Technology, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

With unrivaled natural beauty, world-class attractions, major sports teams, a thriving arts and culture scene, and culinary delights around every corner, there is an abundance of adventures for all kinds of visitors to the Seattle area. Luckily, a new AI tool is making it easier than ever to navigate the destination. Emerald is an AI […] More

Shanghai is preparing to roll out Easy Go — a new digital platform designed to enhance the travel experience for international visitors. Powered by Alipay, this English-language platform offers dedicated sections for services, benefits, guides, travel tips, and more.Services Easily accessible from the homepage, this section includes 30 mini programs grouped into four categories: food, […] More

The Holidaypirates Group, the leading social – driven online travel marketplace that offers value-for-money travel packages in 10 different countries, and TourRadar, a leading organized adventure platform, are joining forces to integrate more than 50,000 bookable multi-day adventures into the company’s U.S. offering, TravelPirates.com. Thanks to this cooperation, travellers in the U.S. can now augment […] More

Advanced Eco Tourism and Climate Action tourism operator, Sailaway Port Douglas, this week launched the world’s first all-electric tender and glass bottom boat providing a “whisper quiet” sustainable experience for guests heading to the picturesque Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef.The 22 passenger ‘eTender’ EV Discovery is 100% electric and is designed to operate as both a transfer tender and a glass bottom boat for coral viewing of the Reef’s rich underwater biosphere.
Using the latest technology from Torqueedo (the global leader in electric marine power), the EV Discovery pairs 48v lithium-ion batteries with solar power to drive the vessel’s 12R outboards. Direct sun alone is sufficient to propel the vessel for glass bottom boat tours, offering a minimally intrusive experience for wildlife interpretation and marine life viewing. The vessel is a prototype for further e-vessel development.
Developing the sea-worthy vessel with the highest eco credentials was a no-brainer for Reef operator and owner Steve Edmondson whose corporate philosophy is, “Its all about the environment.”
“Low Isles was the first place for coral research in 1928. So the fact that we are operating the world’s first eTender glass bottom boat to this carbon neutral island is a nice addition to that record,” said Steve.
“I like to think Sailaway is an inspiration for increasing awareness and appreciation of our fragile, yet beautiful natural environment. Successful Eco Tourism has the privilege to connect people together from around the world to natural attractions at a time when we all must strive to be kinder to our planet Earth of eight billion population.” ADVERTISEMENTHailed as one of the first Advanced Eco Tourism Operators and Climate Action Leaders in Australia, Sailaway Port Douglas has been offsetting carbon through contributions to local tree planting project Eco Shamba Tree Farm since 2013. Further to running a small fleet of luxury sailing vessels that focus on wind power, the company is now constructing another larger 30 seat AMSA NSCV vessel for Sailaway’s Outer Reef destination.
Steve believes his developments are paving the way for future fully “off-grid” sustainable power boating to pristine environments including islands, environmentally threatened sites, small passenger transfers, dive and snorkel tender, birds and wildlife spotting, education and eco-tourism resorts.
Sailaway’s 100% electric tender was designed by Sailaway’s Steve Edmondson and built by Ocean Blue Boats in Cairns and the expertise of Pasma Electrics. The eTender harnesses the latest technology from Torqeedo, the global leader in electric marine power. The fully electric Cruise 12R outboards and paired 48v lithium-ion batteries are perfect fit to operate in iconic natural locations.

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Destination NSW has launched a new corporate website that provides a dynamic digital hub for visitor economy stakeholders seeking the latest research, information, tools and resources to support their growth.The state-of-the-art platform caters to the needs of its diverse community of users with data and insights on visitors and markets; training, resources and other business support via the NSW First Program; a newsroom featuring media releases and updates; information on major event investment, industry, and business events; and the latest marketing campaigns and partner toolkits.
Destination NSW is the lead agency, champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. It spearheads a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, working with various organisations to promote NSW as a destination, to secure and deliver major events, invest in visitor economy infrastructure and support the diverse ecosystem of visitor economy businesses that operate state-wide.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “The NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 envisions our state as the leading visitor economy in the Asia-Pacific, targeting $65 billion in visitor expenditure by 2030.
“To achieve this goal, digital innovation is paramount and Destination NSW has a steadfast commitment to leveraging technology for seamless government and industry interactions, ensuring quicker and easier access to news, statistics and insights linked to the visitor economy.
“The new corporate website, designed to provide an engaging user experience, improved search functionalities and mobile responsiveness, positions Destination NSW to be adaptable and forward-thinking during the momentum phase of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and in turn ensure NSW achieves its targets and goals for visit expenditure.”ADVERTISEMENTKey features of the new Destination NSW corporate website include:
Modern and intuitive UX and designA highly responsive search functionality powered by Algolia, making it easy to surface reports, articles and related contentWCAG 2.1 Level AA complianceIndustry leading data security through secure, cloud-based systems Sanity and VercelSubscription function to Destination NSW’s weekly visitor economy newsletter, Insights.Sydney design and technology agency Nightjar, which has collaborated on visitor economy projects for Vivid Sydney, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, Rydges, Atura and QT Hotels, developed the website for Destination NSW.
Visit www.destinationnsw.com.au to explore the website, discover its resources and receive updates on the latest visitor economy news and initiatives.

