Category: Latest Travel News

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, December 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Cooperating with its travel partners, Thai Vietjet is ready to launch its new international service connecting Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Vietnam’s famous international tourist destination of Phu Quoc Island, the largest island of the country, starting December 30, 2021.

The new international service will bring tourists from Thailand to experience the beautiful island of Phu Quoc with a 4-Day-3-Night package tour, full-board priced from only THB 22,900 with complimentary Covid-19 insurance offer for travel in the 1st month of launch. During their stay in Phu Quoc, the tourists will have an opportunity to explore Southwest Vietnam’s largest and most modern amusement park – Phu Quoc United Center, with a large scale of more than 1,000 hectares including a diversity of entertainment facilities, hotels and resorts, safari, theme parks, mini-cities, golf course, … and shopping system operating 24/7.

Besides, the tourists will be enjoying the best entertainment spots in Southern Phu Quoc at Sunworld Hon Thom Natural Park; Thom Island – the largest and most beautiful island of Hon Thom District of An Thoi archipelago, and An Thoi Station – the departure point of Hon Thom cable car, dubbed as ‘Colosseum of Vietnam’; Hon Thom Cable Car – the world’s longest 3-wire sea-crossing cable car; and Aquatopia Water Park – Southeast Asia’s leading modern water park.

Along the 4-Day-3-Night program, the tourists will be enjoying their stay at VinHolidays Fiesta Phu Quoc – a beautiful hotel with a five-stars ecosystem located at the heart of the Grand World Complex, boasting a bold, solid design, an outdoor pool of 800 square meters, and a robust supply of 687 rooms.

Currently, international arrivals in Phu Quoc are required to be fully vaccinated and possess an RT-PCR test with a negative result (within 72 hours before departure), and can follow a set tour without quarantine. Besides, the tourists are requested to complete 2 times COVID-19 test during their stay at Phu Quoc and comply with regulations and conditions for epidemic prevention.

Phu Quoc Island boasts idyllic beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen forests, and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal holiday destination for travelers looking to escape bustling city life. Located 45 kilometers west of Ha Tien in the far south of Vietnam, the northern part of the island is relatively untouched due to its status as a UNESCO-listed national park but there are plenty of luxurious resorts, funky bars, and quaint cafes along the southern coastline.

Thai Vietjet has been providing leading capacity to passengers with the highest level of safety for travel during the Covid-19 outbreak. The airline has been proactively facilitating international air travel recovery and strictly performing aircraft disinfection throughout its fleet in compliance with the Thai Ministry of Public Health and CAAT’s directives, to reduce potential risk to the health of passengers and its staff.

About Vietjet
The new-age carrier Vietjet has not only revolutionized the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations and performance, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers’ demands.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline was awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by the world’s only safety and product rating website airlineratings and listed as one of the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in 2018 and 2019. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.

Thai Vietjet is cooperating with Vietjet to extend its flight network and provide more opportunities for travellers in the world to discover Thailand and many other countries. Currently the airline operates 14 domestic routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani, cross-regional flights from Phuket to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Udon Thani, also direct flights from Hat Yai to Chiang Rai, 8 routes connecting Thailand and Vietnam such as Bangkok to Da Lat/ Da Nang, and more international routes from Thailand to mainland China.

Madrid, Spain, December 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO and the Asian Development Bank have launched a joint report on the use of big data for better tourism planning and management. The report features examples from across the Asia and the Pacific region while also showcasing the main trends in the use of big data in tourism at the forefront of technology and innovation. The report also makes clear the the role that big data can play in recovery and the measurement of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of tourism.

Data to empower decision makers

Tourism suffered the greatest crisis on record in 2020. International arrivals plunged by 73% in 2020. This is likely to followed by a 70% and 75% fall on 2019 levels for 2021. As the sector looks to  recover, data and market intelligence are critical to  empower destinations, businesses, and tourism workers to be better prepared in a rapidly changing landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the shift toward digitalization and so further highlighted the need for relevant and reliable data and intelligence to manage tourism.

