MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine the global monthly online magazine since 1997
vol. 24, issue 11, November
2021
Venice, Italy
‘MIND THE GAP’ London’s underground… FAR EAST in My Heart, by author Ms. Yaprak Gurdal Climate Emergency is a BIGGER THREAT than COVID/‘’HEALTH CRISIS‘’ ’ In PERSON at WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2021 At the heart of every tour is a GREAT TOUR GUIDE The ‘HEALTH CRISIS’ Replaces Tourism with PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY AFRICA Offers Huge Potential for Aviation
MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 24, Issue 11, November 2021 edition – Online since 1997
Contents 6 Message from the Editor 8-11 ‘MIND THE GAP’ London’s Underground… 12 Far East in My Heart 15 Climate Emergency is a BIGGER THREAT than …
8-10 ‘MIND THE GAP’
16 ICCA 60th annual congress… 17 TTG RIMINI, SIA and SUN 2021 Giving Tourism a Boost… 18 In PERSON at WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2021 19 QATAR TRAVEL MART 2021, the 1st of its kind… 22-23 At the heart of every tour is a GREAT TOUR GUIDE 25-27 The Billesley Manor Hotel & SPA
30 Psychogeography
30 The ‘HEALTH CRISIS’ Replaces Tourism with PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY 31 GREECE to open tourism earlier in spring 2022 33 With 85% of its Population Vaccinated, CHINA to open Borders… 35 Your Holiday in the Heart of ITALY 38 AFRICA Offers Huge Potential for Aviation 40 MEXICO City’s cancelled new airport
33 to open Borders
41 Bullet Train Between CHINA-LAOS Arrives in Vientiane Cover page: The Gherkin Tower & St. Andrew Undershaft Church, London, United Kingdom
Message from
Caroline-Artemis Back in Business! Back in Person! This was the best news in a long time for many of us as we were able to attend ‘in-person’ exhibitions again. It has been a long time coming! With one of the world’s largest events having just closed its doors for its 2021 edition, World Travel Market was a success in that it actually happened. The extra work involved for organisers of any in-person event these days to ensure the covid-19 government protocols are implemented is immense and deserves thanks to enable the event to have actually taken place. However, with many countries still implementing international travel restrictions means that for some time to come, events will not get back to normal and we will see far less participation from some destinations and far smaller stands too. With current travel requirements around the world involving lateral flow tests, PRC’s, antigen tests, as well as vaccine certificates, these extra costs for tests for each person travelling as part of a delegation has a huge impact on budgets at a time when they are already extremely limited due what the health crisis. This therefore has an effect on attendance of both exhibitors and visitors to any event.
WELCOME
One example of this is the lack of Asian stands at WTM and many other in person events/exhibitions that have already, or are taking place in Europe; most Asian nations as well as some others, have authorised the Chinese vaccine, which is not being recognised in the West and a handful of other countries and therefore, several national delegations cannot attend European exhibitions and events. Undoubtedly, tourism is one of the biggest and hardest hit industries caused by the pandemic, and yet, it is still unable to get back on its feet due to politically based ‘health’ decisions relating to vaccines and travel restrictions and requirements. Hope you are all back travelling a bit and enjoying some face to face exhibitions and events. Enjoy the November MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine edition! Caroline-Artemis Laspas co-founder & editor
‘MIND THE GAP’ LONDON’S UNDERGROUND… THE WORLD’S OLDEST by Caroline-Artemis Laspas
Two new stations have just opened on the world’s oldest underground train network … the London Underground. The stations are ‘Battersea Power Station’ and ‘Nine Elms’, both an extension to the Northern Line (the black coloured line). This marks the first major expansion of the London Underground this century and is the result of a UK£1.1 billion project. The area has seen huge rejuvenation over recent years with a massive redevelopment of Battersea Power Station for residential and business use, as well as the building of the new USA embassy in Nine Elms, and many modern new residential buildings. The opening of two new stations brings the total number on the network to 272. The journey of the London Underground goes all the way back to 1843, when the world's first underriver tunnel, the ‘Thames Tunnel’ was built. At the time it was described as the 8th wonder of the world. It was the world's very first tunnel built underneath a river. On the opening day, 50,000 people walked through the tunnel. By the end of the first 3 months, a million people (half of the population of London at the time) had passed through it, making it the most successful visitor attraction in the world! It was not until 1863 that we saw the world’s first underground railway open in London. It was a plan designed to reduc e the congestion on the streets above. The London Underground trains were originally steam powered, the first deep -level electric railway opened in 1890.
It was called the Metropolitan Railway and was built between Paddington (which was then called Bishop's Road) and Farringdon Street. Over the following 50 years more stations and lines were added.
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In 1933 all London’s public transport services; the buses, trams, trolleybuses and the underground railway became public ownership, which meant for the first time that all services and routes could be co-ordinated together. 1933 was also the year that the first map of the underground was produced. It has remained ever since. In 1935 a huge upgrade and expansion plan was set in motion, but was halted due to WWII. After the war, a simpler plan was suggested. Many tube stations were used as air-raid shelters during the War, with the Central Line being converted into a fighter aircraft factory that stretched for over 2 miles, with its own railway system! During the war, the British Museum moved many of its treasures into the empty stations and tunnels for safe keeping. In 1968, after much delay, the new Victoria line began operating. The Jubilee Line was added in 1979. It was named to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, but did not open until 1979. In 1999 it was extended out eastwards. The Tube reached Heathrow Airport in 1977. The tunnels beneath the City curve significantly because they follow its medieval street plan. The 150th anniversary of the Underground was celebrated in 2013. It has 11 lines covering 402km and serves 272 stations, handling up to 5 million passenger journeys a day. Some networks began all night services in 2016. The Tube carried one billion passengers in a year for the first time in 2007. At peak times, there are over 543 trains in service, with the fastest line running 40 trains an hour. In 2015, the busiest Tube station was Waterloo, which was used by around 95 million passengers. In 2014 Oxford Circus took top spot, while in 2009 it was Victoria Station, and in 2005 it was King's Cross! On the Metropolitan line, trains can reach over 60mph. While the District Line (green) has 60 stations, the most of any line. It is estimated that half a million mice live in the Underground system of tunnels! The shortest distance between two stations next to each other is just 260m; the journey between Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line takes about 20 seconds. The longest distance between stations is on the Metropolitan line from Chesham to Chalfont & Latimer with a total of 3.89 miles. Angel has the Underground's longest escalator at 60m/197ft, with a vertical rise of 27.5m. While Waterloo Station has the most escalators at 23. Despite its grand age, the London Underground is still the 3rd busiest metro system in Europe, after Moscow and Paris. The network is always changing and expanding to meet the growing needs of the city it serves. The new Crossrail project is Europe's biggest underground construction project. The Elizabeth line will stretch more than 60 miles from Reading and Heathrow in the west through central tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. The new railway will stop at 41 accessible stations, 10 newly built and 30 newly upgraded, and is expected to serve around 200 million people each year. A 70strong fleet of 200-metre-long trains will serve the Elizabeth line when it is fully open. In the first half of 2022, the Elizabeth Line will launch with a passenger service through the new central tunnels from Paddington to Abbey Wood.
www.bmlinternational.co.uk London, United Kingdom
The final timetable across the entire railway will be in ready to all to use in May 2023. The London Transport Museum conducts interesting tours allowing you to explore ‘forgotten’ parts of the Tube network and go behind the scenes at some of London’s busiest stations.
