Airline, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority is proud to announce its strategic collaboration with JetBlue, marking the commencement of direct, year-round service from New York (JFK) to St. Kitts, three times weekly beginning November 2nd.This partnership is an integral step towards expanding international travel opportunities and enhancing accessibility to the island.
Available year-round, these direct flights will offer seamless travel experiences to and from New York and St. Kitts.  The service will operate weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays providing travellers with greater flexibility.
“The introduction of JetBlue’s service to St. Kitts marks a significant milestone for our tourism-driven economy, as it enhances our accessibility and strengthens our global connectivity monumentally,” said Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, International Transport, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Employment, and Labour.  “The additional airlift will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and pave the way for further destination development, ultimately benefiting the people and businesses of St. Kitts.”
“We look forward to introducing our low fares and great service to St Kitts customers and offering our Northeast customers a unique island getaway where they can find pristine beaches, adventure, world-class gastronomy and warm hospitality,” said David Jehn, vice president, network planning and partnerships, JetBlue. “This new nonstop route aims to continue to grow our presence in the Caribbean and bring more choices for our customers.”
JetBlue will operate the new route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach, live television and on-demand entertainment on every seatback, free and fast Fly-Fi broadband internet, complimentary snacks and soft drinks and great customer service.ADVERTISEMENT“JetBlue’s service to St. Kitts heralds an exciting future for tourism, opening a world of possibilities for travellers seeking to experience our island’s authenticity and rich culture,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “As we work to further build brand awareness and generate demand, it is anticipated that this increased accessibility will bolster our tourism industry and enable new opportunities to further develop the tourism product.”
Seats are available for booking now, with service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to St. Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) commencing this fall ahead of the 2023 holiday season.
St. Kitts is experiencing continuous growth in connectivity internationally. With the introduction of the new JetBlue route, St. Kitts will now have year-round service from New York (JFK), London (Gatwick), and Miami.
For more information on JetBlue, visit: https://www.jetblue.com/. For those traveling in groups of 10 or more, please visit https://www.jetblue.com/traveling-together/group-travel and complete the corresponding forms for reduced rates.
Visitors are reminded to regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority website (www.visitstkitts.com)  for updates and information.

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The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Focus Africa” drive is gaining momentum, spurred on by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) as its newest partners.
Focus Africa will strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. It will see private and public stakeholders deliver measurable progress in six critical areas: safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability and skills development.
“Focus Africa is all about establishing a coalition of partners committing to pool their resources and delivering a set of African air transport solutions that let the continent, its people and economies play a greater, more meaningful and representative role in the global economy.  The combined contributions of AFCAC and AASA will be critical to Focus Africa’s success. Africa accounts for 18% of the global population but less than 3% of global GDP and just 2.1% of air passenger and cargo transport activity. With the right interventions those gaps will be closed, and Africa will benefit from the connectivity, jobs and growth that aviation enables,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“The ability to access, serve and develop intra-African markets is crucial as the continent’s populace is set to increase by over a billion people by 2050. For this to be sustainable, economic opportunities must be created. As other regions have demonstrated, air transport connectivity unlocks broad prosperity. As the African Union’s civil aviation agency, we will support Focus Africa through our work developing a set of harmonized rules and regulations designed to make this connectivity a reality and drive our strategic objectives,” said AFCAC Secretary-General, Adefunke Adeyemi.
“Time is not on our side as AASA’s members and the communities they serve face rising costs, unprecedented unemployment, obsolete constraints on trade and market access, inadequate infrastructure and a looming skills shortage. These demand urgent action, so we do not get stranded on the runway. It is why we have no hesitation standing with IATA and other Focus Africa partners,” added AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi.ADVERTISEMENTLeaders and decision-makers from airlines, airports, air navigation services, government agencies, aircraft manufacturers, industry suppliers and other stakeholders will convene at the IATA Focus Africa Conference, hosted by Ethiopian Airlines, in Addis Ababa on 20-21 June, to address the six priority task areas in detail.

