Selling Travel March/April 2024

FREE SPIRITS

Travellers from all walks of life are opting for solo trips

Peru

Malta

inside this issue All around the world

Trend-Watching

08 Golf Holidays: We tee up top golf destinations courses around the world ahead of the U.S. Masters

14 Four-sight: Are rising tensions in the Middle East affecting bookings?

Globe-Hopping

18 Malta: This film and TV tourism hotspot is attracting set-jetters

22 My Journey: Botswana Delta & Desert safari

24 Destination Update: Singapore

26 Accessibility: In South America

28 Introducing: Skiing in Park City, Utah

31 Peru: How to experience its natural wonders and ancient traditions

34 My Journey: Sri Lanka

Trade Talk

37 The Review: Selling Travel Connect: Oman and Asia events

Be Inspired

44 Solo Travel: Why more Brits are braving it alone and how agents can support solo trips

47 Female Solo Travel: How agents can empower the female solo traveller and ensure their safety

50 Top Ten: Escorted tours for solo travellers

PeRU

MAlTA

boTSwAnA

GolF

SRI lAnkA

FeMAle Solo TRAvel

4 / Welcome

Steve Hartridge

EDITOR

Jessica Alexander

DIGITAL EDITOR

April Waterston

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Sheena Adesilu

WRITERS

Tracey Davies, Ben West, Bella Falk, Stuart Forster, Julie Baxter, Siobhan Grogan

PUBLISHING PUBLISHERS

Steve Thompson

steven.thompson@sellingtravel.co.uk

Sally Parker

sally.parker@sellingtravel.co.uk

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Stella De Berniere

stella.deberniere@sellingtravel.co.uk

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Shani Kunar MANAGING DIRECTOR

Matt Bonner CEO

Martin Steady

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

DESIGNERS

Caitlan Francis OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Clare Hunter

PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATOR

Steve Hunter COVER

Going solo March/April

Whether for a conference, a trade show or a FAM trip, it’s likely that most of us working in the travel industry have 'travelled solo' at some point in our careers. This is a trend that is set to grow, with 54% of travellers planning a trip without a companion in the near future, according to Skyscanner.

There are certainly benefits to travelling independently; the opportunity to meet like-minded people, the freedom to create your own schedule, and not having to compromise on activities or budget being some of the main positives.

While arriving in an unfamiliar country can be a freeing and exciting experience, it can also leave travellers feeling vulnerable, particularly when it comes to female solo travel.

There are ways in which travel agents can support and empower women who are looking to go it alone. Carolyn Pearson, CEO and Founder of Maiden Voyage, which champions inclusive travel through training schemes for travel professionals, has launched a Female Traveller Safety Training course.

This outlines how to plan a female traveller's end-to-end journey with increased levels of safety, as well as how travel professionals can help clients to navigate di erent cultures and understand the specific challenges women travellers face - topics we address in our dedicated Female Solo Travel feature on page 47.

Sri Lanka and Peru are expected to be big solo travel destinations for Flash Pack and G Adventures this year, due to their adventurous nature and strong community ethos. Read on-location accounts from both Steve Hartridge and myself as we uncover the natural wonders of both destinations. We also have plenty of inspiration for solo travellers looking to join escorted tours as well as dedicated solo cruises.

Enjoy the issue!

Jessica Alexander

Nature’s paradise starts with WestJet.

Your clients can enjoy an unforgettable Canadian adventure – and WestJet has a flight for that. With daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Calgary, your clients can explore the unspoiled mountain playground of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. Or this summer, they can fly to Halifax or St. John's from London Gatwick to discover the charm and stunning landscapes of the Atlantic coast.

WestJet offers the following flights to Canada:

Calgary from London Heathrow, Dublin and Edinburgh

Halifax from London Gatwick, Dublin and Edinburgh

Toronto from Dublin and Edinburgh

St. John’s from London Gatwick

Explore our flight schedule at westjet.com.

Maine, USA

Maine, has opened eight ‘Shoreside Rooms’ with floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing views of Maine’s iconic Nubble Lighthouse. The two- acre property provides year-round accommodation for guests, with outdoor in the summer.

Dubai

THE MISSING LINK

Kerzner International has opened its first urban resort in Dubai. One&Only One Za’abeel has dual skyscrapers which are intersected by the world’s longest cantilever, The Link, home to Michelin-star dining experiences as well as the UAE’s longest suspended infinity pool. Suites offer views of Dubai’s skyline and guests have the option to join cocktail masterclasses, sunrise yoga sessions, art tours, film nights and regional wine discovery sessions. Kerzner.com

Turkey

SUMMER SESSIONS

Mykonos-based Scorpios, part of the Soho House & Co family, will begin its expansion by opening a property in Bodrum, Turkey, in June. The resort will house two restaurants, a clubhouse, Scorpios’ signature beach club, a Ritual Space for wellness practices, as well as 12 private suites, each with their own outdoor pool and lounge area. Guests will be treated to a revolving artist residency in collaboration with the brand’s music label, Scorpios Music. scorpios.com

Golf trips are a Gimme

There’s above par commission earnings on offer for agents who can get to grips with the world’s top golf destinations, suggest Steve Hartridge and Peter Ellegard

The ball starts its journey towards the hole, rolling slowly at first but then accelerating as it drops off the top of one of the green’s crafty undulations.

It tracks inexorably towards its target and drops into the bottom of the cup.

I am on the par-3 third hole at Mid-Ocean Club in Tucker’s Town on the northeastern tip of Bermuda and this birdie is as good as it is going to get for me today.

But fretting about posting a good score comes a distant second to the privilege of just being here.

I am reminded of Mark Twain’s quote that “Golf is a good walk spoiled” but have to disagree. I take time out between shots to appreciate the beauty of the setting, pausing awhile to gaze out to the shimmering Atlantic Ocean that provides a stunning backdrop on a number of holes.

Accentuating those views are several elevated tees that lead the eye to the pretty white houses dotting the hills and the colourful boats in the harbour.

Then there are the timeless pines, the pretty glades, the inland water hazards and the mangrove bushes.

With its original design dating back to 1924, Mid-Ocean is Bermuda’s oldest and arguably still its top course, but there are other candidates on an island that has squeezed in more golf holes per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

In fact, with seven top courses that sculpt swathes of challenging green across its 21 square miles – including the fabulous

Port Royal and Tuckers Point, a scenic challenge linked to the Rosewood Hotel –this could just be the ultimate ‘must visit’ destination for golfers who like to travel.

Mark Twain also said “you die and go to heaven, I’ll stay here in Bermuda.” Those who love golf and visit the island would surely agree.

Score big

Golf holidays are a commission goldmine – as more agents are discovering.

With golfers typically being older and having more disposable income, it means that golf holidays are above par when it comes to their value.

Golfers often take more than one golf holiday a year and many travel in groups, upping the commission opportunity considerably.

Agents don’t need to be a golfer or even have much knowledge about the sport, either, as there are experts who can guide you and help get bookings.

Participation in the sport surged during Covid and has remained high since then, both at home and overseas.

popular locations are France, the US, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa and Italy. More importantly, just 25% of British and Irish golfers book holidays independently while 48% book a package. Three-quarters book either four-star or five-star hotels.

Trade operator

ABTA member golf tour operator Tee the World works exclusively with the trade and can dynamically package golf breaks with flights for clients. It recently acquired another tour operation called Golf to a Tee, specialising in escorted, social and coaching trips, that agents can now also book.

Research by Sporting Insights unveiled at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Lisbon last October shows that 59% of British and Irish golfers go on domestic golf holidays and 51% take one abroad.

The main overseas holiday hotspots for British and Irish golfers, says Sporting Insights, are Spain, including the Canary Islands and Balearics as well as the mainland, followed by Portugal. Other

Tee the World’s Sales and Product Manager Tim Worrell says the operator has commercial agreements with trade consortia including Hays, Barrhead, Coop, TTA and TTNG. It also has about

1,500 travel agent followers on its dedicated Facebook page.

“As we don’t promote packages on our website, this is where travel agents will see the latest offers with news, quizzes and images that they can share on their own pages,” he explains.

“It’s important for agents to check additional costs of equipment and green fees, along with air carriage charges to carry golf clubs overseas, so that clients can budget accordingly”

Leah Marshall, Sandals

“We provide marketing material that they can customise with their own calls to action. We are also quite happy to talk to the clients on the agent’s behalf if it is a very detailed or specific enquiry.”

Tee The World’s website has a page of questions for agents to ask clients, such as whether they are regular golfers, if they want to take their own golf clubs and how many rounds they would like to play.

The operator generally pays 10% commission on overseas holidays and 5% on UK breaks.

Several agents the operator works with send groups of as many as 40 to overseas destinations including La Manga in Spain, Slovenia and Mauritius.

To counter rising flight costs, the operator is promoting more midweek travel for agents to suggest as well as lesser-known golf destinations such as Lisbon and Spanish areas Girona, Reus, Murcia.

Another alternative for agents is to book a holiday where the golf is just part of the stay.

All-inclusive and adults-only Caribbean resort group Sandals has free green fees for guests at its resorts on the islands of Grand Exuma in the Bahamas (playing Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course), Jamaica (Upton Estate Golf & Country Club) and Saint Lucia (St Lucia Golf & Country Club) along with free transfers and a free weekly golf clinic.

Leah Marshall, Director of Sales at

Unique Vacations UK, an affiliate of the exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representative for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, says: “When selling a golf holiday, it’s important for agents to check out the costs of items such as equipment and green fees, along with air carriage charges to carry golf clubs overseas, so that clients can budget accordingly. This, along with the quality of the course is often the priority for guests travelling on golfing holidays to Sandals Resorts.”

Top golf destinations

Mauritius: Ten 18-hole courses make Mauritius an evergreen golf holiday choice. A great sell for agents is ‘free golf’ for those staying in several island hotels. A second course, La Reserve Golf Links, opened in late 2023 at Heritage Resorts. The links-style course, with rolling fairways and panoramic ocean views from every hole, runs alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Verandah Resorts has five properties on the island: Veranda Pointe Aux Biches, Veranda Paul and Virginie, Veranda Grand Baie, Veranda Tamarin and Veranda Palmar Beach. Golf can be arranged at the Heritage Golf Club.

Free golf is also on offer at Constance Hotels’ Belle Mare Plage resort’s two courses and at Anahita Golf & Spa Resort.

Guests of Sunlife hotels’ three resorts benefit from unlimited golf on some of the best golf courses on the island: Ile aux Cerfs (set on a privately owned island and reachable only by a ‘special golf’ boat shuttle from its private jetty), Anahita and Tamarina Golf Courses.

Finca cortesin, spain

tHe neW La reserVe GoLF coUrse, maUritiUs

HUmber VaLLey GoLF coUrse neWFoUndLand, canada

HUMBER VALLE y RESORT

STEVE CARR

Spain: The Costa del Sol remains the favourite sunshine golf holiday destination for Brits. Among golf resorts are La Cala in Mijas and Villa Padierna near Marbella, both of which have three 18-hole courses. Finca Cortesin, in Casares, has a luxury boutique spa hotel and hosted the women’s version of the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, in September 2023.

Portugal: The Algarve is also hugely popular for winter and spring golf escapes. Among its top golf resorts are Quinta do Lago, Penina, Monte Rei, Vale de Lobo, Dona Filipa, Palmares and Vilamoura, a luxury leisure destination with several hotels and six courses. The Lisbon area has its own collection of quality resorts, including Penha Longa and Praia D’El Rey.

Caribbean: Opened in December 2023, the spectacular Cabot Saint Lucia rolls across a 375-acre peninsula at the northern tip of the island. With magnificent ocean views, it is set to become one of the world’s ‘must play’ courses. The Dominican Republic has more than two dozen golf courses, three of them by famed designer Pete Dye at Casa de Campo resort.

North Carolina, USA: Pinehurst, North Carolina, is known as the ‘Home of American Golf’ and offers nine 18-hole golf courses as well as four hotels. Its famous No 2 course will host the U.S. Open for the fourth time in June 2024. A popular resort course is the Omni Grove Park Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Atlantic Canada: Cabot Cape Breton in northern Nova Scotia has the country’s number-one rated course, Cabot Cliffs, and sister course Cabot Links with lodge and villa accommodation on-site.

