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    Southwest Airlines Partners with USA BioEnergy for 680 Million Gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

    Southwest Airlines Co. (“Southwest”) announced an offtake agreement with USA BioEnergy, LLC (“USA BioEnergy”), for up to 680 million gallons of neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Over the term of the 20-year agreement, once blended with conventional jet fuel, the SAF could produce the equivalent of 2.59 billion gallons of net-zero1 fuel and avoid 30 million metric tons of CO2. Southwest® plans to begin purchasing SAF from USA BioEnergy’s facility near Bon Wier, Texas, as early as 2028. Additionally, as part of the offtake agreement, Southwest and USA BioEnergy have established a long-term strategic relationship offering Southwest the opportunity to purchase up to another projected 180 million gallons of SAF per year from future planned production facilities.
    “This offtake agreement with USA BioEnergy marks important progress in the development of our SAF portfolio and furthers our goal to replace 10 percent of our total jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030,” said Michael AuBuchon, Managing Director Fuel Strategy and Management at Southwest Airlines. “We look forward to the opportunity to grow our strategic relationship with USA BioEnergy and potentially purchase more SAF from them in the future.”
    “Our agreement with Southwest Airlines is a perfect fit because it aligns Southwest’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and USA BioEnergy’s goal of becoming the leading producer of carbon-negative fuel,” said David Prom, Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder of USA BioEnergy. “USA BioEnergy is excited to work with Southwest on this initial project and, potentially, future sites we may add in our pipeline.”
    Southwest recognizes the critical role that commercially viable SAF will play in the carrier’s strategy to achieve its near-term and long-term carbon goals and is taking action to forge relationships across the aviation value chain to proactively address the challenges on the path to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For more on the carrier’s SAF strategy, visit southwest.com/SAF.
    Net zero is determined by a fuel with a carbon intensity of zero (0) gCO2e/MJ or lower on a lifecycle basis.ADVERTISEMENT

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    IHG Hotels & Resorts Announces New Luxury Vignette Collection Hotel in Dubai

    IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement for its second Vignette Collection hotel in Dubai in partnership with The Heart of Europe, the flagship project under Kleindienst Group. Scheduled for a grand opening in January 2026, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai, will mark a significant milestone for The Heart of Europe, solidifying IHG’s presence within The World Islands – an archipelago of manmade islands located in the Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai.
    The Vignette Collection brand allows owners of world-class independent hotels to retain their distinctive identity while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise.
    The upcoming Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai, is located in ‘The Heart of Europe’, a self-sustaining holiday destination spanning across six islands, each blending European architectural charm with top-tier hospitality, embracing luxury and innovation on shores of tranquil beaches.
    The Heart of Europe encompasses a variety of opulent properties, including beachfront villas, premium hotels, an innovative underwater living experience, and an array of top-tier amenities such as climate-controlled streets and the coral institute dedicated to preserving and revitalising the marine ecosystem.
    Once completed, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai will feature 150 rooms overlooking the Arabian Gulf in a prime location along a pristine beach and crystal-clear sea. True to the Vignette Collection brand, the property will seamlessly merge exclusivity with community and locality and feature a unique Andalusian-inspired design with contemporary architecture.ADVERTISEMENTHaitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are excited to partner with The Heart of Europe to bring the second Vignette Collection resort to Dubai, a testament to IHG’s commitment to delivering exceptional stays and experiences for our guests. Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai will significantly reimagine luxury and set future regional hospitality benchmarks. We look forward to welcoming travellers worldwide upon the hotel’s opening in 2026.”
    With the property currently under construction, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai is expected to become a key proof point in IHG’s ambition to create unparalleled guest experiences and set new standards for luxury in the region.
    Josef Kleindienst, Founder and Chairman of Kleindienst Group and The Heart of Europe, said: “It is an honour to partner with one of the world’s leading hotel groups to bring the Vignette Collection brand to The World Islands Dubai. This collaboration aligns with our vision of creating a unique destination in one of the world’s most iconic cities, and true to our commitment to excellence, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai promises to offer guests a remarkable and distinctive stay, drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of Dubai and presenting a perfect blend of luxury, innovation, and the beauty of the UAE.”
    IHG currently operates 108 hotels across eight brands in the Middle East, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, voco and Six Senses.