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Over half of Brits (56%) say the pandemic changed their views on travel with over a third saying they put more value on enjoying life and prefer to make lifelong memories over spending their money on material itemsAs well as using their pandemic savings, Brits are choosing to save on takeaways (45%), dinners and drinks out (42%) and clothing & accessories (30%) and are shifting toward more budget friendly airlines this summerThis focus on travel is set to continue with 9 in 10 Brits saying they will travel more or about the same in 2024British holidaymakers are prioritising trips abroad more than ever, despite the cost-of-living according to new research of 2,000 British adults by easyJet and released today.
New data reveals that as well as the current economic climate not deterring Brits from their holidays, in fact it shows they are placing even more value on travel than before.
Value of the Holiday
Nearly six in 10 Brits (57%) say that despite the cost-of-living, they will always protect their summer holiday. New research finds that travelling is now in fact considered more important with people (45%) needing something to look forward to and 37% needing to get a break away from home and work life.
As a result, four in five (80%) of Brits said they will still be taking a holiday this summer. Europe is the top spot for British holidaymakers with two-thirds (74%) heading there this summer, with Spain (23%), Greece (9%) and France (5%) the most popular destinationsADVERTISEMENTResearch finds that the majority of Brits (87%) will spend more or about the same on holidays this year than last year despite the cost-of-living, with many placing high value on taking a break (42%) and believing making memories are more important than anything (37%).
Post Pandemic Trends
Over half of Brits (56%) say that the pandemic has changed their views on travel with over a third (35%) saying that they now put more value on enjoying life.
Nearly one in three (30%) Brits say that they used to take travel for granted but following the pandemic restrictions now want to make the most of it.
That’s why almost a quarter (23%) say that they are even travelling more than before the pandemic with half of them (48%) saying that they now value experience more than items. Over two-fifths (46%) say that they need more breaks from day-to-day life and a similar number (39%) say that they want to make up for the years they couldn’t travel.
In fact, nearly half of Brits (47%) made savings during the pandemic and are now using that money to spend on travelling.
Safeguarding the summer holiday
Four in five (82%) Brits are currently saving on the likes of takeaways (45%), dinners and drinks out (42%) and clothing & accessories (30%) to make sure they can safeguard their summer holiday.
If Brits had a choice, they would prefer to spend their money on their summer holiday (66%) versus house renovations (49%), a new car (39%) or a home office (16%).
More than two thirds of holidaymakers are also being more cost effective when it comes to travelling this year (65%) by booking more budget friendly hotels and resorts (27%) and nearly half (45%) of Brits will be more likely to book flights with a low-cost carrier than before the pandemic.
CEO Johan Lundgren said:
“The summer holiday has always been the highlight of the year for so many, giving people and families the chance to get away, spend time together relaxing and making lifelong memories.
The pandemic has meant that travel is once again highly valued, sitting firmly as the number one priority for household discretionary spend. And rather than the cost of living dampening demand, instead it seems travel is more important than ever, with more customers opting for airlines like easyJet which promise the best value.”
Future
Looking ahead to next year, this focus on travel is set to continue with 9 in 10 Brits say they will travel more or about the same in 2024.

