Organisations & Operators,

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscores the pivotal role of women in the global Travel & Tourism sector.
According to WTTC data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40% of the total employment.
This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.
Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the Travel & Tourism sector, with over half (52%) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: “Women in Travel & Tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world.ADVERTISEMENT“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make Travel & Tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of Travel & Tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”
The global body’s data also reveals women in Travel & Tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. In regions such the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the Travel & Tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.
WTTC remains committed to provide high-wage jobs, gender equality, and fostering entrepreneurship through SMEs, as well as generating more high-level opportunities for women within large corporations.
Please visit WTTC’s Research Hub to find out more about the data. https://researchhub.wttc.org/

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Specialist natural world tour operator Naturetrek (www.naturetrek.co.uk) has announced a series of new vegetarian and vegan wildlife holidays, adding to its leading collection of small group tours and cruises for 2024.Reflecting the growing movement towards plant-based diets, whether for reasons of health, animal welfare or sustainability, Naturetrek has this year whole-heartedly embraced the increased interest in – and demand for – vegan and vegetarian dining options with its new itineraries.
Says Naturetrek’s Managing Director, Andy Tucker: “After years of vegetarians and vegans having to endure the frustration of being served ham omelettes and tuna salads in Mediterranean Europe and elsewhere, an up-and-coming collection of fine-dining hotels specialising in vegetarian and vegan cooking is taking the market by storm. We have worked hard to identify those in the best areas for wildlife, and the happy result is that we now have a new range of wildlife holidays to offer clients who follow a meat-free or plant-based diet. It will also doubtless please those omnivores amongst our clientele who are curious and keen to learn more about vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
“Our new vegetarian and vegan wildlife tours promise to deliver three delicious, healthy, and appetite-satisfying meals per day. We know ourselves – with several of us in the Naturetrek office being life-long vegetarians or vegans – that it has often been necessary to compromise on meal quality and variety when travelling. At long last, that will not be the case with this new collection of tours! It makes perfect sense to offer committed vegans and vegetarians what they seek, especially when so many of us often opt for such meals simply because they both taste and look so wonderful.”
Whether trips involve travelling to the forested mountains of Andalucía’s Serranía de Ronda, or a safari through India’s tiger reserves, Naturetrek has worked hard to identify hotel partners in the best areas for wildlife which will cater well to those who prefer a meat-free or plant-based diet. Each holiday promises to deliver delicious, healthy and satisfying meals – with breakfast and dinner provided by our carefully-selected hotels, alongside a vegan/vegetarian adaptation of the famous Naturetrek picnic, providing a nutritionally- balanced and mouth-watering spread, with a range of options from which to choose.
Highlights of the new collection of vegetarian and vegan holidays include:ADVERTISEMENTWildlife of Italy’s Northern AlpsExplore Italy’s northern Alps on an 8-day adventure in search of the wonderful summer alpine wildlife of the region, staying at a stylish, superbly-appointed vegan hotel. Enjoy excursions to Alpine pastures, sun-lit meadows and other wonderful habitats in search of sought-after plant species – such as the Lesser Butterfly Orchid, One-flowered Wintergreen and Edelweiss – plus butterflies, and hopefully a rare sighting of Alpine Marmot and Alpine Ibex, alongside soaring Lammergeier and a variety of other birds such as the Nutcracker and Black Woodpecker. Located in the southern Tyrol, within easy walking distance of the Texel Group Nature Park, the hotel’s excellent facilities include a natural bathing pool, Finnish sauna, outdoor forest sauna, hot stone lounge and an indoor pool with a salt electrolysis system. Guests will enjoy a 5-course vegan gourmet dinner each evening, and a delicious vegan breakfast buffet each morning.Departing Sunday 14th July 2024, prices for an 8-day holiday start from £3,295 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/italy-vegan-wildlife-tour
