Six Senses Will Add Kanuhura as Second Maldives Property

Written by Gill Dewar on September 20, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Six Senses will add Kanuhura on the private island hideaway of Lhaviyani Atoll as its a second branded property in the Maldives, starting in late 2022. The laid-back retreat consists of three private islands—Kanuhura itself, plus two deserted neighbouring isles. When it adopts the Six Senses brand, the resort will offer 80 private overwater, beach and spacious family villas offering sunset or sunrise views.

This is the second collaboration of Six Senses with Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), which owns 41 hotels and resorts in 15 countries with eight in the Maldives. Kanuhura will become a northerly sister to the Six Senses Laamu. “Six Senses Kanuhura is a unique opportunity to combine our three best-loved ideals in life: sustainability, wellness and locally themed experiences,” says Neil Jacobs, chief executive officer, Six Senses.

Planned Updates

Located in an extremely remote area of the Maldives, Kanuhura is a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main international airport on Malé.

Resort enhancements planned over the coming months comprise an upgrade of the overwater villas to include private pools, as well as new family suites, new dining concepts and a pioneering wellness offering—all with a sustainability focus.

Below the water, the Lhaviyani Atoll offers more than 40 dive sites. In the coming months, new water sport activities and high-performance equipment will be added. A turtle safari also can be arranged upon request to a point less than five minutes away from the resort.

On the sustainability front, Six Senses will offer support to a neighbouring island community with a focus on education and student development. With new organic herb garden landscaping, fresh vegetables and herbs will be collected daily for use in the resort’s restaurants and interactive chef’s workshops. The boutique will have a new space dedicated to sustainable fashion.

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Carnival starts cruises again from the Port of New Orleans

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 20, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Cruise.

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September 19, 2021 Carnival Cruise Line First To Resume Sailings From Port Of New Orleans

Carnival Glory Will Set Sail From Erato Street Cruise Terminal on Seven-Day Cruise to the Bahamas This Afternoon

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Carnival Glory is set to depart on a seven-day cruise from the Port of New Orleans this afternoon marking the first sailing from the city since the industry-wide pause in operations 18 months ago.

Carnival Glory’s voyage from the Erato Street Cruise Terminal includes visits to three popular Bahamian destinations: Bimini, Freeport and Nassau.

To commemorate the occasion, a “Back to Fun” event was held in the terminal during which Carnival’s Vice President of Guest Operations Sarah Beth Reno, Carnival Glory Captain Nicola Iaccarino and Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy D. Christian cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially welcomed the first guests on board.

“Carnival Cruise Line has been a part of the New Orleans community for more than 25 years and we’re absolutely thrilled to provide our guests an opportunity to get Back to Fun, while supporting the local economy in one of our most popular homeports,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival is the number one cruise operator from New Orleans with the greatest variety of cruise choices and itineraries and we are so happy to bring our unique brand of fun back to this fantastic city.”

“Carnival Cruise Line is a valued longtime partner and we are proud to welcome Carnival Glory back for the first oceangoing cruise from New Orleans since March 2020,” said Brandy D. Christian, Port of New Orleans President and CEO. “We applaud Carnival’s commitment to the New Orleans market and for exceeding health and safety requirements to protect guests, crew and the community. The return of Carnival cruises from Port NOLA will be a boost to our local economy as guests are once again able to experience our famous New Orleans hospitality when they sail from our vibrant city.”

Carnival Glory is among the first in Carnival’s fleet to feature the line’s stunning new red, white and blue hull design that pays homage to maritime tradition and its legacy as America’s Cruise Line. Popular features on the ship include Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, BlueIguana Cantina, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, and a WaterWorks aqua park.

Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round cruise program from New Orleans in 1994 and over the years has expanded the number of ships, capacity and cruise options, carrying upwards of 4.5 million guests.

On Nov. 1, Carnival Valor will join Carnival Glory in New Orleans and resume its popular short cruise schedule of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. With Carnival Glory and Carnival Valor, Carnival Cruise Line expects to carry 400,000 passengers annually from New Orleans – more than any cruise operator.

Carnival’s offerings from New Orleans include:

Six-, seven-and eight-day cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico;
Four- and five-day cruises to Mexico;
14-day Carnival Journeys featuring a partial transit of the Panama Canal and visits to popular Caribbean destinations.
Carnival’s operational protocols exceed the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information on our protocols, click here.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is proud to be known as America’s Cruise Line with a total of 24 ships, sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and employing more than 40,000 team members from 120 nationalities. The line resumed cruise operations July 3, 2021 while its newest and most innovative ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and the first in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) debuted from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 31, 2021. As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami, along with an as-yet-unnamed ship slated to enter service in 2023.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnival-cruise-line-first-to-resume-sailings-from-port-of-new-orleans-301380022.html

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Budapest’s Newest Luxury Hotel Is Built Inside a Restored UNESCO Landmark

Written by Leandro Agostini on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Budapest:

The late 19^th century was a particularly heady era for Budapest. Elegant architecture was flourishing, and Princess Marie Clotilde of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who resided in Hungary with her husband Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria, wanted to partake in the Belle Époque’s renaissance. With all the fanfare over the forthcoming Elisabeth Bridge linking the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube River, the princess decided to commission a duo of grand, symmetrical buildings poised at the bridge’s Pest-side entrance. And now, after years of neglect, one of those UNESCO-protected structures was just transformed into Matild Palace, the city’s first Luxury Collection hotel. (Klotild Palace, its sibling, will also become part of the Marriott family when it finds new life as a St. Regis in a few years.)

Budapest is strewn with five-star properties like the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, the Aria Hotel Budapest and, most recently, the Párisi Udvar Hotel, which debuted as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection in 2019. But Matild Palace’s calling card is a deft balance of past and present.

“Matild Palace reimagines its legacy while effortlessly capturing the many facets that make the city so spectacular—the diverse and vibrant culinary offerings, incredible cultural significance and breath-taking architecture and design,” Philipp Weghmann, vice president and global brand leader for the Luxury Collection, tells Robb Report. “The building holds the key to the city’s glamorous past, with history found at every turn, and we look forward to welcoming travelers to discover its magic and allure once again.”

Completed in 1902 by the architects Kálmán Giergl and Flóris Korb (who also worked on the New York Palace and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, both of them Budapest landmarks), the neo-baroque Matild Palace was, by all accounts, stunning. It featured Zsolnay ceramics—even to encase the heaters—and vivid stained glass works by the renowned Hungarian artist Miksa Róth, and was awash in intricate ironwork and moldings. Many of those striking details have now been thoughtfully restored by artisans, under the supervision of London firm MKV Design; you can spy the stained glass on the hotel’s mezzanine level, for example, along with a selection of Zsolnay pieces.

In the 130 guest rooms and suites—which were converted from the apartments where members of the monarchy and upper classes once dwelled—there are jolts of peacock blue and stunning embroidered headboards that reference The Adventures of Sindbad, a Hungarian classic published in 1911 by Gyula Krúdy, one of the writers who frequented the Belvárosi Coffee House literary hangout once housed in the palace.

Most rooms flaunt bathrooms that are brightened by blue and gold tiles—a nod to Budapest’s famous mosaic-covered Gellért Baths—but some are simply swathed in marble, calling to mind hammams. (Guests who want to properly partake of the Turkish hammam ritual can head down to the petite Swan Spa.) Top room options include the Crown Tower Suite, which is carved into the building’s 157-foot-high tower and features a dizzying spiral staircase, and the Maria Klotild Royal Suite, with super-sized living room and panoramic city and river views.

