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In a bid to boost Jamaica’s share of the lucrative South American travel market, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has departed the island en route to three Latin American countries where he will engage critical tourism stakeholders during a weeklong visit to the region.
“South America’s economic recovery to pre-pandemic levels has been quite impressive and we’re confident that this is a good time to pursue opportunities for collaboration between Jamaica and tourism players in that region,” asserted Minister Bartlett. “Prior to COVID-19, we would have observed significant interest coming from the Latin American market and post-pandemic, the demand has increased. Given this trajectory, we are excited about the future and developing our market share in this side of the world, as we seek to foster the continued growth of our tourism sector,” Minister Bartlett added. Over the course of eight days, Minister Bartlett and other tourism officials are scheduled to visit Buenos Aires in Argentina, Santiago in Chile and Lima, Peru. The scheduled engagements will involve a series of meetings with representatives of various local authorities, ministries of tourism and Copa Airlines, one of the major carriers in the region. Before COVID-19, there were some 11 weekly flights between Panama and Jamaica via Copa Airlines and new services by LATAM Airlines with some three flights per week between Lima, Peru and Montego Bay. In this regard, Minister Bartlett added: “Our mission is to enrich the relationship with Latin America and bolster visitor arrivals coming from the south as we strive to meet our target of 5 million annual visitors by 2025. I was recently in Ecuador for the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas Meeting and the feedback coming from our partners there was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, so we must strike while the iron is hot.”  Minister Bartlett will also meet with representatives from local universities to discuss expanding the Jamaica-based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre’s (GTRCMC) presence in South America. The tourism minister and the other Jamaican representatives are scheduled to return to the island on Friday, August 4.

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Known as the adventure hub of the Middle East, Ras Al Khaimah has been building an impressive track record of attractions over the years that cemented the Emirate as the go-to destination for thrill-seekers.
The global adventure tourism market size is estimated to reach USD 1.009 trillion by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is also expected to expand at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2022 to 2030. To accommodate this growing market, Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, has been developed into a standalone tourism offering, developing a series of exciting projects that have positioned Ras Al Khaimah as the adventure hub of the Middle East. Championing sustainability, the attractions give guests the chance to get up close and personal with the mountainous terrain and enjoy breath-taking nature, without impacting the local ecosystem.

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie looking for extreme adventure or a nature lover seeking serene mountain experiences, the Jais Adventure Park offers a unique and thrilling outdoor experience and serves as the gateway to the iconic mountain’s exceptional multitude of attractions.
ADVERTISEMENTStay at the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and learn new survival skills
Guests can stay overnight in the camp’s first-ever branded accommodation, featuring 16 recycled and redesigned cabins nestled within the mountain. The camp also challenges visitors to try out exhilarating courses run by experts trained at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy including lessons on making a fire in the wilderness, building emergency shelters, knife skills, navigation techniques and extreme weather survival. ​ The camp ​ also offers ​ archery , rock climbing, abseiling and a ropes course suspended 10 metres above ground, challenging visitors as they tackle rope swings, wobbly bridges, swinging loops and more.
Zip through the clouds at up to 160kph
The Jais Flight is the world’s longest zipline, and it is located atop the cloud-piercing Jebel Jais. The length of the zipline spans an incredible 2.83km, equivalent to over 28 football fields. Zipliners soar through the skies at a height of 1,680 metres above sea level, reaching speeds of 120kph to 160kph – an adventure of a lifetime.

Those who prefer taking the scenic route should try the Jais Sky Tour, which comprises six ziplines high above the grand cliffs and canyons of Jebel Jais, connected by nine platforms and a 15m-long sky bridge – the highest of its kind in the UAE.
Slide down the mountain on the region’s longest toboggan ride
Located adjacent to the Jais Adventure Centre is the region’s longest toboggan ride and family-friendly attraction – the thrilling Jais Sledder. Offering visitors a ride through Jebel Jais, the ride reaches speeds of up to 40kph descending down the slopes of the Hajar Mountain, swerving through spectacular mountain terrain. The ride takes around eight minutes to cover 1,840 exhilarating metres of hairpin curves and undulating whirls.
Switch off and relax at Camp 1770, UAE’s highest campsite
Visitors who want to fully immerse themselves in the mountain experience can stay at Camp 1770 – the highest camp in the UAE. Located 1,770 metres above sea level, the camp offers stunning 180-degree panoramic views of the Hajar Mountain range.
Guests live the full traditional mountain experience with delicious a Emirati meal prepared by local mountain tribes. Operated by Adventurati Outdoors, the camp runs several programmes throughout the year that cater to various guest preferences, including a Wellness Camp – a mountain experience featuring yoga on the peak, wellbeing talks around the bonfire, sunset meditation and much more. The firm favourite is the camp’s signature adventure program called the Summit Series, which is designed to give mountaineers a replica experience of summiting a high-altitude mountain such as Mount Kilimanjaro by summiting Jebel Jais at an altitude of 1,934 metres in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures.
Take part in internationally renowned hiking experiences
Home to the most developed hiking trail network in the UAE of 80km on Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah hosted two editions of the ‘HIGHLANDER’ hiking experience, the first of its kind in the GCC.

