On the runway . . .

VALET parking is coming to Terminal 2 at Ontario International Airport (ONT), part of the ongoing effort to make flying through the airport even more convenient.

Beginning May 10, 2018, curbside valet parking will be available to passengers departing from Terminal 2, which includes six carriers: Alaska, Delta, Frontier, United, Volaris and China Airlines, which began operations at ONT last month.

Ontario International (ONT) Airport is located in the Inland Empire, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 19 major airports in the U.S. and Mexico, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations.

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Arabian Nights

CRYSTAL Esprit, the award-winning boutique yacht of Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, will embark on a captivating new season of voyages through the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Oman and the Holy Land in October through December of 2019. The seven- to 11-day sailings will cruise the Arabian Peninsula, with immersive exploration of the ancient wonders and physics-defying modern marvels in the region. 

Overnights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi showcase the thriving riches of modern UAE culture, while a double overnight in Aqaba, Jordan, allows for visits to the legendary Rose City of Petra and Wadi Rum. New on the Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises roster of destinations are Doha, Qatar, where the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art and dramatic Sheikh Faisal Museum display the country’s fascinating heritage, and the excitement over the 2022 World Cup is already beginning to build; and Sokhna, Egypt, which offers Crystal guests a gateway to the remarkable pyramids of Giza, just 60 miles away from Cairo, and the soon-to-be-opened archaeological Grand Egyptian Museum.

 Crystal Esprit embarks on her new Arabian Nights Collection on October 20, 2019, with all-inclusive luxuries tailored to accommodate just 62 guests. 

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Up in the air . . .

JET2COM and Jet2holidays will base a further aircraft at Glasgow Airport and launch two new routes as part of the airline’s summer 2019 plans.

The announcement marks another hugely expanded summer programme from Jet2.com’s Glasgow base - the biggest in Scotland - and demonstrates the airline’s continued commitment to the airport.

As part of a busy summer 2019 schedule Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will introduce two weekly services to Kos and Naples, taking the airline’s total number of sun and city destinations from Glasgow to 33. The airline will also introduce an additional 90,000 seats across its Glasgow Airport-based destination network.

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More reasons to tee off in Thailand

TWO of the biggest golf tour operators in the Asia Pacific region, Golfasian and Go Golfing, have announced they will expand their event portfolio to six annual tournaments in #Thailand and #Vietnam. These events will attract more than 1,700 golfers for an average stay of 10 nights. Now, that’s big business in the world of #golf tourism.

These industry trendsetters are breaking new ground with the launch of a Golf Week exclusively for singles and solo travellers in Pattaya in September. In October, Chiang Mai will host a ‘couples only’ tournament. And, they have parlayed the huge success of their Centara World Masters tournament in Hua Hin to launch another boutique event there in October.

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Be Brave . . .

HAMILTON Island is challenging guests to strengthen their bravery muscles with BRAVE – an exciting new weekend workshop, which has been announced as part of the iconic destinations annual events line-up to be held on Hamilton Island between June 22 – 25, the inaugural BRAVE weekend is designed to inspire and provides guests with the opportunity test their potential.

The weekend features three different itineraries for guests to select: Skyfall – featuring a 60 meter abseil from the top of the Reef View Hotel hosted by Eagle Rock Adventures, Deep Dive – an opportunity to learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef with EXPLORE Hamilton Island and Lionheart – an itinerary featuring a series of talks designed around the notion of learning taking courage. 

Each of the itineraries have been carefully curated to provide guests with a choice of physical and mental activities, designed to motivate and encourage them to achieve something they may not have imagined before attending BRAVE.

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Picture Credit: By Copyright (c) 2004 Richard Ling, commons.wikimedia.org

Jump the queue

TRAVELLING to Disneyland & Disney California Adventure this Summer Season? Book Southern California Private Tours' Early Family First Disneyland VIP Tours, effective May 1, 2018, guests will be able to book the Early Family First Disneyland VIP Tour.

