Air Astana Launches New Routes to the UAE 2024

Ain Dubai to open in October

Written by Leandro Agostini on September 2, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity.

Travel news from around the world

Dubai:

Dubai Holding has announced that Ain Dubai is set to open on October 21st.

Ticket sales for the largest and tallest observation wheel in the world are now on sale.

Standing at over 250-metres high, Ain Dubai is the latest landmark to join a long list of world record-breaking attractions.

Ronald Drake, general manager of Ain Dubai, said: “Ain Dubai offers unique experiences catering to all audiences, including luxurious special event cabins; nightlife and party occasions; unique dining and culinary options; family-friendly cabins and customisable romantic experiences for special moments.

“We are the ultimate celebration destination, so it was only fitting that we celebrate the opening in style.

“More exciting details of what to expect from our grand opening will be revealed soon.”

From dining in the sky and exclusive celebration packages to bespoke corporate and event offerings, Ain Dubai brings over 19 truly unique and customisable experiences, all against the backdrop the dazzling skyline.

Open both day and night, Ain Dubai visitors will be able to experience two very different sides of Dubai, from the stunning Bluewaters views to a host of night-time entertainment.

Experiences start with one rotation of approximately 38 minutes.

The magnificent Ain Dubai sits at the heart of the unique, must-visit lifestyle destination, Bluewaters, where the charm and exclusivity of island living meets the exuberance of a sophisticated urban lifestyle.

Bluewaters boasts hospitality, lifestyle, residential, and leisure and entertainment opportunities.

Mohamed Sharaf, chief operating officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said: “Dubai continues to be a leader in the travel and tourism sector, with a reputation for delivering pioneering projects and landmarks.

“Ain Dubai is a testament to one of the many innovative initiatives developed by Dubai to further enhance its competitiveness as a key international tourism destination.”

Spotted in: www.breakingtravelnews.com

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The Slate in Phuket Introduces New MICE Packages

Written by Gill Dewar on September 2, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel, MICE.

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Thailand:

The Slate, a beachfront resort in Phuket, Thailand, is getting ready to host business meetings once again with a series of MICE packages. Following 18 months of travel restrictions, the resort in the secluded northwest coast foresees plenty of pent-up demand for in-person corporate functions.

The “Meet Again @ The Slate” package will allow businesses to benefit from reconfigured venues that strike a balance between personal connections and physical space, including the use of larger areas for smaller groups and one-way systems to ensure social distancing. All attendees will be subject to temperature checks, advanced sanitation procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE), and all facilities will undergo intensive deep cleaning.

Half-day and full-day meeting packages are available, including private roundtrip airport transfers, function room rentals, priority check-in, a dedicated hospitality desk, a 30-minute cocktail reception upon arrival, daily breakfast, coffee breaks, a conference lunch, late check-out, a one-hour outdoor team activity and a group photo, which will be framed and presented to each guest as a turndown gift. Guests will also be offered a choice of yoga and meditation breaks and will be able to plant herbs in the resort’s organic garden. Every attendee will get 20 percent discounts at the Coqoon Spa and the KRU Precision Wellness, the onsite healthcare facility.

Priced at $49 per person for a half-day meeting package and $55 for a full-day package, this offer is valid for bookings made until April 30, 2022 and events staged by October 31, 2022, for groups of 30 to 50 guests. One VIP will also be treated to a complimentary upgrade to a Private Pool Suite.

Alternatively, the “Healthy Meeting @ The Slate” package lets event planners create experiences inspired by the natural, transformative elements of Nai Yang Beach. This four-day package includes luxurious accommodations (starting from a Pearl Bed Suite), daily breakfast with fresh juice, smoothies and nutrient-packed dishes, two full-day meeting packages with morning and afternoon breaks, a specially prepared conference lunch with options for vegans and vegetarians, and a gala dinner. To enhance physical and mental well-being, The Slate will also provide 20-minute “stretchercise” and sunset rituals, along with mindfulness moments at KRU Precision Wellness, and the meeting room will even include fitness elements.

The health-giving package is priced at $515 USD (single) and $362 (double) and is valid until October 31, 2022 for groups of 20 to 50 people.

The Slate has a collection of modern meeting spaces that blend international amenities with authentic Thai charm, all surrounded by architect Bill Bensley’s original artworks. To showcase The Slate’s interiors, the new “Art Journey” is a QR code-enabled tour that transports guests through this living gallery and introduces its original sculptures and installations.

Meeting-planners can choose from a selection of venues, including the pillar-free 500-person Tongkah Hall, the bright and bold Jomon Pavilion with its vast windows, elevated ceilings and skylights, two intimate suites, and the Coliseum Garden, a space for al fresco receptions and cocktail evenings.

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Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit 2021

Written by Gill Dewar on September 2, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events, MICE.

Travel Event

Africa’s Travel & Tourism Summit set to take off in September

The Department of Tourism and South African Tourism will host the first ever Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit, which is set to take place from 20^th to 21^st September 2021, coinciding with Tourism Month in South Africa.

Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit aims to be a catalyst for engagement on the current state of tourism on the African continent. Taking into account challenges facing the global tourism industry, Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit will, through various engagement sessions, gather the tourism sector to share insights and ideas to explore collaborative efforts that can lead to recovery.

With an array of issues currently facing the sector, Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit aims to attract African community delegates, African Tourism Ministers, industry Associations, Tourism Boards, Destination Marketing Organisations as well as various partners across the tourism value chain.

Some of the major topics for discussion at the Summit include aviation, innovation, technology, the health and safety protocols currently in place, as well as the continent’s positioning post the COVID-19 pandemic for the African continent.

SA Tourism’s Acting CEO, Sthembiso Dlamini, highlighted that the African continent is resilient and that this Summit is important as it will contribute towards picking up the momentum within the sector, as it works towards an inclusive recovery.

“The COVID-19 pandemic may have dealt tourism, both business and leisure tourism, a heavy blow, but we are now in the recovery phase, and a summit of this nature is critical in ensuring that we are aligned as a continent whilst reigniting the tourism industry,” says Dlamini.

The Summit will be hosted in a hybrid format, over a two-day period. Delegates will have the option of attending virtually, or at identified venues across South Africa, or at three additional locations on the rest of the African continent, pending COVID-19 lockdown regulations. All venues will have COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place.

“We have opted for the hybrid format in order for us, as a continent, to lead the way in demonstrating how tourism can be enjoyed safely whilst adhering to health protocols. It is important that we are diligent in reigniting the sector, as it contributes significantly to the African economy,” adds Dlamini.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Tourism as well as South African Tourism were not able to host the MICE-focused Meetings Africa and leisure-focused Africa’s Travel Indaba 2021 editions which usually take place in February and May annually.

While Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit should not be seen as a replacement, it does provide a platform to showcase the African continent’s leisure tourism offerings and business event capabilities.

“In the absence of Africa’s Travel Indaba in 2020 and 2021, Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit is an innovative initiative for promoting intra-Africa tourism and also for sharing insights into the “state of readiness” for South Africa and the rest Africa to welcome the world during and post-COVID-19 pandemic,” says Kwakye Donkor, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Tourism Partners.

“I commend South African Tourism and the South African National Convention Bureau, for once again, showing commitment and leadership in tourism promotion across the continent. It will be so great to meet traditional and emerging trade partners again during the Summit. Well done to Team South Africa Tourism! We look forward to a very fruitful Summit,” concluded Donkor.

The SA Tourism Acting CEO also emphasised that Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit will act as a think tank for the continent, creating a platform for Africa’s tourism leaders to create solutions for Africa and contribute to global solutions for the industry.

Committed to ongoing transformation and development of the South African tourism industry, Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit will feature a dedicated day to empower SMMEs in the sector on 19 September 2021, as a precursor to the two-day conference which takes place on 20^th and 21^st September 2021.

Open to delegates from all countries, this Summit is an invitation to the world to join in as the African continent not only gears itself for recovery, but also to share in the African story.

Registration for the Summit will open in the afternoon on Friday, 20^th August 2021 and you can register on https://www.africatourismsummit.com/. Stay tuned to our social pages for more information on registration details.

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Lake Geneva gets new hotel

Written by Gill Dewar on September 1, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Switzerland:

The Woodward is Geneva’s first all-suite hotel, and it sits on Lake Geneva with stunning vistas of Mont Blanc.

The bar on luxury living in Geneva has been raised, thanks to the Sept. 1 opening of The Woodward Geneva, a 26-room all-suite hotel located on Quai Wilson, right on the shores of Lake Geneva with views of Mont Blanc.

The post-Haussmann-style building has long stunned from the outside, with a facade dating back to 1901 designed by French architect François Durel. While it started as L’Hôtel Bellevue and then became a private bank, it has now been meticulously restored back into a hotel, with every detail thoughtfully designed, led by the Pierre-Yves Rochon — the architect behind some of the world’s finest hotels, like the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, The St. Regis Rome, The Savoy in London, and Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris.

“Guests of The Woodward will feel as though they have taken up residence in a spectacular lake house unlike any other, combining the familiar comforts of a grand, luxury hotel with the warm embrace of personal touches found throughout,” Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Collection, tells Travel + Leisure.

The elegance of the Belle Époque hotel starts with the wrought-iron door featuring hand-decorated gold-leaf trimmings. This leads into a lobby surrounded with Macassar ebony wood walls and lustrous carpets. The lounge has Rochon’s own sofas atop Nepalese carpets, French gilded mirrors, a Baccarat crystal chandelier, a Hervé Van der Straeten bronze table, and Ralph Lauren armchairs. There are also pieces by Yann Jallu, made of gypsum, which is so fragile it would usually crumble when touched.

Each suite feels like a home of its own, with individual decor in every unit. “A favorite of mine is the Mont Blanc Suite, with its breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Geneva’s peaceful blue waters and the majestic mountain ridge in the distance,” Gruenert tells T+L. “The apartment-style suite boasts subtle shades of ivory and blue, coupled with beautiful design features such as marquetry doors, Lalique door handles, and a stunning Baccarat crystal chandelier. And I can’t forget the experience bar, which takes the traditional minibar and in-room entertaining to a whole new level.”

