Dubai’s Hottest Luxury Hotel In 2022

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Dubai’s Hottest Luxury Hotel In 2022

January 14 2022 – Dubai’s Hottest Luxury Hotel In 2022.

Dubai’s skyline gets even more star-studded as Dorchester Collection brings its sophistication to the Emirates with the latest luxury hotel, The Lana.

Standing out amidst a dense grove of glossy skyscrapers of Dubai will be Dorchester Collections’s ‘The Lana’, a new luxury hotel that will overlook the Business Bay Area and set to be the epitome of ultra-luxury in Downtown Dubai. The Lana will open its doors to travellers during the tail end of 2022, just in time for the New Year celebrations.

The word “Lana” in Arabic translates to “for us” and in Hawaiian to “floating gently in calm water”, therefore evoking the sense of serenity and generosity. It also stands as a metaphor for the collaboration between the Dorchester Collections and OMNIYAT, the real estate development group behind this project.

The architects Foster + Partners have envisioned this building keeping in mind the ever-changing and constantly rebuilding Dubai skyline. The hotel will be a landmark destination, with a contemporary building outline that will complement the calm waters of the Dubai Creek and create an ambience that invokes a sense of fluidity and calm.

Situated at a prime location, right in the middle of the Burj Khalifa district with the Dubai International Airport a mere 20 minutes away, the hotel provides stunning views of the deserts and the majestic Burj Khalifa. 

The hotel has 225 unique guest rooms, out of which 69 are suites. These rooms are spacious and flooded with lights, courtesy of the floor to ceiling windows and cool interiors. Much like the architecture, the interiors are also modern, with a subtle blend of the traditional. 

The interiors are done by the Parisian duo, Gilles & Boissier, including intricate details like stone parquet flooring, triple-height ceilings, and screen dividers that create an ambience that is at once welcoming discreet. Dark marble, rounded furniture, and soft hues of gold, beige, and olive are seen throughout the living spaces. A significant attribute of these larger than life rooms are the deep-soaking bathtubs, some of which will be positioned in the windows, affording occupants superb city views while they relax. 

The 21 signature suites at The Lana are a lavish affair, as can be expected from Dorchester. The 333 m2 Presidential Suite is regal and residential, with a great view of the expansive property’s greenery. With abundant features such as two sitting rooms for entertaining, a garden room, dining room, and expansive private terrace that runs the length of the elevation, guests will feel right at home and bask in the comfort that is very carefully crafted in the details. The Royal Suite has a noteworthy 357 m2 of indoor and outdoor living space and two bedrooms wrapping around the north corner of the building.

Dorchester Collection’s ‘The Lana’ Highlight – Rooftop Pool & Cabanas, After Hours Lounge Partie

The hotel will be an exemplary culinary destination in Dubai, with a modern Mediterranean restaurant on the fourth floor that offers indoors and outdoors dining and private dining space. The floor will also be host to an Italian café, with indoor and outdoor seating. The Lana’s signature restaurant and lounge, along with a traditional patisserie, can be found on the hotel’s 18th floor, and guests can expect an experiential dining experience unlike anything else in Dubai. 

The 29th floor will host the hotel’s spa, a wellness centre, and an up-to-date gym. In addition, the hotel’s rooftop pool on the 30th floor will be available only during the day to hotel guests and features a cabana service. It promptly transforms itself into a lounge at night and becomes host to some of Dubai’s hottest rooftop parties. 

With the Dorchester motto of “Anything but Ordinary” for the service it provides and with an extraordinary legacy of celebrating only the excellent and the exceptional, The Lana Hotel is another feather in the cap of the Dorchester Collections. 

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British Airways adds new London City routes

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British Airways

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January 13, 2022 -British Airways will launch four new routes across Europe in time for the summer season. 

British Airways adds new London City routes

Operating from London City Airport, customers can now book to fly to Barcelona, Luxembourg, Milan and Thessaloniki.

The routes will be added to the BA CityFlyer network and will be operated by Embraer E190 aircraft.

Luxembourg and Milan will take flight on March 27th, and both will operate every day of the week. 

On June 18th, Thessaloniki will launch, operating once a week on Saturday and on June 19th, Barcelona will operate six times a week – every day apart from Saturday.

Routes to Jersey and Guernsey are also returning following the launch in 2021. 

Flights will operate on Monday and Friday from June 20th to September 2nd. 

