and the young at heart. Adding to the fun, guests can visit the Big Belly Burger at Metropolis to enjoy Pop, Rock n Roll music and smooth dance moves in the festive edition of the diner pop show “Big Belly Bop”. In the prehistoric land of Bedrock, The Flintstones will be waiting to meet and greet guests and show them how to celebrate the winter season in true Stone Age fashion. Over at Gotham City, guests can find the Park’s recently added DC Super-Villains Poison Ivy and Two-Face and snap fabulous photos with The Joker and Harley Quinn in their new seasonal festive outfits.
    With tons of entertainment this season, holidaymakers can look forward to spending a wonderful time with their loved ones at these award-winning attractions and complement their stay at Yas Island’s top-notch hotels and venues, including The WB™ Abu Dhabi, the World’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel where guests can get immersed in all things Warner Bros. to enjoy an unforgettable themed experience on Yas Island.
    Located on Yas Island, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest indoor theme park. They are just minutes away from Yas Waterworld, the world’s first and only Emirati-themed waterpark and CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s ultimate adventure hub.

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    Unveiling of the gourmet program of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE

    MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, presented in collaboration with Scotiabank, is thrilled to announce that the 24th edition of the festival will be held from February 16 to March 5, 2023, under the theme Discover the best of Montreal in winter!Once again this year, festival-goers will be able to skate on the magnificent Ice Skating Loop high above Place des Festivals, bask in the glow light installations, ride the Grande roue and take advantage of tons of free activities during spring break. It will also mark the 20th anniversary of Nuit blanche, with multiple shows happening in venues throughout the Quartier des spectacles. In short, we’ll be pulling out all the stops to help you rediscover our beautiful and dynamic downtown!
    The Gastronomy programming, presented by Scotia Wealth Management returns to share its legendary hospitality once again. Some 40 Montréal restaurants and venues will be welcoming international and local chefs and producers, while downtown will be buzzing with gourmet activities. The theme of this joyou“This edition of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE promises to strengthen the four pillars of its mission: to celebrate gastronomy, present new shows and unite crowds with such inclusive and participative winter activities as ice skating. We have everything it takes to prove that Montréal offers a warm welcome, even in the heart of winter.”
    – Jacques Primeau, Festival General Manager
    ON THE MENU THIS YEAR:Air France Finest TablesInvite a chef, a wine grower or a producer from here or abroad, pair them with one of the city’s restaurants and let this special mix work its magic in kitchens and venues city-wide: that’s the hugely successful recipe behind the Air France Finest Tables, which is back better than ever this year. In 2023, Montréal welcomes France, Canada, Italia, Belgium, Switzerland and Scandinavia: more than 30 chefs, including a dozen chefs from northern Europe, will be here to dazzle us with their creativity.  Among them are Benoit Neusy (Michelin star chef,  restaurant l’Impératif au Domaine d’Arondeau, France) at La Chronique, Romain Meder (Michelin star chef, Domaine de Primard, Guainville, France) at Mastard, Ina Niiniketo (Sikke’s, Helskinki) at Ratafia, and Lionel Lévy (Michelin star chef, InterContinental Marseille) at Osco! Wine growers, such as Julien Labet, who will be welcomed by Menu Extra, and Laurent Cazottes at Chez Victoire, will also be joining in the festivities. In addition to traditional tasting menus, the Air France Finest Tables will feature other palate-popping experiences, such as exclusive lunches, brunches,  5 à 7 (happy hours), not to mention delicious confections in partnership with Cacao Barry and Esprits libres, a rare treat for those with a sweet tooth out there.
    s and welcoming 24th edition says it all: Montréal is inviting you over!ADVERTISEMENT

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    King Salman International Airport masterplan announced by Crown Prince

    Saudi Arabia is set to build one of the world’s largest airports in what will be a huge boost for the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global hub for trade and tourism, according to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.The King Salman International Airport, located in Riyadh, will have six parallel runways, and is expected to contribute SR27 billion ($7.18 billion) annually to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross domestic product.
    The airport will help drive annual passenger traffic in Saudi Arabia from the current 29 million to 120 million travelers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050, with aircraft traffic in the Kingdom increasing from 211,000 to more than 1 million flights per year.
    With sustainability at its core, the new airport will achieve LEED Platinum certification by incorporating cutting edge green initiatives into its design and will be powered by renewable energy, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
    The development, set to be built by the Public Investment Fund, will include the existing terminals named after King Khalid, with the capacity to process 3.5 million tons of cargo by 2050.
    The SPA report added it will become an aerotropolis centered around a seamless customer journey, world-class efficient operations, and innovation. Riyadh’s identity and the Saudi culture will be taken into consideration in the airport’s design to ensure a unique travel experience for visitors and transit travelers.ADVERTISEMENT“The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support the growth of Riyadh’s population to 15–20 million people by 2030,” SPA said.
    It added King Salman airport would create 103,000 direct and indirect jobs.
    It did not give details on the planned investments but a person familiar with the plans has told Reuters the PIF’s aviation department is getting hefty funds to create an ecosystem of cargo and passenger airlines, repair companies and airports.
    The 77-year-old state airline Saudia will be based out of the Red Sea city Jeddah under the transportation strategy that calls for the establishment of the two hubs.
    The kingdom is already in talks with planemakers Airbus SE and Boeing Co on orders for the two carriers Saudia and RIA.
    The announcement comes on the eve of the World Travel and Tourism Global Summit, set to begin in Riyadh on Nov. 28.
    Touted to be one of the biggest tourism events of the year, the global summit is being organized at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center under the theme “Travel for a Better Future.”
    During the event, industry leaders will share their thoughts about the future of the sector and the challenges that should be addressed to ensure a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable travel and tourism industry.
    Source: Arab News

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