Category: Latest Travel News

Quinta do Lago, Algarve, Portugal, July 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Quinta do Lago’s position at the forefront of ladies’ golf in Europe has received a ringing double endorsement with two of its new generation of stars excelling on the fairways across Europe this summer.

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses at Top 25 Golf Courses.

Teenager Sofia Barroso Sá confirmed her prodigious talent by finishing joint-second in the German Boys and Girls Open while Sara Gouveia claimed first place in the ladies’ competition, and third overall, at the third event of the 2021 Portuguese Golf Federation Tour.

Staged this year at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club – venue for the 2015 Solheim Cup – the German Boys and Girls Open is one of the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world and Sá produced an outstanding display to finish ahead of more than 100 of Europe’s best juniors.

The reigning Portuguese under-16 girls’ champion saved the best until last on the Rot Course, defying tricky weather conditions in south-west Germany to shoot a course-record one-under 71 in the final round of the 54-hole event to finish on a total of 210, two strokes behind Sweden’s Meja Ortengren.

Following a stellar amateur career which included winning the Portuguese under-18 girls’ title, Gouveia – who is based at Quinta do Lago – turned professional last year and has wasted no time in making an impact in the professional ranks, with her latest impressive performance coming at Troia Golf.

After carding a 76 in her opening 18 holes, Gouveia charged through the field in the second and final round, recording six birdies and four in the final six holes to shoot a two-under 70, one of only two players beat par at the event.

There was further good news for Quinta do Lago and the resort’s academy at Troia with Swedish teenager Maia Samuelsson, who is also based at the top Portuguese venue, finishing as the top amateur in 11th place overall after rounds of 79 and 74.

Jose Ferreira, head professional and academy manager at Quinta do Lago, said: “These results are nothing short of outstanding and I couldn’t be happier for all the players. It’s one thing to hit the ball well in practice but quite another to take that form into a tournament environment.

“They have proved that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level and the signs bode very well for the future for all three of them.”

The trio’s performances continue a fantastic run for Quinta do Lago’s academy and its talented group of boys and girls after the resort’s juniors won seven national titles in 2020 – including being crowned Portuguese junior club champions for the first time in its history.

Overseen by Ferreira, and his team of coaches, the resort’s junior team features more than 35 children in each development category – elite, competition and beginner – and age group.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and just a 15-minute drive from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations for nearly five decades and features a combination of world-class golf and lifestyle facilities.

As well as three 18-hole championship golf courses – the North, South and Laranjal – and outstanding practice facilities, guests can enjoy an array of sports at the state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to train and live well.

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses at Top 25 Golf Courses.

Complementing the facilities is a choice of 13 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines, including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and UMAMI – the resort’s first Asian restaurant which opened in May – and accommodation at the boutique The Magnolia Hotel.

About Quinta do Lago
Since its inception in 1972, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of international golf, hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international tournaments. Home to three world-class golf courses, the resort also boasts a wealth of cutting-edge practice facilities.

• Quinta do Lago North Course – Opening in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities.
• Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe’, the par-72 layout has received widespread praise for its strategically-placed hazards and varying difficulty across the 18 holes. Having hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions, the South Course is regarded as one of Portugal’s premier golfing venues.
• Laranjal – Designed by Jorge Santana da Silva in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards, and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.
• Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in the world, founded in October 2011 by Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, who is a regular visitor to the resort, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers’ play by providing them with the tools and techniques used on the professional Tours. The academy focuses especially on younger players, working in collaboration with local schools and is the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the pros.
• TaylorMade Performance Center – Quinta do Lago’s TaylorMade Performance Centre is the only facility of its kind in Portugal and is located on the resort’s expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player’s swing. It also has a fully equipped Tour standard workshop and utilises FlightScope X2 radar technology to measure the entire flight of the ball from impact to landing whilst displaying its 3D trajectory in real time.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.

Geneva, Switzerland, July 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger demand performance for June 2021 showing a very slight improvement in both international and domestic air travel markets. Demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels owing to international travel restrictions.

As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are to June 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern.

