Category: Latest Travel News

Berlin, Germany, March 10, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism returned to ITB Berlin, bringing its new name and look to the leading travel trade fair and uniting the sector around its focus on sustainability, investments and collaboration.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili joined the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wenger, and other public and private sector leaders in officially opening the 2024 event. He said: “Tourism’s return means so much to so many people. Tourism is a great uniting force. Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider.” At the opening, the event’s host, Messe Berlin was recognized for its 40 years as a UN Tourism Affiliate Member and for its key role in advancing international meetings and events tourism and fostering partnerships in the German capital.

Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider

Under its new look and name, UN Tourism once again made ITB Berlin a top platform for high-level collaboration and for advancing several of its key priorities for the sector:

Better data for deeper transformation

UN Tourism and the World Tourism Cities Federation (WCTF) launched a joint report highlighting the need to measure the social and environmental impacts of tourism in urban destinations in a more effective and harmonized way. The report stresses the importance of embracing big data and other forms of technology and looks ahead to the creation of a first global urban tourism database.

The launch of the publication comes in the same week that all 193 UN members adopted the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST).

Accelerating Climate Action

Continuing its leading role in the One Planet Tourism Network and the Glasgow Declaration, UN Tourism launched Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). The guide will assist NTAs everywhere to develop policies and create initiatives designed to accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon sector The guide, which also contains examples of best practice, was developed after consultations with Ministries of Tourism of Member States. The guidance is complemented by a Glasgow Declaration Engagement Pack, with practical recommendations on how to get started on climate action in tourism. Also at ITB Berlin, UN Tourism officials participated in a roundtable event on Reconciling Safety and Sustainability.

Additionally, bringing together its focus on rural development, gender equality and sustainability, UN Tourism also participated in a special side event, Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Foundation for Biodiversity Preservation and Gender Equality – Potentials and Interactions, providing insights and best practice recommendations.

Working closely with Member States

Within the framework of ITB 2024, UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Ministers of Tourism and other high-level representatives from Member States from across the world. The meetings served to advance plans for joint projects and for key upcoming UN tourism events.

New York, NY, United States, March 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / A groundbreaking statistical framework, developed under the leadership of UN Tourism, has been adopted by all 193 UN member states.

The Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) thus becomes the internationally agreed reference framework for measuring the economic, social and environmental aspects of tourism.

The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session (27 February – 1 March 2024) marks a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism.

“Tourism is a powerful force for positive change when managed responsibly and sustainably,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary General. “The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet.”

The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet

Collaborative effort

This achievement is the fruit of a seven-year UN process led by Austria and Spain as co-chairs of the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics, with Saudi Arabia and Seychelles as co-vice chairs.  Under auspices of the Committee, the Framework was developed thanks to the extraordinary work of the multistakeholder Expert Group on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism composed of 40+ countries and 30+ international and regional organizations including the UN Statistics Division, the International Labour Organization (ILO), subnational authorities and observatories, academia and others.

The work involved technical guidance from an Editorial Board chaired first by the Philippines and then by Canada, as well as extensive engagement and consultation with input from numerous pilots in countries.

The Statistical Commission expressed an overwhelmingly enthusiastic support with 34 countries, 3 world regions and international organizations taking active part in the deliberations: Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Benin on behalf of the African Group, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland on behalf of the European Statistical System, Greece, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities and ILO.

Looking ahead, the Commission also welcomed the future development of an implementation programme, including a compilation guide, and called on the international donor community to support the financing for measuring the sustainability of tourism.

Established in 1947, the UN Statistical Commission gathers Chief Statisticians from Member States and international organizations, and is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. The last time that the Commission adopted a statistical standard for tourism was in 2008, when the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account framework were presented.

Closing the gap between policy and statistics

In the margins of the United Nations Statistical Commission, Austria, Spain and UN Tourism co-organized the high-level side event “Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism: Closing the gap between policy and statistics”, in collaboration with the UN Committee for Economic-Environmental Accounting. Austria and Spain shared their vision on the importance of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism for evidence-based policy and decisions, while acknowledging its significance in upholding the relevance of statistical systems worldwide and the links to key topics like data governance and stewardship.