Prince Edward Island has the most golf courses per capita in Canada and includes the Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort. Newfoundland weighs in with golf venues including Humber Valley Resort.

Turkey: Purpose-built seaside resort Belek on Turkey’s Antalya coast has more than a dozen luxury hotels that have associated golf courses. Green fees are included as part of the hotel packages.

Morocco: The country has courses on the Mediterranean, Atlantic and in cities including capital Rabat and Marrakech, which alone has 12 courses. Golf resorts include the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech,

Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay Resort near Agadir, the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort on the Atlantic coast and Michlifen Golf Resort in the Middle Atlas Mountains.

South Africa: South Africa offers great-value golf and accommodation at resorts such as Sun City, with several hotels and two Gary Player courses. On the Garden Route choices include Fancourt, with three Gary Player courses, the Fairmont Zimbali Resort, the Wild Coast Sun Resort and Arabella Hotel, Golf and Spa. Or clients can let the train take the strain on a Rovos Rail golf safari, staying in opulent restored carriages and playing golf en route.

France: Golf choices in France include Terre Blanche Golf Resort in Provence, Golf du Medoc Resort near Bordeaux, Chateaux Des Vigiers in the Dordogne and Le Manoir hotel in Le Touquet, all with two courses, as well as Evian Resort in the Alps.

Where to book it

TEE THE WORLD

Seven nights at the five-star Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius, on an all-inclusive basis with daily golf including a round on the new La Reserve Golf Links costs from £4,275pp, with direct flights and airport transfers. teetheworld.co.uk •

cabot cLiFFs GoLF cLUb, noVa scotia, canada

mid-ocean GoLF cLUb, bermUda

FancoUrt montaGU, soUtH aFrica

CABOT CAPE BRETON

TEE-OFF ON THE EAST PUTT ON THE WEST

Indulge in the ultimate golfing escape with our COME ALIVE GOLF TOUR Experience the thrill of 5 ROUNDS on 4 STUNNING golf courses in Mauritius.

For more information, please contact us at: golf@yoursunlife.com

As more cruise lines avoid the Red Sea, have bookings to the Middle East been affected by the mounting global tensions?

We’ve been lucky that so far none of our customers have been affected by the tensions in the Middle East.

It’s not an area we send a lot of people to, but I suppose there is always a bit of trepidation for anyone travelling to areas surrounding, or near, to areas of conflict. The threat of tensions and a war situation are always a cause for concern in our industry (not to mention devastating on so many levels for the people of

There is trepidation when travelling near areas of conflict

those countries, of course).

In general, despite heightened tensions across the globe and the impact of the cost-of living crisis, we’ve had a good start to the year. It feels like people are keen to travel but maybe not as quick to commit financially. January was full of quotes and enquiries, which then turned into bookings in February, so things are looking steady – for now.

We’ve seen a surge of bookings for Sri Lanka and India in particular, and Canada was so popular for us in January with last-minute bookings for this year, which was lovely for me to see as a Canada Specialist. I’m never happier than when planning intricate Canada itineraries.

Anneka Desrosiers Southern Cross Travel, East Sussex

The Cruise Specialist

I am very aware that clients can be worried by various safety concerns when choosing an itinerary. In particular, Nile cruises with an Israel land extension have been affected by the current unrest in the Middle East and many operators are having to rethink itineraries within the region.

Some clients have concerns about cruising towards the Black Sea but few have changed their plans.

In recent years we have lost Russia,

Nile cruises with an Israel land extension have been a ected

Ukraine and Myanmar as destinations.

I wonder when they will again be viable tourist destinations, although it is difficult to see in the foreseeable future. The loss of life and destruction of communities caused by man (rather than by nature) is deeply sad.

For some years, the tensions and situation in Egypt led to the cessation of popular Nile cruises; the fact that this has now returned and ships are once more sailing from Luxor to Aswan gives some hope that travel to other countries can one day resume.

The main worry is that the Middle East situation will get worse and that air travel will once more be seen as a target for political terrorism.

The world seems a scary place.

The High Street Agency

Thankfully, we haven’t had any cruise customers affected by the problems in the Red Sea. I think the uncertainty has impacted travellers’ itinerary choices and they are now opting for alternative cruises.

We have however had several bookings to Egyptian beach resorts over the last few months and clients have enjoyed their holidays and taken advantage of some great deals too.

We have had clients asking if it

I have seen reports of cruise companies such as Virgin Voyages having to reroute to avoid the Red Sea and can understand why customers are nervous about last-minute changes to itineraries. At least these cruise operators are putting passenger safety first and avoiding sailing through regions that could be considered a risk. It must be a logistical nightmare for them but it offers customers peace of mind and they are less likely to cancel.

James Hill Director of GoRiverCruise Worcestershire

The uncertainty has impacted travellers’ itinerary choices

is safe to fly over some countries, and we do reassure customers that airlines can change the flight paths to stay well away from any war zones! We are also seeing a demand for other destinations in the Middle East and have recently made a booking for a tour in Pakistan.

I think customers trust UK Government travel advice and follow the guidance – if they said it was unsafe, tours would be cancelled and alternatives offered.

After several years of Covid when there were so many dictations made as to where we couldn’t travel to, the demand for more unusual destinations intrigues our customers –within reason!

Liz Beaty The Travel Team Brampton, Cumbria

Cruises are putting passenger safety first by diverting

Recent stormy weather has caused havoc at my local airport Leeds Bradford, with some horrible landings reported. There have been a few incidents where planes have had to land unexpectedly or even reroute to another airport.

I think delays in January and February are to be expected in this country – although I did recently see a story about a man who was arrested in Mexico after opening a plane emergency door and walking onto the wing after being stuck for over three hours on the tarmac without air conditioning or water!

Even that is better than passengers who are disruptive or drunk onboard. They should be banned from flying.

Sandy Murray

Sandy’s Travel Escapes

The Homeworker

“I am finding customers are more astute to the reality that you don’t always get a better deal online”

Since opening the new Fred. Olsen branch in Worthing business has been really positive. Our Grand Opening event in January gave us great brand awareness and inspired bookings, plus we had lots of interest from passing traffic.

Worthing has a great community feel and specifically in the arcade where all the shops here make a real effort to be friendly and also work together to help each other’s businesses.

It’s so great to be able to serve the customers who live in your hometown. Even though the internet can be good for research, I feel like high street is absolutely making a comeback. I am finding customers are more astute to the reality that you don’t always get a better deal online, and are making the most of being able to sit back and let us help. Also people do still love a brochure!

New beginnings

Following some great opening offers, we are now planning some more focused product and destination events

throughout the year such as a ‘Disney princess and hero day’, a cruise fair, and an evening of Italian food and ambiance with customers.

Whilst we naturally have customers who love cruising, Worthing is also very much a family town. I would say short-haul the Greek islands are as popular as ever and selling well. Long-haul we have had lots of interest in Canada and Japan with people wanting to see the colours of fall and also cherry blossoms. Lastly, people have and always will want to see the other side of the world so we are getting lots of Australia enquiries.

“Whilst Australia is huge, Victoria is very compact and easy to navigate”

We’re really excited to partner with Tourism Australia to host the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), Australia’s premier tourism event, in Melbourne in May. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the state to so many buyers and trade partners from across the world.

We’ve launched a new global brand campaign, ‘Every Bit Different’ which is designed to showcase the creativity and the diversity of Melbourne and Victoria.

Whilst we’re a very small and compact state, we really punch above our weight when it comes to what we offer. We have this incredibly vibrant, creative, multicultural foodie city that is surrounded by nature. So whilst Australia is huge, Victoria is very compact and visitors can get so much out of their trip, whether it’s driving the Great Ocean Road or seeing the penguins on Philip Island or hiking the Grampians.

Premium product

Australia is a huge destination. For many people, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, for others, it’ll be their second or third trip,

which is why the trade really does play a critical role in helping consumers shape their itinerary.

We’re seeing a really strong return to the international market, not only to Australia, but Melbourne and Victoria as well. Melbourne Airport has more capacity coming in than we did pre-covid and has invested significantly in new hotels, particularly properties on the premium end, such as the Marriott group, the W Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and we’re expecting to open a Shangri La this year as well. We’re also seeing new experiences opening in the spa and wellness space. •

Kelly Virgo, Branch Manager of Fred. Olsen Travel Agents, Worthing

Shae Keenan, Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Victoria

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DecorateD street in olD town of Valletta, Malta

Marvellous Med

Malta is enjoying some time in the spotlight thanks to its ‘set-jetting’ credentials and melting pot of heritage, culture and cuisine, says Ben West

“Look at that view, it’s just wonderful,” says one of my companions as we survey the gorgeous panorama of lush green herb-scented grasses leading to fields peppered with poppies and a white-sand beach beyond.

We pause for a moment, under a gentle sun cooled by a slight breeze, on a one-hour, €30 horseback tour.

We have been trotting along cross-country tracks by the coast through a historic nature park around Golden Bay, a pretty inlet with the most popular tourist beach of the Manikata region in northwest Malta.

I have virtually no horse riding experience, which makes it even more special. Once or twice I wonder whether we are too near to the cliffs, but we are in very good hands.

Our group is with Golden Bay Horse Riding; and they have horses for all, from five-year-olds to the elderly and not so agile, from complete beginners to the very experienced.

As well as the one-hour trek, there’s a 90-minute sunset ride on offer. Due to the climate, rides are only operated during the cooler times of day during summer.

A number of the horses are named after drinks, such as Tia Maria and Guinness, which seems a bit of a contradiction, as

their website states drunk riders are not allowed - so you have been warned.

Setting the scene

Just three hours’ flying time from the UK with plenty of flights from low-cost airlines, Malta is a heady mix of influences, having been home to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, French and British. 2023 was a record year for the Mediterranean island, even surpassing 2019 tourist numbers. It’s also a top LGBTQ+ destination; for seven years in a row, it has occupied the number one spot on the Rainbow Europe Index.

“Benefiting from over 300 days of sunshine a year, Malta boasts a unique mix of historical ruins, impressive beaches, famous diving sites and friendly locals – making it an ideal holiday destination for solo travellers, couples seeking short breaks or families planning a sunny European holiday,” says Peter Green, Trade Trainer at Visit Malta UK and Ireland.

“Agents looking to satisfy their customers ‘set-jetting’ dreams will strike gold with Malta.

New research reveals that more than a third (37%) of British travellers have previously visited a destination because a favourite film or TV show has been filmed

there. Malta is enjoying a real moment in the global spotlight, being home to iconic productions such as Gladiator and Gladiator 2 (currently being filmed), Napoleon, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy, Game of Thrones and Jurassic World Dominion Balkan Holidays is expanding into Malta for the first time this summer: “We chose to launch here as we believe it is a wonderful, diverse destination, whether it’s culture in the capital of Valletta, the cuisine, the history, or the nightlife in st Juliens,” says National sales Manager, Lynsey Jones.

Each season brings a different reason to draw visitors: from swimming in summer in the warm sea, hiking the lush green countryside of Gozo in the spring, exploring the cobbled streets of Valletta on a bright winter morning or sampling some local cuisine and wine during the autumn harvest season.

“Over the past few years Malta has continued to grow,” says Alan cross, Director of Travel Agent Relationships at Jet2holidays. “We have seen strong bookings for Malta for this summer and have been expanding our programme, including two new routes from Belfast International and Edinburgh.”

