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    A legend comes to sea with the revelation of the largest sailing ship in the world

    140 years after the launch of its first luxury trains, the Orient Express legend continues with the launch of the largest sailing ship in the world, Orient Express Silenseas. A revolution in maritime history, and a fabulous project that pushes the limits of the possible.
    Born of a unique tricolor association between Accor, the world leader in hospitality, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the undisputed leader in the construction of cruise ships, this sailboat of the future, out of the ordinary and with spectacular interiors, will set sail in 2026.
    “With Orient Express Silenseas, we are opening a new chapter in our history: the experience and excellence of luxury travel transposed to the most beautiful seas in the world. This exceptional sailboat, with roots anchored in the history of Orient Express, will offer unparalleled service and spaces with refined designs, reminiscent of the golden age of legendary cruises. Innovation is at the heart of this ultra-modern sailboat which will revolutionize the maritime world with new technologies to meet sustainable challenges. A sailboat designed to leave room for dreams, and a setting welcoming the best of French know-how. » Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor.
    “With the signing of this letter of intent to order two sailboats, Chantiers de l’Atlantique is proud to open a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas. This concept born in our design offices in 2018 is the quintessence of our know-how in the fields of naval architecture, the fitting out of sophisticated hulls, as well as the layout of luxurious premises. In addition, the installation of three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1500m2 unit sail propulsion system of which we have developed and tested a first prototype, will make a very significant contribution to the propulsion of the ship. Combined with hybrid propulsion running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), Silenseas will thus be the benchmark ship in environmental terms. »Laurent Castaing, Managing Director, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
    1867, Georges Nagelmackers, discovers the United States by boarding transatlantic ships joining Europe to America. The founder of the Orient Express trains discovered the atmosphere of the luxurious suites of travelers, with sumptuous decor, the social life of the restaurants and the unique atmosphere of the lounges, libraries and places of entertainment. An experience of sea travel that would inspire him later, in 1883, with the launch of his legendary train: the Orient Express.ADVERTISEMENTInspired by the golden age of the French Riviera, Orient Express Silenseas will recall the time when writers, artists, painters, sovereigns and movie stars discovered between Monte-Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its Croisette, a refinement tinged with carelessness and joie de vivre, calling for escape.
    Treasure of the seas 220 meters long (for a tonnage of 22,300 UMS), it will celebrate all the Art of Travel according to Orient Express through its 54 Suites with an average area of ​​70 square meters, including its monumental Presidential Suite of 1415 meters square meters (including 530 square meters of private terrace). Its 2 swimming pools including a swimming lane, its two restaurants and its speakeasy bar will add to the quintessence of luxury, absolute comfort and dreams.
    A tribute to artists and culture, Orient Express Silenseas will invite you into the world of entertainment in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret and a private recording studio. A unique travel experience punctuated by the winds, where Spa treatments, meditation sessions and stopovers to discover cultural treasures will help you disconnect from time.

    Capitalizing on the experience of those involved in offshore racing, Orient Express Silenseas will sail using sails with a revolutionary ‘SolidSail’ technological design: three rigid sails with a surface area of ​​1,500 meters each will be hoisted on a balestron rig, with 3 tilting masts culminating at more than 100 meters high, able to provide up to 100% propulsion in suitable weather conditions. For a more environmentally friendly voyage at sea, a hybrid formula will combine wind power with a “State of the art” engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will allow the use of green hydrogen once technologies accepted for an ocean-going passenger ship.
    A new feat from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, this sailboat of the future, the first of which will be delivered in March 2026, brings together the best French talents. The architect Maxime d’Angeac thus designed the interior layout and the decorations, while the Nantes design agency Stirling Design International designed the exterior lines. Hetland Maritime also supported Accor in setting up the project and discussions with Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The entire project is 70-80% financed by commercial banks, the rest being provided by a consortium of shareholders in which Accor will participate on a minority basis.