Mexico, the Philippines and Canada reflected on their pioneering experiences with implementing the framework, showcasing the power of integrating data from different domains and sources to distil more holistic and meaningful information on tourism.

The event raised awareness of the Statistical Framework for MST and functioned as an informative preamble to the UN Statistical Commission’s formal deliberations.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 5, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / In a testament to its strategic vision and robust sector growth, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become a global tourism powerhouse.

In an exceptional achievement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, a milestone celebrated by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). This remarkable accomplishment achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse but also highlights its leading role in the economic diversification and sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide. This milestone, marked by the arrival of over 27 million international tourists and over 79 million domestic tourists with a combined total spend of over USD 67 billion, not only showcases the Kingdom’s robust tourism sector but also underscores the Saudi Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to advanced data gathering and statistical analysis, a priority echoed by UN Tourism.

The Kingdom’s success story is built on a foundation of strategic initiatives and reforms that have propelled its tourism sector to new heights. With a staggering 390% increase in demand for tourism activity licenses in 2023 and the contribution of tourism to the non-oil GVA estimated to exceed 7%, Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future is clear. With the tourism sector’s direct contribution to the GDP estimated to exceed  4 %, the country has showcased its resilience, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Leadership

UN Tourism has closely collaborated with Saudi Arabia, recognizing its efforts in developing a robust tourism infrastructure and statistical analysis capabilities. The inauguration of UN Tourism’s Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh in 2021 marked a significant step towards fostering tourism innovation, education, and rural development. This partnership has been instrumental in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable tourism practices and statistical excellence.

Elevating its global position in the tourism sector, Saudi Arabia has distinguished itself by leading the G20 in international tourist growth rate in 2023 compared to 2019. This recognition underlines the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the global tourism sector’s recovery following the pandemic. Moreover, the Middle East has emerged as the sole region not only to rebound but also to outpace pre-pandemic tourism levels, with a 122 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019. At the forefront of this remarkable growth, Saudi Arabia witnessed a staggering 156 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019, underscoring its central role in the region’s tourism boom.

A Testament to Resilience and Innovation

The Kingdom’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom. These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.

Empowering the Workforce

The employment opportunities created by the tourism sector are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s success. As of 2023, with 925.5 thousand jobs in the tourism sector and significant investments in training, the Kingdom is on track to make tourism the second-largest employer by 2030. This focus on workforce development ensures that the benefits of tourism growth are shared widely and sustainably.

Gratitude and Future Vision

UN Tourism extends its congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this historic achievement. We commend the leadership, the Ministry of Tourism, and all partners for their unwavering support and dedication. As Saudi Arabia continues to drive towards its goal of 150 million tourists by 2030, UN Tourism looks forward to supporting its journey, celebrating its successes, and promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for global tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023 is a beacon of what is possible through collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. The Kingdom not only promises a diverse and rich tourism experience but delivers on that promise, paving the way for a brighter future for the global tourism industry.

Osaka, Japan, March 1, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The vibrant metropolis of Osaka is considered the culinary capital of Japan – a haven of gastronomy where local residents and international visitors can savour world-class cuisine. Now, this captivating city is raising the bar for dining even higher with a collection of eight world-class restaurants and bars at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka.

Rising 33-storeys in Namba, Osaka’s most vibrant entertainment and retail district, this five-star urban landmark transports diners on a multi-sensory journey of discovery, as talented chefs fuse premium ingredients and a spirit of innovation to craft exquisite cuisine in atmospheric venues. Here is a selection of the hotel’s most unmissable dining experiences:

Suan Bua: Sizzling Thai Street Food

As Thailand’s leading hotel group, Centara is rooted in Thai culinary heritage. At Suan Bua, diners’ taste buds are escorted to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia with stylish interiors and a genuine tuk-tuk in the heart of the restaurant! All ages can savour authentic Thai street food, including fresh salads, spicy soups, sizzling stir-fries, colourful curries and more, crafted by Chef Sompong, who hails from Thailand, and his talented team.

Don’t miss: Tom Yum Goong Naang. Thailand’s national dish is a wonderfully fragrant, spicy and sour soup featuring river prawns, lemongrass, chilli and mushrooms.

