Holiday & Travel

It is that time of the year again when Saudi Arabia comes under global spotlight with the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage approaching, an event on which the Kingdom is expected to host 2.5 million devotees from 193 countries.

While success in organizing the annual Hajj is not uncommon for Saudi Arabia, yet millions of pilgrims still require high quality means of transportation with exceptional fluidity at the holy sites, which are expected to be the most crowded cities in the world, relative to area and time. According to data released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), 5,780 public buses currently operate in New York City, transporting around 1.2 million passengers on daily basis within an area that measures tens of times that of the combined area of the valley of Mina, Mount Arafa, and Muzdalifah in Saudi Arabia.

Destination Canada has launched a new pilot project called the Tourism Corridor Strategy Program, which aims to accelerate the intentional development of tourism corridors or clusters of tourism assets across Canada.

In partnership with a variety of stakeholders across provincial and territorial boundaries, this collaborative project will benefit not only the communities and destinations involved but will also bolster Canada’s competitiveness by giving visitors more reasons to travel to new regions across Canada. A corridor is a geographic region or a route that connects different destinations with significant tourist attractions, such as:

Atlanta, GA (Sonique Solutions) – The city of Atlanta was filled with vibrant colours, infectious rhythms, and a celebration of cultural diversity as the annual Atlanta Caribbean Carnival took place this past Memorial Day Weekend. This highly anticipated event brought together thousands of people from various backgrounds to revel in the rich traditions and heritage of the Caribbean.

The 36^th edition of the event which is produced by the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) proved to be an overall success, and captivated attendees with a kaleidoscope of Caribbean culture, music, dance, and cuisine. The festival showcased the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean islands and provided a unique platform for Caribbean communities to share their traditions and customs with the wider Atlanta community.

Kenneth Bryan, President of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), speaking to senior tourism and government officials, scientists and members of the media from across the region who gathered last week, stated that hurricanes and hazards climate-related threats threaten the development of the region and its tourism sector, and that preparedness and mitigation are of paramount importance.

He further argued that, as a counterbalance to life in one of the world's most desirable tourist destinations, "the price we pay for living in the beautiful Caribbean is that we face a variety of climate-related threats that can have enormously detrimental effects." effects on human life, property, livelihoods, business, investment and the environment”.

The Himalayan Travel Mart 2023 opened tonight at the impressively decorated ballroom at the Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu. Right Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, personally rushed in from a security conference to open this event, indicating the rebegin of a bright tourism future for Nepal.

The Chief Guest inaugurates the 4th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM 2023) by lighting the traditional Nepali Lamp. The Honourable Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for Nepal, Mr. Sudan Kirati, spoke at the opening, as did Mr. Bibhuti Chand Thakur, Chairman PATA Nepal Chapter. This is the first Travel Mart since 2019, when COVID closed tourism worldwide.

Zanzibar is trying at its best to attract Qatar tourists, taking advantage of the Islands’ tourism attractions and appeal. Ocean beaches, historical and cultural heritage sites are now pulling big crowds of holidaymakers from the Middle East.

Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi had visited Qatar in May and attracted tourism investors and other business people in Qatar to invest in the islands of Zanzibar. Dr. Mwinyi said the Zanzibar government was interested in developing heritage and conference tourism, banking on the attractive tourist resorts available on the island.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Istanbul, Türkiye, for the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, with Pegasus Airlines as the host airline.

The event attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s more than 300 member airlines, as well as senior government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media.

Costa has returned to service in Asia with Costa Serena. Following two May departures around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Costa Serena departed June 1 from Busan, South Korea, heading to Nagasaki and Yatsushiro, Japan. This is the first outbound cruise to resume in South Korea after the end of cruise travel restrictions.

“With the departure of Costa Serena from Busan, we celebrate a historic event for cruises in Asia.

In honour of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month this June, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are celebrating the region they call home with the ‘Rhythm and Blues Caribbean’ sale, offering travel advisors a number of incentives – from bonus commission to cash back, while providing consumers with air credits up to $500 and $150 in spa credits at the award-winning Red Lane Spa on eligible bookings.

Love is once again in the air on the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca, home to the infamous Love Island Villa which is set to hit screens again next week. To celebrate, Villa Select has rounded up its top Mallorca property picks – sure to be any Love Island fan's “type on paper”.

Travellers looking to enjoy the Spanish sunshine can do so from as little as £927 per week (secured with a low 10% deposit and 100% ATOL protected flight-inclusive packages available) and there's a private pool villa to suit everyone: From traditional casa's in Mallorca's stunning countryside – perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine on the terrace; to beautifully appointed modern properties in the heart of some of the island's prettiest towns, ports and tourist hotspots.

Tanzania has approved a construction of a multi-million-dollar five-star lavish contemporary hotel within the Serengeti National Park, as it seeks to enhance leisure travel. The $18 million, stylish and eye-catching, Lake Magadi Serengeti Hotel, stands against the backdrop of two acres in the middle of the Serengeti National Park, with awe-inspiring views.

With its traditional elegant architecture and furnishings reminiscent of the early 1920s, the hotel would have 75 luxurious residential units with capacity to accommodate 150 high-end tourists. The local investor behind the ambitious tourist property, under the Wellworth Hotels and Lodges, says the five-star hotel will be operational in the first quarter of 2024, targeting locals and foreigners that are after exclusive luxury, coupled with unparalleled landscape and wildlife views.

When government officials and professionals from the Caribbean’s Tourism and Travel Industry converge in Manhattan, New York for Caribbean Week 2023, they can look forward to enjoying Lagniappe – A Culinary Cultural Experience of Trinidad, which will be hosted by Tourism Trinidad Limited at Midtown Loft and Terrace in Manhattan, from 7pm to 10pm, on June 6, 2023.

Surging beyond pre-pandemic levels, international visitor arrivals are anticipated to reach their highest levels so far through 2025.

Updated forecasts for 39 Asia Pacific destinations show a very strong increase in aggregate international visitor arrivals (IVAs) under each of three scenarios in 2023, with robust annual growth continuing to the end of 2025.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club have announced the introduction of a new feature, Card Linked Offers, which will integrate Avios in members’ lifestyles. Visa or Mastercard credit cardholders – including cards registered in Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay – can now be linked to their Privilege Club accounts. This enables members to collect and spend Avios on everyday purchases at a wide range of retail and lifestyle partners in Qatar.

The historic Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort has been honoured with the prestigious Tripadvisor 2023 Travellers’ Choice Award, solidifying its reputation as a remarkable resort destination and reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional experiences.

Located in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, this iconic resort has been recognized as one of the finest hotels worldwide. It proudly joins the elite group of the top 10 percent of hotels worldwide, as determined by Tripadvisor’s annual award.

The friendly dance Bob Marley style between the Hon. Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett, and His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, continued in Jamaica, and a lime in the coconut was just added.

On tour to Caribbean nations, such as the Bahamas, and Barbados, the Saudi Tourism minister stopped in Jamaica last Sunday.