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Discerning travelers looking for exceptional one-of-a-kind travel experiences should look no further. Leading luxury hospitality company, Four Seasons, unveils the eighth Private Jet Itinerary in 2024 – Ancient Explorer.
Taking flight in late August 2024, across 24 days and ten captivating destinations, guests will enjoy an expertly curated itinerary spanning five continents, all aboard the fully customized Four Seasons Private Jet with a bespoke design, latest in technology, and widest and tallest cabin in its class for enhanced comfort and connection on board. With 20 journeys spanning 35 countries completed since the first branded Four Seasons Private Jet journey in 2015, and with a 30%+ repeat guest rate, demand for the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience shows no signs of slowing down.
Highlights from the Ancient Explorer itinerary include soaring over Mexico’s ancient city of the gods in a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, and exploring one of the world’s most remote destinations, Easter Island, among the most iconic and unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From there, sail Bora Bora’s crystal-clear waters aboard a 40-foot (12 metre) catamaran, lounging on its sundeck in between refreshing dips in the South Pacific. Experience Bangkok’s creative district – the beating heart of the city – with after-hours gallery access, sampling street food, and exploring hidden alleys. Travelers will then head westward to Egypt for a unique day stop to revel in two ancient wonders of the world – The iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Temple of the Sphinx. Fans of the hit TV series, The White Lotus, can look forward to visiting Taormina, the picturesque backdrop to season two and a new addition to the August journey, and enjoy a stay at the iconic San Domenico Palace overlooking the Ionian Sea.
As always, guests of the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience will stay at Four Seasons hotels and resorts throughout the journey. In more remote locations, guests will stay at luxury accommodations selected by the Four Seasons team.Now taking reservations: • Ancient Explorer, August 28 – September 20, 2024Miami – Mexico City – Easter Island – Bora Bora – Great Barrier Reef – Bangkok – The Lost City of Petra – The Pyramids – Taormina – MadridThe full list of 2024 Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences are outlined below; for the latest availability of 2023/2024 itineraries, click here:• African Wonders, December 28, 2023 – January 9, 2024Athens – The Pyramids – Serengeti – Mauritius – Rwanda – Victoria Falls – Johannesburg
• Asia Unveiled, January 11 – 26, 2024Tokyo – Bali – Maldives – Hoi An – Bhutan – Angkor Wat – BangkokADVERTISEMENT
• Timeless Encounters, March 23 – April 15, 2024Oahu – Bora Bora – Sydney – Bali – Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai – Taj Mahal – Dubai – Prague – London
• World of Adventures, April 17 – May 10, 2024Seattle – Kyoto – Bali – Seychelles – Rwanda – Marrakech – Bogotá – Galápagos Islands – Fort Lauderdale

• Ancient Explorer, May 12 – June 4, 2024Fort Lauderdale – Mexico City – Easter Island – Bora Bora – Great Barrier Reef – Bangkok – Lost City of Petra – The Pyramids – Athens – Madrid
• International Intrigue, September 21 – October 14, 2024Seattle – Kyoto – Hoi An – Maldives – Serengeti – Marrakech – Budapest – Florence – Paris

• Uncharted Discovery, November 30 – December 20, 2024New Orleans – Costa Rica – Machu Picchu – Buenos Aires – Antarctica – Bogotá – BahamasContinue to explore by following the #FSJet hashtag on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and traveler experiences.The Four Seasons Private Jet Experience is operated by TCS World Travel, dedicated to delivering immersive, worry-free travel experiences, and the aircraft is operated by Titan Airways.