The food offerings are just as elevated, with outposts of two New York Michelin-starred restaurants, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (featuring a 36-person counter around an open kitchen) and Le Jardinier (located on two lakeside verandas). Both kitchens will be led by chef Olivier Jean, who was the executive chef at Taipei’s Michelin-starred L’Atelier.

Additionally, there will be two bars and a tea room, plus a cigar lounge in the building’s former bank vault. “Genevans have high expectations and refined palates,” Jean said in a statement. “They travel, they like novelty, but they appreciate the familiar… I want this restaurant to be a must for any epicurean!”

Relaxation also comes in style, thanks to the 12,917-square-foot Club Woodward, a fitness and wellness facility with a Guerlain Spa and the city’s longest private indoor swimming pool at nearly 70 feet, plus a gym, two saunas, two steam rooms, two Swedish baths, a Jacuzzi, six wellness rooms, and a barber room.

The Woodward is the tenth Masterpiece Hotel to be added to the Oetker Collection, which includes legendary properties like the Eden Rock St. Barths and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France’s Cap d’Antibes. It also marks the first all-suite hotel in Geneva.

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The Most Popular Dog friendly Hotels Around the World

Written by Gill Dewar on September 1, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

Travel news from around the world

Just in time for International Dog Day on Aug. 26, Expedia has released a new list of the most dog-friendly hotels in the world.

Below are the 12 hotels that are sure to earn a stamp of approval from travelers and their furry friends.

Hotel Normandie Los Angeles, CA
As a pet friendly hotel, Hotel Normandie knows the importance of keeping your canine content. Rest assured; at Hotel Normandie, they provide a multitude of amenities for your dog to enjoy. Guests can contact the property to request a pet friendly room, and they will accommodate accordingly. People Perk: Hotel Normandie offers a $20 food and beverage credit for guests.

Edgewater hotel – a Noble House Hotel Seattle, WA
The Edgewater invites four-legged friends to enjoy the ultimate in hosPETality at Seattle’s premier over-water hotel, as part of the Rock the Dog program. There is a one-time fee of $100 per stay, maximum two pets per room. Rock the Dog Program Includes: pet bed for use each night during stay, pet water and food bowl for use during stay, special treats upon check-in. People Perk: The Edgewater Hotel offers guests a $25 Food and Beverage credit upon arrival.

The Standard High Line New York, NY (Manhattan)
Good news if you are traveling to New York, The Standard High Line New York is pet friendly! One pet of any size is welcome for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are permitted, and well-behaved pets may be left in the room unattended. Additionally, the hotel provides complimentary use of food and water bowls and pet bedding. People Perk: Guest will receive a complimentary 20% off Food and Beverage credit.

Whitehall Hotel Chicago, IL
The Whitehall Hotel is Chicago’s most distinctive, pet-friendly hotel in the Magnificent Mile welcoming up to two four-legged companions of 30 lbs. or less per room for a small daily fee. People Perk: Guests will receive a $12 parking credit.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco San Francisco, CA
One of the most welcoming dog-friendly hotels in San Francisco, Hotel Nikko is a haven for travelers and their canine companions. Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, this pet friendly hotel is only steps away from Union Square, Chinatown, and the city’s dog parks, paths and restaurant patios. People Perk: Guest will get a waived resort fee when staying at Hotel Nikko.

Hotel Preston Nashville, TN
The Hotel Preston is a luxurious boutique that welcomes dogs with a fee of $25 per day upon checking in at the front desk. The hotel offers a doggy bag upon arrival featuring a water bowl, a toy and treats. Both dogs and cats are permitted, but pets may not be left unattended in rooms. There is also a designated pet relief area on the property. People Perk: guests will receive a $11 beverage credit per stay.

Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende Urban Resorts San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, MX
With Live Aqua’s Dog Friendly Hotels & Resorts program, furry friends can be part of a wonderful vacation. Guests will be gifted a special welcome kit that includes food and water bowls, water bottles and a pet bed. People Perk: Live Aqua offers free valet parking and 20% off a spa service.

Montage Los Cabos Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, MX
Montage Los Cabos accommodates guests with pets and provides the best possible care by offering an array of amenities and services that include a pet menu, doggy treats, dog-sitting services and more. People Perk: Montage Los Cabos offers guests a 20% off a spa service.

Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort – Adults Only Playa Mujeres, Quintana Roo, MX
Set within the beautiful and private gated community of Playa Mujeres, this award winning, adults-only, all-inclusive resort is a perfect beachside getaway for travelers with furry companions. People Perk: Secrets Playa Mujeres offers guests 20% off a spa service.

Ovolo South Yarra Melbourne, VIC, Australia
With Ovolo’s V.I.Pooch accommodation, guests can enjoy a hassle-free and stress-free vacation, both for themselves and their dogs. Obolo’s V.I.Pooch accommodation package provides guests with: a doggy bed, an eating and drinking mat and food bow, a doggy bag with specially designed toys and treats, as well as dog-friendly staff on hand to provide assistance when needed. People Perk: guests can enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine when staying at the Ovolo.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, Japan
Guests can enjoy staying in Tokyo with their furry family members. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo offers guest rooms equipped with amenities for pets, as well as a private dog park in Serenity Garden. Amenities including pet enclosures or cat houses, food bowls, excrement containers, adhesive rollers, wet tissues and more are available upon request. People Perk: Hotel Chinzanso offers free self-parking.