Early Family First #Disneyland VIP Tours allow guests to experience the park at a special and serene time of the day. Excitement, in a more relaxed environment is perfect for families with children, or those wishing to have a fully immersive visit without the large crowds.

Guests won't miss out on anything when booking these specially planned Disneyland VIP Tours. These tours are designed to allow guests the time to enjoy all the "must-do's" in just the first 6 hours of the day. Families and groups always have hours left during the rest of the day to do anything they like, such as shopping, indulging in holiday treats, or spending a little more time in the park.

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Welcome Back!

BANYAN Tree Jiuzhaigou is set to reopen to guests on April 28th this year following the reopening of Jiuzhaigou National Park in early March after 7 months of post-quake reconstruction efforts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the mountainous region of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou National Park is famous for its otherworldly beauty and diverse ethnic cultures.

Opened officially in March 2017, Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou is a picturesque mountain retreat 2,500 metres above sea level. Located 2.5 hours away from Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport and a 60-minute drive from Jiuzhaigou National Park, the resort allows guests easy access to the nature reserve while providing a Sanctuary for the Senses away from the hustle and bustle of city life and tourist crowds.

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A shining star

THE unveiling of a ‘star’ on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Steve Irwin is set to continue the strong profile of his Sunshine Coast home in the North American market. Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin, were in Hollywood at the unveiling along with some of their closest friends and family from around the world. The newest star is fittingly located directly outside the ‘Iguana Vintage Store’. 

Terri Irwin said Steve would have been chuffed at the award: “Steve always said that he hoped his message of conservation would live on forever. It means the world to us that Steve’s memory will live on in so many ways, including now on the internationally recognised Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We’re thrilled that so many people have joined us today in khaki to celebrate. It’s wonderful that there are lots of people back home on the Sunshine Coast celebrating too,” said Terri. 

Visit Sunshine Coast has worked closely with the Irwin family to gain the Hollywood recognition for Steve, who played a key role in elevating Sunshine Coast tourism through the establishment of Australia Zoo.

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Raffles Boston to open in 2021

ILLUSTRIOUS hospitality brand Raffles Hotels & Resorts, part of AccorHotels has announced the signing of definitive agreements to debut the first mixed-use Raffles property in North America.

Located in the heart of #Boston, Massachusetts, at the corner of Stuart Street and Trinity Place, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences will be a welcoming oasis of refined elegance comprised of a distinctive hotel as well as exquisitely appointed residences and is scheduled to open in 2021.

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Headrush in Orlando

FUN Spot America, a family-owned business with a history dating back to 1969 in the industry, has announced a new ride at their Orlando, Florida location. Fun Spot America will open HeadRush 360 on May 1, 2018. 

HeadRush 360, which sits 12 riders and is 40 feet tall, is manufactured by SBF Visa Group. The ride is part of an overall expansion Fun Spot America has been planning for the Orlando location. The company also has parks in Kissimmee, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.

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A taste of the extraordinary

HONG KONG Foodie has unveiled the exciting Temple Street Night Foodie Tour. On its newest culinary adventure, Hong Kong Foodie whisks food lovers through the backstreets of Hong Kong’s most colorful and food-obsessed neighborhoods in the Yau Tsim Mong district, in search of Hong Kong’s best evening fare. In this city that never sleeps, this evening #Foodie Tour also showcases life in #HongKong after dark — local entertainment, market vending and fortune telling.

From street food to seafood, the new Temple Street Night Foodie Tour introduces Foodie participants to a wide range of authentic local Hong Kong flavors at six small eateries. No Foodie experience in Hong Kong is complete without trying our world-famous street snacks and understanding our street food culture. On this new food tour in Hong Kong, participants will also savor traditional treats before concluding with a scrumptious dinner featuring seafood dishes renowned in this neighborhood.

