Cruise Ship Spas

Written by Gill Dewar on January 5, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Cruise, Travel Advice.

January 05 2022 – Cruise Ship Spas.

To wash away last year’s stress and anxiety, luxury travelers are heading back to the high seas for a much-needed getaway. Increasingly, they’re also looking for therapeutic indulgences — a soothing massage or facial, a wellness activity, acupuncture or a medi-spa treatment.

What’s On Offer

With its next new ship, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur, on the horizon for a late 2023 debut, Regent Seven Seas Cruiseslast month also restarted cruise operations with the 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer. The ship is now repositioning to PortMiami and will operate a season of Caribbean voyages between mid-November 2021 and March 2022.

An enclave of tranquility aboard Seven Seas Explorer is the Serene Spa & Wellness space, which offers treatments originating from the hundreds of destinations to which the cruise line sails. Guests have such restorative and body nourishing options as an Elemis facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, other restorative treatments, as well as a luxury Kerastase salon service. Plus, guests can experience the wellness aspect in culinary and shore excursion choices too.

For the ultimate in pampering, we’d recommend the full body “Regent Massage,” which involves a mixture of rosemary, sea funnel and Mediterranean sea buckhorn being worked into areas of body tension to soothe and detoxify muscles. The experience is enhanced by warm, eucalyptus-infused paraffin mitts and boots which nourish and hydrate the guest’s hands and feet.

One blissful treatment we also like is the 50-minute “Calming Rose Facial,” which is designed to comfort sensitive skin with a natural blend of rose absolute to hydrate the dermis. Rose extracts are used to smooth fine lines and a warm rose balm is massaged onto the guest’s hands and arms (think “pure relaxation”) and the result is smooth skin that’s soft as a rose petal.

Seven Seas Explorer also has a jogging track and robust fitness center. Guests who are 16 and older can enter the fitness center and use its spinning bikes, weights, treadmills, Technogym Strength Machines and work-out mats. One-on-one training can be arranged too.

The new 596-passenger Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises’ newest vessel, is now sailing the ocean blue and has a redesigned spa and fitness center with a large thermal area, relaxation area and gym. But Luxury Travel Advisor is highly anticipating the launch of the ultra-luxury line’s next new vessel, Silver Dawn, setting sail in spring 2022, as that sister vessel will offer a pioneering new wellness program called Otium.

Drawing from the line’s Italian heritage, “otium” in Roman culture and lifestyle was the opposite of “negotium” (the nonexistence of pleasure). In contrast, “otium” was a period of time that Romans devoted to leisure — bathing, conversing, theorizing, drinking, eating and relaxing.

So, diverging from many cruise ship existing wellness programs, Otium encourages balanced indulgence, pampering, and pleasure over sacrifice and delayed gratification. The view is that wellness should be a natural, enjoyable part of the day; that living well and being well are not mutually exclusive; and that wellness need not be a solitary, silent experience, but rather a social pursuit that is best enjoyed with others.

The Otium Spa Experience will begin with Silversea’s redesign of the spa and a highly selective treatment menu, designed by wellness experts for optimum relaxation. Beyond the massages and other pampering treatments, guests will unwind and socialize in the spa’s thermal areas with a glass of champagne or signature snacks enriched with such ingredients as caviar and truffles.

Crystal’s newest ship, the expeditionary 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor is a robust explorer that begins Antarctica cruises this month. It carries 18 Zodiacs, 14 sea kayaks and a two-guest (plus the pilot) submersible. Led by a team of veteran guides and naturalist experts, cruisers can head out for wildlife and marine life viewing, Zodiac landings ashore, kayaking adventures and much more.

But when travelers return to the ship or simply need a day’s relaxation, the full-service Crystal Life Salon & Spa and state-of-the-art Fitness Center offers relaxation and pampering. How about a 75-minute Hot Mineral Body Boost,” in which guests lie on the line’s famed “Amber and Quartz Crystal” bed? Heated minerals warm and relax the body, soothing Amber balm is applied and a restorative facial massage completes the treatment.

A 50-minute “Coconut Poultice Massage,” a 50-minute “Elemis High Performance Skin Energizer,” or for tired legs after a long hike ashore, the 40-minute “Ionithermie Revitalizing Leg Therapy” are among dozens of other options. Cruisers can also arrange for acupuncture, medi-spa treatments or personal training or attend pure-form yoga or pilates sessions.

Seabourn soon will have two new PC6 Polar Class expedition ships in the water — Seabourn Venture, slated for a March 2022 delivery, and Seabourn Pursuit, scheduled for a February 2023 delivery. Each will carry two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, kayaks, and a 26-person expedition team to engage guests throughout each voyage.

But the beauty of an ultra-luxury ship is that there is plenty of attention paid to relaxation and pampering too. Occupying a space all its own on Deck 7, Seabourn Venture’s 3,700-square-foot Spa & Wellness space been designed by Adam D. Tihany, as has the ship’s yoga and fitness areas, which offer floor-to-ceiling sea views. The spa’s sauna will also offer floor-to-ceiling windows, a new design amenity for Seabourn and unique to its expedition ships

Sleek and serene, the Spa & Wellness space will reflect the concept of a contemporary “floating forest,” with such details as a textured tree-inspired art mural, light wood-and-bronze material palette, live wood features and natural stone flooring. Design-wise, “branches of the floating forest” will spread into four tranquil treatment rooms, each with neutral, textured wall coverings, light wood, and bronze accents.

Cruisers can select from massages for face and body, plus detox, cleansing and wrap services. Within the spa, a fitness center will offer cardio and strength equipment as well as a fitness director to offer assessments and train guests in fitness regimes.

Seabourn’s guests also can enhance their physical, social, environmental and spiritual wellbeing through the line’s onboard Mindful Living Program: Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil. Led by a Mindful Living Coach, the program will offer a holistic mind-and-body approach to wellbeing. Luxury Travel Advisor would suggest guests participate in the complimentary yoga and guided meditation sessions, as well as attend seminars on such topics as nutrition, integrative medicine, pain management and creative aging.

Pampering Enclaves

Viking’s ninth oceangoing ship, the new, 930-passenger Viking Saturn will join the Viking fleet in early 2023 and sail new itineraries in Scandinavian and Nordic countries. The line’s ships offer modern Scandinavian design and similar spaces from ship to ship; guests essentially know what to expect and like it that way. Luxury Travel Advisor particularly likes the Viking oceangoing ships for their serene Wintergarden, an elegant space under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood. It’s perfect for relaxing with a good book or indulging in afternoon tea service.

In keeping with Viking’s Nordic heritage, LivNordic Spa on board is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a snow grotto where snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air. Pool-wise, in addition to the Main Pool with its retractable roof (permitting any-season swimming) the ship will offer Viking’s glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern, allowing guests to swim and take in sea or destination views.

Now under construction by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, Oceania Cruises’ new 1,200-passenger Vista will begin cruising with guests aboard in 2023. In addition to fielding such signature spaces as the Grand Staircase, Grand Dining Room and Grand Lounge, this upscale ship will offer relaxation and water play areas too. Its Pool Deck is expected to be a tranquil oasis for luxury guests, as they can opt to relax in a modern, beach club cabana.

When it’s time for a relaxing spa treatment, the new Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center will offer tranquil treatment areas. This area also includes work-out and personal training spaces, a salon and barbershop. Plus, a spa terrace will offer sweeping sea views.

Azamara’s four boutique ships including the 702-passenger Azamara Pursuit setting sail in 2022 all offer a full-service Sanctum Spa. Cruisers can book an oceanfront massage, get a quick manicure before hitting the town to explore, enhance their “look” with teeth whitening or barber services, or even book an acupuncture treatment.

This spa also offers state-of-the-art skincare services and restorative facials for both men and women. As for massages, cruisers have their pick of hot stone therapy, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and other exotic massage treatments from around the world. We’d suggest trying the “Elemis Aroma Seaweed Massage,” or for body sculpting, a lime-and-ginger salt glow.

At the Sanctum Terrace, a private spa deck, guests also can sit in a bubbling saltwater bath with powerful water jets that massage the body — and at the same time, soak in the great views. Beyond the spa, Azamara offer complimentary onboard fitness and nutrition classes. Optional one-on-one personal training is available.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s 298-passenger Evrima, begins sailing in May 2022 and is expected to be an enclave of floating luxury, much like a private yachting experience with added perks. For example, within the ship’s Ritz-Carlton Spa, guests can enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment with ESPA products in one of five private, ocean-view treatment rooms. In addition, the vessel has a full-service beauty lounge, gentleman’s grooming salon, sauna and steam room. Quiet zones will allow guests to disconnect from the world and connect with themselves.