Kunsei Kitchen: Osaka’s Most Spectacular Smokehouse

Discerning diners can elevate their epicurean adventure at Kunsei Kitchen, the 33rd floor smokehouse restaurant which frames sparkling skyline views. Within this stunning setting, Chef Asano, who has worked at some of the world’s leading restaurants, uses exquisite ingredients to craft contemporary dishes, accompanied by fine wines and smoked cocktails. The omakase menu is a highly exclusive experience that blends tradition with invention.

Don’t miss: Seasonal Fish with Smoked Broth. Kunsei Kitchen’s menu changes with the seasons to showcase the finest ingredients in their prime – including the freshest fish.

Whiskey Nova Steakhouse: Elevating the Epicurean Arts

Osaka’s most exciting and immersive new steakhouse, this dazzling 32nd floor restaurant transports guests to a world where American comic book culture meets Japanese retro art. Amidst this vibrant ambience, diners can indulge in expertly prepared cuts of meat, from succulent dry-aged beef to perfectly grilled wagyu. Every meal can be paired with a curated selection of fine wines and whiskeys, all set against a backdrop of breath-taking city views.

Don’t miss: Japanese Beef Sirloin Steak. Wonderfully tender and cooked to perfection, this is a meat-lover’s dream. Enjoy it with WhiskeyNova’s own signature steak sauce.

Smoke & Spin: Feel the Spirit of the City

Step into Centara Grand Hotel Osaka’s rooftop oasis at Smoke & Spin, where panoramic views of the city unfold. Designed with the theme of a baseball park, this inspiring venue is the ultimate setting for afternoon tea during the day. Then as night falls, this spirited lounge transforms into a vibrant hub of activity where guests can feel the energy of Osaka and sip expertly crafted cocktails until 2am.

Don’t miss: Strawberry Afternoon Tea. This sublime selection is presented on an elegant tree stand and features 17 sweet & savoury bites, focusing on fresh strawberries.

Guests can also discover Crudo Deck, the breath-taking rooftop restaurant where diners can soak up panoramic views, sip in a world of science fiction at Automata, the cutting-edge cocktail bar with self-service technology, or grab light refreshments on the move at Platform 2, the bright lobby lounge.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 96 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2020 as an experiential luxury collection, inviting guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality starting with Centara Reserve Samui.

Centara also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The 1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Bangkok, Thailand, March 4, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / DID – Dine in the Dark, the multi-sensory, thought-provoking and socially responsible dining experience, has been surprising and delighting guests in the heart of Bangkok since 2014. Now, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this pitch-black culinary evening at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, three delectable new menus have been launched that will transport diners on an adventure through taste, smell, touch and sound.

At DID, diners embark on a journey into the world of the blind and partially sighted. Having been warmly greeted at BARSU, the legendary lounge on Sukhumvit Road, guests are plunged into darkness and guided to their table by a team of visually-impaired guides. Without the power of sight, they are presented with a four-course menu and have to use their remaining senses to work out what’s on their plate – a fun, interactive gastronomic guessing game that also raises awareness about blindness.

New Western, Asian and Vegetarian menus have now been added to the DID experience, alongside the existing Surprise (East meets West fusion) options. Each of these four-course set dinners has been expertly crafted by a team of talented chefs, who carefully blend different textures, flavors and aromas to stimulate the senses and tantalize the taste buds. Every meal can be accompanied by a choice of beverages, including fine premium beverages and cool cocktails.

While the evening is designed to be lively and entertaining, it also serves a more important purpose. As a socially responsible venture, DID is presented by a team of sightless servers who guide their guests through the entire meal. The aim is to raise awareness about the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Thailand and to provide a valuable source of employment and income for talented individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to find work.

By reversing the usual roles of society and letting the visually-impaired service team help their full-sighted guests, this revealing evening offers a valuable insight into how the world is perceived by people without the power of sight. For every customer hosted at DID, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel will donate THB 50 to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, a non-profit organization based in Bangkok.

DID is available six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), from 18.00 – 22.00 hrs. Staged at BARSU, the stylish social venue at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and with a direct connection from Asok BTS skytrain station, this is an unmissable culinary experience that will bring families, friends and groups closer together.