• Total demand for air travel in June 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 60.1% compared to June 2019. That was a small improvement over the 62.9% decline recorded in May 2021 versus May 2019.
• International passenger demand in June was 80.9% below June 2019, an improvement from the 85.4% decline recorded in May 2021 versus two years ago. All regions with the exception of Asia-Pacific contributed to the slightly higher demand.
• Total domestic demand was down 22.4% versus pre-crisis levels (June 2019), a slight gain over the 23.7% decline recorded in May 2021 versus the 2019 period. The performance across key domestic markets was mixed with Russia reporting robust expansion while China returned to negative territory.

“We are seeing movement in the right direction, particularly in some key domestic markets. But the situation for international travel is nowhere near where we need to be. June should be the start of peak season, but airlines were carrying just 20% of 2019 levels. That’s not a recovery, it’s a continuing crisis caused by government inaction,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

International Passenger Markets

• Asia-Pacific airlines’ June international traffic fell 94.6% compared to June 2019, unchanged from the 94.5% decline in May 2021 versus May 2019. The region had the steepest traffic declines for an eleventh consecutive month. Capacity dropped 86.7% and the load factor was down 48.3 percentage points to 33.1%, the lowest among regions.
• European carriers saw their June international traffic decline 77.4% versus June 2019, a gain from the 85.5% decrease in May compared to the same month in 2019. Capacity declined 67.3% and load factor fell 27.1 percentage points to 60.7%.
• Middle Eastern airlines posted a 79.4% demand drop in June compared to June 2019, improving from the 81.3% decrease in May, versus the same month in 2019. Capacity declined 65.3% and load factor deteriorated 31.1 percentage points to 45.3%.
• North American carriers’ June demand fell 69.6% compared to the 2019 period, improving from the 74.2% decline in May versus two years ago. Capacity sank 57.3%, and load factor dipped 25.3 percentage points to 62.6%.
• Latin American airlines saw a 69.4% drop in June traffic compared to the same month in 2019, improved over the 75.3% decline in May compared to May 2019. June capacity fell 64.6% and load factor dropped 11.3 percentage points to 72.7%, which was the highest load factor among the regions for the ninth consecutive month.
• African airlines’ traffic fell 68.2% in June versus the same month two years ago, an improvement from the 71.5% decline in May compared to May 2019. June capacity contracted 60.0% versus June 2019, and load factor declined 14.5 percentage points to 56.5%.

Domestic Passenger Markets

• China’s domestic traffic returned to negative territory in June, declining 10.8% compared to June 2019, following a 6.3% growth in May versus the same period in 2019. New restrictions had been introduced following a COVID-19 outbreak in several Chinese cities.
• US domestic traffic improved from a 25.4% decline in May versus the same month in 2019, to a 14.9% decline in June. Life in the US was starting to see some normalcy following the easing of measures and the rapid rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Bottom Line

“With each passing day the hope of seeing a significant revival in international traffic during the Northern Hemisphere summer grows fainter. Many governments are not following the data or the science to restore the basic freedom of movement. Despite growing numbers of vaccinated people and improved testing capacity we are very close to losing another peak summer season on the important trans-Atlantic market. And the UK’s flip-flop to reinstate quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from France is the kind of policy development that destroys consumer confidence when it is most needed,” said Walsh.

“A risk-managed re-connecting of the world is what we need. Vaccinated travelers should have their freedom of movement returned. An efficient testing regime can sufficiently manage risks for those unable to be vaccinated. This is the underlying message in the latest WHO travel guidance. Some governments are moving in this direction. The UK, Singapore and Canada have indicated timelines to open their borders without quarantine for vaccinated travelers. The European Commission has recommended that its member states adopt travel protocols that are closely aligned with the WHO—including testing for unvaccinated travelers. Similar moves to re-open borders in line with the WHO guidance by US—leaders in vaccinating their populations—would give critical impetus to demonstrating that we can live and travel while managing the risks of COVID-19,” said Walsh.