Concluding a $250 million “Star Plus Initiative” renovation project, Windstar Cruises has taken delivery of its third all-suite Star Plus Class ship, Star Pride, the last of three sister vessels that have emerged “stretched” and transformed. Each ship’s capacity was increased to 312 passengers, 50 new suites were added; and all accommodations have new bathrooms. Star Pride will remain in Italy until it resumes sailing in the Mediterranean in April 2022.

The updated Star Pride offers more of what Windstar’s repeat guests told the line they desired. For example, guests can dine at two new venues — Star Grill by Steven Raichlen and a new specialty restaurant, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso. Best of all, for spa fans, the ship now has an expanded and redesigned World Spa by Windstar.

We’d suggest for a glacial mud body wrap or perhaps a basalt stone massage. Those who want to work out in the gym can use new and improved Technogym equipment. Another plus is that Star Pride has a newly expanded sundeck with a new pool and whirlpool.

The first new ship in 20 years for upscale Sea Cloud Cruises, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit, is now sailing. Combining five-star comfort, the feel of a private yacht and traditional seamanship, this three-masted, fully rigged sailing vessel (also motorized) is a modern interpretation of the line’s 90-year-old Sea Cloud flagship. The vessel’s spa has two treatment rooms, a steam bath, Finnish sauna, hairdressing salon and a large outdoor area, and there’s also a fitness center.

SeaDream Yacht Club offers a luxury, Thai-certified SeaDream Spa and Salon on its two yachting vessels, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. Thai-certified therapists provide such spa favorites as Sisley Paris treatments, radiant facials, detoxifying treatments, a soothing aroma massage and “Traditional Thai Massage” for men, women, and couples. Hair and nail services are also offered, and some spa treatments can be arranged in the ship’s open-air private massage area, if weather permits.

Expedition Ships

In September, Ponant launched its first high polar exploration vessel, the 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot, notable as it’s the cruise industry’s first luxury hybrid electric polar ship; that means it can cut through a greater thickness of ice and can reach rarely visited places like Peter I Island, 300 miles off the Antarctica coast. The 123-cabin Polar Class PC2 ship also will operate on a mix of eco-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric battery power.

The ship’s 4,600-square-foot Wellness Lounge called Nuan, located on Deck 9, is home to the Spa Biologique Recherche with three massage and beauty cubicles (including one double cubicle with a sea view), a nail salon and two lounges with sea views where guests can wait or relax after a session.

Other spaces include a hair salon, sauna, a snow room, plus the gym, which has a sea view where guests can wait or relax after a treatment. In addition, there’s a heated indoor swimming pool with a glass roof and counter-current swimming; a sunroom with large external-facing windows; and a Detox bar with sofas and armchairs.

New to the cruise industry is luxe-adventure Atlas Ocean Voyages. The first of five planned expedition ships, the 196-passenger World Navigator launched this year; it’s sailing in Antarctica this winter season. The ship’s 947-square-foot SeaSpa by L’Occitane offers two treatment rooms, a Serenity Room (capacity for eight) and an infrared sauna.

Luxury travelers can opt for 25 minutes of “Shea Ultra-Softening Hand Care,” or go full-in for a 60-minute or 90-minute “Deep Tissue Intense Relief” body massage. Four kinds of face care treatments are available, as is a 25-minute “Aromachologie Foot Relief” treatment, a 20-minute “Mind Relaxing Massage,” and much more.

During 2019, just before the pandemic began, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises launched Hanseatic Inspiration, designated as the line’s bilingual expedition ship with both English and German as official languages. On Deck 8, the 2,530-square-foot Ocean Spa offers treatment rooms with a nature-focused design; a Finnish sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor area; plus, a steam sauna, hydrotherapy shower and ice fountain.

In addition, guests can also enjoy massage and cosmetic treatments in light-filled rooms with a sea view. The focus of the entire ship is “Inspired by Nature,” so sustainable products by Vinoble, Hyapur, John Masters Organics and Nailberry are exclusively used in spa treatments. Hanseatic Inspiration also has a spacious fitness area adjacent to the spa with its own floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and its own outdoor area too.

Many other classic, boutique and expedition ships also offer luxurious spa experiences including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and the “new luxury” Celebrity Cruises. For example, Celebrity offers a Spa with 120 treatments, a SEA Thermal Suite with eight distinct spaces for guests to navigate a path to wellness, plus F45 fitness classes and Peloton cycling.

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Israel travel: Likely no more red countries by next week – health official

Written by Leandro Agostini on January 4, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

January 04 2022 -travel: Likely no more red countries by next week – health official

at the moment, the US, the UK and several other nations are still classified as red, with severe limitations on traveling to and from Israel.

By next week, there most likely won’t be any more red countries, Ilana Gens, head of the Health Ministry’s Public Health Services headquarters, told the Knesset Law and Constitution Committee.

At the moment, the list of red countries due to COVID-19 includes the US, the UK, the UAE, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Turkey.

“We estimate that next week, the list will remain empty because the model is relative and we are considering the ratio with morbidity in the country and also the incidence of morbidity from abroad on general morbidity,” she said, noting that as the impact of cases imported from abroad becomes less significant, there is less epidemiological justification in restricting travel.

Starting from Sunday, vaccinated tourists from non-red countries will be able to enter Israel.

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More resilient tourism industry emerging in 2022

Written by Gill Dewar on January 4, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

January 04 2022 – More resilient tourism industry emerging in 2022

Just as the African tourism industry was starting to show promising signs of recovery, a new variant reared its ugly head and threw everything off-kilter. Luckily, Africa specialists predict that a flourishing future awaits the travel and tourism industry in Africa in 2022 and beyond.

The world’s reaction to the fact that South Africa’s scientists identified the omicron variant, was nothing short of devastating, especially for the South African tourism industry. In a knee-jerk reaction, countries around the world closed their borders to Africa one by one.

The effect? In just 48 hours, South Africa’s tourism industry lost over $64 million in travel bookings. That is according to the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, representing the South African hospitality and the international inbound tourism private sector, respectively.

Even though the industry breathed a huge sigh of relief when the Biden administration said it would lift the travel ban from Dec. 31, many wondered whether it was too little, too late with traveler confidence already eroded.

But, according to safari operators, U.S. travelers have reacted with resilience, and they are eager to explore Africa once again.

“In the short term, the uncertainty omicron has created as well as the travel bans that were placed on the region have impacted bookings to some degree but not to the level we have seen in the past. The early indicators show that many guests still are determined to travel,” said Wayne Nupen, regional touring director at AndBeyond.

Wilderness Safaris chief commercial officer Hadley Allen agrees and said it has been encouraging to see most U.S. travelers remaining positive that they will be able to travel in the coming months, while those with immediate travel plans are mostly postponing to early spring.

For Kota Tabuchi, Travel Beyond’s managing director of Africa, new enquiries are much more serious about traveling and more resilient to the news cycles. “Of the clients that booked a trip to Africa during Covid, omicron rarely comes up in conversation,” he said. “Of those clients who paid a deposit prior to Covid and opted to continue deferring their trip, omicron is certainly a topic we discuss. We have a small handful of ‘deferred’ bookings still on the horizon, and once they are off the books, we feel that Covid-related discussions will become less frequent.”

Omicron has definitely created a temporary setback for Africa, but the future looks bright, according to industry players.

“Almost everyone has safari on their bucket list,” said Jim Holden, president of Holden Safaris. “When the time is right, they’ll take a safari. Patience is a virtue.”

Sustainability and regenerative travel

The reason for this optimism is that Africa is what African Travel president Sherwin Banda calls the gold standard for sustainability. He explained that sustainability is at the core of Africa and is part of Africa’s fabric. That is what will set the continent apart for years to come and what will attract travelers who are looking for a “regenerative travel experience” in the coming months.

As Jonathon Day, an associate professor focused on sustainable tourism at Purdue University, recently explained in The New York Times: “Sustainable tourism is sort of a low bar. At the end of the day, it’s just not making a mess of the place. Regenerative tourism says, let’s make it better for future generations.”