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    Trip.com Group sees surge in mainland China travel bookings

    Trip.com Group, the leading global travel service provider, has seen mainland Chinese demand for travel continue to surge in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday season.This comes after the decision last month by mainland China to officially abolish all quarantine restrictions for inbound visitors from 8 January.
    Since the announcement on 26 December 2022, Trip.com Group has subsequently seen a huge increase in searches and the volume of travel bookings.Flight bookings and destination search trends
    On Trip.com Group’s leading Chinese language travel service platform Ctrip, between 26 December 2022 and 5 January 2023, search interest for outbound flights from mainland China increased by 83% compared to the two-week period prior, with outbound flight bookings increasing by 59% over the same period.
    Bookings show the most popular cross-border destinations include: Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia.
    Lunar New Year TrendsADVERTISEMENTWith millions set to be on the move during the Lunar New Year holiday in China, also known as Spring Festival, which takes place from 21 – 27 January 2023 and the first major holiday following the liberalisation of border policies, outbound bookings for trips have grown significantly.
    Analysis of Ctrip data shows overseas travel for the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday surged by 540% compared to last year’s Spring Festival; and the average cost of bookings was revealed to have risen by 32% year-on-year.
    Ctrip data also shows airline bookings from mainland China to Hong Kong increased by 18 times compared with the previous year, following the announcement to ease restrictions. The number of airline bookings to Hong Kong has also increased by 36% month-on-month. Similarly, the search popularity of Hong Kong on the platform was more than double that and increased by 85% month-on-month.
    Taking a deeper look, the top ten most popular domestic destinations for the Spring festival are Shanghai, Beijing, Sanya, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Chongqing and Haikou.
    Southeast Asia Shines as Top Outbound Destination
    As of January 12, 2023, in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday, overall travel bookings of mainland Chinese tourists to Southeast Asian countries increased by 1026% compared with the same period last year. The number of air ticket bookings from mainland China to Southeast Asia increased by 864% year-on-year, and the top 5 most popular destination countries for mainland Chinese tourists traveling to Southeast Asia during the Lunar New Year holiday are: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
    According to Ctrip’s data, from December 27 to January 11, Thailand stands out as a top destination for Chinese tourists during the Spring Festival holiday on the platform. During the same period, inbound travel bookings from Thailand to mainland China increased by 101% year-on-year.
    In addition to this, as of January 12, the number of mainland tourists traveling to Singapore for the Lunar New Year holiday increased by 499% year-on-year, Malaysia saw an increase of 584% year-on-year, with Cambodia and Indonesia each increasing by more than 10 times year-on-year.
    A Welcoming Return for Chinese Tourists
    With the adjustment of mainland China’s entry and exit policy, the cross-border travel market is also picking up with embassies and tourism boards across the world targeting Chinese tourists aiming to attract them back to visit their countries.
    One example is The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) who launched a campaign called ‘CHINA IS BACK’, to welcome the return of Chinese tourists. They expect more than 300,000 Chinese tourists to visit Thailand in the first three months of 2023 alone.
    Trip.com Group’s first livestream broadcast targeting the outbound mainland Chinese audience recorded sales of more than 20,000 room nights amounting to a Gross Merchandise Value of over RMB 40 million (THB 197 million). The livestream session was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which has been collaborating closely with Trip.com Group over the years. TAT Governor, Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, joined the broadcast and interacted with viewers.
    Hosted by Trip.com Group Vice President Sun Tianxu and presenter Xiao Yu, the livestream session featured almost 60 products, including attractions tickets and staycation packages at hotels across Thailand such as The Peninsula Bangkok, Capella Bangkok, InterContinental Pattaya Resort, and Banyan Tree Krabi.