Bangkok, Thailand, July 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is announcing the 15 Finalists of the Experience Mekong Showcases 2021 from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand Viet Nam, as well as Guangxi and Yunnan in PR China. Finalists from Myanmar this year will be judged differently via an industry panel made up of relevant Mekong Tourism Advisory Group members. Three thousand eligible votes determined three Experience Mekong Collection members from each of the five participating countries this year for the next round of voting for this prestigious recognition. Now open for a public vote until August 31st, the six Experience Mekong Showcases will be announced at the 2021 Destination Mekong Summit later on this year. To cast your vote, please visit

The Experience Mekong Collection was created four years ago to recognize and encourage sustainable and responsible tourism development in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

To be appointed as a member of the Experience Mekong Collection, all small travel businesses in the Mekong Region need to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Make a significant social impact on its community
2. Provide an authentically local experience positioning the GMS as a
responsible, inclusive, and experiential tourism destination.
3. Have an innovative concept and sustainable business model.

Members of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) selected the 60 shortlisted Experience Mekong Collection (EMC) member businesses – twelve from five member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion from the 300+ members of the Experience Mekong Collection.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the currently active businesses – defined as businesses in communication with us, which is a requirement to be included in the Experience Mekong Showcases program – are currently at nearly 150 businesses.

“Alliances like the Experience Mekong Collection are more important than ever, especially in crises such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, to strengthen resilience both at the destination level, as well as for the individual businesses themselves, via sharing of best practices, networking, cross-promotional activities, and creating operational efficiencies”, says Mr. Jens Thraenhart, outgoing Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, and initiator of the Experience Mekong Collection, operated as part of the private-sector-led regional tourism board Destination Mekong. “I am convinced that the Experience Mekong Collection will help accelerate tourism recovery in the region, as well as protect and conserve these locally authentic experiences, which are the treasure trove of the Mekong region.”

“In recognizing the most innovative best practice businesses as the Experience Mekong Showcases, this sets several benchmarks to further improve travel experiences in the Greater Mekong Subregion. As consumer trends and travel behaviors are changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope this inspires other operators of any size to become involved in responsible and inclusive tourism,” said Mr. Willem Niemeijer, Founder & CEO of Yaana Ventures and current interim Chairman of Destination Mekong.

The 2018 Experience Mekong Collection Showcases included Phare Cambodian Circus (Cambodia), Longji Rice Terraces Guangxi (PR China), Ock Pop Tok (Lao PDR), Inle Heritage Place (Myanmar), Local Alike (Thailand), and Koto (Viet Nam). The 2019 Experience Mekong Collection Showcases included Soksabike (Cambodia), Linden Centre (PR China), Elephant Conservation Centre (Lao PDR), Hla Day (Myanmar), Sampran Riverside (Thailand), and Streets International (Viet Nam). The 2020 Experience Mekong Collection showcase include the Elephant Valley Project (Cambodia), Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (PR China), Laos Buffalo Dairy (Lao PDR), Living Irravaddy Dolphin Project (Myanmar), The Family Tree (Thailand), and Journey of the Senses (Viet Nam).

All members of the Experience Mekong Collection get exposure via Mekong Tourism and Destination Mekong, including MekongTourism.org, DestinationMekong.com, ExperienceMekong.com, and the dedicated Experience Mekong Collection Facebook and Instagram accounts. Experience Mekong Collection members also have priority access to marketing campaigns and have their own dedicated online member-only community to connect with each other.

London, United Kingdom, July 28, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The UK’s economic revival is being hampered by the lack of inbound travel while flights to amber list countries take off, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The warning comes from the global tourism body, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector.

New data collected by travel and analytics firm and WTTC knowledge partners, reveals the highest week-on-week percentage increases in tickets booked were to Germany, which were up by 113%; to Croatia up by 69%; Sweden by 68%; Portugal by 65% and Albania, up by 64%.

The data shows airline tickets booked for international trips out of the UK increased an average of 24% in the week to 13th July, compared to the previous week.

Weekly flight tickets for future travel from the UK to traditional destinations have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with Greece the most popular destination, up 211% compared to 2019.

The Bahamas follows closely, with tickets up 161% on pre-pandemic levels. Croatia has also reached pre-pandemic weekly ticketing levels in the last week (107%) while tickets for travel to Spain, which reached 88% of 2019 levels, are fast increasing.

While this was good news for land-locked Brits, desperate to enjoy a much-need summer holiday break, the British economy which relies on international visitor spend will have been left in the doldrums by the lack of reciprocal inbound travel.

