PALMA, Spain, 14 March 2022: Hotelbeds has cancelled all
bookings to Russia and Belarus for an initial three months and is waiving all
cancellation fees.
Hotelbeds CEO Nicolas Huss made the statement on Friday as
companies worldwide boycott or withdraw their business operations in Russia.
“As the situation in Ukraine becomes more devastating by the
day, our thoughts first and foremost are with our employees, their families and
friends, and with all our partners in Ukraine and beyond who are affected by
this devastating conflict.
“From a business perspective, it is becoming
increasingly complex to operate in the region, and so today (Friday), we have
announced that we are ceasing all commercial activities in Russia and Belarus
with immediate effect.
“We are continuing to provide as much support as we can to
them, as well as to the humanitarian efforts of the International Committee of
the Red Cross – ICRC.
“The human tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine is
impossible to imagine for most of us, and so we join everyone in appealing for
a swift and peaceful end to this conflict.”
Hotelbeds is one of the world’s leading bed banks with a
portfolio of over 180,000 hotel properties that gain access to a network of
more than 60,000 B2B travel buyers such as tour operators, retail travel
agents, airline websites, and loyalty schemes in over 140 source markets
worldwide.
In addition to accommodation, Hotelbeds is also the world’s
largest B2B seller of travel ancillaries, offering 25,000 transfer routes and
18,000 activities, as well as attractions, tickets and car hire.
SINGAPORE, 9 March 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), reveals additional details regarding its elevated culinary and beverage offerings for its highly-anticipated Prima Class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
The first two of six vessels within this cutting-edge class
will push the boundaries of traditional cruise cuisine with nine new dining and
beverage venues, including Metropolitan Bar, NCL’s first sustainably focused
bar. The Cruise Line also announced its first three-level atrium, the Penrose
Atrium, in addition to major F&B updates, including the launch of its
revamped main dining menu set to roll out on Norwegian Prima, the enhancement
to Norwegian’s guest-favourite culinary staples Le Bistro, Cagney’s Steakhouse
and the Food Republic, as well as NCL’s coveted Observation Lounge.
“We’ve been innovators in the food and beverage space
for more than three decades, becoming the first cruise line to offer speciality
dining and the first to introduce our ‘Freestyle Cruising’ concept that allows
our guests to vacation their way by giving them a choice to decide when and
where they dine,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and
chief executive officer. “Our latest food and beverage offerings take our
Norwegian Prima food and beverage experience to another level, one that travels
well beyond the guest expectation to provide elevated gastronomical experiences
featuring a sophisticated design, masterful mixology and cuisine that delivers
full-throttle flavour.”
Sustainably Focused
and Handcrafted Libations
The Metropolitan Bar will premiere under NCL’s Sail and
Sustain program featuring responsibly crafted zero-waste cocktails prepared
with surplus ingredients while offering a fully sustainable spirits menu and
biodynamic wines. Working with “The Drinks Business” Green Awards 2020
recipient Gerard Bertrand, NCL’s Metropolitan Bar will showcase more than 20
biodynamic wines produced using organic farming methods such as employing
compost as fertiliser and avoiding most pesticides. Norwegian once again
partnered with James Beard Award-nominee and Bar-Lab founder, Gabe Orta, to
pair elevated libation with sustainably focused practices. The Metropolitan
Bar’s signature sustainably made cocktail, the “Primadonna”, takes a play on an
Old Fashioned, crafted using surplus banana peels with Flor De Cana rum that is
produced with 100% renewable energy. Norwegian collaborated with Bodegas
Hidalgo La Gitana to introduce and produce responsibly sourced botanical gins
specifically for NCL and made using 100% recyclable glass and wood for the
bottle’s design. Other new bar and lounge options on Norwegian Prima and Viva
include The Belvedere Bar, a contemporary cocktail lounge featuring crafted
cocktails with a modern, fresh take on classic drinks.