But while Matild Palace celebrates its historic roots, it still manages to feel modern. A selection of slope-roofed Loft category rooms and suites on the fifth floor—a nod to the studio spaces of the artists the princess once patronized—forgo touches like the signature headboards in favor of contemporary artwork and furnishings. And the lobby’s towering vintage photo collage lives alongside a large-scale sculptural chandelier reminiscent of a gleaming snowflake.

Plus, there is the first Central European outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago (the closest other location is in Istanbul). Staying true to the famous brand’s roots, the always-packed restaurant’s sprawling terrace has a distinctly LA vibe, with greenery and coral lounge chairs setting the scene for cocktails and late lunches of spicy lamb sausage pizza. Later this summer, it will be joined by the Duchess, a cocktail bar with a moody jungle aesthetic that will open on the roof.

Even more fitting will be the autumn arrival of Matild Café and Cabaret, which was inspired by the old coffee house stage that was unearthed during the renovation. Intimate musical performances will unfold regularly here—but it will likely be the homemade cakes, served amid glorious period chandeliers, that will plunge guests right back into bygone bohemian days.

Spotted in robbreport.com/

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Broadway Shows Begin Reopening

Written by Gill Dewar on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Featured events.

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NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, is inviting New Yorkers and visitors to re-discover the “Crossroads of the World” and beyond as Broadway continues its return. In addition, new and newly reopened hotels, restaurants, tours and attractions, and cultural offerings give travellers myriad reasons to re-engage with Times Square.

Note: Health protocols require audience members to wear masks and show proof of vaccination, or a recent negative coronavirus test if the patron is under the age of 12. These rules are in place through at least October and apply to all 41 theatres.

To celebrate the triumphant return of Broadway, a three-day outdoor Broadway festival, “Curtain Up!” will take place September 17 – 19 in Times Square; it will include live performances, panel discussions and concerts, culminating with a live, free outdoor concert with Broadway favourites on September 19.

Hotels

Beyond the theatres, here’s what’s happening on the hotel front in Times Square:

The New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square recently underwent a renovation that included refurbishments of all the hotel’s bars, restaurants, ballrooms, meetings rooms and retails spaces. It also added a 240-foot skybridge spanning the hotel atrium.

The recently opened Arlo Midtown has a nine-story atrium framed by a custom wooden sculpture wall and a rooftop bar with skyline and Hudson River views. Also new, the Margaritaville Resort Times Square offers island-themed rooms, a pool deck, bars with (of course) tropical craft cocktails, and additional dining and refreshment options, including the Margaritaville New York restaurant.

Designed as a cultural hub for the Broadway community, Civilian NYC will open this fall in the heart of the Theatre District. It will have draping and marquee lighting, a secret garden and second floor lounges via spiral staircase. The 27-story, David Rockwell-designed high-rise will offer 203 guestrooms.

Located in the historic Crown Building on 5th Avenue, the first home of Museum of Modern Art, Aman New York is slated to open later this fall. The hotel will offer restaurants, a Garden Terrace & Bar, a private members club, the three-floor Aman Spa, and a Jazz Club and Wine Room.

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Emirates launches an airline virtual reality application

Written by Gill Dewar on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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Emirates is claiming a first with the launch of an airline virtual reality application on the Oculus store.

The app enables prospective passengers to view facilities such as the first class product, onboard lounge, the wider cabin and explore the cockpit.

The content can be viewed via the Emirates website, mobile app and most recently via an Oculus Rift device.

According to an Emirates’ spokesperson the carrier has continued to invest in its virtual reality experience which started in 2018 with the carrier launching its first VR efforts.

“This initiative expands our global reach and ability to engage with our audiences across digital platforms. It is also particularly relevant right now, as many people have not travelled for a while due to the pandemic, and are seeking inspiration and researching and rediscovering their flight options.”

The technology was developed in partnership with Renacen and there are plans to update the content to include the airline’s Premium Economy cabin as well as its latest A380 interiors.

Customers can also view and select seats via a 3D seat map prior to check in using any VR headset such as Google Cardboard.

Emirates also plans to enable customers to explore destinations and book and pay for their flight from within the Oculus VR app.

Diego Cachero, chief executive of Spain-based Renacen, says the development “positions and differentiates us internationally as leaders in 3D and VR development, both for web and heavy applications.”

Carriers have tested different virtual and augmented reality applications in recent years with Virgin Atlantic partnering with Sita to use VR for crew training while Air New Zealand launched an AR experience for travel inspiration.

British Airways and Qantas have both trialled the technology for the inflight experience.

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Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel opens in Budapest

Written by Gill Dewar on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel has opened in Budapest with restaurants and bars to follow this autumn, the culmination of a five-year project to convert a neglected UNESCO World Heritage Site into one of Europe’s grandest hotels. The transformation was led by Maria Vafiadis, Founder & Managing Director of MKV Design, in collaboration with local architects, Péter Cajka and Puhl Antal.

The significance of the building to Budapest cannot be understated. When the decision was taken to construct the original Elisabeth Bridge over the River Danube in the 1880s, Princess Klotilde of Saxe-Coburg and Archduchess of Austria purchased adjacent land to create a gateway to the new bridge and a landmark for the city. Her vision was to build two grand palaces and in 1902, one of these, Matild Palace, was completed as a retail and apartment property resplendent in Zsolnay ceramics, Gyula Jungfer wrought iron and Miksa Róth stained glass. Later, the Belvarosi Café was added which became a famous haunt for artists and musicians during Budapest’s “Silver Age” between the wars.

Now, MKV has woven together a narrative rich in sense of place, which embraces the architectural, crafts, social and cultural inheritance of Budapest while creating a hotel that is relevant, beautiful and comfortable for 21st Century travellers. It is a narrative in which the Duchess features, returning to Budapest to revive the palace by transforming it into a luxury hotel where friends are invited to stay, dine and bathe, artists gather and she herself decides to make her residence.

At street level, the existing interior has been restored. Typifying buildings of its era, a passageway with full-height ornamental gates and a high vaulted ceiling is carved through the building, offering access to the café on one side and reception, lounge and dining areas on the other. Over-scaled pendants made of individual porcelain pieces showcase the next chapter of the local Zsolnay tile tradition and crafted items of furniture and elegant plantings hint at what is to come.

The Belvarosi Café has been reinvented as Matild Café and Cabaret, a contemporary destination with all the glamour of its predecessor. This is a coffeehouse and social hub to be seen in, which tourists to the city will bookmark as a ‘must-visit’. A long-buried stage in the central atrium was excavated and renovated and will once again play host to musicians and cabaret; the mezzanine gallery which flows around this, will be the perfect place for people-gazing. The timber-clad walls, architectural features on the ceiling and café chandeliers have all been retained and restored to their former beauty while table lamps have been introduced to provide a sense of cosy intimacy on chilly winter days.

On the opposite side of the passageway, the ground floor has been re-planned to accommodate Spago Budapest by Wolfgang Puck, a contemporary dining experience. Both the restaurant and the café spill onto new outdoor dining terraces, marking the first ‘gastro street’ in Budapest.

From the days of the Roman Empire, Budapest’s reputation for thermal bathing was second to none, and numerous bathhouses remain in the city today. Naturally, Matild Palace was destined to have its own spa inspired by the bathing culture and re-interpreted into an exquisite sanctuary where the graceful forms of the swans which inhabit the River Danube infuse the design. Doors resemble their soft white plumes of feathers and an ornate metalwork screen depicts their dance; the ethereal relaxation room hints of traditional bathhouses or a deep-water pool into which swans may dive.

The bathrooms also take guests to a new level of luxury with their bespoke bathtubs and rain showers. Designed as a private spa, their wet areas are clad in turquoise glass mosaic interleaved with gold – a nod to Budapest’s famous Gellért Baths. Richly veined Calacatta Oro marble to the walls, floors and vanities and bronze fittings complete the jewel-like character of their interiors.