Based on 2019 levels and despite the rise in domestic holidays, the lack of inbound international visitors through July, due to concern over rising coronavirus cases and the UK government’s strict quarantine rules, could rob the UK economy of a staggering £639 million each day.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “The UK’s economic recovery is going to continue to be hampered by the lack of inbound international visitors while UK travellers are leaving the UK in increasing numbers.

“Whilst staycations are helping boost the economy, it is not nearly enough to replace the £639 million which is being lost every day.

“If the situation continues, the UK will lose out on much needed revenues which international travel provides, benefitting every level of the economy far beyond the Travel & Tourism sector.

“If every day travel is curbed, more cash-strapped Travel & Tourism businesses face even greater strain pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Europe enjoys the financial benefits of British travellers returning to their markets.”

Juan Gómez Garcia, ForwardKeys Senior Insight Expert, said: “It’s reassuring to see the UK issued tickets increase for summer travel, the question remains – will those figures manage to surpass pre-pandemic levels in those destinations?”

According to WTTC’s 2021 Economic Impact Report (EIR) international visitor spend in 2019, before the pandemic struck, added a staggering £35.6 billion to the UK economy, or 4.9% of total exports.

This slumped to £10.1 billion in 2020 as the impact of travel restrictions wreaked havoc around the world, contributing to just 1.7% of total exports. This represented an eye-watering collapse of 71.6%, or £25.5 billion (need the figure in pounds, sterling).

WTTC has recently revealed that international Travel & Tourism industry leaders have backed their four new guidelines to restore international travel safely to save the millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend upon the sector, while providing a boost for the global economic recovery.

Bangkok, Thailand, July 28, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / As pandemic restrictions have been increased in Bangkok, The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok has announced game changing measures offered to guests to give unbeatable space, service and other benefits that have never been as generous for the luxury traveler, either for business or leisure. This approach is centered around the safety and well-being of guests and ensuring a positive lifestyle, even under these new restrictions.

The Athenee Hotel is targeting business guests by not only offering a luxurious room to sleep, but offering additional and completely private and exclusive spaces that are fully sanitized for guests to take advantage of, including complimentary use of an ‘Executive Office Suite’ and ‘Residents Kitchen’ in addition to
‘Restaurant Style Dining’.

The Restaurant Style Dining rooms are adapted hotel rooms offering the ultimate dining experience with stunning views over the Bangkok skyline. They are exclusive to hotel guests and considered an extension to in-room dining but offering the full a la carte menu of food and beverages from any of the four restaurants at the Epicurean Hub. Available all day from 11:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., hotel guests can take their time and enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or dinner served by their private butler. Capacity was increased recently due to popular demand as many guests enjoy the Dine-cation Package.

The Dine-cation has also attracted many leisure guests, taking advantage of the Restaurant Style Dining and staying over almost complimentary, as whatever is paid as room rate is given in dining credit. This offer bloomed from the traditional staycation, which came with restrictions meaning people were missing going out to dinner, and so the Dine’cation was born.

With every aspect of dining taken care of, guests can now have their own private office space in addition to their own private dining rooms at The Athenee Hotel. These spaces are offered complimentary, adding to their private and sanitized space of what is normally expected from a hotel. In addition, these Executive Office Suites offer 24-hour access, room service, private bathroom, lounge seating and coffee making machine. Technology support can be provided if needed and up to four registered guests can use together, as an extension to the hotel room. Guests must pre-book, as subject to availability, and they are given the key for private access. Once they are finished, the office suite is cleaned and sanitized, ready for use again. The office is offered to all hotel guests who are staying a little longer, with no time limits and complimentary.

Combining Restaurant Style Dining rooms with an Executive Office Suite, with no additional charge for these spaces, highlights the value offered and has changed the lifestyle of guests staying at the hotel. Recent guests to benefit from these additional benefits and services were the McFaull family who themselves were the inspiration behind some of these enhancements. “Staying in Bangkok for a few months for work with my family, we considered a condo; but this was a game changer for us. Having private workspace around the clock gave a change of environment, privacy, and felt safe. We could live as normal a lifestyle as anyone could have. It was not about price or upgrades but offering a service people really want; we are so grateful,” said Alex McFaull, when talking about his stay.

