Category: Latest Travel News

Marbella (Spain) – April 16, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Minor Hotels and NH Hotel Group are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to operate the Villa Padierna Palace, a hotel located in Marbella in the south of Spain. The property is owned by the Villa Padierna group and will be managed with immediate effect under a variable lease agreement. Following Minor Hotels’ acquisition of NH Hotel Group in October 2018, this agreement will see the first integration of the two companies’ portfolio of brands, with Villa Padierna to be rebranded to Minor Hotels’ core luxury brand Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in the coming months.

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Minor Hotels and NH Hotel Group have successfully started to implement key integration strategies, bringing all of their hotel brands under a single corporate umbrella, now with presence in over 50 countries worldwide. Two key integration initiatives include the transfer earlier this year of Minor Hotels’ Portugal and Brazil operations to NH Hotel Group to benefit from scale and geographic expertise and aligning Minor Hotels’ and NH Hotel Group’s brands so that the geographic operating clusters can best capitalise upon brand expansion and rebranding opportunities. The signing of Villa Padierna and upcoming rebranding to Anantara, to be managed by NH Hotel Group under the guidance and brand oversight of Minor Hotels and with the combined leadership and expertise of both companies, is the first milestone in the materialisation of this strategy.

Located in the Costa del Sol’s Golf Valley, the property will be relaunched as Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort, and will become the first Anantara in NH Hotel Group’s home market of Spain and the second Anantara in Europe, the first being the Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort in Portugal which launched two years ago.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, commented, “We are very happy to debut our luxury Anantara brand in Spain with the upcoming launch of Anantara Villa Padierna, Marbella Benahavís Resort, which at the same time demonstrates our commitment to integrate Minor Hotels and NH portfolio of brands and operational expertise across our joint and expanding geographical footprint.”

Ramón Aragonés, CEO of NH Hotel Group, said, “This agreement marks excellent progress on our integration with Minor Hotels and the first opportunity for NH to offer Europe an ultimate luxury concept which connects travellers with authentic experiences in privileged destinations.”

Surrounded by three golf courses, Villa Padierna is located in the middle of the region’s ‘Golden Triangle’ made up of Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona, with its impressive proposition comprising a combination of luxurious rooms, fine art, unique culinary experiences and exclusive areas for relaxation, health and wellness. The property was designed principally by the English architect Ed Gilbert in the style of the mythical Tuscan palazzos and is home to more than 1,200 original works of art.

Guests can enjoy a range of luxurious accommodation options across the resort’s 130 guest rooms, suites and villas. Deluxe Rooms are decorated in neutral tones, including details in travertine marble, with views over the golf course, gardens and swimming pools. Suites offer spacious surroundings and balconies with exclusive views as well as being home to some of the most valuable works of art.

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The Resort also offers the option of staying in one of its extensive Villas, which combine the exclusivity of a private residence with the comfort of a luxury hotel. One is the Obama Villa, renamed after the First Lady, Michelle Obama, chose to spend her holiday in Spain in it during the summer of 2010.

Inspired by the distinctive character of the local Spanish cuisine, the Resort offers a premium culinary experience designed to enable guests to comprehend, rediscover and connect with their destination. Underpinned by impeccable standards of quality, the hotel offers a range of gastronomic propositions to suit all tastes and times of the day, including La Veranda, La Loggia, Club del Mar, Hole 55, The Grill Club, Eddy’s Bar and La Pérgola.

In addition to the restaurant and bar offerings, the Resort offers its guests all kinds of exceptional outdoor facilities surrounded by gardens and two swimming pools. Villa Padierna Wellness spa, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, is staffed with an ample team of experienced therapists and offers a broad range of customisable treatments. The wellness facilities are complemented by a fully equipped gym.

Located in the heart of the so-called Golf Valley, Villa Padierna Golf Club offers cutting-edge golf facilities. Golf lovers can choose from three courses in the vicinity of the resort – Flamingos Golf, Alterini Golf and Tramores Golf, in addition to The Tramores Golf Academy by Michael Campbell, Europe’s only golf school specialised in the short game and private classes. The Racquet Club encompasses over 22,000 square metres of sports facilities, including two tennis courts, 11 padel courts and two croquet lawns.

