Sounds like it’s high time to drench some much-needed sunshine onto their icy attitudes and whisk them away to a tropical paradise. Whether your clients choose to come back relaxed, come back adventurous, or come back full… They’ll unquestionably come back changed.

Limited-time savings

Save up to 40% off on South packages and up to 20% off South flights during our Come Back Changed promo. And get 3X BONBON, too!

If they only pretended to hold the doors open

At the Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana Resort & Spa, your clients won’t have to lift a finger. Except for sipping a cocktail, of course! Paint a picture for them: Basking in the lap of indulgence, surrounded by pristine beaches, while enjoying gourmet dining and lavish accommodations that will make them forget all about winter. From pampering spa treatments to lounging by the pool while the kids are busy in the water park, this resort has mastered the art of Unlimited Luxury® pampering.

If they’re wearing sunglasses to avoid eye contact

Here, they’ll want to keep those shades on even after dark! And why is that? Because your sun-starved clients won’t want to miss a moment of the dazzling show the sun puts on every evening as it sets over the Pacific. They’ll be soaking up the vibrant hues from the beach, from their private balcony, or while sipping cocktails by the saltwater pool. This intimate resort is known for its character and colonial charm, its gourmet dining, and its sunsets that are simply second to none. In fact, CC Beach Front Papagayo offers memorable moments – and a stylish excuse to wear sunglasses around the clock!

If someone’s breathing sets them off

Let’s put it this way: Hiking in Peru is like having the gym to yourself, but with way better views!

Your clients will be grateful to say goodbye to sweaty strangers on the treadmill and hello to a solo trek on some of the most breathtaking (literally) trails in Latin America. From the craggy beauty of the Andes to the quiet solitude of the Amazon jungle, the only sounds they’ll encounter are the twittering of birds and the whispering of the wind. So why not encourage them to try something a little different this year? Surely their hiking boots are still in perfect condition, awaiting their next exciting adventure.

If social media is as social as they get

Cozumel Island is where travellers can achieve their lifelong dream of being alone on an island, minus the castaway misadventures!

Whether your clients prefer to snorkel in solitude or sunbathe on the beach at Santa Pilar with only the iguanas for company, this is where peace and tranquility reign supreme. This quiet Mexican paradise is indeed their ticket to escape the crowds and revel in the blissful art of silence. All this is possible at the all-inclusive Melia Cozumel, especially with an upgrade to The Level. Not only will your clients receive personalized service, but they’ll also have access to exclusive areas. They’ll enjoy private check-in, breakfast in a members-only lounge, and private Bali beds on the beach. Complete and utter serenity guaranteed!

First published at Travel Industry Today

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London, United Kingdom, January 8, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics is set to end if first year on a high with more than 1,300 hotels verified, across more than 30 countries from around the world.

The Hotel Sustainability Basics is an independent global sustainability verification programme, overseen by internationally recognised verifiers, Green Key and SGS.

The aim is for hotels around the world, regardless of their size, to follow a 12 step programme to reduce carbon emissions, protect and promote nature, and ensure local communities benefit from the hotel.

It is achievable for all hotels to implement as a bare minimum, and crucially, they serve as a stepping-stone to more complex sustainability schemes.

In its first year, Hotel Sustainability Basics has been endorsed by destinations around the world such as the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador.

The ‘Basics’ has also been adopted by a number of major hotel brands around the world such as Jin Jiang, the world’s second biggest hotel group with more than 10,000 hotels, European hotel giant Louvre Hotel Group, and Radisson Hotel Group.

Other major brands which have signed up Hotel Sustainability Basics include adventure travel specialist Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds, Biosphere, and Abercrombie & Kent.

Together, this underscores a global commitment to sustainable Travel & Tourism from across the hospitality industry, and the global tourism body expects thousands more hotels from all four corners of the globe will adopt Hotel Sustainability Basics next year.

Significantly, the recently announced partnership between WTTC, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has cemented a clear pathway in the hospitality sustainability journey.

This collaboration will establish a structured framework from the Basics towards advanced global standards for hotel sustainability.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “Basics is a global programme to support hotels to cut emissions, support local communities and protect nature. Launched last year, it is the only independent scheme that gives hotels a helping hand to look at their environmental impact. The take up of Basics is going from strength to strength with whole countries committed to make real, lasting change.

“As we look to the future, our focus remains on strengthening these efforts, ensuring that every step we take brings us closer to a unified vision of sustainability in hospitality. Hotel Sustainability Basics has gone from strength to strength in its first year and we’re expecting thousands more properties to adopt the initiative throughout 2024.”

Satu Rouhiainen, Sustainability Manager, British Airways Holidays said: “Working closely together with our industry and value chain partners is paramount to British Airways Holidays. We are delighted to be supporting the Hotel Sustainability Basics, offering our hotel partners a fair and industry recognised criteria to start their sustainability journey.

“Not only does it give us visibility of the hotels’ progress, but it also provides our customers a way to search for hotels that are committed to progressing in sustainability.”