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    Heathrow Airport Sees 90% Passenger Growth in December as Transatlantic Travel Fueled Reunions Over

    Heathrow Airport Sees 90% Passenger Growth in December as Transatlantic Travel Fueled Reunions Over the Holidays
    Christmas and New Year reunions fuelled passenger growth during December, with more than 5.9 million passengers travelling in the month – up 90% compared with the same time last yearTransatlantic travel was a key driver behind last month’s high passenger volumes, with JFK clinching the top spot as the airport’s busiest routeForward planning and close collaboration with airport partners ensured we provided a smooth and efficient service to travellers throughout the festive period.  92% of passengers passed through security in under 10 minutes during the Christmas peak, service for passengers with reduced mobility improved, and arriving travellers reported a friendly and efficient journey through immigration in spite of industrial actionIn total, Heathrow welcomed 61.6 million passengers (76% of 2019 levels) during 2022 – 42.2 million higher than in 2021. This is the highest passenger increase of any airport in EuropeProviding excellent service remains our key priority for 2023, as the aviation industry rebuilds capacity and resilience. We are concerned that the recovery of the aviation sector, which is critical to the economy, could be set back by the reintroduction of testing for travellers in the UK and elsewhere in response to increasing COVID levels in China, even though governments acknowledge there is no scientific basis for doing so
    Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:
    “2022 ended on a high with our busiest Christmas in three years and a smooth and efficient service for passengers, thanks to the hard work of our colleagues and close planning with airlines, their ground handlers and Border Force.”

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    UNIVERSAL PARKS & RESORTS PLANS TO BRING NEW CONCEPT FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO TEXAS

    Universal Parks & Resorts announces a one-of-a-kind theme park, unlike any other in the world, specifically designed to inspire fun for families with young children. The new park concept, set in a lush green landscape and featuring immersive themed lands, celebrates Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor and innovation and brings to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers.
    The proposed park will be designed to be more intimate and engaging for younger audiences and will be sized for a regional audience.  It will be full of family-friendly attractions, interactive and playful shows, character meet and greets, unique merchandise and fun food and beverage venues. Although smaller in size, it will still carry the same quality as Universal’s other larger resort destinations.
    Part of 97 acres of land recently purchased by the company, the proposed park also has plans for an adjacent themed hotel and room for expansion. The entire area is intended to have a completely different look, feel, and scale than Universal’s existing parks and will appeal to a new audience for the brand. 
    Universal Parks & Resorts selected the city of Frisco, in North Texas, as the area for this new concept given the city’s growing population and ability to attract businesses to the area. The proposed location for the new concept is ideally situated east of the Dallas North Tollway and north of Panther Creek Parkway.
    “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the city of Frisco and Mayor Cheney as we work to bring this innovative, new concept to life designed specifically for a younger generation of Universal fans,” said Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Parks & Resorts. “We think North Texas is the perfect place to launch this unique park for families given its growing popularity within this part of the country.” ADVERTISEMENT“Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and has been recognized as a great place to plant professional roots and raise a family,” said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. “This new Universal concept will continue to enhance our tax base, expand employment opportunities and bring even more fun to Frisco benefiting our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
    More details about the project will be revealed over time. To stay informed, visit Corporate.UniversalParks.com.

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    Miami Beach’s Preserved Architectural History Awaits Design Enthusiasts

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    Miami Beach’s Preserved Architectural History Awaits Design Enthusiasts