What’s new

Boutique bonanza: Boutique hotel openings are ongoing, often within historic buildings renovated by contemporary designers. They include Deep Blu in Żurrieq, capital Boutique Hotel in Valletta, Ushuaia Playa Xemxija in st Paul’s Bay, IBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina Malta in Burgu and DOMS Boutique Hotel at Mellieha Luxury living: There have been a succession of four- and five-star hotel openings, including the Barceló Fortina Malta Hotel, Ac Hotel by Marriott st Julian’s, and Hotel Mistral, Hotel scirocco and Hotel Levante and ME Residences, all affiliated by Meliá. The Dolmen Hotel Malta is set to become a DoubleTree by Hilton this year. New art festival: Taking place between March and May, the inaugural Malta Biennale 2024 is a contemporary art event presenting works by individual artists. The Biennale will coincide with Malta’s traditional fiesta season that includes cultural events, processions, religious ceremonies, firework displays and more. maltabiennale.art

Trade tools: Visit Malta has relaunched the Malta Training Programme with

refreshed content for travel agents and has signed up for Big Agent Rewards. Agents have access to four new courses with three more due to go live. The platform also features a new badge system, in conjunction with the Rewards programme, to identify key agents undertaking training and delivering on bookings with the aim to offer them a place on future Malta Academy Fam trips. malta-training.com

Malta must-sees

Self-drive Valletta: A great way to explore the historic Three cities, inhabited since Phoenician times –Vittoriosa, cospicua and senglea – is to hop aboard a self-drive Rolling Geeks golf buggy. Its pre-programmed GPs both guides the tour through the streets and alleyways and explains the sights at your own pace. Passing beautiful Baroque architecture, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Each car seating up to four requires one driving licence. rolling-geeks.com

Check out the cathedral: The capital, Valletta, is a Unesco World Heritage site and was founded in 1566 by the christian order the Knights of st John. A must-see is st John’s cathedral, which has a beautiful painted vaulted ceiling, intricately carved stone, 29 huge tapestries that have recently been returned after a 16-year restoration, and one of caravaggio’s most

famous works, the Beheading of st. John the Baptist. stjohnscocathedral.com

Go to Gozo: A quick and cheap ferry ride transports you back a few decades to this much more rural and laid back island. clients will discover the golden sands of Ramla Bay, the Ggantija Temples, (built before stonehenge), ancient salt pans, Dwejra Bay, with its dramatic coastal formations, and Rabat (or Victoria), the capital of the island.

Dive to a shipwreck: Diving is very popular here, with around 50,000 people doing so each year. The Blue Lagoon at the virtually undeveloped comino is a diving hotspot. The little fisherman’s bay, Ghar Lapsi, near Siġġiewi on the south coast of Malta is another. And Valletta’s harbour has a historic shipwreck, HMS Maori, which served in World War Two before being sunk by Nazi planes and is ideal for beginners. Divewise offers courses, gear and excursions. divewise.com.mt

Where to book it

JeT2HoLidays

A seven-night Malta And Gozo break departing from Manchester on May 9 and staying at the three-star Luna Holiday complex in a standard studio is priced from £689pp. It includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers. jet2holidays.com •

Blue Grotto sea caVes

Valletta’s three cities

Baroque architecture

Globe hopping

Alberta’s

Waterton

For clients looking to explore a wilder part of the Canadian Rockies, Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta hits the spot

Located in the southwest corner of Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park is roughly a three-hour drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC). Those travelling by car from the U.S. have a mere 30-minute journey north of the border. In fact, Waterton shares a border (and international peace park) with Montana’s Glacier National Park. And, since fewer people know of Waterton’s hidden draws, it’s the perfect place for clients to seek solace and inspire their wild sides. But it won’t remain a secret for long.

Year-round appeal

Seasonal adventures means Waterton is open year-round. There’s snowshoeing in winter, photographing wildflowers in spring (Waterton Lakes National Park is Canada’s wildflower capital), climbing summits in summer and biking paved pathways in autumn, to name a few. No matter which season, spotting wildlife like elk, bighorn, and bears is almost always a guarantee.

Many trails are all-season accessible, such as the winding Red Rock Canyon, the rushing Blakiston Falls, the popular Bear’s Hump lookout and the picturesque Cameron Lake.

Known to many as Canada’s most thrilling hike, Crypt Lake Trail is generally open from May to October. A 15-minute boat ride across Upper Waterton Lake delivers trekkers to the trailhead. Equally challenging and rewarding, the 11 mile hike passes four waterfalls, goes through lush forests and ends at a pristine alpine lake.

Winter here is particularly special for experiencing Waterton’s International Dark Sky Park. Its skies are protected from light pollution, meaning planets and the Milky Way galaxy can shine uninhibited. Meanwhile, longer nights give visitors increased chances of spotting the elusive and beautiful northern lights. Dark Sky

Guides offers a range of evening excursions, including a 2.5-hour trip into the remote backcountry where they teach clients how to navigate the skies.

Unique stays

From camping in national parks to lakeside luxury hotels, Waterton has a range of accommodations to suit.

Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort is rustic in feel but modern in its amenities. This spot caters to families needing full-kitchen apartments and couples craving romance.

High-end Waterton Glacier Suites gives each room a private balcony and fireplace and offers seasonal packages with local outdoor operators.

Prince of Wales Hotel operates over spring and summer. The historic landmark offers magnificent mountain views, which complement its stunning interior. •

Prince of Wales hotel

snoWshoeing in the national Park

Bear’s humP lookout

CGoing wild in

Botswana

an you see anything?” asks our captain, Lebo, as the boat nudges gently into the bank of Botswana’s Chobe River. There’s a collective intake of breath and a burst of shutter clicking as we clock the sinister shape of a crocodile lurking just above the waterline.

“But there’s more,” smiles Lebo, a knowing look on her face. We peer, confused, and then spot them: about 30 hatchlings, just days old, lying in a tangled pile on the grass, with an adventurous few balanced on their mother’s head as if part of the decoration of an Ascot-goer’s hat.

The croc family seems relaxed about our proximity. Our vessel is almost noiseless, powered not by a growling diesel engine, but by a canopy of solar panels above our heads, soaking in the African sun.

“Ours are silent safaris,” explains Lebo. “Electric boats allow you to get closer without disturbing the wildlife – and they’re better for the planet too.”

Bella Falk tests out a trio of Desert & Delta safari lodges in Botswana and discovers how they are changing safari norms for the better

Making headlines at Chobe Game Lodge

This intimate encounter is part of a trip organised by Desert & Delta Safaris, which runs nine luxury lodges in Botswana, to celebrate the 50th birthday of their flagship property. Established in 1973, the five-star Chobe Game Lodge is where silver screen stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton famously tied the knot in 1975 – just 16 months after their divorce.

As I stroll through the cool hallways, it’s easy to see what attracted the Hollywood icons: the lodge oozes classic African glamour, with spacious rooms decorated in an opulent Moroccan style, two sultry darkpanelled bars, and a riverfront boardwalk where you can sip a cocktail and watch jewel-coloured birds preening in the trees –perfect for solo travellers who want to swap stories about the day's adventures.

Since it opened, the lodge has been leading the way in ultra luxury safari experiences across Africa.

It was the first five-star hotel in Chobe National Park, one of Botswana’s most spectacular wildlife hotspots, and it remains the only permanent lodge inside the park with direct access to the Chobe River.

It was also the first property in Africa to establish an all-female team of guides. Our boat captain Lebo Mangwegape is one of an 18-strong team known as the Chobe Angels, who are inspiring other young women to move into this male-dominated industry. Today, over 70% of all the female guides in the country have worked here.

“Women make great safari guides,” says

Chobe was the first in Africa to establish an all-female team of guides

Chobe Angel Kgomotso Mothelo.

“We work hard, and we’re sensitive to guests’ needs. We’re proving women can guide just as well as any man, if not better.”

Delta delights at Camp Moremi

On the water at Xugana Island Lodge

The excitement continues at Xugana, another beautiful lodge on an island in the Delta. We float along the tranquil waterways in a Mokoro – a traditional canoe – and spot kingfishers, herons, and a painted reed frog.

Next day we do a walking safari with an armed guard, and have an electrifying encounter with three lions. One spots us from 200 metres and gives us a bloodchilling stare, so we make a strategic retreat. While I’m all for getting close to Botswana’s spectacular wildlife, I prefer doing so from the safety of one of those quietly reassuring - and fast – electric cars.

Still, there's nothing that bonds you more as a group of travellers than the fear of becoming lunch for a pride of lions!

*All photos credit to Bella Falk •

Chobe may be one of the top National Parks but no Botswana safari is complete without visiting the world-famous Okavango Delta, a vast wetland home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife. A spectacular light-aircraft flight over serpentine waterways and herds of elephants takes us to Camp Moremi, a peaceful eco-lodge on the edge of Moremi Game Reserve. We’re welcomed by a joyful choir of staff. “You shall never forget beautiful Botswana,” they sing, in harmony. Days find their own rhythm: we’re woken at five for a breakfast of eggs and Botswana ‘fat cakes’ - deep-fried doughnuts - before a thrilling game drive in the reserve’s flourishing forests. We spend an hour watching 12 lions relaxing in a shady glade; another day we’re completely surrounded by more than 1,000 buffalo. “Buffalo can be very dangerous,” says our guide, Metal. “But don’t worry, if one charges us…” He pauses for the punchline. “I will ask for a receipt.”

Morning activities are rounded off with a healthy lunch of grilled fish and multicoloured salads, followed by downtime before afternoon tea is served –essential sustenance for another round of animal adventures. Later there are sunset G&Ts overlooking a lake teeming with grunting hippos, and a three-course dinner. My waistband starts to feel tight.

Book It With African Pride

A seven-night stay at Chobe Game Lodge with African Pride costs from £4,429pp and includes flights, transfers, meals, drinks, twice daily safari activities, park fees and laundry. african-pride.co.uk

What’s new in

Singapore

With a new marketing campaign and a growing skyline of futuristic hotels, Singapore is commanding travellers’ attention, says Stuart Forster

Many travellers explore Singapore during stopovers yet it’s a destination that rewards longer stays. Rooftop bars, luxury hotels and a vibrant culinary scene mean there’s plenty of appeal beyond sightseeing.

To this effect, the country’s tourist board recently released a global campaign ‘Made in Singapore’ with the aim of inspiring travellers to choose the destination as their next holiday spot. The campaign highlights ‘quintessentially Singapore experiences’ and explores how ordinary moments are turned into extraordinary experiences.

Speaking of the campaign, Singapore Tourism’s newly appointed Regional Director Europe, Kershing Goh, said: “Made in Singapore showcases the unexpected twists in our everyday moments and will elevate Singapore within the consideration of any potential travellers.”

Adding: “From iconic attractions to hidden

gems, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with trade partners, to inspire travel to the country.”

Looking ahead, Goh believes that Europe will be a top market in 2024.

“Singapore’s tourism sector recovered strongly in 2023 with 474,000 visitors from the UK. Furthering the recovery momentum is the increase in flight capacity from multiple cities including new and additional flights from Brussels and London, as well as a slew of exciting new hotels opening and a calendar packed full of entertainment.”

What’s new

The Singapore Grand Prix (September 20-22) is a reason for Formula 1 fans to visit in 2024. HyperDrive, the new e-karting at Sentosa Island’s Palawan Beach, offers insights into the thrills of racing.

Footpaths and viewing points make Fort Canning Park ideal for a stroll. Inside the park, the newly refurbished Battlebox – a museum within a command bunker

dating from 1936 – conveys Singapore’s capitulation to Japanese forces in 1942. Several hotels have recently undergone refurbs, including the Pan-Pacific Singapore, Conrad Singapore Orchard and Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

With 142 rooms and suites, Artyzen Singapore opened in November as the first of the chain’s properties outside of China. Overlooking West Orchard Road, it has a 25-metre infinity pool and roof garden. The principal restaurant, Quenino by Victor Liong, serves degustation menus and Café Quenino becomes a cocktail bar nightly.

Near Singapore Botanic Gardens, the 204-room Edition hotel also opened in November. With Ian Schrager designs, it has the restaurant Fysh at Edition by acclaimed Australian chef Josh Nil, a rooftop loungebar with a swimming pool plus a spa.

In a redesigned 1930s building from where Chinese immigrants used to wire money home, 21 Carpenter is one of Marriott Bonvoy’s Design Hotels. Near Clarke Quay,

Marina Bay SandS

CapitaSpring SkySCraper

STUART FORSTER

the 48-room hotel opened in December. Its garden terrace, infinity pool and bistro offer guests stylish spaces.