According to Allen, “restorative safaris” that make a positive impact on conservation and communities are sought after, as well as intimate and authentic experiences that not only offer guests life-changing experiences, but that also give back to the world in a way that inspires positive action.

The examples where African operators made things better for future generations are countless. Many operators have continued to care for the surrounding communities and for the wildlife despite not receiving any income during long months of travel restrictions.

Nupen said that if there is one thing AndBeyond has learned from the pandemic it is that the continued investment in the resilience of communities surrounding wildlife reserves is an absolute necessity. “There are many lessons out of the pandemic, but this is especially crucial for us,” he said.

Allen agreed and said the pandemic and subsequent travel lockdowns and restrictions have truly emphasized the crucial role tourism plays in driving local economies, wildlife protection and community empowerment.

“The Covid-driven loss of tourism revenue to all the remote African areas since 2020 has been a stark reminder of the enormous value that our guests and camps bring to the long-term conservation of these priceless wild places,” she said.

For Holden, the love of Africa’s tourism industry for the continent, the wildlife and the communities is inspiring.

“The owners of small, boutique lodges represent all that is best about safaris, struggling through the pandemic with nothing else but passion for the welfare of the wildlife and local people, all at great cost to themselves financially and mentally. I take my hat off to them,” he said. “There is a resilience to the whole idea of safari that will ensure its survival long after Covid is a thing of the past.”

Almost everyone involved in the safari business is in it for reasons other than just financial, which will ensure it endures long into the future.”

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Thailand’s famous Maya Bay reopens

Written by Gill Dewar on January 4, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

January 04 2022 – Thailand’s famous Maya Bay reopens

Maya Bay is probably one of the most iconic spots in Thailand. Funnily enough, despite the immense beauty of the bay, it gained its status mainly after featuring in the movie The Beach in 2000 which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

Throughout the years, masses of tourists visited the bay to see its beauty with their own eyes. According to estimates, at some point the spot was visited by an astonishing 6000 people per day.

The effects of overtourism

Given the fact that the bay is not exactly huge, it is clear that this situation was far from sustainable. Authorities had to deal with plenty of issues with regards to overtourism in the bay, from garbage on the beach to damages to the ecosystem, including the coral.

At some point, locals decided that enough was enough and after they expressed their dissatisfaction with the gruesome situation, Maya Bay was closed to the public in 2018.

At first the plan was to ban the public from visiting the island for 4 months. However, given that there was a lot to do to restore the ecosystem and build the necessary infrastructure for the protection of it in the future, the closure lasted much longer.

But it must be said that this closure benefited the ecosystem of the bay greatly, as it is now in much better shape than almost 4 years ago, with many animals having returned to Maya Bay in the absence of people.

Bay reopens to foreign tourists

And almost four years after, Maya Bay re-open to foreign visitors. The “doors” to the bay opened on January 1, 2022. However, visitors have to follow the introduced rules and restrictions. From the link above you can check what rules you should follow.

According to these regulations, boats are not allowed to enter the bay and tourists are dropped off at a pier behind the island. Only eight speedboats are allowed to dock here at the same time.

Moreover, tours are limited to one hour, with a maximum of 300 tourists allowed per tour. The bay “operates” from 10 am to 4 pm. Tourists are obliged to make a reservation to take part in these tours.

Finally, swimming in the seawaters of the bay is prohibited due to the fact that they are the home to 161 blacktip reef sharks. Local authorities want to preserve the population of this species whose number grew immensely since 2018 (an estimated 6 back then).

Thus, as Maya Bay re-open to foreign visitors after almost 4 years, Thailand is looking to implement a sustainable tourism model which could perhaps inspire many other destinations worldwide to follow the same path with the aim of the protection of the environment.

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Seven Wonders of the World for 2022

Written by Gill Dewar on January 3, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

Seven Wonders of the World for 2022

January 03 2022, Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only one — the Great Pyramids of Giza — still exists. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus have all faded to dust and memory. These, instead, are seven new wonders for our time. They are the Acropolis of our day, the Stonehenge of now. Which also means they can be seen firsthand. And so they should. Because the real magic of wonder is not in the thing itself, but in the fact that the more you look for wonder in the world the more the wonder of the world becomes a part of you.

Wonder is nourishment for the soul. We are the only animal on earth, as far as we know, that can be moved to tears by a sunset, that marvels at the stars at night, that feels awe, and humility, at the achievements of our past. Wonder defines us as human beings. Socrates said: ‘Wisdom begins in wonder.’ Studies show that the awe induces deeper levels of cognitive processing; it boosts empathy and helps us connect with the world around us in meaningful ways. Art and science are borne from it. Wonder is more than just a good feeling; it is a seed from which our greatest treasures grow.

Explore, dream and feed your spirit well.

Seven wonders of the world for 2022

Yellowstone National Park, USA

In the early 19th century, fur trappers working the far reaches of America’s then Wild West returned with stories of a magical land where the earth bubbled like cooking pots and spumes of boiling water erupted from the ground. In 1872, it became the world’s first national park, and celebrates its 150th anniversary as such in 2022 – which makes it a great time to visit. But for thousands of years before this, indigenous people hunted and gathered here, making use of the thermal waters.

These days, Yellowstone is one of the last truly wild landscapes of the American West, a place where Grizzly bears, wolves and herds of bison still roam free. Its true wonder is its geyser basin, the largest on Earth, and home to some 10,000 hydrothermal features, including more than 300 active geysers, and the densest concentration of steam vents, mud pots and hot springs found anywhere in the world.

It’s like walking on another planet. Sapphire pools circled in lines of bright red and orange, like fallen rainbows, bubble from the ground, thermal jets shaped like beehives hiss steam in the air, and in the centre of it all is Old Faithful, erupting a column of superheated water 180 feet into the air every 90 minutes, like clockwork.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Seven Wonders of the World for 2022: The greatest wildlife show on Earth just got a little better. In November 2021, the Ecuadorian government expanded the protected Marine Reserve of the Galapagos Islands by more than 23,000 square miles meaning there is now more of this wonderland to explore than ever before.

There is nowhere else like it on earth. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, this tiny archipelago has the highest level of endemism anywhere on the planet, and birds, reptiles and amphibians that exist here and nowhere else. But what’s truly remarkable is that they are unafraid.

Isolated for millions of years, the creatures of the Galapagos have evolved with almost zero human contact. As a result, this is the only place on Earth where we are not seen as alpha predators. Darwin’s Finches perch on your shoulder, sea lions waddle over to play; it’s possible to walk through enormous breeding grounds of waved albatross as invisible as the breeze.

This is more than just a wildlife experience; this is a glimpse of the world untainted by human touch.

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

This winter all eyes will be on Beijing as the host of the XXIV Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games – and, despite the recent controversy, one thing is indisputable: this ancient palace complex is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture ever conceived.

Located in the heart of Beijing, this enormous city within a city houses some 980 buildings and close to 10,000 individual rooms, each adorned with priceless treasures, and is the largest palace complex in the world. But for centuries almost no one was allowed to see it. From 1429 to 1911, successive emperors ruled their kingdom from inside these walls and it was forbidden to so much as peer inside.

Today, its secrets have been unlocked but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Red zhennan wood buildings with yellow roofs and golden filigree are spread out across enormous courtyards, large enough to hold more than 100,000 people. Grand Halls raised on three-tier marble terraces sit side-by-side with exquisitely designed temples. And in the centre of it all, the Dragon Throne is adorned in precious jewels and carvings of 13 dragon figures, the symbol of the emperor himself. Those ancient days may be gone, but to see it with your own eyes is to feel that forbidden world come alive once more.

Antarctica

One of the Seven Wonders of the World for 2022 – Wednesday 5 January 2022 marks 100 years since Ernest Shackleton’s death. He was in Antarctica at the time, on his fourth expedition there, attempting the first circumnavigation of the continent. He never completed that mission, but it was a fitting end for one of the greatest polar explorers in history.

Antarctica captivated Shackleton all his life and it’s easy to see why. It is both the largest desert on Earth and the largest single mass of ice on the planet, covering some five million square miles, almost double the size of the entire United States. In places, the ice is more than 15,000 feet thick. Entire mountain ranges are buried under the frozen bulk. Icebergs bigger than cities calve into the sea (the largest ever seen was seven times the size of London).