The Prima Class
Penrose Atrium
Designed by Miami-based Studio Dado to evoke the sense of
wonder felt by the ocean’s earliest explorers, NCL’s first three-story,
glass-walled PenroseAtrium spanning Decks six, seven and eight will be one of
the focal points on Norwegian Prima and Viva. The grand space will vaunt
futuristic architecture, including a large-scale chandelier custom built by the
renowned Czech lighting design firm Lasvit. The installation was inspired by
constellations and featured moving light fixtures weighing more than 7,300
pounds (3,311 kgs). Lining the Penrose Atrium will be a three-deck-high light
feature that will convey the feeling of the sun rising on the horizon and
surround a three-level wall art piece that will resemble a topographic map.
Retail spaces and high-end luxury shops will also be located
throughout the Penrose Atrium’s three levels, including NCL’s newest Starbucks
Coffee. Penrose will also be home to the decanter-inspired Whiskey Bar offering
guests a curated selection of drinks and the Prima Casino and The Penrose Bar
featuring video poker machines.
Elevated Eateries
Meant to take guests on a global culinary journey, the seven new dining venues onboard Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva will take first-time and returning travellers on an epicurean adventure featuring tantalising fare matched with thoughtfully curated design. Making its debut on Norwegian Prima, the all-new Mediterranean seafood speciality restaurant Palomar, set in a relaxing atmosphere, features high-end Mediterranean cuisine made with simple yet sophisticated ingredients. Hasuki, NCL’s new elevated take on the traditional “hibachi-style”, will boast an intimate space featuring design elements that invite guests into the artisanship of Japanese influence through minimalist decor, handcrafted pottery and featured Japanese artwork. NCL’s new contemporary sushi house Nama will offer guests elevated sushi dishes prepared by master chefs who will create upscale sushi and sashimi masterpieces. The venue is set among a whimsical Japanese backdrop inspired by the restaurant’s menu items, including a marble sushi bar reflective of the marbling in the high-quality sashimi and subtle orange ambient lightning representing the colour of masago (fish roe).
Main Dining
Modernisation
Located in the aft of the ship, guests will be able to take
in stunning 270-degree views overlooking the stern, and sample mouthwatering
menu items in the elevated new main dining room at Hudson’s or opt for upscale
cuisine set in comfortable yet refined surroundings at The Commodore Room. Both
locations will boast a revamped extensive fixed menu that offers guests more
variety to sample global dishes, from Spanish Paella and Italian mussels
prepared in white wine sauce to fully vegetarian options such as mushroom
risotto and cauliflower piccata. In addition to offering travellers consistent,
high-quality dishes, the new menu will also boast a build-your-own-pasta
section where guests can request a tailormade Italian classic pasta dish by
selecting their choice of pasta, sauce, and topping, providing more than 24
meal combinations. The menu will also include a “Specialties” section
where cruisers can select a dish from one of the ship’s speciality dining
eateries. The revamped menu will debut on Norwegian Prima and will roll out to
the rest of NCL’s 17-ship fleet through 2023.
The Surfside Café and Surfside Grill located on Deck 17 will
feature a diverse menu, with casual self-serve dining and items prepared
“a la minute” upon guest request.
Returning Favourites
In addition to unveiling new dining, lounge and public
spaces, Norwegian Prima and Viva will also feature enhanced speciality
guest-favourite eateries. NCL’s signature steakhouse, Cagney’s Steakhouse, will
boast a refreshed design featuring new décor celebrating the 20th-century
modernist architecture of Chicago. Capturing the French flair of the Palace of
Mirrors in Versailles, the embellished Le Bistro French speciality restaurant
will showcase fine French fare and sophisticated décor boasting three
floor-to-ceiling chandeliers and coffered ceilings. Food Republic, the
Asian-fusion speciality venue, also returns on the first two Prima Class
vessels with elevated décor, a larger restaurant space and stunning views. The
popular Observation Lounge, a multi-use refuge with different areas designated
for lounging and socialising, will be back on Norwegian Prima and Viva on Deck
17 with a cosier, homey ambience featuring alcoves separated by elegant screens
and partitions. Designed to let the outside in with expansive views, the
enhanced Observation Lounge will offer telescopes for guests to better see
ports of call upon arrival. The Humidor Cigar Lounge will continue to serve as
NCL’s premiere cigar shop and cigar lounge.