For hosting any corporate or social event on the Costa del Sol, the Resort offers the latest and most efficient technology systems across over 2,000 square metres of event spaces, including eight meeting rooms, five terraces and a Roman amphitheatre with capacity to accommodate 400 people.

Prachinburi (Thailand) – April 18, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts is inviting guests to be among the first to experience Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, the charming lakeside retreat in Thailand’s picturesque Prachinburi province.

This elegant low-rise resort opened earlier this year as Best Western’s first BW Signature Collection property in Asia. Now, guests have the chance to discover this exciting blend of Thai and international hospitality with a special discounted rate.

Guests who book a Superior Room at Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western between now and December 31, 2019, will enjoy an enticing rate, starting from THB 1,499 net per night, including buffet breakfast for two people at the resort’s Thiwaratree restaurant. All guests will also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and use of the resort’s extensive recreational facilities throughout their stay.

Nestled in Thailand’s beautiful countryside, just 2 hours outside of Bangkok, Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western has been inspired by the region’s ancient Dvaravati culture. Light, bright and exuding tropical charm, this rural resort is ideal for every occasion, including romantic couples’ retreats and fun-filled family holidays.

Surrounded by lush greenery, reflective lotus ponds and tropical plants, the resort features 199 rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and a serene spa, plus a wide range of sports and outdoor activities such as archery, tennis, badminton, cycling and a golf driving range. Guests can also head out and explore the local countryside, which is home to spectacular national parks, forests, waterfalls and ancient ruins.

The Thiwaratree restaurant serves a wide variety of international cuisine, including Thai, Chinese, pan-Asian and Western specialties with views of the pool and waterfall. Alternatively, the Lobby Lounge offers a great place to unwind with refreshing drinks and afternoon tea during the day, or with a cool cocktail after dark.

For more information and to book this special introductory rate at Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, please visit www.bestwestern.com or call +66 (0) 37 210 444.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of over 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 16 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market. Best Western branded hotels include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, AidenSM, SadieSM, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through recent acquisition, Best Western now also offers WorldHotels® Luxury, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Distinctive brands. Completing its portfolio, Best Western offers SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, and SureStay Collection® franchises**. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including 66 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2018, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-midscale and midscale hotel brands respectively for two consecutive years, and Fast Company honoring Best Western Hotels & Resorts with a spot in the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality category. Best Western has also won 10 consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA/CAA’s nearly 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in breakfast (food and beverage category) by J.D. Power’s 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first for midscale; and second for upper midscale. Nearly 40 million travelers are members of the brand’s award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western-branded hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Google® Street View provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Contact information:
Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: phanintorn.Tangtrongjit@bestwestern.com

Best Western® Hotels & Resorts
BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd.|Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor Gaysorn Place Office Building
999 Ploenchit Road Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand
Phone: +662.656.1260 | Fax +662.656.1252| www.bestwesternasia.com

Bintan (Indonesia) – April 17, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Award-winning Ria Bintan Golf Club, Bintan, Indonesia, announces a new and bigger term membership programme under their Elite Golf Plan (EGP). This new EGP membership will be launched and available from 1 May 2019, and is priced at $2,898.00 for one membership year. This exclusive membership programme is open for the first fifty (50) sign-ups only.

Designed by golf legend Gary Player and opened in 1998, the much-loved Ria Bintan Golf Club celebrates 21 years this year, and this refreshed membership programme is just one of the many activities and events the club has planned for this milestone year.

John Yap, General Manager of the club explains: “Ria Bintan has had a loyal following of supporters and members for many years now, golfers who come to golf regularly at the club. They simply love our Ocean Course and signature holes! They join as term members seeing great value in membership, as it affords them access to the course year-round.”

“For our 21^st Anniversary in 2019, we are refreshing and relaunching EGP membership with a stepped-up level of member recognition, services and dedicated communications, as well as exclusive access to new member-only events and programmes. This will bring together like-minded golfers who can get together to enjoy these activities, medals and social golf getaways. Additional goodies and benefits include golf sets, a ton of other privileges as well as same-rate fees for the next renewal,” Yap continued.

Upon signing up from May 1, 2019, new Ria Bintan Elite Golf Plan members will receive and enjoy a full suite of inclusions, benefits and welcome gifts for the following membership year.

