Category: Latest Travel News

Tokyo, Japan, February 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Dusit International officially marked the debut of Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Japan with an exclusive preview of its upcoming properties – ASAI Kyoto Shijo and Dusit Thani Kyoto – which are set to open in June and September, respectively, bringing Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the country for the first time.

Leveraging more than 70 years of experience in operating award-winning hotels and resorts in key destinations worldwide, Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ milestone entries in Japan promise to bring unique stay and dining experiences inspired the four key pillars of Dusit Graciousness, including Service (personalised and gracious), Well-Being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa), Locality (uniquely linking guests with the local community), and Sustainability (social, environmental, and environmental).

Operating under Dusit’s flagship Dusit Thani brand, Dusit Thani Kyoto will offer a luxurious stay experience in the city’s Hanganji Monzen-machi district, only 850 meters from Kyoto Station and close to Nishi Honganji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and other major attractions.

Designed to be an urban sanctuary where Japanese tradition and gracious Thai hospitality are intrinsically interwoven and interpreted through a modern lens, the beautiful property takes its inspiration from the rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture of the ancient capitals of Kyoto, Japan, and Ayutthaya, Thailand. The idyllic combination of traditional elegance and contemporary comfort creates an inspiring environment for domestic and international travellers alike.

Alongside 150 elegantly appointed guest rooms set over four floors, the luxury hotel features large event spaces, a fitness centre, and a signature Devarana Wellness centre offering a unique fusion of ancient Thai massage therapies and traditional Japanese rituals, as well as personalised wellness treatments, activities, and journeys to meet the aspirational health needs of guests.

Dining and imbibing are also major highlights of Dusit Thani Kyoto. The hotel has everything in place to become a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts, with diverse options including a speciality Teppanyaki restaurant, a chic social club, a lavish tea shop, and, most notably, exquisite dining experiences crafted by award-winning chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones from Thailand.

Known for their authentic Thai cuisine crafted from seasonal and sustainable ingredients, Bo and Dylan earned global recognition at the TOP 25 Restaurants Guide series at their former restaurant, Bo.Ian, in Bangkok.

Their latest concept, Ayatana, at Dusit Thani Kyoto, translates their passion for ethical sourcing, innovative culinary flair, and a love for Thai cuisine into a multi-sensory, one-of-a-kind fine dining experience where authentic Thai flavours meet the finest Japanese traditions for memorable moments to savour. To complement this multi-sensory culinary voyage, a unique desert atelier, Kati, also designed by the couple, will feature Thai desserts presented in an exciting new way.

More excitement can be found across town at ASAI Kyoto Shijo, which will open ahead of Dusit Thani Kyoto in June.

Operating under Dusit’s distinctive lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, which promises to uniquely link millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences in the world’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, the new 114-key hotel is located in Shijo-Karasuma, near the famous Nishiki Market in the city’s renowned Downtown area.

Offering thoughtfully compact rooms that focus on the essentials – such as superior quality beds and powerful showers – the hotel is designed to foster meaningful interactions while celebrating the community’s artistic and cultural heritage, with some unique Thai touches.

Alongside a large communal hub serving as a comfortable venue for work, rest, and play, the hotel will offer a cosy dining room inspired by the rich street-food culture of Bangkok. Guests will find a scrumptious selection of authentic Thai curries and flavoursome grilled and fried snacks paired with original cocktail creations and premium Japanese whisky, sake, and beer. A signature dessert selection featuring favourites like mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream with a variety of toppings will further transport diners’ senses to the bustling streets of Bangkok.

Regular collaborations with local restaurateurs and artisans, and sustainable sourcing of produce, will further set the distinctive lifestyle hotel apart.

“We are delighted to debut our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality in the historic city of Kyoto and pay homage to the cherished bond between Thailand and Japan through our dynamic hotel offerings,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “With a deep reverence for the best that both Japan and Thailand have to offer – from culinary arts to music and design – our goal is to not only provide luxury and lifestyle accommodation, but also to contribute to the local community in a meaningful and sustainable way – just as we have done at the luxury chalet rentals we manage under Elite Havens in Niseko.

“Dedicated to providing a comprehensive, 360-degree experience that goes above and beyond satisfying our guests and customers to deliver sustained value to all stakeholders, we will fully leverage the full range of Dusit’s interconnected businesses, including Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, and Property Development. This approach will strengthen our presence and set a solid foundation for future growth in Japan. We are already exploring options to expand our hotel portfolio in vibrant cities like Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo, and we will be seeking opportunities to introduce our other business units in adjacent industries too.