Previously
revealed food and beverage venues on Norwegian Prima and Viva included NCL’s
first-ever food hall Indulge Food Hall featuring 11 different eateries, Onda by
Scarpetta, Los Lobos, The Local Bar & Grill, Vibe Beach Club, Waves Pool
Bar, and the Prima Speedway Bar. Both ships will feature a total variety of 35
dining and lounge options for guests.
For more information about the Company’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call NCL Hong Kong on +852 2165 6000 / Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.
DUBAI, 11 March 2022: Registration is now live and free to
attend the Arabian Travel Mart due to take place 9 to 12 May 2022 at the Dubai
World Trade Centre.
Following more than two years of lockdowns travel restrictions that postponed trade events, ATM will reunite buyers, exhibitors and travel trade professionals from all over the world for four days of networking and business sourcing.
Last month the Arabian Travel Mart team released details of
a commissioned report undertaken by STR, a data and hotel analytic specialist.
The report, compiled at the end of 2021, showed hotel development in prime GCC
tourism destinations growing at six times the global average.
It highlighted massive hotel development plans in Makkah,
Doha, Riyadh, Medina, Muscat and Dubai despite the pandemic headwinds that the global
hospitality industry must contend with over the past two years.
Makkah and Doha are both expanding their hotel room
inventory by 76%, followed by Riyadh, Medina and Muscat with 66%, 60% and 59%
growth respectively.
The trend in hotel expansion indicates ATM 2022 organisers
can expect a significant presence at the show’s live event with hotel
participants from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and UAE.
In Dubai, rooms growth stands at 26%, which is still
extraordinary, considering its existing base and following years of continuous
hotel development – it is still more than double the global average.
Arabian Travel Market Exhibition Director ME Danielle Curtis
said, “With the global average sitting at 12%, we are witnessing multiple
GCC destinations growing at six times those rates.”
“These figures coupled with the ongoing relaxation in
travel restrictions will undoubtedly encourage travel professionals throughout
the Middle East and further afield. As such, we are expecting a substantial
increase in the number of participants at the ATM live event this year,
especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the UAE,” she added.
Dubai’s Expo 2020 in Dubai will close on 31 March. The mega event has been the catalyst for accelerated hotel room growth in the UAE, with almost 50,000 rooms still to open across the Emirates. Following closely behind is Doha, with final preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022 now being put in place. Doha is on track to deliver 23,000 hotel rooms pre-and post-World Cup 2022, adding to the country’s burgeoning hotel property portfolio.
SINGAPORE, 11 March 2022: Discovery Princess delivered 28 January at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, stopped by Singapore for supplies before sailing across the Pacific Ocean to the Port of Los Angeles, where she will embark on her maiden voyage 27 March.
Discovery Princess will join eight other ships that have
resumed service for Princess Cruises.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day, Princess
Cruises also recently celebrated and honoured the Discovery Princess Madrina –
Hotel General Manager Terri Cybuliak – currently serving onboard Sky Princess,
leading a team of 1,200 crew members within the hotel department.
Her main role is to ensure exceptional guest experience from
entertainment to food and beverage, housekeeping and guest services.
Terri first joined Princess in 1998 as a junior assistant
purser on the original Crown Princess. As hotel general manager, she helped
launch Majestic Princess in China and was heavily engaged in the planning of
that ship. With Sky Princess, she became the first female hotel general manager
at Princess to launch a new build from a shipyard.
“Terri embodies the Princess Cruises spirit and culture of
being a team player, forging strong relationships, learning from her colleagues
and mentoring her team to perform at their highest level,” said Princess
Cruises president John Padgett. “With gratitude, we proudly honour Terri as the
Madrina of our new Discovery Princess, recognizing all of her incredible
contributions over her 24-year career with Princess.”
