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    Majorca to unveil new strategy for managing tourism

    A new strategy for managing tourism on Majorca is to be unveiled this week during World Travel Market.
    The Balearic island’s tourism board and its council under new leadership will present the plans to UK and international markets.Details of a “unique initiative” that will shape the strategy of Majorca’s leading industry is due to be outlined tomorrow (Tuesday) at the show in London.
    The plan is designed to position the island as a “secure, innovative, and sustainable” destination in the British market.
    The island’s delegation will also meet with key stakeholders in the UK tourism sector, including Abta, Tui, EasyJet, British Airways, Jet2, Expedia, Your Holidays and Travelzoo.
    Majorca’s presence at WTM “represents a significant opportunity to strengthen the destination’s tourism strategy in a new leadership era for the island’s tourism,” according to the tourism board.ADVERTISEMENTThe tourism management strategy is due to be outlined by top officials including Antònia Roca, vice president of the island’s council and the highest-ranking official in its culture department.
    Representatives from the four Balearic islands will also be present for a discussion panel today (Monday).
    Source: https://travelweekly.co.uk/

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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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    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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    Egypt on track to achieve its goal of attracting 30 million tourists annually by 2028

    Egypt’s Minister for Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, will be attending this year’s WTM to unveil updates to the country’s ambitious national tourism strategy. Egypt’s tourism strategy aims to achieve rapid growth in the sector. The country has already received more than 7 million tourists during the first half of 2023, the highest level in Egypt’s history.
    The government, under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s administration has worked to boost the sector to ensure it remains competitive with other global tourist destinations. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, headed by His Excellency Ahmed Issa, strives to improve and elevate the quality of tourism services offered to visitors to reach their impressive targets.
    Grand Cairo project: Promoting Cairo as a cultural destination
    Egypt’s 7000-year-old heritage makes it one of the most fascinating countries in the world. In recent years, the country has experienced a cultural renaissance. Egypt has spent billions of pounds opening new museums and restoring archaeological sites. The plan is to have three museums in Cairo presenting the treasures of ancient Egypt: the old Cairo Museum in Tahrir Square will remain open; the Royal Mummies can be seen at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation; and the new Grand Egyptian Museum will showcase a new collection.
    Tourism Investment in Egypt: HotelsADVERTISEMENTThe government is committed to enhancing tourism by investing in the number of hotel rooms in the country. The government is currently working on a new hotels project which will include new incentive packages to attract local and foreign investors for the construction of new hotel projects in the country. The move is expected to create 400,000 hotel rooms within five years.
    Inaugurations: The GEM in Giza and the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria
    The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will be a spectacular addition to Egypt’s attractions. Built close to the Giza pyramids, when finished it will be one of the largest museums in the world. Remarkably, the entire Tutankhamun collection will be housed together for the first time. And after 18 years of restoration, the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria has finally reopened promising to offer visitors a profound journey through the annals of Greek and Roman heritage in Egypt.
    Update on visas to Egypt
    In an effort to boost tourism, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently announced that it will be ​​issuing a multiple-entry visa for a period of five years, with a GBP 562 (EGP 21,000) fee, for citizens of 180 countries.
    H.E. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa
    Previously, a banker, and a leader of change and innovation in one of emerging markets’ most respected companies, His Excellency aims to emphasize the importance of the tourism industry and its role in the Egypt’s national economy.

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    RezLive.Com to Showcase Innovations at World Travel Market London 2023

    RezLive.com is excited to announce its participation in this year’s highly anticipated World Travel Market (WTM) in London. The event, scheduled from 6-8, Nov,2023 will provide an excellent platform for industry professionals to witness our latest offerings at Booth No. N10-401.One of the key highlights at our booth will be the unveiling of Rez.Tez, the dynamic XML distribution arm of Travel Designer Group’s leading platform, RezLive.com. Rez.Tez aims to revolutionize the distribution landscape and empower travel partners with a seamless, lightest, and fastest solution for XML distribution.
    Moreover, Travel Designer Group proudly welcomes Ms. Denise Atikson, a seasoned professional with a proven track record in the travel and distribution industry. Ms. Denise (VP-Online Distribution) will be leading the charge in Online Distribution through Rez.Tez, ensuring that our partners benefit from cutting-edge distribution strategies and industry best practices.
    “We are thrilled to be a part of WTM London 2023 and to introduce Rez.Tez to the travel community,” said Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director at Travel Designer Group. “With the addition of Ms. Denise to our team, we are confident in our ability to further elevate our distribution capabilities and provide unparalleled value to our partners.”
    To learn more about our offerings and to meet our team, we invite you to visit us at Booth No. N10-401 during WTM London 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how RezLive.com is shaping the future of travel distribution.

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    Sustainability Takes Centre Stage for the Region of Valencia in 2024

    The Region of Valencia announces its theme for 2024 “sustainability” at WTM. In a landmark move the region has committed to joining the World Tourism Organisation and will adhere to its Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET). This strategic commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism represents a significant step toward preserving the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Managing tourism is imperative to the region as visitor figures rise in 2023.
    To mark this milestone, a press conference will be held on Monday 6 November at the Region of Valencia stand N5-520 from 3.30 pm-4.30 pm, which will include presentations from the seven regional brand partners: Costa Blanca, Benidorm, Alicante, Visit Elche, Valencia Turisme, Visit Valencia and Castellón talking about sustainability initiatives across the region’s tourism sector.
    Ms Nuria Montes, the newly elected Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce & Tourism for the Region of Valencia will speak at the press conference about new developments and her new long-term strategy for the region’s tourism sector. Ms Montes will also be attending a press breakfast with the seven brand partners, on Tuesday 7 November 9-10 am, at Tapa Tapa, next to Excel West (invitation only).
    Elected in the recent elections Ms Montes is from the private sector. Her first initiative in the post was to announce that the region will not be adopting a Tourist Tax on 01 January as planned by the previous administration and that this law has been repealed. The new minister is the former General Secretary of the Hotel Association, HOSBEC.
    The latest data shows that the number of British visitors to the Valencia region in July 2023 topped 1,438,565, up by 16.5% in 2022. In 2022 the region received around 2.2 million British visitors, which is just over 14% of the total number of British visitors to Spain and was the fourth most visited area in Spain by Brits, after the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Andalucia. The region aims to capitalise on these positive visitor figures in 2024 and beyond, in its promotions and activities in the UK market.ADVERTISEMENTThe region is running a taxi, bus and Excel advertising campaign with twenty taxis and two city tour buses featuring the Region of Valencia brand for two weeks to coincide with WTM, to raise awareness of the region across London and in particular targeting visitors to WTM. The region will also have a hall entrance wrap and boulevard direction screens at Excel during the trade show..
    The Regions’ capital, Valencia City is the European Green Capital 2024, elected by the European Commission in recognition of the city’s efforts to improve the environment and the quality of life of its residents and visitors alike. Furthermore, another green initiative sees Valencia as a pioneer of smart cities. The city has been chosen as one of the three major European supernodes of the European Union’s Citcom.ai project. This involves the installation of an artificial intelligence experimentation and testing centre in the city to apply technology to sustainable mobility and transport, urban energy efficiency, waste management and solutions based on nature or collaborative solutions for the protection of the environment.

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