Tourism, Organisations & Operators, Rail & Coach,

This year, The White Pass & Yukon Route is celebrating 125 years of service in the North. The iconic railroad has resumed operations into the Yukon territory this summer for the first time since 2019.The service is departing from Skagway in Alaska once more and running excursions to Fraser Lake and Lake Bennett in British Columbia, before the journey ends in Carcross in the Yukon.
Widely acclaimed as the most “Scenic Railway of the World’, the White Pass & Yukon Route was built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. The narrow-gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, a designation shared with the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. Visitors will experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage rail cars.

Carcross was originally called “Caribou Crossing” by the miners en route to find their fortunes in Gold Rush Town Dawson City, because of the large number of woodland caribou that migrated through the region. A friendly community within the Traditional Territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Carcross is surrounded by big skies, soaring mountains and emerald-coloured glacier-fed lakes. The little community is thriving with Indigenous art and culture and visitors can discover some of Carcross’s treasures including the only one-way street in the Yukon, the oldest hotel in the territory, the smallest desert in the world and the Yukon’s strongest bridge.
Take me on the White Pass & Yukon Route RailroadADVERTISEMENTNorth America Travel Service offer a 4 day Discover Whitehorse & White Pass Yukon Railroad tour including 3 nights in Whitehorse and the White Pass rail excursion. discover-whitehorse-white-pass-yukon-railroad
To book, visit www.northamericatravelservice.co.uk or call 0333 323 9099
Canadian Sky offers an optional excursion to travel on the railroad on their 16 nights Glaciers and Gold Rush Bonanza tour from £4839pp based on two adults sharing. Price includes international return flights, a seven-night cruise on the Inside Passage, all accommodation and an experienced guide whilst on land. glaciers-gold-rush-bonanza-tour

To book, visit www.canadiansky.co.uk or call 01342 395590

Older
EVA Air Signs Letter of Intent With TAT to Promote Thai Tourism

Newer
Now Open! Amari Raaya Maldives More

European rail has become the preferred alternative for holidaymakers who want to avoid airports with all their hassles, delays, and costs.
It’s not just better for our planet. You can save money by taking the train.
As a Which? research suggests families can save money on travel by choosing sleeper trains instead of short-haul flights.
Consumer advocacy group says a family of four can save up to PS100 (EUR115), if they travel by sleeper train.
Families with more children can save up to PS250 (EUR287).ADVERTISEMENTHere are some ways to save money on your holiday.
What sleeper trains routes can you save money on?Which? analyzed the costs of three European sleeper routes and two UK routes.
They compared, for the European routes of Paris to Vienna, Brussels Vienna and London Berlin, the price of a private compartment during the first week in August with the cost of the cheapest flight plus a night of accommodation.
Nightjet is Europe’s biggest sleeper train operator.
A couple could save money on these services by flying. A couple with up to four children is better off taking the train.
“Groups of four could save PS94, while a bigger group could reduce their holiday bill by a whopping PS267,” Which? concluded.
The ticket for the London to Berlin Sleeper Route, operated by European Sleeper, is slightly more expensive than both a flight plus a night of accommodation.
Rory Boland is the editor of Which? Travel acknowledged that the price of travel is still a barrier to eco-friendly travel.
“While new sleeper train routes have launched across Europe, fares are prohibitive for many travellers,” he mentioned.
“Our research found solo travellers and couples would have to pay significantly more to choose the train over the plane. But the good news is that there are savings to be made for families and larger groups who can share train compartments.”
In the UK, sleeper trains cost about the same as flights
There are two sleeper trains in the UK: GWR Night Riviera, which runs from London Paddington Station to Penzance and Caledonian Express, which runs from London Euston Station to the Highlands.
Cornwall’s sleeper services cost the same as a flight. Railcard holders get a discount around PS50 (EUR57.50) The passengers can also use a free surfboard or bicycle.
A family of six or four would pay the same amount for a Caledonian Sleeper, a luxurious option that is well-known.
What is the environmental impact of flying?By avoiding air travel, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
The average person in the Democratic Republic of Congo emits about 242kg of CO2 per year.
Trains traveling along the same route emit around 32kg CO2 per person, which is a reduction of seven times the emissions from flights.
UK domestic flights emit more CO2 than rail. By rail, a trip from London to Aberdeen emits only 50kg CO2 per person. However, by air the amount is more than doubled to 119kg.
Rail revival and ‘slow travel’Rail travel offers a great alternative to flying, with no security lines, more relaxed baggage restrictions and stunning views.
It’s also less likely that you will be stranded due to a flight cancellation at the last minute or a long delay. This can ruin even the best-planned vacation.
There are many ways to view Europe from a train’s window. With over 200,000km of rail in Europe, you can see the continent from a variety of angles.