WTTC is committed to leading the charge in sustainable Travel & Tourism. Continuously fostering collaborations and setting new sustainability, the global tourism body global is committed to ensuring a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for the Travel & Tourism sector.

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Macau, Macao SAR, January 5, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Wynn is starting the New Year by inviting an incredible line-up of five culinary artists for the “Celebrity Chef Pop-Up Kitchen at Wynn Macau” and Four-hand Collaboration dinners in January. 2020 MasterChef UK Finalist Sandy Tang will be the first to proudly present her own culinary heritage of Macau with British flair; Executive Head Chef Nilas Corneliussen of Villa Frantzén will showcase his native Nordic dishes with a Thai twist; and Head Chef Wang Xiaofeng of Guan Yan Liu Jin in Hangzhou will craft delicacies from his hometown of Chaoshan. Two resident chefs at Wynn Palace and Wynn Macau will also partner with two guest chefs to host Four-hand Collaboration dinners. Executive Chef Helder Sequeira Amaral of the Forbes Five- Star SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace will partner with Chef-owner Eric Räty of the 2-MICHELIN- star Arbor, while Executive Chef Hironori Maeda of the 2-MICHELIN-star Mizumi at Wynn Macau will work with Executive Chef Mitsuru Konishi of the MICHELIN-starred ZEST by Konishi. These high quality, monthly dining events at Wynn aim to bring exceptional culinary talent to Macau, continue raising the bar in gastronomy and promote Macau as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.

At the age of 24, Chef Sandy Tang entered the 2020 MasterChef UK competition just to see how far she could go, and she made it all the way to the finals! Originally from Macau, she moved to the UK when she was just 13 and grew up surrounded by a unique fusion of cultures. Having spent half her life in Asia and half in the UK, she embraces the ideas and techniques of both East and West when working in the kitchen, producing innovative fusion concepts that are still grounded in tradition. From January 4 to 6, Chef Tang will create a variety of special delicacies at Wynn Macau including: Salted Cod and Scallop served with Tomato Consommé Granita and Grouper Broth, a Lotus Pastry filled with Hawthorn Berries Paste served with 24 Herbs Ice Cream and Crumble, and much more.

Originally from Sweden, Executive Head Chef Nilas Corneliussen of Villa Frantzén in Bangkok has always been fascinated by Thailand. He initially pursued Thai boxing before discovering his true

calling in culinary. He worked his way up from all sections of Stockholm’s trattoria to the MICHELIN- starred Esperanto, while simultaneously winning silver for the Swedish team in the Bocuse d’Or finals, not just once, but twice! Geeky about Thai cooking and fluent in Thai, Chef Nilas seamlessly blends the Frantzén Nordics, pan-Asian influences and Siam flavors, and elevates them to an entirely new level. From January 12 to 14, he will showcase his creative culinary talents at Wynn Macau through these innovative dishes: Oyster 63.4C with gooseberries and Kavring bread; Scallop and caviar; Cured Norwegian salmon and beer poached king crab and more.

Portuguese native Chef Helder Sequeira Amaral has worked for many renowned restaurants in his home of Portugal and many other countries before moving to Macau more than a decade ago. Chef Helder has successfully attained the Forbes Five-Star award for SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace, where he will join Chef-owner Eric Räty from the 2-MICHELIN-star Arbor, in a four-hand dinner collaboration from January 18 to 20. Chef Eric honed his skills in culinary while in Europe working for the 2-MICHELIN-star Chez Dominique and the 3-MICHELIN-star Restaurant Aqua at The Ritz- Carlton, Wolfsburg. Craving for new challenges, he headed to Hong Kong. Now, as chef-owner at Arbor, Chef Eric uses his extraordinary talent to create refined Nordic-Japanese cuisine. During their time together in Macau, Chef Helder and Chef Eric will combine their culinary skills to prepare American classic steaks and Nordic-Japanese dishes such as: Bresse Chicken Ravioli, Japanese Wagyu Cross Breed B3, and more at SW Steakhouse.

Originally from Chaoshan, Head Chef Wang Xiaofeng is now at the helm of Guan Yan Liu Jin. Throughout his culinary career, he has worked alongside and trained under many famous chefs, gaining a deep understanding and true appreciation for the authentic flavors of Chaozhou cuisine. At Guan Yan Liu Jin, he selects just the right Chaozhou ingredients and prepares them with the traditional and extremely meticulous cooking techniques of Chaoshan. He prepares each one of his dishes with such perfection, his refined delicacies at Guan Yan Liu Jin have garnered a mention in the inaugural edition of The MICHELIN Guide Hangzhou in 2023. During his time at Wynn Macau from January 19 to 21, he will introduce the gastronomy of his hometown, by capturing the original flavors, colors, and aromas of Chaoshan cuisine.

For dining reservations and enquiries at Wynn Macau, please call: (853) 8986 3663.