“I am honoured to be the Madrina of Discovery Princess.
This is a culmination of not only my achievements but also those who have
supported me and influenced the leader I’ve become,” said Discovery
Princess Madrina, Terri Cybuliak. “Princess has afforded me the
opportunity to travel the world, and I am forever grateful for these
experiences.”
Discovery Princess is
the sixth and final Royal-Class ship
The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess is the sixth and final
Royal-Class newbuild and shares all of the spectacular style and luxury of her
sister ships – Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal
Princess and Royal Princess.
With an array of innovative new experiences, guests will
enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from the largest balconies at sea in the Sky
Suites, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary and indulge the senses with
world-class dining options. Plus, Princess live entertainment presents
mesmerizing Broadway-style production shows that can only be seen in the
state-of-the-art Princess Theater, including the newest show, Spotlight Bar.
Discovery Princess uses the latest technologies to reduce fuel consumption,
treat wastewater, and support our environmental compliance efforts.
In
addition, Discovery Princess is the newest ship to join the fleet offering
Princess MedallionClass Vacations which begins with the Medallion™ wearable, a
quarter-sized device that enables everything from expedited contactless
boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced
service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever
they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favourite cruise
moments using MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea, as well as stay connected
with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly
post content and stream favourite movies and shows.
Discovery Princess is now making make her way to the Port of
Los Angeles to sail on a series of Mexican Riviera and California Coast voyages
from 27 March to 24 April 2022. She will then head up the Pacific coast to begin
a season of seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle, making her the newest ship
sailing in the Alaska region.
MADRID, 11 March 2022: UNWTO is taking its time deciding
whether to suspend the Russian Federation’s membership after some members
called for a decision last week.
The UNWTO Executive Council deliberated the pros and cons at
Tuesday’s extraordinary council meeting and decided to pass the buck to an
extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly to rule on the Russian Federation’s
membership suspension.
The council’s Tuesday meeting responded to petitions by
Colombia, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine calling for the
suspension of the Russian Federation from membership of UNWTO.
UNWTO’s membership includes 160 member states, six associate
members and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector,
educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
The 160 member states hold the core voting rights.
In a press statement on 9 March, the UNWTO promised the
“first-ever Extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly will convene in the
coming days.”
The request to oust Russia from UNWTO ranks is a first for
the usually placid and anodyne tourism body following demands for action filed
by several UNWTO members to the Executive Council.
“War is never a solution! Not now, and not ever. But it is
evident that not everybody is committed to this ideal,” said UNWTO
secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
He added: “For this
reason, UNWTO must be loud and clear: If
you are a member, then you commit to our rules. And you must embrace our
values. So, when members go against our goals, there must be consequences.”
He said aggression against Ukraine was inconsistent with the
United Nations Charter and contravened the fundamental aim of the UNWTO as
enshrined in Article 3 of its statutes, which states the “promotion and
development of tourism with a view to contributing to economic development,
international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and
observance of, human rights”, as the fundamental principles of the
organisation.
UNWTO said it stands fully behind the resolution of the UN
General Assembly and the vote of the UN Human Rights Council. The sovereignty,
political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its
internationally recognised borders must be upheld, and the call of the United
Nations for peaceful resolution of the conflict must be followed.
Last week, the United Nations General Assembly voted
overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution demanding that Russia
“immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military
forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised
borders”. The UNGA reaffirmed the paramount importance of the UN Charter
in the promotion of law among nations.
Also, last week, the UN Human Rights Council condemned the
actions of the Russian Federation “in the strongest possible terms”.
Its members voted in favour of establishing a special commission to investigate
alleged human rights violations, including possible war crimes in Ukraine.
UNWTO closed its statement confirming the final decision to
suspend Russia’s membership in the global tourism organisation was in the hands
of the UNWTO General Assembly, not the Executive Council.