Tom Stoddart, managing director of BA CityFlyer, which will operate the new services, said: “As customers start to plan their next summer getaway, we wanted to offer new routes to some of the most popular European destinations. 

“Conveniently accessible from London City airport, they are a great addition to our extensive network.”

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Arabian Travel Market (ATM) delayed by a day

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ATM Arabian Travel Market

January 13 2022 – Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has been bumped back a day to accommodate the new Monday-to-Friday working week in the United Arab Emirates.

Arabian Travel Market delayed by a day

The event will now take place from Monday, May 9th until Thursday, May 12th.

The four-day show had previously been expected to start on Sunday, May 8th.

With the event returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the revised dates are expected to complement international markets, the majority of which also follow the Monday-to-Friday working week.

The changes to the UAE calendar came into effect on January 1st.

ATM will play an integral role in the Arabian Travel Week (May 9-19), a festival of events dedicated to enabling travel professionals from all over the world to collaborate and shape the recovery of the Middle East travel industry through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking events.

The destination claims to remain one of the most Covid-19-secure countries on the planet, with consistently low case rates and robust measures to ensure tourists’ safety at every stage of their visit, from arrival to departure.

Like its neighbouring emirates, Dubai is committed to maintaining the highest hygiene and safety standards.

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France to reopen to British travellers tomorrow

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france to open British

January 13 2022 – Officials in France have confirmed the country will relax restrictions on those travelling from the UK from Friday.

France to reopen to British travellers tomorrow

Travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer need a compelling reason to enter France or self-isolate when they arrive.

However a negative Covid-19 test, taken 24 hours before leaving the UK, will be required, vaccinated or not.

France brought in the restrictions on December 18th in an attempt to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

However, the country is still battling a surge in Covid-19 infections.

On Thursday, there were a record 368, 817 new cases and 341 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Non-vaccinated travellers will still need a compelling reason to enter France, and must still isolate for ten days upon arrival.

The decision comes as IATA questions whether border closures have any impact on slowing the spread of Covid-19.

Following confirmation of the decision, Julia Simpson, WTTC chief executive, said: “We welcome the reopening of French borders to UK travellers.

“Once a variant is endemic closing borders is pointless and only damages livelihoods especially in travel and tourism one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic.

“France is one of the biggest markets for UK tourists who, according to our 2021 Economic Impact Report, account for 14 per cent of overseas visitors.”

WTTC figures show total international visitor spend in France was worth more than €60 billion, pre-pandemic.

At the same time, data analysts Cirium released figures showing there are 2,179 flights scheduled between France and the UK in January this year, offering to 367,164 seats.

The figure is up 144 per cent on last year, but still down by two thirds on the figures seen in January 2019.

The busiest route in terms of flights is between London Heathrow and Charles De Galle in Parris, with 424 trips planned this month. 

Eurostar also welcomed the reopening of the border.

A statement said: “We welcome the safe reduction of travel restrictions which will allow our customers to travel more freely between the UK and France.

“We are ready to welcome more passengers on board and will continue to increase the frequency of our services in the coming weeks to offer passengers more flexibility and choice.”

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Norwegian Cruise Line reveals Norwegian Viva

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Norwegian Cruise Line viva

January 13 2022 -Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled plans for Norwegian Viva, the next ship in the Prima Class.

Norwegian Cruise Line reveals Norwegian Viva

Providing guests with “elevated experiences” including more wide-open spaces, thoughtful design and service, the ship will begin sailing Mediterranean itineraries in June next year.

She will be homeporting in southern European port cities including Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece.

Norwegian Viva will then sail the southern Caribbean for her 2023-2024 winter season, offering warm-weather getaways from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Similarly to sister ship Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy.

She will debut at 965 feet long, 142,500 gross tons and accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy.

Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “Norwegian Viva sets the standard in the premium segment, illustrating our commitment to pushing boundaries in four main areas: wide open space, service that puts guests first, thoughtful design and experiences beyond expectation.

“We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind.”

Norwegian Viva will boast eye-catching hull art designed by Italian graffiti and sculpture artist Manuel Di Rita, commonly known as “Peeta,” who also illustrated the exceptional hull design on Norwegian Prima.

“Norwegian Viva, the second of six Prima Class vessels being built with us, reinforces the great collaboration between Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri,” said Luigi Matarazzo, general manager, merchant ships division, at Fincantieri.

“We were extremely satisfied that Norwegian Prima, the first of the new class, earned record-breaking bookings and we are excited to see how Norwegian Viva will live up to her sister ship.

