Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Long considered the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day Weekend is always a thrilling time to visit Las Vegas. Whether splashing under the sun at a dayclub, dancing the night away at a top-notch nightclub, or enjoying the destination’s very best entertainment, Vegas is the place to be.

Fun Under the SunE11EVEN Miami is taking over Ayu Day Club at Resorts World Las Vegas throughout the holiday weekend, bringing a lineup of EDM artists to the Strip’s newest outdoor oasis. Revelers will enjoy performances by Cash Cash (Friday, May 27), Zedd (Saturday, May 28) and DJ Snake (Sunday, May 29).
AZILO Ultra Pool at SAHARA Las Vegas presents a Memorial Day Weekend Party on Saturday, May 28 featuring Jay Sean as the event’s celebrity guest DJ. The event also features a cocktail tasting and a cornhole contest with prizes.
The Citrus Grand Pool Deck, situated on the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino rooftop, features a sparkling infinity pool, backyard games and more. To kick off the summer season, Citrus will welcome DJs Mark Mac and Sam I Am (Saturday, May 28), as well as DJs Seany Mac and Krillz (Sunday, May 29). Admission is free for hotel guests. Non-hotel guests can reserve a table or cabana to access the pool.ADVERTISEMENTDAYLIGHT Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino offers revelers summertime vibes complete with electrifying performances by Saint Jhn (Saturday, May 28), Fat Joe (Sunday, May 29), and Rubi Rose (Monday, May 30).
Jump into the fun at Drai’s Beachclub on the multi-level rooftop oasis 11 stories above the Strip at The Cromwell Las Vegas, which offers unmatched views, refreshing cocktails and much more. Attendees will enjoy performances and DJ sets by artists such as DJ Vision (Friday, May 27), Meek Mill (Saturday, May 28), Lil Wayne (Sunday, May 29), and Maria Romano (Monday, May 30).
Élia Beach Club at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas presents a packed lineup throughout the weekend at the luxurious space inspired by the Greek island of Mykonos. Attendees can enjoy refreshing cocktails while taking in performances by Eric D-Lux (Friday, May 27), Chance the Rapper (Saturday, May 28) and Lane 8 & Elderbrook (Sunday, May 29).
The tiered, three-pool Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas, complete with cabanas and daybeds for total poolside comfort, presents a lineup of EDM artists throughout the weekend. Attendees can party to the beats of Kim Lee (Friday, May 27), David Guetta (Saturday, May 28), and The Chainsmokers (Sunday, May 29).
The Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace is a sprawling oasis with numerous pools. Visitors can reserve refreshed pool cabanas, as well as check out the renovated pool bar at the Venus Pool.

Enjoy poolside fun at GO Pool at Flamingo Las Vegas. The summer hotspot offers a unique tropical oasis with cascading waterfalls, lagoons, prime views of the High Roller observation wheel, drink specials, themed floats and beach balls, and more. Cabana or daybed reservations are encouraged for guaranteed entry.
Influence, The POOL at The LINQ Hotel + Experience regularly offers poolside fun complete with life-sized games and beer pong, plus amazing food and cocktails. The party pool will feature a night swim event on Friday, May 27, themed floats and beach balls throughout the weekend, a red, white and blue cocktail special and a DJ spinning Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30.
Make a splash at LIQUID Pool Lounge located at ARIA Resort & Casino. The intimate hideaway celebrates the long weekend with five days of revelry, featuring sets by DJ Karma (Thursday, May 26), DJ Buza (Friday, May 27), DJ Drama (Saturday, May 28), Nova (Sunday, May 29), and CC Elise (Monday, May 30). Enjoy the luxurious atmosphere in one of eight cabanas or day beds, along with dipping pools, refreshing cocktails and delicious food offerings.
Surrounded by the energy of the Las Vegas Strip, the rooftop Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers specialty cocktails, spectacular views and performances from some of today’s top DJs and artists. The celebratory weekend lineup features Cable (Thursday, May 26), John Summit (Friday, May 27), Fisher (Saturday, May 28), Chris Lake (Sunday, May 29) and Escobar (Monday, May 30).
The Scene Pool Deck at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has reopened its FlowRider surfing attraction, where visitors can experience a wave riding simulation in a safe and exciting environment.
Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino features six pools, surrounded by lounge chairs, cabanas and daybeds—all offering a perfect view of its massive, 40-foot-tall high-definition screen playing the day’s best sports action.
The long-running LGBTQ pool party, Temptation Sundays at Luxor Hotel and Casino, turns the energy up with a set by DJ Jae Fusz on Sunday, May 29.
Visitors can take in the lush scenery of the Balinese-inspired TAO Beach Dayclub at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas throughout the holiday weekend. The party pool will feature DJ sets from some of today’s top names, including Loud Luxury (Friday, May 27), Alesso (Saturday, May 28), TYGA, Lil Jon and BIA (Sunday, May 29), and DJ Pauly D (Monday, May 30).
WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino keeps the action rolling all weekend with music, cocktails and more. Visitors will enjoy beats by EDM greats such as Steve Aoki (Friday, May 27), Martin Garrix and Justin Mylo (Saturday, May 28), Kaskade (Sunday, May 29), and Lil Jon (Monday, May 30).