The Duchess loved to gather artists around her and the fifth floor is designed to be their very special pad. Tucked into the eaves and with inspirational views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows, these rooms are skilfully curated to evoke a sense of creative fun, from the casual platform sofas to lounge on to the eclectic, original Hungarian art on the walls and vintage-style rugs.

The Maria Klotilde Royal Suite has been imagined as the princess’s private apartment, designed to reflect her personality and social standing. The open plan living room is perfect for entertaining guests amidst her artefacts, original artworks and furniture pieces – a collection that feels as if it has been brought together over the years. The colour palette belongs to Budapest with tones of teal, green, gold and copper. Modern and traditional furniture spans the opulent chamber along with chandeliers, handmade glass pieces, antiques sourced in Budapest and a magnificent parquet floor. Everything is custom designed and the original artwork is by acclaimed Hungarian artists. The bathroom is simply one-of-a-kind. Book matched Calacatta Oro marble clads the space from top to toe, combined with a specially commissioned gold mosaic design to the walls, a huge free-standing tub and classic bronze fittings.

The Duchess has one more secret – an eponymously named rooftop bar, a place so precious it might be reserved for her most favoured friends, and because it is a “secret”, the design here can be at its most precocious. The ambience is that of a private club where fantastic things can happen. A glowing onyx bar displays its liquor “library”, tables are held aloft by brass peacocks and even a couple of giraffe sculptures join the host of extraordinary objects. The ambience is dark and moody with plush fabrics and marble finishes glinting under ceiling pendants. A large terrace where guests can sit within the Baroque skyline completes the magic.

“Reimagining Matild Palace as one of the finest hotels in central Europe was an extraordinary experience,” says Maria Vafiadis, Founder & Managing Director of MKV Design. “We were fortunate in a client who was passionate about the project, a hotel brand that was a strong partner for our aspirations, the property’s location in a city which loves its palaces, and historical context. While clearly a new hotel, Matild Palace feels as if she’s been there forever.”

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W Changsha Hotel Opens in China

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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September 17, 2021- Owned by the Hunan Yunda Industry Group, W Changsha is the first W in central China and is strategically located in the heart of the city’s business and shopping district. The hotel reflects the bright spirit of the futuristic and multi-dimensional city with a provocative and playful design inspired by space travel.

“W Changsha marks the eighth W hotel to open in China, one of the most influential markets in both travel and business, and we’re excited to bring W Hotels to more destinations across the country,” said Tom Jarrold, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Cities such as Changsha, with their future-focused residents and fast-growing millennial luxury market who crave the new and unexpected, are playgrounds of limitless possibilities for W.”

Easily accessible, W Changsha is within a 30-minute drive to the Changsha Huanghua International Airport, 15-minute drive to the Changsha South Railway Station and connects directly to the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway. Designed by the acclaimed Cheng Chung Design (H.K.) Ltd, W Changsha takes imaginative risks with daring new design forms celebrating Changsha’s rich heritage and modernity. In China, Changsha is also known as “Star City” and its name inspires the hotel’s design narrative featuring bold geometric patterns mixed with contemporary avant-garde artwork. Exclusively commissioned by the hotel, whimsical artwork such as the Schrodinger’s Cat series and the Zeta art installations explore the mystery of the universe through the W lens, creating unexpected encounters throughout the hotel.

Upon arrival at W Changsha, guests are greeted by the iconic W logo, illuminated to resemble the surface of the moon. “Avenue of the Stars,” a mixed-media landscape combining digital, interactive, and sound art, transports guests to RUNWAY, a destination bar in the Living Room, the brand’s signature, socially driven spin on the traditional hotel lobby. Here, the “Pepper Man” sculpture invites guests to look up and marvel anew at the wonders of space within the context of Changsha’s local custom and culture.

The hotel’s 345 guest rooms and suites offers modern luxuries and new-tech conveniences, with walls depicting planets, constellations, and discovery of the nebulae through a “meow eye cabin” LED screen emulating space exploration. From 26th floor to the highest floor on 28th, the triple-story Extreme – WOW Suite (the brand’s take on the presidential suite) incorporates more than 1,000 square meters of living and leisure space, including a private garden and a swimming pool, to make for a brilliant venue for private events amplified by the hotel’s signature service.

W Changsha promise to be the newest dining destination for local foodies with three restaurants and a destination bar. TROPICS, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, delivers an immersive experience with its open-concept kitchen offering local and international cuisine. SHINN YEN celebrates Changsha’s culture through dining and art, with a lively approach to local Hunanese cuisine showcasing the region’s spicy flavors. Every evening, a mesmerizing live cabaret show remixed with Hunan traditional opera further animates the dining experience. At night, RUNWAY is the hotel’s destination bar where all guests take center stage to see and be seen. The bar lights up with electrified musical performances that pair perfectly with handcrafted cocktails and light bites.

With more than 1,000 square meters of function space across five flexible rooms, W Changsha offers limitless possibilities for hosting both work and social gatherings. In the foyer, a graffiti and pop art “Fist Bump” sculpture—the international expression of a friendly greeting—awaits guests as they meet before a spirited occasion. Every meeting room is multifunctional and equipped with the latest audiovisual technology adapted to specific event requirements. In between meetings, guests can take a break with W Recess, the hotel’s original take on a coffee break with a diverse beverage and food selection designed to elevate any event.

After work or play, guests can kick-back by the reflection pool or make a splash at WET®, an expansive pool with a three-meter ‘Space Cat’ sculpture. The 24/7, fully-equipped FIT fitness center offers weights and cardio as well as heart-pumping dance classes to burn calories before the celebration begins again. For guests who live by the brand’s ‘Detox.Retox.Repeat’ philosophy, AWAY SPA awaits to restore and revive their glow.

“We are thrilled to debut the W Hotels brand in central China and mark another symbolic step for us as we continue to expand our luxury portfolio into new markets across the country,” said Henry Lee, President, Greater China, Marriott International. “As domestic travel continues to pick up tremendous momentum, we are bringing new and exciting brands such as W to the country’s emerging leisure destinations.”

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Japan Launches “Accessible Tourism” Initiatives

Written by Gill Dewar on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

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The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) continues to promote accessible tourism in a bid to help realize a symbiotic society and make it a country where tourists are welcome and can enjoy its attractions safely. This comes in the wake of Tokyo’s successful hosting of the Paralympic Games for the second time, which has helped in raising awareness regarding human diversity.

Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games, local governments took measures to facilitate barrier-free movement and ensure accessibility for travellers of all ages, languages and disabilities. Barrier-free movement encompasses more than accessible stations and facilities. It also includes the availability of barrier-free information, such as advanced signage for those with impaired sight, and “soft” aspects such as mindsets in host communities that are accepting of racial differences or disabilities.

Japan has leveraged a number of recent international sporting events to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to play active roles in society. This has included the promoting of “barrier-free minds,” aimed at encouraging everyone to respect and support each other’s individuality. The Japanese public is being encouraged to dismantle social barriers so that people will feel more relaxed talking with others, including visitors from overseas.

The JNTO website provides general information on accessible tourism, providing tips for those planning to visit Japan. It also aims to provide tourists with an improved experience, including wheelchair users, the visually or hearing impaired, senior citizens and families with young children.

JNTO hopes that the athletes and all others who visited the country during the Olympics and Paralympics experienced some of the country’s famed hospitality, and that they will be eager to return one day—not only to Tokyo or other popular cities, but also to local regions.

