Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

New groundbreaking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Italy.In one of the largest research projects of its kind, the global tourism body can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
According to the data, Italy’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its emissions intensity.
In 2019, the sector accounted for 8.4% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Italy, below the European average of 10.7%.
But this share dropped even further to 4.2% in 2020, mainly due to the reduced activity in the sector during the pandemic.
Between 2010 and 2019, Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector’s economic growth decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, the sector’s total contribution to the national economy grew on average 1.1% annually, whilst greenhouse gas emissions increased by just 0.2% per year.
The figures also show that the sector’s emissions intensity continues to decrease.
In 2010, Travel & Tourism produced 0.37 kg of greenhouse gases for every €1 generated by the sector in Italy.
This figure dropped by an average of almost 1% annually by 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, to reach 0.34 kg per €1 created. In the years that followed, this amount decreased even further, reaching 0.27 kg per €1 in 2021.
This significant decline illustrates the impact of changes implemented by the Italian government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector is growing strongly. But it has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity.
“We need continued government support in increasing sustainable transportation. That means electric ground vehicles and ensuring Italy has a good supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This will have a significant impact on our footprint, minimising our absolute emissions.”
Energy Usage
The global tourism body also provides insights on the sector’s energy usage and efficiency, and shows that between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s total energy usage decreased by 0.2% annually, demonstrating that while Travel & Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient.
Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy sources in the national energy mix has seen a gradual increase, from 6.1% in 2010, to 9.3% in 2021, whilst the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy also dropped.
This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of investment in the green economy.

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Booking.com is pleased to announce it has signed on as the Official Online Travel Partner of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. With Booking.com’s mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, the goal of this strategic partnership with MLB is to simplify the way Americans plan their unique baseball-inspired travels across the U.S.As part of this long-term partnership, Booking.com is now the presenting sponsor of the American and National League Division Series, too.
A recent survey conducted by Booking.com revealed that almost half (49%) of U.S. baseball fans plan to travel to at least one MLB game this year with (61%) of respondents saying they are willing to travel up to 500 miles to do so. Booking.com, the global travel leader, is committed to helping travelers navigate their baseball trips by offering the widest selection of places to stay – from slick city apartments and vacation rentals in MLB cities to ballpark-adjacent hotels for those looking to stay near their favorite team’s stadium on gameday. Research performed by Booking.com also revealed that an overwhelming majority (81%) of respondents would rather travel to see their MLB team win the World Series, than win a holiday trip to their rival team’s state.
Having been on the forefront of technology for over two decades, MLB offers fans numerous ways to engage with the sport, from the MLB app to MLB.TV and MLB.com, across mobile & connected devices, and through social media platforms. Aligning with MLB’s innovation-friendly approach to support baseball fandom and to lead off the partnership, Booking.com plans to make the process simpler for fans to book trips to games with an easily accessible Booking.com icon across Clubs’ digital schedule pages. These icons will direct fans to search and book properties near Major League stadiums.
The top three deciding factors for Americans booking a trip to attend an MLB game are price (63%) relative to the amount they’d be willing to spend to travel to a game (48% say they would spend under $400) to the location in relation to the stadium (49%) and transportation to and from the property (21%). Booking.com offers something for everyone with great deals and stays at a variety of price points and conveniences such as free cancellation and custom maps that showcase properties in relation to key locations. Booking.com also features filters to find options with transportation, on-site parking and more all making the trip-booking experience with Booking.com more convenient.
“Booking.com continues to invest in the U.S. market with our official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, showcasing our latest commitment to making it easier for Americans to find and book the perfect trip,” says Ben Harrell, Managing Director, U.S. at Booking.com. “With a variety of property options across the country in MLB cities – from hotels to vacation rentals and more – plus a user-friendly app, Booking.com looks forward to bringing baseball trips to life for fans, helping them with their travels as they enjoy America’s favorite pastime with family and friends.”ADVERTISEMENT“We are excited to welcome Booking.com to the MLB family of partners,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer. “With over 2,000 games across the country every summer, our fans love traveling to experience the incredible Major League atmosphere at our beautiful ballparks. We hope this partnership with Booking.com can make that experience all the more enjoyable.”
Throughout the long-term partnership, Booking.com and MLB hope to develop inspiring and innovative ways for baseball fans across America to make the most of their travels – whether for rivalry games, events like All-Star Week or the National League and American League Division Series presented by Booking.com. As the season gets into full swing, fans can search for properties in MLB cities on Booking.com offering Getaway Deals, saving 15% on stays between April 4 and September 28, 2023.