Dance all WeekendNeon Dream returns to AREA15 this Memorial Day Weekend, taking over the immersive playground with vibrant beats, mesmerizing performances and awe-inspiring art on Saturday, May 28. With performances by Tritonal, Firebeatz, Haliene, Jack Beats and more, attendees will enjoy DJ sets inside The Portal, AREA15’s 360-degree 3D projection-mapped room, and outside in the A-Lot, AREA15’s outdoor event space. The experience is complete with psychedelic spectacles, food and drinks, roaming live performances, interactive art exhibits and much more. Also at AREA 15 is Illuminarium, which will officially launch its SPACE: To The Moon and Beyond attraction for guests to explore the great unknown.
DAYLIGHT Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino keeps the party going long after the sun goes down with DJ Romeo (Friday, May 27) and Simp City: The Hottest R&B Party (Saturday, May 28).
Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas features a jam-packed weekend of thrilling performances by today’s top artists. The weekend kicks off with Swim Night featuring Busta Rhymes (Thursday, May 26), and continues with full-length concerts from Meek Mill (Friday, May 27) and Lil Wayne (Saturday, May 28), as well as a performance by Lil Baby (Sunday, May 29).
While Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas offers daytime fun under the sun, the lavish oasis also features nighttime parties complete with world-class entertainment. This year’s Encore Beach Club at Night lineup features RL Grime (Friday, May 27) and Gryffin (Saturday, May 28).
Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino welcomes summer with four nights of fantastic entertainment. Attendees can dance the night away to NGHTMRE (Thursday, May 26), TYGA (Friday, May 27), Lil Jon (Saturday, May 28), and Mustard (Sunday, May 29).
JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino keeps the party going all weekend, with sets by BIA (Friday, May 27) and Pusha T (Saturday, May 28). The venue caps the celebration with its Flawless Monday Anniversary Party, featuring a performance by O.T. Genasis, on Monday, May 30.
Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomes revelers to party the night away at the rooftop space to the sounds of Afrojack (Friday, May 27) and DJ Pauly D (May 29). Visitors can also enjoy a nighttime swim during its Drenched After Dark party featuring beats by Justin Credible (Sunday, May 29).
OMNIA Las Vegas at Caesars Palace offers visitors stunning views of the Strip from its outdoor terrace, in between dancing to the sounds of Martin Garrix and Justin Mylo (Friday, May 27), Above & Beyond (Saturday, May 28), and Steve Aoki (Sunday, May 29).
TAO Nightclub at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas kicks the weekend off with Eric D-Lux (Thursday, May 26), and the revelry only continues with Brody Jenner and Devin Lucien (Friday, May 27) and O.T. Genasis (Saturday, May 28).
The luxurious indoor/outdoor XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas presents five nights of celebration, including a SKAM Artist Takeover featuring Kim Lee, Deux Twins, Justin Credible and DJ Five (Thursday, May 26), Dillon Francis (Friday, May 27), Marshmello (Saturday, May 28), David Guetta (Sunday, May 29), and La Selva featuring Monolink and WhoMadeWho (Monday, May 30).
E11EVEN Miami is also taking over Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas to welcome the summer season, offering two nights of electrifying performances at the state-of-the-art space. Attendees will enjoy performances by Louis the Child (Friday, May 27) and Tiësto (Saturday, May 28).