“In accordance with its statutes, the UNWTO General Assembly
alone has the sovereign responsibility to decide on the suspension of
membership of any member state, if it found that the member persists in a
policy contrary to the fundamental aims of the organisation, as enshrined in
Article 3 of its statutes.”
DUBAI, UAE, 11 March 2022: The story of Bayan Al Turabi,
Emirates Flight Training Academy’s first international cadet pilot to graduate,
is one that celebrates women in aviation and highlights the importance of
female role models.
Bayan’s inspirational journey as a cadet at the Emirates
Flight Training Academy is a story of determination and success and a testament
to a dream come true celebrated on International Women’s Day 8 March.
Watch here as Bayan shares her personal story and credits her sister (also a certified pilot) for giving her the confidence to look at a career in aviation.
Growing up in Bahrain, Bayan lived in a house located
between the airport and the sea, and that’s when her love story with travel and
aviation began. Bayan’s family encouraged her and her siblings to aspire for
and achieve whatever they set their hearts on, telling them nothing is
impossible.
When asked about why she decided to become a pilot, Bayan
had this sentimental story to share: “From a very young age, I had an
extreme urge of wanting to explore the world. Since I had never met a female
pilot growing up, considering an aviation career was never an option for me.
Until I witnessed my sister fly a plane as a pilot for the first time, hearing
her voice through the PA presented a new potential to combine my passion for
travel with an established career in flying. Seeing her earn her stripes along
the way inspired and encouraged me to follow in her footsteps.”
“I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage more
young women to consider aviation as their career too, or at least let them know
that they can reach for their dreams and blue skies if they set their hearts
and minds on it.”
On training at the Emirates Flight Training Academy and what
made it unique, Bayan said: “The training programme at EFTA is different,
as we don’t only train on single-engine piston aircraft, but also on jet
aircraft, which is something not found in most pilot training academies. In
addition to the six fully-motioned simulators, which provide you with a
realistic experience of flying an actual plane, the EFTA instructors also give
us tremendous support as they guide us through our training, shape our skills,
and prepare us as up-and-coming Captains in the long run. I have also developed
lifelong friendships with my cadet colleagues, extending beyond the walls of
the academy.”
Emirates Flight Training Academy vice president Capt Abdulla
Al Hammadi said this about Bayan and the Academy’s efforts in the world of
pilot training.
“EFTA is committed to providing opportunities for all
the ambitious and enthusiastic youth to become pilots. Our academy offers a
world-leading training programme for commercial pilots, which is delivered by experienced
instructors who come from all over the world. It’s not only about our advanced
training methods and technologies but also our inclusive learning environment
that’s open and accepting of all qualified candidates.
“EFTA is proud that our first international student to
graduate is a very competent young female aviator. Bayan is smart, ambitious
and diligent. I believe she has a promising future and lots of potentials to
contribute to the aviation industry. The reality is that the world is facing a
worldwide shortage of pilots, and here at EFTA, it is our goal to contribute to
the global aviation industry by grooming future generations of accomplished and
ambitious pilots from the UAE to the world.”
About Emirates Flight Training Academy
Located in Dubai South, the Emirates Flight Training Academy
was launched by Emirates in 2017 to qualify UAE nationals and international
students to become pilots. The academy combines cutting-edge learning
technologies and a modern fleet of 27 training aircraft (Cirrus SR22 G6
single-engine piston aircraft and Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet aircraft)
to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying.
Cadets are trained using simulators, single and multi-engine
aircraft, and are provided with theoretical knowledge of the aviation industry
to facilitate their transition into the airline business. The Emirates Flight
Training Academy underscores Emirates’ commitment as a global leader in
aviation to train and mentor pilots and meet the future talent requirements of
the aviation industry.
The Emirates Flight Training Academy offers more than just
an extensive training programme. Its state-of-the-art facility, which is equal
to 200 football fields, also provides students with incredible amenities. With
36 modern ground classrooms, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a
dedicated 1,800 m long runway, cadet pilots can learn, train and fly
successfully without having to leave the academy’s premises.