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    Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali, Launches ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ Wellness Program

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    Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali, Launches ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ Wellness Program

    Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a sanctuary nestled amidst the lush surroundings of Ubud, Bali with the Ayung River floating peacefully alongside, is excited to announce its latest offering: the Disconnect to Reconnect program. Crafted by the resort, this wellness journey invites all guests to detach from their everyday routines and the pressures of modern life. In harmony with Bali’s rich heritage of healing and spirituality, Disconnect to Reconnect is designed to cultivate mindfulness, encourage inner reflection, and provide a path to rejuvenation.
    Empowering travelers to temporarily escape the hustle of fast-paced modern life, and an interconnected world, and rediscover their true selves, this innovative endeavor offers a daily program featuring a curated selection of 14 activities – all-inclusive. These activities aim to heighten guests’ awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and sensations, ultimately fostering a profound sense of mindfulness and inner tranquility.
    Every day, four different Disconnect to Reconnect experiences are held on a rotating basis, giving guests the opportunity to experience each unique offering during their stay. The new program features:
    Breathwork and Vibrational Sound Therapy to relieve chronic stress, reduce anxiety, and improve concentration for a calmer and more peaceful state of mind. Aquatic Therapy alleviates physical discomfort while in the water, while Quantum Healing aims to gain insights into current life challenges by guiding guests through visualization, and Chakra Balancing offers a holistic approach to energy alignment and self-healing.
    Mandala Art engages travelers in creative expression, the Culinary Dessert Delight activity focuses on sustainability and reducing food waste, the Balinese Medicinal Plants Workshop teaches the traditional use of plants, and the Balinese Cooking class showcases cooking techniques that prioritize the use of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from Mandapa’s very own garden.ADVERTISEMENTAdditional experiences include Women Circle Healing and Unveiling Masculine Healing, designed specifically for women and men, Yoga classes, Pranasudi Activation to promote equilibrium in the nervous system, and Emotional Release, which focuses on the transformative practice of journaling.

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    7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in La Rioja, Spain to Explore Sustainable Future

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    7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in La Rioja, Spain to Explore Sustainable Future

    With a strong focus on the future of wine tourism, the 7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in La Rioja, Spain (22-24 November 2023), one of the world’s leading wine regions. This event will gather diverse industry players around data, governance, innovation, sustainability, and skills.
    Co-organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of La Rioja and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the Conference will emphasize the pivotal role of this sector in promoting rural development, sustainable practices, and regional regeneration.
    Innovation: Bridging Tradition and Technology
    Against the backdrop of a landscape where tradition converges with technology, the Conference will shine a light on the seamless integration of wine tourism with the evolving preferences of tourists. The programme will address innovative digital tools and the exploration of new strategies to amplify outreach via social media platforms, reaching larger audiences and increasing visitor flow.
    Skills: Cultivating Excellence in Wine TourismADVERTISEMENTThe Conference will underscore the importance of identifying and fostering skills development to enhance expertise, knowledge, and service quality, as a precursor to crafting a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive wine tourism industry.
    Data: Guiding the Future
    Data can play a significant role in shaping wine tourism. Attendees will explore the mapping of existing metrics and methodologies to quantify wine tourism to create common frameworks.
    Governance: Crafting Partnerships for Growth
    The complex network of stakeholders in wine tourism requires adapted governance, including the significance of fostering public-private collaboration. The Conference will spotlight community engagement and coordination, both at local and national levels, as essential drivers for the sector’s sustainable growth.
    Nurturing Sustainability and Rural Development for a more Inclusive Tomorrow
    Sustainability is at the heart of wine tourism’s future. Destination managers and experts will showcase sustainable practices that embrace the principles of the circular economy. The Conference will also address the pivotal role of wine tourism in supporting rural development, revitalizing overlooked regions, tackling demographic challenges, and nurturing entrepreneurship for rural growth.
    In the midst of the famous wine tourism hub of Barrio de la Estación in the city of Haro, a series of masterclasses will offer attendees an immersive journey into the art of wine pairing across various domains. These sessions will explore the fusion of wine with gastronomy, art and culture, its synergies with communication, branding, technology, events, and sustainability, promising enlightening and enriching experiences.
    To further enhance the experience, participants will also have the opportunity to discover the renowned Vivanco Museum, recognized for its pioneering role and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rich wine culture.