The joint UNWTO and ADB report will assist both governments and the private sector as they look to complement official statistics with big data so as to better understand changes in consumer behavior and to enhance recovery with targeted products, segments, and source markets. Big data will also be key to supporting seamless travel through the implementation of safety protocols, biosecurity technologies, and digital health certificates to enable the safe reopening of borders.

The report further addresses some of the key challenges standing in the way of fully realizing the potential of big data and digitalization for better tourism policy. These include ongoing concerns over privacy, skills gaps, data reliability, inadequate governance and infrastructure, the digital divide, accessibility barriers. These challenges make clear the need for comprehensive agenda to pave the way for the effective use of big data to assist tourism recovery and its transformation toward a greener, more resilient sector. Together, UNWTO and ADB will work to ensure tourism policies across the region are aimed at establishing measurement, monitoring, and management systems and frameworks, thereby ensuring harmonized, comparable, and reliable data and indicators.

Madrid, Spain, December 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / This has been another challenging year for our societies, our economies and tourism. Many millions of jobs and businesses remain in peril, at the mercy of an evolving crisis and of the actions of governments. However, we are by no means in the same place we were when the pandemic was declared in March 2020. In fact, we have succeeded in laying the foundations to restart tourism around the pillars of sustainability, innovation, people and investing for a resilient future.

Working together

Over the past year, much progress has been made in rolling out vaccinations and in both detecting and treating COVID-19. We have also seen significant progress made in finding the right balance between keeping people safe and keeping the vital lifeline of tourism intact, as illustrated by UNWTO’s effective collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) since the very start of the pandemic.

A collaborative and multilateral approach is and must remain at the centre of capitalizing on the lessons we have learned in such a short space of time.

Ensuring harmonized travel protocols has been our message since day one. They are at the heart of tourism’s restart in many parts of the world, most notably in the Northern Hemisphere destinations during the peak summer months.

We are also encouraged by the resilience and determination coming from the tourism sector itself, as well as from our Member States.

Like never before, the pandemic has made clear tourism’s relevance to our economies and societies. Tourism is now part of the global conversation and at the heart of both national and international recovery action plans.

Expanding on our mandate

Interest in UNWTO’s innovation and start-up competitions keeps growing, showcasing the talent we have unleashed, and our shared readiness to hear new voices and embrace new ideas.

Our global innovation ecosystem is now made up of more than 12,000 start-ups from 160 countries, with US$83 million mobilized and 300 corporate partners currently working on new tourism technologies.

And UNWTO’s education programmes are reaching unprecedented numbers of people, welcoming more than 20,000 students from 100 countries in just 18 months. We promote lifelong learning thanks to partnerships with the world’s top five institutions in tourism and hospitality. Together, IE university, Les Riches, Glion Institute, Ecole du Casse and the Swiss Education Group offer 19 online courses in Spanish, English and Arabic – a true ‘online university of universities’.

Underpinning it all are data analytics on tourism investments powered by our partnership with the Financial Times. Through this, we have produced the first UNWTO tourism investment guidelines, which we are now scaling up to create guidelines for doing tourism businesses by country.

Restarting tourism is unthinkable without green investments. We are collaborating with institutions such as the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and the Inter-American Development Bank. To date, more than 200 investors are part of UNWTO’s global investment network advancing critical work such as supporting hotel chains from 50 countries to become more sustainable.

For people and planet

Tourism is ready to do the hard work and live up to its responsibilities to people and planet, as demonstrated by the huge interest we have received in the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched at the UN Climate Summit COP26. We are receiving a growing number of commitments to halve emissions by 2030 and to reach NetZero by 2050 at the latest, with Member countries, individual destinations, global companies and local players as well as media outlets, hundreds are on board, and counting.

And for people, we are making sure the benefits tourism offers are enjoyed as widely and fairly as possible. That includes establishing the sector as a driver of rural development, as celebrated through the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative. Launched to great enthusiasm this year, 44 villages from 32 countries were granted the recognition during our recent General Assembly, for showing a commitment to tourism development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 24th UNWTO General Assembly in Madrid brought our Members together to speak with one voice. Members commended UNWTO’s work done during the pandemic and its vision for the future of both the Organization and the sector, endorsing key initiatives such as a first International Code for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark legal framework is designed to restore trust in travel, a vital ingredient for recovery.