The three-hour guided walking tour features not only Hong Kong’s culinary gems but also highlights this neighborhoods’ rich culture, history and architecture. Participants will learn about the dizzying array of local entertainment options available, immerse in the street market scene and explore our living culture such as fortune telling.

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Up in the air . . .

FLYNAS, the Saudi national carrier and leading low cost airline in the Middle East was honored, for the fourth year in a row, with the prestigious World Travel Award for “Middle East’s Leading Low Cost Airline 2018,” during the ceremony that was held on the 19th of April, 2018 at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Considered as the Oscars of the travel and tourism sector, World Travel Awards reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

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Upscale glamping near Mt. Fuji

LOCATED in the gateway city to Mt. Fuji, Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is merely a 90-minute drive from the center of Tokyo, Fujino Kirameki aims to offer the best combination of two worlds: open-air space with outdoor activities surrounded by dynamic nature and sophisticated comforts of luxury hotels.

Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced the launch of "Fujino," a new brand for upscale glamping, and it will open the first property "Fujino Kirameki Fuji Gotemba" on April 27 near Mt. Fuji, the iconic and highest Japanese mountain and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.

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Paddletopia

THE Town of Surfside is a beautiful walkable beachfront community located in South Florida, between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. Incorporated in 1935, the Town is home to nearly 6,000 residents and includes exceptional hotels, a unique downtown shopping district, pristine beaches, and year-round activities. Surfside captures the range of experiences offered within its limits through a marketing campaign that positions it as “Miami’s Uptown Beachtown,” where the duality of luxury and laid-back lives collide.

Head to Surfside, #Florida for the town’s first-ever Paddletopia. Presented by Surfside’s tourism bureau, this groovy two-day affair will transform the 96th Street waterfront park in Miami’s Uptown Beachtown into a FREE weekend-long festival with paddle boarding, wellness brands, fitness demos, healthy snacks and family activities on May 19 & 20.

Paddletopia will feature stand-up paddle boarding along the Intracoastal; wellness expo with fitness classes and family boot camp by Sweat Studio Miami; an eco-fashion showcase courtesy of tropical knitwear label KRELwear and Pink Coral Miami; live DJ, “chill out” lounges under colorful pergola tents and much more.

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Exclusive publication for Maldivian travel agents

MALDIVES Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has launched the first edition of ‘Maldives Travel Agents Guide’, an exclusive publication to serve as platform to market, promote and advertise local travel agents and tour operators. The first edition of #Maldives Travel Agents’ Guide was launched on 22nd April 2018, at the Arabian Travel Market, Dubai. 

Maldives Travel Agents Guide is published annually and distributed in all the major international travel trade fairs and exhibition. The purpose of this publication is to have a distinctive list of local travel agents that international buyers and travelers can explore and navigate through.

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A new kind of food festival… Chicago-Style

FOOD BOWL will celebrate the chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, innovators, entrepreneurs, critics, and connoisseurs who put #Chicago at the forefront of the nation's food and drink scene. The festival will showcase the distinct tastes and flavors of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods from August 8th - 26th. 

Throughout the three-week festival, FOOD BOWL will collaborate with chefs and restaurants around Chicago to offer 100+ events, in just as many locations. Expertly curated events include, but are not limited to, specialty classes, test kitchens, panels and talks, pop-up bars, and neighborhood tours.

The festival will conclude with a three-day Night Market held at The Lakefront Green at Theatre on the Lake. The street food market will feature 30+ of Chicago's essential restaurants. During these three days, over 30,000 guests will discover new restaurants, dine on unique dishes, connect with Chicago's most talented chefs, and experience Chicago like they never have before.

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From Greece to Africa

GLOBAL luxury travel network Virtuoso, has analyzed its data warehouse of transactions sourced from Virtuoso's U.S. and Canadian travel agencies to reveal the top destinations for upscale travelers this summer, as well as the fastest-growing places of interest. While European countries continue to attract the most visitors, the ranking of the hottest locales displays surprising diversity, showcasing comeback destinations as well as others that may be starting an upward trajectory.