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New groundbreaking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Portugal.In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, WTTC can, for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
According to the data, Portugal’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its emissions intensity.
In 2019, the sector accounted for 17.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Portugal. Whilst this is above the European average, WTTC’s EIR research also shows how heavily the Portuguese economy relies on Travel & Tourism. In 2019, the sector contributed nearly €38 billion, representing almost one fifth of the overall economy.
But this share dropped eight percentage points, to reach 9.8% in 2020 and 10.2% in 2021, mainly due to the reduced activity in the sector during the pandemic.
Between 2010 and 2019, Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector’s economic growth decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, the sector’s contribution to the national economy grew on average nearly 5% annually, while greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.1% per year.
In 2010, for every €1 generated by Travel & Tourism in Portugal, the sector produced 0.77 kg of greenhouse gases.
But this figure dropped by an average annual rate of nearly 1% until 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, to reach 0.72 kg per €1 created. In the years that followed, this amount decreased even further, reaching 0.59 kg per €1 in 2021.
This significant decrease clearly demonstrates the impact of changes implemented by the Portuguese government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity.
“We know there is still work to be done. To reach our goals and ambitions, we must make bigger and bolder steps to reduce our absolute emissions.“We need continued government support in increasing sustainable transportation. This will have a significant impact on our footprint, minimising our absolute emissions, which will see the sector meet its goals and ambitions.”
Energy Usage
The global tourism body also provides insights on the sector’s energy usage and efficiency, and shows that between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s total energy usage increased by only 3.6% annually, demonstrating that while Travel & Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient.
Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy in the national energy mix increased from 6.6% to 7.5%, whilst the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy also declined.
This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of investment in the green economy.

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New figures from ABTA – The Travel Association show that 62% of people have been on a foreign holiday since the lifting of the UK’s COVID travel restrictions1.
Today marks 12 months since the UK Government lifted the UK’s remaining travel restrictions on 18 March 2022. The change on this date meant that all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, no longer needed to take any tests or complete any forms on their return to the UK – making it easier and cheaper for UK holidaymakers returning from an overseas break.
The new data also show that the demand for travel is now back in line with pre-pandemic levels and is a huge bounce back from the lows of 16% in 2021 when travel was at its most restricted because of measures to control the pandemic2.
Many of ABTA’s tour operator and travel agent members are reporting record-breaking sales since the start of the year. ABTA’s latest data, which show two-thirds (65%) of people are planning to go on holiday abroad in the next 12 months, indicate that this buoyant demand is set to edge further upward, with more than a third (37%) of people having already booked a break3.
ABTA says there has been a ‘freedom factor’ driving the return of travel which perhaps explains why, despite the cost-of-living challenges, people are still keen to book a foreign trip. ABTA’s new survey suggests that, for the majority of people, holidays are the ‘non-essential’ item they want to prioritise this year, with 54% saying they’ll cut back on other non-essential costs so they can still afford to go on holiday4.ADVERTISEMENTA strong travel and tourism sector is highly beneficial to the wider UK economy. ABTA research finds that international travel has the potential to lead the UK’s economic recovery, with the outbound sector expected to grow 15% by 2027, outperforming the wider UK economy5.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: 
“What a difference a year makes. One of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic is now back, and in a big way, with demand for travel reaching pre-pandemic levels.
“Both our research and reports of strong booking levels from our members show that holidays remain a spending priority for the year ahead, despite the current squeeze on finances. On the whole, people are preferring to adapt their travel plans rather than scrap them entirely, primarily by going all-inclusive, booking early, or holidaying outside of busy periods.
“A clear focus for the sector will be to continue the recovery by building a more sustainable industry, ensuring people and communities gain the economic and social positives it brings while addressing environmental challenges. Government support in this area will be critical in helping with hard to tackle issues such as decarbonising aviation.”
(1, 3, & 4) ABTA consumer sentiment research, conducted in February 2023 by Savanta (www.savanta.com) with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 consumers.
(5) Source is ABTA’s joint report with UKInbound, International Travel: Powering the UK economy, which outlines the value of international travel to the UK economy in terms of supporting jobs, economic contributions and taxes paid to HM Treasury.