I am very grateful for the wide support of our Members, who have put their trust in me to serve a second term as UNWTO Secretary-General.

Mainstreaming tourism

In a crisis, you realize both what’s important and who your friends are.

Like never before, the pandemic has made clear tourism’s relevance to our economies and societies. Tourism is now part of the global conversation and at the heart of both national and international recovery action plans.

And support for UNWTO has never been louder or more visible. Over the past 12 months, we have strengthened our key partnerships, among them the G20 and G7, as well as ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization), FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), the World Bank, IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), CAF, (The Development Bank of Latin America) and the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). We have further strengthened our voice at the top of the United Nations, including the landmark recognition of tourism and UNWTO by the UN Secretary-General.

Closer to our Members

UNWTO has made a significant leap to be on the ground next to our Members. This year we opened the first Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Built and opened in record time, it will serve as the platform to deliver our commitment to education and as a global centre for tourism and rural development.

Moving closer to our Members in other regions is an ongoing task and we will also work towards opening the first regional offices in Africa and the Americas.

As we advance preparations for these new hubs, we also welcome new Member States. Antigua and Barbuda, a destination where tourism is an economic pillar, has joined UNWTO. This shows that tourism-dependent countries look to UNWTO and depend on us, and we are ready to live up to this responsibility. Alongside this our network of Affiliate Members of the private sector, local administrations, destinations and academia, keeps growing.

So too does our collaboration with media outlets through new partnerships with Euronews, Xinhua and Travelindex, which build on our existing relationship with CNN International. As a result, the message of tourism for development will continue reaching a global audience of unprecedented size and diversity.

The future begins now

The way in which the pandemic has developed over the closing weeks of the year gives us all reason for concern and to again put public health above everything else.

But recent developments again validate our initial position: the only way forward is through collaboration and actions that are based on evidence rather than on speculation or political strategy.

UNWTO is in a good place to use the achievements of 2021 as a springboard for building a better tourism in the years to come, with the sector ready to return once conditions are right.

It is in this spirit that I wish everybody a safe and healthy 2022. UNWTO stands by your side, to keep on working together for our joint progress.

Zurab Pololikashvili
Secretary-General

Phuket, Thailand, December 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / My Café at My Beach Resort Phuket will take all gastronomes to a flashback of the past into an era when surnames were still new in Siam or Thailand in the current day. At that time, Thailand’s many delicious dishes still did not have prominent names and still relied on the Western culture and influence. Our locally made food was collectively called “Thai Food” from the development of the word “Eat Like Thai.”

Discover the origins of the name of dishes under the concept of “2426 What’s Your Surname?” a beautiful journey led by Chef Tai Nutchtakamol Songkhramsee, our guest chef, the owner of Tanya’s restaurant, and a figure widely recognised as the hidden jewel in Hua-Hin’s restaurant industry.

For centuries, inhabitants of Thailand did not have surnames, and all went by similar first names. 2426 BE was the first time when postal communications were introduced in Thailand and required people to be distinguished by the given and surnames, which were usually the given names of their parents. Therefore, when the postman went out to deliver mail, a question that was frequently asked was “What’s your surname?” in order to ensure that mail was delivered to its correct recipients. Comparably, Thai dishes during that era did not have names to refer to. Recipes were not recorded making it difficult to recreate dishes, and it was during this similar period that the first Thai cookbook ever recorded, the “Mae Krua Hua Pa” cookbook, appeared. This cookbook and other cookbooks during the same era had become the inspiration of our dining event along with the integration of Chef Tai’s family recipes passed down through generations, making this meal exceptional.