    The 46th annual Art Deco Weekend will return January 13 – January 15th, 2023, showcasing Miami Beach’s unique collection of Art Deco design and architecture in open-air styleOffering a variety of experiences including live music, a classic car show, guided architectural tours, outdoor film screenings and more, visitors will find inspiration through activations that showcase how Miami Beach became the birthplace of Art Deco design and the most visited Art Deco District in the world.  Created by the Miami Design Preservation League, Art Deco Weekend signifies the distinct effort to preserve Miami Beach’s more than 800 historic, pastel-colored buildings and history of this signature architectural style, saving it for future generations.
    “Art Deco Weekend is an immersive celebration of architecture with national and international appeal.  For 46 years, our city has come together to share the beauty and ingenuity of marquee buildings that have made Miami Beach a pilgrimage for design and architecture enthusiasts,” says Steve Adkins, Chairman of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “The MBVCA is proud to continue our support to enhance Art Deco Weekend to help raise awareness of, and show appreciation to, the architects and talents that continue to inspire the design community today.”
    Whether visiting during the official celebration or if Miami Beach is on the travel agenda in the near future, visitors can embrace the essence of Art Deco style easily throughout their stay.  For an artistic and retro hotel experience, signature properties like The Gabriel South Beach and The Breakwater offer comfortable rooms in an ideal location along with Instagram-worthy facades.  For a splurge, visitors can opt for a stay at The Shelborne South Beach, a recreated icon dating back to the 1940’s exuding timeless luxury and elegance with impeccable service delivered in Art Deco architecture on Collins Avenue. Miami Beach is a year-round destination to discover the bevy of geometric-ornamented facades and it’s easy to become a quick study with a visit to the official Art Deco Museum on Ocean Drive. The museum provides a deep dive into the layers of design that serve as the foundation for the city’s glamorous reputation. Discovering design can work up an appetite.  Head to Serena, located on the second-floor rooftop of the Moxy South Beach on Collins Avenue, and take a bite out of a modern interpretation of Mexican cuisine in an open-air and laid-back setting.  Perfect for sunset cocktails, al fresco dinners surrounded by the energy of the Art Deco District or buzzy brunches, diners will taste and feel the cultural inspirations of Mexico right on South Beach.
    The beauty of Miami Beach’s design and architecture stands proud any time of year, making it a vibrant destination to explore solo or with friends and family. Visitors can download the new EXP Miami Beach Tour App now available on Apple and Google and access four marquee itineraries including Art in Public Spaces, Hidden Art, A Day Inside Miami Beach Architectural Wonders and Public Art and Iconic History in Miami Beach.
    “Miami Beach’s Art Deco District is an open-air museum and we invite visitors to easily access information and resources to help plan their next trip and to get an interactive look at what makes Miami Beach the unrivaled crown jewel of Art Deco architecture,” adds Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the MBVCA. “We are continuously working on new ways to bring experiences rooted in design and architecture to travelers, understanding the ongoing desire to get up, close and personal with the history of what shapes the destinations they visit.”ADVERTISEMENTFor more information about the Art Deco District and to plan a future design-inspired trip to award-winning Miami Beach, download the Experience Miami Beach and EXP Miami Beach Tour App Miami Beach Apps and follow the @experiencemiamibeach handles on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date details and offerings.

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    Ontario International Airport outperformed pre-pandemic levels with 5.7 million passengers last year

    Southern California’s Ontario International Airport finished 2022 with its highest annual passenger volume since 2008.
    Ontario International Airport (ONT) welcomed more than 5.7 million airline travelers in 2022, outpacing pre-pandemic 2019 by 2.8% as the popular Southern California gateway recorded its highest passenger volume since 2008.At the same time, shipments of air cargo outpaced 2019 volume by nearly 9%, maintaining ONT’s position as a major commerce and logistics hub.
    We experienced great demand for air travel through Ontario International in 2022 with passenger levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the entire calendar year,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer, Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “Our airline partners restored air services suspended because of the pandemic while adding new routes and increased flight frequencies to popular destinations, and passengers showed their preference for our hallmark customer-friendly experience.”
    Ontario’s 2022 passenger volume was 27.6% greater than the 2021 total of 4.5 million and was the highest since 2008, when 6.2 million passenger flew into or out of the airport. Since ONT’s return to local control in 2016, passenger volumes are up nearly 36%.
    Ontario also ranks among the fastest recovering airports in the U.S. after the severe disruption in global air travel during the early months of the pandemic.
    That growth is expected to continue into the new year. Based on current airline schedules, ONT will have 6.7% more flights and 12.3% more available seats in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.ADVERTISEMENTMeanwhile, Ontario International has fortified its role as a global air cargo center. For the year, freight and mail that moved through ONT totaled more than 850,000 tons, 8.9% higher than 2019 when the airport handled almost 782,000 tons of cargo.
    Ontario ranks among the 10 largest cargo airports in North America, and according to a recent analysis by Oxford Economics, serves as the hub of a global supply chain network that generates $17.8 billion in economic activity.