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The United Kingdom authorities have announced that the country will introduce a travel authorisation requirement – the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – in November 2023, but this will not apply to EU nationals until next year.An ETA is a new requirement that will start to apply soon to all those who do not need a visa to enter the UK, and based on the data provided by the government of the UK, nationals of the EU won’t have to get an ETA until after February 2024, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The UK government has already announced that nationals of Qatar will need to get an ETA from November 15, 2023, to travel to the UK.
Moreover, the same said that nationals of another six countries – Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – will need to get an ETA from February 22, 2024, and stressed that more countries would be added to the scheme later.
This means that since none of the EU countries is part of the list yet, EU citizens will not be required to get an ETA this year.
All people who get an ETA once they are required to do so will be allowed to enter and stay in the UK for up to six months to visit family or friends, as well as for business, travel, or study purposes.ADVERTISEMENTMoreover, those who get an ETA will also be allowed to enter and stay in the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession, and they will also be permitted to transit through the UK.
The application for an ETA will need to be made on the UK ETA app or online through the official website of government.
According to the UK authorities, the processing times will be around three working days. However, depending on whether the authorities need to carry out further checks, it might take more or fewer days.
“You’ll need to apply on the UK ETA app or online on GOV.UK. You’ll usually get a decision within three working days, but you may get a quicker decision. It may take longer than three working days if we need to make further checks,” the statement of the UK government.
As for the exact cost of an ETA, no information has been made available yet, but the price is expected to be lower than when applying for a visa. Each traveller will have to apply for their own ETA, including children, and once the application is approved, everyone will receive an email confirmation.
By introducing the ETA, the UK wants to strengthen its borders and security further. Several other countries have similar systems in place, and the EU is expected to launch one soon, too – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