This dining experience at 2426 What’s Your Surname? will make you feel as if you were dining at a friend’s place, and they were telling you stories about each dish you are enjoying. Hors’ d’oeuvres will begin with Macaroni cooked with pineapple curry and dressed in horseshoe crab eggs, followed by a combination of old meets new – Steamed curried fish served in jelly form. The next dish as part of our hors d’oeuvre is a bite of Mun Luem Gluen, mashed potatoes topped with garlic and pepper shrimp. For appetizers, Kanom Jeen Poon or Thai fermented rice vermicelli dressed in grilled scallops and crab meat will be served followed by a soup, Tom Plong Talay, a traditional Thai tamarind seafood soup with grilled giant tiger prawn, squid and salmon. For the main course, guests will be served Khao Sao Nam and Mussamun Som Za, or rice in seasoned soup served with orange infused massaman curry with a choice of meat. The dining experience ends with a dessert called Kanom Chang Ma, or traditional Thai sweet rice noodles in coconut cream. Come and join us for a wonderful evening of delicious food and memorable moments.

Our delightful food journey presented in a 5-course meal is THB 2,500++ (excluding beverages). Experience 2426 What’s Your Surname? from 23 December 2021 until 16 January 2022. For reservations, please call 076 305 066

About My Beach Resort Phuket
My Beach Resort Phuket is a five-star resort located on Phuket’s tranquil east coast overlooking the pristine Panwa Beach. The resort has been recommended by the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years from 2019-2021, commending the resort for its rooms with magnificent panoramic sunset view. The resort offers elegant guest rooms designed in muted earth tones, a restaurant offering authentic Southern dishes, a bar with panoramic sea views, boutique meeting rooms, fitness room, and many more activities for guests to enjoy by the beach.

Madrid, Spain, December 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has welcomed a further 21 signatories, taking the total number past 110. The new signatories have been announced alongside the launch of a first annual report, which makes clear the significant progress made in tackling plastics pollution in tourism over the past year.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Accor, Club Med, Hong-Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Iberostar, Melco, Six Senses have all reported continuous efforts to implement their commitments to tackle plastic pollution. Together, they have eliminated over 108 million plastic items and packaging in 2020, totaling around 804 metric tons.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In just one year, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has made a real impact. Together, signatories have cut their use of plastic by 800 metric tons, equivalent to 27 large shipping containers full of plastic. I congratulate all those businesses and destinations for their commitment and welcome the 21 newest signatories to the Initiative – a clear sign that tourism is working hard to become more sustainable, even in times of crisis.”

Signatories report plastics progress

In just one year, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has made a real impact

deSter, a member of gategroup and the leading supplier to the aviation, hospitality and foodservice industries has also reported progress, for instance by discontinuing the launch of new products with non-recyclable materials; working on fiber-based technologies and closed loop recycling pilots with customers; and developing new designs.

“We are delighted to have joined the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative through our Bye Bye Plastics program: Club Med has already removed on a global scale disposable plastic items such as cups, straws, cutlery, plates as well as individual plastic packaging from shower gel, shampoo and lotion and from other in-room accessories. We are now aiming to remove single use plastic accessories from our rooms and festive events as well as reducing by up to 50% the use of plastic water bottles in 2024 (compared to 2019),” said Florian Duprat, Sustainability manager at Club Med.

“We are pleased to have been able to formalize our goals and progress in the global commitment of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative report. It gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to developing more sustainable solutions. And, more importantly, by being part of a coordinated action plan with other signatories, we can be sure that we are moving the needle to stop plastic pollution,” said Philippe De Naeyer, Director Sustainability at deSter.

The full report is available online and is also linked to the annual report of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, providing its Tourism chapter (see page 12). A broader reporting mechanism which would allow additional stakeholders that are signatories (e.g. SMEs) to report progress on the implementation of their commitments will also soon be made available.

More sector-wide commitment

Since the last announcement of signatories in July 2021, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has officially welcomed 21 new signatories bringing the total of organizations that have committed to implement circular economy of plastics in the tourism sector to 113.

Among the 21 new signatories, the Initiative welcomes 4 accommodation companies (Alila Villas Uluwatu, JJ’s Hostel Mirissa, Phaea Resorts, Sudima Hotels), 7 tour operators (Adventuretects LLC, Europamundo, Evaneos, Secret Scotland Tours, SEE Turtles, Travel.Bhutan, Turama Pacific Travel Group), 9 supporting organizations (arcenciel, Blue Community, Clewat Ltd, The Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO, Jaya House River Park Siem Reap, Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, Natufagus Consulting, Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), Worldwide Association of Diving Instructors) and 1 destination (Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB)). These signatories have set concrete targets around the elimination of unnecessary and problematic plastics, the introduction of reuse models and work on value chain level to improve recyclability.