Spring in Greece’s Northern PeloponneseTake an 8-day tour of Greece’s beautiful Peloponnese peninsula, just as it bursts into spring. Based in a delightful hotel on the north-east coast of the Peloponnese, that specialises in both vegetarian and vegan cuisine, guests will visit Lake Stymphalia – one of the EU’s Natura 2000 reserves – in search of the region’s most unique birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants – alongside exploring Kalogria’s wonderful Stone Pine forests on the north-west coast, as well as heading into the mountains in search of Rock Thrush (pictured above), Alpine Newt, Greek Clouded Yellow and Spotted Fritillary. With beautiful, secluded beaches, ancient chapels, friendly people and mouth-watering Mediterranean vegan and vegetarian cuisine, it will deliver an unforgettable Greek adventure for one and all.Departing Tuesday 15th April 2025, prices for an 8-day holiday start from £2,295 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/greece-vegetarian-wildlife-tour
India – Tiger DirectExperience the heart of Tiger country on a 9-day safari combining two of India’s finest Tiger Reserves – the Pench and Kanha National Parks. Flying straight into Nagpur, in Madhya Pradesh (heartland of the Tiger), this tour is free of large cities and endless overland journeys and truly maximises the time spent in India’s wonderful national parks. Explore a wide range of habitats on morning and evening game drives, looking for Tigers, Sambar, Spotted and Swamp Deer, Gaur, Wild Boar, and perhaps even Leopard, Dhole or Sloth Bear, as well as a colourful profusion of birds. An optional extension to tourist-free Tadoba Tiger Reserve is recommended for unmissable wildlife encounters. India excels in producing vegetarian and vegan food and, alongside delicious daily menus, guests will enjoy a private cooking demonstration of traditional Indian cuisine by their hosts. Departing Sunday 2nd February 2025, prices for a 9-day holiday start from £2,995 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/India-Tiger-Direct-vegetarian-vegan-tour
Naturetrek’s current range of vegetarian and vegan tours (seven departures at present, in Scotland, Spain, Italy, India and Greece) can be viewed here.  More are currently being planned!
Guest feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with comments from the recent ‘Serrania de Ronda – A Vegetarian/Vegan tour’ in Spain such as:
“This was an excellent trip. The venue was great, the leaders superb and the food amazingly fantastic. Juzcar was an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area and we managed to visit a good range of habitats and see some stunning birds, including Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures, Great and Little Bustards and White-headed and Marbled Duck…. Ivan, the chef at the hotel, produced a different three- course meal every night, catering for both vegetarians and vegans, which was completely delicious and stunning. We’d highly recommend this tour.”
“The hotel was lovely, set in the quiet village of Juzcar…. The co-owners, David and Ivan, were superb and skilled hosts, though the fabulous food has to take centre stage. As a vegetarian, I have never been so spoilt food wise. Usually veggies are an afterthought – the next group have a real treat in store. Chef Ivan and his ‘sous chef’ David, juggled veggie, vegan and gluten free [menus] with such good humour, but that food was a ‘wow’!!!”
“The veggie food was excellent and all the meals were full of flavour, and freshly cooked.”
The next ‘Serrania de Ronda – A Vegetarian/Vegan tour’ will take depart on Saturday 8th February 2025 and Sunday 16th February 2025. Prices for the 9-day holiday start from £1,795 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek tour leader.

On the key issue of the environment, Andy Tucker, MD of Naturetrek, says: “Naturetrek has supported efforts on the climate change front for the past 30-plus years, via the World Land Trust (www.worldlandtrust.org) – indeed, to date, we have raised over £1M to help protect valuable wildlife corridors and important forest lands worldwide.  We know it makes sense, and that it will help to support climate change efforts worldwide, and such basics are part and parcel of Naturetrek’s DNA.”
To speak to the experts, for more information on any of the wide range of Naturetrek’s wildlife itineraries, or to request a copy of the latest brochure, call 01962 733051 or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk.

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New for 2024, active beach holiday specialists Mark Warner (www.markwarner.co.uk, 0845 322 5037) is offering a range of exciting introductory wingsurfing and wingfoiling courses at their newest property, Aeolian Village Beach Resort in Lesvos. Offering an easy way to get out on the water, wingsurfing and wingfoiling are the latest must-try activities for watersports-lovers of all levels. he courses at Aeolian Village include group sessions and private lessons for guests aged 14 years and older, as well as Youth Intro to Wingsurfing for guests aged 10 – 13 years.
Opened in 2023, Mark Warner’s Aeolian Village Beach Resort offers near-perfect conditions for the sports, with great wind and flat water making it an ideal location to learn.  Set against a backdrop of mountains, the resort opens directly onto a quiet corner of Eressos beach, a gorgeous sandy bay on southwest coast of Lesvos.  As at all Mark Warner resorts, a friendly team of coaches and specialist instructors are on hand to smooth the way.  Other watersports include sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and rowing, as well as kayaks, which are ideal to explore the coastline.  Guests can choose from making watersports a central focus of the holiday, trying something new, or just dipping in and out of the programmes.