These are not the only new initiatives with which The Athenee Hotel is leading the way. Others include the new Residents Kitchen, allowing long-stay guests the option to cook, making the hotel a true home away from home. There are even more plans to enhance the lifestyle of guests with more initiatives launching soon…
“During these difficult times, we are adapting to our guests’ needs and these needs have changed drastically and continue to develop based on restrictions and safety measures,” says Ross Park, director of sales and
marketing at The Athenee Hotel.

“Many of our guests are staying longer, and some are not able to go to the office or visit their clients, so we are stepping up and changing the business and leisure landscape in Bangkok. At the same time, we see our loyal guests of The Silk Road (Cantonese), The House of Smooth Curry (Thai), The Allium Bangkok (French) and Kintsugi, by Jeff Ramsey (Japanese) returning using ‘Dine’cation – Stay for Free’.

“This really is a game changer. Our commitment is to offer a true lifestyle experience for our guests, whether business or leisure stays and offering full services on dining, working, fitness, cooking and cultural experiences, even during these times,” added Brendon Partridge, hotel manager.

Johannesburg, South Africa, July 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The third Africa Youth in Tourism & Innovation challenge summit is scheduled to take place in Ghana’s capital of Accra from July 27-30, 2021.

The event which will be conducted in a hybrid format is aimed at mentoring and bringing the continent’s youthful minds to interact with leaders of the tourism and technological world.

The august gathering is organized by Africa Tourism Partners in collaboration with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), BDO and hosted by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Tourism Authority.

With the tourism sector still reeling from the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, the event has come at the right time to help highlight the opportunities that the pandemic presents to the tourism sector.

Themed, “Empowering African youth through tourism innovation, education, and investments in a changing world’’, the summit focuses on skills development and innovation methodologies for youth in leisure and business tourism as well as MICE. It also highlights the need for an ecosystem approach among tourism stakeholders to enable entrepreneurs to grow and develop. This being the 3rd year running, the Pan-African summit gathers youth, start-ups (in leisure tourism and MICE), and professionals to harness the potential of this sector by sharing insights, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities.

The Regional Director of Africa at United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Elcia Grandcourt says the coronavirus pandemic has presented the tourism sector and the youth an opportunity to use technology and innovation to develop sustainable job models to shape society. ‘’With the adverse effects of covid-19 on the tourism sector, innovation and the use of technology offers an opportune platform for disruptive projects that are changing the way people travel and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be harnessed as models for the future. The Africa Youth in Tourism and Innovation Summit is aligned with UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa; Tourism for Inclusive Growth’’

Speakers include Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, UNWTO’s Regional Director for Africa Elcia Grandcourt, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Agyeman, Judy Kepher-Gona – Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda Natalia Bayona (UNWTO), Amadeus (Racquel), Velma Corcoran, Air BnB, Richard Perez (Hasso Plattner Foundation, UCT), Prof Kim Shapiro (Cornell University), Dianne Dusaidi (MasterCard Foundation), Christelle Grohmann (BDO), Regina Honu, CEO – Soronko Academy , York Zucci, Chairperson – Centre for Unconventional Entrepreneurship and Ashwin Ravichabdran (MEST Africa).

The Innovation challenge has received entries from youth innovators from eight African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia.

Shortlisted Innovation Challenge competitors will have the opportunity to be supported and mentored to compete in the UNWTO Global Innovation Challenge. Participants in the Summit and competition will benefit in many ways such as:
• Career guidance for fresh high school and university graduates interested in travel and tourism and MICE eco-system careers;
• Creating a new exclusive marketplace for African Youth and Start-Ups and SMMEs in leisure tourism, business tourism and MICE
• Gaining insights into supply-chain linkages, market access, funding, business recovery and continuity opportunities between start-ups established & big industry stakeholders across leisure and business travel as well as MICE;
• Synergies amongst public sector entities (including National Tourism Organisations, Convention Bureaux and Conference Centres), start-ups, academia, corporations, investors, accelerators.