A common goal for tourism

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative was endorsed by the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization at its 114th meeting held on 1st December 2021 during the UNWTO General Assembly in Madrid, encouraging Member States to take part in the fight against plastic pollution.

Altdorf, Switzerland, December 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO is to work with the Bellavista Institute of Higher Education on a new International Centre associated to the UNWTO Academy for tourism training in Switzerland.

Under the terms of a new agreement signed between the United Nations Specialized Agency and its Affiliate Member, the new International Centre will be associated with the existing UNWTO Academy and focus on providing research and training in a number of key areas. These include health tourism, mountain destinations management, exhibitions and conference management, and regional tourism promotion and management.

The partnership will go beyond empowering tourism professionals through giving them the knowledge to advance in their careers. The new International Centre associated to the UNWTO Academy will also provide governments, destinations and businesses with the right tourism human capital to meet current and future market demands and, ultimately, enhance levels of competitiveness and sustainability across the sector.

The new International Centre associated to the UNWTO Academy in Switzerland will further advance UNWTO’s goal of expanding its presence on the ground, with a particular focus on the country and regional levels. As an Affiliate Member of UNWTO, Bellavista Institute of Higher Education is a leading research and development centre for international programs, curricula, and textbooks, applied to tourism management and travel business.

Brussels, Belgium, December 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, joined other EU Travel & Tourism stakeholders in urging EU governments against reintroducing damaging and ineffective travel restrictions.

“Putting travel bans in place is illogical. Fully vaccinated travellers should be able to move around freely.

“The World Health Organisation says closing borders does not work. Omicron is already well established throughout Europe. This is an act of political one-upmanship decided by people whose livelihoods do not depend on Travel & Tourism.”

Baar, Switzerland, December 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Luxury hospitality company Aman is designing its first yacht, a 50-suite vessel scheduled to enter service in 2025. The 600-foot yacht is being developed through a joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi, an entity owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partners are calling the endeavor “Project Sama.”

Aman is partnering with Sinot on the yacht’s architecture and design, which will feature Aman’s Eastern heritage and design philosophy. Aman said it will take charge of the yacht’s operations and management, “ensuring that guests enjoy the Aman way of life onboard, in every sense.”

All 50 suites will have a private balcony. Aman plans an array of dining options, including an informal all-day restaurant, international dining options and a club and lounge.

The Aman Spa will feature a Japanese garden. Plans also call for two helipads and a “Beach Club” that will give guests direct access to the water at the stern of the yacht.

Aman CEO Vladimir Doronin said the yacht project “marks an exciting moment in Aman’s growth and evolution, as we not only continue to diversify our geographical portfolio on land, but also at sea.”

Doronin added that the Aman yacht will “provide transformative experiences within the revered Aman setting and service, unlike any other yacht experience.”

About Aman
Aman operates 33 luxury resorts, hotels and private residences in 20 countries. Meticulously designed to frame their natural settings, Aman destinations are renowned for space and privacy. Each welcomes guests as if to the home of a close friend, instilling a sense of peace and belonging amid some of the most diverse natural and historical landscapes. It is an approach that has changed little since 1988 when the first retreat was built on Phuket’s west coast. It was named Amanpuri, meaning ‘place of peace’, and Aman was born. Today, Aman embraces 33 resorts, hotels, and private residences in 20 countries. Aman continues to seek out transformative experiences and awe-inspiring locations around the world with a further eight coming soon, taking the brand to 41 resorts in 22 countries.

Singapore, Singapore, December 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts was again recognized for its long-standing reputation as an industry-leading global hotel chain at the recent Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards, when it was named as the “Best Midscale Hotel Chain – Asia Pacific”.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Best Western has achieved this prestigious award, setting a new milestone for the group which now operates an extensive collection of more than 60 hotels and resorts in nine countries and territories, all across this dynamic region.