“As we proved our resilience during these challenging times, this announcement represents another testament to Fincantieri´s global leadership role in the cruise sector.”

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New Thailand pass system

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New Thailand pass system

January 13 2022 – New Thailand pass system

The president of the Phuket Tourism Association Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said that the island is becoming popular with foreign tourists, receiving 4,000 applications each day through the Thailand Pass system. Ruktaengam said that most of those visitors are from Germany, Russia, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United States and France.

Ruktaengam praised the success of the island’s Covid-19 measures for motivating among foreign tourists.

70% – 80% of international arrivals who test positive are infected with the Omicron variant, according to Bhummikitti. However, 90% of cases only exhibit mild symptoms.

Bhummikitti said that the authorities are also coming up with other facilities if hotels do not have isolation rooms for infected guests. These could be hospitals or the newly-created Traveler Community Isolation wards. Phuket will open 3 new TCI facilities for housing infected tourists, if their hotels do not have isolation rooms.

126 out of 480 Phuket hotels have registered to offer hotel room isolation, allocating a number of rooms for self-isolating infected guests exhibiting mild symptoms. The island now has 650 such rooms.

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Israel’s hotel sector optimistic about 2022

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Israel’s hotel sector optimistic about 2022

January 13 2022 – Israel’s hotel sector optimistic about 2022.

After two years of low occupancy rates due to the corona pandemic, industry leaders in Israel’s hotel sector are optimistic that the new year will bring about a reversal of fortune.

Hotel construction is at a five-year high, the Real Estate Appraisers Association in Israel revealed earlier this week in a report based on data taken from the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

According to the report, in the first three-quarters of 2021 hotel construction began on roughly 1.5 million square feet of real estate, compared with 505,000 square feet a year earlier.

The majority of the new construction is taking place in Tel Aviv. Hotels in the coastal city, heavily reliant on incoming tourism, have been among the hardest hit by corona travel restrictions.
Despite these hardships, Nahum Kara, director of sales and marketing at the Isrotel hotel chain, believes that tourists will return in the coming year in even greater numbers than pre-pandemic times, especially given that Israel has reopened its borders once more.

To build up real tourism it takes approximately six months, said Kara. This is for group business [travellers]. Individual tourists are more adventurous and they do come earlier.

Let’s hope that we’ll continue to open the borders and by Passover this year we’ll be full again.

The Isrotel hotel chain, which currently owns 20 establishments across the country, is investing $1 billion, or NIS 3 billion, for the purchase or construction of 12 additional hotels in Israel over the next five years, including eight in Tel Aviv alone.

In 2022, Isrotel plans to open three new hotels: one near Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) called the Goma Hotel, and two others in Tel Aviv called the Port Tower Hotel and the Alberto Hotel.

The first one is at the entrance of the Tel Aviv Port, which is the entertainment area of the city, and the second one is in the business center of Tel Aviv. It’s a boutique hotel with 92 rooms and a rooftop swimming pool.

Kara and others in the hotel industry are hoping for a strong recovery from tourism, which they believe is inevitable once the pandemic situation improves.

In 2019, a record-breaking 4.5 million people visited the Holy Land.

Hotels that are reliant on incoming tourism, like the five-star, Isrotel-owned Royal Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv, have been particularly affected by corona. Nevertheless, according to Kara, the hotel chain has emerged relatively unscathed thanks to its diverse property portfolio. Once Isrotel launches its eight hotels in Tel Aviv, it will own 20% of all the guest rooms in the city.

The decision to build several new hotels was taken several years ago. To build a hotel in this country, from the time you decide to build it, takes between four and 10 years, Kara said. So the decisions were taken well in advance.

Others in the hotel sector are also confident about the future.

The Margoa Hotel, a boutique three-star hotel in the nearby coastal city of Netanya, is preparing for rooms to fill up come April.

While real-estate companies continue to bank on a strong recovery in the hotel sector, whether bookings return to pre-pandemic levels this year will only become clear in the months to come.

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Royal Shakespeare Company signs Cunard partnership

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Royal Shakespeare Company signs Cunard partnership

January 13 2022 – Royal Shakespeare Company signs Cunard partnership.

Cunard will be taking Shakespeare and new work to the high seas in 2022, as it joins forces in a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to bring world-class theatre to its transatlantic stage.

Available exclusively on-board Queen Mary 2, guests will enjoy tailored theatrical performances by the RSC, which creates captivating theatre by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other literary legends past and present.