The Biggest Names in EntertainmentCountry artist Keith Urban returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for another string of dates in his long-running residency at the iconic venue from Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29.
The Citrus Grand Pool Deck at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino presents Reggae on the Roof on Saturday, May 28, featuring DJ Kali Madden, MC Tuff Like Iron and DJ Finesse.
Rocker Jack White makes his return to Las Vegas taking the stage at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Sunday, May 29.
The Fremont Street Experience will celebrate the holiday weekend with back-to-back concerts as part of its Downtown Rocks Free Concert Series. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of pop rockers X Ambassadors on Saturday, May 28, followed by a set by Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on Sunday, May 29.
New Kids on the Block brings its Mixtape Tour to Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Sunday, May 29.
The Eagles will bring The Final Hotel California Show of 2022 to MGM Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on Saturday, May 28.
The Doobie Brothers will play another string of dates of their residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28.
Katy Perry brings her PLAY residency back to the Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas from Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29.
The Sand Dollar Downtown at The Plaza Hotel & Casino celebrates its grand opening during Memorial Day Weekend, featuring entertainment from Crash Midnight on Friday, May 27 and Artur Menezes on Saturday, May 28.
Rex Orange County is set to take the stage at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Friday, May 27. The venue follows that up with a concert from Limp Bizkit, which brings its Still Sucks tour—also featuring special guests Wargasm UK and Dying Wish—to The Theater on Saturday, May 28.
Resident performer Sebastian Maniscalco will present his Nobody Does This set at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.

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Credit: David Merron & Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions, the recognised Leader in Polar Adventures, has announced a much-awaited return to the rarely-visited emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea of Antarctica. The 14-day Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill will have two departures in November 2023.
“The legendary emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island holds a special place in our hearts and in the history of Quark Expeditions,” said Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. “In 2004, Quark Expeditions made polar history when we conducted the first-ever ground visit to the remote emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill. Driven by a true expeditionary spirit—and guided by years of polar expertise—our team sailed past masses of dense ice and thick, tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea to experience the legendary rookery, which now numbers 8,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins. Today, it is one of the most exclusive wildlife viewing experiences on the planet. Our guests will be able to embrace the thrill of the search as we travel on Ultramarine—with its two Airbus H145 helicopters—on the new ship’s first attempt to visit the emperor penguins at Snow Hill. We’re confident our guests will be rewarded with scenes reminiscent of BBC’s ‘Frozen Planet.’ Observing thousands of penguins sliding across the ice into the sea—what wilderness adventure can compete with that!”
The ultimate aim of the Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill itinerary is to take guests to the penguin colony itself. However, Quark Expeditions has designed every day of the itinerary to be adventurous and educational, and to enable guests to experience the expeditionary spirit that fueled polar explorers more than a century ago.
“This is a one-of-a-kind voyage,” said Alex McNeil, Director of Expedition Experience and Innovation for Quark Expeditions. “Guests will experience a true polar quest as they journey on our new ship, Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine H145 helicopters that will fly them to the vicinity of this rarely-visited rookery, whereupon they will walk across the thick sea ice to stand within metres of the most coveted penguin species on the planet. While at base on Ultramarine, guests will have the opportunity to experience Zodiac cruising among the icebergs, paddle-on-top kayaking, join scientists on drifting ice floes as they demonstrate their research techniques, or work with specialist ice navigators and meteorologists to observe and learn about crucial weather and ice forecasting and ship operations up close.”ADVERTISEMENTAnother key component of the Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill itinerary is the bespoke daily educational program tailored specifically for this voyage. Quark Expeditions’ team of polar experts, who include penguin scientists, ornithologists, biologists and polar historians, will present on various aspects of emperor penguins and their behaviors, ice formations such as the tabular icebergs which will be visible from the ship deck, and the experiences of polar explorers who braved the Weddell Sea over a century ago. Guests can also choose to take the polar plunge, try stand-up paddleboarding or enjoy some pampering thanks to Ultramarine’s superb onboard amenities, such as the spa, sauna and fitness room.
“To make this trip even more intimate,” said McNeil, “we’ve reduced guest capacity to 150 and increased the number of expedition staff so there will be one expedition team member for every four guests—who will truly experience the expedition of a lifetime!”
Quark Expeditions is considered as the World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line 2021 by World Travel Awards.

