Author: Tuhin Sarkar

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EUROPE

TUI teams to bring customers back from Rhodes

Rhodes

The forest fires are spreading in the southeast of Rhodes in Greece. The TUI teams on site do everything to provide TUI guests with alternative accommodation, food and drinks.

On Sunday, TUI had around 39,000 guests on the island, 7,800 of whom were affected by the situation. They have been transferred to other locations on the island and are staying in hotels or in accommodation designated by the local authorities.

Thomas Ellerbeck, a member of TUI’s Group Executive Committee, stated that they were doing everything they could to support their guests and other holidaymakers in the affected areas on the island in the best possible way. He mentioned that the situation on site was challenging and, as a result, they acted immediately and expanded their teams on Rhodes. He further explained that colleagues from other holiday regions were flown in at short notice and were currently working on Rhodes. According to him, there were over 300 TUI tour guides, drivers, and service colleagues on site, all doing their best to provide assistance.

Thomas Ellerbeck expressed his gratitude to the TUI colleagues and the emergency services in Greece. He also noted that they were arranging flights to send guests from Rhodes back to their home countries, clarifying that no new holidaymakers were being flown into Rhodes. As a solution, he recommended rebooking to other TUI destinations for those planning to start their holiday in the next few days. Thomas Ellerbeck emphasized that they were offering holidaymakers free rebooking to alleviate the situation on Rhodes.

The situation on the ground evolves and changes and is regularly reassessed. All booked trips to Rhodes for departures up to and including Tuesday 25 July are currently being cancelled. TUI Deutschland is offering its customers free rebooking and cancellations until Friday, July 28th. Guests who are flying to Rhodes in the near future are advised to make use of the free rebooking option, as this will further ease the situation and guarantee a smooth holiday for guests. For information about bookings after this time, please contact TUI.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a helpdesk for foreign citizens in Terminal 1 of Rhodes International Airport. The helpdesk, headed by embassy counselor Katerina Tzima, facilitates and coordinates the departure of guests without travel documents in cooperation with the responsible embassies.

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European Travel News News Pick TTW APP NEWS

Massive wildfire forces largest-ever evacuation as tourists flee Rhodes, Greece

The Greek island of Rhodes is facing its largest wildfire in history, forcing thousands of tourists to evacuate their hotels amid chaotic and terrifying scenes. The wildfire has been raging since Tuesday, part of a series of blazes in Greece during a prolonged heatwave. Tourists were caught off guard, some having to leave on foot or find their own transportation after being instructed to evacuate immediately.

Amy Leyden, a British tourist, shared her terrifying experience as she and her family fled, fearing for their lives. Cedric Guisset, a Belgian tourist, had to evacuate with nowhere to go, facing the challenge of limited information from the hotel. The Greek government has carried out a massive evacuation operation, relocating nearly 19,000 people, with 16,000 transported by land and 3,000 by sea.

Firefighters are focusing on three active fronts in the central and south parts of the island, while landmarks like the Lindos archaeological site have so far remained unharmed. Safe locations on the island, such as hotels, schools, and sports centers, are providing shelter for evacuees. Greece’s foreign ministry is offering assistance to tourists returning to their respective countries.

The situation has led to the cancellation of flights and holiday packages by airlines such as Jet2 and holiday group TUI. With eight people hospitalized for respiratory problems, the authorities are working tirelessly to control the devastating wildfire and protect the lives of residents and tourists alike.

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BLOG INDIA TRAVEL TRENDS AND FOCUS

Visit Andaman Islands for a perfect monsoon escapade

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, isolated from mainland India, has recently gained popularity as a major tourist attraction.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands offers a variety of scenic views to satisfy your heart and soul. Recently, it gained popularity as a honeymoon destination among many couples.

This Indian Archipelago is situated in the Bay of Bengal, with its palm lines, white beaches and beautiful waves of the ocean lashing the shore. The tropical rainforest and mangroves are the true reflection of the Coral Island.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands offers ample of opportunities for different adventure sports. It has wild life sanctuaries like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — a beautiful blend of coral reefs and mangrove forests.

Port Blair: Sea Capital

Port Blair is the capital of this place, having the only airport in the island. The Havelock Island can calm down your soul with its magnificent scenic beauty. Let’s check on the things to do at Andaman and Nicobar Islands during monsoon days.

