Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, has announced the development of Sindalah, the first luxury island destination in NEOM and one of the most important projects supporting Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy.A main gateway to the Red Sea offering bespoke nautical experiences, Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services.
Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design.
His Royal Highness said: “This is another significant moment for NEOM and a major step in the Kingdom realizing its tourism ambitions under Vision 2030. Sindalah will be NEOM’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in the Red Sea, providing a scenic gateway to the Red Sea that will become the region’s most exciting and attractive tourism location. It will be a destination where travelers can experience the true beauty of NEOM and Saudi Arabia, above and below the water, making Sindalah the future of luxury travel.”
Adding to NEOM’s growing tourism offerings, Sindalah will reshape the luxury international yachting calendar offering a new season for visitors and guests to enjoy. It will feature a prestigious 86-berth marina, an ideal destination for accommodating luxury vessels, while offshore buoys will house superyachts. Providing one-of-a-kind nautical experiences, Sindalah will offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333 top-end serviced apartments. A luxe beach club, glamorous yacht club, and 38 unique culinary offerings will provide an incomparable experience in the Red Sea.
With its incredible array of amenities, state-of-the-art marine facilities, strategic location and exceptional natural landscapes, Sindalah is expected to become established as one of the most alluring islands in the Red Sea.ADVERTISEMENTBuilding on its ability to design new tourism opportunities from the ground up, NEOM is working with world-class leisure and hotel brands to make Sindalah an exclusive and glamorous destination in the Red Sea for the world’s yachting community. NEOM is developing the island to be a premium destination surrounded by a stunning and diverse marine environment which has one of the world’s most beautiful coral reserves.
Sindalah is also expected to become a popular golfing destination by offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a world-class 6,474-yard (5,920 meters) par 70 course. With its 18 tees, the Sindalah golf course will deliver two unique nine-hole experiences.
The announcement of Sindalah affirms the accelerated pace in the development of NEOM towards achieving the ambitious vision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, with the development of its flagship projects such as THE LINE, its designs recently revealed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince; TROJENA, its global mountain tourism destination that will be the Arabian Gulf’s first outdoor skiing retreat; and OXAGON, its reimagined manufacturing and innovation city. All NEOM projects are aligned to redefine the way humanity lives and works in harmony with nature.

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BEST WESTERN® HOTELS & RESORTS CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH BONUS POINTS FOR LOYALTY PROGRAM MEMBERS More

Purple Ski, the premier luxury chalet operator in the French Alps, is delighted to reveal its top family-friendly chalet choices for the 2022/23 ski season. Offering an outstanding concierge service, gourmet quality cuisine and an abundance of activities for little ones and grown-ups alike, families are guaranteed to make memories to last a lifetime with Purple Ski this winter.
Offering an exceptional portfolio of the finest luxury catered ski chalets across Méribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isère, each chalet within Purple Ski’s bespoke collection – sleeping from eight up to 15 people – has been carefully hand-picked and offers first-class service and facilities, family essentials and a distinctive personality.
Purple Ski provide families with all necessary baby equipment as standard, with cots, highchairs, changing mats and sterilisers ready and waiting for families, taking the stress out of travelling and leaving families with nothing to do but unpack and relax.
Activities for All Ages
Purple Ski prides itself on providing outstanding service for each member of the brood, with all staff trained to offer the very best experience for parents, babies and everyone in between. On hand 24/7 to help with everything from childcare to ski hire, restaurant reservations, snowman building and more, nothing is too much for Purple Ski’s dedicated family concierge. The team have even been known to organise extra special birthday celebrations complete with fireworks, games and more!ADVERTISEMENTThe magic starts as soon as guests check in to their chalet, with bespoke gifts provided on arrival for all children. These range from teddies, bath puzzles, colouring books and helmet covers for toddlers to cosy socks, Mikado, dominoes and rubix cubes for slightly older children. A vast selection of activities is available for hard to please teens.
Activities on offer range from in-chalet visits and presents from Santa Claus, igloo-building, sledging, mini skidoo trips, horse and carriage rides, dog sledging, ice skating, treasure hunts, cinema evenings and more. Disney+ is provided in all properties and kids will also receive a complimentary Nintendo switch to play with and enjoy during their stay. Additional toys suitable for a range of ages can also be provided on request.
Gourmet Experiences for Petites Palates
All Purple Ski chalets come complete with a professionally trained, Michelin-star level private chef, so parents of fussy eaters need not fret. From teddy-bear picnics to pizza making evenings and kid-friendly menus, there’s a treat in store for even the tiniest of tastebuds. The team can stagger mealtimes so that little ones can enjoy an early teatime, allowing parents to savour a gourmet tasting menu once their youngest are tucked up in bed.
Sample children’s dishes include: scrambled eggs with bacon, french toast with Nutella, cream and strawberries to start off the day followed by hearty spaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread and other favourite family dinner dishes although chefs are always on hand to take special requests!
Guests of Purple Ski will enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and afternoon tea each day and an extravagant four course dinner six evenings out of seven, exquisitely prepared by a private chef. Fine chateau and domaine-bottled wines and unlimited champagne are also on offer to tantalise adult’s palettes.
Purple Ski’s Top Three Family Friendly Chalets
Best for Teens: Chalet Foinbois, Méribel – Sleeps up to 15
The perfect pick for families travelling with restless teenagers, the rustic-luxe Chalet Foinbois sleeps up to 15 guests across 7 bedrooms, ensuring plenty of room to spread out. Complete with a games room, gym and cinema room (perfect for those Disney+ movie marathons) and outdoor hot tub, this alpine bolthole will feel like the ultimate home-away-from-home.
Enjoying a central location in Méribel Village, just a 5-minute chauffeur ride from the main ski lift and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and more, there’s plenty to explore – if families can tear themselves away from their private winter wonderland.