‘Stand Clear of the doors…. Doors Closing’
Far East in My Heart Following her debut book “Overseas Loneliness”, Yaprak Gurdal now shares her adventures in the Far East, in her newest release “Far East in My Heart”. In this new book, you will travel with her to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Singapore. With her warm and fluent narration, you will experience life on the streets of the Far East, become intimate with their magical culture while learning important and practical information about their daily lives. Ente r the magnificent temples, taste delicious dishes and enjoy the stunning nature. The "Far East in My Heart" will leave its imprint, stir your emotions and reserve a place in your heart. Yaprak has travelled to seventy-six countries and more than five hundred cities. She is quickly becoming a travel authority for those about to embark on their own personal journey. Discover more about Yaprak and find out about her first book by seeing the January 2021 edition of the MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine. The first book is call ‘Overseas Loneliness’
M.I.C.E & Events News Meetings, Incentives, Conferences , Exhibitions, Venues & Events
UNWTO HEAD SAYS ‘THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY IS A BIGGER THREAT THAN COVID/‘’HEALTH CRISIS‘’ ’ The head of the United Nations World Tourism Organization has warned that the ‘climate emergency is a bigger threat than Covid’. During the WTM Tourism Ministers Summit, Secretary-General of UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili said the pandemic has hit tourism harder than any other sector and it needed support from governments, through stronger public-private partnerships and with more and better-targeted financing investments, to rebuild in a sustainable and inclusive way. He said the recent Rome Leaders Declaration issued by the G20 specifically emphasized the need to restore travel and tourism, which in turn can help developing economies. He also advocated that public investment will “encourage and leverage” private investment all over the world, adding: “Tourism can benefit if governments deliver the right support. “Going back to the old normal is not an option.” Urging that tourism represents a risk-free investment opportunity and it was vital to invest in education and youth helping to reach net zero. The UNWTO and other tourism and travel stakeholders launched the 'Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism' at the COP26 Conference in Glasgow. The WTTC is to launch its Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, to support the industry in battling cl imate change, as it aims to be net zero by 2050. The initiative is being run in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and professional services and consultin g experts Accenture. WTTC President told the summit: “We have no alternative; we have to go green.” Sustainable growth is a key priority for WTTC, adding: “Investors and the public demand that we invest to protect the planet and people. “We need to invest in making sure destinations are great places to live and not just great plac es to visit.” Dr Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, who will host the COP27 climate conference next year, highlighted Egyptian sustainable initiatives, like Red Sea reef protection projects.
2021 AFRICA TOURISM LEADERSHIP FORUM SET FOR KIGALI - RWANDA The 4th edition of Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards (ATLF) will take place from 24-27 November in the Rwandan capital Kigali. This years’ hybrid event will incorporate Rwanda Travel Week. Held in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, Mastercard Foundation, and BDO South Africa, ATLF 2021 is themed, “Harnessing intra-Africa travel for innovative recovery in Africa’s travel and tourism sector”. ATLF is a flagship event on the Africa tourism calendar that has played a key role in advancing intra-Africa travel growth, youth and women empowerment, intra-Africa travel facilitation and business-to-business networking. It is the only Pan-African public-private tourism leadership annual gathering convened and hosted in Africa, by Africans and for Africans. Merged with the Rwanda Travel Week, this year’s Forum will provide another Pan-African platform for in-person exhibition as well as the Gala Dinner for the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Awards Ceremony. This will bring together Africa Tourism industry players together to network and discover new opportunities in a changing world.
www.bmlinternational.co.uk London, United Kingdom
ICCA 60TH ANNUAL CONGRESS SHOWCASES REVIVED ASSOCATION MEETINGS INDUSTRY At the 1st first face-to-face meeting for the global association meetings industry since the start of the pandemic, more than 1200 delegates from 83 countries came together across 5 cities and a cutting-edge virtual platform. The 60th Annual Congress delivered a unique and expansive programme that set a new standard for business events. The entire event brought more than 100 hours of live content and 120 world-class speakers to the stage. Under the theme “Forward to our Future”, the Congress demonstrated what delegates can anticipate from business meetings of tomorrow. The hub-and-spoke model featured live events in the Congress host city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia and C ongress Hubs in Abu Dhabi, UAE; Paris, France; Nagaski, Japan; Seoul, Republic of South Korea; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Delegates benefited from a global educational programme and sessions tailored to the regional business events industry of their Congress Hub. Those who joined on the virtual platform enjoyed a seamless experience with dynamic learning and networking opportunities. Flexible registration allowed people to change their registration type up until two weeks before the Congress w ithout incurring an additional fee. As a result, the ICCA Congress attracted a record number of delegates during a time when many are still deali ng with travel uncertainty. A revolutionary component of the educational programme focused in on current meta trends shaping the business events industry and the world. Meta trends are drivers of change that influence trends and megatrends. The panel sessions brought together experts from diverse fields and leading companies. The speakers provided global and regi onal perspectives into these 8 meta trends: innovation, agility and collaboration; sustainability; organisational culture; the future of work; consumer choi ce and event experience; future generation; diversity and inclusion; community building; and the imp act of technology.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED IN 2021 ASPIRE AWARDS 11 exceptional Western Australian researchers, academics and professionals have today been announced as the winners of Business Events Perth’s 2021 Aspire Awards. The 22nd Aspire Awards, provide travel grants to outstanding West Australians who are making notable strides in their fields, to support them in attending international conferences where they can showcase their expertise and innovation on a global platform, network with likeminded professionals, and explore new avenues for collaboration, trade, and innovation into Western Australia. The Aspire Awards have led to a number of large-scale international conferences being confirmed for Western Australia over the years, including the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) 2024, in which 2020 Aspire winner Dr Craig McIntosh played an integral role in Perth’s successful bid. In 2020, Business Events Perth secured the world’s largest marine mammal conf erence, the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals 2023, after 2017 Aspire winner Dr Simon Allen travelled to Barcelona in late 2019 alongside BE Perth to pitch Perth as the destination of choice to the deciding committee.