Antarctica is known as the ‘Last Continent’, and its preservation has never been so crucial. That, perhaps, is what kept drawing Shackleton back, and what keeps drawing people here to this day. To see it with your own eyes is a wonder unlike any other: killer whales breaching the arctic depths, colonies of emperor penguins tens of thousands strong, a world of pure wilderness.

Grand Avenue of the Sphinxes, Luxor, Egypt

Seven Wonders of the World for 2022: Ever since archaeologist Howard Carter opened the tomb of Tutankhamen a century ago, the world has been under its spell. But while King Tut gets much of the fame, his tomb is only one part of the extraordinary Valley of the Kings, which holds dozens of the elaborately decorated burial chambers of some of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs alongside its most treasured temples and monuments.

And it just got better. The Grand Avenue of the Sphinxes was unveiled on 24 November 2021 following decades of painstaking restoration. Linking the ancient temples of Karnak and Luxor – two of Egypt’s most spectacular archaeological sites – this 3,000-year-old, 1.7-mile road, which is lined with hundreds of statues of sphinxes and rams’ heads, was once used for religious parades and festivals. For centuries it was buried in sand and lost to history. Now, for the first time, it can be walked again.

Northern Lights, Yukon, Canada

Another of the Seven Wonders of the World for 2022 – Watching the dancing colours of the Northern Lights is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on the planet: waves of green, pink and blue sway across the night’s sky, shimmering like a giant’s fire.

No matter how you see them, the Aurora is always an incredible experience. But now there’s a new way, which elevates that wonder up to another level. The ground-breaking Aurora 360 experience is an exclusive Northern Lights viewing flight, which takes you 36,000 feet above the clouds to give you the closest and most immersive view possible.

Departing from Whitehorse, deep in Canada’s Yukon territory, the private charter jet holds just 70 seats and is guided by dedicated Aurora scientists, guaranteeing you’ll fly straight to the heart of the action.

When the Indigenous people of the Yukon witnessed those fiery lights they saw the spirits of animals and their ancestors soaring above them. Now, for the first time, you can do more than stand in awe. You can soar with them too.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is the ultimate symbol of the might of the Roman Empire. For more than 400 years this enormous amphitheatre, the largest and grandest of its time, staged some of the bloodiest gladiatorial battles in history. Upwards of 50,000 people at a time would watch people and animals battle to the death in carefully orchestrated theatre.

They needed a staging area. So, the architects designed an elaborate series of tunnels underneath the arena’s floor to house the gladiators, and cage the beasts, as they readied for combat. For close to 2,000 years, no one has been allowed to enter. Until now.

525 feet of underground walkways and chambers were opened to the general public on 25 June 2021 for the first time. Walk in those gladiators’ footsteps and it’s easy to imagine the roar of the crowd, the sharpening of swords, the brutality, and ingenuity, of one of the biggest empires the world has ever known.

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22 Stunning Places To Celebrate The Arrival Of New Year

Written by Gill Dewar on December 31, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 31, 2021 – 22 Stunning Places To Celebrate The Arrival Of New Year

New Year is definitely one of the main events when everyone is excited to welcome the arrival of new year with their closed ones. Whether its welcoming New Year with a glass of champagne, countdown party or an intimate dinner, everyone plans something special to ring the arrival of New Year. There are many best places to celebrate New Year in the world that hosts crazy parties and events to engage people and celebrate the arrival of New Year. Nothing can be more special than celebrating New Year with your closed ones amidst a fancy setting, so if you haven’t planned anything yet, give this blog a quick read to know about the fancy places to go on New Year in the world.

New Year 2022: 22 Stunning Places To Celebrate The Arrival Of New Year

Enjoy a memorable New Year’s Eve at these best places to celebrate New Year in the world and have the best time of your life.

1. Sydney, Australia

One of the best New Year destinations, Sydney offers a delightful experience to anyone who is longing for a thrilling night out on New Year’s Eve. The mesmerizing fireworks over the Sydney Harbor looks absolutely enchanting and are worth-capturing. One can also witness the massive fireworks by booking a luxurious Coast Harbor Cruises that offer an unforgettable 1-hour experience with drinks, fancy food and stunning fireworks at Sydney’s most iconic location, the Sydney Harbor. If not the cruise, you can book a fancy dinner at any of the waterfront restaurants and celebrate the New Year eve with all the pomp and show.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the most intriguing places to go on New Year is Las Vegas in Nevada. Just think what would be an ambience of this place on New Year when it is so enchanting even on the normal days. One of the best-known party destinations in the world, Las Vegas comes to life on New Year’s Eve with its lively casinos, nightclubs, hotel events, crazy fireworks and a lot more. Visit the Las Vegas strip where the crowd gets crazy and massive New Year celebration takes place. Gold Diggers, Lavo Casino Club, Drai’s Nightclub, Club 101, Omnia are some of the best nightclubs in Las Vegas to witness the best New Year parties in 2022.

3. Miami, United States

Miami is one of the well-known party destinations in the world and the mesmerizing beauty of this place adds more charm to New Year celebrations. If you are thinking about where to go for New Year, then the best answer would be Miami. The beaches in Miami are all lively and offers crazy parties to help you welcome New Year in style. Witness the spectacular free fireworks in South Beach and Bayfront Park in Miami Downtown. Enjoy a fancy dinner while indulging in New Year festivities at the Wharf Miami which is located along the Miami River. For a lavish and out of the box New Year festivities, book a yacht at the Biscayne Bay to enjoy a thrilling DJ night, top-notch hospitality, exotic variety of drinks and a lot more.

4. Venice, Italy

Looking for the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in Venice, we have got you covered. Venice with its postcard-perfect canals and stupendous architecture lures many tourists for a vacation here. Spectacular parties are held here on New Year’s Eve for the entertainment of the people. Witness the Italy-style New Year celebration which starts from a lavish dinner and nothing can beat a true Venetian style dinner retreat on a boat with picturesque views. La Fenice Opera House is another place in Venice to witness a sweet and simple New Year celebration in the form of concerts. People who fancy art and theatre would love to celebrate here. The Big Party at the St Mark’s Square, one of the best New Year parties in the world is another great spot where a lot of people gather at midnight to welcome the arrival of New Year. Singers and artists perform here and the massive fireworks also takes place at sharp 12:00 am.

5. Dubai, UAE

As the clock strikes 12, many of the spots in Dubai display magnificent display of fireworks which is just so satisfying to watch. The fancy shows at the Burj Khalifa and the live water-music at the Dubai Fountain. Many people gather at the waterfront of Dubai Fountain to witness the best New Year celebration in the world to witness the astonishing display of light and sound at the Burj Khalifa and the light and water show at the Dubai Fountain. You can also book a table at any of the restaurants dotted on the waterfront area to feast on delectable feast and enjoy the breathtaking views at the same time. In order to get the uninterrupted views of Downtown fireworks, head to Burj Plaza and book a table here to relish dinner at the same time.

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Get enchanted by the lively and vibrant ambience of the city of Cape Town by booking flights to South Africa. V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is one of the best places to ring in New Year. The live band, eateries, carnival characters and a lot more adds to the beauty of this area brimmed with madding crowd all set to ring in the arrival of New Year. From carnival-themed performances to boat cruises and stellar shows to lavish dinners, Cape Town is the best New Year destination in South Africa. Catch the best fireworks from the Table Mountain or Signal Hill if you want to avoid crowds.

7. New York, United States

Nothing can beat the New Year celebrations at the New York’s most iconic location which is Times Square Ball Drop. Lakhs of people gather here to witness the stupendous Waterfront Crystal Ball drop at midnight on the massive screens fitted all over the square. New York also fascinates people by its mesmerizing fireworks at the Central Park and New York Harbor. New York is definitely the best place to celebrate New Year in the world as it offers great unlimited options for the Eve’s celebrations. You can also take a luxury dinner cruise on a yacht at the Staten Island and sip in a glass of cocktail while enjoying the most picturesque views. Dance on the latest beats at any of New York’s bar or club or book a table at rooftop restaurant to witness massive fireworks.