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Germany’s tourism sector poised to surpass pre-pandemic levels next year

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The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact (EIR) reveals the travel and tourism sector in Germany will catapult the national economic recovery and could surpass pre-pandemic levels next year, nearly 2.5% above 2019 levels.
The forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), shows the sector’s contribution to GDP could reach more than €364 billion by next year.
Travel and tourism in Germany is set to boost the national economic recovery with an average growth rate outpacing the overall country’s economy growth for the next 10 years.
According to the report, travel and tourism’s GDP is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.3% annually between 2022-2032, above the 1.1% growth rate for the country’s economy, to reach more than €394 billion (9.7% of the total economy).ADVERTISEMENTThe forecast also reveals the travel and tourism sector is expected to create almost half a million jobs in the next 10 years, averaging more than 47,000 every year.
By the end of this year, the sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to grow 52.4% to more than €347 billion, amounting to 9.6% of the total economic GDP, while employment in the sector is set to grow by 6.9% to reach 5.5 million jobs.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “COVID-19 wreaked havoc on Germany’s travel and tourism, affecting millions of livelihoods and impacting the national economy.
“However, our data provides a positive outlook, that will be provide a massive boost to businesses across Germany as the sector finally begins to recover from the pandemic.”
Before the pandemic, Germany’s travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP was 9.8% (€355.3 billion) in 2019, falling to just 6.3% (€217.2 billion) in 2020, representing a staggering 38.9% loss.
The sector also supported nearly 5.9 million jobs, before an almost complete halt to international travel which resulted in a drop of nearly 800,000 (13.5%), to reach just over five million in 2020.
WTTC’s latest EIR report also reveals that 2021 saw the beginning of the recovery for the country’s travel and tourism sector.
Last year, its contribution to GDP climbed 5% year on year, to reach €228 billion.
However, the recovery of jobs was slower with less than 15,000 Travel & Tourism jobs created, to reach nearly 5.1 million.
The sector’s contribution to the economy could have been higher if it weren’t for the impact of the Omicron variant, which led to the recovery faltering around the world, with many countries reinstating travel restrictions.

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Magician, extreme illusionist, and stunt artist, David Blaine, is taking his mind-blowing talent to Las Vegas with his first-ever residency, DAVID BLAINE LIVE, exclusively at Resorts World Theatre. Known for his awe-inspiring magic tricks and death-defying stunts, Blaine will continue to push the limits and attempt unthinkable feats in the newest theatre on the Las Vegas Strip beginning September 30, 2022.
“The room is so intimate,” said Blaine. “Resorts World Theatre has sparked my imagination and I am so excited to create something unique in magic.”
“Seeing the greatest magician in the world in the newest, state-of-the-art theatre in Las Vegas will be a show unlike anything this city has ever seen before,” says Bobby Reynolds, Senior Vice President of AEG Presents, Las Vegas. “Combining forces will make for a truly spectacular production, and we can’t wait for live audiences to be blown away.”
The first six show dates going on sale to the public on Monday, May 23 at 10 a.m. PT are:
September 30 / October 1
October 28 / October 29
December 16 / December 17

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The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals the travel and tourism sector in the UK is expected to create nearly 700,000 new jobs over the next decade.
The forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), shows an average of 70,000 new jobs will be created every year for the next 10 years.
According to the report, the UK’s travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP is forecasted to grow at an average rate of 3% annually between 2022-2032.
This is nearly twice the 1.7% growth rate of the overall economy and is set to reach more than £286 billion (10.1% of the total economy).
By the end of 2022, the sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to grow nearly two thirds (62.7%) to nearly £214 billion, amounting to 8.9% of the total economic GDP.ADVERTISEMENTHowever, over this period, employment in the sector is set to grow by only 0.5%, to reach just over four million jobs.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Over the long term the future looks bright for the revival of the UK travel and tourism sector, but in the short term, international visitor spend is so low it is hampering the country’s economic recovery.
“After two years of economic damage to the sector, the UK government continues to take this sector for granted. There has been no focus or understanding of how critical travel and tourism is to the UK economy.
“Smart countries are investing overseas to get visitors back. Travel and tourism can contribute 10% to the economy and yet it is not even discussed at senior levels. The UK will lose out to other European destinations if this isn’t addressed urgently.”
In 2019 when travel and tourism was at its peak, international visitor spending in the UK reached a significant £36.4 billion. However last year, as the UK continued to struggle to attract visitors to its shores, the total spend was just £3.9 billion.
Before the pandemic, the UK travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP was 9.9% (£234.5 billion) in 2019, collapsing back to just 4.3% (£93.8 billion) in 2020, which represented a staggering 60% loss above the global impact of 50%.
The latest EIR report also reveals that 2021 saw the slow beginning of the recovery for the UK’s travel and tourism sector.
Last year, its contribution to GDP climbed 40.3% year on year, to reach more than £131 billion, still significantly below 2019 levels.
The sector’s modest recovery was unlined by the creation of less than 16,000 new travel and tourism jobs, to reach 4.11 million, which is still some 170,000 jobs fewer than before the pandemic
The sector’s contribution to the economy could have been higher if it weren’t for the impact of the Omicron variant, which led to the recovery faltering around the world, with many countries reinstating travel restrictions.