Best for Multi-Generational Escapes: Chalet Iona, Méribel *Sleeps up to 15
Set in its own secluded orchards, Chalet Iona offers unparalleled views across 13 pretty villages and settlements – stretching towards the Vanoise National Park and the magnificent Grand Bec mountain. Perfect for large families, Iona can be joined with Chalet India to accommodate up to 15 guests in total, meaning the extended family can be housed in their own private quarters.
Parents and teens will love the in-chalet sauna and outdoor hot tub while Chalet India can be transformed into a sprawling play area for little ones. Large communal living spaces provide the perfect setting in which to gather and enjoy a family feast, a movie night or even a dance party with the chalet’s very own vinyl collection and classic record player!
Best for Children: Chalet Machapuchare, Val d’Isère *Sleeps up to 15

Nestled in the exclusive and wonderfully private area of Le Crêt, Chalet Machapuchare commands uninterrupted views of the entire valley, from the rocky cliffs above La Daille across pretty Val d’Isère to the glaciers and snowcapped peaks beyond. Sleeping up to 15 guests in 7 luxurious bedrooms, it offers the very best of serene alpine living, just a 3-minute chauffeur ride away from the buzzing local nightlife, pistes, restaurants and shops.
Perfect for families with school age children, the sprawling property features an indoor private pool for splashing about in after the slopes, a cosy superbly equipped cinema room and snug areas for reading books and playing boardgames. Parents are well-catered for, too, with a spoiling outdoor hot tub, state-of-the-art gym complete with Peloton bike and a massage room. Bliss!

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THE LEELA PALACES, HOTELS AND RESORTS LAUNCHES ‘THE LEELA PALACE TRAIL’ More