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    Emirates Group Unites Diverse Workforce to Honor UAE Flag Day and Promote National Unity

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    Emirates Group Unites Diverse Workforce to Honor UAE Flag Day and Promote National Unity

    The Emirates Group’s employees gathered at its headquarters in Dubai to commemorate the UAE Flag Day, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates airline and Group.
    The Group’s diverse workforce encompasses more than 160 nationalities, united by a sense of belonging and shared purpose, contributing to the achievement of the vision set by the UAE’s leadership. Watch here highlights from the Emirates Group’s flag-hoisting ceremony.
    The Emirates Group marks the UAE Flag Day every year on 3 November, in honour of the accession of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE in 2004 and continuation of the nation’s development journey.

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    How much did the British spend on holidays in Greece in the last 10 years?

    With a solid Greek presence from the political leadership of tourism and entrepreneurs in the sector, the world’s largest tourism exhibition, World Travel Market, opens on November 6 at the London exhibition centre, Excel London.
    Among other things, this year’s event, which will last until November 8, is expected to reveal the global trends shaping the tourism industry in a particular discussion held at noon on the first day of its event.
    WTM is the first barometer for all international destinations for the next tourist year. The presence of our country at the exhibition is always of particular importance as Britain is consistently among the two most important markets for Greek tourism.
    Indicative is that in the ten years, 2014-2023, the British spent more than 20 billion euros on their holidays in Greece. In the first nine months of this year, the travel expenses of the British in our country reached 2.36 billion euros. In total, by August, more than 3 million Britons had visited our country.
    The political leadership will see the exhibition of tourism, while the EOT, on the sidelines of the event, will hold two events.ADVERTISEMENTThe first event, entitled “Sustainability Marathon,” concerns the sustainability of Greek tourism. In the second event, entitled “Greek Women Mean Business”, Greek women who innovate in the tourism business will participate. At 900 sq.m. of the Greek pavilion, there will be 72 co-exhibitors at the exhibition.
    In detail, WTM is set to present the first exclusive WTM Global Travel Report, which has been compiled in collaboration with leading researchers from Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics firm, and analyses how the needs and wants of leisure travellers are changing while shedding light on light on the emerging and growing destinations of 2024 and beyond.
    As part of the presentation, attendees will gain valuable insights into the changing travel landscape and become familiar with consumer demands, with the critical objective of shaping their business and planning for its future.
    Further, the research considers the impact of challenges, such as inflation and the rising cost of living, while comparing the different conditions of different regions and markets. It also delves into the drivers of post-pandemic demand, looking at how and why travellers prioritise vacations over other types of spending and looking at the outlook for different demographics.
    During the panel, industry executives will share their thoughts on how trends will impact their marketing, sales, innovation and investment plans in the months and years ahead.
    In this regard, Ms. Juliette Losardo, Director of the WTM London exhibition, said, among other things, that the first WTM Global Travel Report survey demonstrates WTM’s commitment to ensuring that the travel community has the freshest insight into the trends shaping the industry.
    At the same time, Ms Losardo pointed out that the collaboration with Oxford Economics, a leader in tourism and economic data, resulted in the extraction of findings from an international survey, which was carried out on an extensive data bank covering almost 185 countries as destinations and as source markets and all significant bilateral tourism flows in terms of visits, overnight stays and spending, as well as unique industry insights, offering a comprehensive perspective on tourism.
    Ms Losardo also commented that the global perspective and vast, informative findings will provide invaluable insights for tourism people to ensure they are always one step ahead.
    Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/

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    Disney After Hours Events Usher In More Nighttime Magic January 2024

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    Disney After Hours Events Usher In More Nighttime Magic January 2024