“Our journey in the hotel segment begins in June with the opening of the lifestyle oriented ASAI Kyoto Shijo, followed by the grand opening of the luxurious Dusit Thani Kyoto in September, and we eagerly await this exciting new chapter for our hotel business.”

Dusit’s property portfolio currently spans 16 countries and comprises 48 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts (six distinct brands) and more than 300 luxury villas under Elite Havens. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline worldwide.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of seven brands (Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, Dusit Suites, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 16 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

Madrid, Spain, February 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / This week, we mark a sad anniversary. It has been one year since the Russian Federation chose to invade Ukraine, in a clear breach of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law.

The invasion has exacted a terrible price. Millions have been forced to flee their homes – right now around 6 million people, 65 per cent of them women and girls, are internally displaced. And the number of casualties keeps growing by the day, including civilian victims as homes and even hospitals are deliberately targeted. The invasion has also created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe not seen in Europe since World War II. And it has undermined the sense of security and trust we depend on to get the world moving again after the impacts of the pandemic.

From the very start, UNWTO has led tourism’s response to the crisis. Our Members moved swiftly to suspend Russia from our Organization. At the same time, stakeholders from across the sector rallied in support of the Ukrainian people. As many as 8 million of them have sought refuge across Europe and UNWTO commends tourism actors who provided them with means of transport, accommodation and other practical assistance. We also thank the countries hosting refugees until returning is safe.

With no end in sight for the war, our solidarity must hold firm. This unwanted anniversary offers a moment to take stock and reflect. The past year has shown us the remarkable strength of a people determined to hold onto their freedom and sovereignty. It has also shown us the importance of standing together, both as an international community and as a major economic sector, and staying true to our shared values whatever the cost.

With each passing day, the united front that much of the global community has adopted since the invasion is also under attack, especially as countries everywhere continue to feel the economic fallout of the conflict and its social cost. That’s why UNWTO will continue to amplify tourism’s calls for peace and urge an immediate end to all hostilities. We will also be there when the war ends, as it surely will. Then, tourism’s unique power, proven time and again, to build trust back, promote dialogue and understanding across borders, and provide opportunities, will be vital to help the people of Ukraine re-build the country they have already given so much to protect.

Zurab Pololikashvili
Secretary-General

Hangzhou, China, February 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Secretary-General of UNWTO is leading a high-level delegation to Hangzhou, China to be part of the country’s official re-opening to tourism.

• The Secretary-General of UNWTO is leading a high-level delegation to Hangzhou, China to be part of the country’s official re-opening to tourism.
• Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will be the first United Nations Head of Agency as well  as the first global tourism leader to visit  China since it lifted its travel restrictions after more than 1,000 days closed to international visitors.

Why China Matters

• • • The re-opening of China represents the ‘missing piece’ in global tourism’s recovery from the worst crisis in its history.
    • Because of the pandemic, the world lost almost $US3 trillion in tourism revenues between 2020 and 2022.
    • The absence of China was particularly costly. Before the pandemic, it was the world’s biggest tourism source market: In 2019 Chinese tourists took 166 million international trips, and spent US$270 billion, much of it in destinations in developing economies.
    • The lifting of travel restrictions in China will be felt in every global region. UNWTO data shows that Asia  and the Pacific has been the slowest to recover from crisis, reaching just 23% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. The return of Chinese tourists will accelerate this recovery.
    • The re-opening of Chinese domestic tourism is also a landmark moment. In 2019, Chinese residents took 6 billion domestic trips, making tourism a key driver of employment and economic growth, including for rural communities.
    • The impact of China’s re-opening will be felt far outside the tourism sector itself. Due  to tourism’s ability to cut across economic sectors, it is anticipated that it will boost economies at the global, national and grassroots level.  UNWTO also welcomes the associated benefits it will bring, including social empowerment and opportunity, restoring trust in travel and boosting consumer confidence.

  Highlights

  • UNWTO will join public and private sector leaders, including China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo  Shuang, to officially mark the occasion.
  • UNWTO will also join the World Tourism Alliance for the Xianghu Dialogue to advance tourism is a driver of rural development in China and worldwide and to unite the sector around key priorities of jobs, investments and sustainability.
  • The UNWTO delegation will be joined by media and tourism leaders to visit Yu Cun, a UNWTO Best Tourism Village and example of effective tourism for  rural development.
  • In China, UNWTO will also join preparations for the 10th edition of the Global Tourism Economy Forum. UNWTO will join its partner the World Tourism Alliance for the Forum in Macau in September to advance shared plans for a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive sector.