About Wynn Macau
Wynn Macau is a luxury hotel and casino resort in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,010 spacious rooms and suites, approximately 294,000 square feet of casino space, over 64,300 square feet of retail space, 14 food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including Macau’s only choreographed Performance Lake, blending lofty plumes of water, gracefully choreographed music from Broadway tunes to renowned Chinese songs, powerful LED lights and fire effects.

Wynn Macau is operated by international resort developer Wynn Resort s , recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Macau continues to hold the distinct honor of being the only resort in the world with 8 Forbes Five-Star Awards for seven consecutive years. Wynn Macau opened on September 6, 2006 and its second tower – Encore opened on April 21, 2010.

About Wynn Palace
Wynn Palace is the second luxury integrated resort from international resort developer Wynn Resorts in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, following the launch of Wynn Macau. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, suites and villas, versatile meeting facilities, approximately 107,000 square feet of renowned luxury retail, 14 food and beverage outlets, Macau’s largest spa, a salon, a pool and approximately 468,000 square feet of casino space. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling 8-acre Performance Lake that mesmerizes guests with a choreographed display of water, music and light, the unique SkyCab, spectacular, large-scale floral displays and an extensive collection of art works by some of the world’s leading artists.

Wynn Resorts is the recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Palace is the first and only resort in the world with more than one thousand rooms to receive Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards. Wynn Palace opened on August 22, 2016.

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Madrid, Spain, January 2, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The 2022-2023 UNWTO Students’ League concluded with a celebration of young tourism talent. The Grand Final of the flagship event for supporting students in tourism bought together high School and undergraduate students from Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Tourism for rural development challenge

The 2022-2023 Students’ League challenged students to create support rural development through tourism by creating Instagram accounts to promote a rural destination in their countries.

For this Grand Final, the jury panel was made up of national and international experts from UNWTO, Academia and private sector stakeholders. In making their decision, the expert jury judged elements such as innovation, and feasibility of the idea as well as their potential to contribute to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The winning team in the High School category was Team Rose Brandis from Mješovita srednja škola Travnik in Bosnia & Herzegovina. In the Undergraduate category, the jury named Team VS-TIM, Visoka škola za turizam i menadžment Konjic from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Team SHL from Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern in  Switzerland as joint winners.

Journey to the final

After successfully passing through the initial phase on the National Final4 competitions in their countries during 2022 and 2023, three teams made it through to the Grand Final, Team Rose Brandis, representing Bosnia and Herzegovina – Team Rose Brandis from Mixed Secondary School Travnik and Team VS-TIM from Konjic College of Tourism and Management, and representing Switzerland – Team SHL from the Swiss Hotel Management School Lucerne.

For this first Grand Final, UNWTO counted on the partnership of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Affiliate Member and part of the Affiliate Members Board. The Universidad Complutense de Madrid has been a true knowledge leader for almost 800 years and has a long and proud history of producing the best minds and developing the best young talent. The Ayuntamiento de Madrid also contributed by showing the teams the beauty and hidden gems of Madrid.

Youth empowerment for tourism’s future

The UNWTO Students League provides students with a platform that empowers and motivates them, by giving them real-time knowledge on our sector and experience by working on creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the challenges that the sector is facing. This initiative not only brings Tourism closer to younger generations but, by bringing together these young people with government officials, representatives of tourism industry, experts and other major stakeholders, it also bridges the gap between the realities of the sector and students’ education and training, enabling young people to enter the labour market in the future as highly qualified and skilled professionals.

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Banyan Tree Krabi has been recognised for its sustainable and environmental practices, becoming the first hotel or resort in the Krabi region to win Silver Certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for the hospitality industry.

Following a rigorous science-backed audit by EarthCheck, the landmark accolade is underpinned by the resort’s excellence in 10 key performance areas: Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Energy Efficiency; Management of Freshwater Resources; Ecosystem Conservation & Management; Social & Cultural Management; Land Use Planning & Management; Air Quality Protection; Wastewater Management; Solid Waste Management; and Environmentally Harmful Substances.

“EarthCheck requires all its members to meet every single criterion, every year,” said the organisation’s Relationship Manager Bingni Wu. “This means businesses must continuously work on both the measurable and qualitative aspects of sustainability. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about making real, ongoing changes.”

Sustainability as a Key to Success

Head of Banyan Tree Krabi’s Sustainability Team, Thepsuda Loyjiw, said that the resort continually strives to reduce consumption rates through improved efficiency and adopting new technology or practices.

A marine biologist, Loyjiw said that the hotel offers eco-friendly activities to guests, including forest bathing and hiking in the national park adjoining the property to help raise awareness about environmental conservation and protecting local flora and fauna.

Among the cultural options, guests can indulge in Thai cookery classes, Thai boxing, Thai language lessons or a visit to an elephant sanctuary.

The hotel also organises beach clean-up campaigns, and — as part of the Banyan Tree brand’s worldwide “Stay For Good” initiative — tours to a local fishing community where guests can participate in handcraft workshops.