For reservation, please visit https://sheratongrandesukhumvit.info/dineinthedark.

Alternatively, to contact Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit please call +66 (0)2 649 8888

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of nearly 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.

Mahé, Seychelles, March 3, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / It is hard to believe, that some 30 years have already elapsed since I first met Paul van Frank, at the time, when he was the General Manager of “The Plantation Club Resort & Casino” ( later rebranded as the “Kempinski Seychelles Resort” located on the island of Mahe). Paul can best be described, as an “Old School Hotelier”, who values principles such as “honesty, integrity, fairness and loyalty”. He is a seasoned, multi-lingual & undoubtedly, accomplished Hotelier, with a proven track record in Operations as well as an in-depth expertise in all aspects of Sales Marketing.

Paul is very “guest centric” with an extraordinary eye for detail, who will go to great length to achieve optimal guest satisfaction. Having many times watched Paul in action so to speak, he adopts a “hands-on approach” and is clearly an inspirational leader, who believes in working closely with his team, to deliver the highest standards and achieve the desired financial results. Paul has a sound business acumen with a deep understanding of the need to be very “bottom-line driven”. What I have always admired in Paul being his passion for developing young talent leading to be baled to create a bond with his team.

I start this way to speak about a Team Member of the Hospitality Fraternity because too often it is forgotten that behind every successful Hotel & Resort sits a dedicated hospitality professional amassing a wealth of experience and knowledge. Who benefits from these years of knowledge at the end? Is the question many continue to ask?.

Paul van Frank, the hotelier, is a typical Belgian with an infectious sense of humour and a true love for the Culinary Art. By the same token Paul has equally demonstrated time and time over his competence & proficiency with “pre-openings “, as well as the “rebranding” and “repositioning” of 5-star Hotels.

Paul is a passionate and truly committed professional, who has acquired a reputation for “getting the job done” even when facing challenging & complex situations demanding a high level of diplomacy, flexibility & sensitivity.

In all honesty, over the course of the past 3 decades, I must applaud Paul for his tenacity & unwavering determination to persevere in the adversity, having survived the ‘tsunami” in Thailand, the bombing in Bali, serious earth quakes in Istanbul, multiple hurricanes and cyclones in the Indian ocean, yet somehow always able to remain calm, collect and still able to maintain a positive attitude, whilst overcoming such unexpected serious incidents.

Paul can only be qualified as an expert in having successfully run a series of 5 star ‘luxury” Resorts in a variety of tropical destinations, such as “Como Shambhala Estate” (formerly known as “Begawan Giri Estate” in Bali), the highly acclaimed “Fregate Island Private” in the Seychelles, the no 1 Destination Spa in the World, being the multi-award winning “Ananda in the Himalayas” in India, as well as “Le Jadis Beach Resort & Wellness Mauritius” (part of the portfolio of “Banyan Tree Hotels & Resots”).

As Paul and I keep sporadically meeting at different “ International Travel Trade Fairs”, in all sincerity, I hope that Paul van Frank will continue his pursuit of excellence around the world for many years to come.

Hospitality and Tourism as and Industry needs many more years of the likes of Paul van Frank

Andorra la Vella, Andorra, March 2, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / “Sustainability and wellness, the keys to mountain tourism” will be the slogan of the 12th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism, which will take place on 20, 21 and 22 March in Andorra.

• Organised within the framework of the “Five years of action for the development of mountain regions” of the United Nations, the Congress will feature internationally renowned speakers who will explain real experiences of “wellness tourism” and “health tourism”, the new concepts incorporated into the congress.

• This year, as a new feature, the Congress will focus on the theme of “wellness”, reflecting the demand of a new tourist and the necessary adaptation of the offer to the new needs of travellers and to the challenges faced by mountain destinations due to the diversification and advance of climate change.

Organised by the Government of Andorra and the Comú (town council) of Encamp, in the collaboration with UN Tourism, the Congress also has the support of the other Comuns (town councils) of Andorra and two main sponsors: Andorra Telecom as technological sponsor and Creand, Crèdit Andorrà, as financial sponsor.