8. Paris, France

One of the best places in the world for New Year especially for couples is Paris where the spectacular fireworks take place at the Eiffel Tower making the whole aura very romantic and perfect to enter the near year with your partner. Count down for the arrival of New Year at the most iconic location in Paris called the Champs-Elysées where thousands of local people gather to celebrate the arrival of the New Year together. Cabaret shows are very popular in Paris and what could be a better occasion to witness them than a New Year? Head to Moulin Rouge and witness a breathtaking performance by different artists, musicians and vocalists. If clubbing is your game on New Year’s Eve, then head to Rex Club which is one of the most striking places to party all night on the New Year Day. All these things to do in Paris makes it one of the best places to celebrate New Year 2022.

9. Goa, India

Known as the party destination of India, Goa is one of the best places to celebrate New Year. With stunning beach parties, clubs, casinos and varied New Year events, Goa is just the right choice if you are looking for a budget yet exciting night on New Year. If you are searching for where to celebrate New Year 2022, then Goa should be an ideal location which will host events and parties with limited seating capacity. From intimate parties for couples to the ones with madding crowds, Goa is brimmed with all things beautiful and thrilling on New Year’s Eve. The beaches in Goa come to life with bonfire and barbecue being served, crazy parties and breathtaking fireworks. Cruise party is a real thing in Goa and you can book one for yourself to witness the most spectacular Goa celebrations.

10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is world famous for its Copacabana Beach Party which makes Rio one of the best places in the world for New Year celebration. The beach receives around 20 lakhs people on the New Year’s Eve, all gathered together to witness the grand celebration and ring the arrival of New Year together. After the fireworks, it is mandatory for people to jump seven waves and make seven wishes. People also offer flowers and floating candles to Goddess Iemanjá and make wishes for the New Year. You can also book any of the beachfront restaurant’s terrace area to enjoy al fresca dining while enjoying the jaw-dropping fireworks.

11. Bangkok, Thailand

One of the best places to travel to for New Year is Bangkok where the Central World Square is the highlight of the city on the main Eve when various people gather together to celebrate the arrival of New Year. Fascinating fireworks that place here and the square is dotted with various bars and clubs that come to life as soon as the clock strikes 12. Another enchanting thing to do in Bangkok is to take a lavish dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River where you can relish international and Thai buffet along with exotic drinks and seafood. Witness the intriguing skyline and the fireworks for a soul-satisfying new year experience. Bangkok hosts some of the best new year parties in the world like Meta Music Festival, White Party, Glitter & Glam and Beam NYE. Various rooftop dining venues like Sky Bar at Lebua, Octave Rooftop Bar – Marriott at Hotel Sukhumvit and Sirocco can also be booked to enjoy a spectacular New Year bash.

12. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a stunning destination to ring the New Year bells as you can enjoy best parties at public squares in Amsterdam like Dam Square, Nieuwmarkt and Rembrandtplein. The best part about these squares is that they are free and one can enjoy new year celebrations with gusto. Beer tents can also be spotted with live entertainment. Amsterdam is one of the best places to go for New Year’s Eve with family as there are ample of sophisticated parties that takes place here. For a little out of the box experience, head to Amstel River and run into the chilly water of the river to welcome the arrival of New Year with thousands of other people. Amsterdam Light Festival is another happening event that takes place every year from December to January with canals and roads all illuminated with fairy lights, making the whole ambience extremely enchanting.

13. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a stunning destination to welcome New Year in style where one can witness one of the best fireworks from spots like Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. If you like to avoid too much crowded places, then head to Petrin Hill or Charles Bridge to witness the spectacular views. Partying while cruising is another great option to celebrate New Year in Prague. Jazz cruise, boat party, dinner cruise etc. are some of the options available. One of the best places to go on New Year in central Europe is Prague in Czech Republic.

14. Madrid, Spain

A city which is world-renowned for its parties goes crazy especially on the New Year’s Eve. If you are searching for where to go for New Year celebrations then we would be definitely recommend Madrid to you. One unique tradition which you would find here in Madrid is eating 12 grapes sharp at 12:00 am marking the arrival of New Year. Feasting on a scrumptious dinner is another way of celebrating New Year in Madrid, the traditional dinner here usually consists of lamb or seafood. Royal Palace is another hotspot for New Year celebrations in Madrid. Witness a great countdown party at Puerta del Sol with a huge variety of drinks and food.

15. Vancouver, Canada

Another happening New Year destination is Vancouver in Canada which comes to life on the main Eve of New Year. The best way to celebrate New Year in Vancouver is by booking a cruise and party all night with great music, drinks, fireworks and a lot more. Canada Place and Vancouver Convention Center are the two main hotspots in Vancouver to celebrate New Year. Various annual events also take place here, so people can explore different places and enjoy eclectic parties on New Year’s Eve.

16. London, England

One of the best places to go on New Year in the world is London where the celebration of New Year’s Eve takes place on a grand scale. Thames river with stunning backdrop of the New Year fireworks make for the most picturesque view. One needs to pay to watch the fireworks from the main staging area while free views can be admired from spots like Alexandra Palace, Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park. A dine-in option at London Skybar is also a great option to celebrate New Year in London where one can also indulge in a thrilling champagne party while admiring the stunning views from the top. Entering into New Year with a fascinating countdown party can be witnessed at the Big Ben, the iconic monument in London.

17. Vienna, Austria

Looking for best places in the world to celebrate New Year 2022? Get your tickets booked for a fancy gala dinner in Vienna to welcome the arrival in New Year in the best possible way. Also known as Silvester, New Year’s Eve in Austria is celebrated with great enthusiasm and Silvesterpfad is the major highlight of the city as it is a series of events and shows that takes place on the New Year’s Eve. If wandering through the lit markets fascinate you, then Silvesterdorf and Neujahrmarkt are two good options which become lively during the Christmas and New Year time in Vienna.

18. Hawaii, USA

Hawaii is one of the best New Year destinations that offers a great party experience to all the enthusiastic souls. There are various resorts and other party destinations in Hawaii that throw grand New Year bash. One crazy thing that happens only in Hawaii is the dropping of objects like a pineapple drop which is quite famous amongst the local people here. Hawaii also offers opportunities to celebrate New Year 2022 on the scenic beaches or on a dinner cruise with exotic drink in hand and mesmerizing views. Marvel at the fascinating fireworks at Poipu Beach Park or book a fancy cocktail cruise at Lahaina Harbor. There are ample things to do in Hawaii on New Year’s Eve which makes it one of the best places in the world to celebrate New Year.

19. Moscow, Russia

If you love the celebrations amidst the chills of extremely cold weather, then Moscow could be a perfect place to ring in the New Year celebrations. The city looks absolutely stunning with mesmerizing fireworks show that can be witnessed from places like Red Square and Kremlin. If you are looking for free celebrations, then there are various parks in Moscow where free concerts and events are conducted with grand new year celebration. Arbat Street in Moscow is brimmed with various bars and clubs where an exotic new year party can be enjoyed with drinks and snacks option. Almost every street in Moscow is beautifully decorated in Moscow on New Year’s Eve and one can get Insta-worthy photos anywhere in the city.

20. Lisbon, Portugal

New Year celebrations in Lisbon are taken on next level with grand parties, eye-catching fireworks and live music. If you are someone who fancies welcoming the New Year with great pomp and show, then Lisbon should be in your itinerary. Enjoy the best New Year Eve events at Terreiro do Paço with the local people there with artists performing live shows. There are different clubs at Pink Street and Bairro Alto that hosts a number of thrilling new year parties. If you are someone who likes a calmer and serene celebration on New Year’s Eve, then we would suggest you to attend Fado, a traditional singing of the Portuguese which is very soothing to the senses.

21. Tokyo, Japan

One of the best places to celebrate New Year 2022 in the world is undoubtably Tokyo in Japan. The new year celebrations at this place starts from 29th December and continues till 4th January. You get to take part in the festivities for not just one day but for a week. Isn’t it interesting? One of the best places to celebrate new year in Tokyo is Meiji Shrine which is a place brimmed with tourists as it is an important shrine in the city. Another great place to enjoy new year in Tokyo is Zoji-ji Temple where a monk rings the bell 108 times to denote the arrival of new year. Due to the religious and cultural importance, the temple is visited by many locals and tourists alike. If you like crowd and the party vibe, then partake in the countdown party that takes place at the Shibuya Crossing which is one of the best outdoor New Year parties in the world.