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No more PCR tests for half-term holidays, the amber countries will turn green and red list will be halved ‘with Turkey among places opening’

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

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September 17, 2021 Travel testing rules are to be torn up for the fully jabbed in time for the half-term holidays – but unvaccinated Britons will still have to quarantine on their return from abroad.

Under a major shake-up to be announced today, the double-jabbed will no longer have to take costly PCR tests when they return from abroad. Instead, they will need only a cheaper lateral flow test.

The ‘pre-departure tests’ that travellers are forced to take before flying home are also likely to be scrapped.

There will also be changes to the controversial ‘traffic light’ rules – which will be cut to a two tier ‘go’ and ‘no go’ system.

However those who are unvaccinated face even tougher restrictions.

They will have to quarantine on their return from all countries, even though on the ‘go’ list. Insiders hope the strategy will help to drive up vaccination rates.

The changes are part of a long-awaited review of the travel restrictions that will also see the controversial ‘traffic light’ rules radically redrawn.

Instead of the ‘green, amber and red’ system that was introduced in May, there will be a simplified ‘go/no-go’ regime.

All current ‘amber list’ countries will effectively become green – or ‘go’ destinations –while the number of ‘red list’, or ‘no-go’ countries, will be slashed in half.

This means popular holiday destinations such as Turkey are likely to open up to fully jabbed Britons next month.

Last night, sources said the changes will save a typical family ‘hundreds of pounds’. Ministers will meet this morning to finalise the plans, with a formal announcement expected later today.

The changes will be a boost for the beleaguered industry, although travel chiefs said they didn’t go far enough and called for all testing for the double-jabbed to be scrapped.

Expedia said there has been a big increase in interest for red list countries such as Maldives, Mexico, and Sri Lanka when comparing this month to September last year, with travellers anticipating the announcement of these destinations being downgraded to green or amber lists due to their promising Covid figures.

The travel website told MailOnline that Mexico has seen the greatest interest of approximately 70 per cent this month when compared to this time last year, while the Maldives is up 30 per cent and Sri Lanka 20 per cent.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, also told MailOnline: ‘I think you’ll see a large increase in bookings this weekend, if the Prime Minister goes ahead with the measures.’

TravelSuperMarket added that average holiday prices to Spain for this month and next are as much as 38 per cent down on the same period in 2019, but Malta is up 29 per cent and Dubai is up 24 per cent.

It came as:

The booster programme got under way yesterday, with a maternity support worker among the first to receive the jab;
It emerged that a care worker and her daughter died in the same hospital less than a fortnight apart after both refused to get vaccinated;
Industry leaders warned that care homes will be forced to shut, break the law or drop standards if ministers fail to push back the deadline for compulsory jabs;
Nicola Sturgeon has called in the British Army to deal with Scotland’s ambulance crisis after she was forced to apologise for life-threatening delays;
A survey found that a majority of people believe workers will never return to the office full-time after the pandemic;
The latest figures showed that Covid infections appear to be falling in all regions of England, even after children have returned to school.

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AHIC prepares for Dubai return

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events, MICE.

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September 17, 2021 – The Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) returns to Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai live in person from September 20-22, bringing together four powerful, active investment communities from across the region.

For the first time, AHIC 2021, organised by Bench and Meed, will house the four close-knit investment communities of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) under one roof.

United by the theme ‘Rise Together,’ investors, owners, private equity firms, financiers, franchise owners, innovators, developers and government entities will meet to network, share insights and do business, with the potential for partnerships greater than ever.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench and founder of AHIC, says: “To be able to bring together these four major hospitality investment communities for the first time, at our first live, in person event for this sector in the Middle East and Africa post-pandemic, is truly special.

“We have created a robust buyer and seller platform teaming with opportunity and developed a unique programme inspired by the key themes of ‘innovation, sustainability and the future’.

“With less than a month until we kick-off AHIC 2021, we are now working closely with our moderators, speakers and sponsors to ensure we spark conversations that will help this resilient and innovative industry rise from this pandemic towards a bright, successful future.”

The AHIC 2021 programme combines on-stage one-to-one interviews, roundtables, discussions and workshops with innovation pitches, off-stage individual meetings and networking experiences.

AHIC Intelligence

Many of these sessions will be underpinned by AHIC Intelligence, with industry data, insights and predictions for the region’s pipeline, performance and profitability expected to be key.

On day one on September 20th, Robin Rossman, managing director, STR, will present some of the key learnings from the past 18 months.

Speaking ahead of AHIC, Rossmann says: “The pace and shape of hotel performance recovery continues to vary significantly around the world, dependant on vaccination rates as well as the spread of the Delta strain.

“In the Middle East and Africa, performance has also varied significantly based on some markets’ greater reliance on international travel and corporate demand.

“The markets able to generate more demand from domestic leisure sources are further ahead in the recovery process.”

He adds: “Looking ahead, the balance between domestic and international travel is set to change fundamentally as the industry transitions to the ‘new normal’ post-pandemic.

“Data shows the reality of current travel hesitancy contrasted by the significant pent-up demand that will emerge once Covid travel restrictions are eased.”

Meanwhile, Martin Berlin, partner and global deals real estate leader, PwC, will unveil exclusive research on the impact of Covid as a never-before-seen catalyst for innovation.

Berlin reveals that the pandemic has caused a loss of US$1.3 trillion in tourist receipts.

In a sneak preview of the data, he says: “International tourist arrivals declined by 74 per cent due to Covid in 2020, compared to only a decrease of four per cent after the financial crisis, while the global airline industry declined by more than half during Covid-19.

“This means that currently, 100-120 million jobs in the global tourism sector are at risk due to the pandemic.”

AHIC 2021 will explore how and when the industry can return to the status quo.

Meanwhile, Hala Matar Choufany, president, Middle East, Africa and south Asia for HVS, will launch the latest Valuation Index for the Middle East & Africa on day two.

In an exclusive preview of the report, Choufany says: “Hotel ownership and investment are considered as a long-term investment as the value is based on the future income that the asset is likely to generate, with valuers adopting the discounted cashflow method of valuation.

“As such, one year of minimal income does not mean the value of the asset has disappeared completely.

“The key will be the length of time it will take for the hotels/markets to recover and whether the recovery will surpass the previous levels of operation.”

She reveals: “Although there was a limited number of hotel transactions that took place in the MEA region during the last 18 months, the trading performance of hotels that remained opened or re-opened suggests that leisure and resort hotels have performed better than the corporate and commercial hotels.

“Specifically, cities that have better managed the pandemic and gradually re-opened their borders have registered lower decline in hotel values when compared to other cities.”

Saudi Focus

AHIC has already released its exclusive fourth annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast in partnership with Meed Projects.

According to this research, more than US $3.5 billion worth of new hotel projects in the GCC have been awarded over the past 18 months during the height of the pandemic, indicating that investors expect the market to return to normality in the next two to three years when the new projects are due to open.

Ed James, director of content and analysis at Meed Projects, says: “Longer-term, the industry is even more bullish, with US $27 billion worth of hotel investments in the pipeline.

“The majority of these are comprised of the ‘giga project’ tourism investments in Saudi Arabia led by the Red Sea Project, Neom, Amaala, Diriyah Gate and Al-Ula, to name but a few”.

These giga projects will have a major presence at AHIC 2021, with Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), kicking off the Saudi Day on day three, September 22nd, with a live-on-stage morning talk with Gloria Guevara Manzo, chief special advisor, ministry of tourism – kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

AHIC 2021 will also feature speakers from another of Saudi Arabia’s giga projects, Neom, with Andrew McEvoy, head of tourism sector, Neom, set to discuss the foundations of developing a future destination with sustainability at the core of investment.