Widely considered to be easier than windsurfing or kiteboarding, both wingsurfing and wingfoiling use a handheld ‘wing’ which has an inflatable leading edge and strut or boom to drive participants along. The wing is free of the board, and the fact that it is hand-held makes it easier to adjust than traditional windsurfing. Wingsurfing uses a plain board or stand-up paddle board and offers the chance to learn and get confident using the wing. No previous experience is required to give wingsurfing a go and once the basics are mastered, the next stage is wingfoiling, which uses a board with a hydrofoil attached to it, giving the impression of ‘flying’ across the water. 
Courses available at the resort are as follows:
Intro to WingSurfing (3hrs) 14 years upwards, pre bookable, £60 pp.Youth Intro to WingSurfing (3hrs) 10 to 13 years, pre bookable, £40 pp.Intro to WingSurfing PLUS (3hrs) 10 years upwards, bookable in resort, £60 pp.Intro to WingFoiling Course (9hrs) 14 years upwards, bookable in resort – £100 pp.WingSurf & WingFoil Private lessons – 1hr – bookable in resort – £50 pp.Aeolian Village Beach Resort: With the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that Mark Warner is renowned for, Aeolian Village combines outstanding sporting facilities, experienced instructors and exceptional childcare, along with expertly crafted sundowners, spa facilities and ample sun loungers, making the perfect mix for an as activity-filled or chilled-out holiday as you like. ADVERTISEMENTActivities:  Fitness-orientated guests will be spoilt for choice for activities on land or on the water. For those looking to explore the island on two wheels, either independently or on a guided cycle trip, the quiet roads and tracks that criss-cross Lesvos island make for memorable road cycling.
There are two freshwater pools – one of which is perfect for swimming lengths, with an adjacent family-pool. A padel court offers the chance to try this increasingly popular racquet game, along with three astro tennis courts. The team of tennis staff are available for coaching and guidance, whether in private or group lessons, or in one of the sociable tournaments.  There is a varied fitness programme, with daily classes, an air-conditioned gym, sauna, whirlpool and spa area.
Families: As is the case at all Mark Warner resorts, families have a superb range of options, allowing parents to switch off knowing their children are having a fantastic time. Choose from six different aged clubs for children and young people ranging from ‘Baby Club’ (4-11 months) to ‘Mini Club’ (3-5 years), Kidz Club (10-13 years) to the Indy Club (14-17 years).  The first-class childcare programme at Aeolian Beach Village is run by kind, experienced nannies, based in newly kitted-out, purpose built, air-conditioned childcare facilities.
A fantastic choice of daytime activities is on offer to suit each age group.  From sailing, windsurfing and water polo for teenagers, to arts and music, beach and pool fun for younger guests, the emphasis is on fun and adventure in a warm and welcoming environment. Evening childcare and activities are also available, including movie nights and chillout time for older children. 
Accommodation:  Accommodation is in two distinct areas. The main hotel wraps around the pool area, with lush gardens connected by meandering pathways, whilst the pretty pastel-coloured buildings of The Village are set up into the hillside behind the hotel. With two restaurants and three bars to choose from, the resort has the feel of a mini-Greek village. There is a tempting choice on offer and half-board dining is included in all stays.  Nearby Skala Eresou has a great selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from, just a short walk from the resort.
Summer prices start from £849pp for a 7-night stay at Aeolian Village Beach Resort based on two adults sharing a Twin/Double room including half board accommodation and most activities.  Activity prices for the courses are based on current exchange rates.

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As an airport operator, Brussels Airport aims to eliminate CO2 emissions completely by 2030. The airport is investing in more green energy, including solar energy. The newest buildings in the western section of the cargo zone are currently being fitted with a large number of solar panels, covering a total surface area of 65,000 m². Half of the solar power will be used by Brussels Airport, increasing its own energy supply through solar energy from 4% to 9%. The other half is to be used by partners in this zone.
The installation work fitting the newest buildings in the cargo zone with solar panels started at the end of January. This concerns the buildings where Kuehne+Nagel, Worldwide Flight Services, Expeditors, Swissport and Herfurth are housed. Some 65,000 m² in solar panels is to be installed, accounting for a total of 7,300 megawatt hour in green power. This is equivalent to the consumption of some 2,100 households.