TTG RIMINI, SIA AND SUN 2021 GIVING TOURISM A BOOST IN CONFIDENCE TTG, SIA and SUN 2021 ended recently in Rimini, Italy with visitors reaching 90% of numbers from the 2019 edition. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group, the 3 events, which group together the tourism su pply chain, saw a definite upturn in business. 700 buyers from over 40 foreign countries, most of them present in real life, with virtual matching for those from countries that would have required long-haul flights, 62% from Europe and 38% from non-European countries. 80% of the operators selected for the matching specialised in leisure tourism (from group travel to tailor -made proposals) with a further share in the MICE sector. Spread over 19 halls, 1,800 brands were in attendance from numerous foreign countries and Italian regions and over 200 events were staged with more than 250 speakers in 9 ´Arenas´ for 650 hours of discussion and information. The 30 foreign countries attending TTG, some of which Italy has opened health corridors with, provided the sign of confidence that the organised tourism market has been waiting for. The tropics, the Middle East, the Americas and the Mediterranean basin, as well as Europe, breathed new life into matching for new international tourist packages. Together with the most representative trade associations, from Federalberghi to sectors represented by Confturismo, ASTOI (Tour Operator Association), FTO (Organised Tourism Federation), including FAITA Federcamping, SIB (Seaside Establishment Union), the institutional partner ENIT (Italian Tourism Board), the Regions, the world of research with ISNART, Milan Polytechnic and CNR (National Research Council), a calendar of meetings was held to represent future tourism. To mark the 70th anniversary of SIA Hospitality Design, 4 exhibitions - Rooms, Outdoor, Wellness and Hotel in Motion, curated by architects specialised in hospitality and contract design, expressed innovation and evolution in Made in Italy hotels amid minimal luxury, sustainability and great attention to the physical and mental wellbeing of guests, with increasing attention to the balance between closed and open spaces. The 39th edition of SUN Beach & Outdoor Style, also featured a programme with new ideas for outdoor enterprises, bathing establishments and campsites. New glamping concepts united the demand for design, attention to detail and an open -air spirit for a highly potential market for both Italy and abroad, including the cold countries of northern Europe. This year the SIA halls also featured the new Superfaces event, a b2b marketplace specifically for innovative materials for interiors, design and architecture. IEG looks forward to meeting the entire Italian and international tourism industry again at Rimini Expo Centre from 12-14 October 202
4TH HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ARTS & COLLECTIBLES EXPO Covering over 22,000sq.m, the Belt & Road National Art & Culture Expo includes the 4th Hong Kong International Arts & Collectibles Expo, the largest cultural event in Hong Kong. ‘Global Cultural Festival’ offers magnificent cultural performances and unique cultural products & art pieces from all over the world.
CHIBA CONVENTION BUREAU HOSPITALITY SEMINAR WITH JAL FURUSATO PROJECT Chiba Convention Bureau has organised the Japan Airline Group’s launch of the JAL FURUSATO PROJECT bringing the Meeting Industry in the Prefecture an expert touch on Japanese O-MO-TE-NA-SHI. The programme aimed to educate local organisations and enterprises on practical business manners was presented via lectures from an experie nced flight attendant from Japan Airlines. Through the programme, Chiba Convention Bureau hopes to bring further development and strengthen the MICE Industry in Chiba. The JAL FURUSATO PROJECT which was launched in 2021 is part of the Regional Revitalisation Project of JAL Group, aims to promote flows of goods and people to regions through tourism promotion and regional industry support through activities and uses expertise and networks developed by the Group. The project is hoped to connect regions, people, and goods while creating a sustainable society.
BRAND-NEW PROMO VIDEO & BROCHURE FOR OSAKA MEETINGS & EVENTS + OSAKA CONVENTION & TOURISM BUREAU’S NEW MICE SLOGAN Osaka is a world-class meeting and event destination, and the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) is striving for Osaka to achieve a status as Japan’s number one and Asia’s premier MICE destination. With Expo 2020 Dubai currently underway, now is the time for Osaka to step further into the spotlight as Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai approaches. To catch onto this momentum and further promote Osaka as an events destination, the OCTB has created a MICE promotional video showcasing Osaka’s vibrant and fun-loving appeal and has also designed the brand-new Osaka Meeting & Event Planning Brochure for MICE event planners who are considering Osaka as their next host destination. Making its debut in both of these promo materials is the 2021 Osaka MICE slogan, inspired by the friendliness, warmth, and fun sense of humour that defines Osaka and its pe ople. 1. Promotional Video: “Osaka: Your Ideal Meeting & Event Destination” To capture the vivid energy and appeal of Osaka as a meeting and event destination, the OCTB has created a promotional video to showcase Osaka’s merits and spectacular appeal to event organisers around the world. Showcasing some of Osaka’s primary venues and sightseeing spots, the video emphasises Osaka’s exceptional access, abundant meeting facilities, unique party venues, high-class comfort and hotels, and the unforgettable experiences only possible in Osaka. The OCTB will be using these videos in promotional activities to further inspire event organisers in Japan and worldwide with the possibilities in hosting events in Osaka. Take a look at the videos here: Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau MICE YouTube Channel Full version: https://youtu.be/akxWej-L7IQ and a 60 sec. version: https://youtu.be/onh6i361GHE 2. Osaka Meeting & Event Planning Brochure To give meeting and event planners the inspiration they need in choosing Osaka as an event destination, the OCTB has designed a brand-new Meeting & Event Planning Brochure. Intended to be the meeting planner’s first stop in getting to know Osaka as a destination, the brochure is filled with information and ideas on event facilities, after-event entertainment and cultural activities, event support from the OCTB, and the reasons why organisers around the world choose Osaka as their host destination. The OCTB has created both a Japanese and an English version, with information in the English version catered to meeting planners worldwide who would find the information most relevant in their destination and venue search. Access the brochure from our website: https://mice.osaka-info.jp/en and download the brochure directly 3. 2021 Osaka MICE Slogan Debuting in the new video and brochure is the 2021 Osaka MICE slogan. Embracing the fun pun on the word “wow” with WaO (“We are Osaka”), the slogan is meant to evoke the inspiration that is born from the collaborative spirit that is a defining aspect of Osaka and its people, as well as to emphasise Osaka’s role in designing a truly unforgettable event alongside meeting organisers.
