Your Daily Dose of Travel Gossip

Festival Napa Valley appoints David Shimmon to its Board of Directors - TravelDailyNews International

David Shimmon is a technology entrepreneur and arts advocate with over 25 years of experience and leadership in the semiconductor and related industries.

IGLTA opens call for 2023 convention speakers in Puerto Rico - TravelDailyNews International

The annual convention brings together top industry leaders and experts from around the world to share insights and best practices in LGBTQ+ tourism.

Travel Unity and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance join forces to increase inclusion in the world of travel - TravelDailyNews International

The partnership will see both alliances act in close collaboration, holding consultations and participating in Working Groups to enable the world’s hospitality industry to become more open and accessible to all.

Carnival Corporation announces Significant 2022 Sustainability Advances - TravelDailyNews International

Carnival Corporation releases annual sustainability report highlighting continued strong environmental performance and decarbonization momentum. Report details far-reaching sustainability achievements, including new technologies and smart solutions to del

Visit Galveston names Tony Lyle Chief Tourism Officer - TravelDailyNews International

Tony Lyle will guide tourism efforts for Visit Galveston.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants opens The Forum Hotel on The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Grounds - TravelDailyNews International

As reflected in its name, the 198-room boutique hotel is a gathering place where food, drink, entertainment, conversation, education, reflection, and more can be shared by all in a vibrant setting.

Fraport amps up the passenger experience at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport - TravelDailyNews International

Fraport Cleveland in partnership with MERA Corporation is set to open 4 new hot restaurant brands in advance of the busy summer travel season.

JW Marriott San Antonio welcomes new Resort Manager - TravelDailyNews International

David Cronin joins the resort as Resort Manager bringing over 25 years of experience to the role.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée celebrates its 110th anniversary - TravelDailyNews International

1913 was the year that the hotel and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées opened on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne.

Toscana Resort Castelfalfi reopens after extensive luxury design renovation - TravelDailyNews International

The esteemed Tuscan property debuts transformation with high-design, wellness and culinary experiences in mind.

IHG Hotels & Resorts celebrates a new era of luxury in Rome with spring openings for Six Senses and InterContinental - TravelDailyNews International

The new InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and Six Senses Rome join IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio to bring an extra touch of luxury to the Italian capital.

Ramadan travel falls short, says ForwardKeys - TravelDailyNews International

GCC outbound flight bookings for the peak Ramadan holiday period, 14th – 24th April, are better, 32% behind 2019.

InterContinental Bursa set to add to IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio with new signing in Türkiye - TravelDailyNews International

IHG Hotels & Resorts announces InterContinental brand signing in Bursa, Türkiye.

travel tech executive fellowship | PhocusWire

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global startup pitch 2023 | PhocusWire

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Mews expands North America operations with acquisition of Hotello | PhocusWire

The acquisition of Hotello, a Montreal-based company serving hotels in the United States and Canada, is the sixth acquisition for Amsterdam-based Mews in the past four years.

This Epic Around-the-world Cruise Will Take Travelers to 51 Countries in 116 Days

Princes Cruises just announced a 116-day voyage around the world that will depart in 2025.

Southwest’s Latest Sale Has Flights Starting at Just $59 — How to Book

Southwest's latest sale for flights across the U.S. starting at $59 is available to book now until April 20.

The FBI Just Issued a Warning About Using Public Phone Charging Stations — What to Know

The FBI is reminding travelers to beware of free, public charging stations at airports or hotels.

Paris to Venice by train: Take the slow route between Europe’s two most romantic cities | Euronews

Midnight Trains hopes to launch the service from its Paris hub in 2025.

CEO Spotlight - Kenneth Purcell of iSeatz | PhocusWire

Kenneth Purcell founded iSeatz to automate the restaurant reservation process for hotel guests, and it has since expanded to connect hospitality, airline and financial services brands with a wide range of ancillary booking products.

Deloitte: Corporate travel spending on track for ‘24 recovery | PhocusWire

While a full recovery in business travel spending appears possible by the end of 2024, the corporate travel market would be 10-20% below pre-pandemic levels when factoring in inflation, according to the report.

STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands | PhocusWire

HostAI uses artificial intelligence to develop marketing strategies to drive direct revenue growth for hospitality brands, starting with vacation rental managers.

OTA Insight: Hotels could piggyback off rentals' demand data | PhocusWire

OTA Insight has delved into its data to find that hotel revenue managers can pick up early demand signals by looking at what’s happening in the rentals market.

Budgeting with a bot? The ultimate cheap, eco-friendly weekend in Europe, according to ChatGPT | Euronews

Amsterdam is the best spot for a budget-friendly eco break, according to an AI chatbot.

UNWTO Strengthens Cooperation Around Tourism Investments | UNWTO

Ryanair powers 100% of Amsterdam flights with SAF blend - TravelDailyNews International

Increasing the use of SAF is a fundamental pillar of our Pathway to Net Zero by 2050 decarbonisation strategy and this increase at Amsterdam will reduce greenhouse gas emissions of our flights from there by 32%.