The Gyle London, England
The Gyle is a fabulous, pet friendly Victorian residence located in the colorful borough of Camden. Dogs can expect lots of attention with complimentary food, beds, bowls and walking maps. Plus, additional pet services like a dog walker are available if needed. People Perk: The Gyle offers a complimentary continental breakfast for guests.

To determine the winners, the online travel booking site dug through hotel reviews to identify 12 properties around the world that offer exceptional amenities for pups. Some of Expedia’s picks even offer perks for human companions.

At the Live Aqua Urban Resort San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, for example, pets are greeted with a water bottle, bed, and food and water bowls. Their humans get free valet parking and 20% of spa services.

The Hotel Preston in Nashville welcomes furry guests with a goodie bag and pet parents with an $11 beverage credit. Meanwhile, at the Ovolo South Yarra in Melbourne, Australia, the V.I.Pooch accommodation package comes with absolutely everything a dog on the road could need — and a bottle of wine for pet parents.

An overwater hotel even made Expedia’s list, and neither you nor your dog will have to spend a dozen hours on a plane to get there. The Edgewater hotel in Seattle, an overwater property located not far from iconic landmarks like the Space Needle, was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and has hosted rock stars such as Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, and The Beatles. The hotel’s Rock the Dog package will set you back an extra $100 per stay, but it includes pet beds, water and food bowls, and treats for up to two dogs.

And in Tokyo, the Hotel Chinzanso earned accolades for providing access to a private dog park. The fifth-floor dog park is situated within the hotel’s Serenity Garden, offering you and your dog a chance to find a moment of peace in a bustling metropolis.

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Safari Hotels & Conference Centre in Windhoek joins Accor’s portfolio

Written by Gill Dewar on September 1, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Namibia:

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Safari Hotels & Conference Centre, a prominent two-hotel complex in Windhoek, has become the first property in Namibia to join Accor’s portfolio.

The iconic city resort, conveniently located next to Eros Airport and just 10 minutes from the city centre, features the 215-key Safari Court Hotel, the 199-key Safari Hotel, and the country’s most prominent conference centre, with 16 venues including a 1,600-square-metre ballroom catering to 2,400 delegates.

This expansive hotel complex, considered the capital’s premier leisure and business destination, also offers swimming pools amid landscaped gardens, a selection of dining venues, a modern fitness centre, and a relaxed atmosphere, enhanced by warm hospitality and Namibian charm.

For relaxation, renewal, or pure pampering, the Oukolele Day Spa is known for its signature treatments using international skincare brands Algologie, Dermafix and Enviro, as well as the Jane Iredale mineral make-up range.

With Safari Hotels & Conference Centre now under Accor management, the property will undergo significant refurbishment in the coming months, with both hotels set to be rebranded. The Safari Court Hotel will be reimagined as an upscale brand and the Safari Hotel will be rebadged as an economy brand from the group’s portfolio.

Upgrades, which will be conducted while the property remains open, will span the entire complex and improvements will include the addition of new dynamic dining venues and hospitality concepts.

“Safari Hotels & Conference Centre is a landmark property, synonymous with Namibian hospitality, and its transition to a branded hotel complex under Accor’s expert management and new visionary ownership will capitalise on its facilities, location and reputation to realise its true potential,” said Craig Erasmus, Vice President Operations, Sub Saharan Africa, Accor.

“We look forward to continue welcoming our guests as we usher a new exciting chapter for this city resort, promising them enhanced hospitality experiences that will make for a memorable stay.”

With the Safari Hotels & Conference Centre now part of Accor’s network, guests have the opportunity to join the group’s successful loyalty platform and daily lifestyle companion, Accor Live Limitless (ALL). Leveraging Accor’s vast portfolio of hospitality brands and carefully curated partnerships, ALL offers its more than 68 million members globally a raft of exclusive benefits and services that meet their lifestyle needs and aspirations.

Accor currently operates more than 157 properties in Africa with 85 more in the pipeline.

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New flights from Tel Aviv to Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 1, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

Tel Aviv, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain
Direct connecting Tel Aviv with airports in the UAE, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain will expand the travel and tourism reach in the Middle East.

The world for Israelis became a lot larger with US president Trump negotiating a peace deal with a growing number of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf Region.

America First is the slogan by US President Trump and the means weapon sales since it is expected all these countries will now be allowed to obtain military equipment from the U.S. This is good for the ailing US economy but also dangerous if implemented too quickly and with the purpose to win a US election.

Earlier, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump of a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner revealed that two Arab states have agreed to open their skies to transit flights to and from Israel, including Bahrain, which is set to join the signing of the UAE-Israeli deal.
Morocco and Israel are set to establish direct air flights as a to normalize Arab-Israeli relations, the Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday.

The report came as part of the Arab-Israeli normalization efforts launched by the Trump administration after reaching the UAE-Israeli agreement. The signing of an agreement is scheduled to take place at the White House as soon as next Tuesday.