    Disney After Hours events return to Walt Disney World Resort starting January 2024 with tons of nighttime Disney fun. On event nights, guests can enjoy an extra three hours of magic-making at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Guests attending the separately ticketed events get more time to experience fan-favorite attractions, character greetings and unlimited complimentary snacks, including select beverages.  Extra magic awaits after hours at select Walt Disney World theme parks
    Disney After Hours events allow a limited number of guests to enjoy Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT after the parks officially close for the day, offering shorter wait times for select attractions and character experiences. Guests can also indulge in ice cream novelties, popcorn and beverages –– all included in the cost of the ticketed event. Early arrivals can access the parks starting at 7 p.m. to squeeze even more moonlight joy out of their visits.
    Booked guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting Nov. 7, 2023, by calling 407-W-Disney. Event tickets can be purchased online by all guests starting Nov. 14. 
    Disney After Hours ticket prices range from $155 to $175 (plus tax) at Magic Kingdom Park and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney After Hours ticket pricing at EPCOT ranges from $149 to $159 (plus tax). Specially priced tickets are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.
    More time and less waiting for your theme park favorites ADVERTISEMENTThese special nights will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Jan. 10 through April 10, 2024, where guests can play in Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, join the resistance with Chewbacca in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and embark on a whimsical adventure aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, among other favorite experiences.
    Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the thrilling new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Jungle Cruise on select nights starting Jan. 11 through April 8, 2024. A standby queue is planned for TRON Lightcycle / Run during these events only.
    The nighttime fireworks spectacular, Enchantment will return exclusively to Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom. Guests arriving early on event nights will have the opportunity to see both Happily Ever After, currently showing during regular park hours, and Enchantment! 
    Welcomed by the colorful glow of Spaceship Earth, guests can delight in EPCOT at night with favorite attractions including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Soarin’ and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Events at EPCOT will take place on select nights starting Feb. 2 through April 4, 2024. 

    Whichever park event guests choose, they’ll find unlimited novelty snacks and select beverages available complimentary throughout the event nights to cure those late-night cravings. 
    Guests can learn more about Disney After Hours events by visiting DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours.
    Theme Park closing times vary. Admission to this event requires a separately priced ticket valid only for a specific event date and select hours. Attractions and offerings are subject to change without notice.

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    WTTC Heads Down Under for 2024 Global Summit

    During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Kigali, Western Australia was announced as the host for 2024, marking the first time the event will visit Oceania.The 24th Global Summit will be taking place in Perth in late 2024, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.
    WTTC closed its first ever Global Summit in Africa today with more than 1,200 delegates attending the event in Kigali, Rwanda.
    The global tourism body’s Global Summit saw speakers such as global economist and renowned business commentor Justin Urquhart-Stewart; Administrator of the United States Transport Security Administration, David P. Pekoske; and Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal Football Club, Juliet Slot.
    The most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar, WTTC’s Global Summit, was attended by more than 45 countries.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The success of this year’s Global Summit in Kigali is testament to the power of Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. Through Rwanda, the continent has well and truly put itself on the map.ADVERTISEMENT“We are so excited to be heading ‘Down Under’ next year. Western Australia and the beautiful city of Perth have always been popular destinations and we’re sure attendees will enjoy a real taste of quintessential Australian hospitality.”
    Tourism WA Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull said hosting the 24th WTTC Global Summit presents a significant opportunity for WA to demonstrate its growth ambition and investment opportunities to WTTC’s members, which includes the CEOs of key travel businesses such as airlines, global hotel operators and investors, and cruise lines.
    “The effect of hosting this event goes far beyond the immediate economic impact generated from delegate spend; this event will open avenues for conversation around inbound trade and product investments, new inbound aviation routes and the development of high value tourism product business opportunities.
    “Business delegates attending this event will be encouraged to extend their stay and explore further afield, so they can experience our dreamlike landscapes, world-class experiences, and expert tourism operators firsthand.”
    During its Global Summit in Kigali, WTTC launched its Africa report highlighting some of the challenges Travel & Tourism faces in the region and the opportunities to address them.
    WTTC also launched its groundbreaking Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging report which tracks DEIB in the Travel & Tourism sector and highlights effective practices and recommendations for the future.
    The Global Summit was moderated by Thami Nkadimeng who was recently selected as a 2023 Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under 40 in support of the United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237.

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