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VGS Group is proud to announce that it is the only company selected to organize the Vietnam Italy Golf Tournament, an international friendly golf tournament that will be held on March 20th, 2023, at the Long Bien Golf Course. The Ryder Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments, held biennially in a team format between Europe and the United States. The event features some of the most renowned professional golfers and draws the attention of millions of golf enthusiasts worldwide. Vietnam, the rising golf tourism destination in Asia, has been selected as the only country in Southeast Asia to host a series of ancillary events to promote this significant golf tournament. The series of activities leading up to the Ryder Cup 2023 in Vietnam includes a formal announcement of the event, which was held by the Italian Embassy in Vietnam on March 17th. According to Mr. Bui Duc Long, Chairman of VGS Group, “The Ryder Cup is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, and we are proud that Vietnam has been selected as a destination to promote this important event in Southeast Asia. With the advantage of having the most comprehensive golf ecosystem and experience in organizing international tournaments, VGS Group is honored to be the only company selected to host this significant event, contributing to the promotion of tourism, especially golf tourism, in Vietnam to international friends.”
In the theme of Italy and Vietnam sharing a 50-year history of diplomatic relations, the Ryder Cup and Italian Tour Operators’ representatives present their goal of associating the capital Rome with not only an attractive tourist destination but also being capable of organizing large-scale events. The World Expo 2030 in Rome will actively discuss solutions, ideas, and strategies to tackle these issues.
Vietnam’s golf tourism has been gaining recognition globally, with titles such as World’s Best Golf Destination in 2019 and 2021, and five consecutive years as “Asia’s Best Golf Destination” from 2017 to 2021, awarded by the World Golf Awards.
“Besides golf development throughout Vietnam, we have a bold vision for my hometown, Da Nang – Hoi An, and we are committed to making it a reality. We believe that by leveraging the power of sport, culture, and technology, we can create an unforgettable destination that will capture the hearts and minds of visitors from around the world. Our action masterplan includes exciting sport events such as AquaX, Superboat P1 World Championship, GKA Kite World Tour, World Chase Tag and more, all designed to showcase the beauty and diversity of our region. We look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to build a truly world-class destination that will inspire and delight travelers for years to come” The Chairman of VGS Group conveyed his dedication.
VGS Group is Vietnam’s leading golf organization, with a comprehensive ecosystem of golf-related businesses including golf course management, hospitality, events, and equipment sales. The company has a strong track record of organizing professional golf tournaments and promoting golf tourism in Vietnam and their ownership of the technology for live broadcasting of golf tournaments in Vietnam and internationally. They were also the first to produce live signals for golf events at the SEA Games 31, receiving high praise from other countries in the region.ADVERTISEMENTThe selection of Vietnam as the only country in Southeast Asia to host Ryder Cup’s media outreach events demonstrates the country’s growing reputation as an emerging golf destination.
For more images, please see here: https://bit.ly/RyderCupVN

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The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has confirmed Tracy Berkeley as Chief Executive Officer, creating history as the organisation’s first female leader. Berkeley has been serving as the BTA’s Interim CEO since June 2022.  Tracy Berkeley joined the Bermuda Tourism Authority in January 2020 and took on the role of interim CEO in June 2022.  Within the last nine months, Berkeley has worked tirelessly to stabilize the organization for increased team productivity, raised the awareness and relevance of the destination by meeting with stakeholders in the travel trade, and media industries, and worked alongside partners to deliver the BTA’s award-winning Lost Yet Found campaign. With her steady hand, Berkeley has helped to build a new leadership team that is better fit to meet the organisation’s needs, reengaged with key industry leaders, and most importantly, restored the credibility of the BTA in the eyes of its stakeholders. Berkeley serves on several private and public Boards and is a 2024 Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) candidate.
When asked about her appointment as BTA CEO, Tracy Berkeley said: “It is with a deep sense of pride and humility that I officially take the helm as the CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. We are starting to see incremental growth along with a reinvigorated local community. Our success can be attributed in part to a focused, data-led strategic recovery plan and our commitment to seeing it through.  By championing Bermuda’s core strengths and engaging with media and trade partners around the world, we have been able to leverage the island’s key selling characteristics and reinforce the message that we are open business.  I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to further develop this vital sector of the island’s economy.”
“We are excited to announce Tracy Berkeley to the position of CEO and are confident that the organization — and Bermuda as a whole — will benefit greatly from her leadership and expertise,” said Wayne Caines, Chairman of the BTA Board. He continued, “as Interim CEO, she answered the call to take on the challenge and delivered against a clear set of mandates, determined by the board, impeccably. I am confident that she will continue to do so with our support and the support of the island’s valuable community.”
“I am pleased by the announcement of Tracy Berkeley in the role of CEO for the BTA. I support her confirmation in the role and that this appointment was done in consultation with me as the Minister of Tourism. I am looking forward to continued engagement with Ms. Berkeley, her team and all of our industry partners.” said Minister of Tourism and Cabinet Office, Vance Campbell JP, MP.
“There is renewed energy and focus within our organisation and the tourism industry as a whole. As we gear up for what looks to be a steadying year of growth, we are working hard to strengthen our local and international partnerships to lay out plans for the future of tourism. The team is progressing with an emphasis on enhanced product offerings and service levels. We look forward to putting our ideas into action and working together to ensure continued prosperity for Bermuda,” ended Tracy Berkeley. ADVERTISEMENT

