Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Dubai has relaxed its Covid entry requirements for children, making it easier for them to visit the country.
The city has dropped the requirement for those aged between 13 and 16 years who are unvaccinated to take a PCR test to enter.Prior to the rule change, under 12s were exempt from testing rules, but unvaccinated children aged between 13 and 16 were required to take a test if they did not have proof of recovery from Covid.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has updated its guidelines to reflect the changes.
It states: “Travellers to the UAE do not need to take a Covid PCR test before they travel if they are fully vaccinated or: they hold a Covid recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure; they are under 16 years of age for arrivals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; they have severe disabilities.”
The FCDO warned anyone who does not fit into those categories “must still have a negative Covid PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours before departure, and present the certificate at check in.”ADVERTISEMENTAdditionally, the FCDO said unvaccinated travellers may be required to take a PCR test on arrival.

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A travel company called Visit Ukraine has launched a campaign to bring tourists to some of the zones affected by the war in Ukraine. In an interview with CNN Travel, the founder of Visit Ukraine, Anton Taranenko, explained that these trips are to show the world how Ukraine continues with its daily life, despite the war and to give testimony of the reconstructed areas, as well as to help this country. Ukraine welcomed more than 4 million visitors last year.
“Visit Ukraine begins work on the launch of dark tourism in Ukraine,” says the website. Tours are typically comprised of about 10 people led by a guide and take about 3-4 hours, and the visits involve guides, tourism experts, and memory specialists so that tourists can see what happened in Ukraine. The site says that people who sign up for “Brave City” tours would be able to visits cities such as Cherniv, Bucha, Irpin, all of them affected by the war.
Taranenko told Business Insider that the company has provided several dozen tours since the site was updated and booked more than two hundred. Some of the people interested in the tours are Ukrainians who were displaced or had moved to other countries before the war, Taranenko said, though there have been many bookings coming from the US nationals.
The company, which “works very close to the government” of Volodymyr Zelenski, according to Taranenko, offers different excursions in Kiev and its surroundings and other areas which bore a heavy burden at the beginning of the war, such as Kharkov, the second most important city in Ukraine. These days the fighting is concentrated in the south of the country and the eastern region of Dombas.
Among the excursions offered are a day in Kiev (“Kiev fascinates you with its hospitality and will open your heart”), Kamianets-Podilsky (“it is the only city located on a natural island surrounded by a deep canyon), Odessa (the Pearl of the Black Sea and today under Russian siege), Mezhyhirya (the former presidential residence) and the Buki Gorge (“visit the small Switzerland”). Prices range from 38 to 200 euros.ADVERTISEMENTBut other tours allude directly to the war. For example, the excursion to Cherniv (“heroism to the northern capital”), “indestructible Kharkov”, Bucha and Irpin (“strong and invulnerable”), all at 50 euros leaving from the capital. Bucha was the scene of a massacre attributed to Russian soldiers last March. Meanwhile, Irpin, on the outskirts of the capital, was one of the major centers of Ukrainian resistance at the outbreak of the war.
Taranenko noted that many famous foreign artists have already visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war” such as Angelina Jolie, Jessica Chastain or Ben Stiller. “And many others are planning to do so in the short term,” he said.
The portal provides all the necessary information on how to act in a critical situation, where to go, how to enter/leave the country or evacuate a dangerous region. It also reminds that martial law is in force in Ukraine and air traffic is suspended, but the entry and exit of foreigners by land is allowed.
Checkpoints at the border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova “are open and secure,” he emphasized. Quite the opposite of those on the borders with Russia, Belarus and the Transnistrian region.
According to Business Insider, the tourist site has not received any official approval from Ukrainian government. Ukraine is currently under the highest travel advisory level. The US Department of State has warned that it will not be able to assist any Americans in Ukraine. All profits from tour sales will go to help Ukrainian refugees, explains the website.