The Virtuoso Top 10:The most popular destinations for summer vacations based on future bookings.

1.   United Kingdom
2.   Italy
3.   Canada
4.   France
5.   South Africa

6.   Greece

7.   Germany

8.   Netherlands

9.   Ireland

10. Spain

The Virtuoso Hot 10: The countries that have seen the largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings.

1.   Greece
2.   Poland
3.   Dominican Republic
4.   New Zealand
5.   Zambia

6.   Morocco

7.   Turks and Caicos Islands

8.   St. Lucia 

9.   Vietnam

10. Egypt

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Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort named among the World’s Best Islands

THAILAND'S iconic island escape, Koh Phi Phi is one of 14 islands listed by Travel + Leisure as ideal choices for the ultimate romantic escape Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is a highly recommended stay for honeymooners from around the world visiting Thailand. 

Koh Phi Phi was the only #destination selected in #Thailand in a list recently published by Travel + Leisure magazine alongside other idyllic islands including Mauritius in Africa, Hainan Island in China, Cebu Islands in the Philippines, Crete in Greece and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  
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Make a splash!

RAGING Waves, Illinois' largest #waterpark with 58 acres of slides, a lazy river, wave pool and more, will unveil Quokka-Nut Island and Wild Wallabies in 2018, marking the waterpark's largest expansion to date. Located southwest of Chicago, Raging Waves will open for the summer on May 26. Raging Waves features a wave pool, multiple kiddie areas, private cabanas, a quarter-mile long lazy river, and 26 water slides including the award winning Wonambi slide. Ranked one of the top new water rides in 2016, Wonambi is a must-experience this summer at Raging Waves.

Quokka-Nut Island is the newest addition for Raging Waves littlest mates (ages 2-5). Located within Kiddiebunga Bay, Quokka-Nut Island will include four new kiddie slides and a zero-depth pool which more than doubles the size of the existing kiddie pools. Additional interactive play features will include a coconut rain curtain, palm tree sprayers and a large octopus that spouts water.

Guests can embrace their competitive spirit as they race one another down the Wild Wallabies. The two new slides add more than 600 feet of twists, turns and thrills to Illinois' largest waterpark for guests over 42 inches.

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In the heart of Central America

BOASTING a variety of ecosystems and a vast amount of protected land, Honduras is home to a wealth of nature and wildlife both above land and under the ocean. The country presents numerous unparalleled experiences: nature, including the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, designated a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO; several archeological sites such as Copan, declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO; adventure with river rafting and rappelling through the protected jungles; diving in pristine reefs on the Caribbean coast and connecting with authentic culture including several indigenous groups who have preserved their customs and tradition.

One of the most spectacular cities of ancient Maya civilization and a monumental archeological site, Copan is a ruins complex known for its beautiful stone temples, altars, hieroglyphs, and stelae. It was one of the most important civilizations during the Classic period, from A.D. 250-900, and the site of significant advances in mathematics and astronomy until it was suddenly abandoned. 

Fortress of San Fernando de Omoa in Cortés is an 18th-century Spanish fort, built for protection from pirates raiding from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1779, it was the site of the Battle of San Fernando, a short siege between British and Spanish forces shortly after Spain joined the American Revolutionary War as an American ally. In 1959, the Honduran government committed to a restoration project and the fort has become one of the most popular tourist spots in the country.

Combining two of Honduras' most impressive qualities, archeology meets nature at Los Naranjos Eco-Archeological Park, offering archeological remains and protected natural land. Located on the northern shores of Lake Yojoa, excavations in the 1930s and 1960s lead to findings from varied time periods with artifacts marked as early as 800-400 B.C. and as late as A.D. 950-1250. 

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Rev up for a great family fun day

MOTORCYCLE stunt riders, live music and supercar passenger rides are just a few of the excellent activities planned for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance annual Family Fun Day at North Weald Airbase on Sunday 20th May.