On 15 August, The Times of Israel reported, citing anonymous US officials, that Morocco would be the next Arab country to normalize relations with Tel Aviv, after the UAE. Although Morocco has no official diplomatic relations with Israel, there are tourism and trading relations between the two nations. In addition, Moroccan Jews are the second-largest Jewish community in Israel, after Russian Jews, exceeding one million people.

On Wednesday, Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser, Jared Kushner, told reporters that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain had agreed to open their skies for flights to and from Israel.

On Friday, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain announced agreeing to join the Tuesday signing of the UAE-Israeli peace deal. UAE and Bahrain will become the third and fourth Arab states, respectively, to normalize relations with Israel.

In the past, only Egypt and Jordan have had official relations with Tel Aviv, but even in Qatar Israel trade offices operating in secret had been in place for years.

Spotted in e-turbonews

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Virgin Atlantic announces codeshare with Middle East Airlines

Written by Traveltalksteam on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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Lebanon
Virgin Atlantic has announced a new codeshare agreement with Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA), offering connections between the US and Beirut via London Heathrow.

The codeshare will allow customers booking through Virgin to travel from Boston, New York JFK and Los Angeles to Beirut and vice versa via London Heathrow Terminal 3.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“We’re delighted to launch this new codeshare partnership with MEA Middle East Airlines -Air Liban. As we recover from the pandemic, partnerships are more important than ever, and we look forward to building on the incredibly successful interline relationship we have had in place for a number of years.  

“With a large diaspora population of Lebanese living in the US, this new partnership aims to respond to the large, fast-growing demand to visit friends and relatives as people start to travel to visit their loved ones post Covid-19. We also expect to capture demand for business and leisure travel to the vibrant city of Beirut as travel restrictions begin to relax and global economies gradually recover from the impact of the pandemic.”

Walid Abillama, Head of Commercial Strategy and Alliances at Middle East Airlines, commented:

“Our interline relationship with Virgin Atlantic was the first to target the US travel market to Beirut, and so it is natural for us to partner with Virgin Atlantic and build the first US codeshare agreement targeting Beirut.”

“We are hopeful that this partnership will reintegrate Beirut within the global economy as a post Covid-19 travel destination and will maintain its promise of resilience.”

Middle East Airlines-Air Liban is a Skyteam member and operates flights to 32 international destinations in Europe, the Middle East and West Africa.

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Kempinski to enter South America for first time

Written by Gill Dewar on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Brazil:

Kempinski is preparing to welcome its first ever resort with residences in South America.

Kempinski Laje de Pedra Hotel & Residences in Canela, Brazil was designed by Edgar Graeff, a disciple of Oscar Niemeyer, and originally opened in 1978.

Today, the hotel is known far beyond the borders of the Serra Gaúcha region, having played host to the signing of the Mercosur treaty in 1992.

Situated on a cliff in Canela with a breath-taking view over the Vale do Quilombo eco reserve, the developers, together with Kempinski Hotels, plan to open the most outstanding luxurious inland resort in Brazil.

By carrying the spirit of this well-known hotel icon into the present and after an extensive renovation and modernisation, it is foreseen that it will welcome the first guests by 2024.

“After being the absolute place to be in the first decades after its opening, the Laje de Pedra has fallen into a slumber, so to speak, in recent times,” said Bernold Schroeder, chief executive of Kempinski Hotels.

“The aim is to bring this historic and architectural icon back to life with our commitment to first-class quality combined with timeless European elegance and to position it as a top destination at the highest level.

“It is an excellent opportunity for us to tackle the South American market with such an exceptional project.”

A total of 360 elegant and state-of-the-art residential suites ranging in size from 54 to 290 square metres will be partially sold, with future owners able to use all of the services of the hotel or rent out their apartment temporarily when they are not on site themselves.

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Bolivian Wine: high altitude, high quality and…healthy?

Written by Gill Dewar on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Bolivian wine-growers in Tarija are continuing a centuries-old tradition in a bid to join the world stage with their unique and potentially healthy wines.

In the department of Tarija, southern Bolivia, little known vineyards are producing wine almost 2,000m above sea level. They have been growing grapes here since Jesuit missionaries started the tradition in the 17th Century.

The wine production is mostly concentrated at an altitude of 1,600m to 2,000m. However, in hot Andean regions there are some crops as high as 3,000m.

“Winemaking in the rest of the world ends where we begin,” says Helmut Kohlberg, Vineyard Director at Bodegas Kohlberg.

“In all parts of the world, the winemaking is at sea level, 800m, 1000m, a little more. But we only start to have wine making at this altitude.”

How can wine be good for me?
The 5,000 hectares of vineyards in Tarija are sheltered from strong winds and benefit from a temperate climate with intense sunshine during the day and humidity at night.

“The altitude means that we have less ozone layer filtering the rays, which means there’s more ultraviolet rays at higher altitudes … which produces a response from the plant,” explains Nelson Sfarcich, a wine making expert.