Among projects earmarked for the year ahead, Loyjiw said her team is preparing the groundwork for a cage-free egg policy at the hotel, as well as a sustainable seafood programme.

Award-Winning Resorts

Located on secluded Tubkaek Beach and opened in 2020, Banyan Tree Krabi is flanked to the rear by a forested national park while facing out towards a sea of karst limestone towers — undoubtedly one of Thailand’s most iconic and enduring images — which are uninhabited and protected as a national marine park. The hotel is tiered into a lush landscape, all of which is dominated by a rollercoaster of mountains.

The resort offers 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom beachfront Presidential Villa. Each of the rooms faces the sea and the sunset as the property tiers into the hillside.

Facilities include two restaurants and a beach bar, a beach club, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and — in keeping with Banyan Tree’s wellness branding — a rainforest-themed spa.

The hotel seeks to follow in the footsteps of its sister resort farther to the east in Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui, which launched in 2010 and was recently presented by EarthCheck with the highest level of certification, Platinum, making it the first and only hotel or resort in the country to reach this prestigious milestone.

Both Banyan Tree resorts were recognised in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards this year, with Banyan Tree Krabi voted No 4 in the Top Resorts in Thailand category, and Banyan Tree Samui claiming the No 5 title.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE
Banyan Tree offers a Sanctuary to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul in awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Rediscover the romance of travel as you journey to iconic destinations where authentic, memorable experiences await. An all-villa concept often with private pools, Banyan Tree provides genuine, authentic service and a distinctive, premium retreat experience.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE GROUP
Banyan Tree Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group”) is one of the world’s leading independent, multi-branded hospitality groups centred on the purpose-driven mission of stewardship and wellbeing while offering exceptional, design-led experiences.

The Group’s diversified portfolio of hotels, resorts, spas, galleries, golf and residences features an ecosystem of 10 global brands, including the award-winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Laguna, and the highly anticipated new brands of Homm, Garrya, Folio, and two new Banyan Tree brand extensions – Escape and Veya.

Established in 2008, with the goal of advancing people development and management excellence, Banyan Tree Management Academy has nurtured over 8,000 associates across 23 countries. The Group is recognised for its commitment to environmental protection and community development through its Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Operating over 70 hotels in 17 countries, it has 47 new properties in the pipeline.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, airline employees experienced unprecedented levels of work-related stress and job uncertainty. However, their coping strategies and cultural differences in their responses to work-related stress remain understudied. In a timely recent study, Professor Seongseop (Sam) Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors explored the relationships between job stressors, psychological stress and coping strategies amongst airline employees in Hong Kong and South Korea during the pandemic. Their work provides fruitful insights that could help airlines minimise employees’ psychological stress and provide resources to support coping strategies. Crucially, their results also show that national culture should be considered when adopting such measures.

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NEWS

A new joint currency will be launched this year for the Dutch Caribbean constituent countries of Curacao and St. Maarten more than a decade after they became autonomous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Caribbean guilder will replace the Netherlands-Antillean guilder and the new currency will contain improved security features and will circulate alongside the current currency for three months after its introduction, according to a bank report. The current Netherlands-Antillean guilder will be transferrable to the new currency for a period of 30 years at an equal rate.

Bulgaria and Romania have received permission to join Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area starting in March, the governments of the two countries said. The move initially will apply only to travellers arriving by air and sea, while Austria has committed to continuing negotiations over the need for border checks when crossing from the two countries by land, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said.

Venice announced new limits on the size of tourist groups, the latest move to reduce the pressure of mass tourism on the popular canal city. Starting in June, groups will be limited to 25 people, or roughly half the capacity of a tourist bus.

BY THE NUMBERS

Jamaica is expecting its best winter season ever in 2023-24 with tourism minister Edmund Bartlett declaring that for the first time in the island’s history, there will be over one million stopover travellers for the season. In 2023, Bartlett said Jamaica will have welcomed more than 4.1 million visitors – an increase of 23.7% over the total number of visitors recorded in 2022.

AIR

It was back to the bargaining table last week for Air Transat and its flight attendants after the latter voted earlier in the week to reject a tentative deal with company. There are currently no strike or lock-out notices issued by either party and both say they are keen to reach a new agreement quickly.

Portuguese carrier Azores Airlines will begin flying between the Azores and the Algarve in 2024 with flights between Ponta Delgada and Faro operating twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays as of June 2.

DEALS

Silversea officially named Silver Nova during a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale Jan.  4, honouring maritime traditions to welcome the ‘Ship of Light’ to its fleet. The most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury ship ever built, the 728-guest Silver Nova strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to sustainability. Meanwhile, clients can save up to CDN$5,000 per suite ($2,500 p.p.) on a wide variety of voyages with the ‘$5,000 Reasons to Sail with Silversea Wave Season offer.’ Bookings must be made by Feb. 29.

Guests booking a 2024 cruise before Jan. 31 with Crystal will receive a complimentary suite upgrade, as well as an upgraded wardrobe valeting service with dry-cleaning and garment care also included free of charge.

