Tourism News Page 56

Turkish Airlines to add Xi’an to growing China route network
Turkish Airlines will add flights to Xi’an as it continues to grow its route network in China. Some two decades after the airline’s first flights to Beijing, the new destination will join the capital, Shanghai and Guangzhou in the flag-carrier’s portfolio.
Vietnam Airlines to launch two new flights to Shenzhen
Vietnam Airlines has confirmed it will launch two new services to Shenzhen in China. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City will take off from November 27th, followed by departures from Hanoi the following day, November 28th.

Cheng appointed executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board
The appointment comes at difficult time for Hong Kong, with months of political protests deterring tourist from visiting – especially from the key market of mainland China.

Vietjet adds two new Da Nang routes
Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, is gaining popularity not only to domestic but also international tourists. It also serves as a gateway to surrounding destinations including the ancient town of Hoi An, the former imperial citadel in Hue and Quang Binh.

TAP Air Portugal takes off for Banjul, the Gambia
With this new route, TAP has once again expanded its operation to Africa, adding one more country and one capital to its network of destinations on the African continent.

Saudi Arabia sees boom in tourism visa applications
Tourism visa applications to Saudi Arabia have boomed since the kingdom announced it was opening its doors to more foreign visitors in September.

American Airlines adds new US Virgin Islands flight for summer
The United States Virgin Islands department of tourism has announced the addition of a third American Airlines daily flight between Miami and St. Croix next summer.

World Travel Awards headed to Oman for Grand Final Gala Ceremony
World Travel Awards has partnered with Oman Airports to host its highly-anticipated Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2019. The event will take place on November 28th at the Royal Opera House Muscat.

Clymb Abu Dhabi to open later this month
A fully indoor facility, its geometrically-designed building houses the world’s biggest Indoor Skydiving flight chamber and world’s tallest Indoor climbing wall under one roof.

WTM 2019: UK tourism industry faces five years as ‘basket case Britain’
Britain could be seen by European visitors as a ‘basket case’ country for up to five years after a potential initial Brexit agreement according to a leading figure in the travel industry.

WTM 2019: Top long-haul UK inbound markets revealed by new research
The USA, Australia and India continue to take the top spot for the UK’s favourite long-haul inbound tourism markets, according to research revealed at World Travel Market.

WTM 2019: Jamaica minister calls for global oversight of travel advisories
Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has argued there is need for global oversight of travel advisories issued for destinations. The minister made the call at the World Travel Market, which is being staged in London.