The performances will be available for all guests on board the flagship, including a unique blend of Shakespeare’s iconic love scenes in a brand-new piece called Boundless as the Sea, created by Owen Horsley.

Guests will also have the opportunity to see critically acclaimed new work from the RSC with Miss Littlewood: a musical by Sam Kenyon exploring the life of one of theatre’s most playful and radical figures, making its transatlantic debut.

Guests will also be able to access ‘Shakespeare Tales,’ intimate, informal events where the actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience.

Vice President, brand and product at Cunard, Lee Powell, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company on board our flagship, Queen Mary 2.

“To be able to offer our guests access to unique performances by world leaders in both contemporary theatre and Shakespeare’s finest work, is an extraordinary opportunity which I know our guests will fully immerse themselves in.”

The three-year partnership will begin on in May.

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Seatrade Cruise Global

Seatrade Cruise Global to return to Miami 2022

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Seatrade Cruise Global

January 12 2022 –Seatrade Cruise Global will return to the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 25-28.

Seatrade Cruise Global to return to Miami

This conference will celebrate resilience – highlighting collaborative efforts across sectors to create a safer, more innovative cruising experience adapted to ever-changing times.

In addition to its enriching programming and expo components, the show will offer optimised networking opportunities with an all-new AI-enabled matchmaking software and dedicated concierge team.

“Our industry is continuing to shift and implement key learnings towards cruising innovation in every aspect – from health and safety to technology and sustainability.

“We’re proud to support the cruise community by providing a platform to unite and share knowledge, insights and solutions across these verticals,” says Chiara Giorgi, global brand and event director for Seatrade Cruise.

“After successfully reuniting in-person last year, and the overwhelming amount of positive feedback we received, we’re eager to continue the momentum, confident that through collaboration our industry is coming back stronger than ever.”

Seatrade Cruise Global 2022 is expected to welcome more than 10,000 attendees, representing 80+ cruise line brands and 500+ exhibitors from over 140 countries.

Focusing on resilience as its overarching theme, this year’s conference program will feature more than 45 hours of education, covering leading topics including technological advances, health and safety, global ports and destination updates, as well as sustainability and environmental advances.

More Information

Registration information can be found here.

 
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American Airlines launches Aer Lingus codeshare deal

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American Airlines Aer Lingus

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January 12, 2022 – American Airlines and Aer Lingus have launched a codeshare agreement designed to make it easier to travel between the United States and Ireland.

American Airlines launches Aer Lingus codeshare deal

To increase connectivity between the US and Europe for customers, American will place its code on Aer Lingus flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Dublin (DUB).

Customers can also book codeshare flights on Aer Lingus from DUB to Amsterdam (AMS); Birmingham, UK (BHX); London Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester, UK (MAN); and from LHR to Belfast City, Northern Ireland (BHD); Cork, Ireland (ORK) and Shannon, Ireland (SNN).

“We are excited to extend our relationship with our newest joint business partner, Aer Lingus, with this codeshare agreement,” said Anmol Bhargava, American vice president of alliances.

“Through our trans-Atlantic joint business, customers have more choices to key destinations in Europe and now, Ireland.”

Additionally, customers traveling with Aer Lingus will now be able to book codeshare travel on American Airlines flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Albuquerque, New Mexico, (ABQ); Nashville, Tennessee (BNA); Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW); Los Angeles (LAX); Seattle (SEA); San Francisco (SFO); San Jose, California (SJC) and Tucson, Arizona (TUS).

Further expansion of the codeshare is also planned in the near future.

Reid Moody, Aer Lingus chief strategy and planning officer, said: “After almost two years of restricted travel we know that demand for dream vacations, business travel, and reconnecting families and friends in 2022 and beyond will be stronger than ever.

“We are delighted that through the codeshare agreement with American Airlines, Aer Lingus customers will be able to avail of greater connectivity options and more seamless travel between the US and Europe via our Dublin hub.”

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Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to make Poland debut next month

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Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town

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January 12, 2021 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has entered into Poland with the 205-room upscale Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to make Poland debut next month

Managed by Mogotel Hotel Group, a leading hotel operator in the Baltics, the property is expected to open early next month and will be located in the heart of the city centre.

One of the largest cities in western Poland and home to many renowned universities and research centres, Wroclaw combines rich history and charming architecture with a lively cultural scene across its museums, theatres, art galleries and workshops.