Elite Golf Plan Inclusions

• Unlimited Green Fees
• Unlimited use of Driving Range balls
• Four nights’ complimentary stay at Ria Golf Lodge
• Arrival & departure (Bintan) land transfers
• Access to Bintan Executive Lounge upon arrival and departure in Bintan

Elite Golf Plan Benefits

• Special Member-only Golf Buggies
• Member-only access to one buggy and one caddy for golf
• 46% off accommodation at Ria Golf Lodge
• 20% off dining at Tee Off Restaurant
• 25% off merchandise at Pro Shop
• 25% off spa treatments at Asmara Ria Spa
• Special rates for Ria Bintan events
• Regular Members’ Newsletter
• Exclusive Member Events & Activities
• Members’ guests – 38% off for golf rates
• Members’ guests – 38% off accommodation at Ria Golf Lodge
• Members’ guests – 10% off Stay & Play packages

Welcome Gifts Valued at S$1500

• Personalised Membership Card, Cap and Golf Bag Tag
• Callaway or Srixon Golf Set (choice of 4 models including Ladies’ Set)
• Urban Fairways Vouchers
• Dining and Spa Vouchers
• Limited Edition Ria Bintan Golf Umbrella

In addition to the above, members will be accorded priority bookings, preferred tee-off slots and more. There is also a dedicated membership team to attend to their bookings and requests. 

About Ria Bintan Golf Club
Spectacular and stunning, Ria Bintan Golf Club’s Certified Audubon International Classic and Cooperative Sanctuary Ocean and Forest courses designed by golf legend, Gary Player, are a prized jewel among golfers.

Located near the northern coast of Bintan Island with breath-taking views of the South China Sea, the award-winning 18-hole Ocean Course and 9-hole Forest Course, offer a game comparable to none. Guests may also enjoy facilities including a driving range, spa, pro shop and an alfresco restaurant after a round of golf.

Ria Bintan Golf Club has been consistently named the best golf course in Asia and Indonesia by Asian Golf Awards, and has played host to numerous regional events, including the annual Ria Bintan Golf Challenge and recent Ria Bintan Golf Carnival.

San Juan (Puerto Rico) – April 15, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The 2020 WTTC Global Summit will be hosted by the Government of Puerto Rico’s Tourism Company and Discover Puerto Rico.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is delighted to announce the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico as the destination for its 2020 Global Summit from 21 – 23 April 2020. WTTC represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism.The location of the 2020 Global Summit, regarded as the most important event in the Travel & Tourism sector worldwide, was announced by Gloria Guevara Manzo, President & CEO of WTTC and Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain, today.

Puerto Rico, which attracts more than three million visitors to its shores each year, will host next year’s WTTC Global Summit at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.

Travel & Tourism is one of the leading sectors stimulating economic growth and employment worldwide. In 2018, the global Travel & Tourism sector grew at 3.9% to contribute a record $8.8 trillion and 319 million jobs in the world economy.

Gloria Guevara Manzo stated that, “We are delighted to bring next year’s Global Summit to the beautiful tropical Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, a welcoming and diverse destination, which not only offers visitors glorious beaches, it is also home to the only tropical rainforest in the US. Our annual Global Summit brings together the most influential figures from the public and private sector to address the challenges and opportunities facing the Travel & Tourism industry and is the most important event in the calendar each year. Hosting the Global Summit in Puerto Rico reflects the commitment and efforts of the government and tourist board to grow both business and leisure travel.”

Additionally, Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares emphasized, “Travel & Tourism in instrumental in Puerto Rico’s economic development plans, and has proven to be the most resilient sector in our economy. More so, we believe that sound public policy that effectively attends to private sector needs can be a catalyst for change. Events like the WTTC Global Summit not only give us an opportunity to showcase the diversity of our destination’s tourism offering, but also facilitate spaces for the public and private sectors to define the future of Travel & Tourism together.”

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) is the Government of Puerto Rico’s Tourism Ministry and  Carla Campos, its Executive Director, stated, “Every destination has a moment in time to claim its place in the global Travel & Tourism scene; Puerto Rico is on the cusp of becoming a next generation tourism destination, and the WTTC Global Summit is the ideal stage to unveil how the public and private sectors are working together to make it happen. Tourism is a force for good and an ideal vehicle to improve people’s quality of lives. We share that vision with WTTC members and are honored to have the opportunity to host Travel & Tourism leaders from around the world in Puerto Rico next year.”