The story behind the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau 2021 Osaka MICE slogan: “Osaka has long been known for its identity in building bridges, stemming from the city’s many canals where the earliest people built their livelihoods. With a culture of using humour as a communication tool, the Osakan people make connections through their friendliness and warmth. Business runs through Osaka and its people’s DNA. Evoking inspiration through the potential in MICE events is what we do. Building bridges to create new ideas together is what we believe in.”
IN PERSON AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2021! November felt almost normal, as the travel industry, as best it could, travelled to London’s ExCeL exhibition centre for the 2021 edition of World Travel Market. With pre-printed badges, vaccine certificates at the ready, the doors to WTM opened, after what seems like an eternity and the travel and tourism industry got back together in person, with a visible smile, shake hand (if wished) or elbowed good wishes and said hello to fellow trade professionals. Although smaller, with many national pavilions missing from the floorplan this year, for obvious reasons, it was still a great gathering and gave inspiration and positive vibes for the renewal and rejuvenation of the sector within the framework of this now classic global travel trade event. It was a great start and hopefully next year many more of us will be back together under the ExCeL roof for a packed out WTM London 2022!
www.wtm.com
QATAR TRAVEL MART 2021, THE 1ST OF ITS KIND, LAUNCHES AT DOHA EXHIBITION & CONVENTION CENTRE 16-18 NOVEMBER 2021 The long-awaited 1st edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, organised by NeXTfairs will bring together key players in the local, regional and international travel and tourism industry to offer the most sought-after upscale travel destinations, as well as the latest trends on tourism sectors such as Luxury, Business, Medical, Sports, Leisure, Cultural and Halal. QTM will provide insights and new perspectives on the future of tourism with a 3-day Conference, by bringing together local and international experts who will share their knowledge on industry movements and directions. QTM 2021 aims to connect global tourism businesses to stimulate the industry’s recovery, opening new horizons and showcasing fresh opportunities. The exhibition is under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, and in Strategic Partnership with Qatar Tourism. It also has Katara Hospitality as Founding Partner, Qatar Airways as Official Airline, and Discover Qatar & Qatar Airways Holidays as Founding Leisure Partners. In addition, Amadeus is the event’s Technology Partner, Retaj Hotels & Hospitality the Gold Sponsor and Gulf Adventures the Silver Sponsor.
Internationally, QTM has Association Partners, which are The World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), World Leisure Organisation (WLO), and World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage (WTACH). Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, explained: “We are delighted to have full government support for the inaugural edition of Qatar Travel Mart and from all our sponsors in Qatar’s leading organisations and international associations. We are very proud to have achieved the participation of 31 countries and 14 large pavilions with 136 exhibitors at our first event. Tourism is a priority sector for Qatar’s economy and QTM 2021 aims to provide a timely boost for the revival of the sector after the pandemic. It’s back to business for tourism in Qatar and our business events industry is key for supporting its renewal.” He continued: “QTM 2021 is being held in one of the most active markets for investment in hospitality, as Qatar gets ready to welcome the world at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Speakers at the Conference will cover in-depth key topics such as the Road to Recovery and How the Future will look; Sustainable Tourism & Development; Innovation & New Trends; and a CEO Panel Discussion will focus on Behavioural Changes of Consumers and Hiring and retention of Employees in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The event also features a Hosted Buyers’ Programme, involving 24 influential buyers from all over the world to network and to close deals. A 3 day media familiarisation trip for international media will showcase FIFA 2022 World Cup stadiums and many of Qatar’s famous cultural sites and attractions, as well as Qatar’s impressive hospitality landmarks. Jill Jiao, QTM Exhibition Manager explained on the Travel & Tourism stats, “reports from Oxford Economics estimate that Qatar will receive an additional $0.9bn in visitor expenditure and 290,000 visitor arrivals on average per year over the period 202 22025 as a direct result of the marketing investment. Additional gains in market share will be achieved in the longer run through continued visa expansion and tourism product improvements, while the estimated number of jobs supported by the travel and tourism sector in 2030 will hit around 247,800’’. The exhibition is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors over the 3 days.
EMITT EXHIBITION WILL OPEN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2022 ISTANBUL WILL BE THE BEATING HEART OF WORLD TOURISM AGAIN! The East Mediterranean International Tourism & Travel Exhibition – EMITT, which was not held in 2021 due to the pandemic, is preparing to take place at TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center on February 9 -12, 2022, after a two-year hiatus. Digital transformation in tourism and innovative approaches that will make Turkey reach the top, w ill be discussed at EMITT's extensive 25th anniversary event programme. EMITT adopts the mission of a common mind platform for approaches that will make Turkey reach the top, which ranks 6th among the world's most tourist-attracting countries and hosted 51.7 million tourists in 2019 and obtained UK£25.5 billion from tourism, just before the pandemic. This year, four main themes, which are tourism economy, trends leading the sector, prominent destinations and technological innovations that will mark the next decade will be discussed in the panels and events. Health tourism sector worth UK£740 million will be presented at the EMITT for the 1st time. Diversifying the tourism products and cooperation opportunities it provides to foreign buyers and visitors, EMITT Exhibition aims to promote Turkish health tourism in other countries. EMITT increased the total number of visitors by 29% and the number of foreign visitors by 87% in 2019. The exhibition, which was last held in 2019, brought together nearly 1000 exhibitors and 200 tour operators from 103 countries with 44.321 visitors. Rates expected to increase in 2022 Thanks to the global increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates, the number of tourism and travel activities has increased significantly compared to January-August 2020. According to the data of the Ministry of Tourism, the total number of tourists coming to Turkey in January-August 2021 increased to 14 million. It was 7.25 million in January -August 2020.
AT THE HEART OF EVERY TOUR IS A GREAT TOUR GUIDE Whenever we travel, we discover many new places around the world, but what usually makes them memorable is the Tour Guide; the person who enlightens you and educates you and really brings to life the places they take you too. A good guide is essential and a unique asset to any destination. Here we meet with Mrs. Deborah Marra from Chiave di Volta; an exceptional guide we were lucky enough to recently meet in Italy. What do you think is necessary to be a tour guide? Experience? License? Knowledge? Of course, they are all essential.