Perfectly positioned for exploring the central, picturesque Old Town with many attractions and landmarks, the hotel will feature stylish guest rooms, an expansive atrium and a top floor wellness area, with a state-of-the-art fitness room, sauna and steam bath.

The hotel will offer a wide range of food and beverage outlets including a gourmet restaurant, a cosy lounge and bar to relax and socialise.

Those travelling for business will also have access the 11 meeting rooms, which accommodate a total capacity of over 400 attendees.

In addition, the hotel is conveniently located just ten miles from Wroclaw’s International Copernicus Airport.

Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town is the latest addition in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts growing portfolio in Europe, including over 350 operational hotels across 30 countries and a development pipeline of over 90 properties.

Christian Michel, vice president development Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, said: “We are delighted to be launching our first hotel in Poland with our upscale Wyndham brand in collaboration with Mogotel.

“Poland is a country with strong development potential and a plethora of destinations that attract and suit different types of travellers.

“With favourable economic conditions and a large domestic demand, Poland brings exciting opportunities for our industry and perfectly fits our growth strategy for Europe.”

Groups and incentives to Poland

Source: breakingtravelnews

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The Langham, Gold Coast to open in 2022

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The Langham, Gold Coast

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January 12, 2021 – Langham Hospitality Group will be managing its third luxury hotel in Australia.

The Langham, Gold Coast to open this year

Opening this year, the Langham, Gold Coast will feature 169 well-appointed rooms and suites.

The group will also manage the Jewel Residences, Managed by Langham which consists of 170 serviced apartments.

With their prime location on the beachfront in Surfers Paradise, the hotel and serviced apartments are in the central and tallest of the three landmark towers of the Jewel development.

It is the first and largest development with direct beach access to be built in the coastal city within the last 30 years.

The Langham, Gold Coast is located between the ground and 20th floors while the residences are on the 22nd to 49th floors which promises stunning city and ocean views.

The grand structure and shimmering exterior of the Jewel are reminiscent of three colossal quartz crystals, visible for miles from the Nerang River to the Gold Coast hinterland.

The crystalline forms of the towers are inspired by the gemstone shards discovered in the region which dates back thousands of years.

“We are excited to bring quintessential Langham service to the Gold Coast very soon,” says John O’Shea, general manager of the Langham, Gold Coast.

“The Langham is renowned for its exceptional hospitality, and when our hotel opens in 2022, we look forward to taking modern coastal luxury to new heights.”

Developed by AW Holding Group, the appointed architects for the Langham, Gold Coast and the Jewel are DBI Design and US-based Oppenheim Architecture + Design respectively.

The interior design firm for the hotel is Sydney-based Studio Aria which took the inspiration of the design concept from the prime coastal location and the nearby national parks and hinterland.

Groups and incentives to Australia

Source: breakingtravelnews

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International Travel Expected to Jump After Europe Relaxes Restrictions

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International Travel Expected to Jump After Europe Relaxes Restrictions

January 12 2022 – International Travel Expected to Jump After Europe Relaxes Restrictions

Some industry executives are predicting international travel will reach 90 percent of its pre-pandemic level now that the United Kingdom has relaxed some of its COVID-19 restrictions.

“I predict travel will be 90 percent back to 2019 levels before the end of spring (2022),” Derek Jones, the chief executive of luxury travel company Kuoni, told the Belfast Telegraph via the European travel site schengenvisainfo.com. “We’re already seeing increased call volumes and inquiries about trips for the year ahead as confidence builds.” 

International travel has been the slowest part of the industry to come back from the pandemic, which hit worldwide almost two years ago next month. 

England changed some of its rules on travel last week. Fully vaccinated travelers and children under the age of 18 no longer have to take a pre-departure COVID test when they come back to the U.K. A new, cheaper test is now valid to re-enter the country. 

That will allow more people in Great Britain to travel, says Steve Heapy, the CEO of Jet2 – Britain’s third-largest airline – and Jet2 Holidays. 

“We have seen an immediate and dramatic spike in bookings, with volumes since the Government announcement heading towards pre-pandemic levels,” Heapy said. He added that it “demonstrates just how much demand is out there among people wanting to get away for a much-needed holiday.” 

A survey by British travel trade company Abta found that Spain, the United States, France, Italy and Greece are the top five destinations that U.K. residents plan to visit this year. 

A spokesperson for travel agency TUI said there has been a “prompt increase” in bookings since last week. But any uptick just might be a one-way thing, because advisors in the U.S. aren’t seeing the same kind of optimism for international travel. 

