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LATAM plans to resume flights to Mendoza

Written by Leandro Agostini on September 16, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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Argentina:

After the Argentine government confirmed the authorization of Mendoza’s El Plumerillo International Airport as a «safe corridor», LATAM Airlines confirmed to Aviacionline that it has requested authorization to resume operations from Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo.

The intention is to restart flights from October 18, in both cases with three weekly frequencies, subject to government approval.

Mendoza was the first Argentine airport (besides Buenos Aires) to be authorized to receive scheduled passenger flights as of March 2020. Today Aerolíneas Argentinas also announced that it will fly from Mendoza to Santiago de Chile.

This puts an end to the unequal situation experienced by passengers from the provinces, who had to travel via Buenos Aires to enter or leave Argentina, since the land crossings are not enabled either.

Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, Mendoza was connected to Panama City (one daily flight by Copa Airlines), Lima (one daily flight by LATAM), Santiago de Chile (10 weekly flights by LATAM and four by SKY) and Sao Paulo-Guarulhos (two weekly flights by LATAM and two by GOL).

Spotted in www.aviacionline.com

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‘Istanbul The Lights’ Set to Light Up the City

Written by Gill Dewar on September 16, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events.

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‘Istanbul The Lights’ is the inaugural outdoor light festival providing the city with a new reason to celebrate at the end of what has been a challenging year for many.

For the month of December until early next year, spectacular art installations will be placed around the city centre, set to light it up as part of Contemporary Istanbul Foundation’s mission to bring the community together safely, in a setting where social distancing can still be observed while creating moments of joy this festive season.

A collection of more than 50 art installations make up the festival and include a range of sculptures and works from over 35 talented artists based both locally and abroad, including Refik Anadol, Güvenç Özel, Ouchhh, and Memo Akten. The light displays form a circuit around the cultural capital with installations in Taksim Square, Macka Park, Besiktas Square, and Istanbul International Airport.

Co-curators of Istanbul The Lights, Esra Özkan and Ayça Okay, set out to use the festival to create a dialogue between art and society that delights the city in unexpected ways. The festival sees the takeover of subway and city screens, shopping mall screens and public spaces.

’We wanted to take the everyday places that locals know, and visitors frequent to create something extraordinary, where they might not be suspecting it – to fill their daily lives with art and light,’ say Özkan and Okay.

Art collective ‘Under1Min’ are creators of the star attraction with their behemoth circular structure made of LED screens, called ‘The Borders’, aptly situated at the Istanbul Airport. Blurring the boundaries between art and technology, Augmented Istanbul is also a key project – a collection of AR based sculptures, created by 17 leading artists on a mission to build a bridge between technology, sculpture, and painting.

Contemporary Istanbul Foundation Founder, Ali Gureli, says: ‘We are so pleased that the CIF is able to forge a new annual event for all to experience safely, while supporting the arts at this time. We hope that this festival gives the people of Istanbul another reason to celebrate this New Year.

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The “Night of Art” Returns to Majorca

Written by Gill Dewar on September 16, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Featured events.

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Palma’s historic quarter will see its buildings, ateliers, rooftops, balconies, shop windows, bars and cafes filled with avant-garde art during the 25th annual ‘Nit de l’Art’ (Night of Art).

First started in 1997, the event takes place in many cities internationally and this year Majorca will host its edition from 16 to 18 September 2021.

Over the course of the 3-day celebration, ten galleries and over one hundred artists will be taking part. The city’s museums and galleries will launch new exhibitions for a 2-month period following the festival. Keeping up with the “night” theme, the new collections can be admired by visitors free of charge once the sun goes down.

Although also celebrated in cities such as Paris and Toronto, Majorca’s celebration of creativity is unlike any other. Its organisers, Art Palma Contemporani and AIGAB, keep the official programme secret until a few days, or sometimes hours, before the event to guarantee a striking ‘Night of Art’. Alongside the artworks themselves, music and creative performances complete the bill.

Painting, photography, art installations and sculptures will astonish revellers at the festivals’ exhibitions, with work from contemporary artists such as Joseph Beuys, Stephan Balkenhol, Jörg Immendorff, Katharina Grosse or Markus Lüpertz. The artist Luis Gordillo, winner of the Velazquez Prize for the Visual Arts and a leading figure in Spanish art, has been commissioned for a solo exhibition in Pollença, in the region of Calvia. In addition, for the first time on the island, works by artists such as José Dávila, Alicja Kwade, Gregor Hidebrant and Sidival Fila will be exhibited.