Into Africa

AHIC 2021 will also feature several sessions focused on the African investment community, with an interactive debate moderated by Philippe Doizelet, director, hotels and real estate, Voltere by Egis, designed to analyse the concepts most ripe for investment based on the changing behaviour of consumers.

While Africa welcomed some 70 million tourists in 2019 according to UNWTO, following an average growth of about six per cent over the last five years, Doizelet says there are still barriers to entry, from visa policies to health requirements.

Therefore, sub regional tourism will stimulate the creation of tourism complexes and urban and peri-urban business and leisure centres that can become real destinations.

Doizelet predicts that over the next two decades, the following countries will emerge as the most credible regional players: Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal to the west; Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda in the east; and South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to the south.

He says: “Finally, central Africa should rely rather on local demand and create opportunities for exclusive tourism clusters, particularly in Cameroon and Angola.

“From the above, it is clear that talking about African tourism in a global way makes little sense.

“National or sub-regional realities continue to prevail, thus reflecting the geographic, human, economic and political diversity of the continent.”

It is these realities that will be discussed in depth at AHIC, with leaders from this unique continent present to review the numbers and delve into the opportunity.

More Information

AHIC, now in its 17th year, is the annual gathering for the Middle East’s hospitality investment community organised by global hotel investment event organiser Bench in partnership with Middle East business intelligence brand, Meed.

AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders.

Head over to the website for more.

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Eurowings opens base in Sweden

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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September 17, 2021 Germany’s largest and most popular vacation carrier to take off from first major Scandinavian location as of March 2022.

Lufthansa Group subsidiary will operate five Airbus A320 aircraft from Stockholm and add 150 crew members for the start-up
Eurowings set to be the new Swedish business and vacation airline / operations will launch in March 2022
It will start with 20 low-cost direct flights to major European cities like Berlin, Barcelona, and Rome, as well as many holiday destinations like Palma de Mallorca
Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof: “We will attract many Swedish vacationers and business travelers with our cutting-edge services.”

Eurowings is further developing its European network to Scandinavia with the opening of its new location in Stockholm. The popular German airline is offering new services in Scandinavia and will initially station five Airbus A320 aircraft in Stockholm by March 2022. This will be the eleventh Eurowings base of operations in Europe and the fifth outside its home market of Germany after Palma de Mallorca, Prague, Pristina, and Salzburg.

For the first time, the Lufthansa Group value carrier will offer attractive direct connections from Scandinavia to business and vacation destinations throughout Europe. With its increased presence in the Nordics, Eurowings will not only provide better connections to and from Sweden, but especially flights to popular beach destinations in Southern Europe for Swedish customers. The latest Eurowings base at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport also brings hundreds of new jobs to the region and – in what is hopefully the final phase of the Corona pandemic – an important stimulus for employment in the Scandinavian aviation market.

Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof: “Sweden is a market that fits perfectly with our goal to be the number one European value carrier. Since the pandemic, many travelers are no longer looking first for the cheapest ticket, but for an airline they can unconditionally trust in terms of safety, reliability, and social responsibility. With our Lufthansa DNA – for example an attractive network of low-cost direct flights and an unmatched customer service – we can offer just that.”

In July 2021, Eurowings was again the most punctual airline in Europe and just recently was awarded triple gold at the German Customer Award presentations: best customer service, best customer satisfaction and best value for money. “We have done our homework and responded quickly to new customer needs and requests and used the crisis to make necessary changes in all areas,” Bischof emphasizes. “It is why Eurowings is more competitive today than ever before. With our consistent value-for-money approach, we are convinced we will soon also attract many Swedish vacationers and business travelers with our cutting-edge services.”

Eurowings flies from Stockholm to 20 European locations for the first time starting on 27 March, 2022. The first published routes to and from Stockholm include popular Southern European sun destinations: Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Malaga in Spain, Faro in Portugal, and Nice in Southern France. Other attractive destinations Eurowings will initially fly to include Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Copenhagen, Birmingham, Gdansk, and Pristina. Further destinations will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets can be booked shortly via eurowings.com and the Eurowings app. Tickets are already available for booking starting at SEK 299 (29.99 euros) for a one-way flight.

Cologne-based Eurowings combines Lufthansa’s DNA with a value-for-money concept and innovative customer services: an industry-leading health and hygiene concept and the option of booking free middle seats in the rear rows of the aircraft for as little as ten euros for comfort or hygienic reasons. This option alone has already been sold over 50,000 times in a short period and is a bestseller among Eurowings customers.

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Oruro Carnival, a colorful festivity with ancient roots

Written by Leandro Agostini on September 16, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Featured events.

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Bolivia:

The largest carnival of the Bolivian highlands is celebrated in the Oruro city. It has been designated as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and it is considered one of the most important carnivals in the world.

A tradition with ancient roots

Some consider this festival the oldest carnival in history, but let me explain why. The carnival tradition did start in Europe, before the colonization of America, but the symbolism and traditions of this specific one, come from an ancient culture, that used to celebrate a religious festival in that same region, formerly called Uro Uro, long before the colonial period. When the Europeans arrived there, in order to bring the catholicism in the region, they made analogies between their beliefs and the local ones. That is how this carnival was born, as a combination of religious celebrations from both cultures.

Carnival performance

This carnival brings together tens of thousands of dancers and musicians from different places of Bolivia and also from other countries. These artists perform for more than half-million spectators.

The main folkloric expression of the carnival is called “diablada”, a dance with an army of demons and other characters which, undoubtedly, reflect the mentioned combination of two cultures. Specifically, characters and symbolism of both are being implemented in the dances. Besides diablada, there are many other rhythms and dances performed in the Oruro Carnival, such as “caporal,” “morenada” and “tinkuy,” to name a few. Each one of them was born in a different period of history and carries a specific meaning.

The performers do not only participate in the carnival for fun, but they also do that because of a faithful promise they make to the Virgin of Socavon, the local patron, who was originated as a combination between the catholic Virgin Mary and the ancient protectress of the region, called Ñusta. After the musicians and dancers finish the carnival route, they enter the Virgin’s sanctuary on their knees and move along towards her in that position, while praying amid tears and emotion.

The costumes

The colorful and shiny costumes of the carnival dancers are charged with symbolism. It is easy to get impressed by the enormous level of detail of the outfits, but it is impossible not to end up shocked once you find out that all those costumes are handmade!

Soon after the carnival is over, thousands of artisans, start to work untiringly, to have their creations ready for the next festivity. Some of them embroider each thread and sequin of the dresses. Some others, mold and paint plaster and fiber masks; others forge metal masks, rattles, and other pieces for the costumes, while the rest develop hats full of ornaments and feathers.

Most of these artisans come from families with several generations of experience on these laborious artistic tasks, where each costume can take from a week to a month to be completed.

Being part of the Oruro Carnival

Attendants accompany the performing groups by chanting carnival songs, dancing, and asking for kisses from the caporal dancers. Even though Oruro is a cold city, for some reason, while playing with water and foam during the festivity, no one seems to feel it.

Paying for a seat in a good location is totally worth it in this carnival. It is necessary, however, to acquire it in advance! It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

Strong beliefs impulse artisans, musicians, and dancers to prepare for months and to do their best on the streets during this big festivity. As spectators, we get goosebumps with the strong beat of the music and the sonorous steps of thousands of dancers. The Oruro Carnival is so important for the locals, both as a cultural expression and an act of faith.

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You Can Visit Tikal, Guatemala, The Ruins Of The Largest Ancient Civilization In The World

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

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Guatemala:

It was known to once house between 10,000 and 90,000 people and since its designation as a World Heritage Site, visitors have seen it first-hand.