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Visitors to the Florida Keys can now discover the island chain’s unique eco-attractions and rich natural world by tapping into the free Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail pass.The mobile-exclusive digital pass enables users to find and check in at local businesses while exploring the environment and wildlife of the continental United States’ southernmost island chain.  The easy-to-use pass features only-in-the-Keys attractions, sites, and marine adventures, all designed to help visitors connect with the natural surroundings.
Created by the Florida Keys tourism council and technology company Bandwango, the Eco-Experience Trail pass includes nearly 50 geo-tagged, bookable activities that encourage engagement with the Keys’ environment and sustainability initiatives – from wild dolphin watching in Key West aboard Honest Eco’s purpose-built electric boat to going behind the scenes at Plant a Million Corals on Summerland Key. Further activities and offerings are to be added in 2024.
After accessing the pass via fla-keys.com/experience, users can begin exploring state parks and nature tours, wildlife centres and refuges, coral restoration opportunities, eco-adventures and more, from Key Largo to Key West. Also featured are fishing, diving, and snorkelling tours in the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary that protects the continental United States’ only living barrier coral reef — many conducted by sanctuary-certified Blue Star operators.
Users can filter experiences by location, activity type or attraction, choosing from kayaking the backcountry waters of the Lower Keys, to uncovering wildlife refuges, or spotting endangered species such as Key Deer, the smallest subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer. Upon checking in at a location on the pass, users also receive points based on the level of the experience. Once a specific number of points is earned, passholders can exchange them for Keys-focused prizes. In addition, some participating businesses provide value-added offerings or incentives.
“The Eco-Experience Trail pass is an easy-to-use, mobile-based ‘passport’ that introduces visitors to the best of the Florida Keys’ natural attractions,” said Rita Irwin, chair of the Keys tourism council. “Once they connect with the island chain’s environment, they can make eco-conscious choices that help protect it.”ADVERTISEMENTFor full details and to download the Eco-Experience Trail pass, visit fla-keys.com/experience.
For more information on the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.co.uk

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Shanghai Municipal People’s Government launched the beta version of a new online portal (english.shanghai.gov.cn) for expat services on Jan 1.
Called International Services Shanghai, the new website will have its own Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and WeChat accounts.
The portal, operated by China Daily, serves as a one-stop platform for foreigners, regardless of whether they are looking for information related to work, travel or study in Shanghai.
It is answering the call to stress the need to effectively remove the obstacles for foreigners to come to China for business, study, and tourism made during the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing on December 11-12.
The portal has been integrated with the city’s e-governance platform, Government Online-Offline Shanghai, to offer quick online access to foreigners.ADVERTISEMENTOnline and offline activities, such as policy introduction sessions, business consultations, themed salons, cultural experiences, and learning and training events, will be organized to better serve and engage with the expat community.
Many expats who participated in the beta testing of the portal have lauded its launch.
Michael Wong, managing partner of Talent Service, Asia Pacific, EY, said the portal will allow people interested in coming to Shanghai to make better-informed decisions.
Montealegre Carvajal Edwin Roberto, who is currently an international student at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, said the information provided on the website regarding the setting up of businesses has allowed him to thoroughly understand the nitty-gritty of the process. The Costa Rican is planning to open his own performance company after graduation.
Clarisse Le Guernic, who works in the tourism industry in Shanghai, said the new website would be beneficial as it would allow her to better answer queries from her customers about the city.
Shanghai-based marketing consultant Natacha Extier, said the website is useful even for long-term residents like her as it contains a wealth of useful content on doing business in the city.
The website will be made available in eight other languages – Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic at a later time.
“Shanghai is a charming city full of hope and unlimited opportunities, and it is a land for entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and make a career. We will continue to create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, provide accurate, convenient and innovative high-quality services, and work hand in hand with everybody to create an open and prosperous future,” Gong Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai, said during the “Invest in China Year” summit in November.
Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2309505/MG.mp4

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Travellers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) plan to increase their spending on breaks and holidays over the next three years and will have more of an eye on sustainability than ever before. In fact, most now check the sustainability of their travel plans, and are prepared to pay over 20% more for environmentally-friendly accommodation.
Other key trends will also come to the fore. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become a key tool for holiday planning – with half of people in both the UAE (52%) and KSA (50%) already using it for this purpose. Meanwhile ‘dupe’ destinations – that are similar to traditional holiday destinations but closer and cheaper – will be another key theme.