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Jet2holidays has responded to strong demand from holidaymakers looking to enjoy some rejuvenation and relaxation by announcing details of its biggest ever summer portfolio of spa hotels in Türkiye – one of the top wellness destinations in Europe.
Home to many natural wonders and ancient healing centres such as Hierapolis and Pergamon, as well as specialised spa treatments, thermal springs, Turkish hammams and peaceful nature, Türkiye is proving to be a popular destination amongst customers looking to boost their wellbeing, due to the destination’s longstanding history of wellness and rejuvenation.
As the UK’s largest tour operator from the UK to Türkiye, Jet2holidays has responded to this trend for wellness breaks by announcing details of a bigger offering of spa hotels on sale for Summer 23.
The new spa hotels are on sale across Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman and Bodrum. Offering luxurious on-site spas boasting facilities such as steam rooms and saunas, plunge pools and thalassotherapy, as well as a choice of treatments, these hotels will enable holidaymakers to truly spoil themselves.
In addition to this, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will also operate their biggest ever programme to Türkiye for Summer 23. Recently, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have put over 25,000 extra seats on sale to Antalya and Dalaman from seven UK bases between April and June from Belfast International, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, and London Stansted Airports. This brings the total number of seats on sale this summer to Türkiye to over two million, offering customers plenty of choice and flexibility when it comes to enjoying some self-care in one of the top wellness destinations in Europe.ADVERTISEMENTJet2.com and Jet2holidays are offering an unrivalled Summer 23 flying programme to Türkiye with flights on sale to a further two destinations in the country – Izmir and Bodrum. This means Jet2.com and Jet2holidays are operating flights and holidays to Türkiye from all ten of their UK bases this summer.
With wellbeing at the top of the agenda for many holidaymakers visiting Türkiye, Jet2holidays has compiled an overview of the top wellness experiences the destination has to offer.
Pamukkale Hot SpringsWhen it comes to spoiling themselves and enjoying some well-deserved me time on their next getaway to Türkiye, holidaymakers can take advantage of Türkiye’s thermal resources that rank as first in Europe and seventh globally. With the country’s thermal springs available to take advantage of for almost 300 days a year, thousands of holidaymakers flock to the springs to soak in the goodness.
Located in south-western Türkiye, Pamukkale is a natural wonder and a top visitor attraction due to its hot springs and stunning setting. An ancient spa town, its hot springs are made up of of travertines pools created by mineral waters and are world-famous for their healing properties. Home to three thermal regions: Sarayköy, Gölemezli and Karahayıt, all of the waters in Pamukkale are rich in iron and calcium.
Hammams and SpasDating back to Ancient Roman times, Turkish hammams are an essential part of Turkish culture. Thought to offer many benefits ranging from relieving stress, cleansing the skin, eliminating toxins, and improving blood circulation to clearing the respiratory tract, Turkish hammams provide hot steam hydrotherapy.
As well as the traditional hammams, Türkiye is also home to some great spa hotels. Alongside offering a vast range of spa treatments, holidaymakers can take advantage of on-site spas and modern facilities, such as steam rooms, saunas and plunge pools available at these hotels.
Back to NatureWith turquoise seas, golden, sandy beaches, and vast forests, Türkiye is the perfect destination for holidaymakers to reconnect with nature. The Düden Waterfalls are located just outside of Antalya and are one of the most stunning natural shows to see in the city. This beautiful and spectacular waterfall consists of two parts – upper and lower. While the upper Düden waterfall combines natural beauty with tranquil green space, the lower Düden waterfall is all about the ferocious power of nature.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are seeing strong demand for spa and wellness breaks to Türkiye. In response to this trend, we have put on sale our biggest offering of spa hotels to date for next summer. In addition to this, we also have on sale our biggest flying programme to Türkiye for Summer 23 and have recently put on more flights to Dalaman and Antalya. With flights on sale to four destinations – Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, customers have plenty of choice and flexibility when it comes to experiencing a rejuvenating holiday in the sun. Whether you are looking to bathe in hot springs, treat yourself to a traditional Turkish hammam, or simply enjoy a spa break, there is no better destination than Türkiye when it comes to a wellness experience.”
Arzu Kahraman Yilmaz, Counsellor of The Turkish Culture and Information Office, said: “We are delighted to see this significant growth in Jet2holidays’ offering of spa hotels. Türkiye is the ideal wellness destination with many different options, from our thermal springs and spa facilities that are notable worldwide for their high standards and healing waters, to our iconic hammams that are an essential part of Turkish culture. We look forward to welcoming even more guests to enjoy a relaxing break in Türkiye in the future.”