“This new solar panel project is a major step in our ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions. It doubles the solar energy for our own use as an airport operator and also allows us to provide locally generated green power to our cargo partners. Thereby enabling them too to further reduce their own carbon emissions.”, explains Brussels Airport Company CEO Arnaud Feist.
At present, the current solar farms at the airport provide 4% of the power consumed by Brussels Airport. These additional solar panels will substantially ramp up this share to 9% of the energy supply, with Brussels Airport using just half of what these new solar panels will be generating. The other half will be available to the cargo partners, so that they too will have opportunity to use the solar energy generated at the cargo zone.
Brussels Airport Company has been carbon neutral for its own emissions as an airport operator since 2018. Last year, it was decided to drastically accelerate the airport’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon, from 2050 to 2030. Solar energy is an important element in achieving this ambition and this is a first concrete realisation to achieve that goal. Other potential locations for additional solar panels are still being explored. This first new installation should be ready by late May, so this green energy will be available come June. The ambition is to achieve 27 MWp, which yields about 24,000 megawatt hours per year, by 2027.ADVERTISEMENT

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Reports suggest that the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund is considering an investment in London’s Heathrow Airport, potentially joining forces with Saudi and Qatari investors.The potential deal, as reported by Bloomberg, could see the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company partnering with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Qatar’s Investment Authority to acquire stakes in the West London Hub.
According to Bloomberg’s sources, Mubadala has been approached by Ardian, a France-based firm, to explore investment opportunities in Heathrow Airport. Talks are said to be ongoing, with no final decision reached by Mubadala regarding its participation in the deal.
Last year, Spanish firm Ferrovial SE sold its 25% stake in Heathrow to PIF and Ardian for nearly £2.4 billion. However, other shareholders holding more than a third of the airport are reportedly part of a “tag-along” agreement, which necessitates their participation for the deal’s completion.
If successful, this investment would mark the third Middle Eastern investor in Heathrow Airport, raising concerns about Gulf influence over critical UK infrastructure. While discussions continue, the outcome of these talks could significantly impact the ownership structure of one of the world’s busiest airports.
As stakeholders navigate negotiations and potential partnerships, the evolving landscape of Heathrow’s ownership underscores the importance of balancing foreign investment interests with national security and strategic concerns. Further developments in these talks are awaited as stakeholders assess the potential implications of this proposed investment arrangement.Source: https://bmmagazine.co.uk/ADVERTISEMENT

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Swissport Expands Network in Saudi Arabia, Adds Al-Ula Airport

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Swissport International AG has added Al-Ula to its growing network of airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, underlining the company’s ambitious and successful growth strategy in the Kingdom. Al-Ula, a rising international tourism hotspot, is already the sixth airport at which Swissport operates in Saudi Arabia.
Swissport has added Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport at Al-Ula (ULH) to its growing network in Saudi Arabia. The first flight serviced by Swissport was a Royal Jordanian flight arriving from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. Swissport, the global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, will provide Royal Jordanian with passenger services and ramp handling at Al-Ula. Initially, Swissport will handle two weekly flights to and from Amman. The company expects flight volumes in Saudi Arabia to grow significantly as more airlines add destinations or increase frequencies in the thriving Kingdom.
“We are delighted to be able to offer our high-quality aviation services at Al-Ula and are honored by the trust our launching customer Royal Jordanian places in us,” says Chris Browne, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ula is Swissport’s sixth airport in Saudi Arabia and further strengthens its position as the go-to service provider for airlines seeking a reliable long-term partner across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The start of operations at Al-Ula underlines Swissport’s strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia.
“Jointly with ASYAD Holding, our Saudi joint-venture partner, we have ambitious plans and are committed to contributing towards the Saudi Vision 2030, which will place the Kingdom’s aviation sector in the ivy-league of global aviation,“ says Dirk Goovaerts, Swissport’s CEO for Continental Europe, Middle East, and Africa.ADVERTISEMENTAl-Ula is an ancient Arabian oasis and market town on the historic Incense Route that connected India and the Persian Gulf with the Levant and Europe. Today, it is one of the growing tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia, known for its landscape of cliffs, gorges and wadis and the contrast between this arid environment and the palm-covered oases. In 2023, Al-Ula airport welcomed more than two million passengers.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ASYAD HOLDING
Swissport has been present in Saudi Arabia since 2016 when it started its operations in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. The company has since continuously expanded its business and turned its presence from a greenfield start-up into an established business with a broad customer base of regional and international carriers.