For centuries, the ancient ruins of Tikal hid deep in the jungle of Guatemala just waiting to be discovered. Many others like it have had known whereabouts for some time now in both Mexico and Peru but upon finding Tikal, it would soon be revealed that this was once one of the largest civilizations ever to live during its time. This Mayan city is full of innovation and surprise, the most obvious of which is its tremendous temples, many of which were the tallest ever known up until the 19th century, according to CNN.

It’s also one of few nearly fully-intact sites that perfectly display what life was like for the Maya people during 800 A.D. Even the surrounding jungle has been wholly untouched with all the sights and sounds of Guatemala in full array despite Tikal now being a place where many can explore and observe. Despite the fact that the ancient Mayans disappeared during the 10th century, what remains of their civilization has been perfectly preserved, giving a glimpse into what an occupied city might have looked like.

Clues Into The Past
During its prime, Tikal would have been considered a hub for the Mayan civilization. Researchers have been able to gather that this would have been a bustling city, consisting of anywhere from 10,000 to 90,000 people at any given time between 550 and 900 A.D. To imagine what life was like there is to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship that went into building the 3,000 – so far – structures that have since been discovered on the site, which spans roughly six miles. Among that, scientists have also found about 200 altars and monuments, many of which give further clues as to who the Mayans were and how they lived.

The buildings and monuments in Tikal are highly advanced compared to many others, with everything remaining in nearly exactly the same condition as it was left. The city itself is truly remarkable and one of the most stunning features is The Great Plaza, which was confirmed to be the ceremonial area of Tikal.

The Architecture Of Tikal
Similar to the Great Pyramids, the buildings in Tikal follow a similar shape and method. Spanning roughly 10 acres, the centre of Tikal – surrounding The Great Plaza – is filled with pyramids that appear as though they could also be found in Egypt. However, these are limestone-paved and not as grand in structure but are similar in nature. It’s theorized that these would have been used for religious ceremonies, dramas, and even sporting events, not unlike many structures seen in Rome today.

As it turns out, sports were a significant part of the Mayan civilization. Areas that can only be presumed to be ball courts have been found throughout Tikal, playing a sport that may have been similar to what we know as soccer or basketball today. However, the rules were a bit different – the goal was likely to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible without using one’s hands, and for the losing team? Rather than a pat on the back and a ‘better luck next time,’ experts say death might have been a very real possibility.

Another structure, called Temple 1, appears to have been used as a site for some type of acrobatics, according to a report by CNN. The staircase alone is at an extremely steep angle and towers a whopping 170 feet. Each temple surrounding this one is slightly shorter in height but no less spectacular, each featuring a unique vantage point from which to observe the entirety of Tikal. It’s uncertain what each was used for.

Furthermore, there was no immediate water source for Tikal, leading experts to a head-scratching dilemma. Why settle there if there were no means for hydration? The answer lies in the amount of seasonal rainfall that Guatemala receives, which experts believe might have been the main source of water, making the Mayans extremely resourceful and intelligent when it came to weather patterns and survival. This way of life was far more advanced than many and if nothing else, Tikal proves that the civilization was far ahead of its time. Experts also tend to lean towards a drought as one explanation for what happened to the city of Tikal and its residents, although we may never know the full answer.

Visiting Tikal
For those who truly want an immersive experience in this Guatemalan jungle, there are a couple of inns and one hostel that sit not far from the Tikal National Park. Getting to the park is usually organized by these lodging accommodations and more information can be sought via phone call or at the front desk. Tikal National Park is a designated World Heritage Site, so there’s plenty to do and see during one trip.

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Copenhagen Shares Details on Exhibition Centre Expansion

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

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Bella Arena will be the name of Copenhagen‘s new arena, which is being built as an extension of the Bella Centre Copenhagen, Scandinavia’s largest congress, conference and exhibition centre. With room for 7,000 seated guests in the new arena, Copenhagen can host even larger international events in the future. A focus on sustainability throughout the construction process and a partnership with Carlsberg gives Bella Arena a gold certification in sustainable construction.

“In order to attract the largest international congresses, Copenhagen has historically lacked two things: Hotel capacity and a large column-free arena, where the main speaker could speak to 7,000 participants at the same time. The hotels have been added over the last few years, and now we are adding the arena which, together with the rest of Bella Centre, raises the bar for which events we can draw to the capital,” said Christian Folden Lund, CEO of BC Hospitality Group, in a written statement.

The new Bella Arena is connected to the existing Bella Centre via a large glass atrium, so that the arena, the hotel and Bella Centre are now under one roof and can accommodate events with up to 30,000 participants. Bella Arena also gets its own identities and entrances, so that it can be used for cultural events and sporting events at the same time as there are other conference events in Bella Centre.

“The crisis has certainly shown that the capital needs tourists, both holidaymakers, business travellers and those who come to experience special events,” said Mikkel Aaro-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen. “Before the crisis, travellers generated a total turnover of over 50 billion Danish krone (approximately $8 billion) in the capital. So, we have to restore the capital’s tourism—and we must do this through change, focus on sustainability and innovation. We have to create something new, because the competition is only getting tougher. Therefore, on behalf of the capital, I am happy that we can open Bella Arena, which together with Bella Centre makes Bellakvarter a new international hub for business tourism and events.”

Sustainable Construction

Sustainability and accountability are considered in all parts of the Bella Centre and associated hotels, according to Wonderful Copenhagen. Sustainable materials, energy efficiency and circularity have been key focus points, and this has led to Bella Arena achieving the international gold certification within sustainability from DGNB (the German Sustainable Building Council). In close partnership with BC Hospitality Group’s new beverage supplier, Carlsberg, upcycled beer kegs have been used in the process. The upcycled kegs are used together with recycled wood from the original Bella Centre at Bellahoj.

Carlsberg’s contribution to the arena is based on the brewery’s focus on circularity throughout the value chain. The latest innovation is the DraughtMaster-keg that in addition to ensuring better quality and use of the beer will be returned and recycled into new products such as furniture and building materials. In Bella Arena, the upcycled kegs are used for signs and furniture.

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Iberostar Group Opens New Hotel in Lima

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

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Expanding its presence in Latin America, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is set to open its first hotel in the Lima city centre. Opening October 1, Iberostar Selection Miraflores will be the first plastic-free hotel in the Peruvian capital and will put an emphasis on local produce and flavors to support the environment as well as the local community.

The 18-floor five-star hotel’s design is inspired by the Pacaya Samiria nature reserve. The rooms allow guests to enjoy the city environment with views of the boardwalk. The hotel also features a new concept, Cosmos Level, offering exclusive spaces, along with other benefits such as a concierge service and private meeting rooms.

Peruvian gastronomy will be one of the highlights of the hotel served in specialty restaurants Ortega & Huamán and Tapería 27 Tapas, both overseen by local chef Carlos Testino. Rounding out the amenities is a rooftop on the 18th floor, featuring an infinity pool with panoramic views of almost the entire city, the ocean and the sunsets.

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Costa Rica’s Nayara Resorts Launches New Wellness Program

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

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Costa Rica:

Nayara Resorts has launched a new wellness program that promises to be an antidote to a summer of indulgence, and motivation to kickstart a healthier lifestyle. Offered at Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens, the wellness program is inspired by the “four elements”—fire, water, earth, and air, and is designed to help guests form a connection with each individual element.

Good to know: Each of the properties is located in the rainforest and offers views to the Arenal volcano. The five- star Nayara Gardens is a family-friendly retreat, with just 50 private casitas (bungalows), all with private terraces with outdoor showers and Jacuzzi tubs for two. The adults-only Nayara Springs offers 35 luxury villas, each equipped with a private plunge pool fed by mineral hot springs and an expansive private garden with exterior shower, and indoor and outdoor sitting areas. Lastly, Nayara Tented Camp offers a safari experience with 29 luxury tented accommodations (also with their own private plunge pools with naturally warm hot spring water) dotted up the hillside, allowing for unobstructed views of the volcano from each room.