Dive deep into the ocean

If you think Andaman is a beautiful sight-seeing destination, you are mistaken. Andaman and Nicobar is the hub of water adventure sports like scuba diving, boat riding and many others. To dive in the ocean and experience the marine world’s epitomic beauty, you need not be a good swimmer. Also, you can go for a relaxing glass bottom boat ride where you can see the underwater world crystal clear just from the boat. If you are an ocean person, Andaman is definitely your spot to relish. Also, you must experience the banana boat ride in Andaman.. You can indulge in these activities at Port Blair and Jolly Buoy Island.

Havelock Island and activities

If you ever wanted to parasail and glide through the sky, where you can look down and enjoy the nerve-racking view of sea rushing by, Havelock Island is just your place. This is a blend of water and air adventure, altogether. You will be tied with a water boat, and an open parachute on your back will make gliding easier through the sky and let you enjoy the chill running down your spine. Though in monsoon days, the parasailing prices goes a bit higher than usual, it is definitely worth the price. Also, you can go for a sea walk at the Elephant Beach of Havelock. Sea walk is a way where you can actually walk down the sea with the help of scuba divers and trained sea walking instructors. If you are scared of scuba and still want to enjoy the coral underwater experience, this is the way.

Also, you can enjoy Bioluminescence at Havelock when thousands of stars form a galaxy beneath the feet dipped in water. This happens on no moon nights and is an ultimate bliss to experience. Also, swimming with an elephant and riding in a sea plane should be in your bucket list.

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HOTEL NEWS New Appointment Top News

Six Senses Fort Barwara appoints Rajat Gera as Commercial Director

Six Senses Fort Barwara, the magnificent luxury resort near Ranthambore, Rajasthan, named Rajat Gera, the fort’s Director of Sales and Marketing, as its new Commercial Director. With an illustrious career in the sales and marketing department, Rajat has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and a deep understanding of the industry, making him the ideal choice for this pivotal role.

In his previous position as the Director of Sales and Marketing, Rajat Gera played a key role in driving the success and growth of Six Senses Fort Barwara through innovative strategies, a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality landscape and a relentless focus on guest satisfaction. His expertise in building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, crafting compelling marketing campaigns, and leveraging digital platforms, has been instrumental in placing Six Senses Fort Barwara at the top of India’s luxury hospitality landscape.

As the newly appointed Commercial Director, Rajat will bring his passion, vision, and expertise to the forefront of Six Senses Fort Barwara’s business initiatives. He will spearhead the fort’s commercial objectives while highlighting the unique essence of the resort, showcasing the transformative experiences and sustainable practices that are synonymous with the Six Senses brand.

Under Rajat Gera’s leadership, Six Senses Fort Barwara aims to further elevate its brand position, expand its reach into new markets, and solidify its position as the preferred choice for discerning travellers seeking exceptional luxury experiences. By leveraging his deep understanding of consumer trends, market dynamics, and emerging technologies, Rajat will guide his team in creating captivating and immersive guest experiences.

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HOTEL NEWS New Appointment NEWS UPDATES Top News

Journey Hospitality appoints Mal Rennie as Director of Golf

Journey Hospitality has appointed Mal Rennie to the new role of Director of Golf. Rennie has over two decades of experience working with golf technology companies, as Sales Director at Golfbookings.com to General Manager, later Managing Director and Chairman of its parent company, Concept Software Systems.

In his new role as Director of Golf at Journey, Rennie will lead the company’s strategy and vision for the Golf Management platform which is is already in use at leading luxury resorts including Bovey Castle (Devon), Tewkesbury Park (Gloucestershire), Rockliffe Hall (Durham), and Goodwood Hotel (West Sussex).

Rennie said: “Golf is not just my business, it’s my passion. I’ve worked – and played – in this space long enough to know that technology is increasingly vital in delivering a great golfing and hospitality experience. It’s not just about providing a great tee-sheet with retail and membership functionality; the wants and needs of resort properties have evolved and  Journey’s portfolio of products and services fully complement and enhance this. I’m looking forward to introducing the Journey platform to the market and the positive impact we’ll make to both guests and owners alike – exciting times!”

Simon Bullingham, CEO and Founder of Journey Hospitality, said: “Mal’s expertise is a perfect fit with our wish to provide the leading end-to-end experience management solution for hotels and resorts. Working with our onejourney ecommerce platform to drive direct bookings, the spa and golf solutions enhance a guest’s digital journey. Mal’s experience will be invaluable as we scale our offering across the UK and beyond.”