The five (5) shortlisted competitors will participate in the finals of the Youth Innovation Summit and Challenge that will take place on the margins of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards scheduled to take place in Rwanda in mid-November.

Celtic Manor, Wales, United Kingdom, July 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / IGTM 2021 will take place from 18th-21st October 2021 at Celtic Manor in Wales. The return of events as we know them, face to face is back. Reed Exhibitions, the organiser behind IGTM (International Golf Travel Market) has confirmed that its live event is back for 2021. The first international face to face meeting of the golf travel industry for the past 2 years.

Scheduled to take place from 18th – 21st October 2021 at Celtic Manor in Wales, it is also the first time the event has been held in the UK. Designed to kickstart the business opportunities for this leisure sector post COVID-19, golf tourism is poised to grow by $5.36 billion from 2020-2024 .

In a statement released today, David Todd, Event Manager of IGTM said: “We’re delighted to announce the return of IGTM that we know so many businesses rely on at such a crucial time to help support the bounce back of the golf tourism industry. We have been working closely with our venue partner, the ICC Wales to ensure a safe live event and are looking forward to welcoming the community once again – this is an industry that is a real revenue generator for golf facilities and hosts millions of leisure travellers worldwide, so we look forward to connecting everyone again.”

There are already more than 135 tour operators, travel agents, concierge companies and event planners confirmed from 28 countries including Golfbreaks (UK), Leadingcourses.com (Netherlands) and Women on Fairways (US), with numbers increasing every day. They will meet with similar numbers of the world’s top golf courses, resorts, hotels, tourist boards and DMCs – and delighted to announce the latest confirmed exhibitor is The PGA with 10 of its partner properties will be participating too.

Commenting on their participation, Guy Moran, Head of Property and Development at The PGA said: “The PGA is delighted to confirm its participation at IGTM 2021, where 10 PGA Branded Properties plus The PGA itself will attend this industry leading event. All PGA Branded Properties hope that the event will provide direct value to them as golf travel continues its journey back to a safer and healthier conditions.”

Exhibitors, buyers, and media will join forces for 4 days of pre-scheduled appointments, networking, and the IGTM annual golf tournament.

Host venue to IGTM 2021, ICC Wales, Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting this much-anticipated event in October, as part of what we hope will be a successful resumption of the meetings industry during the second half of the year. We have been working tirelessly with industry partners and the Welsh Government to ensure we have robust safety protocols in place to facilitate the safe return of conventions of the size and scope of IGTM, and we cannot wait to see delegates coming back to our exceptional meeting spaces. We will continue to be guided by the latest medical advice and Welsh Government guidance, but the pilot events conducted across the UK as part of the Event Research programme demonstrated what we have long advocated – that the events industry is uniquely well placed to reopen safely, and their organised nature means compliance with procedures like Test and Trace is already built into standard practices.”

Commenting at the close of IGTM LINKS 2020, exhibitors and buyers were looking forward to the return of the face-to-face event:

Petra Darmstädter from Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf said: “Digital events shouldn’t replace the physical, face-to-face IGTM meetings as I missed the networking and unscheduled chats. I look forward to this next year in Wales.”

Pascale Despieres from Parcours & Voyages in France said: “We wish all IGTM members and associates the best for the next coming months and we look forward to meeting you all in 2021 in Celtic Manor.”

About International Golf Travel Market
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) now in its 24th edition, is the meeting place for the global B2B golf travel community. More than 450 golf tourism suppliers join more than 380 pre-qualified buyers and international press for four days of unmissable pre-scheduled appointments, exclusive networking opportunities and invaluable industry and trend updates. Taking place in a different destination every year, IGTM brings together golf tourism professionals from over 46 countries. Next events: IGTM Wales – 18th-21st October 2021

About RX (Reed Exhibitions)
RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face to face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalisation is approximately £33bn, €39bn, $47bn.

Cascais, Portugal, July 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Quinta da Marinha is offering golfers the perfect balance of privacy, Portuguese authenticity and contemporary décor after investing €1.5m into the refurbishment of its 27 villas.

With self-contained accommodation set to be the trend this summer and beyond as people ease themselves back into international travel and busy hotels following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lisbon resort has refurbished and expanded all its existing villas to entice groups of friends and families.