“I have not, and am not, seeing an increase in international travel. I do have a few trips in the works, which may or may not travel, but this is nothing to what I was doing in 2019 or were booked for 2020 prior to Covid. Not even close,” said Miki Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor & Co. Travel in Marietta, Ga.. “My largest VIP client has two international trips rescheduled from 2020 and 2021 and those are still up in the air and they are all vaccinated and boosted and have all had Covid.” 

Taylor said her current impression is that international travel has become a matter of anticipation and anxiety. 

“I think that people want to travel, but the biggest concern I am hearing is ‘I don’t want to travel somewhere and then test positive and can’t get back.’ It is a worry and one that people aren’t willing to take just yet,” she said. “My personal opinion is that if we don’t have another Omicron, bookings might pick up for late in the year. But for now most are traveling to the Caribbean and Mexico, but that isn’t even anywhere close to where it was pre-Covid.”

 

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Disney looks to metaverse for more immersive experiences

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Disney looks to metaverse for more immersive experiences

January 12 2022 – Disney looks to metaverse for more immersive experiences

Disney Enterprises has had a patent approved for a “virtual world simulator” by the United States Patent Office, signalling a metaverse move for its theme parks.

The technology would include a projection device as well as tracking system enabling Disney to display virtual effects on to a real-world venue as a user, e.g. theme park visitor, moves about.

A computing platform communicates with the projection device and tracking system in the background to map the venue and identify the virtual effects to display.

The patent document provides background around the ability of augmented reality to provide users with the feeling of engaging with a virtual world to provide a more immersive and engaging experience.

It goes on to describe some of the limitations of AR such as the cost of devices, the health and hygiene implications of sharing devices and the need for the use of personal AR-enabled devices which precludes many people from enjoying the same experience.

The document concludes that there is a need for something that enables an immersive experience for many uses but tailored to the vantage point of each user.

In its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 results, Disney talked of using the power of its platform and “new technologies to give consumers the best entertainment experience possible.”

CEO Bob Chapek said: “ Our company is truly unique in that we have a significant presence in the physical world through our parks and resorts, as well as media and entertainment assets in the digital world.

“And it is incredible to see how our use of emerging technology and insights gained through our innumerable consumer touchpoints is enabling us to transform the way people interact with and experience our stories and products in both worlds.”

He described development so far as “merely a prologue to a time when we’ll be able to connect the physical and digital worlds even more closely, allowing for storytelling without boundaries in our own Disney metaverse.”

Few travel brands have showed their cards when its comes to the metaverse so far.

Marriott International said it was tapping digital artists to create travel-inspired non-fungible tokens in December as part of its move into the “digital goods space.”

According to a statement, the company plans to continue building a presence in the metaverse in 2022.

Meanwhile, a mixed reality lounge called MetaTerrace has been opened in the Central Park Towers in Dubai’s financial district.

Cryptocurrency specialist ColossalBit is behind the move, which features a virtual-reality room, and says it’s a convergence of the physical and virtual worlds.

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Study finds tourists seeking new destinations & experiences in 2022

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Study finds tourists seeking new destinations & experiences in 2022

January 12 2022 – Study finds tourists seeking new destinations & experiences in 2022

Travelers are looking for something new as they head out on the road once more, many after two years of travel restrictions.

Research from Tripadvisor, in conjunction with Ipsos Mori, reveals more than a third of travelers across the U.S., U.K, Australia, Japan and Singapore say traveling to a destination they have not previously visited is more important now than before.

The percentages rise to almost half, 49% for travelers from Singapore and 46% for travelers in Australia and 41% for those in the U.S.

Travelers also said the top three most important factors in future plans were to have new experiences, learn about history and culture and “get immersive” by seeing new places.

The Tripadvisor Travel in 2022: A Look Ahead research goes on to reveal that 44% of Singaporean travelers and 38% of Australians feel it’s more important now to immerse themselves in “authentic local experiences.”

For travelers from the U.K. and U.S., this dips to about a third.

Many travelers are also want to do as many activities as possible while on holiday with 30% of U.S. and Australian travelers looking to pack in experiences.

The findings spell good news for tours and activities suppliers with about a fifth of travelers also planning to do more guided tours than before the pandemic.

Travelers also feel it’s more important than before the pandemic to invest in a big trip with more than 25% of travelers across the five markets looking to “splurge.”

Crucially for the industry, Tripadvisor site behavioral data taken from December, reveals average spend per trip for 2022 is likely to exceed that of 2019.