Proving the power of public private partnerships, the US territory has recently enacted a joint management and marketing governance structure between the PRTC and Discover Puerto Rico, a newly created and independent destination marketing organization responsible for marketing Puerto Rico to the Wold. Brad Dean, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Puerto Rico added, “We’re honored to have been chosen as host destination for the upcoming World Travel and Tourism Council 2020 Global Summit. Puerto Rico is a place where rich culture and natural wonders lay the foundation for an immense bounty of one-of-a-kind experiences. We’re thriving as a destination of global importance and hosting this Summit will elevate even further our tourism offering, positively impacting the local economy. We look forward to welcoming the global tourism industry next year to discover all that Puerto Rico offers.”

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2020 Global Summit will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan from 21-23 April 2020.

Siem Reap (Cambodia) – April 11, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Cambodia is poised to become a genuine twin-centre golf destination as a result of two announcements made during the 8th annual Asia Golf Tourism Convention. The event, held by the global golf tourism organization IAGTO in Siem Reap, the gateway city to Cambodia’s ancient Angkor temples, was attended by 420 IAGTO member delegates from 45 countries.

IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton said: “It was very special to be able to stage this year’s event just a few kilometres from the number one-ranked UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat and this was not lost on our members, most of whom were visiting Cambodia for the first time.

“We were able to create six days of unique experiences for all delegates, buyers and sellers alike, including tours of Bayon, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat temples as well as three days of golf alongside the business sessions. Most importantly, we were able to shine a light on a relatively undiscovered golf destination that has enormous potential. Siem Reap is a really cosy golf destination, with all three 18-hole courses – Angkor Golf Resort, Phokeethra Country Club and Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club – located within a 20-30 minute drive of the centre of town.”

“Two announcements made at AGTC will see Cambodia transform into a genuine two-centre golf destination,” Walton continued. “The country’s capital, Phnom Penh, a short hop from Siem Reap, will soon have four courses suitable for international golf travellers. Under new ownership since November last year, the Royal Cambodia Golf Club is embarking on major renovations to its clubhouse and golf course which will enable it to join ranks with Garden City and Grand Phnom Penh golf clubs. The jewel in the crown will be the brand new Vattanac Golf Resort, a 36-hole Nick Faldo design, of which 18 holes are already complete and which will be open to the customers of IAGTO golf tour operators from 1 October this year.”

At the Welcome Reception, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Dr Thong Khon, told delegates: “Siem Reap is reliant on its magnificent heritage to attract visitors, but now golf travel provides another pillar to the destination’s tourism product and is another reason for golfers from around the world to visit Cambodia and enjoy our heritage, culture, gastronomy and lifestyle via these magnificent fairways.”

AGTC 2019 took place at the Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Centre, located 6km from Angkor Wat and only a 15-minute ride by tuk tuk to the bustling heart of Siem Reap. Cambodia offers incredible value for money, a laid-back attitude, convenience, comfort, tranquillity and nightlife along with a variety of great golf experiences, said Peter Walton.
He added: “Siem Reap undoubtedly stands out as a unique golf destination, and if there was ever such a thing I would probably describe it as one of the most enjoyable ‘boutique golf destinations in Asia’!”

About the Asia Golf Tourism Convention
AGTC is an annual meeting place for IAGTO members, focused on golf tourism development within the Asia, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Gulf States regions. 420 IAGTO members participated from 45 countries including 162 golf tour operators from 34 countries. Golf destinations represented included Cambodia and the ASEAN countries of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam; China & Japan; India & Sri Lanka; Mauritius; Australia & New Zealand; Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Oman; Russia, Azerbaijan & Turkey. AGTC 2020 will take place in the week beginning Sunday 29 March at a venue to be announced later this year.

Seville (Spain) – April 10, 2019 (travelindex.com) – H.E. Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism, Government of Argentina, has been awarded a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Champion Award at the 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain, for his global leadership in the field of travel facilitation.

The annual WTTC Global Champion Awards recognise outstanding public officials or countries who, through their leadership, have made a difference through pioneering public policies and initiatives that have increased the competitiveness of the sector within their respective countries.

The WTTC Global Champion Award for Visa Facilitation recognises the country which has taken the greatest strides to facilitate travel for international visitors.