Singapore Airlines is to add a five-timesweekly direct service from London Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport, starting on June 22, 2024. The airport has reopened Terminal 2, complete with a 14-metre-tall digital display, dubbed ‘The Wonderfall’, a brand-new garden (Dreamscape), plus a year-long free bike rental initiative for passengers who have a layover in Singapore.

Top experiences for 2024

Enjoy rooftop views: Reminiscent of a ship balanced on three skyscrapers, the Marina Bay Sands resort is an iconic landmark whose 56th-storey SkyPark Observation Deck (from £16.50pp) presents views over the Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Strait. Travellers with something to celebrate may appreciate the Sunset in the Sky experience, which includes

chocolates and Champagne (from £46pp). Tables at Smoke and Mirrors, the rooftop bar at the National Gallery Singapore, are ideal for drinks while viewing Spectra – the Marina Bay Sands’ 15-minute light and water show – held nightly at 20.00 and 21.00, plus 22.00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The 280-metre CapitaSpring skyscraper also presents panoramic views from 1-Arden Sky Garden on the 51st level.

Open from Monday to Friday, the building also warrants a visit to experience the Green Oasis, a four-storey vertical garden ingeniously integrated within its framework.

Sightseeing in a sidecar: Clients are likely to enjoy seeing Singapore from the sidecar of a restored Vespa scooter. Tours offer a thrilling way of travelling between points of interest while hearing insights personalised by local guides.

The Kampong Glam and Civil District tour is an opportunity to discover aspects of Singaporean heritage while scooting past landmarks including the Raffles Hotel.

Book it with... Audley Travel

A 15-day Historical Singapore and Malaysia trip is priced from £4,130pp and includes international flights plus time spent in Singapore before exploring neighbouring Malaysia. audleytravel.com

The tour also zips along sections of Singapore Grand Prix street circuit.

Discover a gem: Changi Airport is a place to while away hours between connecting flights. It’s attractions include the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It is surrounded by the indoor Shisheido Forest Valley, whose trails take around 30 minutes to complete. The upper floor is a leisure zone featuring a canopy walkway, mazes and nets to bounce on.

Sample Singaporean cuisine: In 2020 UNESCO added Singapore’s multicultural hawker culture, community dining and culinary practices to its list of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Singapore is dotted with hawker centres offering moderately priced, flavourful food served at communal tables.

Lau Pa Sat is open 24 hours. At 19.00 Boon Tat Street is transformed into Satay Street with tables spilling onto the tarmac. Served with sauce, satay skewers are grilled over charcoal at stalls and delivered to tables. •

gardenS By tHe Bay

SingapOre SideCarS

LaU pa Sat’S Satay Street

JeWeL CHangi airpOrt

STUART FORSTER

STUART FORSTER STUART FORSTER

Accessing South America Destination in focus

Airlines and attractions across South America are leading the way in making the region more accessible. Julie Baxter investigates

LATAM Airlines has received certification for training over 10,000 employees to assist passengers on the autism spectrum. It has been driving a change in attitudes to disabled travellers in the region as part of a broad policy commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

The airline was supported by the Autism Double-Checked scheme and has also implemented the Sunflower programme for invisible disabilities, providing free lanyards for passengers with low vision, hearing loss, and autism spectrum disorders at check-in counters in 19 selected airports.

In collaboration with the TEA Chile Foundation, the airline also conducted the first boarding practice for individuals with autism at Santiago airport on World Autism Awareness Day. The initiative is now planned to be an annual event and last year involved around 50 participants, including neurodiverse children and 20 airline staff.

Pockets of progress...

Perhaps the most powerful and visible champion for change has been Ecuador’s former President (2017-2021), Lenin Moreno, who is himself a paraplegic and wheelchair user. He was a major force for disability rights and benefits in the country, identifying the desperate position of many disabled people in the region and positioning Ecuador as setting a positive example on the issue. The government ramped up spending to make public facilities and major attractions accessible and provided locals with equipment and support, while also promoting Ecuador as a hospitable tourist destination for people with physical disabilities. Challenges still remain especially outside the capital Quito but local operators such as Ecuador For All tap into what is available (including accessible rooms) to offer accessible tours and equipment hire.

Accessible attractions...

In the last decade, Peru has also benefited from accessibility laws. The capital Lima is largely flat and navigable by wheelchair with some city tours using accessible vehicles.

In Brazil, the tourism authorities of Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state, have prioritised opening tourism experiences to suit a range of disabilities, focused primarily on programmes for the visually and cognitively impaired. Among its initiatives are 3D-printed plastic miniatures of the city’s tourist attractions which helps vision-impaired visitors gain a better understanding of the scale and shapes of different buildings. Inside the city’s Botanical Garden, a Garden of Sensations was added with braille signs and ‘touch plants’.

Founded by Il Viaggio Travel, a family operator with a disabled family member, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network was created as a non-profit association to provide information, verification and training on accessibility. Its vision is to position Costa Rica as a destination that guarantees accessible tourist services and supports suppliers that want to serve this market.

ACCESSIBILITY IN ACTION

Falls made friendly: Iguazu Falls has adopted the slogan ‘Nature without barriers’ and 90% of trails and walkways are wheelchair accessible including the famous Devil’s Throat.

City life: Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires have worked to become wheelchair-friendly destinations, with curb ramps and accessible buses, and disabled access is available at main tourist attractions including the Sugar Loaf Mountain cable car.

Accessible art: The Museum Oscar Niemeyer, Latin America’s largest art museum, in Curitiba, Brazil, is now 100% accessible with ramps, audio guides, braille and quiet rooms.

IGUAZU FALLS, ARGENTINA

In Oklah O ma

OklahOma Charm: Oklahoma City (OKC) is known as the Modern Frontier. The city is large enough to enjoy the benefits of a modern, urban metropolis without losing the genuine warmth and charm that defines Oklahoma and its people.

Only-In-OkC: Unique to Oklahoma is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Meanwhile, the First Americans Museum offers exhibits on the vibrant cultures of the 39 distinct First American Nations. The on-site restaurant, 39, offers indigenous inspired cuisine.

EasE Of TravEl: Located in the centre of the U.S. Oklahoma is easily accessible with a well-connected airport, large enough for direct flights and convenient connections. Oklahoma City offers a walkable and safe downtown that can easily be explored on foot, along with its 20 other districts.

CulInary flaIr: Whether clients seek white tablecloths and premium top sirloin, a beloved local gem serving homestyle cooking, or something in between, Oklahoma City caters to all tastes. Delve into the culinary scene, spanning Guatemalan to Japanese and beyond. Visitors also love the variety of food trucks serving local favourites.

OuTdOOr advEnTurE: Get an adrenaline rush at RIVERSPORT in Oklahoma City with whitewater rafting, zip-lining and climbing walls. The Adventure Park offers a range of activities, from flatwater kayaking to youth-friendly zones. With cycling trails and events, RIVERSPORT provides thrilling outdoor experiences for all.

Globe

Skiing in

Park City, Utah

With perfect powder conditions and fewer crowds Park City, Utah, is a good option for agents looking beyond the Alps next winter, says

STracey Davies

oaring over pine trees draped in foot-thick royal icing, a glistening mountainous wonderland as far as the eye can see, I feel like Elsa from Frozen as I swing on my snow-dusted chairlift. Famously home to ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ – light as thistledown and as generous as Disney snow– Park City, Utah could be the ultimate ski destination for Brits next year.

Rippled across Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, along the western tail of the Rockies, Park City Mountain is now the largest ski resort in North America. I’m, at best, a confident novice on the slopes and love nothing more than gently cruising down wide, tree-lined green runs enjoying the view.

However, the beauty of skiing in Park City, Utah, is that its resorts cater for all levels –from a Bambi-on-ice skier like me to slalom superstars like Stein Eriksen, the Norwegian Olympian who made his home here.

Add in the elevated customer service – ski valets, anyone?– consistently top-drawer snow conditions and a buzzy après scene which runs the full gamut from fancy finedining restaurants to spit-and-sawdust bars, and it’s easy to see why Park City is called ‘Winter’s Favorite Town’.

USA over Europe

After the poor snow conditions in the Alps in recent years, increasing numbers of skiers are crossing the pond to get their snow kicks. With more than 7,300 acres of skiable terrain and Utah’s consistently excellent snow record – last season saw a record-breaking 612 inches of the white stuff – Park City sells itself to snow-hungry skiers and snowboarders. It benefits from a wide range of hotels, lodges and condos, from swanky five-star pads like the Four Seasons, Goldener Hirsch and Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley to comfortable chains like DoubleTree by Hilton, Hyatt Place and

Deer VAlley resort in pArk city

tree-lineD ski runs

fAmily fun ArounD the cAmpfire

royAl street cAfe

ADAM BAR k ER PHOTOGRAPH y

Globe

Best Western Plus in Park City, making it accessible to mid and upper-range budgets.

Compared to Europe and other ski regions, the snow is Park City’s biggest selling point.

Perfect for powder-happy off-piste skiers, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort both have a diverse expanse of slopes from easy greens to double- black diamond runs, wooded trails and mogul hills. While several hotels, lodges and condos around Park City Mountain Resort have skiin/ski-out access, the free Park City Transit network connects the rest to the slopes.

Add in the snappy 35-minute transfer from Salt Lake City International Airport (compared to the two-hour-plus transfers expected at Colorado and most European resorts) and Park City is one of North America’s most accessible ski areas.

Alternative to Aspen

As the largest resort in the U.S. Park City Mountain is great for a convenient, easily accessible – albeit via a 10.5 hour international flight – snow-sure skiing holiday for couples, friends and families.

For high-end clients, propose Deer Valley, an upmarket ski-only resort – one of only three in America – which the World Ski Award’s has named America’s Best Ski Resort for 11 years running. Renowned for its immaculate groomed runs and worldclass customer service, daily numbers are limited which means fewer crowds, quieter lifts and plenty of room on the slopes. Add in a clutch of luxury properties with spas, rooftop pools and fine dining restaurants and its ‘alternative-to-Aspen’ vibe has become increasingly popular with the

BEST PLACE FOR... LUNCH ON THE

SLOPES: The Sticky Wicket, Deer Valley Resort

BEST FOR APRES: No Name Saloon

BEST FOR

BEGINNERS:

Sundance Mountain Resort

BEST FOR PROS: Snowbird skiers cAn Go off piste

occasional celebrity as well as the non-skier market looking for a wellness winter break.

Any après-ski?

After a day on the slopes, head to Historic Main Street, the former silver mining town’s main drag, for some après-ski adventures.

As pretty as a Dickens’ Christmas card, the Victorian shopfronts, quirky gift shops and art galleries, not to mention the sheer wealth of sports bars, saloons and restaurants, are as much of a draw to Park City as the slopes. Try a shot ski – a ski lined with shot glasses – in the No Name Saloon, Main Street’s buzziest late-night bar which attracts a friendly, mixed-aged clientele.

Historic Main Street is also the beating heart of the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the U.S. It is held every January with rare screenings and premieres held at various venues, including the glorious 1920s Egyptian Theater. Although accommodation prices peak during the festival, the slopes are deliciously quiet and there’s an increasingly high chance of spotting a Hollywood star in the wild.