The only certified international hiking association in the world, HIGHLANDER is renowned for its specially curated hiking experiences that take intrepid adventurers on a two- and three-day hike based on their experience and fitness levels: HIGHLANDER55 (55km hike over three days) and HIGHLANDER Experience (30km hike over two days). Drawing hundreds of participants from around the world, the adventure challenge will return in February 2024, offering hikers and adventure lovers the chance to physically test themselves on the Emirate’s spectacular trails while exploring the Hajar Mountains’ impressive rockscapes, rugged canyons and famous wadis.
Aligned to Ras Al Khaimah’s vision to become a regional sustainable tourism leader by 2025 and underscored by its ‘Balanced Tourism’ strategy, HIGHLANDER is keen to create awareness on the importance of preserving and protecting nature while encouraging participants to enjoy the great outdoors and minimise their impact on the environment. Participants will also be offered educational sessions on ecology and sustainability to highlight the importance of protecting the Emirate’s natural environment and taking home only memories and stunning photographs. These talks will reinforce the nature-driven aspect of hiking, drawing awareness and appreciation of hikers towards the diverse natural landscape and the need to preserve it, as well as the rich culture of the Emirate.
Sustainable attractions and lodges in the pipeline
Those seeking an even more immersive experience can soon take flight with Jais Wings, the region’s first dedicated paragliding site in the GCC, offering adventurers the chance to take off from the top of Jebel Jais for the region’s first paragliding experience.
New for 2024, the Saij, A Mantis Collection Mountain Lodge, comprising of 70 luxury lodges, will provide a pure mountain retreat that focuses on nature as well as mind, body and soul with guided treks, mindful pursuits, and creative experiences. The Basecamp Jais will offer affordable accommodation for outdoor enthusiasts, thrill seekers and nature lovers as well as a range of activities such as yoga and Emirati live cooking while the Jais Yard, will feature food trailers, kiosks, retail containers, vintage truck restaurants, open air cinema and children’s play areas. Cloud7 Camp Jebel Jais, will also offer the ultimate glamping experience with 30 accommodation units built out of sustainable material.

With a rich portfolio of existing and upcoming attractions, Jebel Jais continues to mark its presence as a leading adventure destination in the wider region and will grow from strength to strength in the coming years, appealing to adventure enthusiasts from the world over.

Go to https://visitrasalkhaimah.com/ for more information and book your adventure holiday today.
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority won Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2022 at last year’s World Travel Awards

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UNWTO MEMBERS MEET TO RETHINK AGENDA FOR AFRICAN TOURISM More

At the 66th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, Member States joined representatives from international organizations and the private sector to focus on opportunities around tourism jobs and investments while also recognizing the vital need to address challenges including the climate crisis.
According to the latest UNWTO data, tourism across Africa is returning to strength following the unprecedented crisis caused by the pandemic:
International arrivals across Africa were back to 88% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of the first quarter of this year.At the sub-regional level, North Africa is performing particularly strongly. Here, arrivals were actually 4% higher than the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 in the same period.Globally international tourism receipts reached USD 1 billion in 2022, a 50% growth in real terms compared to 2021. Among African destinations with available data, Morocco and Mauritius notably exceeded their 2019 tourism receipts in the first quarter of 2023.Welcoming delegates, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The UNWTO Agenda for Africa has been adapted. Our vision for African tourism is also one of strong governance, more education and more and better jobs. To achieve it, we aim to promote innovation, advocate for Brand Africa, facilitate travel, and unlock growth through investment and public-private partnerships.
Members meet in MauritiusUNWTO welcomed delegations from 33 countries, including 22 Ministers of Tourism, two Deputy Ministers and four Ambassadors to the meeting, the most important annual event for the region’s Member States.
Reflecting the high level of political support for the event, and for UNWTO’s mission to guide tourism development across Africa, the meeting welcomed the attendance of the Prime Minister Republic of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, as well as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Mauritius, and Vice-Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council Steven Obeegadoo. Also in attendance were the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Development, Albert Muchanga, the Secretary-General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, the Secretary-General of the Commonweath, Patricia Scotland KC, Special Advisor to the UNWTO Secretary-General Lai Mohammed, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles Lisa S. Singh, the Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Amanda Seumaga, and representatives from the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and from IFEMA and the Tui Care Foundation.ADVERTISEMENTMembers were provided with an overview of UNWTO’s achievements over the past year, with a particular focus on core priorities for tourism in Africa:
Tourism Investments: UNWTO presented a new set of Investment Guidelines for Mauritius, designed to connected investors with tourism projects in the country. The Guidelines follow on from similar publications focused on Tanzania, with editions for Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda and Zambia in development. UNWTO has also held two Tourism Investment Forums in Africa.Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment: With tourism recognized for its unique ability to drive gender equality and empower African youth, Members were advised on the progress of the UNWTO Women in Tourism Leadership for Africa Committee, and the Organization’s focus on education and training. Key achievements include the Travel Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit (Zambia, May 2023) and plans to open an International Academy in Nigeria.Advocating for ‘Brand Africa’: Members were provided with an update on UNWTO’s work to empower African tourism professionals to take charge of the narrative, including through two editions of the Brand Africa Think Tank Dialogue and plans for a UNWTO Media Training Workshop.In close collaboration with its Member States from across the region, UNWTO has also updated its Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth. The revised roadmap reflects the new challenges of post-pandemic tourism and the priorities outlined by Members.
Tourism addresses climate actionUNWTO continues to lead tourism’s shift to greater sustainability, recognizing the impact of extreme weather events, including the potential for heat waves to cut off the lifeline the sector offers for destinations worldwide. In Mauritius, Members were given an update of UNWTO’s work around sustainability, most notably its leadership of the One Planet Tourism Network and the progress of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
Tourism for rural developmentAgainst the backdrop of the Regional Commission meeting, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili enjoyed an official visit to Le Morne, recognized by UNWTO as one of its Best Tourism Villages. The Mauritian village of Old Grand Port was also awarded the accolade.