22. Queenstown, New Zealand

If you are looking for where to celebrate New Year 2022, one of the best places to visit is Queenstown in New Zealand. The city is known to host the first New Year celebrations in the world. For a free new year party, head to lakefront where one of the best parties takes place with fireworks, live music and scenic views. With loads of positive vibes, fun and entertainment, it is a great place to enjoy New Year’s Eve. However, there is no alcohol available here. For the best New Year fireworks 2022 in Queenstown, head to Earnslaw Park where the grand new year festivity takes place. Queenstown also has a number of bars and clubs where one can enjoy drinks and music with their friends. For some extra fun and entertainment, head to Rhythm and Alps where renowned musicians from New Zealand as well from other parts of the world come.

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Panama Airport enters the Top 10 of world air hubs

Panama Airport enters Top 10 world air hubs

Written by Gill Dewar on December 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, MICE, Travel Advice.

December 30, 2021 – Panama Airport enters the Top 10 of world air hubs

Panama City’s Airport, Tocumen, jumped from 20th to 7th place among the air hubs with the highest international traffic when comparing 2019 with 2021. Tocumen airport tripled its influence in this period, according to the ranking prepared by the consultancy ForwardKeys, based on the analysis of air ticket reservation figures.

In 2019, Panama airport mobilized 1.2% of global international air connections and was in 20th place in the ranking of the largest air hubs prepared by ForwardKeys. It was the only Latin American airport on the list and occupied a prominent position, closing the Top 20, and not far from giants such as Seoul, Moscow or Singapore.

The pandemic has totally transformed the aerial map in less than two years. Hong Kong, for example, was in 7th place in 2019 and disappeared from this year’s list; London dropped from 9 to 14 and Abu Dhabi fell from 10 to 16.

Panama had the most dizzying ascent with its jump from 20th to 7th place. And much more if you take into account that in the first six places the same airports are maintained, although the order has changed. In Europe, Amsterdam overtook Frankfurt. And in the Middle East, Doha is now ahead of Dubai, albeit with very even figures that have caused them to alternate depending on the month.

The truth is that air traffic is much more concentrated today than it was two years ago. Not only does America account for Panama’s growth, but Mexico City entered the list in 17th place, and three U.S. airports also now occupy places in the Top 20: Miami (15), Dallas Fort Worth (19) and Houston (20).

Ranking of international air hubs. Graphic: ForwardKeys.

Panama’s airport’s strategic advantage was compounded by the growing trend of travel between the U.S., the Caribbean, Central and South America.

In addition, Copa Airlines – the Panamanian company based in Tocumen – was one of the large Latin American airlines that faced the crisis best and the only one of the big four that should not have gone to Chapter 11 of the US Justice (such as LATAM, Avianca and Aeromexico).

Regional travel

The decline of long-distance travel in favor of intraregional travel also explains Panama’s rise.

According to ForwardKeys data, in 2019, the proportion of intraregional and extra-regional travel was 56% to 44%; a proportion that was accentuated to 62% versus 38% in 2021.

“The pattern has also changed, with a higher proportion of people in Europe and America travelling intraregionally rather than long distances,” she said.

Panama Figures

Tocumen International Airport mobilized almost 8 million passengers between January and November 2021 – the vast majority in connections – reflecting the “progressive reactivation and above forecasts” of its operations, HOSTELTUR reported last week.

During the first 11 months of 2021, a total of 7,967,142 passengers have passed through Panama Airport.

November was the second month in a row with a movement of more than one million travelers (1,089,773) since the beginning of the pandemic, according to airport statistics.

South America leads the markets with the highest passenger traffic through Tocumen with a 45% share, followed by North America with 32.1%; Central America with 9.8%; the Caribbean with 8.5% and Europe with 4.6%.

Between January and November, 78,381 departures and arrivals operations were registered, with 19 commercial airlines that have reactivated their operations with direct flights to 68 destinations, reported the Tocumen International Airport S.A. (AITSA).

The general manager of Tocumen, Raffoul Arab, together with leaders of ALTA and AIC-LAC.

“This has been a progressive revival based on the confidence of airlines and travelers, driven by progress in vaccination processes and by the relaxation of entry requirements to countries,” said Tocumen International Airport General Manager Raffoul Arab.

The AITSA stressed that according to the most recent report of the International Air Transport Association(IATA),“Panama has recovered 85% of its pre-pandemic connectivity to North America, Europe, as well as its intraregional traffic, surpassing countries that never closed their skies such as the United States and Brazil.”

Other regions

In the battle of hubs, Doha (Qatar) overtook Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to become the busiest airport in the Middle East. Doha connects air traffic between South Asia, the Middle East, North America and sub-Saharan Africa.

In Europe, Amsterdam closed the gap with Frankfurt and surpassed it for intra-European transits and connections with North America.

Tocumen continues to inaugurate connections: new Delta routes from the US this week.

Before the pandemic, in 2019, the list of the top 10 global airports was topped by Dubai with a market share of 7.7% of intercontinental flight connections. It was followed by Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Paris, Hong Kong, Munich, London and Abu Dhabi.

In 2021, it was led by Amsterdam, with an 8.3% share of intercontinental flight connections.

Analysis of monthly traffic in 2021 shows that Amsterdam briefly overtook Frankfurt in September and October, but retreated in November. In the same month, Dubai regained its lead over Doha for the first time since February.

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Internal tourism, MICE and diversification for Colombia 2022

Written by Gill Dewar on December 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, MICE, Travel Advice.

December 30, 2021 –

Ideas 2022: internal tourism, MICE and diversification for Colombia

In Colombia, as in almost all of the Americas, hotel occupancy data is gradually recovering, but profitability is still far from what was expected. In that sense, 2022 is presented as an opportunity, but also as a great challenge. In this exclusive article for HOSTELTUR Latam, José Andrés Duarte García, national executive president of the Hotel and Tourism Association of Colombia (Cotelco), analyzes these challenges and contributes his ideas to be debated by the sector.

From the union we have been accompanying and promoting measures of great relevance to be able to dynamize and stimulate tourism, for example having participated in the discussion of how to achieve the non-payment of Sales Tax (VAT), precisely for accommodation and lodging services until 2022,for all national tourists, stimulating of course the demand for more tourist services.

Additionally, we have accompanied and supported initiatives that seek that during the conjuncture, the hotel sector can have better tax conditions that allow it to survive during this crisis and thus give continuity in the provision of its services, thus thinking about the sustainability of the hotel sector and, in addition, influencing tourism activity in the different regions of the country. We also support the Government’s campaigns that stimulate domestic tourism, so we have joined, also transmitting a message of confidence so that visitors can move again with the certainty that the hotel industry is prepared to provide services under the necessary biosecurity protocols, and so tourists travel with peace of mind.

On the other hand, for companies and organizations to hold their events and conventions in the hotel infrastructure that the national territory has throughout the country.

We are sure that 2022 will be a year of recovery for the sector and we will continue working with the regional chapters of Cotelco, to generate strategies that allow strengthening the supply and demand of tourism services, thus increasing, of course, hotel occupancy levels and generating more jobs in the sector.

As is known, tourism represented a great driving force of the economy in the different regions of the country before the pandemic, and we are sure that with the joint work between regional governments, national government and the business sector, we will be able to reach and exceed the levels of development that the sector brought until the beginning of 2020.

But there are several challenges that we will face during 2022.

We need to continue working on the consolidation of a strengthened domestic tourism, under the perspective of the mobilization of tourists at the national level, taking into account the limitations of mobilization and closures for foreign tourism in the face of the variants of Covid.

This moment thus becomes the opportunity to generate confidence in Colombians, to travel internally, since if any eventuality associated with the pandemic occurs, they will be within the territory.

We will continue to work hand in hand with the territorial entities and with the national government to stimulate MICE tourism. That is a great challenge: to reactivate this tourism that weighs so heavily in some cities.

Another challenge is to work with the territories to seek diversification and the creation of a tourism product that covers the current demand, these new bets of the tourist, so that it allows to recognize a little more this new profile of the consumer.

We must continue working on the issue of the energy surcharge, so that it is a permanent measure and not only for the time of the pandemic. And likewise, we will seek extensions of time in some benefits that we have achieved for the sector, so that they are a relief for hoteliers, while achieving balance and recovery of the sector.

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Brazil Tourism Growth into 2022

Written by Gill Dewar on December 27, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 27, 2021 – Brazil Tourism Growth into 2022

Brazil’s tourism revenues will increase by 21.9% this year despite the millions of dollars in losses the sector has accumulated since the pandemic hit the country, according to estimates released by the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC in Portuguese).