“Once again, we are delighted that Andorra is hosting the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism. Andorra’s tourism promotion model has always emphasised the importance of mountain and snow tourism. Now, in response to the demand of the new traveller, we are beginning to highlight the wellness attributes that have always accompanied the country of the Pyrenees,” says Jordi Torres, Andorra’s Minister of Tourism and Trade.

“The Government of Andorra is aware of the importance of working with determination to achieve the difficult and indispensable balance between economic growth, the well-being of citizens and the protection of the environment. In short, the challenge is to work for a more sustainable tourism, which takes into account social, economic and environmental aspects, to ensure the prosperity of citizens and professionals in the sector, without neglecting the satisfaction of visitors,” added Torres.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “It is our duty to ensure that tourism contributes to the sustainable future of mountains and that we work to guarantee the competitiveness and sustainability of mountain tourism for the benefit of mountain people.

“This edition of the congress is intended to serve as a roadmap for the sector to shape the future of mountain destinations, showcasing examples of innovation, best practices and creative initiatives that can serve as inspiration to grow stronger and better for the benefit of local communities around the globe,” added the secretary-general.

On this occasion, UN Tourism will present its recent report prepared together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership: Understanding and Quantifying Mountain Tourism.

Real experiences of new concepts such as “wellness tourism” and “thermal tourism”

In this edition, top-level professionals and many institutional representatives will discuss, during the two days of work, issues such as sustainability as the axis of the development of the tourism sector, tourism diversification, especially the emerging tourism products that respond to the new demands of travellers of the future, as well as the necessary training to face this transformation, among others.

Real experiences of the implementation of the “wellness tourism” concept will be highlighted with speeches by Lászlo Puczko, CEO of Health Tourism Worldwide, Joan Muro, President of Andorra Health Destination Association, and Emma Haefeli, Marketing Director of CHENOT GROUP (Switzerland), among others.

Another star product will be “thermal tourism” – in order to delve into this new trend in mountain areas, the congress will be attended by Csilla Mezősi, secretary-general of the European Spas Association, who will explain the experience of thermal tourism throughout Europe.

Also represented will be Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism such as Saas-Fee, in the Swiss region of Valais (BTV in 2021), St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria (BTV 2023) and Ordino in Andorra (BTV in 2023).

Sustainability will also take centre stage with presentations by Javier Corso, who will present the project that National Geographic has carried out together with Andorra Turisme to improve the impact of tourism on the environment and on people, entitled: “Andorra al natural, the environment in which ideas germinate”. Javier Corso is a National Geographic Explorer, a distinctive position that is only awarded to a few people from around the world who work to protect the planet.

Education and training will also feature prominently at this year’s congress, where Rui Zhou, president of the Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, together with Maria Abellanett, president of the CETT in Barcelona, will discuss the challenges and human resource needs of mountain tourism in the near future.

Sport will be another theme, this time addressed by David Astrié, director of Icònic Andorra, who will present the medical-sports high-altitude residential centre that aims to become a European and world reference in high-altitude sports training.

Successful experiences will also be presented by representatives of Best of the Alps, Lech Zürs Tourism (Austria), the Pyrenees Agency and Pic du Midi (France).

To address the main issues, the event will be divided into four sessions focusing on health and wellness tourism, the promotion of premium tourism in mountain areas, emerging tourism products and training and recruitment of staff.

You can consult the program here: https://mountainlikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/progprov_CMTNMB2024_pub_ENG.pdf

World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism
The Congress is an initiative of the seven Communes and the Government of Andorra, together with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the aim of creating a forum for permanent debate on the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. It is organized every two years: the first edition was held in 1998 in Escaldes-Engordany and since then, each edition is organized in a different parish.

More information and registration: http://mountainlikers.com

Gran Canaria, Spain, February 26, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The second edition of the UN Tourism Tech Adventures, along with Infecar is focused on Tourism Technologies and Solutions for Hotels and New Business Models

More than 120 entrepreneurs from nearly 70 countries around the World have presented their projects in the competition for startups focused on technologies and solutions in tourism for hotels and new business models created by UN Tourism and promoted by Infecar. The challenge, which serves to identify entrepreneurs in the sector, has culminated its edition with the election of ten finalists from around the world and two winners, the startups Twistic and WeavAIR.