The company says American travelers are likely to spend 29% more on their average trip while the average booking rate for Australian travelers is likely to be up 19% this year versus 2019.

However, Japanese, British and Italian travelers are all expecting to spend less in 2022.

The Ipsos Mori research was carried out with about 2,000 travelers from each of the markets via an online poll in November 2021.

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Accor to open Rixos resort in Jeddah’s Obhur Bay

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Saudi Arabia Accor

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January 11, 2021 –Further expanding Accor’s footprint in Saudi Arabia, this forthcoming opening will mark the Rixos brand’s debut in the country.

A new partnership in Saudi Arabia

In partnership with Dur Hospitality, Accor has announced the signing of Rixos Obhur Jeddah. The project involves revamping and enhancing the existing Makarem Annakheel Village development, transforming it into ‘a full-fledged tourist resort with a five-star luxury hotel’.

“We are pleased to partner with Dur Hospitality as we truly value their longstanding experience in the Saudi hospitality sector,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey.

“We are confident that Rixos Obhur Jeddah will become an outstanding destination taking the hospitality and tourism services in Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea and the Kingdom, to the next level. This resort is Rixos’ first project in the Kingdom and we hope this will be the first of several projects on which the group collaborates with Dur Hospitality across the Kingdom.”

Dur Hospitality’s chairman of the board Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Issa added: “The partnership with Accor is aligned with our strategy to enhance our capabilities and cement our leading position in the Kingdom’s hospitality sector by offering our guests the best services and experiences available in the hospitality industry locally and internationally. This partnership simultaneously contributes to developing the sector’s role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which inspires us to keep pace with the guests’ expectations and provide them with the latest premium hospitality products and services.”

Luxurious resort experiences

Billed as ‘the first luxurious integrated resort in Jeddah’, Rixos Obhur Jeddah will meet the increasing demand for luxurious hospitality paired with high-quality leisure activities in the area. Among its many highlights will be a fun water park and an exclusive private beach.

The resort will host guests in 247 residential units, including 174 rooms and 73 villas with a Club Prive lounge, as well as a fine-dining restaurant, two specialty beach restaurants and a lounge bar.

Other amenities are to include a central ballroom for events, meeting rooms, a fitness centre, a spa, kids and teens clubs, and several swimming pools. All of this will be set amid green landscaping, golden beaches and a port.

Willis concluded: “Rixos Obhur Jeddah will offer an unparalleled hospitality experience. Guests will enjoy unique entertainment offering as well as diverse and multiple leisure activities, especially families who will live unforgettable moments together.”

Groups and incentives to saudi arabia

Source: tophotel

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Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin reopens to guests

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Rosewood São Paulo

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January 11, 2021 –Radisson Hotel Group has kicked off 2022 with the launch of its newly-redesigned German flagship property in the heart of Berlin.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin reopens to guests

The first Radisson Collection hotel in the country offers an exceptional hotel experience in an unparalleled location in Berlin-Mitte.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin has just completed an extensive twelve-month renovation, which encompassed the redesign of all guest rooms, a reimagined front-desk space and an exciting new lobby, bar and restaurant design.

The famous AquaDom, a large freestanding cylindrical aquarium with 1,600 tropical fish, remains the centrepiece of the hotel lobby and underwent a thorough modernisation.

The hotel features 427 elegant rooms and suites across six floors.

The interior design combines wood tones with subtle grey and plum tones, accented by impactful artwork and stylish decorative accessories, which allow the rooms to feel highly contemporary and cosy at the same time.

Beneath the aquatic AquaDom, the Atrium Bar is the place to meet, enjoy coffee and cake, a wide range of spirits, beer, wine and expertly crafted cocktails, as well as a selection of smaller dishes throughout the day.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin offers 2,750 sqm of meeting spaces spread over 15 multifunctional meeting rooms on three floors.

“After an extensive creative design process and all the hard work that was put into creating our German flagship hotel, we are excited to launch Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin.

“The unparalleled location on the river right in the centre of Berlin-Mitte, the new interior design with its close attention to detail, and our signature Radisson Collection service level will make this hotel a fixture in the five-star hotel market in Berlin,” explained Oliver Staas, general manager of the hotel.

Groups and incentives to Germany

Source: breakingtravelnews

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Rosewood São Paulo opens in Brazil 2022

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Rosewood São Paulo

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January 11, 2021 – Rosewood São Paulo has officially opened its doors, heralding Rosewood Hotels & Resorts entrance into South America.