“For Best Western to be honored as Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards ‘Best Midscale Hotel Chain – Asia Pacific’ for the seventh consecutive year is an accomplishment that demonstrates our commitment to global quality assurance,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “We are proud to be a brand known and trusted for our spirit of caring, compassion and high ideals of service, but in these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, these principles are even more important to our hoteliers and guests. To achieve this award even in the midst of these challenges, and for the seventh time, emphasizes that our guests understand and appreciate that we truly care about delivering a superior travel experience.”

The award ceremony was held as a hybrid event on December 8th, as a platform to honor the extraordinary travel suppliers in Asia Pacific who have distinguished themselves in the last twelve months. A total of 19 awards in three categories were presented to outstanding organizations that have successfully created exceptional customer experiences, delivered unparalleled service, demonstrated a spirit of innovation and achieved overall excellence in 2021. The winners were selected based on votes from Travel Weekly Asia’s readership, which includes many of the region’s top travel agents and industry professionals.

“To have been named as the ‘Best Midscale Hotel Chain – Asia Pacific’ once again this year is a great honor, and the fact that it was voted for by industry experts and Travel Weekly readers makes it even more special. Throughout the challenges of the last 12 months, Best Western has remained true to our core values. I am delighted that our hard work has been recognized by our esteemed industry partners,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

“This year’s award ceremony celebrated strength and resilience. I would like to dedicate this award to the teams at every Best Western hotel and resort throughout Asia for their enduring commitment to excellence. We will continue to create outstanding guest experiences all around the region in 2022 and beyond,” Erwann added.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Celebrating 75 years of hospitality, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning global network of 4,700 hotels located in over 100 countries and territories, covering 18 distinct brands. The company strives to provide world-class accommodation and services for all types of traveler in every destination.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Lucerne, Switzerland, December 20, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / World Tourism Forum Lucerne’s next International Start-up Innovation Camp & Summit will take place from 18-19 January 2022 in Ras Al Khaimah. The two-day event will include a series of private workshops (Camp) in addition to a public conference (Summit) with a line-up of insightful panel discussions. The aim of the event is to advance innovation for a more sustainable future in the tourism industry. Ras Al Khaimah, the most northerly Emirate, is considered as the fastest growing destination in the Middle East, placing great value on sustainability and innovation by implementing a number of progressive initiatives. For this reason, World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) entered into a strategic partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) three years ago.

The strategic partnership with RAKTDA allows World Tourism Forum Lucerne to bring several of its industry initiatives, such as the Talent Boost, the Think Tank and the Start-up Innovation Camp & Summit to Ras Al Khaimah. “Innovations are a significant driver in the post-pandemic recovery phase. That’s why our initiatives aim to advance innovations in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector and facilitate a cross-industry dialogue”, explains Martin Barth, President and CEO of WTFL.

Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, added: “We are honoured to host the International Start-up Innovation Camp & Summit with World Tourism Forum Lucerne. This event comes at a pivotal time as we focus on becoming a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025. Our culture of innovation, resilience and being a first mover in many areas makes us the perfect destination to foster the growth of start-ups within the Emirate. We look forward to welcoming innovators and investors who will drive positive change in sustainability across the industry.”

Continuous Start-up Screening
Through its continuous screening of start-ups over the years, WTFL has built up a unique start-up network and holds regular national and international Start-up Innovation Camps. Furthermore, with its Dealflow Tool, WTFL has created a digital platform that makes it even easier to connect young talents with the expertise of industry professionals, investors and CEOs. In the tourism industry, it’s innovative business models, agile thinking and strong partnerships form the foundations of tomorrow’s success stories.

International Industry Network
Twelve start-ups were chosen from over 400 applicants and given the unique opportunity to participate in the two-day Start-up Innovation Camp. In addition to receiving personal coaching sessions, the start-ups also have the opportunity to present their business models to the jury, an audience of international guests and interested investors. The best start-ups from the four categories Destination, Hospitality, Mobility and Transaction will also be awarded a cash prize and invited to join World Tourism Forum Lucerne’s start-up network.

Sign up for free today: Be there in person when the industry’s best start-ups present their business models and watch exciting panels Start-up Innovation Summit at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah on 19th January 2022 from 2pm.