Beyond the slopes

Aside from movies and moguls, there are plenty of other winter attractions to enjoy on and off the slopes. Ski touring (also known as backcountry skiing), cross-country skiing and tubing are popular off-slope activities, while snowmobiling and dog sledding are thrilling ways to explore Utah’s snowy plains. Home of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games – and the preferred hosts of 2034 –the Utah Olympic Park is also a big selling point. Visit the Alf Engen Ski Museum, which incorporates the Ski Hall of Fame and the Eccles 2002 Winter Olympics exhibition. However, the real highlight is the thrilling bobsleigh experience on the official Olympic track, where you go from 0-60mph in a cloud of powder. Heaven. •

Book it with... Ski Independence

A seven-night stay at Park City Peaks hotel, including flights from London to Salt Lake City, direct with Delta plus shuttle transfers, starts at £2,044pp. Based on a December 10 2024 departure with two sharing a hotel room. Epic Passes valid at Park City Mountain Resort start at £475pp for six days of skiing. ski-i.com

royAl street cAfe

ERIC SCHRAMM PHOTOGRAPHy

Black history in the

Cincy Region

Following Black History month in the U.S. in February, we explore the ways in which the Cincy Region is honouring Black culture and history

The Cincy Region played a considerable part in the abolition of slavery across the U.S., with the Ohio River acting as a demarcation point between southern slave states and the ‘free states’ in the north. Visitors can learn more about the historic significance of the region through poignant exhibits, educational tours and inspirational storytelling.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Described as ‘a beacon of light for inclusive freedom around the globe’ this museum recounts the history of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses for fugitive slaves established across the U.S. and teaches the importance of inclusion, social justice and diversity. Permanent and special exhibits include ‘From Slavery to Freedom’ and ‘Invisible: Slavery Today’.

Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame

The sound of jazz, funk and soul is synonymous with the Cincy Region thanks in part to historic King Records, which helped launch the career of icons like James Brown. Retrace the steps of music greats on the free Black Music Walk of Fame along the riverfront and relive the Cincy sound through interactive and augmented reality experiences. New stars are added each year.

‘Moving Chains’

Imagine the sound of colossal chains churning directly above you. That’s what will happen in Charles Gaines’s ‘Moving Chains’, a 110-foot kinetic sculpture that explores the enduring implications of the northern states’ dual role in maintaining and abolishing slavery. This summer, the work — which contains nine custom-made chains, each weighing over 1,600 pounds  — will travel from New York City to Cincinnati along the Ohio River for the final chapter of the multi-site public art commission.

Covington Black History Tour

This self-guided walking tour around Covington, Kentucky, highlights African American history and accomplishments. Points of interest include the Carneal House, complete with stone tunnel, said to have been used to aid escaped slaves on their way to freedom in Ohio. Visitors will also pass poignant murals and the James Bradley Statue, a former slave who successfully campaigned for a formal “race-blind” college admissions policy. •

Covington BlaCk History tour national

BlaCk musiC Walk oF Fame

DRAWN

TO THE IMAGE

IKingdom in the clouds

Jessica Alexander takes to the tracks onboard Belmond’s Hiram Bingham in search of Peru’s iconic wonders and ancient Inca traditions

’m handed a pair of maracas and am ushered into the observation carriage just in time for the chorus of Hey Jude, the steady chatter of the train tracks setting the tempo.

The local musicians are taking a break, so some of the passengers have taken it upon themselves to form their own percussion band, tambourines at the ready.

Just a few hours prior I had been in the very same – albeit more sedate – carriage watching misty peaks fade into the distance whist the thundering Urubamba River raced us to our final destination, the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.

This was one of those rare occasions where the journey was just as much part of the experience as the final destination.

Outside the wild landscape seemed unruly

in comparison to the opulence of the Hiram Bingham, a Belmond train, where delicate Peruvian-inspired dishes were served atop crisp white linen tablecloth, followed by a pisco sour in the glossy teak cocktail bar.

Upon arrival at the Sacred valley we proceed to climb to an elevation of 2,430 metres above sea level. Linder Farfan Quispe, our guide, knows to take it slow as our lungs adjust to the thinner air but our efforts are soon rewarded as the kingdom in the clouds reveals itself.

The mystery of Machu Picchu continues to fascinate archaeologists and pulls adventure-seekers towards the Andes. To see such sophisticated agricultural terraces and stone masonry in the depths of this mountainous jungle is nothing short of extraordinary. Below me the skeleton of the

remaining citadel tells the story of the Inca, a deeply spiritual community guided by the sun and the stars who occupied the estate from 1420 for almost a century before it lay abandoned and undiscovered for 300 years.

Linder tells me how more Peruvians are returning to the Inca religion, a belief system that is rooted by a strong respect for nature and a connection to Pachamamma (Mother Earth). It is something that I’ve noticed across the country, from references in ancient artefacts in Lima’s museums to the hillside communities of Cusco that still leave offerings to Pachamamma to encourage a fruitful harvest.

“If we treat her with respect Mother Earth will be kind,” says Linder. “We must give back and not just take.”

Wise words to live by.

Hitting new heights

A staple bucket list destination, Peru continues to inspire travellers with its natural allure. While its biggest claim to fame is Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is home to more than 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has a diverse interior, from its coastal capital Lima to the beginning of the Amazon rainforest to the jagged Andes Mountain Range, all of which makes it one of the 12 most biodiverse nations in the world.

“In the last quarter of 2023, 10% more British travellers actively visited Peru and we hope to see this figure increase in 2024,” said Angelica Matsuda, Executive President of the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism – PROMPERU. Community tourism is also having a

heyday with more travellers in search of an authentic cultural experience and looking to give back to local communities.

Tour operators such as G Adventures and Wild Frontiers have created itineraries focused around travel with purpose in Peru.

Wild Frontiers’ 10-day Peru Adventures with Purpose Tour includes an indigenous homestay experience on Lake Titicaca and time spent with a weaving community, while G Adventures’ 10-day Inca Journey includes cooking classes in Cusco, visits to community-focused restaurants, Indigenous weaving experiences and night time caiman spotting in the Amazon.

“From active lovers wanting to hike in the Andes to wildlife aficionados looking to cruise along the Amazon waterways, we have a tour to suit,” said Sarah Miginiac,

G Adventures’ General Manager for Latin America. “Plus, with the usual closure of the Inca Trail in February, travellers will be able to hike the iconic trail after its annual maintenance.”

Peru is also fast becoming a gastronomy hotspot, with Lima establishing itself as the culinary capital of South America.

Award-winning chefs champion local ingredients and UNESCO recently declared Peruvian ceviche as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising the cultural significance of the dish.

“It is clear that Peru is capable of offering a diverse and rich cultural heritage, adventure routes, breathtaking landscapes, awardwinning gastronomy, as well as traditions and customs, which will create unique and unforgettable experiences,” said Matsuda.

Maras salt Mines sacred Valley WoMens WeaVing co-op

Globe Hopping

“Peru is back and waiting for more UK travellers to discover it.”

Top experiences

Climb Machu Picchu: In an effort to monitor overtourism, the Peruvian Government has restricted the amount of visitors to the famous site to 4,500 per day. A guided tour reveals how the 300-strong Inca community lived and the story of how it was rediscovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham. More adventurous clients can trek the 26-mile Inca Trail with Apumayo Expeditions. apumayo.com

Stay in a monastery: Monasterio by Belmond is one of the most unique hotels in Cusco. A former 16th century nun convent, the hotel has its own baroque

chapel that guests can visit and displays Spanish colonial art throughout. due to the high altitude (Cusco is 3,399m above sea level) rooms are pumped with oxygen to help combat the effects of altitude sickness. Guests can also enjoy an opera dinner at neighbouring El Tupay. belmond.com

Take a tour of Lima: The best way to explore Peru’s capital is on a walking tour. Lima Mentor offers small group half day tours with knowledgeable local guides. The tour starts in the Historic downtown of Lima, home to sculptures such as El Beso (The Kiss) and a certain famous Peruvian bear. visitors are then taken to Pre-Colombian archaeological site, Huaca Huallamarca, before touring the impressive Larco Museum which

a provider of tours specializing in the city of Lima. We open doors for you, sharing the best of the city, its sights, culture and tastes. We have over 20 years of experience dealing with the most discerning clientele. We organise family tours, educational tours, MICE, and specialised programmes (tours led by birdwatchers, archaeologists, architects, photographers, etc). We also design and organise itineraries throughout Peru.

7

houses a private collection of Precolombian art. limamentor.com

Visit Maras salt mines: Hidden in the Sacred valley, an hour from Cusco, is the Maras salt mines. Each of the 3,500 salt pools is locally owned by 600 families who harvest the salt by hand. The pools, which are all connected by an underground network of canals, are each at different stages of the crystallization process.

Where to book it

BelmonD

A stay at Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, in the Sacred valley starts at £451 for a deluxe room. Flights from London to Peru via Madrid with LATAM start from £688pp. belmond.com; latamairlines.com •

PROMPERU

liMa, culinary capital of south aMerica hiraM BinghaM, a BelMond train

Head for the hills in

Sri Lanka

From Colombo to Yala, new boutique properties provide Steve Hartridge with the perfect stops for discovering Sri Lanka's natural wonders

Ican hear it before I see it, a clattery rumble that creeps ever louder.

The mist is so thick not even the local cows are brave enough to cross the wooden sleepers today.

And then it is upon us, its arrival rousing a dozen or so listless stray dogs stalking the platform at Haputale station.

Once we have clambered onboard we 'stand like locals' clutching the brass rails as the train shudders back into life.

I move to the carriage's open doorway and catch on the breeze the faint smell of lemongrass. Just 15 minutes later, our hopes of glimpsing Sri Lanka's famed scenic upcountry and its terraced tea plantations are dashed by the pea-souper, we arrive at the small Idalgashinna station.

This stop on the popular scenic train route between Colombo and Badulla is a charming colonial leftover perched high on a ridge-line 5,300 feet above sea level.

away from their former lifestyle in the country's capital. The couple will take their guests for a tasting at a tea factory, to historic Adisham Monastery, or to one of the waterfalls in the area. They serve us an afternoon local tea of sponge cake, kavum (similar to brownies) and pastries, while dinner is an assortment of delicious curries that are what Darshi describes as "Sri Lankan street food done smartly".

Homes from home

Sri Lanka's central Hill Country is enjoying a wave of new characterful guesthouses, often with 10 or fewer rooms, where the emphasis is on offering a home-fromhome experience, their owners keen to spend time with their visitors and recommend nearby attractions.

On a clear day this is a land of emerald peaks and stupendous views that stretch all the way down to the coast.

My brief 'taster experience' on the train is one of several activities offered by Idal Villa, a new home from home high in the hills about an hour or so from Nuwara Eliya. Hidden among dense forest foliage and with spectacular views of the battalions of cloud that roll down from the peaks, Idal Villa is a "retirement project" for ex-banker Darshana and his wife Darshi who last year started offering a hosted home-style villa experience.

Their newly-built modern home is five hours by road from Colombo but a world

In the hills above Kandy, near the Ramboda Waterfall (at 109 metres high the 11th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka) Floating Mountain Villa is the creation of British Sri Lankan Gowrie Ganesan, a solicitor who in 2019 left the UK to return to her native land and find her "dream property".

Near the top of a tea estate and set against steeply ascending verdant hills, the five-room property seems perfectly named as at times it appears to 'float on top' of the passing fast-moving clouds.

Visitors at Floating Mountain have the run of a large dining and living room that is stocked with some of Gowrie's favourite artworks and features a pool table.

Akila, Gowrie's ever-smiling right-hand man, is such an omnipresent force there must surely be more than one of him: he is

VIRAN DE SILVA

GANIDU

MADUSHAN BALASURIYA

the driver, waiter, laundry man, sommelier and more and over dinner becomes local historian as he tells folkloric tales of Gods and monarchs.

Colombo on a Landy

I had arrived in Sri Lanka a few days earlier and, from the airport, was whisked off to Zylan Colombo 7, an expansive former home the heart of District Seven, a desirable and quiet leafy residential area. It is now a small guesthouse, complete with an open courtyard area with sculptures, artworks and a koi carp pool.

Colombo's more frenetic side is revealed on a three-hour fast-paced tour organised by 'Forgotten Colombo on a Landy'.

but these prove elusive on our drive. Not so shy are elephant, black-faced monkeys, jackals, buffalo, mongoose, crocodiles and a sambar deer. But the highlight of the stay is the breakfast with views on top of a treehouse platform.

On the other side of Yala is Wild Culture, an intimate boutique experience. Surrounded by paddy fields where water bison graze and crocodiles lounge on the banks right outside the property. Its eight rooms vary from big suites that sleep four to rooms for two. With two swimming pools, a poolside bar and al fresco dining, Wild Culture is a perfect 'switch off' recommendation and a good option for both couples and families.