As well as renovating each villa to give them a fresh new look, they have also been adapted to create more space. Previously offering one-bedroom (Th1) and two-bedroom (Th2) options, each villa has been reconfigured to fit an extra single bedroom, so can now accommodate either one more adult or child each.

The Th1 villa can now accommodate two adults and two children or three adults and one child, while the Th2 now sleeps four adults and two children or five adults and one child.

Other than the spacious, comfortable rooms, each villa is also fully air-conditioned and features a living room with fireplace and flat-screen TV showing satellite channels, free WiFi, fully-equipped kitchenette, in addition to a garden and large outdoor terrace.

Under an hour’s drive from Lisbon in stunning Cascais, the five-star Quinta da Marinha resort is part of the ‘Great Hotels of the World’ portfolio and boasts an esteemed Robert Trent Jones-designed par-71 golf course with outstanding views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains.

Quinta da Marinha’s idyllic location in the heart of the Portuguese countryside is perfect for holidaymakers looking to escape and disconnect from the stresses of the past 18 months, while also having the option to keep space from other travellers. For those who would like to stay in their own ‘bubble’, picnic baskets and meals can be ordered as a takeaway from the resort’s Rocca restaurant or even delivered to the villa’s door. There is also a concierge service so that guests can purchase goods without the need to leave their accommodation.

Quinta da Marinha sales director, João Pinto Coelho, said: “Our villa renovation programme has been completed just as the right time as we start to welcome back international visitors again.

“We feel that this type of accommodation will be extremely popular for the remainder of the year with people desperate to get away, but may still want to distance themselves from the hustle and bustle and limit their social contact. Our villas are the perfect solution – as our guests will still be able to escape to the spectacular Portuguese sunshine and enjoy everything our resort has to offer.”

Guests can combine rounds of golf with visits to the resort’s outdoor pool, the heated indoor pool, as well as the sauna, Turkish bath and sensory showers.

There is also an abundance of other activities available at an extra cost, including bike tours, horse riding, tennis and padel courts, surfing lessons and private guided tours to Sintra and Lisbon.

A stunning stretch of coastline is just a few minutes away, while there is much more to the enticing region with wine-tasting, historic landmarks, outstanding beaches – including the famous Guincho Beach – and the breathtaking natural beauty of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park to explore.

Geneva, Switzerland, July 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that based on its latest passenger survey conducted in June, most air travelers are confident about the safety of air travel and support mask-wearing in the near-term. However, a majority are also frustrated with the “hassle factor” around COVID-19 protocols, including confusion and uncertainty about travel rules, testing requirements, and excessive test costs.

The survey of 4,700 travelers in 11 markets around the world shows that:

• 85% believe aircraft are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
• 65% agree the air on an aircraft is as clean as an operating room

Among those who have traveled since June 2020, 86% felt safe onboard owing to COVID-19 measures:

• 89% believe protective measures are well implemented
• 90% believe airline personnel do a good job of enforcing the measures

Passengers strongly support mask wearing onboard (83%) and strict enforcement of mask rules (86%), but a majority also believe the mask requirement should be ended as soon as possible.

“Air travelers recognize and value the safety measures put in place to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during air travel. And they support the continuation of these measures as long as necessary, but they also don’t want the measures to become permanent. In the meantime, we all need to respect the rules and the safety of fellow passengers. It is unacceptable that unruly passenger incidents have doubled compared to 2019, and the increase in physically abusive behavior is a particular cause for great concern,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

At the same time, participants admit that they struggle with the COVID-related rules and requirements and that this impacts their willingness to travel:

• 70% thought the rules and the accompanying paperwork were a challenge to understand
• 67% saw arranging testing as a hassle
• 89% agreed governments must standardize vaccinations/testing certifications

“These responses should be a wake-up call to governments that they need to do a better job of preparing for a restart. Almost two thirds of respondents plan to resume travel within a few months of the pandemic being contained (and borders opened). And by the six-month mark almost 85% expect to be back to travel. To avoid overwhelming airports and border control authorities, governments need to agree to replace paper-based processes with digital solutions like the IATA Travel Pass for vaccine and testing documentation,” said Walsh.