TOURS

Starting April 1, Greece plans to offer exclusive guided tours of its most powerful tourist magnet – the Acropolis in Athens – outside normal opening hours. The new service will apply to a maximum four groups of up to five people each. It will cost 5,000 euros ($7,300) per group, although individuals prepared to cover the full group fee are welcome to visit on their own.

Customers holding a Eurail or Interrail pass and wanting to buy seat reservations are now able to do so via Rail Europe’s customer website. With this feature, customers can quickly determine whether an additional seat reservation purchase is required for specific journeys, and if so, the associated cost.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Universal Orlando Resort announced the addition of two new hotel properties to the Universal Orlando hotels portfolio (image above). Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each feature 750 guest rooms in the resort’s Prime Value category – bringing the total number of guest rooms across the destination to 10,500 – and are slated to open in early 2025.

HOTELS

Set to open in preview on Jan. 19, the Dew Drop Inn Hotel and Lounge, on Lasalle Street in Central City, New Orleans, will include 17 hotel rooms, a live music venue, and a resort-style pool. First opened in 1938 by Frank Painia, the Dew Drop was a hotel, music venue and barber shop. Legendary musicians played on its stage including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Deacon John, and Irma Thomas.

The French Riviera city of Cannes is now home to the very first Staybridge Suites property in the country. Staybridge Suites Cannes Centre represents the introduction of the all-suites hotel to the growing IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio in France, welcoming guests looking for a more spacious or extended stay experience.

RESORTS

Now open is Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, an adults-only property in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

From April, Club Med will offer only offer: 1) premium, all-inclusive beach and mountain Club Med resorts and 2) Exclusive Collection spaces, resorts, yacht, villas and chalet. The last 3-Trident resorts – Club Med Serre-Chevalier, Club Med Djerba La Douce and Club Med Arcs Extrême – will transition into premium properties

CRUISE

Updated summer itineraries from MSC Cruises include an entirely new program for MSC Musica in the West Mediterranean, and an enhanced Greek Island itinerary for MSC Opera. From May 13 to Oct. 28, MSC Musica will offer seven-night sailings out of Civitavecchia for Rome to destinations in the West Mediterranean including Genoa (Italy), Cannes (France), Barcelona, Ibiza (Spain) and Cagliari (Italy) before returning to Civitavecchia. This new program has replaced the cancelled sailings that included Haifa, Israel, due to the ongoing geopolitical situation. MSC Opera’s existing seven-night sailings between May 12 and Oct. 5 have been enhanced with additional Greek Island destinations, the new itinerary includes Bari (Italy), Piraeus for Athens, Santorini, Katakolon, Corfu, and Kefalonia (Greece) before returning to Bari.

Quark Expeditions says guests will recieve complimentary Wi-Fi and alcohol on all voyages as of its Antarctic 2024/25 sailing season

FAMS & INCENTIVES

As part of its worldwide “You Belong with G Experience” campaign, agents from Canada will be invited to join G Adventures to see ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ live in Toronto this coming November. The tour company says the incentive is the biggest agent experience it has ever delivered, with top sellers from different countries around the world also heading to concerts in New Orleans and London. G’s top seller for each month earns ‘a space’ January through to July 31 based on wild card tickets to be announced in coming months. Tickets will be awarded via cumulative sales. Keep up on the initiative on G’s ‘Agents of Change’ Facebook page.

EVENTS

Mark your calendars, the next edition of the Destination France road show will roll out in four Canadian cities in February: Montreal on Feb.  19; Toronto Feb. 20; Calgary Feb. 21 and Vancouver, Feb.  22. Details to come.

 Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2024 will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from May 20-23, 2024. The 42nd annual show will include the return of the Caribbean Travel Forum on May 20, and the introduction of Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day on May 23, 2024.

GOOD DEEDS

Park’N Fly’s presented the Salvation Army with a busload of toys during CTV Toronto’s annual Toy Mountain segment during the network’s nightly news broadcast on Dec. 16 (photo). Major donors, sponsors, and on-air hosts attended – including a merry band of elves from Park’N Fly Toronto. Along with partners and volunteers, the Park’N Fly team spent over a month “stuffing the Park’N Fly bus” with over 800 toys. “This year’s campaign donation is our best ever and looking forward to pushing that bar in the future,” said Frank DeCesare, Park’N Fly’s VP of Sales and Marketing.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Red Label Vacations, parent company of TravelBrands and other leading retail brands, reports that it has been certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ by the reputable Great Place to Work Institute, a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at the company. RLV president and CEO Nathalie Tanious said, “This certification reflects our ongoing dedication to creating a workplace where our employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to contribute their best. Our success is not attributed to one individual’s efforts alone; rather, it is achieved through the synergy of all of us working seamlessly in tandem, each contributing our unique strengths to the greater whole…”

DESTINATIONS

Bermuda has a couple of value offers for visitors in early 2024. The island’s 11th annual Restaurant Weeks starts Jan. 18 and continues until Feb. 29 with diverse offerings and prix-fixe menus at various price points. Meanwhile, February is Spa Month, featuring 50% off treatments at top Bermuda spas.

