Holiday & Travel

The Caribbean could be losing billions of dollars in tourism revenue by not fully harvesting the enormous value of diverse markets in North America and beyond.

Historically underrepresented African American, Asian American, Caribbean American, Hispanic American and other markets present a wealth of opportunity to reap rewards for the region, and 2023 is a good time to refocus on growing demand for a Caribbean travel experience among these populations and meeting their expectations once they arrive on our shores.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has celebrated reaching H.E President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's tourist arrivals target for 2022 with a vibrant ceremony to welcome the 1.6 millionth tourist to the Maldives. This milestone, announced by President Solih in his Presidential Address this year, was achieved through the hard work and dedication of Government agencies, industry stakeholders، and travel trade partners from across the globe.

Brazil’s tourism industry has undergone a renewal, with infrastructure and security investments helping restore it to pre-pandemic levels.

The country has also increased its air frequencies to pre-2020 levels, and over 80% of the population has received at least 2 COVID vaccine doses. As a result, Brazil is again seeing positive numbers of international arrivals and spending on tourism.

Throughout this festive season, the glittering lights of Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park will guide visitors to their new magical Enchanted Light Trail, a beautiful winter wonderland transformation that’s now open until 31st December.

The Enchanted Light Trail invites visitors to enter a magical world and journey ‘Through the Wardrobe’ with the help of Florrie the Faun, and experience Cotswold Farm Park as a sparkling land of snow and ice with barns, paddocks and woodland walks illuminated by twinkling lights.

Despite the Christmas travel chaos, 43% of Brummies are taking a festive break this year and 85% of these holidaymakers in Birmingham, are taking a staycation over the Christmas holidays. 

On average Brummies are planning to take two festive themed short breaks this year, with each trip costing on average £196.34 – which will contribute to the UK collective spend of £9.6 billion* on festive staycations.

Khaybar Volcano Camp, a new luxury eco-lodge concept, officially opened to visitors on December 15, in the recently opened up region of Khaybar, Saudi Arabia. Built on the landscape of extinct volcanoes, the Khaybar Volcano Camp will operate for an initial limited duration closing in April 2023.

It is situated in one of the most spectacular and untouched places on earth. Now being excavated by the world’s leading archaeologists, the discoveries of the Khaybar Harrat region are helping to form new theories about ancient Arabia and civilisations of the past.

As the Caribbean gets ready for what is expected to be a bumper tourism season this winter, stakeholders are advised to strengthen efforts to incorporate more young people in the bread-and-butter sector.

Thanks to the efforts of regional tourism organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association; government ministries and departments; and private sector players across the region, more young people are looking at tourism for first choice career opportunities rather than a final course of action.

Americans of diverse backgrounds celebrate winter holidays with joyful traditions and tunes. Dances like the one above in New York mark the Chinese Lunar New Year, which occurs between mid-January and mid-February with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

These photographs capture celebratory songs and dances that occur across the United States in the coming months.

While Global tourism is recovering, Bali Hotels Association has been preparing for its return in a stronger form during 2022.

“In spite of the challenges that we have experienced over the past few years, we have persevered, and are pressing on towards greater achievements in the future,” stated Executive Director of Bali Hotels Association (BHA) Diah Ajung during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, on December 9, 2022.

Now that the month of December has shown up on the calendar and we notice how close the Christmas holidays really are, we inevitably start thinking about where we would like to spend them and with whom. For those getaways that we like so much at Christmas, Argentina has several destinations that can make this celebration the best time of the year, bearing in mind that it is the season with warmer temperatures in the country.

Despite the impact of Hurricane Fiona this Fall, Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is on track to close the year with new records in visitation, visitor spending and jobs – signalling one of the best years in the history of this economic sector and solidifying the Territory’s recovery from the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blenheim Palace has been named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2022 at the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence. The Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site was awarded the title at the ceremony which took place at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.

The award recognises large visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. The Awards are run by Tourism South East to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry.

A new international hospitality brand and lifestyle resort called Wafaifo has been launched in central Vietnam.

The company will open the 134-key lifestyle resort, the Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, in Q1 2024 as part of a plan that includes a new mall adjacent to the hotel.

Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the country’s post-pandemic recovery was so strong that stayover arrivals were at 97 percent of 2019 levels while revenues were even higher at 120 percent of 2019 earnings.

Bartlett added Jamaica had done much better than projected in the post pandemic recovery. “We had projected that we would reach 2019 levels in arrivals by 2023-24.

Flights will operate as scheduled on days when Border Force employees go on strike, Birmingham Airport said. The Midlands travel hub advised passengers what to expect when members of the PCS (Public and Commercial Services) union walk out on December 23, 24 and 25 and December 28, 29 and 30: 

Rail passengers are being warned to prepare for disruption across the Wales and Borders network during December and January.  

The National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) have announced strike action will take place on 13-14, 16-17 and 24-27 December and 3-4 and 6-7 January.