I have been working as a tour guide for almost 5 years and I still think that Passion and Love are fundamental in this work. Without Passion and Love is not possible to explain anything. I consider myself very lucky because I still have the passion and the enthusiasm I had when I started this job and I am still surprised by the Beauty that surrounds me in all the Cities where I work: Venice, Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Treviso, Rovigo, and by the perfect and harmonic Architecture of all the Palladian and Venetian Villas. . . I think that a good guide has to love her land first. I am a curious traveller, I read a lot, I like music and I play the Celtic Harp, an instrument with an unbelievable power to heal me when something goes wrong and I feel down. When I do not work, I like travelling with my kids to find other treasures in Italy and in the World. The tours that I offer can be all customized according to your interests, requests and needs. If you have been already in the Veneto Region, do not be afraid to visit it again . . . . I can help you to discover new unexpected treasures. Choose an area that you would like to visit and contact me: I will customize your tour and give you the best solution. I work with professional drivers who can accompany us during the tour into different areas of the Veneto, villages and towns of good wine and food, and in the Venetian countryside not far from big cities in which it is possible to
www.chiavedivolta.com
spend a different and amusing day, enjoying Arts and Crafts, Nature, local Cuisine and much more. My tours usually include everything and I can provide you with all information you may need about time, sites to visit, restaurants, museums, etc. A tour with me is a real occasion to discover the Region in a different way, not only because I am an experienced and professional guide, but also and above all, I work with passion and love for my land. I know the territory, even the smallest hidden treasures, and I know how to avoid the crowds, lines and noise. I also know how to make a tour extraordinary and memorable. It will be your personal, unique tour…and you will have another reason to come back to visit my Region. HERE MY CONTACTS: www.chiavedivolta.com www.italiantraveltourguides.com www.walksinsideveneto.com www.facebook.com/deborahmarrachiavedivolta www.facebook.com/italiantraveltourguides www.facebook.com/deborahmarrascrittrice www.youtube.com/Cb7Iq0-Fr4G5Dc1pU072F6A
TO THE MANOR BORN IN THE HEART OF ENGLAND
THE BILLESLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA by Caroline-Artemis Laspas
Set in the stunning lush green rolling countryside of the English county of Warwickshire, sits a stunning 16th century Elizabethan Manor House which is now a chic boutique hotel.
Welcome to the Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa.
Although it seems to be in the middle of nowhere, this is definitely part of its attraction. As you approach the Manor, you quickly get drawn into this perfect peaceful sanctuary, built of local stone. You are instantly transported to another time, but with elegance and all you need for a stay away. Seemingly remote, the Billesley Manor is in fact a perfect base for exploring the region, famous for being home to English playwright William Shakespeare. Indeed, Billesley Manor was where Shakespeare wrote his comedy play ‘As You Like It’ in 1599, in the gorgeous snug of a lounge – with the added quirky décor of books artistically stuck to the ceiling. The view from the library bay window will inspire you too. Looking out onto the 125 year old Victorian Topiary Gardens in the design of giant chess pieces based on the characters from Alice in Wonderland. Although there is no village at Billesley today, remains show an ancient medieval village was once present. Today, the local sheep happily graze on the green grass left behind. Also located next door to the Manor is the 11th century All Saints Church, a tiny building with a small graveyard. Church records show that William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway here in 1582! From the moment you step into the reception of the hotel, you feel at home. With stylish decorative pieces and splashes of modern flair, there is a sophisticated yet cosy magic in the air. The Manor is a stunning stone building and many rooms see solid wood panelled walls, lead window frames and richly coloured plush contemporary furnishings which help to show off the original features of the house, including many of the huge stone fireplaces which are big enough to sit in! Each bedroom is beautifully decorated and spacious with all the modern amenities. Creating a hotel from such an old building has its challenges including the very steep and narrow staircase leading to the bedrooms in the eaves of the roof. These rooms offer views across the immaculate Manor lawn complete with circular pond and fountain.
The Great Hall is a wonderful meeting place with an impressive marble topped bar at one end offering locally produced gins as a speciality. Posh sandwiches and traditional British favourites are served from the Bar menu. The magnificent fireplace surrounded by original, local 16th century oak panelling, adds to the special feel you get in this amazing place.
The Stuart Restaurant sits in two stunning rooms full of period feature fireplaces, historic paintings and grand chandeliers. The menu highlights the best local produce and offers mouth-watering dishes, accompanied by a wonderful varied wine list. All around the hotel are little pieces of history. Several locks on doors date back to the 17th century. They are believed to have come from a close relation of the house’s owner who worked as the Keeper of Armouries at the Tower of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The mezzanine level offers cosy areas for quite drinks or coffee but still with the rich décor and beautiful painted ceiling roses. The spa is indeed a sanctuary. With massage rooms and spa treatments, as well as an indoor swimming pool with use of a sauna and steam room, you are sure of the perfect pampering to help you wind down and relax. There are outdoor tennis courts, traditional English garden games to play (weather permitting) as well as a modern gym and yoga hut. With meetings rooms and event spaces, the hotel offers a variety of superb options for events from weddings to business functions. These include the intimate Drawing Room, the Barn meeting rooms and the Topiary Garden Suite that overlooks the Topiary Garden and outside terrace. Whatever your purpose to come to the Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa, you can be sure of a very warm and super friendly welcome and for sure you will want to return again and again… especially at Christmas!
www.billesleymanor.com
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Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, Italy
THE ‘HEALTH CRISIS’ REPLACES TOURISM WITH PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY The ‘’health crisis’’ has changed everything and indeed, the way we think of travel and our usual vacation. If you are able to view a holiday as just a change of scene giving you the rest you need from your usual daily routine, then you might be able to take a holiday in a di fferent way. This is a new thinking based on psycho-geography. Many of us have been forced to look at domestic tourism over the previous year. The idea being that exploring in depth your home town, doing what tourists normally do in your town, will allow you to look at it differently and to achieve the relaxed frame of mind any further away holiday would do. Even people living on an island can take a domestic tourism holiday by travelling to the opposite side to the island and stay ing in different accommodation; it's a different space, a different daily routine, a different view. Virtual travel will allow you to not even leave your front door! Ever wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. With virtual tours being so life-like you can connect to the destination in a new way. Psychogeography - teaches us to re-perceive our local environment, which many of us see day in day out. Just walking and wandering the streets, psychogeography encourages people to interact with the physical, and in some cases with the digital space, by drifting through space both physically and mentally. In practical terms, this means that you follow the course of the land scape in which you are, for no particular purpose.
TOKYO'S IMPERIAL HOTEL NEW MAIN BUILDING DESIGN Located in the centre of Tokyo, the Imperial Hotel has unveiled the new design for its aging exterior main building, which is scheduled to be rebuilt by 2036. The new design by Paris-based Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane, based on a fusion between a Western palace and a tower, invokes the image of a staircase, with floor space narrowing with height. The design will have a ‘jewel of the Orient’ concept. The hotel was established in 1890 as a state guest house. The main building has since been redone 3 times with the current exterior being built in 1970. The main building is to begin construction in 2031 after the completion of the adjacent tower's reconstruction in 2030.