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Warner. Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter today announced it will officially open its doors on Friday 16th June 2023, with tickets going on sale 22 March 2023 at 14:00 JST. Stepping into the new walking tour, visitors will be taken behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films into the incredible world of film production.
For over 25 years, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories have captivated and inspired hundreds of millions of people around the world. Today, the Wizarding World celebrates the global community of fans of all ages who cherish these tales and seek to dive even further into the magic of the characters, the values they represent and the adventures they embark upon.
Opening for the first time in Tokyo, this brand-new Studio Tour will invite fans to step onto breathtaking sets including the iconic Great Hall at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest where they will see exquisite costumes and come face to face with magical creatures while learning filmmaking secrets. Fans will also enjoy lots of fun activities including riding a broomstick, drinking a refreshing Butterbeer, appearing in a moving portrait in the halls of Hogwarts, stepping into the crowd of a Quidditch game and shopping from a huge range of products, many of which are only available at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.
To mark the occasion, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo revealed the first of many magical film sets – The Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾. At an event featuring Mana Ashida and Harry Sugiyama, the media were invited to pose for the’ push a trolley through the wall to Platform 9 ¾’ photo opportunity and even step onboard the train. Visitors exploring the Studio Tour will be able to imagine how Hogwarts students would have felt and enjoy the same experiences as they journeyed to Hogwarts.
The Platform 9 ¾ set was created by the original Harry Potter filmmakers using authentic techniques. It’s home to the Hogwarts Express which is an original British steam locomotive that was built in 1929 called The Dumbleton Hall. Operated by the Great Western Railway, it continued to run for over 35 years until it was retired. The locomotive was refurbished in England, then shipped to Japan to take up its position at the Studio Tour.ADVERTISEMENTTorben Jensen, VP and GM, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter said: “The Studio Tour is a completely new experience for Harry Potter fans in Japan and I’m so excited to open the doors on 16th June. In addition to fantastic interactive features, multiple photo opportunities and the world’s largest Harry Potter shop, the Studio Tour will exclusively showcase a number of incredible film sets that are one of a kind.”
Ms. Mana Ashida commented: “I love the Harry Potter series, so I’m very happy to be standing on Platform 9 ¾. I’ve heard that some of the sets will be on show for the first time in Japan and I’m really looking forward to seeing those.”
Mr. Harry Sugiyama said: “I’m here today as a presenter, having narrated the English version of the film that introduces Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in Japan and I’m really looking forward to exploring the sets for the first time. I am very excited to see the Hogwarts Express.”
Also featured in this section of the Studio Tour is The Great Wizarding Express, a set that is exclusive to Tokyo, which appeared in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The train carriage is art deco in styling, to match the era, and is decorated with ornate detailing throughout recreating the appearance of birdseye maple, ebony and brass inlay strips. Depicting the scene where Newt Scamander leads an intrepid team of wizards, witches, and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, the mannequins display the costumes of Newt Scamander, Jacob Kowalski, Theseus Scamander, Bunty Broadacre, Yusuf Kama and Eulalia “Lally” Hicks.
The Studio Tour will also be home to the largest Harry Potter shop in the world, featuring 14 themed sections that are decorated with over 7,000 bespoke and specially sourced props. The areas are beautifully designed and take inspiration from elements of the shops on Diagon Alley including Honeydukes, Ollivanders and Flourish and Blotts. A huge range of products will be available to buy, many of which have been exclusively developed for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo. In addition, visitors can enjoy a choice of restaurants and cafés which will serve a celebration of traditional British fare such as fish and chips, roast beef, English breakfast and Afternoon Tea.
This will be the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and visitors can expect to spend around four hours exploring the only Warner Bros. Studio Tour to open in Asia. Building on the phenomenal success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter which opened in 2012 and has maintained exceptional visitor reviews, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will feature exclusive sets only available in this location, providing visitors with an experience like no other.

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