During the ‘Nit de l’Art’, Palma distinguishes itself as a champion of avant-garde art and new artistic movements, showcasing its independent spirit that conceived this magical night 25 years prior.

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Amsterdam Dance Event is taking place this year in October

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 16, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events.

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September 16, 2021 – The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is taking place between 13-17 of October this year.

It is the most upfront, influential and educational gathering for electronic music and its industry. With its conference, festival and educational breeding ground, ADE is able to create not only the biggest yearly industry tent-pole moment, but also a solid foundation for future generations of electronic music professionals. ADE 2019 attracted a total of more than 1,000 events in nearly 200 locations across its multidisciplinary program; for five days and nights, the city of Amsterdam truly breathed electronic music.

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A new Thai temple bears a likeness to Angkor Wat – Cambodians don’t like it

Written by Leandro Agostini on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

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September 14, 2021 -Angkor Wat is one of the most famous temples in the world. Before the coronavirus stopped tourists from travelling around Asia, the 12th century Hindu complex in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province attracted 2.2 million visitors in 2019.

In contrast, Sihanakhon, a temple complex under construction in Thailand’s Buriram province, is not a name many will be familiar with. Unless, perhaps, you are Cambodian and spend time on the internet.

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New restaurant with a peculiar name opens its doors in Malta

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Restaurant.

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SHATT is a new restaurant with a peculiar name. But not all is what it seems – the name was inspired by the Maltese word Xatt, which means shore. Rather lovely!

Serving the most amazing fish burgers and beautiful sushi, combined with excellent wines, this is a great restaurant to order food to go.

Their signature Octopus burger is
MUST try, you can see the mouthwatering picture right here.

It does have a few tables where you can enjoy the beautiful decor.

Not only that, it also has a specialised bottle shop with a delightful selection of wines and spirits.

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Radisson Hotel Group Adds Seven New Hotels with 1,600+ Rooms in Morocco

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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September 14, 2021

Radisson Hotel Group in partnership with Madaëf are proud to announce the signing of seven Moroccan hotels, of which four will open its doors this month, located in renowned tourist areas, Al Hoceima, Saïdia and Taghazout. The new portfolio consisting of resorts and residences will add over 1600 rooms bringing the Group’s Moroccan portfolio to 10 hotels, fast-tracking its strategy to reach 15 hotels in operation and under development in the country by 2025.

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer EMEA, Radisson Hotel Group, says: “We are delighted to announce this portfolio of seven new hotels, as it not only accelerates our growing presence in Morocco, but also reaffirms our commitment towards the country and its future. Morocco is Africa’s number-one tourism destination in terms of foreign arrivals as a bridge between Europe and Africa and is a priority market for our African development strategy because of its vast potential of Morocco. We remain committed to the country’s Royal Vision, Morocco’s new campaign to promote national as well as international tourism development. We would like to thank our business partners for their trust in our brands and teams as we look forward to opening these world-class properties across Morocco together.”

Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group, says: “This diverse portfolio which consists of four converted and three new-build resorts and residences spread across Al Hoceima, Saïdia, and Taghazout, reinforces our serviced apartments as well as our global resort offerings. Complementing our existing properties in Marrakech and Casablanca, these new properties also cement the presence of our flagship Radisson Blu brand, as well as the footprint of our fast-growing, upscale Radisson brand in Africa. The addition of these hotels, reinforced with the opening of four, has certainly catapulted and diversified our presence in this key market, which we look forward to continue rapidly expanding within.”

Mamoun Lahlimi Alami, CEO, Madaëf, the owning company, says: “We are proud to reinforce our position as the leaders in Morocco’s tourism investment through this partnership with Radisson Hotel Group to open seven hotels in three strategic destinations with high potential. These include two new openings representing the introduction of nearly 600 rooms this year in Al Hoceima, and the creation of 1500 direct and indirect jobs. Four properties will be rebranded with the aim of elevating the product and customer experience, in addition to a seventh hotel under development. We are thrilled to establish this relationship with Radisson Hotel Group through a partnership enshrined in Madaëf’s new asset management policy, which aims to maximize the performance of its portfolio.”

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Al Hoceima, nicknamed “the Mediterranean Pearl”, often described as an earthly paradise due to its many beaches and crystal blue water, is located north of Morocco on the Mediterranean coast. The popular resort destination is renowned for its sandy beaches and mountainous areas, providing a spectacular backdrop to one of the country’s most beautiful bays.

Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima

Opening its doors this month, the newly built 432-room beach resort surrounded by the local reserve’s natural beauty, will offer guests the ideal coastal-leisure experience with direct beach access and an abundance of water sport activities.

