Tourism News Page 619
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Reopens
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reopens for guests today at Walt Disney World Resort, bringing fun in the sun with a wintery twist. Known for its immersive storytelling and snowy theming amid warm, soothing water, the park features a variety of family-friendly and thrilling water attractions, just in time for the holiday season.
Norwegian Group had 2.6 million passengers in October
In October, Norwegian had 2,197,751 passengers while Widerøe had 372,757 passengers, totalling 2,570,508 for the group. Capacity for Norwegian was up 10 percent, while the load factor was close to 87 percent, resulting in a record load factor this year if we exclude the peak summer month of July.
Mondrian Makes Its Debut in Australia
Marking the brand’s Australian debut, the 2025 opening of Mondrian Gold Coast is set to ignite the region’s lifestyle hospitality scene, leading a new direction in antipodean style across architecture, design, cuisine, wellness and cultural connection. Since the opening of its first property, Mondrian LA, in 1996, Mondrian has continued to break the mould of lifestyle hospitality. Built by some of the world’s most iconic dreamers and visionary designers, each Mondrian emerges as a creative hive where the fantastical meets the future and dream-like spaces immerse guests in the culture of the place it inhabits, both in aesthetics and spirit. These distinctive hallmarks of the brand have been the driving force behind its successful expansion, currently encompassing 11 properties based in some of the world’s most exciting cultural destinations.
Celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in Paradise at Centara Reserve Samui
Twas the Night Before Christmas Take your Christmas holiday to an indulgent new level and experience the wonder of the season by starting with a Christmas Eve culinary journey across three restaurants - The Terrace Act 5 -The Grill and Sa-Nga. Enjoy regional delicacies as well as the freshest seafood and meats, plus traditional Christmas fare and an extensive selection of yuletide pastries and desserts. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced when Santa arrives to delight guests of all ages along with carol singers and children’s activities designed to bring out the holiday spirit. Price: THB 3,800++ (food only) and Children: THB 1,900++ (aged 4 to 11 years). Time: 18:00 hrs. to 22:30 hrs.
Sun Siyam Resorts Introduces 24-Hour All-Inclusive Across All Five Maldives Properties
Sun Siyam Resorts is enhancing the all-inclusive experience in the Maldives with the launch of its 24-hour, resort-wide all-inclusive plan, available across all properties as of November 1st 2024. The new 24-hour all-inclusive plan has been launched following the success and demand for Siyam World’s premium 24 hour all-inclusive which has laid the foundation for its expansion across all resorts. Additionally, in resorts with multiple meal plans, booking data indicates that in 2024, 85% of British guests choose all-inclusive over BB, HB and FB options.
Santa Eulària Des Riu in Ibiza Embraces Slow Travel for 2025
Sunny and tranquil Santa Eulària des Riu on the east coast of Ibiza has all the ingredients for slow travel and the best way to appreciate the charm, culture and vibrant wildlife is on foot or by pedal power or through the enjoyment of local cuisine and small-scale hotels. The island’s climate is ideal for exploring all year round. With around 300 sunny days a year, temperatures range from an average of 11.3C in January to 30.6C in August, with sea temperatures ranging between 14C and 28C.
A City-Ski Break in Isère
French writer and Grenoble native Stendhal best summed up the city of Grenoble when he wrote “At the end of every street, a mountain”. Nicknamed the ‘Capital of the Alps’, the lively capital of Isère is surrounded by the mountains of Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse. But winter visitors often whizz through on their way to the slopes thereby missing out on everything that Grenoble has to offer. It is well worth spending a night or two in the city before heading for either the Vercors or Belledonne mountains and enjoying a unique city-ski break.
World Travel Awards 2024: A Year of Celebrations Culminating in Madeira
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary for the World Travel Awards (WTA), the globally renowned celebration of excellence in the travel and tourism industry. As we near the Grand Final in Madeira on November 24, 2024, the world is eager to witness the crowning of the industry’s best in an evening sure to be nothing short of spectacular.
Emirates inaugurates Emirates World Store in Kenya, its first in Africa
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has opened its Emirates World store in Nairobi, Kenya, underscoring its commitment to deliver an elevated customer experience, alongside world-class products and services to the market. This opening introduces the airline’s refreshed retail store concept to Africa for the first time, with more stores planned across the market in the coming months. Centrally located in the ultra-modern Cube, Riverside Drive, the Emirates World store offers customers expert travel advice, either from dedicated consultants or through self-service smart technologies, and immersive displays to bring the airline’s signature product closer to travellers from Kenya.
Lufthansa Celebrates 65 Years Connecting Thailand with Europe
Lufthansa proudly marks a significant milestone in its history: the 65th anniversary of its inaugural flight from Hamburg to Bangkok. This milestone highlights the airline’s long-standing commitment to the Thai market and Mekong region, connecting cultures, facilitating travel, and fostering business relationships between Germany and Thailand.
PALAU PARADISE EXPRESS SET FOR TAKE OFF WITH THE FLYING KANGAROO
Qantas customers can now book flights to the airline’s newest destination, with fares to Palau on sale this week and the inaugural service set for take-off from Brisbane in December*. Joining the airline’s growing international map, the Pacific Island Nation of Palau is made up of over 300 islands and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands. It marks the national carrier’s fifth international route to launch from the Sunshine State in the last 12 months following the recent commencement of services from Brisbane to Vanuatu and Manila.
Etihad Airways and e& UAE sign strategic MoU to boost loyalty programmes and destination marketing
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and e& UAE, the telecommunications arm of global technology group e&, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore key areas of cooperation. This collaboration aims to enhance customer experience and business synergies across loyalty programmes, marketing activities, sales, and knowledge sharing, ultimately supporting the broader development of Abu Dhabi as a global destination.