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Adviser to the Prime Minister (PM) on Tourism and Sports Aun Chaudhry has revealed that the federal government is in talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) to launch direct flights to Skardu, a popular tourist site in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
A 25-member delegation led by Aun attended the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 in Dubai. As reported by Gulf Today, Aun stated that the direct flights between UAE and Skardu will promote tourism in the northern areas.He mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered him to take key steps in collaboration with the private sector to increase tourism in the country.
Since Pakistan has the potential to grow its tourism industry, the government must facilitate travelers to explore attractive destinations in places like Skardu, he noted.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has set up a pavilion at ATM 2023 in partnership with other organizations such as the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Pearl Continental Hotels, Hashoo Group, etc.
Adviser to the PM also lauded the Pakistan Embassy in UAE and TDAP for their measures to support Pakistani exhibitors in participating in the event.ADVERTISEMENTAmbassador of Pakistan in UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, described Pakistan’s participation in the ATM after a long break as a significant step forward, which will promote tourism in the country and enhance its soft image globally.
Managing Director PTDC, Aftab Rana, emphasized that Pakistan offers exceptional views, rich culture, heritage, and diverse landscapes.
Over 160 countries and 2,000 exhibitors are participating in the ATM 2023. It is the 30th edition of the event, which is part of Arabian Travel Week, a 10-day long festival.
Source: https://propakistani.pk/

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European tour operators have once again selected Blue Islands to fly their clients from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland for seven-night holidays in Jersey and Guernsey this summer.
Rob Veron, CEO Blue Islands said, “We are proud to have been once again chosen as the trusted airline to deliver charter operations for our tour operator partners; we look forward to playing our part in welcoming guests to enjoy our beautiful islands of Jersey and Guernsey this summer.”
Blue Islands’ 2023 inbound European summer charter programme commenced with the first visitors arriving in Jersey from Stuttgart; this activity will see guests depart from airports across Germany every Saturday throughout the summer for 28 weeks on behalf of Globalis.
Flights from Groningen and Rotterdam on behalf of Sunair depart from 30 April for 20 weeks, while there will be 15 weeks of flights from Zurich starting 13 May. The full programme could mean up to 39,000 visitor nights and a spend of up to £4.2m in the Channel Islands visitor economy.
Rob added, “From attractions and transport, to retail and hospitality; with seven-night stays representing a potential of up to 39,000 visitor nights, these guests will enjoy a rich holiday experience, as such spend will reach many elements of the visitor ecosystem, supporting the visitor economies of Jersey and Guernsey.”ADVERTISEMENTJersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “This is a real show of confidence in Blue Islands as a carrier, and in Jersey as a European visitor destination, and the industry will be looking forward to welcoming visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland – and far beyond – both this summer and in the future.
“Whether visitors are staying here for the duration of their trip, or using Jersey as a springboard to explore the wider Channel Islands, these charter routes enhance Jersey’s emerging status as a regional connectivity hub. I look forward to working with industry partners to sustainably build on this position in future.”

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Japan Airlines (JAL) becomes an official partner of Ghibli Park – the place where guests can step into the world of Studio Ghibli – based on the concept of “Creating a park that will be loved for 100 years to come”.
Continuing the principles and achievements of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN, Ghibli Park is located in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, creating a park that can be enjoyed by a diverse range of users.
JAL has a long and strong relationship with both Studio Ghibli and Aichi Prefecture. “Porco Rosso”, a co-production between Studio Ghibli and JAL released in 1992, is one Studio Ghibli’s most successful animated films. In 2012, JAL operated a Boeing 787-8 with designs supervised by director Hayao Miyazaki on international flights. As the official airline of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN, JAL welcomed guests from various countries. Currently, JAL is engaged in activities to promote the attractiveness of Aichi Prefecture throughout Japan.
Based on previous achievements, JAL became an official partner of Ghibli Park and will promote the concept and attractions of Ghibli Park, where visitors can enjoy the world of various Studio Ghibli works on its vast grounds, not only to Japan but also to countries around the world.
JAL will also contribute to the revitalization of Aichi Prefecture and the surrounding areas through the creation of a park that will continue to be loved by many visitors from Japan and abroad for many years to come.ADVERTISEMENTWhat is Ghibli Park?Three areas – ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse’, ‘Hill of Youth’, and ‘Dondoko Forest’ – were opened last November in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) as park facilities expressing the world of Studio Ghibli’s works. This year, the second phase of the park is scheduled to open ‘Mononoke Village’ this autumn and ‘Valley of Witches’ in March 2024.Please visit the official website for more information : https://ghibli-park.jp/en/

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