IRAN TOURISM FOCUSES ON QATAR WORLD CUP TO ATTRACT MORE HOLIDAYMAKERS
Dasht-e Lut desert, Iran
With the 2022 World Cup being held in neighbouring Qatar, Iran has the perfect opportunity to promote its unique tourism products to visitors to the event. Increasing the number of flights between Iran and Qatar during the event, which will be held from 21 November to 18 December 2022, as well as showcasing and introducing the distinctive tourist attractions of the country to the spectators at this event are on the agenda of the Iranian Tourism Ministry. The issuing of tourist visas will be stepped up to help attract more tourists across the border. Before the pandemic, Iran was developing its tourism sector well and beginning to attract high class visitors to see its stunning architecture and sites. Before the pandemic, revenues reached UK£8.16 billion in 2019, accounting for 2.8% of GDP and the country welcomed 8.7 million foreign nationals. nd Iran was ranked as the 2 fastest-growing country in tourism according to the WTO. Iran has a wealth of attractions including bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 26 are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
GREECE TO OPEN TOURISM EARLIER IN SPRING 2022 Greece is to extend the tourist season and open up early next year. Already in discussion with low cost airline, Jet2 to support its efforts, with the aim of offering UK travellers flights to Greece earlier than usual as well as, for the 1st time to Athens. Promotion of autumn and winter destinations, and supporting hotel units that open for 12 months a year as well as promoting urban getaway tourism in the main urban centres will be a focus. Plaka, Athens, Greece
Traditional and new strategic travel and tourism partners will continue as before and an increase in flights from the United States is being developed with long standing US agents, ensuring that flights to Greece remain active until at least the end of this season. The Ministry is prioritising tourism training and education in an effort to create added value from the tourism product and national human resources. It is in talks with French hospitality giant Accor to look at establishing a tourism academy in Greece, as well as with TUI.
WORLD VOYAGEUR DOCKS AT INAUGURAL STOP TO GIBRALTAR Cruise ship ‘World Voyageur’ has been welcomed on its inaugural visit to Gibraltar. Operated by Nicko Cruises and Quark Expeditions, it is owned by Mystic Cruises. The ship was built in 2020 and has 86 cabins with a capacity of approximately 200 passengers and 100 crew. The ship will help support the tourism sector on the British Overseas Territory and proves that Gibraltar is still a popular destination in the Mediterranean.
BRITISH MOTOR MUSEUM CONFERENCE FACILITIES ACCREDITED ‘SILVER’ FOR ITS ECO-FOCUSED ACTIONS The British Motor Museum is the 1st Museum to be accredited with ‘Silver’ status by Greengage ECOsmart, the accreditation programme which recognises and supports eco-friendly hotels and conference venues that meet certified standards of sustainability. Silver status is awarded to venues that have taken steps to achieve a wide range of eco-focussed actions and can demonstrate an eco-friendly service approach in 5 key areas: Energy & Water Conservation, Waste Management & Recycling, Rooms & Facilities, Food & Beverage and Corporate & Social Responsibility. The Museum is committed to continually improving its environmental performance and is providing greener ways to do business and host events. It has installed a building management system that automatically optimises the heating and air conditioning, all its lights are LED, it has Solar PV array panels on the Collections Centre roof which supplies the power to this low energy usage building. The centre has achieved Zero Waste to Landfill and endeavours to source all consumable products from local quality suppliers. It has also invested in 10 electric charging points for visitors and event organisers to use, with the infrastructure to support more. 2019 saw a drive to eliminate 80% of its single use plastic, replacing plastic bottled water in their Café for cans of water, reduced their plastic usage by 1.21 tons (46, 644 bottles) in the first 12 months, whilst its own bottling plant provides still and sparkling filtered water in recyclable glass bottles for conference delegates. Partnership with Fair Trade coffee supplier Paddy & Scotts, who also run a Community Wellbeing Initiative in Kenya, has
resulted in the Museum’s coffee sales to date contributing to the equivalent of 1688 school meals along with 2.8% of the capex required for the new roof and windows at the Ruiga School in Kenya. Greengage Business Solutions Ltd supports environmental sustainability in business travel, meetings and events helping organisations make the right decisions to implement a sustainable business travel and events approach. “We are pleased to have awarded the British Motor Museum silver status following their accreditation process. The ECOsmart award symbol reassures meeting organisers that the Museum has been assessed and has taken a range of eco-friendly steps to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability”. As home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars, the British Motor Museum is an independent Museum and registered charity which receives no central government funding. All profits generated from the Museum’s commercial activities are donated directly to the Trust. Companies choosing to use the conference facilities are, therefore, contributing directly to the sustainability of the Trust and its aims for future generations. Hanoi, Vietnam
VIETNAM TO WELCOME VACCINATED TRAVELERS IN DECEMBER
FOREIGN
A country that relies heavily on tourism, like many Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam’s tourism sector provides approx 10% of the country’s GDP. To date any foreign visitors have been only able to travel to the popular resort island of Phu Quoc as long as they were fully vaccinated and all islanders were vaccinated too. Tourists are to be allowed into the country from approved foreign countries and can now visit Halong Bay, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient city of Hoi An, the city of Dalat in the central highlands and access to the coastal area of Nha Trang. Neighbouring Thailand has had a similar approach with only specific destinations open for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals. Up until now the islands of Phuket and Samui have been open for tourism, but now other destinations are open for arrivals including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Vietnam received 3.8 million foreign travellers in 2020, compared to the 18 million international visitors in 2019.
ISRAEL PUTS OUT TO TENDER HOTELS AND MORE TOURISM IN THE DEAD SEA REGION The Ministry of Tourism of Israel is looking to invest further in the Red Sea area. It has released a tender to build 1,675 new rooms in the Ein Bokek-Hamei Zohar region, located next to the Dead Sea. It would include the development of 7 complexes with 2 hotels being built on the water, with a separate plot that will house tou rist attractions also on water. In addition, the tender includes commercial and office space. Eilat, Israel
COSTA RICA WANTS TO ATTRACT DIGITAL NOMADS Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Cartago
A message from the ICT, Costa Rican Tourism Institute; the Foreign Trade Promoter, Procomer and the Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives, Cinde, will serve to attract digital nomads. The intention is that Costa Rica be promoted with a single message in this new type of segment or travel category, based on all the general advantages that the country has (sun and beach, mountains, friendly people, rich food and culture) and adding specific elements for them (connectivity, more agile procedures and a law that supports their stay in the country.
For Trejos, the three entities, under the umbrella of the Essential Costa Rica country brand, are currently coordinating the message they will give on their platforms and activities, as part of the preparation to attract this type of traveller, who will be able to stay in Costa Rica for one year, according to the new law. This preparation of Costa Rica to receive digital nomads happens while sources from the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners explained that the regulation to the law is in the process of being revised by the Ministry of the Interior.
