DESTINATION News

In February 2020, the magazine republished the singer-songwriter’s 50 greatest tracks to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his birth.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MBJ Airports Limited, operator of the SIA, and the first Jamaican to hold that position, Shane Munroe, says further buildout of the dining space and experience at the facility, among other areas, has been on the cards for some time.

He tells JIS News that the expansion of the departures lounge and opening of Bob Marley – One Love “will now make a huge difference” aesthetically.

“This area will be a game-changing experience and I know our visitors will be loving every minute of it. [So] in addition to the Bob Marley – One Love experience, there is a new departures lounge where passengers can await their flights in an atmosphere that is second to none,” the CEO adds.

He shares that London-based company, The Design Solution, took on the gateway’s commercial planning strategy and, together with consulting group Pragma, was instrumental in redeveloping the retail programme to bring it up to international standards.

“The Bob Marley – One Love Restaurant and experience will be a major and integral part of the transformation strategy at Sangster [Airport] to deliver a memorable and stimulating experience for passengers,” he adds.

Express Catering Limited is a listed subsidiary of Margaritaville Caribbean Group (MCG), which owns and operates a chain of Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville food, beverage, retail and entertainment outlets in the region.

‘Margaritaville’ was American singersongwriter, Jimmy Buffet’s highest-charting hit song.

SOTC Travel, a leading omnichannel travel and Tourism Company inaugurated its new retail store in Anand. The new store will serve as a hub for nearby areas of Nadiad, Dakor and Khambhat as well, thus reiterating the Company’s strategic focus to expand its footprint in the state. Gujarat features as an important source market for SOTC Travel and offers the company a range of valuable segments like Gen Z/new age travellers, millennials/ young professionals, families, couples and business owners/ traders.

The Company’s internal survey highlights insightful travel trends from Gujarat. A significant 70% of Gujaratis are keen to take a holiday and to cater this high potential market, SOTC Travel has introduced an array of offers like special Gujarati tours Gurjar Vishwadarshan, Early Bird discounts, complimentary cruise experience on Europe Holidays, ready to book and customized holidays.

Customers are also displaying growing interest for experiential holidays, adventure holidays, domestic tours and cruises.

Contact Details

SOTC Holiday World

202, Maruti Skand, V.V Nagar Rd, Above Metro Shoes, near Sony Centre, Anand, Gujarat 388001

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “Gujarat has been a strong source market for us at SOTC, and we continue to witness high uptick in demand. We are delighted to open our new franchise store in Anand that also caters to nearby locations of Nadiad, Dakor and Khambhat. The store is centrally located thus allowing us to target valuable segments like Gen Z/new age travellers, millennials/young professionals, families, couples and business owners/traders. Our expanded portfolio of holidays have something for everyone – from customized holidays to luxury and premium holidays, also group escorted tours.

We extend a warm welcome to our customers and forward to plan your next holiday with us.”

Top international and domestic destinations in demand – Europe’s Switzerland, France, Finland, Austria; Turkiye, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA (for visa holding customers), South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore; also Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andamans, Kerala, North East; and Bhutan, Sri Lanka in the Indian subcontinent.

SOTC Travel’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of services, including:

International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.

TAT stages ‘Amazing Thailand Mega FAM Trip to Phang-nga 2023’

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organising the ‘Amazing Thailand Mega FAM Trip to Phang-nga 2023’ from 18-21 March with the participation of 144 travel agent representatives from 12 countries around Asia and the South Pacific.

Present at the welcome reception on 18 March in Khao Lak, Phang-nga, were H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports; Mr. Ekarat Leesen, Governor of Phang-nga Province; and Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, as well as officials and figures from the public and private sector.

The experiential tour on 19-20 March showcases key tourism landmarks and activities in Phang-nga and its surroundings. These include Mu Ko Similan National Park, Ao Phang Nga National Park, Ko Panyi – famous for its fishing village, Tham Phung Chang – a cave known for its stalagmites and stalactites, and a whitewater rafting adventure on the Song Phraek River.

The trip will conclude on 21 March with the B2B business negotiation event, which will provide a centre stage for trip participants to meet and discuss business with over 50 tourism operators from Phang-nga.

Mr. Tanes added “The ‘Amazing Thailand Mega FAM Trip to Phang-nga 2023’ has been initiated adhering to the TAT’s ‘Great Resumption Episode II’ strategy to help accelerate Thailand tourism recovery.”

Mr. Tanes said “The ‘Amazing Thailand Mega FAM Trip to Phang-nga 2023’ is showcasing meaningful travel experiences in Phang-nga in line with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign. It also forms part of the TAT’s plan to help establish Phang-nga as a new destination for the Asia and South Pacific market, and in doing so helping to expand tourist flow and tourism income to the local economy.”

Under the strategy, TAT is adopting five approaches for short-haul markets, including China is back, 7 Digits Target, Colour Your Life by Amazing Thailand, Responsible Tourism, and Second Tier, Second to None.

Through various marketing activities aimed specifically for the shorthaul markets, TAT expects bookings and travel to materialise from April 2023 onwards. This is expected to result in revenue from the short-haul markets constituting up to 62% and number of tourists up to 72% of the overall tourism performance target for 2023.