Between March last year and October 2021, tourism in Brazil has lost 453 billion reais (about $80.892 billion), according to the data. In 2020 alone, the revenues decreased by 36%.

Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro – the main cities hit by the pandemic – lead the losses ranking and account for more than half (55%) of the national losses.

However, the sector has been gradually recovering since March, although the revenues are still 19.5% below those recorded in February 2020, before the pandemic. In October, the Tourism Activities Index reached 80% of the levels recorded in February 2020. Compared to the previous month (September), the economic activity of tourism in Brazil registered a growth of 1%, the sixth consecutive positive month. Thanks to that, the accumulated benefits between May and October already reached 51.2%, reducing the gap from the figures recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Confederation’s projections show that in addition to the 21.9% growth in revenues this year, despite the cancellation of important national events, such as the “Reveillon” in Rio de Janeiro – the traditional New Year’s Eve party that gathers millions of people on Copacabana beach -, the result will also be positive for 2022 when a 2.4% increase in revenues is expected.

“The expectation for these activities in the coming months remains favorable, despite the fact that the restrictions and the cancellation of some important events will delay the full recovery of revenue generation potential, which we believe will occur after August 2022,” said Fabio Bentes, CNC economist responsible for the analysis.

According to the study, after the covid infection peak points recorded in Brazil, social isolation measures caused a downward trend, standing only 2% above that recorded at the end of February 2020.

However, the scenario remains unsure, since the high rate of inflation in the country “is contaminating the prices of services and the tourist sector”. Inflation in Brazil reached 10.74% in the last twelve months before October 2020, driven by high gasoline prices. Inflation has been more than double than the one expected (3.75% for this year), with a tolerance margin of 1.5%.

With the year-end and holiday season approaching, many Brazilians are gearing up to travel, even with high airfare prices and a new COVID-19 variant. The flow of tourists has left the sector’s entrepreneurs optimistic.

A survey with hotel and restaurant company unions indicates that 61% of those interviewed expect a growth in sales compared to last year. Of these, 31.5% believe in a boost of up to 30%. According to the Brazilian Federation of Accommodation and Food, more than half of the businessmen have hired new employees.

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World’s most colourful attractions

Written by Gill Dewar on December 27, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

World’s most colourful attractions

Uswitch has analysed the colour palettes, global search volumes, and the places gaining the most Instagram hashtags to compile a list of the most colourful destinations in the world.

The world is home to many colourful attractions that travellers travel far and wide to see.

Cinque Terre showcases colourful houses and vineyards in each of its five towns. Besides the allure of its colourful houses, guests can enjoy the beach, wine and hiking trails.

Kampung Pelangi in Indonesia is the second most colourful destination, with seven colours. Known as “Rainbow Village” when translated into English, the village that showcases yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue and green, is the ideal backdrop for social media snaps.

In addition, visit places like Lawang Sewu, Wisata Sam Poo Kong and Kota Lama Semarang for its history and culture. Of course, there are also other foodie and art attractions that one can visit.

Another place that has warmed the hearts of many travellers is Willemstad in Curaçao.

The capital city of Curaçao is known for its old town centre with pastel-coloured colonial architecture. Check out Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, Kenepa Beach and Punda when you visit.

Closer to home is Bo Kaap in Cape Town. Known to attract many well-known celebs including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their 2019 visit. Bo-Kaap’s history dates from the 1760s when numerous “huurhuisjes” (rental houses) were built and leased to slaves, according to Cape Town Tourism’s website.

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Thailand Pass temporarily suspended

Written by Traveltalksteam on December 23, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 23, 2021 – Thailand Pass temporarily suspended, those received QR Code can enter

For new registrations under the Exemption from Quarantine TEST&GO and Living in the Blue Zone Sandbox programmes, except Phuket Sandbox and Happy Quarantine.

Bangkok – Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today ordered temporarily suspension of the Thailand Pass for all new TEST&GO and Sandbox applications (except Phuket Sandbox), effective from 22 December, 2021, citing the rising number of Omicron variant cases in the country.

Thailand Pass temporarily suspended, those received QR Code can enter

Travellers who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code (approximately 200,000 applicants) will be allowed to enter Thailand under the existing conditions of the scheme they have registered. However, the government will introduce new measures for contact tracing and will ensure all travellers be tested 2 times using the RT-PCR method. The second testing will take place at government-designated facilities (no additional cost).

New registration for Thailand Pass under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST&GO) and Living in the Blue Zone Sandbox programmes will no longer be accepted, starting from 22 December, 2021 until further notice. Applicants who have registered, but have not received their QR Code must wait for their Thailand Pass to be considered / approved. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the scheme they have registered.

Registration for Thailand Pass under the Phuket Sandbox programme and Happy Quarantine remain open, but the government will be reviewing the situation periodically.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation.

For the full press release, click here.

International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 Ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Website: www.tatnews.org

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Latest travel advice Italy – super green pass introduced

Written by Traveltalksteam on December 6, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 6, 2021, Latest Travel advice Italy – Italy begins lockdown of the unvaccinated: Only the double jabbed will be able to fully participate in public life using a ‘super green pass’ from TODAY

Latest Travel Advice Italy

Unvaccinated Italians will not be allowed into indoor restaurants, theatres, museums and public events from Monday
The ‘Super Green Pass’ requires Italians to be double jabbed rather than providing a negative Covid test result
Restrictions follow a steady rise in Covid cases and fears over Omicron variant

Italy has brought in tougher restrictions for unvaccinated people as the holidays draw near, excluding them from indoor restaurants, theatres and museums to reduce the spread of coronavirus and encourage vaccine skeptics to get their jabs.

Only those who have the ‘Super Green Pass’, which requires Italians to be double-jabbed rather than providing a negative Covid test result, will be able to fully participate in public life from Monday.

Italian police will be checking will be checking whether those visiting indoor restaurants, bars, concerts, sports events, theatres and public events, have the ‘super’ green health pass until January 15.

The restrictions follow a steady rise of Covid cases in Italy for the past six weeks, with 15,021 infections recorded on Sunday, and a concern about the new Omicron variant which is believed to be more transmissible than the Delta strain.

Elsewhere in Europe, leaders have rushed in a raft of new lockdown measures and travel bans amid panic over rising cases and the arrival of the Omicron variant.

Germany has announced it will lock down its unvaccinated citizens and ban them from most public spaces in the run-up to Christmas, while those in France will have to show proof of vaccination to maintain a valid Covid pass which allows them into public venues.

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Updated travel advice USA – Foreign travelers to U.S. must now be tested 1 day before travel

Written by Traveltalksteam on December 3, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 3, 2021 – Updated travel advice USA – The United States is planning to make its travel requirements even stricter in the face of the spreading Omicron variant. According to Bloomberg, the Biden Administration will require all air travelers to the U.S. to be tested within a day of their departure regardless of vaccination status.

Updated Travel Advice USA

President Joe Biden is expected to detail the new requirements in a speech on Thursday. The current policy states that inbound travelers to the U.S. —vaccinated and vaccinated alike—might get tested for COVID-19 within three days of travel.

Earlier this week, the U.S. banned travel on foreign nationals who had traveled through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi in the past 14 days.

U.S. Travel Association executive vice president of public affairs and policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement following the announcement: “We hope this measure to narrow the pre-departure testing window will be temporary until more is learned about the Omicron variant. In the meantime, the travel industry urges everyone to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible.

“It has long been known that measures to combat the virus and its variants would evolve and require us to be nimble and adapt.

“It is critically important that we communicate these policy changes clearly to global travelers and continue to welcome all qualified visitors to the United States.”

Germany, on the other hand, announced a nationwide lockdown on those who remain unvaccinated, with plans for mandatory vaccinations coming soon. According to BBC, unvaccinated people will be banned from accessing all but the most essential businesses, such as supermarkets and pharmacies; they will be barred from restaurants, cinemas, leisure facilities and many shops.

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Fiji reopens borders to tourism after 20 months

Written by Leandro Agostini on December 2, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

December 02, 2021 –

Fiji has welcomed its first international passenger flight.

in nearly two years as the destination reopens its borders.

The milestone marked resumption of international tourism in the idyllic nation after almost 20 months of closures following the outbreak of Covid-19.