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Speaking at a panel session at the Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort in Bulgaria, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) President & CEO Julia Simpson revealed that the WTTC 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today forecasts that 10% of the Bulgarian economy will come from Travel & Tourism by 2033.WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will support 364,000 jobs across the country over the same period.
Reflections on this year
The research also reveals Bulgaria’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to reach more than 75% of the 2019 peak this year.
The sector is set to grow more than 14% this year and contribute BGN 11.4BN to the economy, edging closer to the 2019 pre-pandemic high of BGN 14.8BN.
WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will create 17,500 jobs this year, to reach more than 287,000 in total, with one in twelve workers across Bulgaria, in the Travel & Tourism sector.ADVERTISEMENTA look back on last year
Last year, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution grew by 25% to reach BGN 10 BN, representing 6.5% of Bulgaria’s economy, edging closer to the 2019 high of 9.9% of the economy.
Last year the sector also created almost 18,000 more jobs from the previous year to reach 270,000 jobs – one in 13 across Bulgaria.
According to the global tourism body’s annual research, the sector has now recovered a third of the jobs lost during the pandemic.
Last year also saw the return of international travellers heading to Bulgaria with spending from foreign visitors growing 31% year on year, to reach almost BGN 6.5BN.
Domestic visitor spend almost fully recovered in 2022, growing 21% to reach BGN 1.3BN, less than 5% below the pre-pandemic high of BGN 1.4BN.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Bulgaria’s Travel & Tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience in recovering from the pandemic’s challenges, despite ongoing regional conflicts. The country’s commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment has not only supported its own recovery but also contributed to the sector in the region overall.
“Bulgaria’s coastal destinations, like Sunny Beach, have been experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting an increasing number of visitors seeking new destinations. The country’s natural beauty extends beyond its stunning beaches with its picturesque mountains offering excellent opportunities for skiing and other winter sports.”
For more information, please visit wttc.org

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Vietnam Announces Extensions on Visa-Free Entry and Visa Durations for Brits

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Effective 15 August 2023, UK passport holders will be able to enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days, a threefold increase on the previous limit of 15 days.
Brits staying longer can also apply for an e-visa through the online portal and stay for up to 90 days, up from the previous maximum of 30 days. Additionally, the extended e-visa will now be valid for multiple entries, instead of single entry.
A Vietnam Airlines spokesperson said, “The upcoming changes in visa-free travel and e-visas will significantly enhance the flexibility of travel for British visitors to Vietnam and other countries in the diverse region of Southeast Asia.  Multi-destination British travellers will be able to enter Vietnam, travel on to other nations, and return if they miss our beautiful country. Vietnam Airlines will be with them every step of the way with our non-stop services from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as our extensive network of direct connections to other major cities within Vietnam, Asia, and Australia.”
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines currently operates five nonstop Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights per week from Heathrow T4 to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, rising to daily services from 29 October 2023. With SkyTrax 4-star rated service across three cabin classes, the flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions. Vietnam Airlines also offers excellent connections domestically within Vietnam, to Indochina, and to over 30 destinations in Asia and Australia.
ADVERTISEMENTReturn fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £751 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

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