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The easing of travel restrictions across the APAC region has led to a clear increase in bookings, according to Trip.com data. Though the resurgence of the Asian travel and tourism sector will vary per market, encouraging signs of a rebound are starting to emerge, as restrictions are reduced and borders reopen across the region.
A recent report from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) projected that international visitor arrivals into Asia will grow by 100% between 2022 and 2023, as demand peaks before returning to more normal growth rates over time. The latest figures from Trip.com Group certainly support this projection. From April 1st to May 5th, total orders made on Trip.com in the APAC region grew 54% year-on-year, a significant increase on March’s figures (which show a 22% year-on-year increase).
By analysing the latest Trip.com Group figures, it’s clear that increased consumer confidence is gradually returning to the sector, with many Asian markets seeing a recent surge in bookings. For a more in-depth market analysis, see below.

Thailand: Bookings Increase Ahead of High SeasonADVERTISEMENTThailand continues to scrap more inbound travel restrictions. From May, the country no longer requires fully vaccinated international visitors to take a COVID-19 test before flying, or upon arrival.
As restrictions ease, bookings are increasing. For the month of April, overall bookings (including flights, accommodation, car rental and tickets/tours) were up 85% year-on-year on Trip.com’s Thailand site. Standalone flight bookings increased by 73% year-on-year, with accommodation bookings significantly up, at 130% year-on-year.
On Friday April 22, the day Thailand announced that COVID-19 tests from fully vaccinated inbound travellers would no longer be required, the number of Trip.com users viewing the country’s local hotels increased by 29% (compared to figures from the previous Friday), while domestic flight bookings on Trip.com grew by approximately 20%.
According to recent reports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes to attract more than a million travellers per month during its upcoming high season, with visitors encouraged to self administer antigen tests during their stay rather than quarantine in a hotel. For April, inbound tourism to Thailand predominantly came from South Korea, Singapore, and Cambodia with a rise in customers from further afield expected in the coming months.

Hong Kong: Local Tours Resume
While Hong Kong recently experienced a fifth wave of the pandemic, this continued to recede in April, with many local tours resuming in the city and social distancing restrictions easing. Hong Kong’s residents eagerly await a return to normal life, with beaches and swimming pools reopening on May 5, and bars, nightclubs, karaoke rooms and cruises resuming operations on May 19.
Trip.com Group data supports encouraging signs of recovery in the market, with local accommodation bookings in April increasing by 6% year-on-year. Thanks to the further relaxation of travel restrictions – including social distancing policies and flight suspension rules – by the end of April, overall unique visitors and product orders on Trip.com (both domestic and international) were almost double the figures for February, when Hong Kong was heavily hit by COVID-19.
Additionally, in May, non-residents are able to enter Hong Kong for the first time in over two years, with inbound tourism expected to increase incrementally, in addition to a predicted rise in staycations.
The Hong Kong Government is also looking to encourage and boost local consumption generally, as well as in the travel sector, and issued a new round of consumption vouchers in April, which can be used to book with Trip.com.