SEPANG, Malaysia, 11 March 2022: AirAsia Malaysia
reintroducing fuel surcharges starting 8 March for all its domestic and
international flights.
The reintroduction of the fuel surcharge by AirAsia is to
offset the escalating jet fuel prices, which have now exceeded USD120 per
barrel and still climbing.
AirAsia stopped charging fuel surcharges in 2015. The
airline has instead been absorbing the oil price increase over the years, while
other carriers were already adjusting fares and increasing fuel and admin
charges to counter rising operating costs as early as 2018.
AirAsia Malaysia Fuel Surcharge rates effective 8 March 2022
The fuel surcharges are applicable for new flight bookings
made on and after 8 March 2022. All bookings made before 8 March 2022 will not
be affected.
AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “Airlines the world
over are affected by the rising oil prices and the continuous upward spiral
caused by the situation in Eastern Europe and other external factors have made
it imperative for us to reintroduce the fuel surcharge, despite our best
efforts to resist it for as long as we could.
“Since we last abolished fuel surcharges in 2015 when the
global fuel price was as low as USD48 a barrel, we have faced numerous
occasions when the fluctuations have caused other airlines to start imposing
surcharges. However, at AirAsia, we have been absorbing past increases in oil
prices to continue to provide the best value to our guests. Unfortunately, the
current situation where the oil price has shot up more than 160% than what it
was in 2015 has made it no longer sustainable.”
AirAsia has twice removed its fuel surcharge in the past. It
first introduced a fuel surcharge in 2005 and abolished it in 2008, and later
reintroduced it in 2011. In 2015 the jet fuel price was at its high of USD78
per barrel, but AirAsia decided to immediately remove the fuel surcharge as
soon as the price went down to around USD48 per barrel that year.
HELSINKI, 10 March 2022: Finnair reports
improvements in passenger traffic figures year-on-year, but figures remained
close to January 2022 levels due to the Omicron impact.
In February, Finnair carried 443,000 passengers, which was 407.5% more than in February 2021. The number of passengers in February 2022 was 1.8% less than in January 2022 (month-on-month figures are not fully comparable as there were three fewer days in February).
The Covid-19 impact, including the strict
travel restrictions imposed by several countries due to the Omicron variant,
still affected all passenger traffic figures.
It was evident in the North Atlantic and
Asian figures even though travel from both Finland and Sweden to the US.
Thailand opened in November, increasing the number of passengers carried by
Finnair. The impact of the crisis in Ukraine was not yet visible in February
figures.
The overall capacity, measured in Available
Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in February by 473.4% year-on-year but
decreased by 11.8% month-on-month. Finnair operated, on average, 196 daily
flights (cargo-only included), which was 154.5% more than in February 2021 but
6.2% less than in January 2022.
The differences between capacity figures
compared to February 2021 are explained by the longer average stage length of
flights operated and by the larger gauge of aircraft operated.
Finnair’s traffic, measured in Revenue
Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 845.6% year-on-year but declined by
14.1% month-on-month. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) increased by 17.3% points
to 43.9% year-on-year but decreased by 1.2% points month-on-month.
The ASK increase in Asian traffic was
249.2% year-on-year. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 560.8%. The ASKs
in domestic traffic increased by 119.7%.
RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 951.5%,
in European traffic by 955.6% and in domestic traffic by 172.7% year-on-year.
The PLF was 32.4% in Asian traffic and
25.3% in North Atlantic traffic but both were supported by strong cargo
operations. The PLF was 63.8% in European traffic and 73.6% in domestic
traffic.
Passenger numbers increased in Asian
traffic by 950.7%, in European traffic by 602.1% and in domestic traffic by
167.0% year-on-year.
In North Atlantic traffic, ASK, RPK, and
passenger number growth rates year-on-year cannot be calculated as there were
no passenger flights in February 2021.