The wellness program can be done as a three- or five-night stay and includes activities such as yoga, meditation, sound therapy and spa treatments punctuated with Ayurvedic-inspired meals and detox juices. Menu items include nut-crusted mahimahi with carrot puree and zucchini salad, vegetable casserole with coconut milk, ginger and lemon grass, and almond milk oatmeal, while juices are made with ingredients like papaya, coconut water, cranberry, cardamom and jalapeno.

Note: The program is available from Thursdays to Tuesdays beginning in September (and it is not available over holiday periods). Rates start at $3,500 per room for three nights based on two people sharing and are all inclusive (excluding alcohol). To book, contact reservations at reservations@nayararesorts.com.

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Piranhas and pink dolphins lure visitors to remote Lake Tarapoto

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

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Colombia:

Pink dolphins, piranhas and black caiman. It sounds like the stuff of legend, but in fact they’re the inhabitants of a protected wetlands system in the Amazon, home to thousands of rare animal species and fascinating tales of tribal gods turning men into dolphins.

Storytelling is part of the culture for the indigenous groups who live in the Amazon rainforest, and the wetlands play an important part in the yarns that have been spun for centuries. The stories told by the Ticuna people are no different; one in particular involves a pink dolphin disguised in human form who attends the tribe’s traditional festivities to enchant women who become enamored by this tall, strange man. He then takes her down to the river, and turns her into a dolphin, too.
But the waters of the Lagos de Tarapoto aren’t just home to tall tales. They’re such an important habitat for animal species that they were granted protected status in 2018, following a five-year battle to petition for the wetlands region to be internationally recognized by the Swiss conservation body Ramsar.

Scientists have been conducting research in the wetlands — which include Lake Tarapoto as well as a network of other waterways — for years. The lake is fed by the Amazon River and is interconnected to numerous smaller lakes by a complex system of creeks.

Experts have identified as many as 900 plant species, 300 bird species, 176 fish, 56 reptiles, 46 mammals and 30 amphibians. The wetlands, which cover 400 square kilometers, have one of the highest presence of river dolphins in the Colombian Amazon.

Recently, Omacha, alongside the WWF and with the help of local groups, began a satellite monitoring project of the cetaceans in the Amazon region.
The wetlands are a key place for dolphin breeding, as well as a fish breeding site — a vital source of food and income for the 22 indigenous communities that live in the region. The pirarucú fish, one of the largest freshwater fish, is a species of arapaima, which are native to the Amazon River. They have been a key food source for indigenous communities for centuries and are eaten fresh, dried or salted — and can grow up to 10 feet long.

Tourism and conservation at work
The indigenous communities also rely on tourism for income, and the preservation of this water system means they can have a sustainable income for years to come. Visitors to the region can hire local indigenous guides to boat them around the lake and through the river networks, pointing out wildlife and explaining the historical importance of the site.
The wetland region is best known for Lake Tarapoto, a 37-square-kilometer body of water which is a short ride from Puerto Nariño, a town in the Amazonas region of Colombia, perched on the edge of the Amazon River.
Tourists who make it to the remote region flock to the lake in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare pink dolphin or trying their hand at piranha fishing. The Centro de Interpratación Ambiental Natütama, run by a non-profit, offers a host of information on the pink dolphin and manatee species.
There is still no consensus about why the pink dolphin is pink, as some of the mammals, known locally as “boto,” remain gray. Coloration varies, with adult males being the most pink, perhaps, experts surmise, because they fight a lot — and it is their scar tissue that is pink. Another theory is that they camouflage themselves to match the red mud that appears in some of the rivers following heavy rains.

Although you can swim in the lakes, they are piranha-infested, so perhaps check with your tour guide before taking a dip.
The motorized boats that were once involved in some tours, as well as logging, hunting and overfishing were threatening the biodiversity of the wetland complex, so scientists joined forces with local indigenous groups who inhabit the area to petition Ramsar, the Swiss conservation body, to declare Tarapoto a “wetland of international importance” in 2018. The area is the first wetland region in the Colombian Amazon to achieve such a status.
“Wetlands with Ramsar status are internationally recognized because of their unique characteristics of biodiversity and natural wealth, and must be conserved and used sustainably to maintain their quality and permanence over time. Large-scale mining and major infrastructure construction cannot be carried out at Ramsar sites,” says Saulo Usma, Freshwater Specialist at WWF Colombia.
Visitors wishing to experience the lake can stay at Puerto Nariño, a small town of 6,000 residents, mostly indigenous, that touts itself as an ecological community. No cars or motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed in the town — meaning all tours are done by wooden boats.
The town is reachable by plane from Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena. Accommodation and facilities are basic, but it’s a wonderful jumping off point to explore all the Amazonas region has to offer, and a chance to experience indigenous culture in its fullest.

Working with locals to protect the wetlands
Designating the site as protected means there is the ability to finance conservation projects, according to the leaders of the local community.
“The designation of the Tarapoto lakes as a Ramsar site is an opportunity to strengthen, protect and conserve our natural, cultural and social resources,” says Lilia Isolina Java Tapayuri, community leader of the Cocama ethnic group.
Working with the local indigenous groups has been a vital part in the protection process. Sinchi Institute, another of the Colombian environmental groups that collaborated to get the lake protected, has been working with local fishermen to ensure they are involved.

“Sinchi has collaborated in the construction of the management plan for the site,” says biologist Mariela Osorno, who specializes in the Amazon region. “We’ve also accompanied fishermen from the Tarapoto system, training them to collect data, community monitoring and fishing uses of the area.”
The institute is also working with communities to produce a bird guide for the area, as well as training up villagers so they can use their skills to start bird-focused tourism ventures.
“Participants have been trained in methodologies for bird watching, species identification and use of bird guides,” explains Osorno, adding that Sincha has also worked with locals to recover the names of birds in the native languages of the territories.
“It is essential to promote its conservation and proper management, to ensure the permanence of the genetic richness of species, ecosystems and landscapes, and to safeguard the culture and knowledge of the native communities that inhabit it, particularly the Ticuna (also known as the Maguta), Cocama and Yagua ethnic groups.”
If you do get the chance to visit this beautiful and underdeveloped corner of the world, you’ll certainly leave with a renewed sense of living simply, side-by-side with nature.

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American Airlines and GOL to Form an Exclusive Partnership

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

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September 16, 2021, FORT WORTH, Texas — Today, American Airlines announced that it has entered into a letter of intent to further solidify its partnership with GOL, Brazil’s largest airline. Building on the two carriers’ initial codeshare offering in 2020, the expanded partnership includes an exclusive codeshare agreement, a larger and more lucrative joint SMILES and AAdvantage® loyalty program partnership. It also expects to increase commercial cooperation with GOL to accelerate growth and create a more seamless experience for all customers.

“American has long been the leading U.S. carrier to South America and our stronger partnership with GOL solidifies that leadership position,” said Robert Isom, President of American Airlines. “Our long-haul network marries seamlessly with GOL’s strong domestic network in Brazil. Together, we will be able to offer customers flying to, through and from Brazil, access to the largest network with the lowest fares and the Americas’ biggest and best joint travel loyalty program.”

Exclusive Codeshare between the U.S. and Brazil

GOL will become American’s sole codeshare partner in Brazil and American will become GOL’s sole codeshare partner in the U.S. On their combined networks, customers can travel to more than 30 destinations served by American in the U.S. and more than 20 new destinations in South America served by GOL.