Radisson Blu Residences, Al Hoceima

The newly built 142-unit property, also opening its doors this month will comprise of contemporary one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Residents will also have access to the properties’ three swimming pools and will be able to enjoy the extensive facilities at the adjacent Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima.

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Saïdia Resorts, is located on the Mediterranean coast in the north-east of Morocco and offers numerous hotels, leisure attractions and golf courses. It is one of the largest marinas along the Mediterranean coast and easily accessible through the country’s road network.

Known as the “blue pearl”, the destination has been developed to attract international travelers seeking mindfulness, joy and excitement during their stay. With an expansive 14km white golden sandy beach and all-year-round sunshine, Saïdia Resorts is an enviable haven with many activities available, such as water sports and golfing.

Radisson Blu Resort, Saïdia Beach

On track to welcome its first guests within this month, the 397-room resort will be centrally located adjacent to the marina, offering guests memorable stays with direct beach access and an expansive range of facilities.

Radisson Blu Resort, Saïdia Garden

Opening in Q2 2022, the 150-room converted resort will welcome guests with its modern standard rooms and luxurious suites. Guests will not only have access to the fitness center, all-day-dining restaurant, and bar but will also be able to enjoy the facilities at the adjacent Radisson Blu Resort, Saidia Beach.

Radisson Blu Residences, Saïdia

With 192-units comprising standard and standard suite apartments, this renovated property is scheduled to open in Q2 2022 and will feature an all-day-dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants as well as lounge, snack and wet bars. Guests can enjoy the property’s on-site wellness facilities, as well as those of the adjacent Radisson Blu Resort, Saidia Beach.

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Taghazout Bay, is a seaside resort located on the Atlantic coast in the South-West of Morocco, nestled in the rich hinterland and exceptional natural environment of Argan tree covered hills and glistening sand dunes.

Boasting an ideal climate and endless natural beauty, Taghazout Bay is built around a “new generation” seaside concept, offering a variety of activities throughout the year. Designed with an integrated and sustainable approach, it is focused on establishing the area as a sport, culture, nature and sustainable destination. Particular emphasis will be placed on the sports infrastructure and leisure activities with the establishment of a beach club, a medina as well as sports academies in the area. The upcoming properties will be conveniently located in the centre of Taghazout Bay, along the stunning 4.5km coastline.

Radisson Blu Resort, Taghazout Bay Surf Village

The fourth hotel in the portfolio to open this month, is the Radisson Blu Resort, Taghazout Bay Surf Village, which will consist of various accommodation types perfect for family getaways. It will also have a wide array of facilities and dining options, for an ideal and memorable resort stay.

Radisson Residences Taghazout Bay

On track to open in Q1 2023, the new build 208-unit property will comprise of two- and three-bedroom apartments and also provide guests with access to its outdoor swimming pool.

In line with Madaëf’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the hotels will be operated in respect of their close proximity to the natural wonders and aim to implement Radisson Hotel Group’s leading Responsible Business program.

Radisson Hotel Group’s top priority is the continued health, safety and security of its guests, team members, and business partners. The Group applies its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol created in collaboration with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and recently unveiled its new comprehensive testing program as the first hotel group to roll out a rapid testing service for meeting and event attendees at properties across its EMEA portfolio. All hotels will adhere to the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol and SGS validation as of their opening dates.

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Here are six of the best Hilton properties to head to on a multi-generational trip in 2022.

Research Reveals XL Holidays are Set to Boom by Hilton

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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September 14, 2021 New research conducted by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) shows that extra-large holidays are set to boom as Britons invite friends and family away with them.

Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of UK adults say the events of the past 18 months have made them re-evaluate what is really important. Two-thirds of parents (65 percent) said their children have missed out on seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during 2020 and 2021, with 63 percent being keen to make up for this lost time in the future.

As a result of the extended time apart, the UK populace is set to embark on an era of multi-generational holidays, with more than half (51 percent) likely to go away next year with extended family members such as siblings, cousins and grandparents.

Of the respondents who had family abroad, almost all (96 percent) said it had been two years since they had seen loved ones living away, with 43 percent confirming their group holiday would involve visits to family overseas. Nearly three-quarters (70 percent) of those polled said going on an extended family holiday allowed them to reconnect with family members while enjoying a break, and more than half (52 percent) said inviting more people along made childcare easier.