Swissport and ASYAD Holding, a diversified, family-owned Saudi holding group with significant business activities in and outside Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors including aviation and infrastructure, recently joined forces to unlock the full growth potential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new strategic partnership underlines Swissport’s commitment to Saudi Arabia and is aimed at further accelerating the company’s growth in the largest economy in the Middle East. Swissport plans to further expand its Saudi presence in air cargo handling, airport ground services and in the lounge hospitality business, in particular also with Saudi carriers.
In 2023, Swissport in Saudi Arabia served 7.7m passengers (+49 per cent vs. 2022) and handled some 28,000 flights (+39 per cent vs. 2022). Currently, Swissport provides passenger services and ramp handling at six airports in Saudi Arabia: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH), King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED), King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (DMM), Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina (MED), Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al-Qassim (ELQ), and Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al-Ula (ULH).

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The new, attractively designed terminal area will provide a high-quality experience for travellers at the airport.  In this way, Vienna Airport will join the ranks of the top airports in the world. New, modern shopping and restaurant offerings will be created on an area of 70,000 m² featuring Austrian and international premium brands, spacious leisure areas and new, exclusive lounges. 18 new bus gates and a state-of-the-art security checkpoint will also be added.
Passengers await a diversified shopping and restaurant offering with 30 new retail and food and beverage outlets spanning an area of 10,000 m² and renowned, high-quality Austrian and international premium brands. Accordingly, the airport will expand its shopping and restaurant space by 50% to more than 30,000 m² and thus a significantly expanded offering for travellers.In particular, Vienna Airport will rely on its acquired, high level of competence in leveraging digitalisation and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in planning and project management, thus ensuring a high degree of certainty in adhering to the timeline and budgeted costs. Very complex construction management is involved because work will be carried out against the backdrop of ongoing airport and terminal operations. The “ARGE Porr/Elin/Ortner” consortium won the tender and will now carry out the construction work.The Vienna Airport construction operations were completely reorganised in 2012. Since then, it has successfully implemented numerous large projects (e.g., Office Park 4, Austria’s largest photovoltaic plant, Terminal 2 modernisation and others).Project budget of € 420 million will be completely financed from the expected cash flows.Preparation work on the “Southern Terminal Expansion” construction project has been underway since July 2023. Now the airport is really getting things going. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, Michael Ludwig, Mayor and Governor of Vienna along with Julian Jäger and Günther Ofner, the two members of the Management Board of the airport operating company Flughafen Wien AG, launched the intensive construction phase of the terminal extension with a budget of € 420 million.
“Our airport is growing, passenger volume is increasing, and we are continuously among the best globally in terms of our service quality. Now we are also upgrading our terminal infrastructure to be top-notch internationally! Thanks to the new Southern Expansion project, we are laying the groundwork for Vienna Airport to join the ranks of the top airports and achieve 5-Star status. In the future, our passengers will experience a substantial improvement of the quality of their stay in a new terminal environment thanks to a considerable enlargement of the shopping and restaurant offering featuring renowned Austrian and international premium brands. There will be new and exclusive lounges, large and comfortable leisure areas, new centralised and state-of-the-art security controls, and better transfer connections for transfer passengers between all terminal areas. And all of this will take place in an exclusive and high-quality terminal environment making Austrian and Viennese elegance perceptible and palpable in a charming way. The Southern Expansion enables us to set new benchmarks in quality and ensure a comfortable stay. This project is yet another airport development milestone following the record results achieved in 2019 and the second highest passenger volume in the airport’s history in 2023,” states Julian Jäger, joint Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG.
“The Southern Expansion is a key project within the context of our quality and investment drive over the coming years. After extensive preparation work, the intensive construction phase for the € 420 million project will now begin. It will be fully financed from our future cash flows, without the need for any loans. Our construction management was completely reorganised in 2012. Since then, it has successfully demonstrated its construction competence within the context of numerous large projects, all of which were finished on time and on budget. When it comes to planning and project management, we rely on our high level of competence in leveraging digitalisation and Building Information Modelling (BIM). In this way we can not only monitor the construction process on a daily basis, but also ensure adherence to costs and the planned timetable. Completion is scheduled for 2027,” says Günther Ofner, joint Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG, the board member responsible for overseeing construction.