All of them took part in the UN Tourism Tech Adventures on 19 and 20 February, within the framework of DigiON, the Canary Islands Business Digitalization Show, a meeting in which innovation was the protagonist against the backdrop of the island of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands (Spain). The startups, which presented their projects in pitch format, shared the stage with leading industry professionals, including the Social Hub, Amadeus, Kerten Hospitality, the Hague School of Hospitality, Atlantis Tecnología y Sistemas, Minor Hoteles, the TUI Group and Federación de Empresarios de Hostelería y Turismo of the Canary Islands.

Through this challenge, UN Tourism and Infecar aimed to drive a revolution within the tourism sector, with sustainability and innovation as the drivers of change. Therefore, from the outset, the competition has aimed to focus on solutions that help redefine the hotel landscape and identify new business models. All of this in a sector that generated US$1.4 trillion in international tourism revenue last year alone, when there were an estimated 1286 million international tourists.

For Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism: “From a pool of 120 startups from over 70 countries, the competition received technological and AI-driven solutions that are aimed at revolutionizing hotels and forging new sustainable business models. I would like to congratulate the 10 entrepreneurs that were selected as finalists and will be accompanied for further opportunities via our UN Tourism Innovation Network. They are vital within the ever-evolving hospitality sector, redefining the tourism landscape with their disruptive approaches!”

In addition to personalized support for the startups, they have received mentoring from UN Tourism and its partners as well as the possibility to be part of the Innovation Network of the UN specialized agency for the tourism sector. Likewise, given UN Tourism’s commitment to education, the finalists have had the opportunity to benefit from scholarships to study at the Tourism Online Academy. The platform, which already has more than 25,000 students from over 150 countries, is a leading online learning center to meet the needs of those who work in or want to enter the tourism sector.

Meet the winning startups

The winner in the category of Innovations in Digital Hospitality and New Business Models was Twistic, a Spanish company that seeks to change the user experience through mobile applications, digital signature or electronic tags. It was joined as finalists by Czech startup Schulering, which has created a professional platform that connects hospitality through learning. The American startup Everhost, which works to make visitors feel like locals when they arrive at a destination. Also the Emirati Sparkle Haze and its commitment to big data and the use of Artificial Intelligence applied to user experience and guest security and the Tunisian startup Ostel Flow that offers new generation solutions based on the cloud.

In the Sustainability Impact category, the work of the Canadian company WeavAIR, which is dedicated to business intelligence solutions and remote auditing based on satellite networks and IOT, stood out and the finalists were Senange Eco, a sustainability consultancy dedicated to helping companies on their way to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; the Dutch company Hotels for Trees, which is committed to planting a tree every time a guest decides to skip the daily cleaning of the room; the Spanish company Effiwaste, which works to eliminate organic waste from the HORECA channel by measuring via SAAS; and Purple Elephant ventures is a venture firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. They design smart travel technology start-ups from scratch with a focus on innovation in sustainable tourism.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 25, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Café Wolseley, the esteemed Bangkok eatery from London, is proud to announce the transition of its celebrated pop-up at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel into a permanent fixture, following a successful one-year residency. This marks a new chapter in international expansion for The Wolseley Hospitality Group, renowned for its iconic London venues such as The Wolseley and The Delaunay.

Embracing the grand café culture of Europe, Café Wolseley Bangkok marries British elegance with continental flair, presenting a menu that features Wolseley favourites alongside innovative creations. The ambience of the ground-floor restaurant is a thoughtful orchestration of old-world charm and contemporary touches, creating the perfect backdrop to enjoy such signature dishes as the “Prawn & Avocado Cocktail”, king prawns and avocadoes served on shredded gem lettuce, dressed with sauce ‘marie rose’; “The Wolseley Coq au Vin”, marinated chicken braised in red wine and served with pancetta and button mushrooms; “Black Forest Gateaux”, griotte cherry, kirsch & chocolate.

The restaurant’s refreshed a la carte menu opens with a premium seafood selection in which dressed Dorset Crab sits alongside Antonius Oscietra Caviar and an assortment of Fines de Claire and Krystale Oysters. Some starters cater to meat enthusiasts with European staples like Steak Tartare with a spicy relish and Classic Eggs Benedict with York ham, whilst the French brasserie is evoked through Classic Onion Soup and Escargots finished with a dash of Pernod. For lighter fare, guests can try the excellent Yellow-Fin Tuna tartare, Smoked Salmon or Sea Bream Ceviche.