Steve Cassidy, Hilton’s managing director, UK & Ireland, said: “Many of us have missed out on the opportunity to travel as well as spend quality time with loved ones, so for most, it makes perfect sense to combine the two and create some fantastic memories on holiday. Whether it’s building sandcastles with the grandchildren, cousins playing at a theme park, or mums and dads relaxing together, there is no shortage of options with a multi-generational getaway. Our research shows just how much the public wants to make up for the lost time by adventuring with as many of their loved ones as possible.”

Hilton is the only major hotel chain that allows guests to confirm interconnecting rooms at the time of booking, providing a hassle-free solution to a decades-old problem for families and groups.

The most popular reason to have an XL holiday is to catch up with family members, followed by a special celebration and the chance to see relatives you don’t often spend time with. A quarter of adults said holidays provide an opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren, while a fifth (22 percent) said it allows kids to play together while grown-ups relax. Four in 10 (42 percent) say holidays with lots of kids are more fun and a quarter (23 percent) said they liked group trips away because it works out cheaper for accommodation costs. Almost half (45 percent) said they were willing to spend more on their next holiday to make up for having been unable to go abroad in 2020 and 2021.

The UK is the most likely destination for an XL holiday (41 percent), followed by Spain (31 percent), France (23 percent) and Italy (21 percent). Almost a fifth (18 percent) of families fancy a trip across the Atlantic for a getaway in Florida and 52 percent say that if they are holidaying with family members like young children, they are more likely to do things they wouldn’t do otherwise such as visit a theme park, ride a jet ski and plan something more adventurous.

Almost all (89 percent) of the respondents in the UAE said they were likely to take a multi-generational holiday next year, followed by those in Saudi Arabia (86 percent), Turkey (63 percent) and Russia (60 percent), confirming the global post-pandemic trend to travel with the entire family.

Hilton offers new family experience packages at nearly 200 of its hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Curated by parents from the global hospitality brand, children under 12 can enjoy complimentary touches including beds decorated with a special children’s theme, storybooks, kids’ passports, mocktails, bespoke menus and dedicated breakfast corners.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,600 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 118 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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Qatar airways plans to resume non-stop flights to the capital of Bulgaria from Doha later this year

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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September 14, 2021 – Qatar Airways marked a milestone in its history with Bulgaria, celebrating 10 successful years since its first flight between Doha and Sofia Airport (SOF) on 14 September 2011.

The service is currently operated by Qatar Airways’ modern Airbus A320 featuring 12 seats in Business Class offering the luxurious 79-inch long, 21-inch wide 180° lie-flat bed, and 120 seats in Economy Class. All benefit from the famous Oryx One on-demand in-flight entertainment system.“It is a testament to both strong demand and our deep commitment to the country, that we are set to recommence direct flights between Doha and Sofia, from December this year.”

Current Sofia Flight Schedule: 7x per week (local timings)

Doha (DOH) to Sofia (SOF) QR 395 departs: 08:30 arrives: 15:35 (one stop in Bucharest for one hour)

Sofia (SOF) to Doha (DOH) QR 396 departs: 16:35 arrives: 23:15 (one stop in Bucharest for one hour)

Sofia Flight Schedule From 16 December: 4x per week non-stop (subject to confirmation)

Doha (DOH) to Sofia (SOF) QR 227 departs: 07:30 arrives: 11:35 non-stop

Sofia (SOF) to Doha (DOH) QR 228 departs: 12:35 arrives: 18:15 non-stop

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KLM prepares for countries introducing vaccination obligation

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 15, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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September 14, 2021

Starting 14 September, KLM is requesting that all KLM flight personnel who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 and who cannot, therefore, meet the entry requirements set by certain countries, report their vaccination status to KLM Health Services. KLM Health Services will register this as a travel restriction, so that unvaccinated crew are not deployed to destinations with entry requirements which they cannot meet. This is in line with standard KLM procedures for crew members who have travel restrictions for personal, visa or health reasons. Managers do not have access to the reasons behind a travel restriction.

From the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, KLM worked hard to maintain its global network as much as possible. This meant that customers were able to make (necessary) journeys and cargo flights, including shipments of medical supplies and vaccines, could continue. We now want to carry on offering our customers as many destinations as possible.

In a constantly changing world, we are seeing that more and more countries are making it obligatory for aircrews to be vaccinated, or are considering such a move. Trinidad & Tobago is introducing a vaccination obligation for aircrews on 16 October. Canada and other countries have also indicated that they are considering introducing a vaccination obligation for aircrews soon. Moreover, an increasing number of the hotels where our crews stay now expect to be shown proof of vaccination.