Tysons, Virginia, United States, February 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce a new preferred partnership with Cvent, a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. “Our partnership with Cvent will enhance the user experience for our members and event delegates by providing an easy-to-use, integrated technology platform to maximise the impact of meetings and events before, during and after the event. I look forward to working with them in improving our event experiences and welcome them to the PATA family,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone.

As part of the agreement, Cvent will be the official Event Tech Partner for all PATA events for the next two years and PATA will be using Cvent’s comprehensive event marketing & management platform to manage and streamline every step of the event lifecycle including registration, event promotion, attendee engagement, and appointment scheduling between attendees, exhibitors, & sponsors to facilitate relationship building and enable a greater return on experience. By leveraging Cvent’s best-in-class technology and all-in-one event management platform, PATA looks to provide a more engaging and immersive attendee experience, while enabling a more streamlined event management process to drive greater ROI.

“As global travel continues to accelerate, our partnership with PATA comes at the right time. PATA is a powerhouse within the travel and hospitality space and we’re proud to provide our industry-leading event technology to elevate their event experiences and facilitate more meaningful member engagement. In today’s digital-first environment, technology is at the forefront, and as a long-time leader in the space, we’ve helped tens of thousands of hospitality professionals leverage Cvent technology to expand their reach, engage planners, streamline processes, and increase group business revenue We look forward to working with PATA to further enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel within the Asia Pacific region and to support their members through our innovative technology,” said Sandeep Nagpal, Cvent Vice President and Head of Marketing.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (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 member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of 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 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 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.

About Cvent
With more than 4,800 employees and over 21,000 customers worldwide, Cvent’s solutions give event organisers and marketers the tools they need to automate and simplify the event management lifecycle and maximise the impact of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, whilst offering hotels and venues the digital marketing tools they need to win more group and corporate travel business. Cvent solutions optimise the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events.

Madrid, Spain, February 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Association for Standardization UNE have advanced efforts to introduce a comprehensive international standard for accessibility across the whole of the tourism sector.

At a special session on Seminar on Tourism for All, held at the FITUR 2023 tourism trade fair in Madrid, the three organizations were joined by representatives of tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations to put forward new tools geared towards the implementation of the standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism, across the value chain. These tools include a new user-guide focused on accommodation, food & beverage and MICE companies, launched at FITUR. The guide will serve ,as a starting point for assessing their levels of accessibility, and for developing or adapting their services.

This new guide was produced in collaboration with leading civil society and industry organizations such as Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, International Circle of Hospitality Directors (CIDH), as well as the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). It is a follow up to the guidelines published in December, focusing on public administrations; in case of the latter, the support of Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Argentina was key in messaging governments and destinations, entrusted with tourism policies, strategies and marketing plans.

Accessibility for growth and resilience

At the seminar, Miguel Carballeda, President of the ONCE Social Group and Jose Manuel Huesa, Director of Servimedia, argued that there is no longer any excuse for any destination or leisure and tourism experience to be inaccessible to any tourist, regardless of their background or ability. UNWTO Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic, added that accessibility is key to achieving SDGs. It is also key to resilience, since it brings along new customers, improving the sector’s economic performance. Javier García Diaz, Director General of UNE and Vice-President of ISO, concluded that accessibility standards should be taken as guidance tools in carrying out improvements, instead of obligatory sets of measures.

Also in Madrid, the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador introduced its new policies planning at this event, while the City Hall of Cordoba (Spain) shared new actions at a local destination level, benefitting local communities and visitors. RIU Hotel & Resorts and International Circle of Hospitality Directors tackled the most pressing challenging in applying standards and the myriad of opportunities that universal accessibility entails.

The speakers proved once more why accessibility is a major social inclusion and business opportunity as tourism’s recovery continues. UNWTO, its partners and new collaborating organizations remain committed to producing new policy guidance tools in the sphere of accessibility, throughout 2023, leading the change.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / WebBeds, a global marketplace for the travel trade, joined forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hold its inaugural IMPACT Summit – a high-level event designed to help hoteliers forge a successful future, as the kingdom’s tourism recovery grows from strength to strength.

Close to a thousand hoteliers and global partners attended the event to learn about Thailand’s latest tourism strategies and hear expert insights from WebBeds’ commercial presidents from Europe, Middle East and Africa, Americas, and Asia Pacific.

Hosted at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld on 8th February 2023, the IMPACT Summit saw senior executives from the TAT and WebBeds present industry updates – including Thailand’s strategic direction and the current booking data and trends – to an audience of more than 500 hoteliers who attended in person and over 400 other partners who livestreamed the summit from around the world.