Older
Prepare for Celebrity’s Onboard Gratuity Increase This Month

Newer
World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, Trades Track for Tackle More

A luxury train service is set to bring a new golden age of rail travel to the UAE.The country’s railway operator, Etihad Rail, and Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale on Tuesday signed an agreement at Abu Dhabi’s Middle East Rail conference to establish the service.
A launch date was not revealed but the service, which has been called a “rail cruise”, is expected to cross the UAE from Fujairah in the east down to the historic Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi. The train will consist of 15 luxury carriages and work on them is being undertaken in Puglia and Sicily, Arsenale said.

It brings to mind the great railway journeys of yesteryear such as the famed Orient Express.
More details are expected in the coming months but Arsenale said the carriages will reflect Emirati heritage, while the “production, craftsmanship, quality of on-board services, interior design and know-how will be Italian, and the ‘made in Italy’ signature branding will be the basis on which the entire project will be developed”.ADVERTISEMENTIt comes as developments on the UAE-wide railway network move full steam ahead. The network was formally opened in February with a freight service now operating. A passenger service is also advancing rapidly.
“Our collaboration with Arsenale is a testament to Etihad Rail’s commitment to drive economic and social growth in the UAE through the National Rail Network,” said Shadi Malak, chief executive of Etihad Rail, in statement released on Wednesday.

“By establishing a luxury train experience, we are introducing a unique world-class offering to the region and contributing to boosting the tourism sector in the UAE.
“Furthermore, we will be able to showcase the country’s diverse heritage and beauty to visitors from around the world.”
It is Arsenale’s second international luxury train project following the recent announcement of The Dream of the Desert project in Saudi Arabia. And it is envisaged the UAE service will eventually extend into the GCC. Arsenale is also planning to operate a luxury train service called ” La Dolce Vita” in Italy.
“We are thrilled to work together with Etihad Rail on this ground-breaking project that will promote the discovery of a magical and exciting territory outside of the renowned destinations of Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” said Paolo Barletta, chief executive of Arsenale.
“Railway cruising is the future of tourism and Arsenale wants to make it available in the world’s most beautiful places, introducing this fascinating and sustainable new way of travelling,” he said.
“We are delighted to announce that UAE will be one of the first countries in the world to launch this unique service with us. I want to thank Etihad Rail for believing in this project since the beginning. With this signing, we are ready to work tirelessly to enable travellers to soon come on board of our train, discovering the enchanting natural wonders of UAE.”

The Orient Express was established in 1883 and ran from Paris to Istanbul. It became synonymous with sophistication and glamour.
Source: The National

Older
Strong signs of recovery for Travel & Tourism in Canada says WTTC

Newer
UNWTO Identifies Priorities for Boosting Rural Tourism Potential More

Folks, the renowned Walt Disney World Railroad has officially returned, and John and his team would love to welcome you aboard!“The first time cast members brought the Walter Elias train into Main Street Station, guests and cast gathered below to cheer and welcome the trains home,” John muses. “You can see the excitement on kid’s faces as they see the train coming around the corner for the first time and hear its whistle. It’s magical, and an honor to introduce the next generation to the beauty of steam trains, carrying on my family and Walt’s legacy.”
From a young age, the sound of a train whistle was a familiar staple in cast member John’s life. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather were engineers on the steam trains at the Pittsburgh steel mills. John never imagined he would carry on their, and Walt’s legacy, at the Magic Kingdom Park overseeing the Walt Disney World Railroad’s historic return today.
Starting at Magic Kingdom in 1995, John’s first role was as a Conductor on the Walt Disney World Railroad. “It was this moment of serendipity,” John explains. “My grandma was so tickled that I was working on the railroad just like my grandfathers. They love to tell the story that when I was born, my grandfather was on the train and blew his whistle nonstop when he found out he was having a grandson.”
A young 17-year-old at the time, John was incredulous that he was being trusted with such an iconic piece of the park. “You can’t get more Disney than the steam train,” he says. He felt a deep connection with Walt, but also his grandfathers who had both since passed away.
ADVERTISEMENTNow, 28 years later, John has spent almost the entirety of his Disney career on Main Street, U.S.A. His full-circle journey has brought him to this very moment where he now oversees the operation of the Walt Disney World Railroad! The enormity of bringing these historical 100-year-old trains back to the Magic Kingdom isn’t lost on him. It’s an opportunity to introduce guests to the same feelings of whimsy and childlike wonder that made him fall in love with the park all those years ago.

