Holiday & Travel

Hundreds of delegates have converged on Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic this week for what is already being described as a successful 28th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conference, which kicked off on Tuesday and continued through Friday. Senior cruise executives from FCCA Member Lines have been busy today meeting with tourism representatives from across the region’s public and private sectors, in an effort to improve cruise tourism business and develop opportunities for growth across the region.

Regional transport bosses have agreed to continue funding bus services regarded as socially necessary as part of a review of the region’s network.

Against a backdrop of unprecedented cost pressures on bus operators across the UK as a result of rising fuel costs and reduced passenger numbers following the Covid 19 pandemic, Transport for West Midland’s (TfWM) Transport Delivery Committee has agreed to continue to fund at least 78 of 114 bus service contracts that are regarded as socially necessary.

A leading hotelier in Barbados says things are beginning to look up for tourism in Barbados, and as stronger air capacity returns to the island, there is encouraging news out of the U.S. market. Patricia Affonso-Dass, Group General Manager of Ocean Hotels in Barbados, noted that it’s been a long work in progress trying to diversify markets, “and we’re actually seeing big growth out of the U.S. market.”

New flight routes are opening this month that will provide a broader range of options for travellers hoping to visit Laos, as LaoSafe certification of the country's two airlines, Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway, will ensure that passengers can be confident of boarding a flight with high hygiene standards.

Both of Laos' airlines have now been fully certified under the SafeFlight standard, one of a series of health and hygiene certifications under the LaoSafe programme.

Madrid, for second consecutive year is hosting the 9th edition of CULTOURFAIR, the only international B2B high-end cultural tourism trade show, opened its doors on October 3rd at the Hotel Princesa Plaza, venue of the event.

The inauguration of the event was held on Sunday, October 2nd, with a welcome reception offered by the newly opened and brand new Hotel Thompson Madrid.

Leading riding holiday operator, Ranch Rider is adding the Painted Warriors Guest Ranch to its Alberta collection—the property, which is surrounded by 82 acres of pristine forested wilderness, only an hour's drive northwest of Calgary. The specialist already offers wilderness rides taking in the Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, and its latest addition blends the province's breath-taking landscapes with First Nations culture.

As Caribbean tourism stakeholders make their way back to their respective homes, they are no doubt reflecting on their in-person connections with colleagues – old and new – during the 40th edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week.

Distinguished Jamaican hotelier and businessman Kevin Hendrickson has been declared Caribbean Hotelier of the Year by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). The award was presented during CHTA’s historic Caribbean Travel Forum yesterday ahead of the official opening of the 40th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Rail passengers are being advised of changes to journeys over nine days in October during major Trent Valley line upgrade work.

Network Rail will replace 1000 metres of track in Nuneaton and install new signalling equipment in Stafford between Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 October. t’s part of a £58m investment to improve future journeys on this important stretch of the West Coast main line through the West Midlands. or these major upgrades to take place the railway will be closed for nine days.

Boasting a prestigious portfolio of luxury properties across Botswana, Ker & Downey Botswana is synonymous with time honoured, authentic safari and wildlife experiences. Building on their reputation for exceptional family safari, their specialist safari programme for young people, Young Explorers, can now be booked as an add on to any 2023 safari on the Ker & Downey Botswana circuit, offering families an intimate and sustainable safari, full of conservation-themed activities which will both inspire and inform young and old alike.

New research from Visit Sweden reveals that IKEA, pop group ABBA and meatballs, are what Brits associate most with Sweden.

However, there is more to Sweden than just delicious food and great music, and according to the study, many are unaware of Sweden’s rich culture and heritage. With only a fifth (21%) aware of Swedish folklore and less than a sixth (14%) of the nation’s mythological heritage - many travellers are missing out on experiencing centuries of captivating tales from trolls to the huldra – all born in Sweden’s vast, deep forests.

The leadership of the British overseas territory of Anguilla is crystal clear regarding the linkages between tourism and sustainable socioeconomic development.

Haydn Hughes, Anguilla’s Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing and Tourism, understands from a personal as well as professional perspective that tourism is key to Anguilla and Anguillans.

An experienced marketing and hospitality industry professional believes this year’s World Tourism Day theme “Rethinking Tourism” is a clarion call for the private sector to focus on “dynamism and unbridled creativity” to ensure a strong, sustainable future for tourism.

“We have a rare opportunity to use our skills to ensure the rebuilding and reimagining of the tourism sector from the devastation of COVID-19 places people, their communities and their environment firmly top of mind,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, CEO of Figment Design, a leading Miami-based marketing and advertising agency.

World Tourism Day focused on the future at a time when tourism is recovering speedily from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marketplace Excellence (MPE) concurs with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that we should avoid hurtling forward without “Rethinking Tourism”, including how to ensure that the future is one where tourism safeguards the welfare of our people, as well as the health of our environment and natural resources.

As the airline proudly celebrates its 25^th anniversary in 2022, Qatar Airways has been named “Airline of the Year” by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, for an unprecedented seventh time. At a glittering event in London earlier today, the leading global airline also took home three additional awards including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and Best Airline in the Middle East. Qatar Airways has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and now 2022.

Low-income households in Statia are being offered support to shield them from soaring energy prices.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Employment in the Netherlands has agreed a $1300 subsidy to help the most vulnerable Statian residents struggling with their electricity bills.