“Vienna International Airport is on a growth path. With this project, it is taking important steps to ensure the future development of the airport hub and the entire region. The airport is not only a crucial transport hub for Austria but also the largest employer in the Eastern Region and an essential flagship company for the entire federal state of Lower Austria. Thanks to investments in its terminal infrastructure, Vienna International Airport in Schwechat is strengthening its role as the gateway to the world for the Lower Austrian business, tourism and cultural landscape,” explains Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria.ADVERTISEMENT“Vienna is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world, and 2023 turned out to be the second-best year for tourism with new record revenues from overnight stays. Many of our guests come by plane, and thus Vienna Airport is an important calling card for the city. For this reason, I welcome the further development and expansion of the terminal infrastructure. I am pleased to see that stylistic elements of our beautiful city along with its tradition and culture will be integrated into the future terminal design,” says Michael Ludwig, Mayor and Governor of Vienna.
Southern terminal expansion will serve as the basis for Vienna Airport’s 5-Star ranking and entry into the top league of international airportsVienna Airport, which was already awarded the Skytrax 4-Star Airport Rating, will take a major leap into the top ranks of international airports and will be put on track for a Skytrax 5-Star Airport Rating. In the future, travellers will experience an enhanced quality of their airport stay – in a league of its own. New shopping and restaurant space will arise spanning 70,000 m² or an area of ten football fields, along with large and exclusive lounges covering 6,000 m², spacious and comfortable areas, convenient transfer connections between the F, G, C and D gates as well as 18 new bus gates. All of this will be accessible via a new and large, centralised security checkpoint, equipped with the state-of-the-art technologies.
30 new shopping and restaurant outlets with national and international brandsThe new shopping and restaurant offering in the Southern Expansion will be particularly attractive for travellers. More than 30 new outlets covering an area of 10,000 m² of floor space featuring renowned, top Austrian brands and international premium brands will create an extensive and diversified retail, food and beverage offering for passengers. Tenant acquisition efforts are already in full swing and are being implemented with digital support. In a virtual 3D tour, interested parties can explore the building’s interior areas and possible commercial space, take a closer look at passenger flows and leisure areas, and thus get a realistic impression of the entire terminal environment. On balance, Vienna Airport’s Southern Expansion will enlarge its shopping and retail space by 50% to a total of 30,000 m² and thus significantly enhance its offering for the benefit of its passengers.
Relaxed stay in an elegant atmosphere: 6,000 m² of new and exclusive loungesThe Southern Expansion will make new and exclusive lounges available to passengers for a relaxed stay in an elegant atmosphere. Alongside the new Austrian Airlines Lounge with 4,000 m², a new Vienna Airport lounge featuring an additional 2,000 m² will be created, mainly oriented to the interior design of the very popular “Vienna Lounge”. The already identifiable design world characterised by elements, colours and textures of the Viennese Art Nouveau and the flair of Austrian and Viennese elegance will also be perceptible and palpable in the new airport lounge and the entire Southern Expansion. Accordingly, local and international passengers will not be confronted with a sterile terminal building but a modern, high-quality and exclusive terminal environment with charm and a local flavour linking passengers to the destination of Vienna.
New and improved transfer routes for transfer passengers between the F, G, C and D gatesIn the future, access for passengers to the new terminal building will be available after leaving the check-in area of Terminal 3. The new building will also create a convenient transfer connection for transfer passengers between the F, G, C and D gates. Furthermore, 18 new bus gates will be added to the Southern Expansion, namely ten for Schengen departures and eight bus gates for non-Schengen departures.
Implementing the southern extension of the terminal: Intensive construction phase is now commencingPreparation work for the construction project has been underway since July 2023. The construction site was cleared, the outer facade of Terminal 3 in the connection area was demolished, cable trays were laid, and shaft structures were built. Now the intensive construction phase is beginning. At present civil engineering work is in full swing using more than 900 bored piles and the foundation is being built. Subsequently construction of the six-storey building will commence, followed by the interior fittings and installation of the building technology system.
Digital twin: the Southern Expansion is already completely virtually accessibleConstruction of the new terminal building will take place in accordance with the most modern standards and based on the use of digital technologies. The entire building has been fully digitally recorded and virtually mapped out in the Building Information Modelling (BIM) system to reflect construction plans. There is, so to speak, a “digital twin.” The entire building can be virtually entered. With just a click of the mouse, it is possible to wander through all rooms, floors and areas of the future terminal building. Not only are the walls, stairways, elevator shafts and other structural aspects presented, but also all the wiring and connections required in the future for the energy supply, building services and IT in the building. The advantage is that the actual state of construction work will be recorded in real time. Thus, all fittings and installations will also be available to the operational management.