The event was notable for the quality of speakers in attendance. The TAT was represented by Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Europe, Africa, Middle East & Americas, and Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Executive Director for the East Asia Region, who helped delegates to understand the tourism environment and how to align their own business plans with the actions of the TAT.

During the summit, Siripakorn shared the TAT’s vision for its long-haul markets, which includes a focus on high value and sustainable tourism. The TAT’s action plan, which has been labelled “A-B-C-D”, priorities four key areas: “Airline Focus” (attracting more flights and greater capacity with airlines), “Big Cities & Beyond” (expanding Thailand’s source markets to more major urban centres around the world), “Collaboration is Key” (working with new strategic partners, including airlines, airports, tour operators and travel agencies), and “Destination for All” (making Thailand an all-year-round destination for a wider variety of market segments).

Chuwit Sirivajjakul then shared information about the TAT’s 2023 marketing campaigns and activations for East Asia, with a focus on the reopening Mainland China, as well as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. He also revealed how consumer behaviour has changed over the years and what opportunities lie ahead for hoteliers targeting these important markets.

The IMPACT Summit marked the latest WebBeds initiative to stimulate travel and tourism in Thailand, following last year’s “Excel and Upsell” forum in Bangkok.

Daryl Lee, CEO of WebBeds, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with the TAT once again, as WebBeds continues to support the growth of travel and hospitality in Thailand and around the world. This event marked our first IMPACT Summit and the fact that we chose Bangkok as the host city reflects the importance of Thailand as a global tourism powerhouse. At WebBeds, we firmly believe that our industry is always stronger when it works together, so we truly appreciate the strong support from the TAT. This was the first of many IMPACT Summits and we look forward to collaborating with our esteemed partners in the months and years to come, to help forge a strong and sustainable future for the entire industry.”

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor – International Marketing for Europe, Africa, Middle East & Americas, added: “On behalf of the TAT, I am very pleased to have been invited to address this important event and meet so many of our trusted hotel partners. WebBeds has always been very supportive of Thailand and we are grateful that they chose Bangkok as the venue for the first IMPACT Summit. Thailand attracted over 11 million visitors in 2022, which exceeded our earlier projections. By aligning our strategies we can accelerate the recovery and attract even more international travellers to our country in future.”

Thailand welcomed a total of 11.15 million international visitors in 2022, with Malaysia, India, Singapore and South Korea the top performing source markets. An initial target of 25 million arrivals has been set for 2023 and while this remains lower than the 40 million visitors achieved in 2019, it represents a sharp improvement from the COVID-affected years and shows that the kingdom is experiencing a V-shaped recovery.

The IMPACT Summit in Bangkok marked the latest phase of WebBeds’ mission to re-energise travel, tourism and hospitality in Asia Pacific. The company will announce further dates and locations for its IMPACT Summits in the coming months, so stay tuned for further updates.

Beijing, china, February 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that within the next decade, Beijing will overtake Paris to become the world’s largest Travel and Tourism city destination. The report, sponsored by Visa and researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, ana-lysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment and trav-eller spend.

But while long term the outlook for a number of Chinese cities looks positive, prolonged travel restrictions and border closures slowed down the recovery in the short term.

WTTC studied the impact of the Travel & Tourism sector in four major cities across China; Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shanghai and found a mixed picture across the four city destinations.

In all four cities the sector’s GDP contribution last year almost fully recovered back to 2019 levels.

The GDP contribution from the sector to Beijing and Chengdu’s economy in 2022 was just 4% and 2% below 2019 levels respectively ($34BN and $5.4BN), compared to $31BN and $5.5BN.

Last year, the Travel & Tourism’s GDP contribution in Guangzhou and Shanghai was around 7% below 2019 levels. In Guangzhou the sector contributed $13.2BN in 2022 compared to $14.1BN pre-pandemic, while in Shanghai, the sector contributed $29.7BN compared to $31.5BN in 2019.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “China has long been a world-favourite holiday destination and after more than two years of disruption, it’s great to see tourists heading back. Tourists provide a massive boost to both the economy and job creation.

“It is crucial that the national and local governments continue to recognise the importance of Travel & Tourism for the local and national economies, jobs and businesses.”

Jobs on the rise

In 2019, there were 1.35MN people employed by the Travel & Tourism sector in Beijing. But in 2020 this figure dropped to 1.16MN (-15%). In 2021, employment grew by more than 5% and is expected to have grown a further 4% in 2022 to reach 1.27MN jobs.