Argentina now accepts visitors from 75 countries which have a visa to enter the Schengen area or the United States of America and can enter the country without an Argentine visa. This has been part of wide-ranging package of reforms implemented by the Government, under President Macri, to promote Travel & Tourism and help increase international travellers and drive investment.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC commented, “For many years, our sector has worked tirelessly to make it easier for people to cross international borders as we have long recognised that Travel & Tourism drives economic growth, job creation and social development. Under the leadership of Minister Santos, Argentina has prioritised visa facilitation as the route to increase international visitors.

“Argentina has done an outstanding job, creating a Foundation to to transform Travel & Tourism for the country.”

“The work we have done generated the incorporation of 75 new nationalities that can now enter Argentina in an easier way. This is an additional measure, among others, to the air opening thanks to which 9 new airlines are flying today and another 20 increased their frequencies and destinations. So we seek to facilitate and encourage receptive tourism so that more and more travelers can reach our country,” said H.E. Gustavo Santos.

London (Great Britain) – April 12, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Ever get the feeling that forest fires, record-defying storms, and heavy droughts are more common than they used to be? Or that images of whales, fish, turtles and birds with stomachs full of plastic weren’t such a familiar sight at one point in time? The effects of global warming and unsustainable living are catching up with us, and with that behaviours are changing for the better.

There is certainly reason to be hopeful, as sustainability experts and judges from the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards programme believe there is ‘a change in the air’ within Travel & Tourism. To reflect these changes and mark the New Year, we have compiled five sustainability trends to keep on your radar for 2019:

1. Greater travel off the beaten track will ease congestion in tourism hubs and spread economic benefits

The last few years have seen a number of negative headlines for overcrowding with images of graffiti-strewn walls in popular tourist destinations telling tourists to stay away. Recognition of a need for greater respect of the rights of residents combined with long queues at iconic sites have encouraged both travellers and destination marketers to start planning and promoting visits to lesser known areas and thus spread the benefits of tourism.

What to expect in 2019: Twinned with a growing desire for exploration and adventure among travellers, expect more attention to be cast on the diverse and unique experiences that visitors can have when they travel across the world.

1. Single-use plastic straws have finally broken the camel’s back

Whether at home or away, travellers are increasingly aware of the waste and damage caused by plastic pollution. To avoid seeing beaches, rivers and parks strewn with plastic litter, consumers are willing to change their behaviour and want companies to do the same.

Travel & Tourism has taken up the mantle and many companies have placed outright bans on single use plastics such as straws and bottles. Thomas Cook is looking to remove 70 million pieces of single-use plastics within the next year, for example. Destinations are getting in on the act too, banning plastic bags and introducing deposit schemes for plastic bottles and containers to incentivise recycling. Community- or company-led beach and park clean-ups have become the norm in a number of places around the world, then.

What to expect in 2019: Fewer plastic straws in restaurants, more alternatives to individual plastic shampoo bottles in hotels, and opportunities to join in a clean-up as a part of the tourism experience.

1. Conservation of biodiversity starts at home

Travel & Tourism is fast becoming a true ally of the conservation community.  As issues of ocean acidification, deforestation and coral bleaching begin to mar the experiences that tourists have, there is greater recognition from consumers of the need to protect the land and waters from the things that are destroying them and more action on the part of companies and destinations in doing so. In this way, we can more directly connect our consumption behaviours at home with the impacts we see while travelling.

Authorities in marine park locations have put bans in place on sunscreens that contain the coral-destroying chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Already made illegal in Palau, Hawaii has now passed regulation that will come into effect in 2021 while other destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico are also encouraging visitors to use alternatives.

On land, as interest in trips to see wildlife in their native habitat continues to rise, tourists will see how valuing and protecting the land through controlled tourism can ultimately result in greater protection of the animals.

What to expect in 2019: Increased banishment of harmful toxins and unnecessary additives in products, including palm oil. Greater interest in wildlife-based tourism that sees animals in their natural state and enriches surrounding communities.

1. Global travel sector prioritises local people and practices

Travel & Tourism companies are working to ensure that they bring real benefit to the communities that support their operations while also realising that local communities can provide significant benefits of their own. As local crafts and culture are often high on the list of experiences that visitors want, ‘farm to table’ dining thrives, and interest is raised in the unique cultures of indigenous people, the connection to the communities strengthen.