 Belize is all about the festivals in 2024. The annual Chocolate Festival of Belize is celebrated every year over the Commonwealth weekend in May. The event is a perfect excuse to visit the diverse southern region of Belize, namely the town of Punta Gorda. Throughout the summer, the LobsterFest of Belize is celebrated around the country, namely, including the islands of Placencia and Caye Caulker. Belize’s International Music and Food Festival is a two-day summer festival that showcases local and international musical artists, with genres ranging from Reggae, Afro-Beats, Dancehall, Soca, Punta, and Latin beats, as well as exceptional local cuisine on Belize’s biggest island. In 2024, it’ll be the third year that the destination is hosting the event.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1965, the name change of Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada took effect.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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And many are seizing the day, keen to be first to go to bucket-list destinations before everyone else does, says A&K.

“We are seeing more and more travellers wanting to really push the limits in 2024 and take the long-haul trips of a lifetime they’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” says, Founder and Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent. “Australia is back in business, while Kenya, Costa Rica and Antarctica are proving hugely popular with families. In fact, cold climates are the surprise new trend. And at the top of everyone’s wish list for 2024 is Japan.”

But as Japan’s popularity soars, savvy travellers are heading away from the bright-light-big-cities to find the ‘real Japan’ in certain lesser-known regions (more on those below). Others are looking to beat the crowds by heading to remote islands and little-visited wildernesses for truly intrepid adventures – from the deserts of the Arctic and Antarctic to the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Here is A&K’s curated list of insights, travel trends, and 18 top destinations to watch in 2024:

EUROPE

Norway: For all the recent Scandi obsession, Norway remains the least explored of the trio. But record temperatures causing more holidaymakers to look north, it won’t stay that way for long. Many come to see the dramatic fjords and beautiful landscapes from sustainably minded, architect-designed wilderness lodges (keep an eye on the futuristic, energy positive Six Senses Svart hotel under construction), others come to tap into Norway’s trendsetting, health-boosting ice bath and sauna culture. But there are plenty of curious new attractions in its cities as well.

For a start, the tiny Arctic Circle city of Bodø (jumping off point for the Lofoten Islands) has been marked out as European Capital of Culture for 2024, which means a gamut of light festivals and land art, a Sámi theatre trilogy, and a fish-themed opera. In the capital Oslo, design hotel Sommerro (Art Deco interiors; rooftop restaurant) added its ultra-private 11-suite Villa Inkognito in April. The Munch Museum – rising, rippling in glass and aluminum on the Bjørvika waterfront – slipped in equally quietly during the pandemic, housing 26,000 of the artist’s works (including versions of his most famous, The Scream). A progressive, always-surprising Scandinavian star.

Paros, Greece: Paros is the new Cyclades sensation. Although only a short ferry ride from Mykonos or Santorini, Paros feels a million miles from the pulsating beach clubs of its neighbours. The lack of an international airport will keep it that way, although a gentle ebb of chic new hotels are drawing more in-the-know Greek island hoppers alongside the established crowd of European villa owners. Chilled-out Cosme, a 10-minute walk from the buzzy fishing harbor of Naoussa, is the sister hotel to game-changing Parilio near the sandy coves of Kolymbithres beach, while Avant Mar brought Nobu-restaurant glamour to the island this summer. Windsurfers will love the Meltemi winds that sweep across the south-east coast; culture-seekers love the arty hilltop villages and ancient monasteries. And everyone loves those spectacular, soul-soothing sunsets. For an offbeat side-trip, hop on the boat across to lo-fi Antiparos.

Slovenia: Sandwiched between the holiday honeypots of Italy and Croatia, it’s a mystery how Slovenia has remained so defiantly under-the-radar. It’s not for lack of good looks, running from the stunning Soča Valley with its vivid aquamarine river to the soaring Julian Alps and ever-so-pretty Lake Bled; while the capital of Ljubljana is pursuing a bold sustainable vision. The country’s food, too, is increasingly on the agenda: Slovenia got its own Michelin guide in 2020, and chef Ana Roš and her two-star countryside restaurant Hiša Franko remain the standard bearers for the area’s micro-local, forager-to-table cooking. This is Europe’s best-kept secret.

Paris: Paris is always a good idea – and never more so than in summer 2024, for the Olympic Games. As the French capital limbers up to light the Olympic cauldron, its hotel scene has been on a sprint of high-vaulting openings: opulent Le Grand Mazarin, all tapestry bed canopies and leopard-print upholstery; whimsical floral-filled La Fantaisie; sleek Hôtel Dame des Arts on the Left Bank; Belle-Époque-style townhouse Maison Proust in the Marais. The Seine is at the heart of Paris’s Olympic plan: for the opening ceremony flotillas will cruise through the city along the river, while triathlon swimmers are set to dive in from the ornate Pont Alexander III. There’ll also be fencing at the glass-roofed Grand Palais, beach volleyball beside the Eiffel Tower and various horsey events out at Versailles. Athletics aside, there’s news for gourmands, too: 400-year-old Paris institution La Tour d’Argent is back, dishing out its famous pressed duck with golden Seine views.