In the other three cities, it’s a similar picture.

Before the pandemic, there were 1.32MN Travel & Tourism jobs in Shanghai, but this num-ber fell to 1.13MN in 2020 (-14%). A 10% rise in 2021 saw the number increase to 1.25MN and it was predicted to see a slight increase to 1.26MN in 2022.

In Guangzhou there were just over 603,000 jobs in 2019 but this dropped by 23% to just over 464,000. A slight 4% rise in 2021 saw jobs increase to just under 481,000 and WTTC is ex-pecting a 16.5% increase in 2022 to bring the total jobs to over 560,000.

Chengdu is seeing an even stronger return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019 there were 336,000 jobs in the city which dropped by 12% to just under 297,000 in 2020. The following year saw a small 5% increase to 311,000 jobs and last year the global tourism body is pre-dicting a 6% increase to 329,500 jobs – just 2% below pre-pandemic levels.

Visitor spend struggles as borders have remained closed

Due to the prolonged border closures imposed by the government, international visitor spend is taking longer to recover than in other countries around the world.

But light is at the end of the tunnel. Whilst international visitor spend is still on average 53% lower in 2022 than it was in 2019, all of the cities analysed are showing modest year-on-year increases.

International visitor spend in Beijing is just 41% what it was in 2019, with visitors spending a predicted $5BN in 2022 compared to $12.1BN in 2019. In Chengdu, international visitor spend is performing better than the capital with recovery at 61% of 2019 levels. Travellers spent $1.5BN in Chengdu in 2022 compared to $2.5BN in 2019.

Both Shanghai and Guangzhou have seen international visitor spend drop to 44% of 2019 levels. In Shanghai it went from $11.9BN before the pandemic to $5.2BN in 2022, while in Guangzhou it went from $4.3BN in 2019 to $1.9BN in 2022.

Berlin, February 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Around 90 per cent of the available stand area is occupied – The multi-purpose hall hub27, which is fully booked, is the destination hot spot – Debut for the German marketplace – Cultural tourism organisers are represented in the Culture Lounge – High participation in the Travel Technology, Mobility and Cruise segments

A fitting live comeback: following the break due to the pandemic and taking as its slogan ‘Open for Change’, ITB Berlin, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, is back as an in-person event from 7 to 9 March 2023, with domestic and international exhibitors present in large numbers. Around 90 per cent of the available display area is already booked. This year’s ITB Berlin is for the first time taking place for trade visitors only and is accompanied by the prestigious ITB Berlin Convention. Selected programme items will be streamed on the supporting online platform at ITBxplore.

New multi-purpose hall – hub27

At ITB Berlin 2023 the destination hot spot is hub27, the new multi-purpose hall, which is fully booked. Georgia, the official host country of ITB Berlin, is strongly represented, as are Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Poland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Berlin, Brandenburg and Deutsche Bahn, along with various airports from around Germany. The ITB Blogger Base, the place to head for all international travel bloggers, is also located in hub27.

The stand of the German National Tourism Board (DZT) features the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, the Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. The German federal states of Bavaria, Bremen (including Bremerhaven), Hesse and Lower Saxony are represented on their own stands in Hall 6.2. Spherie is a company taking part for the first time and will present spectacular drone images.

High international participation

Demand for places is high among Greek exhibitors, who are represented in Hall 1.1. Italy, Croatia, Macedonia, Malta and Bosnia, all located in Hall 1.2, are also represented in large numbers again. Albania, whose exhibitors are spread over three halls (including Hall 1.1), is also present in large numbers. In Hall 2.1, participation by Spain’s tourism industry is also impressive and features the large stands of Turespaña and the Costa del Sol. Turkey is presenting its tourism products in Halls 3.1b and 3.2a. The Business Travel (VDR association) and MICE (VDVO association) segments have always been important at ITB Berlin and this year are also represented on large stands in Hall 3.1.

In Halls 22 and 23 visitors can also expect large representations from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Paraguay, Surinam, Uruguay and the Caribbean islands Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Barbados and the Dominican Republic.

This year, Hall 21 is completely devoted to sub-Saharan countries, including South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, the Seychelles, Botswana, Ghana, The Gambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and Zambia. This year, a number of African countries, among them Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guinea and Senegal, are located in Hall 22.

Representations from the USA and Canada are exhibiting in Hall 3.1, along with Israel. Following a break, the Condor airline is back at ITB Berlin in Hall 3.1. International representations in the ITB Career Center, Adventure / Responsible Tourism and Youth Travel segments are featured in Hall 4.1. The new ITB Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1b will be hosting presentations, discussions and networking events under the headings Adventure Travel, Responsible Tourism and Tourism Careers.