Rosewood São Paulo has officially opened its doors

Centrally located in the heart of the vibrant city near the lively Avenida Paulista, Rosewood São Paulo is a metropolitan oasis set within the historical enclave of Cidade Matarazzo.

The complex of elegantly preserved buildings from the early 20th century have been carefully transformed into private residences, high-end stores and entertainment venues.

Anchoring the 30,000 square-meter mixed-used lifestyle hub, Rosewood São Paulo occupies the historic former hospital, Matarazzo Maternity, as well as a striking new vertical garden tower.

Spearheaded by entrepreneur Alexandre Allard, recognised for his involvement in the renaissance of the House of Balmain, the property was designed by leading international figures including the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and artistic director Philippe Starck.

The new hotel is also home to a ground-breaking collection of 450 site-specific artworks, all created in partnership with local artists whose work draws from the multiplicity of the Brazilian experience.

Featuring 160 guestrooms and suites along with 100 Private Rosewood Suites available for purchase, the luxurious accommodations are spread across the restored Matarazzo Maternity and the vertical garden tower.

“It has been a true honour to help bring such a unique hotel project to life in one of the world’s most dynamic cities,” said managing director, Edouard Grosmangin.

“The team behind Rosewood São Paulo has spent a decade on this project to ensure it honours and celebrates the heritage of the city while breathing new life into the destination.

“In doing so we’ve created a hotel that is a true love letter to the city, the nation, and its people.

“We look forward to welcoming the world to experience São Paulo’s dynamic offerings first-hand and provide the place from which a cultural journey can begin and end.”

Groups and incentives to Brazil

Source: breakingtravelnews

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Qantas returns to South Africa for the 1st time in 2 years

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Qantas returns to South Africa for the 1st time in 2 years

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January 11, 2022 – Qantas returns to South Africa for the 1st time in 2 years

Qantas flight QF63 departed Sydney and is expected to land at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport in January 2022.

This flight marks the resumption of direct passenger flights between South Africa and Australia after a 21-month break.

The airline will operate three weekly flights on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Qantas’ restart coincides with Australia easing its restrictions on South African travellers.

Qantas Airways flight QF63 is scheduled to land at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first direct commercial passenger flight between Australia and South Africa in more than 21 months.

Australia has been largely off-limits to South Africans since coronavirus-induced travel restrictions were first imposed in March 2020. Australians looking to travel abroad have also been limited due to Qantas’ grounding of international flights and strict re-entry requirements.

Almost 200,000 South Africans live in Australia, making it the second largest expat community second only to the United Kingdom. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 110,000 annual travellers arrived in South Africa from Australia, many to reconnect with family and friends.

Qantas had initially hoped to resume its flights between Sydney and Johannesburg in July 2021, but consecutive waves of Covid-19, the prevalence of new variants, and heightened restrictions in response, extended the suspension. The July return date was pushed back to October, then December, and, more recently, to April 2022.

Australia’s financially embattled flag carrier eventually reopened its international routes in November, starting with flights to London, Los Angeles, and Singapore.

The airline also revised its South African restart date to January. This coincided with Australia dropping its restrictions on South African travellers in mid-December. This reprieve mainly applies to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible visa holders – for skilled migrants, international students, and family – departing South Africa.

Qantas’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – flight QF63 – departed Sydney around 10:45 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday. The 11,000km flight takes around 14 hours to complete and, at the time of publication, flight QF63 was around 3,500km away from Johannesburg. It’s estimated to land at 15:30.

The airline will operate three weekly return flights between Sydney and Johannesburg on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Demand for these flights is extremely high, according to Simple Flying.

And while Australia has reopened to eligible international travellers, territories differ on testing and quarantine requirements. Travellers arriving in Sydney need to comply with the New South Wales rules, which requires a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test result and full vaccination to avoid quarantine.

Travelling from New South Wales to Queensland, for example, requires another negative Covid-19 test result and an approved entry pass.

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Mexico Will Continue to Be a Top Choice for Travel in 2022

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Mexico Will Continue to Be a Top Choice for Travel in 2022

January 11 2022 – Mexico Will Continue to Be a Top Choice for Travel in 2022

Let’s go back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being battered by all sorts of terrible twists and turns, the travel industry was struggling to maintain a pulse while dealing with constantly changing rules and regulations, including the need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before re-entering the U.S. I remember thinking at the time, “How in the world is this going to work?”

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