In a major tie-up, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has partnered with WWF promising only to offer sustainable tours by certified operators by the end of 2019.  At another level, the adventure operator G Adventures has a ‘ripple score’ through which customers can see how much of the tour’s spend stays in the community.

What to expect in 2019: Customers will really begin to realise that the companies they travel with can have tangible impacts in creating sustainable change in the communities where they operate.

1. Behaviour change is not only requested but rewarded

We’ve been seeing signs in hotel bathrooms for over 20 years asking us to think of the environment and use our towels more than once. Now, instead of polite requests for change, companies are providing incentives to change behaviours. Vouchers for the gift shop or to be used in the restaurant, added loyalty points or donations to charity are the lures that companies are using to tempt customers into forgoing a room clean or fresh towels.

What to expect in 2019: As companies look to save money and cut down on their cleaning products, energy usage and water use at the same time, 2019 will see more companies using financial and emotional incentives to prompt more sustainable customer behaviour.

 

 

Seville (Spain) – April 11, 2019 (travelindex.com) – H.E. María Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Tourism, Government of Spain, has been awarded a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Champion Award for her country’s work on promoting innovation and technology in tourism.

The award was given by Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, and Chris Nassetta, CEO, Hilton & Chairman, WTTC, in front of 1,600 Travel & Tourism leaders at the 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain, the most important event in the global Travel & Tourism calendar each year. The event was attended by the Mayor Seville, Juan Espadas Cejas, the host of the 2019 WTTC Global Summit, which has attracted people from all over the world to promote the city. This award is unique because it is recognition from the private sector to those officials who support Travel & Tourism and help the private sector to create more jobs and prosperity.

The annual WTTC Global Champion Awards recognise outstanding public officials or countries who, through their leadership, have made a difference through pioneering public policies and initiatives that have increased the competitiveness of the sector within their respective countries.

The WTTC Global Champion Award for Innovation and Technology recognises leadership in innovation and the implementation of technology which meets the needs of tomorrow’s travellers and fosters sustainable tourism growth

The government of Spain, under Minister Reyes Maroto Illera, is providing global leadership by prioritising innovation in the tourism sector. The efforts made by the Sociedad Mercantil Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas  (SEGITTUR) to promote research and development for innovation and new technologies in the tourism sector have helped to position Spain as a world-class tourism destination and have led to SEGITUR being recognised as an effective model of national leadership and coordination.

The result has been the fostering of entrepreneurship, sustainability and competitiveness at the local level through the development and deployment of information technologies to achieve differentiated and highly competitive tourism services.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC commented, “The Government of Spain provides a leading example of how the power Travel & Tourism to drive economic growth and job creation. Our sector now contributes one in every seven Euros in the Spanish economy and almost 15% of all employment. This success story has been the result of a concerted tourism development strategy by the Government and the Ministry of Tourism under the leadership of H.E. María Reyes Maroto Illera.

“Innovation and technology have been at the forefront of this strategy and we are delighted to recognise and reward the leadership Minister Reyes Maroto Illera at our Global Summit in Seville.”

Seville (Spain) – April 9, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The world of tourism has just witnessed the 2019 WTTC Summit (World Travel & Tourism Council), the largest gathering of the tourism industry’s private sector trade in the presence of so many Government Leaders including Barack Obama, the former President of the USA and Margaret Kenyatta, the first Lady of Kenya amongst so many Tourism Ministers coming from the four corners of the world.

This year, it was Seville in Spain, who had the honour of hosting this tourism gathering. Mario Hardy, the CEO of PATA (Pacific & Asian Tourism Association) was also present showing unity in the private sector tourism trade. It is important to congratulate Gloria Guevara Munzo, President & CEO of WTTC and her Team for staging another a very successful Summit.

I was invited to attend as a delegate and represented for the first time, my Saint Ange Consultancy / Tourism Report. Travelindex Media has confirmed that a record number of delegates were in Seville for this year’s WTTC Summit listening to presentations from fellow top leaders of the largest industry in the world which included a talk with Barack Obama, the former President of the USA.