“This codeshare agreement between two of the leading airlines in the Americas combines our highly complementary route networks to offer customers a seamless travel experience with the largest number of flights and destinations in North and South America,” said GOL CEO Paulo Kakinoff. “We believe that this will bolster GOL’s presence in international markets, accelerate our long-term growth, and maximize value for our shareholders. It adds to our confidence in GOL’s growth as the economy reopens and travel demand increases.”

American has served Latin America since 1942 and offers service to 17 destinations in South America, including Sao Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) in Brazil, from its U.S. hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK). American has flown more than 14 million customers between the U.S. and Brazil in the last 10 years – more than twice as many as any other U.S. carrier. GOL serves 63 destinations in Brazil and is the country’s largest airline.

Enhanced Joint Loyalty Offering

The largest network in the Americas will also be the most rewarding for travelers. In 2022, GOL’s SMILES and American’s AAdvantage loyalty members will gain access to their elite benefits such as priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, a larger checked baggage allowance, lounge access and preferred seats on both airlines. The two airlines also expect to offer an enhanced joint loyalty offering to give customers more ways to earn and redeem miles.

Commercial Cooperation

The strengthened relationship will also allow for further commercial cooperation in areas such as purchasing, sales tools and systems integrations, as allowed by regulatory and contractual limitations. American will have the right to appoint one member to GOL’s board of directors, who, in addition to other duties, will be granted membership and participation on GOL’s Alliance Committee and any other board committees related to the operational partnership between GOL and American.

American will invest US$200 million in 22.2 million newly issued preferred shares of GOL in a capital increase, for a 5.2% participation in the Company’s economic interest. The completion of the agreements described in this press release, including the proposed equity investment are subject to conditions, including the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive documentation, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

About American Airlines Group
American’s purpose is to care for people on life’s journey. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL is Brazil’s largest airline, leader in the corporate and leisure segments. Since its founding in 2001, it has been the airline with the lowest unit cost in Latin America, which has enabled the democratization of air transportation. The Company has a strategic alliance with American Airlines and Air France-KLM, in addition to making available to Customers many codeshare and interline agreements, bringing more convenience and ease of connections to any place served by these partnerships. With the purpose of “Being First for Everyone”, GOL offers the best travel experience to its passengers, including: the largest inventory of seats and the most legroom; the most complete platform with internet, movies and live TV; and the best loyalty program, SMILES. In cargo transportation, GOLLOG delivers parcels to various regions in Brazil and abroad. The Company has a team of 15,000 highly qualified airline professionals focused on Safety, GOL’s number one value, and operates a standardized fleet of 127 Boeing 737 aircraft. GOL’s shares are traded on the NYSE (GOL) and the B3 (GOLL4). For further information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ir.

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The Reimagined Park Hyatt Toronto Officially Reopens its Doors

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

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September 16, 2021- The restored hotel debuts new interiors from Studio Munge, luxury guestrooms, a new world-class restaurant and rooftop lounge

– Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Oxford Properties are pleased to open its doors to the highly anticipated, restored Park Hyatt Toronto hotel. Long considered one of Toronto’s most iconic addresses, the property offers deeply personalized and engaged service as the cornerstone of the hotel’s revival.

The re-imagined Park Hyatt Toronto hotel combines luxury, sophistication, and glamour with a distinctive nod to Canadian heritage, art deco, and literature. The hotel collaborated with world-renowned designer Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge, who drew inspiration from Canada’s striking seasons and natural landscapes to bring this experience to life. The luxurious property offers an elevated home-away-from-home experience with purpose and style through modern materials and soothing color schemes.

“We are proud to welcome guests to the restored Park Hyatt Toronto hotel, with exceptional personalized service at the heart of every touchpoint,” says Bonnie Strome, general manager, Park Hyatt Toronto. “The remarkable transformation was thoughtfully crafted to provide unparalleled luxury experiences across culinary, arts and culture, travel and design.”

Rooted in celebrating the sophistication of the arts, Park Hyatt Toronto features a significant permanent art collection highlighting spectacular pieces from renowned Canadian and indigenous artists. A new public art sculpture “Rendezvous” by renowned Canadian artist An Te Liu, forms a vivid and iconic tableau establishing the hotel as a singular destination. “Dead Ringers”, a large-scale tapestry in the lobby by Canadian artist Shannon Bool, sets the tone for each guest’s enriched and immersive stay.

The 219 guestrooms – including 40 luxurious suites – artfully balance residential comfort with contemporary design. The unrivalled presidential suite located on the 14th floor includes a welcoming foyer, a chef’s pantry and dining room, a study and living room grounded by a stone-clad fireplace with champagne metal accents. The stone-tiled bathroom is a lavish wellness sanctuary featuring a contemporary double vanity, glass-enclosed double rain shower, and a free-standing soaker tub overlooking Yorkville.

The immersive journey continues at Joni, a new culinary destination inspired by the spirit of Toronto’s vibrant arts and culture scene, harmonizes casual bistro dining with contemporary cooking techniques and focuses on fresh and flavorful ingredients. Situated in the heart of the iconic Park Hyatt Toronto hotel, Joni offers breakfast, lunch, cocktail and dinner service with comforting, relaxed yet elevated fare.

The return of the iconic rooftop cocktail bar, now known as Writers Room, pays homage to the history of literary legends that shared moments in the Park Hyatt Toronto hotel. This clever interpretation of a classic cocktail bar reflects the bar’s historical significance as a gathering spot for great minds as they take in the unparalleled Toronto skyline views.

A spa and wellness destination will be unveiled at a later date, welcoming guests to an escape from the surge of city energy. The destination will host personalized treatments with a collection of highly curated relaxation services to treat the body and calm the mind.

For more information on Park Hyatt Toronto and for hotel reservations, please visit parkhyatttoronto.com or follow Instagram and Facebook.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

For further information:

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, global travelers with an elegant home-away-from-home. Guests of Park Hyatt hotels receive quietly confident and personalized service in an enriching environment. Located in several of the world’s premier destinations, each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with understated luxury. Park Hyatt hotels feature well-appointed guestrooms, world-renowned artwork and design, rare and immersive culinary experiences, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 45 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Busan, Canberra, Changbaishan, Carlsbad, Chennai, Chicago, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hamburg, Hangzhou, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kyoto, Maldives, Mallorca, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, Moscow, New York, Ningbo, Niseko, Paris, Saigon, Sanya, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, St. Kitts, Suzhou, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington, D.C., Zanzibar, and Zurich. For more information, please visit parkhyatt.com. @ParkHyatt on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and tag photos with #LuxuryIsPersonal.

About Oxford Properties Group

Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”) is a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder. It builds, buys and grows defined real estate operating business with world-class management teams. Established in 1960, Oxford and its portfolio companies manage approximately C$70 billion of assets across four continents on behalf of their investment partners. Oxford’s owned portfolio encompasses office, logistics, retail, multifamily residential, life sciences and hotels; it spans more than 150 million square feet in global gateway cities and high-growth hubs. A thematic investor with a committed source of capital, Oxford invests in properties, portfolios, development sites, debt, securities and real estate businesses across the risk-reward spectrum. Together with its portfolio companies, Oxford is one of the world’s most active developers with over 100 projects currently underway globally across all major asset classes. Oxford is owned by OMERS, the Canadian defined benefit pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees. For more information on Oxford, visit www.oxfordproperties.com

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company offering 20 premier brands. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,000 hotel and all-inclusive properties in 68 countries across six continents. The Company’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top employees, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company’s subsidiaries operate, manage, franchise, own, lease, develop, license, or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt™, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, tommie™, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

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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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