TUI, the UK’s largest travel company, started its biggest Lapland programme last Wednesday, with more Christmas joy than ever. More than 28,000 excited British holidaymakers will make their way from six different regional airports, including Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham to the most Christmassy place on earth. 
No Christmas stone has been left unturned, as the hard work to create true Christmas spirit starts months in advance with preparations beginning last June. 200 TUI elves, 51 reps and 33 entertainers have been arriving and are dedicated to making holidaymakers Christmas dreams come true, taking care of them from start to finish. Guests will enjoy snowmobile rides, cookie making, sleigh rides the snow village – which is themed Seven Wonders Of The World, and includes an ice slide, and not forgetting a visit to the real Santa himself. 
With day trips almost sold out, this is TUI UK’s biggest Lapland programme, starting with nine flights departing on Wednesday 30th November from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London Gatwick and Newcastle. 3,777 day trip guests will experience a festive packed itinerary, starting with a visit to Kittilas Snow Village, which is home to an ice hotel, impressive sculptures and an ice bar, followed by a sleigh ride, snowmobile ride and a taste of tradition with a Lapland local telling old-aged stories and legends about the Lappish culture. All guests will of course meet Santa himself in his grotto before some free time to play in the snow. 
Those staying a little longer have some more free time at leisure to experience all Lapland has to offer with guests staying in hotels including Hotel Snow Princess and Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins which are two of TUI’s nine snow clubs hosting day and evening entertainment and Christmas panto provided by TUI.
TUI UK’s Commercial and Business Development Director Richard Sofer said: “To be sending more people away than ever on an unforgettable trip this winter brings us such joy. Lapland has always been an important destination for us, and even more so because we know the memories made on a trip like that last a lifetime. Families plan all year for their magical trips to Lapland with dreams of meeting Santa, husky sleighing and feeding the reindeer. We make sure their dreams are a reality and our Christmas elves, as ever, are on hand to help make sure they experience the magical wonders of Lapland.”ADVERTISEMENT

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More than two months after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, local businesses across the state are still struggling to reopen and welcome customers once again. To support these rebuilding efforts, PepsiCo and CELSIUS® are coming together to give back to Florida communities and local economies with its “Save the Shore” program, supporting nearly 30 local Florida businesses reliant on tourism in their path to reopening.Acknowledging the loss that will come from being closed during the start of peak holiday tourism season, PepsiCo and CELSIUS® will fund employee relief and restoration efforts of three local iconic Florida businesses – Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill in Daytona Beach, FL, and Lani Kai Island Resort and Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach, FL – with a donation to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association on behalf of each business.
“Being headquartered in Florida, it’s our responsibility to step up for the communities we serve. At PepsiCo, we took immediate action to funnel our resources to address the damage left in Hurricane Ian’s wake,” said Heather Hoytink, PepsiCo Beverages North America, President, South Division. “By joining forces with our partner CELSIUS, we’re able to expand our support of these beloved local businesses and help the people and places that make these communities thrive.”
“Florida’s coastline is full of iconic businesses that play an integral role for locals and visitors alike. The ‘Save the Shore’ initiative especially hits close to home with our brand being based in South Florida. With our partnership with PepsiCo for the ‘Save the Shore’ initiative, we hope to alleviate some of the stress for these business owners by helping their establishments get back on track, giving employees relief, and revitalizing the region for the new year,” said CELSIUS® Director of Human Resources & Administration Danielle Babich.
“We are so thankful to our wonderful partners at PepsiCo and CELSIUS for their generous donation directly to these iconic FRLA Members who were among many devastated by recent events,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA). “These funds will help so much as our restaurants recover from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. We are proud to be a part of this effort and will also continue to assist through the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund as we rebuild our industry.”
Along with driving awareness to the businesses, PepsiCo’s South Division will also introduce a reopening fund to provide additional local businesses with free PepsiCo products as soon as they are able to welcome back customers. In addition, PepsiCo plans to sponsor reopening parties for Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill, Lani Kai Island Resort and Salty Sam’s Marina as well its various businesses including Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, The Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill, Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise and Sight Sea-R Dolphin and Sunset Cruises. The events will honor and celebrate local first responders who played an integral role during Hurricane Ian and in the wake of its aftermath.ADVERTISEMENTThis is the latest in the company’s ongoing support of areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, led by its regional headquarters in Orlando. Most recently, executives from PepsiCo’s South Division headquarters joined Team Rubicon’s clean-up efforts on the ground in Fort Meade, FL, clearing the area of debris for reconstruction. In October, PepsiCo Beverages North America’s South Division and the PepsiCo Foundation supported the recovery efforts of the Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, and other local organizations to help Florida communities and PepsiCo employees impacted by the storm, providing safe accommodations, supplies, meals, water and more. The PepsiCo Foundation has also offered employees opportunities to volunteer locally, encouraging them to donate their time and resources to those in need when they are able.