BANGKOK, 11 March 2022: The on and off PATA Annual Summit is off again at least until October this year, according to the latest announcement from the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
Repeatedly hit by lockdowns and severe travel restrictions,
the annual summit was first scheduled for Ras Al Khaimah from 15 to 18 May
2019. Then it was rescheduled for dates in March 2020 to enable delegates to
enjoy early bird visits to the Dubai Expo 2020.
That didn’t work out thanks to Covid-19’s global spread, and
neither did rescheduling the dates for an in-person event in March 2021 for the
same obvious reason. Covid-19 had us all locked down.
But we thought the summit had finally settled like a homing
pigeon in the calendar box, 27 to 25 March 2022, just in time to catch the last
moments of the Dubai Expo that closes on 31 March.
Now we are told that is not the case. The summit moves to
dates 25 to 27 October 2022. The only reassuring constant during all the
turmoil of the last two years Ras Al Khaimah remained true to its commitment to
host the summit whatever the year.
Hosted and financially underwritten by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the three-day event will adopt the theme of Reconnecting the World.
The event will comprise conference presentations, leadership
task force sessions, workshops, the PATA board meetings and a travel mart
component. The summit agenda will play out in various locations across the
Emirate, including the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi
Desert and Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
“We are delighted that we will still be organising the
PATA Annual Summit in Ras Al Khaimah this year. It will bring together our
industry network to discuss opportunities and best practices to enable recovery
and sustainable growth,” said PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera.
Most PATA delegates will be pretty relieved to see the
annual summit back, although the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation
has sent energy costs soaring to new heights. If the war widens and oil and gas
taps turn off, it could inflict a catastrophic impact on the tourism industry’s
ability to recover from more than two years of heavy losses caused by the
Covid-19 pandemic and now a war in Europe.
MANILA, 10 March 2022: Busuanga, an island municipality in
the northernmost part of Palawan province, reopens to both local and foreign
tourists with updated entry requirements, Tourism Philippines reports this
week.
The Municipality of Busuanga covers a third of Busuanga Island
and the whole of Calauit Island. Both are part of the Calamian Group of
Islands, lying between Mindoro and Palawan Islands. The group comprises
Busuanga, Calauit, Coron, Culion and Linapacan islands.
Spotlighted in social media posts on Telegram, Busuanga is
once more welcoming visitors and has eased entry rules arrival to maintain
safety and health to protect against the spread of Covid-19.
Partially vaccinated/Unvaccinated tourists – Approved S-Pass Application. – Valid ID. – Negative RT-PCR test result (conducted within 48 hours by any DOH-accredited laboratories and Municipal Health Offices). – Confirmed DOT-accredited tour/diving bookings. – Roundtrip tickets.
Children below five years old – Birth certificate or passport. – Confirmed DOT-accredited tour/diving bookings. – Roundtrip tickets.
What to see in Busuanga
Enjoy Dugong
Watching Activity and check out Ocam Ocam Beach and Calauit Safari Park.
CALAUIT SAFARI PARK– Calauit Island is a 4,000 has. Protected are with active environmental and resources management separated by the narrow mangrove channel from nearby Busuanga Island. It includes an 18-kilometers coastline and along the coasting line a reef (about 9 km long). About 70-80% of the coastal area of the island is surrounded by coral reefs of moderate cover and seagrass beds, and later serving as feeding grounds for dugongs and turtles. At present, the management of the park is under the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).
BLACK ISLAND – located near Panlaitan. The island is called Malajom(in native dialect) or Black Island due to its unique physical characteristics. It has three small caves with a mini-pool inside and a black rock 150 feet high in a majestic cave. Inside the caves, you will find the writings on the wall in Spanish. A mini-pool, a table forms rock, and a bench.
PAMALICAN ISLAND – A top tourist attraction in the municipality, it is famed for its silica sand and sparkling white beaches. The water is so clear that you can see the corals and seabed. The abundant marine life and coral reefs attract nature lovers. Popular activities include swimming, scuba diving and snorkelling. Travel time is 30 minutes by ferry, costing around P200.00 one way. There are no cottages on the island. The nearest accommodation is in Poblacion.