Almost nine out of ten respondents like the idea of using a mobile app to store their travel health credentials and 87% support a secure digital system to manage health credentials. However, 75% say they will only use an app if they have full control of their vaccine/test data. “IATA Travel Pass enables travelers to receive, store and share their health information with governments and airlines but they always keep control of the information on their own mobile device. Now is the time for governments to facilitate digital solutions like IATA Travel Pass to avoid chaos at airports as travel begins to return,” said Walsh.

Macao, Macao SAR, July 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Wine Society of Macau, AmCham Macau, DOC DMC Macau and co-organizer MGM join hands to present a California wine pairing experience, taking place from 6pm to 10pm on August 7 at the Vista, MGM COTAI. The event features a fine selection of American wines from the state of California, as well as food pairing curated by the chef’s team of MGM, for all wine enthusiasts in town to savor.

Serving 21 labels from signature wine regions of California, such as Napa and Sonoma, this particular wine pairing night is set to be one of the most unique and unprecedented occasions in Macau, to sip some of the most prestigious and sought-after wines of California. Labels being served include resounding names like Joseph Phelps, Duckhorn Vineyards, Shafer, Grgich Hills, Freemark Abbey, Black Stallion, Far Niente and Robert Mondavi. Guests may also savor two jewels on the crown at the “Collector Wine” table – “Cask 23” of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and “Martha’s Vineyard” of Heitz Cellars. The former was the winner among the red wines in the historic Judgement of Paris in 1976, where a panel of finest judges, who were among the best tasters in France, rated a California wine as the best for both the red and white flights. Both of these not-to-be-missed prestigious wines are available for all guests by the glass, exclusively at the event.

Alongside the fine selection of wines, the event also serves a menu of 12 dishes that pair wonderfully with the bottles, curated by American chef Conor Beach, Chef de Cuisine of Grill
58, MGM COTAI and his team. Also originated from California, Chef Beach creates these exquisite dishes that pay homage to the state’s diverse gastronomy offering, by fusing
techniques and ingredients from different cuisines, such as European, Asian and South
American. Each of the dish also makes good pair with one or two wines from the lineup of wine to perfect the pairing experience.

What’s more, the event will be enlivened by the tunes of some of the greatest American song book hits played by the virtuoso Tomos Griffiths Jazz Trio. The Tomos Griffiths Jazz Trio gathers three of the finest musicians in the region, Tomos Griffiths, João Mascarenhas and Ivan Pineda. They have performed with many of the Jazz greats including the Count Basie Orchestra, Chick Corea and Randy Brecker, just to name a few. The Tomos Griffiths Jazz Trio will be performing numbers from the legends such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Bobby Darin to get everyone’s toes tapping, followed by an afterparty with DJ presence.

Ticket is priced at MOP600 per person. Price includes eight wine tokens, all-you-can-eat food and after-party access. Each token is worth MOP20 for redeeming wines and other drinks. All the wines can be tasted and purchased by the glass at with said tokens.

The President of the Wine Society of Macau, Filipe Cunha Santos, says, “Wine afficionados should not miss this opportunity to enjoy some of the best wines from California that us organizers have prepared with an exquisite menu brought by MGM culinary team.”

For more information and bookings please visit: www.winedine-macau.com

About The Wine Society of Macau
The Wine Society of Macau is a non-profit organization and can be considered has a very active Association in Macau. It focuses on the promotion of events related to wine tastings, courses, tourism and business networking. It is affiliated to the FICC (The International Federation of Wine Brotherhoods) and with the Hong Kong Wine Society.

About Amcham Macau
AmCham Macau, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 2007 to facilitate and promote American business interests and best American business practices in Macau. AmCham Macau is a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Asia – Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce.

About DOC DMC Macau
The DOC DMC Macau Ltd is an event management company expert in meetings, incentives and wine events. Since 2008 that DOC DMC Macau Ltd organizes wine events in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mainland China, namely wine tastings, seminars, masterclasses, festivals and wine-related dinners and parties. Together with the Wine Society of Macau DOC DMC produced Macau’s largest wine event – the Macau Wine & Dine Festival in 2013, 14 and 15.

About MGM COTAI
MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self- supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.