Saint Helena: Known among history buffs as the site of Napoleon’s second exile following his final defeat in 1815, Saint Helena is going to spark much wider appreciation with the release of Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix. Interest in Saint Helena is sure to be strong, but difficult to visit, since this is one of the most remote islands on earth, located 2,100 km west of the coast of Namibia. It boasts a population of less than 4,500 people who have been slow to embrace modern technology – cellular service was only introduced in 2015.

ASIA

Japan: The reopening of Japan to travellers at the end of 2022 saw a flurry of fresh places: glassy Tokyo hotels, creative hideouts in Kyoto and even a Totoro-filled theme park from cult-filmmaker Studio Ghibli. But for a place so associated with high-speed trains and fast-paced megacities, the most compelling way to see the country right now is on foot or by sea. The Nakasendo Way, an ancient route linking Tokyo to Kyoto, winds through mountains, little-changed post towns, bamboo forests and past waterfalls and hot springs. Walking its full length is a demanding hike, but it’s easy to pick up a shorter stretch or visit highlights along the way – come in April to catch the cherry blossoms.

Depart the southern end of the route and today’s foodie pilgrims should hotfoot it to Osaka, where street food stalls dish up takoyaki (octopus fritters) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). From there it’s the jumping off point to the Seto Inland Sea – best seen from floating ryokan guntû, which island hops to the temples of Miyajima and art island Naoshima (home to Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin, James Turrell installations and Tadao Ando-designed museums). Get off the beaten track and dive deeper into the real Japan.

China: With tourist visas and regular international flights returning for the first time since the pandemic, now is the chance to see the Land of the Dragon before everyone else. Walk through time in the Forbidden City, stroll the imposing Great Wall, stand guard with the Terracotta Army. Beyond the big sights and even bigger cities, however, the Chinese countryside is being rediscovered – in part thanks to the rural nostalgia of cottage core influencers leading to a boom in antique-filled village guesthouses and mountainside design hotels. Take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River or visit a Hani village to see life unchanged for thousands of years. Asia’s most beguiling and culturally rich giant is finally back.

Vietnam: Vietnam is one of Asia’s most exciting places to eat. So, it was no surprise when Michelin finally got the memo, releasing its first guide to foodie cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in June 2023. The first four stars were dished out to fashionable fine dining spots, such as Ho Chi Minh’s Anan Saigon and its bone-marrow Wagyu beef pho or Gia in Hanoi with its in-house fermentation lab. But to sample the country’s real finger-licking food culture, take to the streets, tucking into everything from duck congee to pork skin salad.

Siem Reap: There’s much more to this lovely little town than Angkor Wat. A flourishing art and craft scene, burgeoning restaurant line-up spotlighting Khmer cooking and ever-growing gathering of design-led hotels (Angsana Siem Reap will soon become the latest) has made it a destination in its own right. One that in 2024 will become even more accessible via its new international airport (moving from the current site close to the famous temple complex). With tourists trickling back to Angkor Wat, explore lesser-known archaeological wonders such as the 12th-century temples at Banteay Chhmar, the still-being-uncovered site at Phnom Kulen or recently UNESCO-listed Koh Ker, home to Prasat Thom, Southeast Asia’s only seven-tiered pyramid.

LATIN AMERICA

Colombia: Colombia is one of the world’s rare ‘megadiverse’ countries: a staggering 10% of all the world’s flora and fauna can be found here. Look at its geography and you start to understand why; the natural contrasts are just astonishing: a dense Amazon jungle interior, coral white beaches along the Caribbean coast, isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, coffee-carpeted highlands and wildly remote Guajira Peninsula, home to the Indigenous Wayuu people among salt flats and flamingo-lined lagoons. The once-troubled country is now investing heavily in sustainable travel, opening up some of these previously off-limits regions. But it’s not just about the like-nowhere-else nature – cosmopolitan cities are filled with salsa clubs and street art, shaking food and cocktail players and important social projects. The hottest spot in South America for intrepid travellers.

Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula: This big-thinking Central American nation is a pioneer of ecotourism – over a quarter of the country is now protected as national parks, marine reserves and conservation sanctuaries – and a favourite destination for those seeking high-drama, low-impact trips. With more direct flights connecting the capital San José, big brand hotels are landing at easy-to-reach Papagayo, gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula. A revamp at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo and nearby Waldorf Astoria Guanacaste both launch in 2024, with more in the works.