We jump down from the restored 1973 Series 3 open-top Land Rover for stops that include Galle Face Green, the Grand Oriental Hotel, dating back to 1875, and an underground bar for shots of Arrack, made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers, and the first of many lunches featuring Kotthu Rotis – chopped roti, shredded meat with spices and onions.

A walk on the wild side in Yala

Yala National Park, in the south of the island, is Sri Lanka's best-known wildlife sanctuary. I stay in one of Kulu Safaris luxury glamping tents, located close to the park's Katagamuwa entrance. The all-inclusive rate includes entrance to the park, three meals, kayaking, a walk with a naturalist and a game drive.

Yala is known for its resident leopards

Heading back to the airport I look at a photo of a sign I took at Adisham monastery. It reads: "You can't do anything about the length of your life but you can do something about its width and depth". This seems a fitting epithet for my seven days in Sri Lanka, a trip that has been both enlightening and enriching.

* Contact: Secrets of Ceylon jmf@yourtourismpartner.com; secretsofceyloncollection.com

Book it with... Travelpack

The seven-night 'Splendours of Sri Lanka' package, departing May 6 2024, is priced from £2,429pp. Stops include Zylan Colombo 7 hotel, Ramboda Floating Mountain Villa, Idal Villa, Kulu Safari Camp and Wild Culture (Yala). travelpack.com

Virgin Hotels

Born in the USA

With properties in some of the USA’s most vibrant cities, Virgin Hotels offers stylish accommodations that elevate the guest experience

Instantly recognisable with bold designs and spacious ‘Chamber’ style rooms, Virgin Hotels promises guests a comfortable base in the heart of America’s most exciting cities.

Virgin Hotels New York City

Opened in 2023, Virgin Hotels’ flagship property is a 39-storey new-build in the heart of Manhattan’s NOMAD district, close to Madison Square Garden, Herald Square and the Empire State Building. The 450-room hotel is one of only a handful in New York with a pool, which has views of the iconic Empire State. Everdene, the restaurant, serves American classics including its signature burgers and fries, while the top-floor events space hosts VIP events including New York Fashion Week parties..

Virgin Hotels Nashville

Virgin Hotels Nashville opened in 2020, just minutes from the city’s historic Music Row where the likes of Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley recorded. The hotel reflects its charismatic surroundings with features including a pool table, swinging chair and ‘Funny library’ coffee shop which offers barista-style coffee and pastries. It offers 262 spacious ‘chambers’, outdoor spaces for functions as well as several meeting spaces and all within walking distance to the famous Broadway strip. The Pool Club offers sprawling views of the city and attracts a cool crowd who enjoy sun-drenched cabanas by day and DJ sets by night.

Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Virgin Hotels New Orleans opened its doors in 2021 in the city’s artsy Warehouse District, close to the famous Bourbon Street and French Quarter. Reflecting the vibrant flare of the Big Easy with bold prints and stylish furnishings, it invites guests and non-guests alike to enjoy the communal areas, which include the Commons Club restaurant, a rooftop pool and lounge atop the 13th floor, and its Funny Library Coffee Shop. The hotel hosts regular themed weekend brunches, pool parties and DJ sets.

Virgin Hotels Chicago

Virgin Hotel’s Chicago property opened in 2015 in the Loop. The 27-story art deco building has kept some of its 1920s charm and is located a five minute walk from Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park and the Theatre District. Inside there’s Cerise, a rooftop cocktail lounge and nightclub perched on the 26th floor with live DJs playing throughout the day and into the night. For something more relaxed, Miss Ricky’s serves Italian favourites. •

VirGin Hotels new orleans

VirGin Hotels new York CitY

VirGin Hotels nasHVille

VirGin Hotels CHiCaGo

Hote L re V ie WS

Checking out

NH Hannover, Germany

By Steve Hartridge

The Background: The 91-room four-star hotel opened in 2021. The ground floor was a former Chinese Restaurant. It is cat and dog friendly and has Accessible facilities. Extra beds and cots can be put into rooms for children.

The Location: NH Hannover is a 10-minute walk to the heart of the city centre and main shopping area and another 10-15 minutes to the ‘old town’. Hannover-Langenhagen Airport is a 25-minute tax ride (€30). I arrived by ICE train from Dusseldorf, into Hannover Hauptbahnhof (central train station). It’s a 20-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride (€8) to the hotel.

The Check In: I was met by Anna, the GM, who was waiting to show me around the hotel. She told me she had arranged some ‘treats’ for my room. This turned out to be some delicious scones, cream, jam and a pot of English Breakfast tea. Anna later revealed that she had made the scones that morning at home.

The Room: I was in 601, on the top floor, a super-spacious Superior room with glass doors that opened onto a balcony area, with a table and two chairs and great views across the city.

Restaurants & Bars: The restaurant and bar are located off the attractive lobby/ reception area. The hot and cold breakfast options were extensive and evening options are available. Details: Am Klagesmarkt 12 30159 Hannover Germany; +49 511609710. nhhannover@nh-hotels.com

The verdicT

With its history, parks and gardens, scenic walks and great bars and restaurants, Hannover makes for a great city break. The NH Hannover is very comfortable, nicely informal with spacious rooms and a bountiful breakfast spread. The city highlights are an easy stroll away.

Rates: A Superior room for a weekend in June starts from around 300 euros a night.

The verdicT

The entire resort is hidden under a canopy of tropical trees and plants, making for a peaceful and private stay - except for the occasional monkey on your way to breakfast! The staff are incredibly attentive. Paje is a bit of a sleepy area so White Sand is best suited for couples who want to relax. Rates: A Garden Villa with hot tub on half board basis starts from £1,100

Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas

By Jessica Alexander

The Background: Located on the East Coast of Zanzibar with direct access to the powder white sands of Paje beach, Zanzibar White Sand, a Relais & Chateaux property, is home to 11 villas each with its own private pool or jacuzzi and butler.

The Location: The resort is an hour’s drive from Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and is securely gated. Although there is not much within walking distance, the famous Rock restaurant, which at high tide seemingly floats in the sea, is a 20 minute taxi ride.

The Room: My Garden Villa felt spacious and luxurious with high ceilings, a free-standing bath and separate lounge area. The personal touches including bath salts, straw hats and daily printed weather updates were all thoughtful additions. The garden foliage created ample privacy to enjoy the outdoor hot tub and rain shower.

Key Facilities: An outdoor gym, steam room hammam, Senses spa and infrared sauna added to the wellness offering. There is a large main pool area alternatively loungers at the beach are very private. There is also a kitesurfing and watersports centre on-site with free kitesurfing tryouts available to guests.

Restaurants & Bars: There is a rooftop Sunset bar which is open between 18.00 and 20.00, perfect for pre-dinner drinks. The hotel sets up a pool-side BBQ twice a week serving locallyinspired dishes. The fine-dining restaurant has a varied a la carte menu. whitesandvillas.com

Bermuda flies with JetBlue

by Steve Hartridge

Bermuda Tourism Authority has partnered with JetBlue and New York City Tourism + Conventions to offer customers a chance to explore the two destinations on a twin-centre city and beach break holiday.

With Bermuda and New York linked by a 90-minute direct flight, JetBlue has created special tactical fares to attract customers.

As part of the promotion, Bermuda Tourism Authority is developing a trade tool kit which will include its new ‘Get Lost in New York City, Find Yourself in Bermuda’ assets for agents and operators to use in their selling and marketing.

Javari Douglas, VP of Marketing, PR & Communications at Bermuda Tourism Authority commented: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with JetBlue and New York City Tourism + Conventions to highlight the connectivity between the iconic attractions of New York City and the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda - it’s the ultimate city and beach break.

“Rob Beckham, SVP of Tourism Market Development for Europe, added: “What better way for Brits to beat the winter blues than by enjoying a dynamic city break in New York City, paired with

Bermuda’s beautiful beaches - all just over an hour away from us on JetBlue.”

Maja Gedosev, General Manager Europe, JetBlue, added, “JetBlue is proud to support an initiative that helps our UK customers experience two of popular vacation destinations, New York City and Bermuda.

“With great service at low fares. We are always seeking ways for our customers to travel to exciting destinations in maximum comfort, whether travelling across the Atlantic or enjoying a short flight to the island of Bermuda.”

JetBlue flies from New York’s JFK airport on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, with a daily flight due to return in April. gotobermuda.com; jetblue.com

A-ROSA adds excursions

A-ROSA River Cruises has added over 50 new excursions to its 2024 programme, bringing the total of tours to over 650.

On the Douro, five new excursions include the chance to a visit to Quinta da Pacheca near Regua, a renowned winery dating back to the 16th century, which specialises in both wine and port wine.

In the new port of Vlissingen, a new flight experience for two offers the chance to get a bird’s eye view of the regions rolling hills, windmills, farmland and more.

The cruise line welcomes A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA into the fleet in April and their smaller length means they can sail directly into the heart of ports such as Trier and Strasbourg. There is a new group excursion

from Trier that visits the historic gemstone city of Idar-Oberstein and also offers the chance to see over 100 historic airplanes from aviation history in a nearby museum.

A new option on the Danube is a trip to Gödöllö Castle near Budapest, where guests can walk through the stately halls and gardens which were the former summer residence of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and her husband King Franz Joseph 1.

On the Seine, history and nature enthusiasts can sign up for a new excursion to Château de La Roche-Guyon, a castle which towers over the banks of the Seine and boasts three-hectares of gardens and excellent views.

arosa-cruises.co.uk

Audrey Downes from Barrhead Travel was selected as the winning agent of a five-night stay at Cora Cora Resort in the Maldives, a competition hosted by Selling Travel. Audrey was one of hundreds of agents to enter the competition which offered a five-night stay in a Lagoon Villa for two adults on Premium All Inclusive Gourmet Meal Plan®, plus return seaplane transfers.

Speaking of her prize, Audrey said: “I just can’t believe I’ve won such a fabulous trip. I’ve never been to the Maldives before and I can’t wait to wake up and see that azure blue ocean from my bed.” Located in the Raa Atoll, Cora Cora Maldives comprises of 100 villas and suites set against a backdrop of the Indian Ocean. coracoraresorts.com

Barrhead agent wins big Discover Egypt

Discover Egypt’s new Egypt & Jordan 2024/25 brochure includes Nile cruises, a deluxe Lake Nasser cruise, holidays and city stays in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor plus the Red Sea Riviera resorts of Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay. The brochure also features a seven-day private escorted Classic Jordan tour that visits the ruineda Star Goddess or the deluxe five-star Alexander the Great, new for 2024/25, lead ithe deluxe five-star Alexander the Great, 2024/25, lead ithe deluxe five-star Alexander the Great, new for 2024/25, lead in at £1,839. discoveregypt.co.uk

Westjet flight a ‘game changer’

The Canadian province that is geographically closest to the British Isles is celebrating the resumption of a direct flight from London Gatwick. Newfoundland and Labrador is five hours’ flying time from the UK and will again be on the radar of tourists when Westjet begins a three-times-a week service to St. John’s on May 1.

Talking exclusively to Selling Travel in Canada House in London, Steve Croker, Minister, Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation for Newfoundland and Labrador said the flight was a “game changer” for the Canadian Atlantic province.

“Canada is a lot closer than most people think; about the same flying time as Turkey. Newfoundland is a mid-haul destination.

“What we have (in Newfoundland and Labrador) really appeals to a large segment of the UK market. Our target audience is someone who travels for a long period of time and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, birdlife and wildlife. We have a lot of interesting things to offer,” he said.

Britain’s ties with Newfoundland were first established during the reign of Queen Elizabeth almost 500 years ago.

“Newfoundland was Britain’s first British

colony in North America and only stopped being a British colony as recently as 1949…. I always say we were the original tourism destination for British travellers,” joked Andrew Furey, the province’s Premier. “Our capital St John’s is the oldest city in North America. We still regularly fly the Union Jack and the next time you walk past Buckingham Palace look out for the Newfoundland Gate.”

Newfoundland is known for its icebergs, whales, 29,000km of coastline dotted with beaches and 300 hiking and walking trails.