CEO’s, delegates and ministers that attended the 2-day event last week and everyone said the networking opportunities at WTTC summits was the real value for them to attend such a high profile event. “See and to be seen is the true perk here” the delegates said. At the WTTC Summit Top travel – industry people meet with other top CEO’s in the hallways and coffee shops or hotel suites. Some delegates only attended the opening ceremony and the Obama session but were roaming to shake hands with business partners, ministers and even heads of state. Big business is done this way. It starts often with an exchange of ideas and can trickle down to billion-dollar transactions. The WTTC summit is also the place a CEO can have a cup of coffee with a fellow CEO from a competing company.

“Former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of Seychelles Alain St. Ange, who now leads his own consulting company, met with Kenya Tourism Minister Najib Balala consolidating the working cooperation between the two tourism personalities. St.Ange and Balala have been friends for a number of years and both men are seen as continent leaders in the field of tourism. St.Ange said: “Minister Najib Balala of Kenya and I are expected to meet again in Nairobi shortly to discuss tourism and the development of tourism in Africa. This is a typical opportunity only such a Summit offers. WTTC is a different type of event. Change-makers meet behind the facade of top-notch presentations. Attending is a priceless opportunity” eTurboNews reported in their article on this year’s WTTC Summit in Seville.

I was honoured to have met many tourism personalities during my two days in Seville and touched base with many old friends. The Travelindex Founder Bernard Metzger, one such dear friend who made time to meet with me at WTTC Summit in Seville Spain, and together we discussed tourism and trends. He has in his portfolio Tourism & Travel Foundation, Tourismpedia (World’s Open Tourism Encyclopedia) and Top 25 Restaurants, the World’s First Restaurant Guide based on AI.

I also had an interesting meeting with Maitha Saif Majid Al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Tourism of Oman. We had already met in Seychelles when the Minister was on a fact-finding working mission when I was still in Office. A follow-up meeting is being planned to take place in Oman. The meeting with my old dear friend Gerard Lefebvre of Cleverdis, the producers of tourism trade fair daily magazines was enriching as usual as was the catch up with Geoffrey Lipman of the SUNx Program and ICTP.

WTTC moves in to recognise tourism destinations with awards – Global Champion Awards announced by WTTC

The countries and leaders who have made a difference to increase the competitiveness of the Travel & Tourism sector within their countries have been recognized at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Champions Awards at the WTTC Global Summit in Seville this week.

The inaugural WTTC Global Champions Awards recognizes those countries from 185 around the world which have used policy initiatives to create the conditions to promote the long-term sustainable growth of our sector.

The categories of awards and the recipients are as follows:

Security & Seamless Travel Experience which recognizes leadership in transforming border security and the traveler experience through the use of technology and facial recognition systems – awarded to Kevin McAleenan, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, USA.

Resilience which recognizes leadership by a country which has demonstrated success in recovery from adverse events – H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Social Impact which recognizes leadership in enabling gender equality and diversity; engaging local communities and making the sector more attractive for future generations – awarded to Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife in the Government of Kenya.

Destination Stewardship which recognizes leadership for work undertaken to overcome seasonality as a way of improving the year-round tourism experience – H.E. Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism, Government of Greece.

Crisis Preparedness, Management & Recovery which recognizes leadership in disaster preparedness and having effective response systems at both national and local levels – H.E. Keiichi Ishii, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan.

Innovation and Technology recognizes leadership in innovation and the implementation of technology that meets the needs of tomorrow’s travelers and fosters sustainable tourism growth – awarded to H.E. Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Tourism, Government of Spain.

The awards ceremony took place at the Gala Dinner of the WTTC Global Summit which was held in Seville, Spain, and hosted by Ayuntamiento of Seville, Turismo Andaluz and Turespana.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, commented: “The WTTC Global Champions Awards are designed to recognize those countries and individuals whose policies or initiatives have made a significant contribution to the creation of jobs in our sector in a range of different ways.

“Promoting the long-term sustainable growth of our sector is critical and the winners will help those countries and individuals whose actions have had the greatest impact.”

Carlos Vogeler formally of UNWTO starts leading position at Ministry of Tourism in Oman

It appears the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy of Oman is in excellent hands. Last week Carlos Vogeler started a two-year contract with the Ministry of Tourism of Oman, where he is now leading a team that will support Minister Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi and his team on implementation. Carlos Vogeler was considered by many leaders as one of the most influential executives in the travel and tourism world when he served as the executive director of UNWTO under Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. Together with Korean Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Mr. Voegeler was a candidate for UNWTO Secretary-General in 2017. Mr. Vogeler was with the World Tourism Organization for 9 years.