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By 2024 outbound travel from Germany is expected to surpass the record numbers of pre-pandemic levels, with a total of 117.9 million Germans visiting other countries, according to recent data provided by German Source Tourism InsightBesides, the same shows that Germans will once again be the main country in terms of international travel and tourism, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to the figures provided by the same source, in 2019, a total of 116.1 million Germans visited other countries, despite the fact the country’s economic sector was facing significant problems.
At the same time, the report shows that in 2024, the number of Germans travelling to other countries will reach 117.9.Based on the data provided by ‘Germany Source Tourism Insight, 2022 Update’, Germany’s outbound tourism numbers decreased significantly compared to 2019 figures due to the spread of the Coronavirus and its new variants and the restrictions imposed to halt its further spread.
A total of 64.5 per cent decrease year-on-year from 116.1 million travellers in 2019 to a total of 41.2 million in 2020 before another decrease in 2021 to 40.4 million.
Germany has also welcomed a large number of internationals, despite the situation caused by the Coronavirus.ADVERTISEMENTBesides, a recent report provided by the German Office for Statistics, Destatis, revealed that the number of nights spent by international visitors in Germany rose to 48.9 million in June, representing a total of 60.5 per cent increase compared to the corresponding time in the previous year.The same revealed that the number of overnight stays reached pre-pandemic levels, being only 3.4 per cent below those levels.
In addition, the number of tourists spent by international passengers in Germany in May and June 2022 was quite similar to the pre-pandemic levels, implying a significant recovery of 2019 levels when travelling was limited as part of the efforts to halt the further spread of the Coronavirus and its new variants.
According to the data provided by the World Health Organisation, there have been reported a total of 31,666,475 cases of COVID-19 infection since the start of the pandemic, while a total of 146,030 people have died during the same period.
The same source shows that there have been a total of 183,133,264 vaccine doses in this country as of July 10.
In June, Germany removed all the restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus in order to facilitate the travel process for arrival from all countries.

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VISIT FLORIDA and Emergent Media have announced the launch of Florida’s Table, which promotes the state’s dynamic culinary scene by showcasing a diverse handful of restaurants across Southeast Florida. Each episode features a local chef or restaurateur who is a reflection of the place they live and work. These individuals are well-versed in their particular culinary tradition, and their cultural origins are represented in the flavors they serve up. Each profile culminates in the presentation of the establishment’s distinctly Floridian signature dish.
“We are thrilled to let people know about the incredible culinary scene that we have in Florida,” said Staci Mellman, Chief Marketing Officer, VISIT FLORIDA. “And who better to tell that story than the restaurateurs themselves? The team at Emergent Media really understands authentic storytelling for lifestyle travel content. Florida’s Table is our first culinary-focused program with Emergent Media and we love this content. Travelers already love Florida’s beautiful beaches, iconic theme parks, and hidden outdoor gems, with the launch of this effort they will discover yet another wonderful thing about Florida.”
Distribution is driven through Emergent Media’s Paradise audience network, which embodies a curious, go-getter with experiential travel ambitions. The organic and paid social program is currently live and runs through mid-September of this year on Web, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Florida’s Table positions Florida as the perfect destination for modern explorers to satisfy their taste buds, as well as their adventure cravings.
“At Emergent, we pride ourselves on telling authentic and relatable stories and delivering on our clients objectives,” said Jennifer Klawin, chief business officer and head of brand partnerships at Emergent Media. “We are thrilled to be partnering with VISIT FLORIDA to launch Florida’s Table and inspire our travel audience to explore the state’s diverse, locally crafted culinary offerings.”
This premiere series, which represents an expansion of VISIT FLORIDA’s partnership with Emergent Media, features Louis Grayson of Ramen Lab Eatery in Boca Raton; Daniel Salgado of Toro Latin Kitchen + Tequila Library in Dania Beach; Rick Mace of Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach; Robert Moehling of Robert Is Here in Homestead; and Kim Kelly of Hurricane Alley in Boynton Beach.ADVERTISEMENT