The menu retains many of Café Wolseley’s hero dishes including the twice-cooked Soufflé Suisse with parmesan and classic grill delights ranging from Wagyu rib-eye and cannon of lamb to pork chops. The vegetarian selection has been expanded to include a Wild Mushroom Stroganoff and a rich Cauliflower and Chickpea makhani curry served with mango chutney and chapatis.

When time is of the essence, the ever-changing prix fixe lunch menu (THB 900++ for two courses or THB 1,250++ with dessert) currently presents a refined yet filling selection of Pea Soup with mint and crème fraîche or Smoked Duck Breast Salad, followed by options like grilled Pork Chop or pan-seared Sea Bream, and sweet finishes of Coconut & Lime Sorbet or Chocolate Éclair. Meanwhile, the recently launched Wolseley Afternoon Tea is a classic traditional affair starring a variety of finger sandwiches, homemade scones and cakes, with the option to elevate the experience with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne. Available daily from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm, the experience is priced at THB 1,950++ for two, while the Champagne set is THB 4,150++ for two.

Café Wolseley is located in the Parichart Court at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel and is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12.00pm to 2.30pm and Monday to Sunday for dinner from 6.00pm to 10.30pm. A private dining room that can accommodate up to 20 guests can be booked in advance for special occasions.

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Anantara Siam Bangkok on telephone 0-2126-8866

About The Wolseley Hospitality Group
The Wolseley Hospitality Group was founded in 2003 and encompasses some of London’s best-loved restaurants; The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Brasserie Zédel, Colbert, Fischer’s, Bellanger and Soutine, with Manzi’s in Soho and The Wolseley City set to open in London in 2023. Immaculate presentation, seamless and personalised service, charming interiors, and an all-day dining offering are some of the ingredients that make the group stand out from the competition.

Berlin, Germany, February 29, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Prominent political and tourism industry figures are to attend the official opening ceremony of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show on 4 March. A spectacular show programme featuring classical works and folk music by the Official Host Country Oman awaits the audience at the opening of ITB Berlin 2024.

The stage is set for Oman: the slogan of this year’s ITB Berlin opening ceremony is ’Beauty Has An Address’. Represented by H.E. Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, the host country will present a colourful and impressive show onstage at the CityCube Berlin on the eve of the first day of the trade show, 4 March 2024, starting at 6 p.m.. A tour of the beauty and many facets of the country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula awaits some 3,000 guests invited to the event, among them numerous prominent political and tourism industry figures.

Political representatives Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, and Dieter Janecek, the Federal Government’s Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, will welcome the host country and those present. The travel industry will be represented by Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, will represent ITB Berlin.

An impressive tour of the many facets of this country awaits the audience and is divided into three parts. The first will highlight the beauty of Oman, including its many natural attractions, traditions, and elements of the Sultanate of Oman’s cultural heritage. The second part will focus on the progress of Oman, including the modernisation of the country and preservation of its cultural identity, as well as religion, education, human rights and art. In the third part entitled ’Vision 2040’, the Sultanate of Oman will present new horizons, sustainable tourism development and its role on the world stage.

In addition, Omani singers and folk groups will present a colourful programme, accompanied by the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, which will combine all elements of the show by presenting traditional Omani customs and melodies as well as music works from around the world. This is the first time in 17 years that the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra is visiting Germany again. As one of the few western-oriented symphony orchestras in the Arab World it occupies a special role. What is also extraordinary is that since the orchestra was founded its musicians have been exclusively from Oman.

After the opening ceremony, the host country will hold a reception at the CityCube Berlin, where culinary delights from the Sultanate of Oman will be served.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2024 will take place from Tuesday, 5 to Thursday, 7 March. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. As in previous years, the internationally acclaimed ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel with the show as a live event on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Under the heading „Pioneer the Transition in Travel & Tourism. Together.“, leading speakers from business, science and politics will discuss the industry’s current and future challenges on 4 stages with a total of 17 themed tracks and more than 24,000 attendees.