We expect more countries to introduce a vaccination obligation in the near future, which means we will be unable to deploy unvaccinated crew to these destinations. This may also apply to routes over countries that have a vaccination obligation for aircrews. This is due to strict flight safety requirements, which demand that it is always possible for a flight to change course and land in an emergency. For the time being, KLM will do its best to deploy crew with travel restrictions on flights to destinations that do not have entry requirements. But, as the number of countries with a vaccination obligation grows, so too will the associated operational complications for KLM.

KLM will not compel its staff to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. This remains an employee’s personal choice. However, KLM does need to know which employees cannot meet certain entry requirements and who, consequently, cannot be deployed to all our destinations. Employees to whom this applies have been asked to report to KLM Health Services, who will communicate the travel restriction to the KLM planning department.

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Radisson hotel doubles its presence in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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September 14, 2021 – Radisson Hotel Group adds nearly 1000 keys in Thakher Makkah

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of three hotels within the Thakher Makkah megaproject, an urban development in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Further strengthening its presence across two brands, the Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower West, the Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower East and the Radisson Hotel Makkah Thakher City are set to open in Q4 2022. The new signings will add a total of 992 rooms and apartments, doubling the Group’s portfolio in Makkah, a key target growth market in Saudi Arabia. Despite the challenges due to the pandemic, Radisson Hotel Group is continuing its strong expansion as one of the fastest growing companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer EMEA, Radisson Hotel Group, says: “We are delighted to announce this portfolio of three new hotels, as it not only accelerates our growing presence in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, but also reaffirms our commitment towards the country and its future. The Thakher Makkah megaproject is designed to attract millions of pilgrims every year and will positively contribute to the country’s ambitious plan that aims to host 30 million Umrah visitors, as well as, hosting 6 million Hajj pilgrims by the year 2030. We remain committed to the country’s Vision 2030 and their initiatives to significantly increase the contribution of leisure and business tourism to the country’s economy. We would like to thank our business partners for their trust in our brands and teams as we look forward to an exciting and rewarding journey.”

The city of Makkah, situated 70 km southeast of Jeddah, is known as the holiest city in Islam. The main sources of economic activity in Makkah are the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage, with millions flocking to Makkah each year for worship and devotion. Since the seventh century, Muslims all over the world have visited Mecca, the birthplace of Islam. It is a pilgrimage that marks their observance of one of the Five Pillars of Islam and the fulfillment of a once-in-a-lifetime ritual. Holy sites in the city include the sacred Ka’aba, located in the heart of the Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque, or the historic Cave of Thawr.

Located within the Thakher Makkah megaproject, a mixed-use development comprising of hotels, residential and retail units, the hotels are just a stone’s throw away from the holy sites and offer a unique choice for travelers. Due to open in Q4 2022, the hotels will be another great addition to the existing portfolio across the Kingdom.

Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Aboudi, CEO of Thakher Development Co., stressed that: “The keenness of international hotel companies to provide their services to the Thakher Makkah Project reflects the importance and value of the project as a prominent tourism destination in the Holy City. Such cooperation gives an indication that we are on the right path to providing new distinctive hospitality and housing options, which is in line with Vision 2030. We are excited to announce today the launch of further cooperation with Radisson Hotel Group, which we anticipate will be a fruitful endeavor.”

A combination of both hotel and residential options, the Radisson Hotel Makkah Thakher City will consist of 440 rooms and 206 branded residences, a lobby café, and all-day dining restaurant. For leisure and recreation, the hotel will feature separate ladies and male gym facilities, while the meeting and event spaces will include five meeting rooms as well as three conference rooms.

Known for its modern facilities and contemporary design, Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower West and Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower East will be great additions to the existing Park Inn portfolio in the region and are designed to facilitate the pilgrim travelers’ stay and experience in the Kingdom. With a clever use of color, contemporary design, and friendly, personalized service, guests can relax while fully embracing their pilgrimage.

Boasting 203 rooms, the Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower West offers its guest a lobby cafe and all-day dining restaurant. The upcoming Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower East houses 143 rooms, a lobby lounge, and one restaurant.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Katharina Mayr, Regional PR & Communications Manager Middle East
katharina.mayr@radissonhotels.com

Evi Robignon, Corporate Communications Manager
evi.robignon@radissonhotels.com

RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest hotel groups with nine distinctive hotel brands, and more than 1,500 hotels in operation and under development in 120 countries. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson Hotel Group 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 our global rewards program that delivers unique and personalized ways to create memorable moments that matter to our guests. Radisson Rewards offers exceptional loyalty benefits for our guests, meeting planners, travel agents and business partners.