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The United International Baseball League (UIBL), the first-ever professional baseball league created to serve India, Pakistan and the Middle East, announced today its partnership with Dubai Sports City and Dubai International Stadium as the official venue for the UIBL’s Inaugural Showcase from February 23 – March 5, 2023.
The venue will play host to nine games and one exhibition featuring four of the league’s initial franchises. Dubai International Stadium is an anchor of the Dubai Sports City complex, the premier multi-purpose sports development in Dubai. The stadium, which opened in 2009, has hosted several high-profile International Cricket Council (ICC) and Indian Premier League (IPL) tournaments, including last year’s IPL Final between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders. The venue will also be home to the inaugural season of the International League T20 (ILT20), the UAE’s professional cricket league that begins play in January 2023.
“It’s an honor for our league to begin play in one of the world’s most storied stadiums,” said Kanwal S. Sra, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, of the UIBL. “Dubai International Stadium is one of the jewels of the region, and it will be an incredible launchpad for the UIBL as we bring professional baseball to fans across the Middle East and South Asia. We greatly appreciate the support and partnership of Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Sports City, and the entire Dubai International Stadium team.”
A key part of the UIBL’s growth strategy and intellectual property is the league’s proprietary process of transforming cricket fields – plentiful across the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East – into baseball fields. This includes formulation and transportation of the infield dirt, design and implementation of the fencing, and customization and build-out of the dugouts, bullpens and pitching mound. In addition, the UIBL team is creating first-of-its-kind seating options that will get fans closer than ever to the action.
“In the U.S., we have baseball fields in nearly every neighborhood,” said Kash Shaikh, President, and Chief Marketing Officer, UIBL. “In India and the Middle East, you can drive thousands of miles without seeing one. While we work at the grassroots level to help expand that infrastructure, we are simultaneously creating our own proprietary process to transform world-class cricket stadiums into hotbeds of professional baseball. And, since we are starting with a blank canvas, we also get to reimagine how fans can experience the game. I’m really excited about the game innovations, fan experiences, and new seating concepts we have in store.”ADVERTISEMENTThe UIBL plans to share the stadium designs and new fan seating options – including new premium and corporate seating – in the months ahead. In addition to the UIBL’s innovation plans, Dubai International Stadium is world-famous for its “Ring of Fire” – a special system of 350 floodlights fixed around the circumference of its round roof. The lights minimize the shadows and replace the need for traditional light towers.
“We are honored to host the UIBL at Dubai International Stadium,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City. “This event continues our stadium’s tradition of hosting world-class international sporting events. We support the UIBL’s vision to bring baseball to our region, and we’re excited to offer fans across our city – and the world – the chance to experience America’s pastime.”

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The CTO described Solomon as “a longtime friend of our organization and a champion of tourism across the Caribbean. He enjoyed a long and stellar career in tourism, spanning product development, marketing, hospitality and sales, which made his contribution to the regional sector as far-reaching as it was influential.”
Solomon served as Montserrat’s tourism director from February 2019 to February 2022. Prior to that post, he was director of tourism at the Tobago House of Assembly, vice president and tourism director at the Tourism & Industrial Development Co. of Trinidad and Tobago and marketing manager at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.

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NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, in partnership with Mastercard®, today announced that the fall iteration of NYC Broadway Week will return for the first time since 2019, offering 2-for-1 tickets to 21 Broadway shows, available for purchase now at nycgo.com/broadwayweek. The popular biannual program, now in its 11th year, will run September 6–25, 2022.
“Since its launch in 2011, NYC Broadway Week has offered visitors and locals alike the world’s best theatrical experiences at a remarkable value,” said NYC Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “After a three-year hiatus, we are proud to bring the fall edition of our signature NYC Broadway Week program back to audiences September 6–25. With choices ranging from Tony Award winners and kid-friendly favorites to new productions and beloved classics, there is something for everyone.”
Participating shows in NYC Broadway Week fall 2022 include:
1776** Aladdin A Strange Loop** Beetlejuice The Book of Mormon Chicago Come From Away Cost of Living** Death of a Salesman** Funny Girl* ** Hadestown Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Into The Woods** The Kite Runner** The Lion King MJ: The Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical The Phantom of the Opera The Piano Lesson** Six** Wicked

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The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) welcomes the decision of the HKSAR Government to reduce hotel quarantine for inbound travellers from seven to three days, followed by four days under medical surveillance at home.  Reducing the number of days for hotel quarantine will help ease the burden on Hong Kong residents returning to the city and incoming international travellers.
However, inbound visitors are not allowed to attend any exhibitions held in event premises, e.g. trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, etc, during the four days of medical surveillance.  The new arrangement and the reduction of number of days for hotel quarantine thus will make no difference for the exhibition industry.
Mr Stuart Bailey, Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) Chairman, commented that while the HKECIA appreciates Government’s direction of relaxing restrictions, our members and the exhibition and convention industry urge the Government to implement quarantine-free travel as soon as possible. During this interim period, they hope the Government to relax restrictions for business travellers and allow overseas exhibition organisers, exhibitors and buyers with the Amber Code to run and attend exhibitions at event premises with their face masks on and appropriate social distancing and preventive measures.
With decades of effort by the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) members, Hong Kong has attained its hard-earned reputation as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia.  Some 140 exhibitions were held in a ‘normal’ year at the AsiaWorld-Expo and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing millions of trade buyers and exhibitors from all over the world.  These high-spending business travellers generated tremendous tourism receipts for hotels, restaurants and shops, and hence created tens of thousands of jobs.  The exhibition industry has been an important pillar to Hong Kong’s economy and will be a core engine for the economy rebound.

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