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    Choice Hotels CEO Patrick Pacious Named ‘Best CEO’ for Fourth Consecutive Year

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    Choice Hotels CEO Patrick Pacious Named ‘Best CEO’ for Fourth Consecutive Year

    For the fourth year in a row, Choice Hotels International, Inc. President and CEO Patrick Pacious has been named one of the highest-rated CEOs, according to Comparably’s 2022 Best CEO rankings.The accolade, which positions Pacious alongside chief executives of some of the world’s most well-known companies – from Microsoft and Adobe to Google and IBM – comes on the heels of his fifth year at the helm of Choice and reflects the company’s latest period of success.“Choice Hotels has transformed itself these past few years, and this latest recognition is a powerful testament to not just the strength of our strategic investments and growth, but also to the fortitude of all our associates who have gone the extra mile to take our business and brand promise to new heights,” said Pacious. “Together, we’re leading the way – supporting more than 13,000 franchise owners who put their trust in Choice brands each day while continuing to create rewarding experiences for the loyal guests who stay with us – and our future has never been brighter.”
    Pacious has been Choice Hotels’ president and CEO since September 2017, and throughout his successful tenure has established a proven track record of building and strengthening brands. In addition to cementing Choice Hotels’ legacy in the midscale travel segment with the successful transformation of the company’s flagship Comfort brand, Pacious propelled Choice’s extended stay segment with new brands following the strategic acquisition of WoodSpring Suites in 2018 and the launch of Everhome Suites in 2020. In 2021, under Pacious’ stewardship, Choice also became the first hotel company to exceed its pre-pandemic performance. Most recently, Pacious guided the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas, the largest transaction in the company’s history, which added nine brands and further extends the company’s reach into the upscale segment.
    In addition to helping empower small business owner success and creating memorable experiences for guests when traveling, Pacious has led an inclusive corporate culture. As a result, he was named the Lodging Magazine 2022 Person of the Year and Choice was also recently recognized as a best-in-class franchisor and leading employer by several groups, including:Top Franchise for Diversity 2022 by Entrepreneur MagazineWorld’s Best Employers 2022 by ForbesAmerica’s Best Employers for Veterans 2022 by ForbesWorld’s Top Female-Friendly Companies 2022 by ForbesComparably determined this year’s Best CEOs through ratings anonymously provided by employees. The final data set was compiled from nearly 15 million ratings across 70,000 U.S. companies on Comparably.com and segmented into two ranked lists: Top 100 CEOs from Large Companies (those with 500 or more employees) and Top CEOs from Small/Mid-Size companies. Choice Hotels is the only hotel company to be recognized on this annual list.
    For information about Choice Hotels’ leadership, visit www.media.choicehotels.com/our-leadership.

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    Munich Airport Sees Massive Growth in All Traffic Figures for 2022

    A busy summer has gifted Munich Airport massive growth in all traffic figures in 2022: Passenger numbers rose by 19 million year on year to a total of 31.6 million.The airport has thus regained two-thirds of its record-breaking pre-pandemic result from 2019. The number of aircraft movements nearly doubled compared with 2021 to more than 285,000 take-offs and landings. The seat load factor of the aircraft in Munich equaled the record figure of 77.5 percent from 2018. With a total of 210 destinations in 63 countries, Bavaria’s aviation hub now has excellent links with the global route network once again.
    Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, says: “The gradual lifting of travel restrictions has re-awakened people’s desire to travel. This has prompted airlines to significantly expand their flight capacity. The bookings received by the airlines indicate that traffic growth at Munich Airport will continue in 2023.”
    After a weak first quarter, which was still influenced by the pandemic, demand for flights increased enormously. While only four million passengers were counted at Munich Airport over the first three months, the busiest third quarter saw traffic of more than ten million travelers. The pent-up demand has been particularly noticeable in long-haul travel: Since July, traffic between Munich and destinations in the US has already been higher than the 2019 level. Since the flight schedule for winter 2022/2023 came into effect, this has also been true of traffic to destinations in India, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.Air freight has also benefited from the boom in traffic at Munich Airport. In 2022, freight volume increased by 55 percent to a total of around 259,000 metric tons.

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