Older
Korean Air receives approval from China on Asiana acquisition

Newer
Al Hosn Festival Returns in 2023 to Celebrate Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Heritage More

Amtrak released its FY21 Sustainability Report that showcases sustainability projects across Amtrak’s regions and operations. Throughout the report are details of Amtrak’s measured progress against annual and long-term sustainability goals that encompass greenhouse gas emissions, diesel fuel and electricity usage.“Driving sustainability at Amtrak means transforming the customer experience, reducing our carbon footprint and expanding service to new markets across America,” said Stephen Gardner, CEO at Amtrak“Recognizing the urgency to act now, Amtrak is out to change the way our country moves.”
Today, intercity travel on Amtrak is cleaner and more sustainable than most alternatives. On average, Amtrak service is 46% more energy efficient than travel by car and 34% more efficient than domestic air travel. On the electrified Northeast Corridor, Amtrak travel emits up to 83% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to car travel and up to 72% less greenhouse gas emissions than flying. Our fully electrified service also provides the environmental benefit of zero tail pipe emissions which improves air quality in the dense urban areas we serve.
Highlights from the report include:
Cleaner, more climate-friendly equipment: A significant share of Amtrak’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-provided funding will support the procurement of new train equipment. On the NEC and various State-Supported routes, this equipment will include new trainsets, including some dual-power equipment that can run on electric or diesel and other dual-power equipment that can run on battery or diesel. On Long-Distance routes, IIJA funds will support the continued procurement of fuel-efficient, Tier 4-compliant ALC-42 locomotives, which emit 89% less nitrogen oxide and 95% less particulate matter than the diesels that they are replacing.Expansion of energy-efficient passenger rail service: Large increases in population and travel demand, demographic shifts, congestion and changing travel preferences mean that Amtrak’s legacy route network does not fully meet the changing needs of the traveling public. For example, Texas and Florida, the nation’s second and third most populous states, have a combined population of just over 50 million, but those two states are served by just six Amtrak routes, some of which do not operate every day. In FY21, Amtrak released a corridor vision called Amtrak Connects US, to develop and expand intercity passenger rail corridors. Providing intercity passenger rail service to the 50 largest metropolitan areas, Amtrak’s vision aims to add service to 160 new communities, create 39 new routes and enhance 25 routes. A historic investment in expanding passenger rail, IIJA funding signifies the important role trains play in the future of sustainable transportation.Improved capacity, reliability and performance on existing routes: Guided by the Northeast Corridor Commission’s Connect NEC 2035 service development plan, the IIJA investments will make the Western Hemisphere’s busiest, highest-speed rail corridor an even more efficient, effective and resilient mode of transportation—taking countless cars off the road, driving down carbon emissions and showing what sustained, robust funding for rail could achieve in other parts of the country.Acela solar-powered gates: In 2021, Amtrak designed and deployed innovative, solar powered technology to improve security on our Northeast Corridor (NEC) Right of Way (ROW), prior to the upcoming launch of the historic new Acela service, advancing safety and sustainability together.“Providing high-quality, low-carbon rail service that takes people out of cars and planes is one of the most efficient ways to drive emissions reductions,” said Dennis Newman, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning & Accessibility at Amtrak. “Through more and better service, we will give additional people a chance to pitch-in and fight the climate crisis by choosing rail.”
For more information about Amtrak’s approach to sustainability, please visit amtrak.com/sustainability.ADVERTISEMENT

Older
Unique kite-flying festival to be hosted by Manchester

Newer
Germany Outbound Travel Significantly Improving More