Brimming with entertainment, activities, local food and drink and much more, the all-day event is the finishing point of this year’s Motorcycle Run, which will see hundreds of motorcyclists embark on a 60-mile ride from Welwyn Garden City to North Weald to raise vital funds for the Charity.

The popular Motorcycle Run and Family Fun Day is one of the Air Ambulance’s biggest events and last year, a convoy of 800 motorcyclists raised thousands of pounds.

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Experience the Buddhist Festival of Light

VESAK is the main Buddhist religious festival in #SriLanka. During this time, people celebrate the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha - his birth, his attaining of Enlightenment and his passing away into Nirvana falls this year on May 29.

Also known as the Buddhist Festival of Light, colorful bamboo framed lanterns adorn the interior of every home and incredible luminous displays decorate the streets of most towns. Visit Bhauddoloka Mawatha, the main street in Colombo, to catch this glowing spectacle in full glory.

Stalls on the roadside distribute free refreshments to passers-by and there are some fantastic mime and street theatre performances, staged on tall platforms near temples in cities and towns throughout the country.


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500,000 FAN ID cards issued ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

DEVELOPED by the Russian Federation especially for the 2018 FIFA World Cup FAN ID is a personalized spectator's card. Issued free of charge once for all of the tournament matches, every spectator who has purchased a match ticket must get a FAN ID. In combination with a match ticket, a FAN ID will ensure fast and convenient access to the stadium and also entitles spectators to free travel on additional trains connecting the 2018 FIFA World Cup host cities and on public transportation of the host cities on match days.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can enter Russia visa-free with a FAN ID during the period starting 10 days before the date of the first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and ending on the date of the last match. Therefore, entry into Russia with a FAN ID is possible starting from 4 June through 15 July 2018. The FAN ID holders must leave the country no later than 25 July 2018.

Fill in an application form at http://www.fan-id.ru/ or register at one of the FAN ID Distribution Centers located in Russia.

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The average person in the UK has visited 9.58 countries

BRITISH people are travelling to 37% more countries on average than compared to 2013, according to a survey commissioned by London City Airport.

Evidence of the increasing travel bug has been revealed following a YouGov survey of over 2,200 Brits, with the average number of countries visited by a UK adult - across the full range of age groups - now 9.58. It represents a significant increase from the figure of 7 countries generated from the same question posed to 2,000 people in 2013, as part of a OnePoll survey commissioned by the airport.

The island nation clearly still has an appetite for adventures overseas, with Brits almost twice as likely to visit a new country on holiday (60%) than return to a favourite place (33%), and 94% have been abroad at least once in their life.

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Ask the Concierge

ALEXA Skills Konsulting, a US based Information Technology company, has put forth a revolutionary product, that is taking the luxury hotels and cruises, namely the hospitality industry by storm, the ASK Concierge.

The very basic functionality of this product is to give the hotels or cruise guests an ultra savvy experience of staying in a smart room where they can control every aspect using their voice. Right from controlling the TV, lowering the blinds, adjusting the room temperature to making front-desk requests, all these tasks can be carried out just by programming in certain ‘skills’ to the Amazon’s Alexa voice devices to carry out.

When asked about this futuristic cutting edge product, Shabbir Merchant, the CEO of Alexa Skills Konsulting, commented promptly, “ASK Concierge will prove to be a very helpful product for the hotels or cruises. It will not only automate the front desk requests gathering and executing faster, but also give their guests a plush stay experience. An experience that can only be lived through to be believed in.”

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Undiscovered Cape St Francis

CAPE St Francis is a largely undiscovered seaside village in South Africa’s Eastern Cape - offering pristine beaches that are never over-crowded and a coastline boasting exceptional natural beauty – perfect for indulging in plenty of wholesome, outdoor fun. It’s not called the “Adventure Coast” for nothing”!