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CRUISE NEWS New Appointment NEWS UPDATES Top News

Crystal Cruise appoints Dalila Roglieri as Head Nutritionist

Crystal announced today the appointment of Dalila Roglieri as Head Nutritionist, a new role strengthening the brand’s culinary prowess and ability to provide an individualized approach to wellbeing. With an extensive professional background in nutrition and a passion for fitness, adding Roglieri underscores Crystal’s dedication to providing guests with a holistic and exceptional wellness experience.

Roglieri’s expertise and culturally minded approach to gastronomy are an enticing complement to Crystal’s reimagined programming, launching this summer. In her new role with Crystal, Roglieri will collaborate with the award-winning culinary teams onboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity to develop balanced menus that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and requirements.

Roglieri brings multiple degrees spanning focuses in nutritional sciences and culinary arts. While she began her education and career specializing in the biology of nutrition, Roglieri has continued feeding a natural fascination with the impact of food and drink on the body and mind for more than 14 years. Her curiosity led her to deeply study food tasting and gastronomic tourism. She has pursued a Master in Sport Nutrition at SANIS, Oncology Nutrition at the University of Pavia, Phytotherapy and the use of plants in clinical nutrition at the University of Tuscia – Viterbo, and Wine and Marketing of Wine at the University of Sacro Cuore – Piacenza.  In addition to her role with Crystal, Roglieri has her own practice, DaRò Wellness, located in Bari, Italy, where she specializes in dietetics, sports nutrition, and culinary nutrition. Her global palette and bespoke approach to healthful living make her well-equipped to bring both flavor and function to Crystal’s onboard food and beverage programs.

“As Crystal enters this next chapter of excellence, Dalila’s wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for wellness will help to shape a new era of exceptional experiences,” said A&K Travel Group CEO Cristina Levis. “As our Head Nutritionist across the full A&K portfolio, she will play a significant role in ensuring that our offerings align with discerning travelers’ evolving tastes and needs.”

“Crystal has provided me with the opportunity to once again share my passion for culinary nutrition with guests and chefs from around the globe,” said Roglieri. “I look forward to setting sail on this new adventure, where I hope to make an impact for all onboard.”

Roglieri will be onboard Crystal Symphony on the October 9, 2023, voyage from Athens to Dubai and the March 12, 2024 sailing from Singapore to Mumbai and will offer Crystal guests an opportunity to learn all about her exceptional approach to wellness, nutrition, and gastronomy.

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Middle East TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Federal Geographic Information Center (FGIC) wins The Metaverse Badge

The Federal Geographic Information Center (FGIC) has won the Metaverse Badge as part of the upskilling federal government talents with future skills awards through “Jahiz” platform, which was launched by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). This is as a result of the center’s employees achieving highest percentage of “Readiness” skills for the future on “Jahiz” platform at the federal level, which sheds light on the center’s efforts to develop government competencies and support the digital transformation in the UAE.

The “Jahiz” initiative aims to encourage ministries and federal authorities to enhance their readiness by developing the skills and talents of their employees and preparing them for the future by encouraging their participation in the tracks offered by the platform. This aligns with FAHR’s efforts to achieve the visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to enhance the UAE government’s future readiness.

Hamed Khamis Al Kaabi, Director-General of Federal Geographic Information Centre (FGIC), said: “Receiving this badge is a prestigious achievement added to our array of successes, and comes as part of our commitment to enhance our future readiness and keep up with developments, in line with the visions and aspirations of our wise leadership.”

“We are committed to continuing our efforts to achieve excellence by taking part in initiatives and projects aimed at developing government work systems and enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE. By strengthening cooperation with various federal authorities and adopting the latest technologies and innovative solutions, we will continue to make significant contributions to the UAE’s digital transformation,” he added.

The Federal Geographic Information Center (FGIC), a pioneer in the geographical data sector, coordinates efforts, procedures, and policies related to the UAE’s geographic information, in line with efforts to achieve the UAE Vision 2031. The Center also manages and regulates the spatial data sector at the federal level using national spatial data infrastructure technologies, which contributes to enhancing the efficiency of this shared spatial data, in addition to collecting data and geographic information by various federal and local authorities, to ensure the unification of standards and measurements.