In addition, ‘slow holidays’ – where travellers take their time, connect with the local culture, disconnect from technology and minimise their impact on the environment – will be another significant trend.
ADVERTISEMENTThese are the key outtakes from the Middle East findings of Marriott Bonvoy’s 2024 Future Travel Trends research, in collaboration with foresight agency The Future Laboratory, which analysed the travel plans of 14,000 travellers across Europe and the Middle East over the next three years.

The rise of AI
The era of AI holiday planning is very much here – half or more (52% from the UAE and 50% from KSA) have used AI to help them plan or research a holiday. Meanwhile 77% in both countries say they are likely to in the future, showing the trend is set to grow further still.

Amongst those who did use AI, 95% in both the UAE and KSA say it influenced their holiday decision in some way. This includes booking the accommodation it recommended (36% in UAE and 39% in KSA), booking the activities it recommended (39% in UAE and 31% in KSA), and booking food it recommended (34% in UAE and 35% in KSA).

Emerging trends
The research investigates several travel trends that are likely to emerge or strengthen over the coming years. Amongst them, ‘slow holidays’ are becoming increasingly popular. Four in five travellers from the UAE (82%) and 77% from KSA say they have already been on a ‘slow’ holiday. Meanwhile, 82% from the UAE and 80% from KSA say they plan to go on a slow holiday in the next three years.

In addition, ‘dupe destinations’ – such as the vineyards of Northern Spain instead of South Africa or surfing in Portugal instead of Hawaii– will be another key theme. A third from the UAE (33%) and a similar number from KSA (34%) that are intending to go away in the next three years are planning to save travel time and money by having a similar experience through a ‘dupe destination’.

Solo holidays, something 70% of travellers from the UAE and 69% from KSA who have been away in the past three years have done in that period, will also continue to be a significant trend, with 70% from UAE and 72% from KSA planning to do one.

Changing Summer holiday patterns?
The extremely high temperatures that parts of Europe experienced this summer could be set to impact holiday plans in the coming years for Middle Eastern holidaymakers. Eighty six per cent in the UAE and 83% in KSA say that if these temperatures became a regular occurrence, it would impact their summer holiday plans. While there is no suggestion that people would avoid holidays because of this, some may be amending what they intend to do and when they choose to travel.

Nearly half in the UAE (46%) and over half in KSA (53%) say they would instead choose to go somewhere cooler, and 26% in UAE and 24% in KSA would visit the destinations at different times of the year.

Spending and sustainability both up
More than nine in ten UAE adults (93%) and 89% of adults from KSA say they will be going on holiday next year. Of those going on holiday next year, 66% from the UAE and 69% from KSA say they plan to ‘spend more than usual’ on holidays over the period.

Over the next three years, sustainability will be on the agenda more than ever before. More than eight in ten from the UAE (83%) and a similar number from KSA (78%) say they would be happy to pay more for environmentally friendly accommodation. The amount extra they would be happy to pay is significant – 21% for those from the UAE and 22% for those from KSA.

In addition, nearly nine in ten (88%) from UAE and eight in ten (79%) from KSA say that accommodation providers and holiday companies have a responsibility to support the local communities where they offer holidays.

For many, sustainability is already important – 75% of those from the UAE and 70% of those from KSA say they looked into how sustainable the last accommodation they stayed in was. In addition, 45% from the UAE and 42% from KSA say they check the environmental impact of their travel plans most or every time they travel when they book a holiday.

Value for money will be key
Whilst on the whole spending on holidays is set to increase, travellers will continue to seek good value for money and save where they can. Just one per cent of those from the UAE and two per cent of those from KSA planning to take holidays in the next three years say they won’t be looking to save money on some elements of their holidays.

A third of UAE and KSA travellers (both 32%) will try to save by going on more domestic holidays. And 34% from the UAE and 29% from KSA will use loyalty programmes to pay for some or all of their holiday with points.

Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International – Europe, Middle East & Africa: “With the leisure travel market well and truly back to ‘normal’ we are now in a stronger position when it comes to looking at future trends and travel habits for the sector over the next few years. The post covid travel rebound is still going strong but because of what travel means to people, there’s been a seismic shift in people’s thought processes and prioritisation of funds. We are seeing that there is a more considered approach to travel, and a more emotional connection to travel that’s really unfolding in tandem with people’s core values.

“Two trends we have seen coming to the fore in particular from the consumer research are sustainability and AI – particularly amongst younger travellers under the age of 45. Being ecologically responsible is moving from being a ‘nice-to-have’ to a ‘must-have’ for many of these travellers and will only become more so.

“What’s really interesting to see from this research is the already-established use of AI for holiday planning. Generative AI is perfectly placed to analyse huge amounts of information for travellers, and offer them recommendations based on it. With nine in ten of those who have used it saying it impacted their travel plans, we expect its use to become even more mainstream in the next three years. As a result, travel providers like us need to ensure that we have the information available for AI to find and share with those doing their holiday research.”

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