The Gatwick-St.John’s route will serviced by a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, leaving Gatwick on a Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, The service is scheduled to run until October 25 2024.

New Capital Region USA guide

The 2024 Holiday Guide to the Capital Region USA is out now and includes an array of useful planning essentials designed to help agents create the perfect itinerary including the region’s many attractions, history and heritage sites, arts and culture, scenic byways and outdoor recreational opportunities.

From the iconic monuments and museums of Washington, DC to the smalltown treasures, historic sites, beautiful beaches and majestic mountains of Virginia & Maryland, the region really does have something to offer travellers planning a trip to the State’s in 2024 and beyond.

“Capital Region USA leads the way as one of America’s most diverse and welcoming regions, creating authentic experiences for visitors to enjoy. We will

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Nxamaseri reopens Nxamaseri Island Lodge, on a private island in the permanent waters of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, reopens on May 1 after an extensive refurbishment. The lodge is located close to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Tsodilo Hills. desertdelta.com

• More Norway for Crystal

Crystal Ski Holidays has added further capacity into its Norway programme with the launch of a new charter flight from Manchester Airport for the 2024-25 season. The TUI Airways flight will complement the existing London Gatwick to Oslo Gardermoen route and will depart every Sunday from December 15 2024. It will operate until February 2025.

crystalski.co.uk

• First Class New Zealand

continue our commitment to assisting the travel trade in developing product and conducting training as they are the most valuable partner in our future growth.”

Lisa Chamberlain, Director, UK & Ireland, Capital Region USA.

Find your copy with this issue of Selling Travel magazine.

capitalregionusa.org

First Class Holidays new 180-page New Zealand brochure brochure includes 27 tours, 115 hotels, 10 new adventure products, three new rail tours and four new self-drives along with a selection of boutique accommodation, luxury lodges, island hopping packages in the South Pacific and new cruises. flynorse.com

• Grand change in Barcelona

Barcelona’s Grand Hotel Central will reopen its doors on March 15 under new ownership and management, following a refurbishment which sees its 147 rooms and suites, two restaurants and bars, wellness suite, and rooftop pool and terrace ‘completely reimagined’. grandhotelcentral.com

Agents seeking authentic Arabia will find it in Oman

The Pearl of Arabia was the focus for travel agents in London at selling Travel connect: Oman

Oman, a sunny sultanate in Arabia, is best known for its exotic eastern souks, shifting sands and Arabian fortresses, but agents at this dedicated Connect: Oman event were quickly made aware that it also offers some of the best beaches on the Arabian Peninsula, is a heritage hotspot and has unexpected natural attractions including fjord-like seascapes and hot springs.

Luxury escapes

Oman is also home to a range of high-end accommodation. Frederica Cantarini,

Global Director of Sales for Hyatt Hotels, was representing the Alila Jabal Akhdah and Alila Hinu Bay hotels and said: “What these two resorts have in common is their brand. Alila means ‘surprise’. It’s all about the genuine experiences you will have on site. Alila Jabal is perched 2,000 metres above sea level, up in the mountain. It’s a hidden gem full of surprises.

Meanwhile, Alila Hinu Bay is located on a golden beach with a beautiful bay, and with the chance to spot dolphins. Why not combine both to see the best of Oman?

Dark desert skies lend themselves to

stargazing. For clients who want to fall asleep under the stars, a stay at Magic Camps might just be on the cards.

Mathilde Six, Sales Manager at Magic Travels, noted: “At Magic Travel we aim to illuminate the richness of this destination by crafting unique experiences, exemplified by our Magic Camps.

“0These luxurious desert camps offer a One Thousand and One Nights experience, an unforgettable journey into the heart of the desert that highlights one of the country’s many treasures while preserving its ecological essence.”

This dedicated Oman event was attended by the following suppliers: Hyatt, Magic Camps, Oman Air, Jumeirah, The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat and Oman MHT.

Another slice of luxury comes in the form of Al Mouj Muscat Resort.

Director of Sales Leisure & Government

Doris Schwarzl explained: “Al Mouj Muscat is a very futuristic village, 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the city centre. At our luxury resort, we have stunning landscaped parks, a beautiful beach and a business centre.

And coming soon are award-winning restaurants serving French, Italian and Peruvian cuisine.”

GettinG there

Oman is around a seven-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK. Flag carrier Oman Air flies direct from London-Heathrow to Muscat. Trade Support Co-ordinator Thushara Samarasinghe said: “As the national carrier to the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air has daily direct flights year-round

OMAN CONNECT

Agent Karen Dos Remedios of Your Holiday Booking travelled home with a trip to Oman, complete with flights and luxury hotel stays

“I really enjoy hearing from new suppliers and hotels. I can’t wait to learn more about Oman”

Andrej Miko, Independent Travel Agent from Inteletravel

from London-Heathrow to Muscat. We want to showcase our support to the Ministry of Heritage & Tourism by providing the air support for travel to Oman.”

Fresh perspectives

It was Hari Daggubaty’s first time at a Selling Travel Connect event. The Global Sales Manager from Transindus said: “We rarely do these events, so it is a nice change to meet travel agents and suppliers.”

Andrej Miko, Independent Travel Agent from Inteletravel, was attending a Connect event for the second time. He added: “I really enjoy hearing from new suppliers and hotels. My colleagues recommended this fantastic event. I can’t wait to learn more about Oman from the suppliers — it’s one of those destinations we don’t know much about.”

Don’t miss our Kentucky and North America Connect events in March. For more information and to sign up, visit sellingtravel.co.uk/connect-events

Agents line up for Asia in London

Suppliers at Selling Travel

Connect: Asia were keen to update agents on the latest product across the region

Suppliers included: Travelpack, Royal Brunei Airlines, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Okinawa, Gulf Air, Hachinohe, All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways, Korea Tourism Organisation, Destination Explore Malaysia and BuBu Resort.

From the ancient temples of Japan to the tasty delights of Korean BBQ, Asia’s highlights are in high demand this year, agreed agents at the London event in February.

Korea is capitalising on its popularity by dubbing 2024 Visit Korea Year. The Korean Wave is “huge right now”, said Ruby James, Marketing Manager at the Korea Tourism Organisation. “We are celebrating Visit Korea Year 2023-2024. There are lots of enticing government initiatives to boost tourism, too. Korea has so much to offer, from history and culture to dynamic

modern cities, wellness and beaches.”

Warisara Dowden, Marketing Executive for Tourism Authority of Thailand, was keen to promote lesser-known spots in the country. “Although clients may think Thailand is busy and crowded, there are still many authentic destinations to be explored. We want to bring these ‘secondary cities’ to the forefront.”

Another off-the-beaten-track destination is Okinawa. Most people travel along Japan’s familiar Golden Route (Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island and Tokyo), said Visit Okinawa’s Trade Sales and

Marketing Manager Sandra Kwan. But Okinawa deserves a place on a Japan itinerary. “Time spent in Okinawa’s beaches is a good way to end a Japan trip,” she said.

Next on the Selling Travel Connect calendar is Kentucky and North America.

“One of our USPs is we can book three years in advance with a price guarantee... perfect for those that need time to plan and save”

Jenny Lui, Travelpack

THAILAND

SOUTH KOREA

CHINA

Going it alone

Solo travel is more popular than ever, with one in four British adults keen to travel on their own in the next three years, reports Siobhan Grogan

At the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I gaze out over the city twinkling below me… then ask a complete stranger to take my picture. Climbing the world-famous structure was another bucket-list experience ticked off on my solo travels around Australia. I didn’t need to worry about anyone’s else’s budget, schedule or fear of heights, but booked the first available slot then buckled up to scale the 1,332 steps to the summit.

This freedom to do exactly as you please on holiday means that more people than ever before are considering escaping alone.

One survey by Skyscanner found that 54% of travellers were thinking about jetting off solo, with the majority citing different travel interests to friends and family as the reason.

It’s not just pre-university backpackers craving solo adventures any more either. Travelling alone appeals to empty-nesters, anyone craving new challenges and those who have more flexibility to work remotely following the pandemic, says Hazel McGuire,

Intrepid’s UK and Ireland General Manager.

“At Intrepid, about half of our customers are solo travellers. The pandemic has spurred people on to get out and see the world. It’s often a misconception that solo travellers are single too. Some clients have partners with different interests and while one wants to relax by the beach, the other wants to trek up Mt Kilimanjaro.”

No compromise

Travelling alone doesn’t need to mean youth hostels and solo sunbathing –unless that’s what your client wants.

Adventurous travellers now realise that being on their own means they can book a trip shaped entirely around their own needs. It’s essential to discover what your client really loves to do when they have free time to determine if their dream trip is a yoga retreat or walking holiday.

Solo travellers are often keen to think big, says Lee Thompson, co-founder and CMO of adventure travel company Flash Pack.

“Many solo travellers are pooling their

annual leave for once-in-a-lifetime trips abroad. Pretty much the antithesis of two weeks on a beach, this trend points to an appetite for adventures packed with local, unique experiences such as ice-hiking a Patagonian glacier, or staying overnight in a giant tortoise reserve in the Galápagos.”

However, adventure travel company G Adventures has found that customers don’t necessarily want to compromise on comfort on their solo expeditions.

“Our newly-launched Geluxe Collection offers upgraded experiences that focus on being physically active and on community experiences,” says Brian Young, Managing Director EMEA at G Adventures. One top selling example is its 11-day Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley & the Inca Trail that offers upgraded accommodation and meals at authentic community-run restaurants.

Table for one

It’s crucial to choose a tour operator who prioritises the safety of your solo client and tailors itineraries and

Vietnam, Hanoi, G adVentures

Kandy, sri LanKa

mount CooK, new ZeaLand, intrepid

oaxaCa, mexiCo, G adVentures

experiences specifically to their needs, rather than selling a holiday designed for couples or families. Watch for the dreaded single supplement too.

“Solo travellers are often looking for affordability when choosing a trip,” says Young. “Travelling with a company like G Adventures means there is no ‘single supplement’ as we can match travellers up with same-sex roommates – this can make a huge difference to travel budgets with the added benefit of potentially making friends for life. We’ve also had two single cabins built in our Reina Silvia Voyager vessel that takes guests on our Galápagos Islands Cruises, so that solo travellers can get a room to themselves at a reduced rate.”

It’s equally vital to use tour operators who have considerable experience on the ground so that they can ensure your client will be able make the most of their solo escape.

“We’ve developed a global community of like-minded professionals so we’re able to fill our adventures with activities that would be hard to do alone,” says vyas.

“For example, admiring the northern

Lights from a private island in Finland; sharing lunch with a sumo wrestler in Japan; abseiling down South Africa’s Table Mountain; or wildlife-spotting in the Amazon from a remote Peruvian jungle lodge. These kinds of standout moments are the signature of our solo travel trips.”

Safety in numbers

remind nervous clients that they don’t have to go it (entirely) alone. A number of tour operators now offer group trips for solo travellers, enabling them to explore destinations safely, without worrying about the finer details.

“Small group adventures are a great choice for clients who want to travel solo but are feeling hesitant about taking that first step,” explains McGuire. “At Intrepid solo travellers have the security of a local leader who can help with logistics and support when they need it, and a group of ready-made friends.”

Flying solo

Once-in-a-lifetime destinations, actionpacked itineraries and cultural immersion are all major selling points for travellers

looking to go it alone. Asian and South American destinations are especially popular with those booking through Flash Pack, with Japan currently the company’s best-selling solo trip for 2024.

Thompson also predicts a surge in bookings for South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bali “due to its adventurous repertoire including surfing, volcano trekking, private island boating on the Gili Islands and more.”

Above all, clients travelling on their own want to really see and understand a destination so it’s critical to think beyond a fly and flop.

Young explains: “Solo travellers are forced to interact more with the world around them to get by, which means that they are likely to experience their surroundings in greater depth and are more likely to make new friendships on the road.”

Subsequently, most will return with a newfound confidence, life-changing memories and a passion to travel even more.