The FGIC is mandated with managing and regulating the geospatial data sector at the federal level, serving as the UAE’s official reference on geospatial information.  It is responsible for formulating plans, strategies, frameworks, policies and standards to centralize and ensure the optimal management and confidentiality of vital geographic information, in cooperation with the relevant authorities in the UAE.

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Asia

Thua Thien – Hue sees a significant growth in tourism

The central province of Thua Thien – Hue in Vietnam has shown significant growth and recovery in its tourism industry during the first half of 2023. Ranking 11th among 63 provinces and cities in terms of total revenue, the province served 1.6 million tourists, with 65% being domestic visitors, resulting in nearly 3.5 trillion VND (approximately 149.9 million USD) in revenue, a remarkable 148% increase compared to the previous year.

The province has witnessed stable growth in international tourist numbers, particularly from traditional markets like Thailand and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Additionally, there has been a notable recovery in arrivals from European countries like France, Germany, and the UK. The province has also seen a surge of visitors from emerging markets such as Malaysia, the US, and Australia.

Thua Thien – Hue is positioning itself to welcome potential segments of visitors from India and Muslim countries through direct flights in the near future. The success of tourism recovery is attributed to effective promotion programs and creative efforts to diversify tourism products, focusing on community-based, maritime, health, and agriculture tourism.

Hue city, the capital of Thua Thien – Hue, has been recognized as one of the “best cities” in the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 by the US travel magazine Travel Leisure.

Officials believe there is still significant potential for growth in international tourism and are planning to invest in developing infrastructure to further boost the industry. The province aims to become a spearhead economic sector and enhance its position on the tourist map of Vietnam by tapping into its cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and rich potential for sustainable tourism development.

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European Travel News News Pick TTW APP NEWS

Scotland sees a steady increase in tourism

Scotland’s tourism sector is experiencing a significant boom, with tourist spending surpassing pre-Covid levels, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The first three months of 2023 saw cash spent by overseas visitors in Scotland rise by 70% compared to the same period four years ago. Tourists spent a total of £359 million during this time, up from £210 million in 2019.

The ONS figures also revealed a 29% increase in the number of overnight visits made by international travelers, reaching 572,000 visits from January to March 2023. In comparison, overnight visits in both England and Wales remained below 2019 levels.

The majority of visitors to Scotland in the first quarter of 2023 came from Europe, with 407,000 spending at least one night in the country. Additionally, there were 70,000 visitors from the US and 94,000 from other nations.

Tourism minister Richard Lochhead welcomed the positive statistics, stating that Scotland’s tourist numbers and spending have recovered faster than the rest of the UK. He expressed confidence in the country’s allure as an increasingly attractive destination for international tourists, highlighting Scotland’s unique culture, history, and landscapes, along with upcoming global events like the Scottish Open Golf Championship and the UCI World Cycling Championships. Lochhead also mentioned Edinburgh’s renowned festivals, which are expected to further drive tourist numbers over the summer.

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European Travel News News Pick TTW APP NEWS

Spain facing water scarcity and initiating measures to conserve water

Spain
Spain

Drought-hit tourist resorts in Spain, including Lloret de Mar, are facing water scarcity and are taking measures to conserve water and become more sustainable. Spain’s tourism sector, which accounts for 12% of its economic output and millions of jobs, is under growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact amid the country’s climate crisis.

Due to low rainfall, reservoirs in Catalonia, where Lloret de Mar is located, are at just 29% of their capacity. To manage the situation, large areas of the region have limited water usage for agriculture and industry since March, and now even beach showers have been removed in Lloret de Mar.

The tourism industry in Spain, being the world’s second-most visited country, is a significant water consumer, with tourists in upscale hotels consuming more than double the amount of water used by the average resident. To tackle this issue, Catalonia’s regional government aims to achieve equal water consumption between tourists and locals by 2040.

Several initiatives are being adopted to conserve water. The Hotel Samba, for example, has implemented a wastewater recycling system, saving 215 million liters of water since 1997. Municipalities like Lloret are also using recycled wastewater for irrigation purposes, and even Water World aquatic park has managed to reduce its water usage by 32% through various conservation measures.

Experts and local groups advocate for a more sustainable tourism model, considering the limited water resources and the need to strike a balance between tourism growth and resource conservation. With the impacts of the climate crisis becoming more apparent, Spain is urged to transform its approach to water usage and embrace more eco-friendly practices.