South Korea: International Flights Leading the Recovery
South Korea reopened on April 1, with fully vaccinated travellers now able to enter and move freely within the country without any quarantine measures. Positively, outdoor mask mandates are also being lifted in May, with international flights projected to increase, too.
The country plans to resume around half the number of pre-pandemic flights by year-end. FlightGlobal reported 420 weekly international flights into the country in April, just under 9% of pre-pandemic levels.
Trip.com Group data also proves that flights are leading the recovery in the market, with a 383% year-on-year increase in flight booking in April and a further increase of 39% in the same period for March. The number of users viewing flight products since March 1 has also increased by almost 150% year-on-year.
As the country continues to ease its international travel restrictions, we’ve also seen demand for international travel booming on Trip.com’s Korean site. Outbound flights bookings tripled in April, compared to February; and overseas hotel bookings also grew, by 60% and 175% in March and April respectively, when compared to February.
In terms of overseas destinations, the most popular international flight routes from Korea were to Vietnam, the Philippines, the US, Thailand and Indonesia, with cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Hanoi, Bangkok and Da Nang ranking in the top five getaway destinations for Korean travellers.

Vietnam: A Strong Domestic Tourism Market Bolstered by International Flights
Vietnam fully reopened its borders to international travellers from March 15. As a result, the country has seen a substantial rebound in tourism, with international visitors to Vietnam in April reaching 101,400 arrivals, more than five times higher than the same period last year.
The appetite for domestic travel has also surged. Trip.com Group data shows that domestic hotel bookings in the country are up 247% year-on-year compared to 2021.
International flight bookings have also seen a marked increase thanks to the easing of restrictions, with 2022 figures showing a 265% uplift on figures from 2021. Though visitors must still obtain a negative COVID-19 test result before departure, a 15-day visa exemption is in place for arrivals from 13 key nations (including Japan, South Korea, France, Spain and the UK) which hopes to further stimulate recovery.
For 2022, the most popular flight routes into Vietnam come from South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, according to Trip.com data.

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The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals Turkey’s travel and tourism’s GDP is forecast to grow at an average rate of 5.5% annually over the next decade, more than twice the 2.5% growth rate of country’s overall economy.
The forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows by 2032, the sector’s contribution to the nations GDP could reach nearly TRY 1,036 billion (US$117 billion), representing 11% of the total economy.
The sector is also expected to create more than 716,000 new jobs over the next decade.
By the end of this year, the sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to grow 15.5% to nearly TRY 607 billion (US$68.5 billion), amounting to 8.3% of the nation’s economy, while employment in the sector is set to grow by 4% to reach more than 2.5 million jobs.
Latest flight booking data from WTTC’s knowledge partner ForwardKeys shows that over the key summer period this year, Turkey is set to be the fourth most popular European hot spots amongst sun-seeking travellers, who will be heading to city destinations such as Istanbul, and the beaches of Antalya, Bodrum, and Dalaman.ADVERTISEMENTThe data shows that flight bookings are already overtaking pre-pandemic levels with bookings from the UK up 101%.
Other source markets are also outperforming 2019, with bookings from the U.S., Canada, and Ireland up 57%, 28% and 18% respectively.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The future looks bright for Turkey’s travel and tourism sector with its contribution to GDP set to outpace the national economy for the next 10 years, creating almost three quarters of a million new jobs.
“Flight booking data from our partner ForwardKeys clearly shows that this popular destination is set to enjoy a bumper summer season.
“Before the pandemic, Turkey’s economy was highly reliant on international tourism, so its recovery is critical to both the economy and jobs.”
Turkey’s travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP was 11% (TRY 693.3 billion or US$78.2 billion) in 2019, falling to just 5.1% (TRY 327.2 billion or US$36.9 billion) in 2020, which represented a painful 52.8% loss.
The sector also supported nearly 2.6 million jobs across the country, before suffering an 18% drop, falling to 2.1 million.
WTTC’s latest EIR report also reveals that 2021 saw the beginning of the recovery for the Turkish travel and tourism sector.
Last year, its contribution to GDP climbed 60.6% year on year, to reach TRY 525.5 billion (US$59.3 billion).
The sector also saw a recovery of almost 300,000 Travel & Tourism jobs, representing a 14% rise to reach more than 2.4 million.
The global tourism body says the sector’s contribution to the economy and employment could have been higher if it weren’t for the impact of the Omicron variant, which led to the recovery faltering around the world, with many countries reinstating severe travel restrictions.

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