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.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to stringent health and safety requirements, as outlined in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol.

More than 100,000 team members work at Radisson Hotel Group and at the hotels licensed to operate in its systems. For more information, visit our corporate website. Or connect with Radisson Hotels on:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

For more information, visit:
https://www.radissonhotels.com/corporate

ABOUT PARK INN BY RADISSON

Park Inn by Radisson is an upper midscale hotel brand that delivers modern experiences, good food and upbeat environments. Park Inn by Radisson positively lifts our guests’ mood for a happy stay – with a touch of color, contemporary design, and friendly, personalized service with surprising feel-good extras. Park Inn by Radisson hotels can be found in capital cities, around economic hubs, and near airports and railway stations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Park Inn by Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, a global loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

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

For reservations and more information visit our website. Or connect with Park Inn by Radisson on:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

ABOUT RADISSON

Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian inspired hospitality, which enables guests to focus on a work/life balance and find harmony in their travel experience. With nature-inspired design, and unexpected delights, Radisson inspires the art of being in the moment. Committed to building meaningful relationships with guests, Radisson has a Yes I Can! service attitude to ensure the satisfaction of every guest. Radisson hotels can be found in suburban and city settings, near airports and leisure destinations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, a global loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Radisson is part of Radisson Hotel Group, which also includes Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, 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.

For reservations and more information, visit our website. Or connect with Radisson on:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

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Namibia travel warning lifted

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

Latest Travel advice Namibia

Update 2021-09-10: In its latest update from Friday (10 September), the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) removed Namibia from the list of international high-risk areas with effect from Sunday (12 September). Therefore, the travel warning by the Federal Foreign Office for Namibia will be lifted.
Source

COVID-19 entry restrictions for Namibia

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Namibia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

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Where are Sweden’s four new Michelin-starred restaurants?

Written by Gill Dewar on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Restaurant, Whats cooking.

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Looking for a great place to eat in Sweden? The Michelin Guide has just sprinkled stars over four new Swedish restaurants – and handed out stars to another 15 eateries, too.

The Michelin guide for the Nordic countries on Monday released its ratings for 2021, and in addition to confirming the three-star rating of Stockholm’s Frantzén restaurant, it also handed out new stars to four Swedish restaurants – and not just in the capital.

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Sports events throw a surprise lifeline to Estonia’s hotel industry

Written by Gill Dewar on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events, Sports.

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For Estonia’s accommodation industry, the all-important summer season was shaping up to be another write-off. Bookings were down, beds were empty. Then came the athletes.

From sailing races to taekwondo championships, international title events hosted in the country have been bringing in tens of thousands of visitors from abroad, with participants, press and spectators filling rooms that would have otherwise been left vacant. Fortunately for the hotels, the number of such events reached a new high this year.

“Since our organisation started activity in 2008, we’ve been keeping records of international conferences and events held in Estonia on our website’s Conference Calender. I don’t remember any other year when we have had so many major international sporting title competitions taking place,” said Riine Tiigi, Marketing Manager of the Estonian Convention Bureau.

Though it’s too early for hard statistics on overnight stays, the anecdotal feedback Tiigi has received from hotel partners is that the sports-related influx has played a tremendous role in filling rooms.

In July, for example, the European Athletics U20 and U23 championships brought 3,335 international guests to Tallinn at a time when hotel rooms were mostly unoccupied. Similar stories continued through August, with Ironman Tallinn attracting 2,900 participants, nearly half of them international, and the Offshore Racing Sailing World Championships and European Taekwondo U21 Championships pulling in a couple thousand more.

Sari Sopanen, CEO of one of Tallinn’s major hotels, the Original Sokos Hotel Viru, spoke of the emotional boost that hosting the athletes has brought. “The positive feedback received from sports guests has given our working family new motivation in the current difficult situation. The cooperation [with event organisers] is very smooth, because the sports promoters here are very professional. We are very proud that such international events have taken place in Estonia and we are happy that we have been able to be a part of these events.”

Rallying for the regions
The capital Tallinn alone has around 80 international sports events marked on the calendar for this year including the Men’s European Volleyball Championships and the Tallinn Marathon, both in September. Other regions of the country, where international tourists have traditionally been harder to attract, have also benefited, notably from the WRC Rally Estonia which took place in south Estonia in July. The event involved 30,000 people in total, about 10 percent of them visitors from abroad.