The mild winter climate of the Eastern Cape most often delivers balmy, windless days, perfect for hitting a hiking trail, strolling along the dunes, cycling the village streets or surfing the Seal Point waves for which Cape St Francis is most famous, as the beachfront comes alive with wetsuit clad surfers and a cool laid back vibe. 

A short walk from the main beach is the historical Cape St Francis Lighthouse and SANCOB, a rehabilitation centre for rescued seabirds where the kids can get close to African Penguins and other marine birds while around the corner is the Wildside, offering stunning ocean edge walking trails, rock pools filled with sea creatures, amazing flora and possible otter sightings. St Francis Bay is also just 10 minute drive away for retail therapy, golfing and adventures along the Kromme River. 

www.capestfrancis.co.za

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Cruising for 145 years

HOLLAND America Line celebrated its 145th anniversary on April 18, 2018, marking its place in history as one of the most experienced cruise lines in the world. What started as shipping and passenger line Netherlands-American Steamship Company in 1873, is today an award-winning premium cruise line taking guests to more than 400 ports around the world, sailing on all seven continents. 

Within 25 years of its founding, the company owned a fleet of six cargo and passenger ships and operated between Holland and the Dutch East Indies. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, over time the company became known as Holland America Line.

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Just a 45 minute boat ride . . .

FITZROY Island Resort will undergo a $2.5 million refurbishment and expand its Great Barrier Reef experiences to include diving and sunset cruises. Rainforest-clad Fitzroy Island is just a 45-minute boat ride from Cairns city and where you will find secluded Nudey Beach, Australian’s Best Beach for 2018. 

A National Park with rainforest walks and a summit hike to the lighthouse, the island is home to the volunteer-run Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where visitors can meet Jet, an eight-year-old green sea turtle rescued off Fitzroy Island in July 2017. Fitzroy Island Resort is also supporting the Reef Restoration Foundation with the establishment of the Great Barrier Reef’s first offshore coral nursery in the island’s waters. 

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Most booked U.S cruise destination?

 ACCORDING to an annual trends survey of travel agents by leading travel agency company Travel Leaders Group, #Alaska #cruises are, for the first time, their most-booked U.S. destination, beating out Orlando and Las Vegas.

Statistics further tell that story. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the number of cruise visitors to Alaska is expected to break records this year with 34 ships bringing more than 1.165 million passengers to the destination. Alaska will be hot next year as well, with 37 ships expected to bring more than 1.3 million passengers.

The high demand for Alaska cruises has a lot to do with the state's amazing scenery – from snow-capped mountains and immense glaciers to emerald rainforests. Travelers return with stories of extraordinary experiences with wildlife and with guides who enthrall visitors with tales of native culture, frontier spirit and a rich, colorful history that includes the Gold Rush. Next year, Alaska will celebrate its 60th anniversary of statehood.

Cruise ships typically begin Alaska cruises in Seattle, Vancouver and ports near Anchorage, though there are also longer sailings from ports such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. On any itinerary, passengers have the extraordinary experience of cruising past blue icebergs to see glaciers thunderously calve into the sea in Glacier Bay National Park and other equally impressive settings.

At ports of call such as Juneau and Skagway, bald eagles fly overhead as you view totem poles and learn Gold Rush history. Shore excursions take travelers into the wild by land, sea or air, including such experiences as flightseeing over a glacier, boarding a small boat to follow whales and joining active excursions, including hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, glacier trekking, and even snorkeling.

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Up in the Air . . .

WOW AIR, Iceland's ultra-low-fare transatlantic airline, announces WOW premium, a new full-service ticket bundle that is perfect for the business or leisure traveler seeking a more inclusive travel experience.

The WOW premium ticket bundle includes: the WOW air BigSeat, featuring a wider seat with a foot rest and at least 37 inches of legroom; priority boarding and fast track security; an in-flight meal and drinks; two checked bags; one carry-on item; one personal item; and no change fee for rescheduling and cancellation protection.