Sustainability is a top priority, also for the new Southern ExpansionSustainability is also playing an important role in the new Southern Expansion project. State-of-the-art building technology solutions will be integrated alongside optimised thermal insulation and a highly insulating façade. The intelligent building control system will also include highly efficient ventilation facilities with free cooling. Vienna Airport has already gained experience in constructing climate-friendly buildings. Office Park 4 with its geothermal heating/cooling supply, wind-optimised façade and sustainable construction has been seen as one of Austria’s most environmentally compatible office buildings up until today. The electricity supply will be partly derived from the airport’s own photovoltaic facilities, which will provide about 50 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually starting in 2024.

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Discovery tours of Namibia, great value beach breaks in Mauritius and glamping experiences in Thailand are all in demand for the year ahead according to the latest forecast from Kuoni.
The report is based on a data from Kuoni’s peak January and February sales period so far and reflects places around the world which are enticing people to book.
Even for premium travel, value for money is still a conversation many of Kuoni’s travel experts have been having with clients.  The Kuoni sales team has seen higher volumes of holiday bookings to Thailand, South Africa and India than last year, which all offer immersive travel experiences but favourable exchange rates which are amplifying the pounds’ worth.   
Whilst iconic “bucket list” travel is still popular, Kuoni is seeing people asking about experiences beyond the well-trodden tourist trails.  The destination experts at Kuoni have created more travel options to many lesser-known regions, national parks and states, an example being a new itinerary in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, an often overlooked area that’s home to historic battlefields, mountain vistas and rich zulu cultures.
Destinations appearing in Kuoni’s trending destinations list for 2024 include Mauritius, Thailand, Greece, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Portugal, South Africa, Canada, Grenada and India.ADVERTISEMENTThe island of Grenada, with a blend of beach plus rainforest, has climbed Kuoni’s destination chart and is becoming one of the stars of the Caribbean.  The hotel sector is evolving this year too, with Spice Island Resort making a stellar come-back after a substantial spruce-up and the much-anticipated debut of Six Senses La Lagesse in Spring set to turn heads.
Nature and cool landscapes are a big draw for the year ahead, and Canada is enjoying an upturn in sales with independent self-drive trips and rail and sail holidays including the little-known Skeena Train which captures the beauty of British Columbia.
Portugal and Greece are the stand-out places for premium short-haul travel.  In tune with the experiential travel wave, the volcanic archipelago of the Azores and self-drive tours in the Douro Valley and city breaks in Lisbon and Porto are drawing people to Portugal.  And in Greece, Kuoni is selling more island-hopping combinations like Santorini and Mykonos. Family bookings to Greece have risen with Ikos Resorts high on the wish list this summer.
Sri Lanka sales are also on the rise again and it is reclaiming its place as one of the best-selling long-haul destinations for Kuoni. Looking ahead to this year, the focus is on sustainable growth and attractions like the Pekoe Trail, a new long-distance hiking route from the Hanthana Mountains to Nuwara Eliya’s hill stations.
Thailand is also back on the map this year with rising sales.  The next series of White Lotus is creating a buzz along with a rising curiosity for more offbeat journeys.  The Bush Camp Chiang Mai, sister property to the award-winning Elephant Hills, is a top choice for seeing elephants in their natural habitat and this is being combined with glamping experiences at Raya Heritage.
Marco Rocha, product and commercial director at Kuoni, said: “There’s a huge thirst for immersive travel this year and we’ve seen a huge diversity in terms of what people are booking so far, but with some clear trends emerging.
We anticipated that value for money was going to be front of mind for all our customers this year, whether honeymooners, families, singles or older couples. We have been focussed on broadening our range and developing our commercial approach so we’re as competitive on price and service as we’ve ever been.
Mauritius is winning out for Indian Ocean luxury at attractive prices. For those big trips, like South Africa and India, they are also proving great value and spending money on the ground goes a long way.  It’s great to see places like Namibia taking off as it’s something of a well-kept secret in Africa often overshadowed by the safari giants like Kenya and Tanzania. 
We’ve had a strong start to the year, but anticipate that we’ll also see demand come through later this year as well as people assess their travel plans and budgets. But all evidence shows that travel is very much on the priority list for the year ahead.”

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