WITH 85% OF ITS POPULATION VACCINATED, CHINA TO OPEN BORDERS The vaccination rate of the total Chinese population is expected to reach over 85% by early 2022. This would mean any cases of COVID-19 are likely to not be serious and in line with the usual deaths related to seasonal flu and therefore the opening of borders is expected to begin. Zhuhai Opera House Guangdong, China
CHILE THE BEST SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE TOURISM DESTINATION For the 7th year running, Chile has been awarded the best adventure tourism destination in South America, by the WTA (World Travel Awards). Chile also won the award for the best romantic destination for the Atacama desert, the driest non-polar area in the world, a vast expanse of land that includes the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo, in the north. On the fringes of the Atacama desert, famous for its dune landscape and for astro-tourism, Chile is also recognised for the emblematic Torres del Paine Park, in Patagonia, in the south of the country, a popular national and international destination.
THAILAND SEEKS CONNECTION WITH LAOS-CHINA RAILWAY Thailand hopes to link the Thai-Chinese highspeed railway line with the Laos-China Railway. The construction of the China-Thailand highspeed railway project has slowed in progress but with the potential to link Thailand’s Nong Khai Province with Vientiane Capital, Laos, through the Laos-China railway, could allow for faster growth. The connection will enable visitors from China to visit Laos, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries by high-speed rail. Construction of the Laos-China Railway linking the Lao capital of Vientiane to the Chinese border over a distance of 427km began in December 2016, linking 5 provinces including Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Vientiane Province, and Vientiane Capital. The historic railway is scheduled to open on the Laos National Day on 2 December.
HKDC TO SET UP NEW ‘CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM BUREAU’ The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), the Hong Kong SAR Government’s strategic partner in promoting the wide and strategic use of design and design thinking, is to set up a new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to coordinate the development of the creative industries in the Hong Kong SAR, thereby helping to reinforce Hong Kong’s development as an International Cultural and Arts Exchange Centre for China under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong offers a unique East-meets-West creative atmosphere and is ideal as Asia’s city of culture and creativity. The Government is to work on 5 directions, including developing world-class cultural facilities and a pluralistic cultural environment; strengthening connections with overseas arts and cultural organisations; enhancing cultural exchange and co-operation with the Mainland; leveraging technology; and nurturing talents.
JAPAN STILL REMAINS CLOSED DESPITE LOW VIRUS CASES As much of Asia begins to open up, Japan still has its borders closed to foreign visitors and will remain like that for some time, despite a big drop in virus cases in recent weeks. Japan has also shut out foreign students and business travellers with the only exception being for those involved in the recent Olympic Games. Foreign international tourism will not begin to revive for another one to two years, despite 73% of Japanese being fully vaccinated; a much higher rate than in other Asian countries. While quarantine has been eased in some areas, oversea travellers still need to spend 10-days in quarantine. Domestic tourism is still the focus for the government with discounted travel and accommodation around the country. Japan’s international tourism took off in 2014 and by 2019 contributed 7.1% to GDP. The target for 2020 was 40 million people. Due to the pandemic, tourism revenues fell to 4.7% of economic activity, while employment in tourism and travel, including people working at hotels, airlines, travel agencies and restaurants catering to tourists, fell to 5.4 million from 5.7 million .
www.marchefullexperience.it
NEW RULES EQUALS END OF MASS CRUISE TOURISM IN GREECE Thira/Santorini, Greece
For several years, the call for reduced mass tourism across many sectors like city tourism and the cruise sector is now to become a reality as we come out of the health crisis. New policies and measures which will allow for the upgrade of tourism products will also enable higher level tourists and higher valueadded services. Peak months of July and August see many island destinations over crowded. The measures that the government is evaluating include the reform of the rules of operation of the Greek cruise, with the adoption of a new framework for the numbers of passengers and the fees with which they will have to pay, in order to stop the harmful burden of islands like Santorini from landing thousands of visitors a day, often at the same time - with controversial economic benefits to the local economy
YOUR HOLIDAY IN THE HEART OF ITALY Located in the heart of Italy, the Marches offer the Apennine Mountains and rolling hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea. From the mountains of Monte Carrier and Monte Priora, part of the Sibillini Mountains to Mount Tabor, part of the Macerata province, the stunning scenery lifts your heart. With a mix of fine sand beaches as well as rugged ones, all the regions beaches lead to the clear and crystal waters of the Adriatic. You cannot visit Marche without visiting the ‘Borghi’; these small stone villages where time stands still and yet the quality of life, the architectural harmony and the spirit of these places are inspiring and beautiful. Marche Experience offers several private apartments for rent, each with its own Italian flair a nd conveniences. Also on offer are several individual experiences such as Yoga by the sea, Snack among the orchards, day on a sailing boat, craft beer tour, wine & pasta Tour. For more information visit: www.marchefullexperience.it/en
Aviation, Airlines, Transportation & Travel News
AFRICA OFFERS HUGE POTENTIAL FOR AVIATION Boeing has said there is huge opportunity in Africa for the aviation sector, valuing it at UK£343 billion. It has predicted that Africa’s commercial airline fleet will grow to over 1,560 planes in the next 20 years. Africa is projected to see 3% annual economic growth over the next two decades. The African Continental Free Trade Area and Single African Air Transport Market initiatives will also advance trade, air travel, and economic cooperation, all leading to growth. With the working and middle-class population of the continent expected to double in the next 20 years, that will boost the demand for air travel.
QATAR AND THE EU SIGN AGREEMENT Qatar and the European Union (EU) have signed a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement that will ensure the highest level of safety and security, while enhancing connectivity and freedom of movement for travellers. As both are strategic partners and the relationship between both parties has been very close since June 2016, after the European Commission obtained authorisation from the EU Council to negotiate this Aviation Agreement. This Aviation Agreement represents the new global benchmark for aviation agreements, providing a single set of rules, high standards and a platform for future cooperation on a wide range of aviation issues, like safety, security, environment, competition, consumer protection, social matters, and air traffic management.