As of spring 2018, the airline services 39 destinations across Europe and North America including Dublin, London, Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen.

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Thailand’s national park seasonal closure of attractions

#THAILAND currently has a total of 147 national parks, covering an area of 70,038.65 square kilometres or 13.64 percent of the land area of the country. Of the total, there are 59 national parks in the North, 43 in the South, 25 in the Northeast, and 20 in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions.

This year, the DNP closes several attractions in 66 national parks nationwide, including in 24 national parks in the North, in 28 national parks in the South, in nine national parks in the Northeast, and in five national parks in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions. 

This is normal practice, as it closes several attractions every year for a certain period, depending on weather and park conditions. Dates are varied, and the closure is often due to extreme weather, especially during the rainy months, that may create unsafe conditions and allows for some ecological recovery time.

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Picture Credit: commons wikimedia

Visa free access to Hainan

#CHINA will offer greater visa-free access for tourists from 59 countries to #Hainan from May 1, in a move to support reform and opening up in the country's southernmost island province.  Under the new policy, group and individual tourists from 59 countries, including Russia, Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, can visit Hainan visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days on condition that they book their tour through travel agencies.

Hainan has offered a 15-day visa-free stay for group tourists from 21 countries since 2000, and added another five countries to the list in 2010.  The eased visa-free access to Hainan is part of China's effort to build the province into "a free trade port with Chinese characteristics," as stated in the guidelines on supporting Hainan to deepen reform and opening up, released by central authorities Saturday.

The island has become a famous tropical resort for overseas tourists in recent years, with the number of overseas tourists exceeding 1.1 million in 2017, up nearly 50 percent year on year.

Last year, Hainan received nearly 320,000 tourists from the 26 countries with visa-free access, 3.5 times the number recorded in 2016. Tourists from Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Russia accounted for more than 90 percent of the total.

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Taking to the Skies

RESEARCH by YouGov for one of the UK’s busiest regional airports shows a clear generational divide in attitudes to travel, with millennials much more likely to travel outside the UK than they were two years ago.

More than a third (37%) of 18-24 year-olds and 28% of 25-34 year-olds surveyed for Bristol Airport say they are more likely to fly now than they were two years ago. This is compared to just 17% of those 55 and over.


While changes in personal finances appear to be the biggest factor for those reducing their travel (34%), Brexit is cited as another reason for reducing their travel by 14% of 18-24 year-olds when compared to just 5% of 55 and overs.

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Warner Bros Abu Dhabi to open its doors late July

MIRAL, Abu Dhabi's creator of destinations, announced today that Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park, will open its doors to the public on 25th of July 2018.

When the highly-anticipated Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi opens this summer, it will feature six immersive lands including DC's Metropolis and Gotham City, as well as Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza. When guests step through the iconic Warner Bros. shield, they will enter a world where Super Heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight for justice and animated stars like Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo come to life in the most brilliant and awe-inspiring ways.

www.wbworld.com


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My place or yours?

CREATED by James Asquith (who broke the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to all 196 countries in the world over a 5 year period), Holiday Swap reduces one of the largest costs of travel - the accommodation.

By matching up with like-minded travelers, anyone can make connections to travel now or have a place to stay in the future, using the asset you have, your house or even your room, and you don't even have to own the space you're swapping.

Photo Credit: Holiday Swap

An app that allows us to swap anything from a beach villa or penthouse to a room with other travelers anywhere in the world for just $1 a night. Already on the radar of some of the largest tech companies in the world, Asquith wants to combine Tech and Travel to allow everyone to experience more of the world while reducing the cost. This allows travelers to spend more of their budget on flights to far-flung destinations and on experiences, rather than a place to sleep.


"The millennial generation is the future and this generation wants more with less. With the growth of technology we are building a true global sharing community, where we can actually use the assets we have to explore more of the world," Asquith says.

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