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Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced on Thursday the establishment of the Aseer Investment Company (AIC) to operate as its investment arm in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia.The new company will promote and stimulate local and foreign direct investment to develop and transform the region into a year-round tourism destination.
AIC will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors across number of sectors including tourism, hospitality, healthcare, sports, education, food, and many other fast-growing domestic industries.
The company will contribute to fostering public-private partnerships, creating jobs for the local community and promoting the region’s tourism and attractive investment opportunities.
“Aseer Investment Company aims to become a leading facilitator of broad-ranging investment opportunities in Aseer, Raid Ismail, head of Direct Investments for the Middle East and North Africa at PIF said. 
“AIC will promote the region’s rugged mountains, stunning nature, and storied culture, preserve its ancient history and heritage, and transform it into a world-class tourist destination for visitors from across the globe in line with PIF’s strategy and Vision 2030,” he added.ADVERTISEMENTThe establishment of the company is in line with PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in Saudi Arabia, support the country, and in line with Asir’s region position as a leading investment destination.
Source: Arabnews.com

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BMOTIA signs MOU with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism

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The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper signs a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) has today concluded a successful week at the World Travel and Tourism (WTTC) Global Summit in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of tourism between the two destinations, The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia.The Memorandum of Understanding is a pledge that has been agreed between the two nations to emphasise the role of tourism in fostering economic development and promoting mutual understanding between the States of the Parties and enhancing cooperation in the tourism industry.
The agreement between the two countries is about coordinating and unifying efforts to achieve sustainable tourism development whilst always being considerate of local traditions and social values.
With The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) in attendance at WTTC in Saudi Arabia, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister was keen to use the opportunity to bring the nations together and formulate a strategy to benefit the exchange of information and expertise across the tourism industry.
Deputy Prime Minster The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, commented:
“The World Travel and Tourism Global Summit has been a great opportunity for myself and fellow Ministers and delegates to share knowledge, experience and ideas on a global level across the tourism sector. We are delighted to be forging these international relations to the benefit of global tourism and the Memorandum of Understanding between The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia is a clear way to demonstrate that international collaboration.ADVERTISEMENT#TheBahamas, December 1, 2022 – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) has today concluded a successful week at the World Travel and Tourism (WTTC) Global Summit in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of tourism between the two destinations, The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia.
The Memorandum of Understanding is a pledge that has been agreed between the two nations to emphasise the role of tourism in fostering economic development and promoting mutual understanding between the States of the Parties and enhancing cooperation in the tourism industry.
The agreement between the two countries is about coordinating and unifying efforts to achieve sustainable tourism development whilst always being considerate of local traditions and social values.
With The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) in attendance at WTTC in Saudi Arabia, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister was keen to use the opportunity to bring the nations together and formulate a strategy to benefit the exchange of information and expertise across the tourism industry.
Deputy Prime Minster The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, commented:
“The World Travel and Tourism Global Summit has been a great opportunity for myself and fellow Ministers and delegates to share knowledge, experience and ideas on a global level across the tourism sector. We are delighted to be forging these international relations to the benefit of global tourism and the Memorandum of Understanding between The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia is a clear way to demonstrate that international collaboration.
“We have much experience in the tourism sector and this agreement will enable us to share our insight whilst working towards the same global goals.”
The Memorandum of Understanding between The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia will create a unified strategy to share mutual tourism investment opportunities alongside day-to-day expertise in initiatives like sustainable tourism practices, management of tourism facilities and the sharing of insight and data.
The BMOTIA delegation led by Deputy Prime Minster The Honourable I. Chester Cooper attended
the 22nd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia alongside Ministers and delegates from across the world. WTTC is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar with travel industry leaders gathering to align efforts to support the sector’s post-pandemic recovery focusing on driving the travel and tourism sector to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Source: magneticmediatv.com