Another innovation in Hall 4.1 is the LGBTQ+ Pavilion. Exhibitors there include Visit Malta, which will present this year’s Europride, and Communitat Valenciana, which will be represented at the Gay Games 2026, as well as Visit Buenos Aires and Visit Tampa Bay. The Munich Tourism Board, Proudly Portugal, IGLTA, TOMONTOUR and the Florida Keys and Key West are also represented with stands.

As in previous years, Arab countries from North Africa and the Middle East are strongly represented, with Egypt, Morocco, Qatar and Oman located in Hall 4.2, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and newcomer Saudi Arabia in Hall 3.2b. This year, Saudi Arabia is the largest exhibitor at ITB Berlin. Its co-exhibitors include NEOM, the giant smart city project in the desert. Lebanon is back at ITB Berlin in Hall 3.2.

In Halls 5.2a and 5.2b the focus is on India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, New Zealand, Australia and Haiti. Bhutan is among those back at the largest marketplace for the international travel industry. The Meet The Pacific stand is new and features the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. VisitLuxembourg, the Dutch Tourism Board and visit.brussels from the Benelux countries are represented in Hall 6.2b.

In Hall 9, Airbnb Germany is exhibiting for the first time at ITB Berlin, as are Gorgeous Smiling Hotels GmbH, Hard Rock International and HomeToGo GmbH. Other exhibitors in this hall include B&B Hotels Germany GmbH, Wheego share.rent.abo, DRIVALIA, Green Motion, and the hotel chains NH, Marriott, Best Western, Hilton and Steigenberger. This is also the first time the Hyatt Inclusive Collection is represented at ITB Berlin, in Hall 22.

As in previous years, the Nordic and Baltic countries as well as Ireland are strongly represented in Hall 20. The UK also has a large stand again. Among individual exhibitors, Greenland Travel is on the same area as in previous years, as are Bero Berlin, Via Hansa, GJ Travel and Icelandair. Visitors to the stand of myPostcard can mail postcards for free to ITB Berlin. The following are newcomers to the show: St. Giles Hotels, V.O.S. Aps, Gainwell Sports, the Tour Partner Group, Holiday Tours Iceland, Manchester City FC, made in 2010, Boatservice Sightseeing As, Aavasaksa Lapland, as well as the European Capital of Smart Tourism, an initiative of the European Commission.

In the Asia Hall (26a/b), the destinations awaiting visitors are Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Tokyo, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. China is represented by the provinces Zhejiang and Huangshan.

Numerous exhibitors in the Travel Technology and Mobility segments and from the cruise sector

The Travel Technology and Mobility segments are back with large numbers of exhibitors. All the Travel Technology halls are fully booked. This is where exhibitors such as GIATA, Sabre, Amadeus and Peakwork combine proven concepts with innovative ideas – true to the slogan ’Open for Change’. The eTravel World in Hall 6.1 is also larger than in previous years and features many startups and an extended eTravel Stage. Among the tech companies taking part are ASKSUITE TECNOLOGIA LTDA, Blastness, BUSINESS FRANCE, Spain Travel Tech, HiJiffy, Hotelmize, mTrip and Qtravel.ai.

International airlines, cruise liners and tour operators are represented with their products in Hall 25. Exhibitors from the resurgent cruise sector in particular are represented in record numbers at ITB Berlin 2023. MSC Cruises, Explorer Journeys, VIVA Cruises and United Rivers are taking part for the first time with their own stands, while regular exhibitors such as Holland America Line, nicko cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines are well represented again.

Medical Tourism has its own hall

A large number of exhibitors in the Medical & Health Tourism Hall (26c) are from Turkey. Numerous new clinics as well as medical hotels and destinations are represented there. This made it possible to occupy the entire hall with medical & health exhibitors and the stage programme.

German marketplace marks its debut and the Culture Lounge features cultural tourism organisers

Hall 6.2 is where the Culture Lounge, a large display area for cultural tourism organisers, can be found. Among the close to 50 co-exhibitors are several European museums, festivals, cultural regions and trusts.

This year, the German marketplace is marking its debut in Hall 6.2. Exhibitors there include the Semperoper Dresden, Ferienpark Weissenhäuser Strand, Hirmer Hospitality, Flughafen Hamburg GmbH, Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH, Wirtschaftsförderung & Technologietransfer GmbH, Stöcker Flughafen GmbH & Co. KG, ProAir-Charter-Transport GmbH, Phoenix des Lumières, ZEIT Verlagsgruppe and TÜV Rheinland.