As McGuire notes: “When customers return from their first solo travels they say how empowering it felt – and they can’t wait to do it again!” •

FLasH paCK Group tour, FinLand

Boldly she goes

As the female traveller demographic grows and transforms, how can agents prepare to meet their requirements? April Waterston explores

It’s over 40C and I have finished my fourth bottle of water in as many hours. As is human nature, I realise I will soon require the use of a loo.

I ask my tour guide where the closest public toilet is. With an hour’s drive next on the itinerary, I am sure – on a Dubai megafam with nearly 40 agents – I won’t be the only one wondering.

He asks a local shopkeeper in Arabic then gestures to me to follow him.

I follow blindly as the young man leads me away from the safety of my group, away from the bustling souks.

We turn off the main street and walk down a dark and deserted alleyway, the sound of the busy streets becoming fainter and fainter. Eventually we reach a steel gate, behind which I can see a

grimy apartment block stairwell.

I suddenly become hyper-aware of the fact that nobody knows where I am, and without a phone signal I have no way to contact anyone. My pulse quickening, my mind starts racing with thoughts. Should I excuse myself and attempt to find my own way back to the group?

I conclude that if this is about to turn into something ominous, asking to leave probably wouldn’t end well. So against all intuition, I follow him up the stairs and soon reach the door of an apartment.

After three slow knocks the door swings open to reveal two further men in what appears to be a knockoff designer bag showroom, with shelves lined with bags and purses.

After a brief exchange in Arabic, one

of the men walks over to a display in the corner (home to a selection of knockoff Louis Vuittons, I guess), and pulls on the wooden shelves. Panic sets in as the shelves swing forward and reveal a hidden door, leading to a dark room. Now, I really won’t be found in there.

But… what’s that I see? I peer into the room and find, to my surprise, a small bathroom. Yes, the tiny window is lined with a metal grate instead of glass, and yes, the room had a notable absence of a sink (and a toilet seat), but ultimately conclude that I did ask to be directed to a toilet – and here it was.

Within five minutes I am safely back with the group. A few agents made jokes about never expecting to see me again, while another asked where the loo was. I told him he should hold it.

chianG Mai BridGe, rainforest, thailand

Reality check

The reality is, the travelling experience is not the same for women as it is for men.

Anxiety is high with frequent stories of harassement, violence, rape and more instilled in women from a young age.

But for many female travellers – myself included – this fear should not, and will not, override a desire to explore the world.

“Forbes reported last year that ‘Female Travel’ was booming in two ways – the number of solo female travellers is increasing but women are also looking for more female-led tours, retreats and adventures,” says Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for The Cayman Islands.

“This may be because they feel more comfortable from a safety perspective, or they want to empower and support women in the travel industry.”

Solo female travel is certainly in demand for 2024. A booking.com survey of 27,000 travellers suggested 54% of women are considering a trip on their own this year.

G Adventures has responded to this trend.“Over the last year, around twothirds of our solo travellers were female – so about 60% of them globally,” says Brian Young, MD, G Adventures.

These vary from 18-30 somethings through to older married women who

are seeking independent, meaningful experiences... “often while their husbands are off playing golf,” Young explains.

A journey to empowerment

Despite ongoing wellbeing worries, the increasing and ever-evolving demographic of female travellers seek a different experience to their male counterparts.

Travel is more than just a ‘hobby’ for many women. It is the key to empowerment.

“It is important for travel agents, tourist boards, hoteliers and experienceled tour organisers to recognise the needs of the female traveller as women make up 64% of all travellers.

“We know there are a few tour operators who are concentrating on women-only tours, including Tour Radar and Intrepid, and we’ve identified this as an important part of our trade communications for 2024,” adds Harris.

“I don’t think we can generalise when it comes to their holiday requirements. Women can also be just as adventurous as men and enjoy experiences like rock climbing, kite surfing or scuba diving.”

“I only feel normal when I’m travelling,” says Carolyn Pearson, CEO and

Founder of Maiden Voyage. Pearson launched Maiden Voyage as a solo female business for travellers looking to connect with like-minded women.

Now the company has transformed to champion inclusive travel and raise awareness of safety issues through training schemes for travel professionals.

“We don’t want to disempower travellers,”

“Female travellers often seek experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, combining adventure with a strong emphasis on safety, camaraderie and enrichment”

explains Pearson, “but it’s more about risk mitigation. I’ve been to some dangerous places, but with my eyes open. [Travel safety] is about empowerment and understanding of risks, and creating things around yourself to prevent those risks.”

Agents should be prepared to offer some practical safety advice to clients keen to push through their fears. For example, Pearson advises all women to carry a doorstop or door jammer to ensure safety in hotel

BerBers expedition in Morocco southeast asia is considered safe for solo travel

Mara Bushtops in Masai Mara, Kenya

rooms. In addition, when booking rooms, a key safety feature to keep in mind is a secondary bolt lock on the inside of a hotel door – electronic key-card access can not always be trusted. Rooms above the ground floor are also deemed safer, reducing risk of break-ins via external windows.

As Harris says: “As the first point of contact for booking the travel agent is the first line of support for women who are concerned about safety while travelling.

If the agent has extensive knowledge of a destination and they are able to provide travellers with recommendations for accommodations, attractions and dining,, a traveller feels confident and equipped with all the information to ensure they feel secure.”

“Female travellers often seek experiences combining adventure with a strong emphasis on safety, camaraderie, and cultural enrichment,” says Kelly Kimple, CEO of Adventures in Good, a femaleled travel company based in the U.S.

”What sets them apart is their desire for meaningful connections, and the opportunity to explore diverse destinations in a supportive group environment.”

Adventures in Good offers curated trips designed for safety and empowerment – two key themes women consider when planning

a trip.“Our focus on female-only group adventures, experienced local guides, and a commitment to responsible travel resonates with those seeking enriching journeys with like-minded women,” says Kimple.

Female-led tours

Community at the heart: Village Ways has a small-group women-only trip to Kerala, India. The tour includes a stay in the Wayanad hills in a community-owned guesthouse hosted by a women’s committee. With a female guide, explore the coffee, banana and pepper plantations, witness the women’s drumming group and spend time with female entrepreneurs behind a variety of craft projects. villageways.com

Smooth sailing: ASMALLWORLD has launched The Solo Cruise Company, with itineraries catered towards mature solo travelling women. Each trip features no or low single supplements. Its Fully Hosted Journeys include an experienced host who accompanies passengers from start to finish, while its Featured Cruise-Only Journeys are ideal for those wanting to explore independently. Cruises include bucket-list destinations such as Antarctica, The Amazon and The Mekong. thesolocruisecompany.com

For the adventurous: Many female travellers are looking for bucket-list experiences. For G-Advenures, Thailand, Vietnam and Costa Rica are popular destinations for solo female travellers, as are European destinations like Greece. For the 18-30 age bracket, before following Highway 1 back to Vancouver, active holidays are high up on the list, such as climbing Kilimanjaro or traversing the Inca Trail.

Stretch the legs: Active types can take on the challenge of Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail on Wilderness Walking – The West Highland Way, a week-long guided walking break for women. The group will traverse 95 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis in the Highlands taking in the beautiful landscapes of Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe along the way. wildernessscotland.com

Where to book it

IntrepId

Intrepid offers a variety of women-only tours. An eight-day Women’s Expedition to Jordan includes a night under the stars in Wadi Rum, a visit to Petra and time spent with Bedouin women, from £1,313pp. intrepidtravel.com. •

petra in Jordan with intrepid

Giza pyraMids in eGypt with flashpacK

Gelux costa rica tour with G adventures

SAM WALKER

NATHAN & TEGAN

Escorted

Group Tours

An escorted tour is a great way for solo travellers to meet like-minded people and confidently explore the world, says Tracey Davies, Editor of 101 Singles Holidays. Here’s ten tours to recommend...

Morocco: Morocco is one of the most evocative countries in the world and a growing destination for solo travellers. Located across the Gibraltar Strait, its combination of Berber, Arab and European influences makes it a fascinating country to explore. Head of the Berber Empire, Marrakech is the cultural capital and the perfect place to start. Flavours Holidays offers a week-long trip to Marrakech from £2,199pp, including private rooms with breakfast and dinner, all excursions, cookery classes, yoga sessions and walking tours. flavoursholidays.co.uk

Iceland: Puffing volcanoes, steamy geysers and those elusive Northern Lights, the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ is one of the most popular destinations for solo travellers. See the highlights on the Golden Circle route, including Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, the floating icebergs

at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the lava pillars at Lake Mývatn. Regent Holidays offers a seven-night Classic Iceland Circle group tour from £2,755pp, including return flights, B&B accommodation, all transport and a guide. regent-holidays.co.uk

Greece: Greece has been a popular destination for solo travellers since the 1960s thanks to its happy-go-lucky Mediterranean vibe. Safe, easy and well-connected, it’s a great place to meet new friends. Skyros Holidays offer holistic holidays tailored to solo travellers on the island of Skyros, where you can learn everything from yoga and creative writing to stand-up comedy. Seven-night trips start from £975pp, with accommodation and all meals included but not flights. skyros.com

Spain: Home of the OG of solo adventures – the Camino de Santiago – Spain is an easy introduction to travelling

by yourself. Ramble Worldwide is offering a new Wine & Walking in Rioja tour, which explores the wineries and vineyards of Spain’s most famous wine region. Five-night trips start from £1,955pp, including return flights, transfers, B&B accommodation, plus dinners in local restaurants, wine tastings and a tour leader. rambleworldwide.co.uk

India: One of the most culturally unique countries on the planet, India tops many a solo bucket list as travelling alone is a rewarding and transformative experience. However, first-timers could start by exploring the Golden Triangle on this 14-day tour by Cox & Kings. The Exotic India: Solo Travellers tour includes watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, a rickshaw tour of Delhi, and spotting Bengal tigers in Ranthambore. Prices start from £3,895pp, including flights, accommodation, most meals, safaris and a guide. coxandkings.co.uk

Wales: For a solo adventure a little closer to home, a walking holiday in Wales could be just the ticket. Explore the heavenly Welsh coast, conquer Snowdonia’s snow-capped summit or visit quirky villages like Portmeirion. New for 2024, HF Holidays’ Best of the Meirionnydd Coast Path trip is priced at £1,154pp for a single room, including full-board accommodation, guided walks with a HF Holidays Leader, and transport to and from walks. hfholidays.co.uk

China: China is the ultimate solo adventure: scale the Great Wall, see the Terracotta Army in Xian and meet giant pandas in Chongqing. Travelling alone in China is very safe but its cultural differences and language barrier can make it a challenge to attempt independently. The best way to see it is on an organised tour. Wendy Wu offers ‘Dedicated Solo Traveller’ departures on its 16-day Wonders of China

Be

tour. Prices start from £3,840pp, including flights, accommodation, most meals, all excursions, and visas. wendywutours.co.uk

Italy: Rome, Florence and Venice are all treasure troves of history, art and architecture and ideal for creative types looking for inspiration. Alternatively, clients can capture Italy’s beauty in oils in the Italian Alps. Friendship Travel is offering a week-long painting retreat in Usseaux with a local artist. Prices start from £1,256pp, including flights, a double room for sole use, and meals. friendshiptravel.com

Mexico: From Mayan ruins to margaritas on the beach, Mexico has been a well-trodden route on the South America traveller trail for decades. While easy and relatively safe to travel as a solo traveller, you can often see more by hopping on an organised tour. This 15-day Mexican Adventure trip by solo travel

specialists Just You starts in the capital, Mexico City, before winding past the ancient city of Teotihuacan, Oaxaca, San Cristobal and over to Cancun for some relaxing beach time. Priced from £4,449pp, the deal includes international flights, 13 nights in three-and four-star hotels (B&B), transport and guides. justyou.co.uk

Turkey: Friendly and welcoming, Turkey is considered a safe and easy country to explore alone. However, one of the most indulgent ways to see it is on a traditional Turkish gulet. Peter Sommer Travels offer its seven-night Gastronomic Gulet Cruise, which includes the GrecoRoman city of Knidos, the wineries of the Datça peninsula and the ancient city of Kaunas. Prices start from £3,770pp, including single supplement, return flights, and all meals and excursions. petersommer.com •

MICHEL TEULER