The strong UV rays cause the grapes to grow thicker skins. Grape skins contain resveratrol, a chemical that some studies have suggested can help protect against cancer and heart disease. The thick skinned grapes grown in this area contain a higher level of resveratrol than those grown at lower altitudes.

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How does high altitude wine taste?
Wines from vineyards at altitude supposedly appeal to those that “like elegant wines”.

“They’re wines that don’t have a very high alcohol content, but rather they have smooth aromas and flavours that are strong at the same time,” says Maria Jose Granier, owner of the artisanal Jardin Oculto vineyard.

The well-known Muscat of Alexandria grape, used in 70 per cent of Bolivia’s wine crops, produces “sweet wines that are quite aromatic,” according to Carla Molina Garcia, an independent sommelier.

It is the aromatic nature of these high altitude wines that is pushing growers to target a niche, high-quality market.

But Bolivian vineyards have their neighbours in Argentina and Chile to compete with. As the seventh and eighth largest wine producers in the world respectively, the two countries have around 200,000 hectares of vineyards between them.

Though there is limited physical space for the producers in Tarija to be able to expand production, they are striving to improve the quality of their product and hope that Bolivia will become known for its distinctive wines.

Spotteed in www.euronews.com

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Château Tongariro returns to the Roaring 20s in New Zealand’s best travel deals

Written by Leandro Agostini on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

Travel news from around the world

New Zealand:

Chateau Tongariro Hotel believe in providing visitors with a timeless elegance and believe in preserving history and tradition.

Chateau Tongariro Hotel believe in providing visitors with a timeless elegance and believe in preserving history and tradition. The location within a Dual World Heritage National Park ensures the hotel is an advocate for conservation and upholds a meaningful relationship with local Maori.

The elegant Chateau Tongariro is located within Whakapapa Village – in the heart of the Tongariro National Park and was constructed in 1929.

Today, the hotel provides accommodation, restaurants, bars, conference facilities and is a popular wedding destination throughout the year.

The Chateau Tongariro Hotel is surrounded by a stunning natural playground bursting with diverse landscapes for visitors to the Tongariro National Park to discover.

spotted in https://www.visitruapehu.com/

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Lollapalooza Music Festival comes to Argentina

Written by Gill Dewar on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events.

LOLLAPALOOZA ARGENTINA 26 – 28 November 2021

One of the premier music festivals in the world, Lollapalooza is three days of non-stop music, vibes and good times.

Drawing a diverse crowd from crop top wearing, flower crown toting millenials to longtime fans and festival veterans, one thing’s for sure: with such a unique and impressive history, once you have your first Lolla experience under your belt, it’s unlikely it’ll be your last.

As a festival that began as a touring event, it only makes sense that they’d want to keep the tradition alive.

In 2011, Lollapalooza marked it’s territory by expanding into South America, performing it’s first international show in Santiago. São Paulo became another destination in 2012 as well as Buenos Aires, in 2013.

The very first Lollapalooza in Europe was held in Berlin in 2015. Today, the event is part of the cultural identity of Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany — and who knows where it may show up next.

Lollapalooza has become one of the premier music events in Argentina thanks to its staggering lineup of artists. The Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires hosts this gigantic three-day event.

LollaPalooza is a multi-genre music festival, with one major dance stage. It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty years since Lollapalooza first took the stage with amplifiers cranked to eleven.

From the early days when flannel-clad grunge rockers cleared out mosh pits for bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam to the present, when Arcade Fire and Kanye West draw gigantic crowds of all ages, the festival has taken on a life of its own, infused with the incredible energy of fans and the artists that rock them.

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Sojo Hotels nominated at World Travel Awards

Written by Leandro Agostini on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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The company is seeking to set an example of adaptation in Vietnam, with its brand-new ‘touchless’ hotel model.

The chain minimises physical contact between people and objects, as well as direct contact between people.

Instead of checking in with a front desk receptionist, guests can check in online 48 hours in advance or utilise the automated check-in kiosk system when they arrive at the hotel lobby.

Instead of pressing buttons, pulling switches, picking up room keys or drawing the curtains, guests can also use a single mobile key integrated within the Sojo app.

The company has used technology to build a live chat system between ‘Gurus’ (versatile and multi-tasking customer representatives) and the guests to ensure communication remains smooth.

More Information

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Spotted in: https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/

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Anantara Ubud Bali Resort Set for Mid-2022 Launch

Written by Leandro Agostini on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

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Bali:

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has announced the planned opening of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort in mid-2022. It is the brand’s third resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located in the hillside village of Payangan, it is a one-and-a-half-hour drive away from Bali’s international airport and 35 minutes from the center of Ubud by car.

Guests can choose from 85 rooms, and one- and two-bedroom pool villas. For a longer stay, guests can choose from 15 Anantara residences. The resort has several restaurants that provide sustainable local and international cuisine, icluding locally sourced organic produce from the hills surrounding the resort. Guests can opt for nutritionally healthy menus or explore the “Dining by Design” experiences curated by a private chef in and around the resort.

Amenities include an infinity swimming pool and a gym and fitness facility, while the spa at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is equipped with foot-massage pods, single and couple’s treatment rooms and a hair salon. Visiting wellness practitioners will offer a range of traditional holistic treatments. There’s also a dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs to engage younger guests with a range of activities tailored to the interests of different age groups.

