Holiday & Travel

In a recent statement about Sandals Foundation 40 for 40 programs, Executive Chairman explains how tourism can be transformed for the better.

Launched as part of Sandals Resorts’ 40th anniversary celebrations, 40 projects were identified across 8 Caribbean destinations where Sandals Resorts International (SRI) operates that best showcase the incredible link between tourism and its power to transform communities and improve local lives.

The global travel retail market size is expected to reach USD 145 Billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period.

The demand for garments, cosmetics, food, and electronics in the travel retail industry has increased as a result of the growth in travel and tourism.

Sixty North American Jamaica travel specialists participated in an exclusive incentive trip and award gala.

The top 60 North American Travel Specialists from the Jamaica Travel Specialist (JTS) program were recognized and rewarded for a successful 2022 year at the annual One Love Affair at Secrets St. James Resort in Montego Bay.

EL AL Israel Airlines have announced that it signed an agreement with the Boeing Company to purchase a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will be the 17th Boeing 787 Dreamliner in its fleet. The aircraft, equipped with two Rolls Royce’s engines, was originally manufactured for another customer, and will be modified to EL AL’s specifications. The expected delivery date is second quarter 2024.

Crete's premier boutique-style hotel for independent solo travellers launches its 2023 season with a series of inspiring themed weeks for guests.

Activities range from a Walking Week with the chance to explore off-the-beaten-track routes across Western Crete, to a relaxing Yoga and Wellbeing Week.

What a year! Travel and Tourism 2022 will be remembered as a roller coaster year for the sector employing 10% of the global work force.

Gradually witnessing a resilient industry fighting for survival and turning this fight against COVID with more vaccination rules in place to make it COVID-free did not work.

“This was my father’s philosophy and what would become the mantra for the standard of hospitality excellence,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, remembering Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s guiding vision.

Sandals Resorts was founded by his late father, and Adam is only the second Chairman in the company’s 40-year history.

Thousands of flights have been cancelled in many major airports in the United States and Canada due to extreme weather. The severe Arctic winter storm has brought freezing temperatures and devastating winds that damage the powerlines to the United States and Canada, causing power outages that left more than 1,130,000 Americans and 260,000 Canadians in the dark.

As a growing number of Caribbean destinations continue to set record tourism arrivals, expenditures and hotel occupancies, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) praised the region’s tourism industry, local government authorities and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for their vigilance and collaboration, which has contributed to the region’s recovery.

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.