He was honored on November 29, 2017, at the UNWTO Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth in Montego Bay by the Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica. Before Mr. Carlos Vogeler joined UNWTO in 2005 he was a tenured professor at University “Rey Juan Carlos”, Madrid, at the Dpt. of Business Economics, a regular lecturer at Spanish and International Universities and author of various university textbooks, as well as numerous articles on international tourism structure.

Mr. Vogeler started his career in the private sector at Pullmantur, one of the largest Spanish Tour Operators. During his sixteen years of service from 1974 to 1990, he became Deputy Managing Director and introduced many innovations, namely expanding the number of destinations and products and opening new offices and new markets. He also played an active role in the board of directors of the Spanish Travel Agencies Association of Travel Agencies and in UFTAA (United Federation of Travel Agent’s Associations), where he chaired the committee on road transportation.

From 1991 to 2008 he served in various senior management positions at Group RCI, part of Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, quoted in the New York Stock Exchange, where he was Managing Director for South-Western Europe, covering Spain, France, Portugal and Benelux and later Vice president of Global Account Strategy & Industry Relations. He was elected Chairman of the Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) from 2005 to 2008, representing Group RCI. Since 1997 he had been serving as Vice President of the board of the Affiliate Members and Chairman of the Business Council and member of the UNWTO Strategic Group.

He is also a founding member of the Spanish Association of Experts in Tourism (AECIT) and was a member of the International Association of Experts in Tourism (AIEST). Carried out his studies in Canada and in Spain, graduating in Tourism Business Administration by “Escuela Oficial de Turismo de Madrid” (now University Rey Juan Carlos) and post-graduate by the IESE Business School, of the University of Navarra – Spain. Mr. Vogeler was born in Venezuela of Spanish mother and Venezuelan-German father and is a national of Spain and Venezuela.

Cebu (Philippines) – April 9, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is proud to announce that Airbnb co-founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chairman of Airbnb China, Nathan Blecharczyk has been confirmed to speak at the PATA Annual Summit 2019 (PAS 2019). The event, hosted by the Department of Tourism, Philippines, will be taking place from May 9-12 at Radisson Blu Cebu in Cebu, Philippines.

“We are excited to be welcoming Mr. Nathan Blecharczyk to the PATA Annual Summit 2019. It is nearly impossible to talk about the travel and tourism industry without mentioning Airbnb and its impact on the sector,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “This is an incredible opportunity for our members and delegates to hear from a true innovator and gain deeper insights into how global travel is changing. As the industry grapples with large scale global and regional challenges, including climate change, overtourism, and social and economic inequality, we must have a greater understanding of the constantly evolving landscape in order for us to create a more responsible and sustainable travel and tourism industry.”

PAS 2019 is a 4-day event that brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers, and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region. The Summit programme embraces a dynamic one-day conference under the theme ‘Progress with a Purpose’, which will highlight the fundamental challenges, issues and opportunities of the travel and tourism industry and how together we can bring about actionable change for the better.

During the conference, Mr Blecharczyk will sit down with BBC World News Presenter, Rico Hizon, for an intimate one-on-one interview to discuss a wide range of topics ranging from innovative and technological advancements to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Mr Blecharczyk plays a leading role in driving key strategic initiatives across the global business. Previously he oversaw the creation of Airbnb’s engineering, data science, and performance marketing teams. As a guest, Nathan has stayed in hundreds of homes using Airbnb and he is also a host in San Francisco, where he lives with his family.

Following the one-day conference, PATA is once again partnering with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to organise the half-day UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate. The debate is an opportunity for public sector tourism leaders and rising stars in the private sector to discuss the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the travel and tourism industry today. Airbnb is the Official Debate Topic Partner for the event.

To provide further value to its members, this year PATA is extending complimentary registration to all members to attend the one-day conference and half-day UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate. Rates for PATA Chapters, non-members and students are also available.

Due to limited seating, all registrations are served on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or to register for the event visit www.PATA.org/pas

About PATA
Founded in 1951, PATA is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 800 member organisations, including 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 20 international airlines and airports, 102 hospitality organisations and 70 educational institutions, as well as over a hundred young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 35 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 22 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.