Top attractions of Ubud, including the Hanging Gardens, the terraced rice fields, the Puri Saren Royal Palace and Bali’s Seminyak Beach are located nearby and can be accommodated on a day trip.

In other recent Anantara news, the company announced the upcoming addition to its Middle East portfolio: Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort. The resort is in the final stages of development in the World Islands archipelago, located in the Arabian Gulf, approximately two-and-a-half miles off the coast of Dubai.

Spotted in Luxury Travel Advisor

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Malta – Perfect Location to Continue Pride Celebrations in September

Written by Gill Dewar on August 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events, MICE.

Malta Pride September 2021

Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean, is the perfect location to continue Pride celebrations September 10-19.

Malta was ranked #1 by ILGA-Europe on the EU Rainbow List for the 6th year in a row and is one of the world’s top LGBTQ+ travel destinations. Malta has achieved an overall score of 94% for LGBTQI human rights.

Malta Pride Week is a great opportunity for LGBTQ+ travelers to explore the three sister islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino while celebrating pride week in a travel destination known for its 7000 years of history, culinary delights including 5 Michelin star restaurants, great beaches and nightlife. Malta plans a wide array of events to enjoy during their week long celebration ensuring a memorable experience for all LGBTQ+ visitors.

Malta Pride week has a week full of events in every category including fashion, art, film and music.

Large LGBT Pride celebrations in the heart of the Mediterranean. This annual gay festival on Malta island features street parties, LGBT floats, parades, concerts, events and fun-filled activities.

The Malta Pride 2021 March takes place on Saturday, September 12th in Valetta. Another highlight of this weeklong festival is the after-Pride dance party, featuring top local & international DJ’s and performers.

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The World’s Best Airports in 2021

Written by Gill Dewar on August 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Singapore Changi Airport falls from top spot as world’s best airports for 2021 revealed

For the first time in nearly a decade, Singapore’s Changi Airport has lost its place at the top of Skytrax’s annual ranking of the world’s best airports at the World Airport Awards.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which has been climbing the ranks for years, has been rewarded with the number one spot in 2021 in the “World’s Best Airport” category.

This year, Changi placed third — an achievement for any other airport, but perhaps not from the perspective of its superfans, who regularly praise the airport’s ease, comfort and top-notch food and drink options.

Doha’s ascendance coincides with hard work from its flagship airline, Qatar Airways. The Qatari government has invested heavily in both its national carrier and its airport, with pretty spectacular results.

Travelers on Qatar Airways who have a connecting flight at HIA can enjoy free city tours, gratis accommodation and food (depending on the length of the layover) and a VIP transfer service where airline employees meet visitors as they de-plane and guide them seamlessly through the airport and onto their connecting flight.

Airports in Europe and Asia dominated the rest of the 2021 list. Japan was voted best-rated country overall, with three airports in the top 10, including both of Tokyo’s airports (Narita and Haneda).

The World Airport Awards are voted for by customers in a global airport satisfaction survey conducted from August 2020 until July 2021.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 in the “World’s Best Airport” category:

1. Hamad International Airport (HIA)

2. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

3. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

4. Incheon International Airport (ICN)

5. Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

6. Munich Airport (MUC)

7. Zurich Airport (ZRH)

8. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

9. Kansai International Airport (KIX)

10. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

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Underwater ‘forest’ off the coast of Ayia Napa

Written by Gill Dewar on August 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Amazing Facts.

Jason deCaires Taylor is the mastermind behind the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (Musan)

Artist Jason deCaires Taylor has made a big splash in the art world once more – this time with an underwater forest off the coast of party hotspot Ayia Napa in Cyprus.

The Briton is known for creating underwater museums that feature striking sculpture collections. He’s created aquatic sculpture gardens everywhere from Cannes, Mexico, Grenada, the Bahamas, Lanzarote, Norway, Australia, and the Maldives – though this one was partially destroyed after it was deemed offensive.

Titled Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (Musan), his latest submerged endeavour is 200 metres (656ft) off the coast of Pernera Beach and features 93 sculptures on the seabed between eight and 10 metres (26 to 33ft) below the surface.

The exhibition, made with a budget of £846,685 (€1million), opened last month, with divers and snorkelers invited to explore what lies beneath.

The artworks, lowered into the sea using a crane, allude to the relationship between man and nature, with life-size sculptures of children pointing cameras and playing amid 13-tonne blue-tinged trees that catch the light as swimmers paddle overhead.

Made in conjunction with the government of Cyprus, the artworks are intended to resemble a path through the forest floor.

And it’s hoped that the materials will be a haven for sea life.

A launch statement said: ‘The sculptures have been designed and made with materials that attract marine life, and are placed at different depths, thus creating a suitable substrate for marine life at all levels.

‘The sculptures are made of inert materials, with neutral pH, so as not to affect the area adversely. It’s a sandy area and it is expected that over time the biodiversity of the area will be enriched, thanks to the museum.’

The artist describes the sculptures as ‘active catalysts’ in nurturing aquatic life and reefs, meaning Musan will become an evolving and growing underwater forest.