As of this morning, Fiji opens to fully vaccinated visitors from travel partner countries for quarantine-free travel.

The first flight, from Sydney, Australia landed at 11:25, carrying 300 passengers eager for their first tropical island holiday.

The country is ready to safely welcome visitors back thanks to a successful vaccination roll-out, seeing over 90 per cent of its eligible population given both doses.

However, some travel requirements are in place to ensure visitors can book and travel in confidence that they’re keeping themselves and locals safe.

Travellers to Fiji must be fully vaccinated

(children under 18-years-old can travel with a vaccinated adult) and from a selected travel partner country, while those over the age of 12 must show a negative RT PCR test taken 72 hours before they board a flight.

Once visitors arrive on Fiji soil, they will be able to holiday knowing that everyone they interact with is adhering to the highest health and safety practices.

“It’s such an exciting day for Fiji and for our tourism industry.

“It’s been a long time coming!

“From airline to accommodation, Fiji tourism operators and related services have worked hard to ensure and uphold internationally benchmarked Covid-19-safety practices.

“The resumption of both domestic and international tourism is a credit to Fiji’s collective commitment for public safety, and safe and seamless travel, coupled with our famous Bula spirit,” said Brent Hill, chief executive of Tourism Fiji.

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Latest Travel advice Spain – UK travellers need vaccination certificate from Dec 1st

Written by Traveltalksteam on November 30, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

November 30, 2021 – Latest travel advice Spain – Due to new COVID variants of concern, Spain has updated its entry requirements and from 01 December, travellers from the United Kingdom arriving to Spain will need to show a vaccination certificate.

Prior to 01 December, travellers from the United Kingdom have been able to enter Spain with a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 diagnostic test. The changes mean that from 01 December all travellers from the United Kingdom will need to show proof of being fully-vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain.

Children under 12 years old are exempt when travelling with an adult.*

Latest Travel Advice Spain

Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) available via Spain Travel Health (SpTH).

Spain reinforces its position as a safe holiday destination with one of the highest vaccinations rates worldwide (almost 90% of the population age 12 and over) and one of the lowest COVID rates in Europe. Based on Spain’s Ministry of Health data from a seven-day period up until 26 November 2021, the accumulated incidence rate of COVID infection in Spain is 97.98 per 100,000 residents.

This new legislation is for UK travellers** prior to their arrival to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

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Travel advice Portugal – 1st European country with 1G requirements for entry

Written by Traveltalksteam on November 29, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

November 29, 2021 – Travel advice Portugal. Portugal is the first European country who demands 1G entry requirements.

Travel advice Portugal

Starting December 1st:

Mandatory negative test for all flights arriving in Portugal, even for those who have a digital vaccination certificate, regardless of the point of origin of the flight or the passenger’s nationality.
This measure applies to air, land, sea and river borders.

The vaccination rate is Portugal is one of the highest in the world. Reports vary between 94% to 97%.

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UK and Israel ban flights from Southern Africa

Written by Traveltalksteam on November 26, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

November 26, 2021 – UK and Israel ban flights from Southern Africa, more countries may follow. Experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are meeting with South African officials on Friday to assess the evolving situation in the country.

The European Union might follow suit, a decision will be made today.

The variant could eventually be given the moniker ‘Nu’ – with the most concerning variants given named after the Greek alphabet.

The original Red List was reduced to zero nations at the end of last month when the remaining seven countries on it were removed.

UK and Israel ban flights from Southern Africa

No10 had left the door open to bringing back the notorious traffic light travel system with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps saying last month hundreds of hotel rooms were still on standby for quarantine.

The UKHSA said it had been in extensive talks with scientists in South Africa about the new variant but the situation is ‘rapidly evolving’.

Although only 100 cases of the new variant have so far been identified, it is already in three countries, suggesting it is more widespread than the official tally.

Two cases have been detected in Hong Kong – both of whom had links to South Africa –three have been picked up in Botswana and the remainder are in South Africa.

But a lack of surveillance on continental Africa may be underestimating the true numbers there, scientists warned.

Why UK and Israel ban flights from Southern Africa –

Experts explained earlier how the B.1.1.529 variant has more than 30 mutations – the most ever recorded in a variant and twice as many as Delta – that suggest it could be more jab-resistant and transmissible than any version before it.

The variant – which could be named ‘Nu’ by the World Health Organization in the coming days – has caused an ‘exponential’ rise in infections in South Africa and has already spread to three countries – including Hong Kong and Botswana, where it is believed to have emerged.

In response, the Health Secretary announced that flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will be suspended from midday Friday and all six countries will be added to the red list.

Israel was the first country to follow suit, also red-listing the six nations.

No cases have been detected in the UK so far but everyone who has returned from South Africa in the past 10 days will be contacted and asked to take a test.

At the moment, around 500 and 700 people are travelling to the UK from South Africa each day, but it is expected this figure could increase as the festive period begins.

Mr Javid said: ‘The early indication we have of this variant is it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it.

‘Now to be clear, we have not detected any of this new variant in the UK at this point in time. But we’ve always been clear that we will take action to protect the progress that we have made.

‘So what we will be doing is from midday tomorrow we will be suspending all flights from six, southern African countries and we will add in those countries to the travel red list.

‘Those countries are South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We will be requiring anyone that arrives from those countries from 4am on Sunday to quarantine in hotels.

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Mauritius tourism bounces back

Written by Gill Dewar on November 18, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

Mauritius tourism bounces back

Since the reopening of Mauritius’ borders to fully vaccinated visitors on October 1, the Indian Ocean Island has welcomed over 80 000 holidaymakers to its shores.

Bookings through to year end are looking “extremely promising” according to a spokesperson for the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), which is targeting growth of 25% in arrivals.

Mauritius Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Steven Obeegadoo, said: “In Mauritius, we continue to prioritise the health of our population, and our staggered reopening was part of this carefully planned policy.”

The MTPA added that the reopening was only made possible by the country’s exceptional vaccination programme. The Mauritian health authorities are continuing to implement a wide-ranging COVID-19 response, and are presently prioritising the rollout of booster doses for those who are already double-vaccinated,” said the MTPA in a statement.

The vaccination of 15 to 18-year-olds is also well underway. Close to 85% of the adult population in Mauritius is already double-vaccinated – one of the highest rates in the world.

This week Mauritius is hosting a familiarisation trip, with tour operators from France, UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, India, Reunion, South Africa, and Kenya to showcase the attractions, as well as the safety, of the destination.

The MTPA pointed out that the country has seen a recent increase in infection rates, which is unfortunately part of the new normal in most countries where restrictions are removed.

“In order to contain the spread, the government recently took the measure to temporarily close schools, and introduced some further sanitary measures, mainly to limit large gatherings. All this is done while further accelerating the booster vaccine programme and the vaccination drive across the youth population.

“The health authorities remain confident in their ability to manage the recent increase in infection rates and will continue to follow world-leading scientific advice in this regard,” said the MTPA spokesperson.

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Cambodia travel advice – reopens to foreigners without quarantine

Written by Traveltalksteam on November 17, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

November 17, 2021, As of November 15, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers can now enter Cambodia without quarantine.

Cambodia travel advice

Documents for quarantine-free travel include:

An Electronic Visa Certificate (E-visa)
A Flight Reservation
Hotel Reservation
Vaccination Certificate (2 doses) or a COVID-19 Recovery Medical Certificate
A Medical Certificate of a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure

In addition, travelers are no longer required to have COVID-19 health insurance coverage.

After completing a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival, fully vaccinated individuals may stay in their hotel of choice and are free to travel around the country if the testing result at the airport is negative.

Travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated may still enter the country but must remain in quarantine for 14 days at approved centers designated by the Ministry of Health.

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Procedures change very quickly, and we will inform you as soon as possible of any changes.

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Costa Rica’s entry requirements – starting January 8, 2022

Written by Traveltalksteam on November 12, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Travel Advice.

November 12, 2021 – Latest requirements for travel in Costa Rica entry requirement

Costa Rica has no entry requirements for vaccinated passengers and passengers under 18 years (non-vaccinated passengers need to buy travel insurance).

Costa Rica’s entry requirements

But from 8 January 2022, all passengers aged 12 and over will have to show proof of vaccination when entering hotels, restaurants, museums and adventure facilities, among others. Vaccines recognized in Costa Rica include Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

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