A new feature this year is the Street Food Market in Hall 7.2c where visitors can take a culinary tour and fully enjoy international cuisine.

Luxury travel segment HOME of LUXURY by ITB

23 exhibitors from the luxury travel market are represented at the Marshall Haus on the exhibition grounds, including Serverin’s Resort & Spa, FUORITINERARIO and Quark Expeditions, along with media members from Luxus Insider and Connoisseur Circle.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2023 will take place from Tuesday, 7 March, to Thursday, 9 March, as a pure B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. The internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel to the show and will be held live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds – selected sessions will be streamed on ITBxplore. The ITB Berlin convention is the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind. In 2022 it took place as a virtual event on the brand’s website itb .com and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers. In 2022, under the heading ’TRVLX by ITB’, ITB Berlin has planned a series of B2B networking events in European markets – the kick-off event took place in May in Georgia. Before the pandemic at ITB Berlin 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / It’s All Possible program concept embraces soaring views on the 78th floor Skywalk and a lifestyle centre to captivate visitors in the heart of the capital. King Power Mahanakhon, Bangkok’s new landmark destination, kicks off 2023 with a new program concept: ‘IT’S ALL POSSIBLE’ offering four types of experiences—EAT PLAY STAY SHOP. Visitors from all over the world will enjoy the charms of Bangkok by checking into the Mahanakhon’s coolest hang-out spots, restaurants, concept stores, and world-class hotels.

This was recently launched at the grand opening of the King Power Mahanakhon, a development project managed by the King Power Group. Designed as a multi-purpose building in a modern architectural style, the Mahanakhon functions as a lifestyle centre in many aspects. It houses luxury hotels namely The Ritz-Carlton Residence and the Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon, a joint venture between King Power Group and the Standard group to establish the Standard’s first flagship hotel in Asia. It is also home to Firster, a multistore of world-class beauty and lifestyle projects; and the towering Mahanakhon Sky Walk, the highest observation platform in Bangkok at 314 metres above ground level.

The building also comprises The Mahanakhon Cube Lifestyle mall which includes Mahanakhon Eatery, a joint dining area served by seven leading restaurants in the cross-dining format; Thai Taste Hub Mahanakhon Cube, a hub of the country’s leading street food vendors; The Big Board, Thailand’s first sports bar; and other lifestyle services such as beauty parlors and clinics, fitness clubs etc.

Mr. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, King Power Group’s CEO, said “One of King Power’s business strategies is to branch out its duty-free core business into relevant tourism businesses. By developing King Power Mahanakhon into Bangkok’s landmark destination, the group’s business portfolio will expand and therefore be able to synergise with other businesses under King Power’s management. Ultimately, it will contribute concretely to the profile of the country’s tourism industry.”

Under this plan, King Power Mahanakhon will be continuously developed and transformed into a significant tourist destination to help boost Bangkok’s capacity in attracting tourists. With a strategic location in CBD area, King Power Mahanakhon is conveniently served by Chong Nonsi BTS station. Its signature Observation Deck on the 78th floor is considered the best viewing platform in the country.

Overlooking the majestic Chao Phraya river, the building is a unique attraction along the same vein as other lofty world-famous attractions such as the London Eye in England, the Eiffel Tower in France, or the Petronas building in Malaysia.

Developed as the lifestyle centre that showcases Bangkok’s unique identity, King Power Mahanakhon is primed to be the capital’s landmark destination appealing to local and foreign visitors alike. With this vision, the Mahanakhon aims to promote the country’s tourism which corresponds to the government’s post-COVID tourism stimulus package for economic improvement.

While Ms. Amber Asher, CEO of The Standard International, said, “Our grand opening event helps showcase the capability of King Power Group’s tourism businesses which have always been steadfast and ready for expansion. This undoubtedly benefits Thailand’s tourism industry. The development of this landmark destination boasts an outstanding location, the unique Outdoor Observation Deck, and the lifestyle centre with harmonious yet diverse cultures so unique to Bangkok. We’re confident that King Power Mahanakhon will become one of the landmark destinations that has a strong potential in attracting tourists, foreigners and locals alike, to experience Bangkok’s charms. By joining hands with THE STANDARD group in the development of the hotel The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, our first flagship hotel in Asia, King Power Mahanakhon will become Bangkok’s Iconic World Class Landmark Destination that increases the value of Thailand’s tourism industry.”