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TRAVELERS’ DEMAND FOR EXPERIENCES REQUIRES INDUSTRY RETHINK

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This December scheduled departures from the UK are projected to hit 83% of December 2019 levels, as the industry continues to see strong winter demand. Flights from UK airports are also up 35% compared to December 2021, with over 65,000 planned departures during this month.
Flights from the UK to Europe’s most popular ski resorts are scheduled to exceed pre-pandemic levels this December, as winter leisure travel booms:
Cirium’s data shows:
Flights from the UK to Switzerland are projected to hit 94% of 2019 levels:o   With Geneva seeing 4.1% more flights than December 2019
Flights from the UK to Austria are scheduled to reach 91% of Dec 2019 levels:o   With the ski resorts of Innsbruck and Salzburg both seeing 24% more UK flights than pre-pandemic. The lesser-known city of Klagenfurt will also see a huge 200% increase in UK flights this December versus 2019.ADVERTISEMENT
While flights from the UK to France have only reached 74% of 2019 levels:o   Grenoble has seen a 4% rise in departures compared to December 2019, while the alpine airport of Chambery has matched pre-pandemic frequencies. The French gateway of Lyon, however, is scheduled to see flights 11% down.

Northern Italy has also showed growth, with flights from the UK to Turin and Verona up 12% and 5% respectively. Flights to Milan Malpensa and Bergamo are also around the same levels as recorded in December 2019.
Ski Solutions

Booked revenues through the summer and into the peak booking period this autumn have been 51% ahead of 2021 levels.
Despite the headwinds in the economy and political volatility in recent months, Ski Solutions has seen booking revenues up 23% compared to 2019, before the pandemic.
Ski Solutions has been staggered by the unrelenting strength of demand coming through this year, with the underlying demographic of skiers looking to be incredibly resilient to the current economic pressures, with customers not prepared to give up their annual holiday to the mountains.
Despite prices being up 15% compared to 2019, Ski Solutions is seeing no dip in demand for core four and five-star premium packages, or any trend towards lower grade destinations. Covid has highlighted the value that can come from booking a package with a genuine travel expert.
The classic, snow-sure resorts of the Alps continue to feature most prominently (Val d’ Isère, Val Thorens, Verbier), though Ski Solutions has seen strong demand this year for Canada (Whistler in particular) and family friendly options in Norway which offer good value for money.Craig Burton, Managing Director of Ski Solutions has commented:“After a couple of seasons of unpredictability for the ski industry throughout the pandemic, we’re thrilled to see the demand for ski holidays this winter exceeding pre-pandemic levels with booking revenues up 23% compared to this time in 2019. This is reassurance that this winter is going to be one of the strongest seasons we’ve seen yet. Our bookings team has seen huge demand for some of the familiar favourite resorts such as Val d’Isère and Whistler, but also some of the lesser-discovered alternative options including new resorts that have been added to our portfolio in Norway. There’s never been a better time to get your ski holiday booked, and we look forward to welcoming our customers, both new and old, back to the slopes very soon.”

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PortAventura World and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today, Uncharted, the world’s first dark ride roller coaster based on the box office hit film, will open in mid-2023.The new attraction will be located in the resort’s Far West zone and will allow visitors to go on a dangerous search for one of the greatest treasures ever found.David Garcia, EVP and Managing Director of PortAventura World, declares “we are excited about the announcement of this strategic agreement with a reference company in the entertainment industry like Sony Pictures. This alliance will allow us to be present at a global scale launching our first dark ride roller coaster and perfectly complement our offering.”
Jeffrey Godsick, EVP of Global Partnerships and Brand Management and Head of Location Based Entertainment at Sony Pictures Entertainment said: “The team at PortAventura World has designed a thrilling ride so that fans of the game and film can now step into Nate and Sully’s shoes and go on their own white-knuckle, treasure-hunting race.”
Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions said: “Following the huge success of the Uncharted movie, we’re excited to see this entertainment franchise further expand into new and exciting spaces.”
The most daring visitors will be able to enjoy nearly 700 meters of a vibrant ride on this exclusive dark ride roller coaster that reaches over 12 meters high in a unique enveloping space, 4,800 square meters and 16 meters high. The new attraction will feature a pre-show full of surprises and a journey of unexpected events in a totally immersive experience in search of the great treasure.
With an investment in excess of 25 million euros, the project has been made possible thanks to a licensing agreement with Sony Pictures and its creation counts on the collaboration of the renowned design company Intamin Amusement Rides, and Sally Dark Rides, a leading international enterprise specialising in the development of dark rides and animatronics design.ADVERTISEMENTVideo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03W9dCrHYI

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