Meanwhile, at the remote tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the salt-sprayed beach town of Santa Teresa is the go-to spot for surfers and yogis, and the barefoot nomads who follow in their wake. At the moment they stay in a clutch of independently owned guesthouses, where dawn kundalini sessions are mixed with beach clean-ups, surf lessons with helping with local community outreach. In March, equally progressive hotel group Habitas will land on these Pacific shores, with its plastic-free policies, farm-to-table restaurant and meditation classes. Go now, before everyone else gets there.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

 Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Scientists predict that the glaciers at the top of Africa’s highest peak could disappear within the next two decades. Time is sadly running out to see Mount Kilimanjaro’s famous icefields and once-massive Furtwängler Glacier while trekking up the snow-capped volcano to its 5,895-m. peak. Would-be-climbers can do it in style, escorted by  A&K expert guides who choose the best route up the mountain, allowing time to acclimatize to the altitude during the seven-day climb. The real difference though? Little luxuries, like a cozy cot that keeps you off the ground for a good night’s sleep – after a tiring scramble up the Barranco Wall. A breathtaking, go-now adventure.

Kenya: Where it all began for Abercrombie & Kent and where Geoffrey Kent brought about the inspiration for the film The Lion King when he hosted DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg on safari in the Masai Mara spot now known as Pride Rock. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of The Lion King and the release of the new live action prequel, Mufasa, a renewed interest to the region is expected as a new generation is inspired to witness Kenya’s landscapes and wildlife for themselves.

Morocco: The travel world was shaken when an earthquake caused devastation in the High Atlas Mountains in September, its effects felt even in Marrakech’s Medina – but within days the country had pulled itself up by the bootstraps to welcome visitors again. The best way to support Morocco’s ongoing recovery is to visit, and there are plenty of fresh reasons to go in 2024. In Marrakech itself, the tremors didn’t stop a bubbling seam of exciting openings: architectural Maison Brummell Majorelle near the city’s famous botanical garden, riad Rosemary from artist Laurence Leenaert, equally art-filled retreat IZZA, blissed-out Farasha Farmhouse deep in an olive grove on the city’s fringes – as well as all-female-chef restaurant Sahbi Sahbi and hip nightspot Petanque Social Club.

The bohemian outpost of Tangier, too, is thrumming with fresh energy and new places to stay, from Jasper Conran (Villa Mabrouka) and El Fenn’s ex-GM William Smit (Villa Augustine) – don’t miss the locally-run art galleries and North Africa’s first arthouse cinema either. Resilient Morocco is still at its thrillingly creative best.

Saudi Arabia: It’s wild to think that until 2019 the only tourists to Saudi Arabia were religious pilgrims. Now, as part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, this once-uncharted territory for travellers is marked with big-name hotels (from billowing tented camps to Red Sea resorts), ambitious cultural institutions (the first commissions in the ‘Valley of the Arts’ Wadi AlFann are to be unveiled in 2024) and futuristic developments (sustainable linear city The Line; sci-fi-esque ski resort Trojena Neom). But what is most awe-inspiring is still the most ancient: the carved tombs of Hegra deep in the AlUla desert, the towering sandstone columns of Wadi Al Disah, Jeddah’s 7th-century Al Balad neighborhood – while female guides leading the way show just how fast the country is reshaping itself to the outside world.

 AUSTRALASIA

South Australia: Kangaroo Island – Australia’s answer to the Galápagos – was wiped out by bushfires in 2019, destroying wildlife, burning habitats, and razing to the ground its pioneering luxury eco-hotel, Southern Ocean Lodge. In December, the much-loved lodge emerged from the ashes, the culmination of a miraculous nature recovery program on the island.

South Australia is as vast as it is varied: from ocean to outback; from up-close wildlife experiences and exciting wine regions (world-class Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale; emerging Adelaide Hills), to wild coastal peninsulas and a roster of brilliant art and food festivals. October’s Australian Voice referendum further highlighted the importance of connecting with the country’s Indigenous communities too.

Out in the outback of the Flinders Ranges learn about the area’s immense cultural significance to the Adnyamathanha people at Ikara – The Meeting Place, a public art space that shares their story, and explore ancient engravings at Arkaroo Rock. This is an incredible immersion in the best of Australia.

THE POLES

The North Polar: An off-the-grid alternative to all the Antarctic cruises nosing across the Drake Passage, A&K’s North Pole Expedition Cruise is its inaugural voyage to the top of the world. When it departs from Longyearbyen in Svalbard this July, eco-friendly icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will venture far beyond the point that other Arctic cruises usually go, charting a course ever-northwards into seldom-seen sea ice to the geographic North Pole. Onboard, guests can watch as the ship cuts through the marginal ice zone, spotting blue, rorqual and beluga whales, polar bears, and high arctic gulls in the white vastness. Venture off board to hike over the ice, kayak through open leads or take an invigorating polar plunge. It’s the ultimate unexplored frontier.

Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton was an Irish-born British explorer who is best known for his expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century. Despite never achieving his ultimate goal of being the first to reach the South Pole, Shackleton led three major expeditions to the Antarctic region and made several groundbreaking journeys and discoveries. In 2024, it will be the 150th anniversary of Shackleton’s birth in February 1874. This milestone year honours his daring expeditions, leadership, and contributions to Antarctic exploration.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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