Ayia Napa’s Mayor, Christos Zannettou, said: ‘We believe that with this unique diving museum visitors will be able to enjoy an underwater oasis.’

The past 20 years have seen maritime ecosystems in the Mediterranean deplete radically, with eco-artists like deCaires Taylor determined to make a change.

The qualified diving instructor is preoccupied with man’s impact on the earth in his work, which has a focus on biodiversity.

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Eurowings starts flights to Armenia

Written by Traveltalksteam on August 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

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COLOGNE/BONN, AUGUST 6,
Source: ARMENPRESS. Eurowings airline is launching a new direct connection and will fly its passengers from Cologne/Bonn to the Armenian capital Yerevan for the first time.

Starting August 6, every Friday, an Airbus A320 takes off for Armenia at 2.20 pm, arriving at 8.40 pm. The return flight departs on the same day at 9.30 p.m. and lands at Cologne/Bonn Airport at 00.20 am the next day. All flight times are local times, the airline said in a news release.

Marcelo Wende, Director of “Armenia” International Airports” CJSC, said: “We are happy that Eurowings is entering the Armenian market. We congratulate the airline and wish them successful operation and safe flights. From now on, opportunities to travel directly to Europe will increase.”

“It a big pleasure for us at Eurowings to serve for the first time the Armenian market and offer the regular Eurowings flights from “Zvartnots” International Airport of Yerevan to Cologne. Together with Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa as of next Friday and now Eurowings, as one of the leading European Low Cost Carriers, we are glad to increase our Lufthansa Group presence in Yerevan and therefore offer more opportunities for travelers from Armenia” René Koinzack, General Manager Sales Ukraine, South Caucasus, Belarus and Turkmenistan at Lufthansa Group.

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Egypt’s ancient King Khufu’s Boat moved from Giza pyramids to new home

Written by Gill Dewar on August 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Amazing Facts, MICE.

CAIRO – King Khufu’s Boat, an ancient vessel that is the oldest and largest wooden boat discovered in Egypt, has been painstakingly moved from its longstanding home next to the Giza pyramids to a nearby giant museum, officials said.

The 4 600-year-old vessel, also known as the Solar Boat, was moved to the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), due to be inaugurated later in 2021.

“The aim of the transportation project is to protect and preserve the biggest and oldest organic artefact made of wood in the history of humanity for the future generations,” the tourism and antiquities ministry said in a statement.

It took 48 hours to transport the cedarwood boat, which is 42 metres long and weighs 20 tons, to its new home. It arrived at the GEM in the early hours of Saturday, the ministry said.

The boat was transported as a single piece inside a metal cage carried on a remote-controlled vehicle imported especially for the operation, said Atef Moftah, supervisor general of the GEM project.

The vessel, discovered in 1954 at the southern corner of the Great Pyramid, has been exhibited for decades at a museum bearing its name at Giza Plateau.

Egypt says the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has been under construction intermittently for 17 years, will contain more than 100 000 artefacts when it opens.

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Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper

Written by Gill Dewar on August 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, MICE.

Deal signed to construct Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper

Zanzibar is set to build Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper and what will be the continent’s largest hotel.

According to a number of news reports, Zanzibar has inked a deal for a major development that will see the construction of Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper and the largest hotel built at a cost of $1.3 billion.

The Zanzibar Domino Commercial Tower project will be home to a man-made island and come complete with a marina where cruise ships and yachts can dock.

In addition, the development will have several luxury hotels, resorts, apartments, a golf course and a wedding chapel.

The project is a joint venture between AICL Group in Tanzania and Crowland Management. A contract has been signed with architect xCassia, which has been tasked with the design of what will be the tallest building in East, Central and Southern Africa.

Zanzibar’s Minister of State in the President’s Office, Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga was quoted as saying that the project was a major step towards building the island nation’s blue economy.

“Its implementation supports the government’s efforts in inviting more local and foreign investors to the isles,” he said.

The estimated timeline for the project’s completion date is in four years. When complete, the tower will be 300m, surpassing the 228m Leonardo development in Sandton. South Africa. It will be rivalled by the Iconic Tower in Cairo, Egypt, which is expected to stretch into the sky at a height of 385m when complete in 2022.

Inspired design

The entire development has been planned over three sites that will be linked by both high and low bridge structures. The Arrivals Plaza, Zanzibar Domino and Island Resort will reportedly each have unique identities.

Guests will enter the property from the Arrivals Plaza. The Zanzibar Domino Bridge will form the backbone of all transport and services.

The Zanzibar Domino will be located 1.5km off the island’s main road, radiating out 250m to incorporate the marina.

The tower itself will comprise 560 apartments across two residences while five and six-star hotel apartments will add another 360 rooms. The resorts and wedding chapel will be accessible privately by helicopter, boat or bridge.

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LOLLAPALOOZA ARGENTINA 26 – 28 November 2021

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Malta Pride September 2021

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Singapore Changi Airport falls from top spot as world’s best airports for 2021 revealed

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Deal signed to construct Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper

Zanzibar is set to build Africa’s second-tallest skyscraper and what will be the continent’s largest hotel.

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