“Rally Estonia is a wonderful example how an international event can have a positive impact on a whole region. As it takes place in several locations, people can actually see and experience most of Southerrn Estonia,” said Helen Kalberg, Marketing Manager for the city of Tartu. WRC Rally Estonia organiser Tarmo Hõbe also noted the importance of the event for the country’s image and economy.

“Worldwide live broadcasts were produced from all 24 speed trials reaching up to 740 million people through TV and social media coverage. The economic impact, going by even the most conservative estimates, was over 5 million euros.”

Covid- Controlled approach pays off
As one might expect, all of the gatherings taking place this year are organised as ‘Covid-safe’ events, with various measures being applied to guarantee the safety of participants and spectators.

The Estonian government’s approach of supporting the events industry by permitting highly controlled events, rather than cancelling them outright, deserves credit for allowing the hotels’ sports-related boost to happen.

The unusually high number of sports-related gatherings this year, however, is mostly unrelated to that policy. With the exception of the European Athletics U20 Championships, which were moved to from Bergen, Norway to Tallinn because of greater organisational flexibility, Estonia didn’t gain events that would have taken place elsewhere. All of the major events had been scheduled to take place in Estonia long before the current government stance had been set. The increase in event numbers in 2021 can be more easily tied to financial support available from the government’s business and tourism promotion agency, Enterprise Estonia, as well as from the city of Tallinn.

Still, many involved in the tourism industry, such as the head of Visit Tallinn Ms Evelin Tsirk, are pointing to regulators’ and event organisers’ ability to make participants feel safe, along with a high level of professionalism in the event industry in general, as powerful incentives for holding further sports-related gatherings in the country.

“Both the international professional associations involved in the event and the athletes have assessed the high level of organisation and the measures taken to prevent the virus. The high quality of event organisation will certainly continue to encourage bringing top-level events to Tallinn,” she said.

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Norwegian welcomes two more ships back to operation

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Cruise.

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has confirmed the return of two more ships, with the redeployment of Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway in the Mediterranean.

Five ships are now back on the water after more than 500 days out of action in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Norwegian Epic, the fourth of the 17 ships in the fleet to resume operations, successfully completed her first voyage to the most sought-after ports in Spain and Italy from Barcelona earlier.

During the seven-day sailing, she called to Livorno, the gateway to the Renaissance heritage of Tuscany and Florence, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Palma (Mallorca).

“It has been exhilarating to watch our great cruise comeback unfold over these past three months, with a third of our fleet now back offering unforgettable vacation experiences,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).

“The joy of reuniting with our shipboard families and welcoming our guests back on board will never grow old.”
Meanwhile, Norwegian Getaway today embarks on her first voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia).

Through October 25th, she will sail a mix of ten- to 11-day Greek Isles itineraries, calling to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon, Mykonos, Naples and Livorno (Florence/Pisa).

NCL restarted its cruise operations in July following a more than 500-day suspension, with Norwegian Jade launching seven-day itineraries to the Greek isles.

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You Can Watch an Opera Under Water at This Luxury Resort in the Maldives

Written by Gill Dewar on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Amazing Facts.

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Hurawalhi Island Resort, a luxury resort located on the Lhaviyani Atoll in the Maldives, has revealed its 2021 holiday programming lineup, and it includes a musical spectacular unlike any other.

From Dec. 27 to Jan. 5, guests can visit to experience the “Opera Under the Sea,” a series of performances by renowned Turkish soprano Burcu Hanci in the resort’s 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. In case you didn’t venture a guess, the restaurant gained its name thanks to its location 5.8 meters under the water’s surface. That means diners, and now music lovers too, can enjoy a meal and entertainment while surrounded by stunning marine life and tropical blue waters.

“Burcu Hanci, from Turkey, has had a successful international concert career including performances at the invitation of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and the VOICEISTANBUL International Conference,” the hotel shared in a statement. “She has sung the soprano solo in ‘Britten’s War Requiem, Op.66,’ with the Daejeon (Korea) Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed as Ciesca in Puccini’s ‘Gianni Schicchi’ and as Marianne in ‘Der Rosenkavalier’ with the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra to name but a few of her accomplishments. Now a Soprano Soloist, Hanci performs at special concerts and classical music festivals all over the world and we are very much looking forward to her performances at Hurawalhi.”

Hanci’s Opera Under the Sea events will take place on Dec. 27, 28, and 30, as well as Jan. 1, 3, 4, and end on Jan. 5.

“Christmas isn’t just for children, with The Great Christmas Treasure Hunt in the lagoon taking place on Christmas Day,” the hotel added in a statement. At the Treasure Hunt, “guests search for fabulous prizes including a 5-night stay at Hurawalhi Island Resort.”

Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, guests can also take part in a number of incredible activities including a bioluminescent night dive, snorkel trips to swim with green sea turtles and manta rays, or take a jet ski safari in search of dolphins.

The holiday festivities close out with a New Year’s Eve celebration including a cocktail party on Dream Island where “guests can wave goodbye to the final sunset of 2021 with champagne and canapés before the grand gala dinner, a lavish event accompanied by live music throughout the night.”

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97% of clients pro-vax and ready to travel – survey

Written by Gill Dewar on September 14, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

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A survey has shown that international travellers are champing at the bit to travel to Africa.

Pangolin Photo Safaris conducted its follow-up survey last month to establish attitudes towards vaccines and appetite for travel. The survey received nearly 1 000 responses. The first part of the survey was conducted at the start of the year when vaccines were starting to be rolled out across the source markets.

“We are delighted to see that nearly 100% of our clients are either vaccinated or waiting for a first or second jab,” says Pangolin Director Toby Jermyn. “This bucks the trend in certain source markets like the US where there is still significant vaccine hesitancy of up to 30%.”

Respondents in the earlier survey (January 2021) were asked whether offered the vaccine, at that moment, would they take it. At the start of the year, there was considerable concern among the same group with vaccine hesitancy at around 25%.

“We expected to see results in the 90s but 97% is a very encouraging figure especially when we consider that within the 3% there are people who can’t take the vaccine for medical reasons,” says Jermyn.

Clients in the US were expected to be first through the door for travel to Africa. Indeed Pangolin saw plenty of arrivals of fully vaccinated US citizens arriving over the last few months.

The Pangolin Chobe Hotel saw average occupancy levels of 80% in August made up of local SADC clients as well as a healthy presence of US and European clients.

“Wildlife photographers are not easily scared off and the opportunity to enjoy the Chobe at its very quietest was too good to miss,” says Jermyn. “Forward bookings for next year are also bouncing back fast, meaning that 2022 will see record occupancy at the Pangolin properties.

When asked for factors that would influence their decision to travel sooner rather than later to Africa, respondents cited the multiple PCR tests that they would have to endure – and pay for – as a real factor. Obviously, respondents from the UK were most concerned about the rules on hotel quarantine upon their return.

With the vaccine roll-out reaching its zenith, surely it is only a matter of time before a vaccine certificate with a WHO-approved jab will allow PCR test and quarantine free travel again.

One encouraging sign is the long-haul airlines stuttering reboot. “Airlines can’t just start up again on a moment’s notice so they must know what’s coming down the travel restrictions pipelines and I am sure their lobbyists are tapped into the decision-making process far closer than the rest of us in the safari industry!”

The results and analysis of the surveys can be found here.

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Self-service baggage lines start operating at Riga Airport

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 13, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

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September 13, 2021 The self-service baggage drop-off points are located in the Airport’s departure hall at check-in desks No. 8-11, where airBaltic passengers who have already checked in for a flight on-line or at Airport’s self-service check-in kiosks and received a boarding pass can drop off their checked baggage.

Four self-service baggage drop-off points are now open at Riga Airport, and the national airline airBaltic is the first to offer its passengers the opportunity to use this new airport service.

The self-service baggage drop-off points are located in the Airport’s departure hall at check-in desks No. 8-11, where airBaltic passengers who have already checked in for a flight on-line or at Airport’s self-service check-in kiosks and received a boarding pass can drop off their checked baggage. Non-standard baggage, such as prams, sports equipment, oversize baggage and similar items may not be checked in at the self-service drop-off points.

The new lines will make the baggage drop off process at Riga Airport significantly more convenient and faster. The service time of one bag at the self-service baggage drop-off point is about a minute, so it is possible to handle about 60 pieces of baggage on one line per hour, providing fast and convenient service for those passengers who have already checked in for their flight and only need to drop off their baggage.

Riga International Airport has invested 230 thousand euros in the new lines. “The introduction of state-of-the-art automated solutions in passenger service is among the top priorities of Riga Airport. Such solutions not only improve the customer experience, but also make the processes at the Airport more efficient in general,” says Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “As an innovative airline, we are always keen on being an early adopter of new technology available to us. Thanks to Riga Airport, which has further modernised its services at the check-in hall, our passengers can benefit from the convenience of the new baggage self-drop points.”

Initially, the self-service baggage drop-off facilities will be available only to airBaltic passengers, but in the future this service could also be offered to its customers by other airlines operating at Riga Airport.

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