BELLWETHER INDUSTRIES UNVAILS PRIVATE URBAN AIRCRAFT AT DUBAI AIR SHOW Bellwether is to showcase its vision for urban air mobility. For its 1st ever public viewing, the prototype will be displayed at the Dubai Air Show, which takes place from 14th-18th November. It features a different colourway and will have better control capabilities and structural optimisation. Started in 2013, Bellwether Industries initially began developing a hovercraft project known as Gazelle, which was put on display at YODEX in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2015. In 2018, the company started work on Project Antelope - its vertical take-off and landing vehicle known as a ‘volar’. Volar is defined as a new category of private urban aircraft for intra-city travel, which has a hidden propulsion system, a very compact profile, a lifting body and the ability to take off and land vertically. It is being tailored for transporting passengers into the cities, with deep considerations for safety and environmental impact. Bellwether Industries has already completed multiple test flights of its prototypes since last year, which monitored control capabilities. It will reveal a new generation of its volar model next year and plans to bring the first commercial model to market by 2028.
AIR TRANSAT TO FLY FROM QUEBEC CITY TO LONDON GATWICK Air Transat is to fly non-stop between Quebec City and London from 11 May to 28 September 2022. The new route will benefit tourists wanting to discover both Quebec, London and beyond. Quebec-London passengers will fly on the new-generation Airbus A321neo LR aircraft, which are part of the company’s ongoing efforts in responsible tourism, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. They consume 15% less fuel, and reduce both noise and NOx greenhouse gas emissions by half. Air Transat’s international expansion also sees other direct flights out of Quebec City for summer 2022 to Paris, Fo rt Lauderdale, Cancun and Punta Cana.
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MEXICO CITY’S CANCELLED NEW AIRPORT It has now been abandoned for 3 years in favour of refitting out a military base north of the city which would operate as commercial/ military international airport. Three years on and the site of the half built airport, on a lake basin is seeing nature invade with weeds and greenery growing everywhere. The government’s new plan for the site is to conserve 12,200 hectares of marsh land that was originally the Texcoco Lake and use the area as a giant park. It should be complete by 2024.
FLYBONDI TO FLY TO URUGUAY Argentinian budget airline Flybondi is to begin flights to Uruguay from December. A Boeing 737-800 aircraft will depart from Buenos Aires 4 times a week and will significantly enlarge Uruguay's connectivity map. The low cost airline has the advantage of increasing transit and connectivity with different destinations. In Argentina, Flybondi serves Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Corrientes, Córdoba, Jujuy, Mendoza, Neuquén, Posadas, Iguazú, Salta, Santiago del Estero, Trelew and Tucumán.
MOROCCO STOPS FLIGHTS TO / FROM UK & THE NETHERLANDS The Government of Morocco has banned all flights to and from the UK over increasing cases of Covid-19. The ban will remain ‘until further notice’. Several airlines who serve Moroccan destinations are steadily operating repatriation flights for UK citizens stranded there. The same situation is in place for citizens of Holland, with Dutch airline, Transavia flying people out of the country and back to the Netherlands.
BRITISH AIRWAYS TO RESUME BUENOS AIRES ROUTE British Airways is to again start flying its direct route between London and B uenos Aires from 1st December, but with a stopover in Sao Paulo. This will increase the number of weekly seats between the largest cities in Argentina and Brazil. The daily flight will use a modern Airbus 350. Turkish Airlines is also increasing flights to Buenos Aires (via Sao Paulo) to 3 times a week with an Airbus 350 aircraft, beginning this month. The Argentine government has lifted all restrictions on international air passenger traffic. Latam Airlines is to resume international operations from Córdoba to Santiago de Chile and Lima 3 times a week each using an Airbus 320 aircraft.
VENEZUELA RESTRICTS INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS The Venezuelan government has extended indefinitely restrictions on international air operations due to the pandemic. The current travel restrictions were in place to 'guarantee the health of citizens residing in Venezuela, through policies that allow mitigating the effects caused by the pandemic generated by Covid-19'. Only commercial passenger air operations are allowed between Venezuela and Turkey, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia and Russia.
BULLET TRAIN BETWEEN CHINA-LAOS ARRIVES IN VIENTIANE The ‘China-standard’ bullet train, or electric multiple unit (EMU) train, for the China-Laos railway has reached the newly built China-Laos Railway Vientiane Station. For Laos it is the first modern train in her history and shows progress in the construction of the China-Laos railway. It is also a key moment in the proposed Laos-China Belt and Road Initiative to convert Laos from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub. The journey time from Vientiane to the China-Laos border will be shortened from two days to 3 hours, and that to Kunming can be just overnight, which means a huge jump in development in the connectivity between China and Laos. The train has a top speed of 160km p/h and consists of 9 carriages, including a locomotive, a dining coach, a first -class and 6 second-class coaches, and provides altogether 720 seats. With spacious air conditioned carriages that cater for both Chinese and Lao standards, the dining coach is well equipped to meet the needs of passengers for food and leisure; the screens, broadcasts and service signs are all in 3 languages of Chinese, La o, and English; and the 4th carriage with barrier-free areas is equipped with special seats, handrails, toilets, SOS call buttons and Braille guide signs to facilitate the travel of disabled passengers.
NEW ZEALAND – AUSTRALIA TRAVEL CORRIDOR The semi re-opening of a quarantine-free travel corridor between New Zealand and Australia is not increasing passenger traffic between the two countries. Vaccinated travellers from New Zealand can now travel to Australia without the need to quarantine, but the flights to take them there are not flying. But it is not the same going the other way. Current Australian quarantine rules are deterring Air New Zealand from operating flights from South Island airports. It usual ly has many flights from all Australian cities flying to Queenstown and Christchurch on the South Island. Qantas is also not offering flights at present.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES START FLIGHTS TO SYDNEY Hawaiian Airlines is to restart flights to Sydney following the pandemic. Flights will begin from mid-December to coincide with Australia reopening its borders. Hawaiian Airlines will start with an Airbus A330-200s, flying 5 times a week. In 2019, the airline flew on the Australia-bound route 111,023 passengers.
LATAM TO RELAUNCH 787 SYDNEY FLIGHTS VIA AUCKLAND
LATAM Airlines is to re-launch its SantiagoAuckland-Sydney route early 2022. The route was stopped due to the pandemic. In 2019, LATAM had 2 destinations in Australia and one in New Zealand; Santiago de Chile-Auckland-Sydney, Santiago de ChileSydney, and Santiago de Chile-Melbourne. It used a Boeing 787-8 to connect with Melbourne and the larger 787-9 to Auckland and Sydney. Prior to the pandemic both Air New Zealand and Qantas flew routes, connecting Auckland with Buenos Aires and Sydney to Santiago. Right now, there are no scheduled commercial flights between both regions.
EMIRATES PLANS FOR 70% CAPACITY BEFORE 2022 Emirates Airlines aims to hire 6,000 operational staff in the coming months as it prepares for a return to 70% capacity by the end of the year. Most airlines are gradually recovering and as one of the biggest, Emirates is seeing positive signs.
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