Since the opening of the country’s borders in late 2022, there has been a steady increase in tourists checking in to King Power Mahanakhon. Today, both Thai and foreign tourists visit the Mahanakhon in the thousands—at least 1,300 visitors a day with 5% Thai and 95% international visitors such as Saudi Arabia, South Korea and India. The most popular activity is walking on the Glass Tray, a challenging check-in point for those daring to have the once-in-the-lifetime experience.

About King Power Mahanakhon
King Power Mahanakhon is a development project managed by King Power Group. Designed as a multi-purpose building in a modern architectural style, the Mahanakhon functions as a lifestyle centre in many aspects. It houses luxury hotels namely The Ritz-Carlton Residence, and the Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon, a joint venture between King Power Group and the Standard group to establish the Standard’s first flagship hotel in Asia. It is also home to Firster, a multistore of world-class beauty and lifestyle projects; Mahanakhon Sky Walk, the highest observation platform at 314 metres above ground level. The building also comprises Mahanakhon Cube Lifestyle mall which includes Mahanakhon Eatery, a joint dining area served by seven leading restaurants in the cross-dining format; Thai Taste Hub Mahanakhon Cube, a hub of the country’s leading street food vendors; The Big Board, Thailand’s first sports bar; and other lifestyle services such as beauty parlors and clinics, fitness clubs etc. The Mahanakhon is set to be the landmark destination for tourists to savour the charms of Bangkok, all in one place.

Abuja, Nigeria, February 20, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Radisson Hotel Group is bringing its luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city and governmental powerhouse. Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja Nigeria marks the Group’s 9th hotel and 3rd Radisson Collection in the country, placing it firmly on track to achieve 15 hotels in Nigeria by 2025.

Located next to the Presidential Palace in Maitama District, one of the most sought after and exclusive areas in Abuja, the hotel will be a 45-minute drive from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second busiest airport after Lagos. In proximity to the hotel is the city’s most popular market, Wuse market, Jabai Boat Club, a water based recreational facility and family entertainment center, and Abuja National Mosque, also known as the Nigerian National Mosque, built in 1984.

The new-build, 249 room hotel will be the city’s first luxury hotel in Abuja, with an expansive range of rooms, from standard rooms and apartments to lofts and presidential suites. Spanning across almost 3000 square meters, the meeting spaces of Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja Nigeria will consist of a dividable conference hall, five meeting rooms, a board room, as well as a pre-function area.

Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development, Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “With a vast potential for significant scale, both Nigeria and its capital city, Abuja have been identified as key markets within our robust development strategy to reach 150 hotels across Africa within the next five years. It is an honor to kick start the year by introducing our beloved luxury lifestyle brand for experience-driven travelers to the city of Abuja as its first luxury hotel.”

Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited, leaders in the hospitality industry with whom we currently operate three hotels in Lagos. 65% of our hotel owners have more than one property with Radisson Hotel Group, which is a testament to our commendable owner retention.”

Radisson Collection hotels are made up of iconic properties in unique locations. Each hotel is authentic to the destination while offering brand’s hallmarks of signature dining, local art, and experiences to create genuine connections. The wide-ranging dining outlets of Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja Nigeria will consist of a lobby lounge and coffee bar, as well as a business class lounge providing the ideal menu and venue for a quick meal or business meeting. The all-day dining, specialty, and roof top restaurants will offer tailored and unforgettable dining experiences. To unwind, guests will be able to relax on the pool deck and bar or enjoy their favorite workout or treatment at the onsite fitness and wellness facilities. The hotel’s onsite night club will be a new addition to Abuja’s social scene.

Asiwaju Tajudeen Owoyemi, Chairman of Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited, said, “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Radisson Hotel Group with the addition of Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja to our collective portfolio. Together, we will be uplifting the hospitality landscape of Abuja by debuting a luxury lifestyle hotel offering like no other within the city.”

About Radisson Hotel Group
The Radisson family of brands can be found around the world in more than 120 countries, with currently over 1,700 hotels in operation and under development. Radisson Hotel Group operates the business in EMEA and APAC with over 1,100 hotels in operation and under development. The international hotel group is rapidly growing with a plan to double the portfolio by 2025. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.

At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved near-term Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

About Radisson Collection
Radisson Collection is a luxury lifestyle collection of iconic properties located in unique locations. While the character of each Radisson Collection hotel feels authentic to its location, all of them offer the ultimate template for contemporary living – united by bespoke design and exceptional experiences across dining, fitness, wellness and sustainability. Designed for guests and locals alike, each Radisson Collection hotel is defined by the guests who visit them. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson Collection by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Radisson Collection is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.