1.9 million passengers traveled with SAS during March - TravelDailyNews International

The flown load factor for March was 76 percent, an improvement by 7 percentage points compared to March last year.

HELM set for record charter season, Greece and Croatia are increasingly popular - TravelDailyNews International

Yacht charter brokerage HELM sees a considerable growth in 2023 summer bookings.

VisitEngland announces 15 local visitor economy partnerships - TravelDailyNews International

Developed and administered by VisitEngland, the national portfolio of strategic and high-performing LVEPs support collaborative working locally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to grow the local visitor economy.

Swan Hellenic appoints luxury cruise specialist Luke Clarke as UK and Ireland Sales Director - TravelDailyNews International

People person admired for attention to detail joins cultural expedition cruise pioneer to sustain industry-leading customer service standards.

Saudi Arabia attracts Asia's largest Ocean Park operator - TravelDailyNews International

The Ministry of Investment with Haichang Ocean Park announced the planned development of the first large-scale Ocean Park in KSA.

Experience Oxfordshire’s visitor economy research indicates cautious optimism for 2023 - TravelDailyNews International

Operators are building on the innovations adopted during the pandemic, with investment in technology to enable pre-bookings, online sales and deliveries, online events and exhibitions and to build relationships with customers to encourage repeat visits.

Quark Expeditions launches brand new Greenland Explorer itinerary - TravelDailyNews International

The 11-day Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic will launch in 2024.

New research: What consumers want: An easy, modern travel retail experience - TravelDailyNews International

93% of consumers say the best retailers make it easy to find the product(s) they want. 83% of younger consumers aged 18-41 want more human-led customer support. 60% of consumers say they would take longer transport routes to their destination and 49% woul

STR: Berlin hotel performance increased in March - TravelDailyNews International

The ADR and RevPAR levels surpassed the 2019 comparables by 16.5% and 2.7%, respectively.

ADR: Boarding Area A grows, with a completely renewed 25,000 M2 pier a d a new Square - TravelDailyNews International

A major step in the project to upgrade the new Terminal 1, which involves a total investment of €500 million. Almost 25,000 m² with 22 gates for an additional 6 million departing passengers each year and a new baggage reclaim system with an additional cap

Winners of the Responsible Tourism Awards 2023 announced at WTM Africa - TravelDailyNews International

Free to enter, the 2023 Awards are split into four regions, with the winner of each region going forward to compete in the Global Awards.

The Chair and CEO of The Shannon Airport Group welcome the appointment of two new members to the Board - TravelDailyNews International

Aisling Curtis is an organisational leader with over 20 years’ experience in telecommunications and technology sectors. John Moran is CEO and founder of RHH International a thought leadership and social entrepreneurship venture based in Limerick.

GlobalData warns rising ransomware attacks posing major cybersecurity threat to travel and tourism industry - TravelDailyNews International

An analysis of GlobalData’s Company Filings Analytics Database found that sentiment for airlines, travel services, and lodging rose by 6%, 4%, and 1%, respectively, in 2022 over 2021.

Ravi Menon appointed as Co-Chairman of Sobha Realty - TravelDailyNews International

Ravi Menon, a Civil Engineering graduate from Purdue University, USA, joined Sobha India as Director in June 2004.

Qatar Airways resumes services to Birmingham, England, ahead of Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2023 - TravelDailyNews International

Passengers travelling from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East on the "World's Best Airline" to Birmingham now have even greater connectivity to thrilling global sports events such as the British Grand Prix in Silverstone a

CLIA guides tourism students through the world of cruising and celebrates 2023 as “the European Year of Skills” - TravelDailyNews International

CLIA organizes educational cruise ship visit onboard Tui Cruises' Mein Schiff 6 in Piraeus.

ECOWAS ministers boost the tourism industry with the adoption of new standards for hotel services - TravelDailyNews International

His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray expressed her sincere appreciation to the Honarable Ministers for accepting to be part of a historic event in the tourism sector.

Third Airbus A320 of the national airline of Serbia arrives in Belgrade - TravelDailyNews International

The second Airbus A320, and the first one with sharklets, joined the Serbian national airline’s fleet on 13 October 2022.

OMNIYAT celebrates the groundbreaking of ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai - TravelDailyNews International

Construction has begun of ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, which offers three iconic structures set across a 29,000 square-metre beachfront plot. Managed by legendary hospitality brand, Dorchester Collection and designed by Foster + Partners.

Uber Is Offering Discounted Rides in Luxury Electric Vehicles This Month — How to Book

Uber is offering discounted rides in its luxury electric vehicles this month to celebrate Earth Day.

This European country has no international rail connections. Here’s how that’s about to change | Euronews

It's been three decades since the last passenger train between Finland and Sweden. But that looks like it's about to change