Category: Latest Travel News

The Covid-19 has brought so many changes to the world, including Events, Festivals and Awards season. The 2020 International Tourism Film Festival Awards was held as a virtual, digital Event, due to Covid -19 safety concerns.

Following the nominations for the Awards earlier please find the Laureates List for 2020 here and the virtual presentation by clicking here.

The International Tourism Film Festival as physical Event is postponed for 2021. The online Award Ceremony is taking place over the same dates as the physical Event, on 13th of November.

Laureates were awarded online.

About the Festival:

INTERSTAS / International project of tourism, tourist film, landscaping, founded 1994. By the initiatives of The FEST / European Federation of Tourist Journalists and Writers, Rome, Italy, since 2003 becomes center „International Club of Merit for Tourism“.

In its own development program INTERSTAS has founded two more international events; 1988 with the support of FEST and ITF substantiates ITF’CRO / International Film Festival, and in 2003 became a member of the European Flower and Landscape Association – AEFP / EFE, and substantiates KEA-CRO / Landscape Flower Competition of Croatian Cities, Hundreds, Centers for GOLDEN CVIJET EUROP and Special Award “Dr. Lucija Čikeš ”

PATRONAGE, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

This unique event of its kind in Croatia in the field of tourism, tourism film, landscape, will be held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia.

Consequently, continuing their marketing, cultural and tourist activities FISCALIS / is a founder and organizer of international tourism event, film festival and landscaping event and a member of international tourism, film and landscaping associations: FEST, FIJET, AEFP / EFE, ITCO.

AWARDS 2020

27th INTERSTAS ‘2020./ International Festival of Tourism, Tour Film Festival and Landscape – International Club of Merited in Tourism

23rd ITF’CRO ‘2020./ International Tourfilm Festival

18th KEA-CRO ‘2020./ Presentation of Croatian towns/places for ”International Golden Flower – CIB”

On 27th INTERSTAS ‘2020, from the 17 countries in the world; out of 56 nominated candidates (individuals, companies, associations) 37 candidates are nominated and 17 LAUREATES are selected. Directory of INTERSTAS and FEST/European Federation of Tourism Journalists,decided the assign specified prestigious international tourism awards, based on the submitted candidacies and explanations of the Commission of Tourism Journalists for every individual and organization, according to the propositions of the award. Selected Laureates with their high creative quality of work, their projects, development programs, tourism presentation, cultural, spiritual, and similar programs, as well as recognition for their individual and collective contributions, directly or indirectly promote and enhance the development of tourism.

At the 23st ITF’CRO / International Tourfilm Festival,

Out of 147 countries around the globe, a huge number of even 412 films have been reported from category; tourist, travel, documentary, cultural-historical, ecological films.

Out of the total number of registered filmmakers, 178 films were nominated for one of the festival awards, the special Croatian award “Baldo Čupić” and the Grand prix -23. ITF’CRO

KEA-CRO/From Croatia out of 6, 3 candidates are nominated and 1 LAUREATE is selected for special award “Lucija Čikeš” and one finalist candidated for Certificate KEA –CIB 2021.

WINNERS OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD CHARTER FEST “ ANTONIO CONTE “

Fijet Members and long term FIJET HR partners, as follows:

Ludmila NOVACKA, Slovakia ; President of FIJET Slovakia: For excellence in contributing to the international development of tourism.

Dario NOVALIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Editor in Chief and owner of the Magazine B&H start and B&H Travel: For excellence in contributing to professionalism in journalism and development of wine and gastronomy tourism

Nikola SERDAR,Fijet Croatia , Owner of the Company NIMCRO, Zagreb: For excellence in contributing to the international development of Croatian tourism

Šime STRIKOMAN, Television Cameraman and author of the project Millenium Photo, Vodice –Dalmatia
For excellence projects „Millenium Photo „Terra Croatica“, „ Festival of guardians of Jesus’ tomb “, and excellence in promotion of cultural tourism”

Slobodan VLAŠIĆ, Journalist , Dubrovnik, “ For extraordinary contribution to development of tourism”

Miroslav RADMAN, Professor, Acamedician MedILS, Split :“ For outstanding contribution to Croatian science and international branding”

Ivana KULJERIĆ BILIĆ, Professor at the Academy of Music,Zagreb :“For extraordinary contribution to the development of cultural tourism”

Denis IVANOVIĆ, City Mayor Kastela Towns: “For excellence in contributing to the development of tourism”.

Vlado KRAUTHAKER, Wine Producer Krauthaker d.o.o.:“For extraordinary contribution to the development of wine tourism”

Boris NEMEC, Special Clinic for Orthopedics,Matulj : “For extraordinary contribution to the development of health tourism“

Ranka VELIMIROVIĆ, LIBRA FILM Productions, Beograd, Serbia: Posthumously for outstanding contribution to the development of culture and tourism

CERTIFICATE KEA-CRO 2020 – FOR INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN FLOWER – CiB ‘2020

CITY OF KAŠTELA (Near Split, Central Dalmatia)

SPECIAL AWARD „DR. LUCIJA ČIKEŠ“ ‘2020

Edit LEMAL, Director of the Center for Education „Ivan Štark“, Osijek, Hrvatska : „for excellence in the work of people with special needs„

WINNERS OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS OF THE 27th INTERSTAS 2020 for extraordinary contribution to the development of tourism

Tomislav KLARIĆ, City Mayor of the town Bakar-Kvarner

Nada MARŠIĆ, Tourist Office Director of Kaštela towns

Danijel MARUŠIĆ, Mayor of Brodsko-Posavska County

INTERNTAIONAL AWARDS GOLDEN INTERSTAS 2020:

Tourist Office Bakar ( Turistička zajednica grada Bakra), Kvarner Region)

Tourist Office Bol (Turistička zajednica Općine Bol), island Brac, Central Dalmatia)

Tourist Office Kastela (Turistička zajednica grada Kaštela), Central Dalmatia)

Tourist Office County Slavonski Brod-Posavina (Turistička zajednica Brodsko – posavske županije)

AWARDED FILMS AND AUTHORS – 22. ITF’CRO 2020

Special Acknowledgment -ITF’CRO ‘2020

Author and producer VOLJEN GRBAC, for film: MEKNES THE JEWEL OF MOROCCO…

TOURIST’S, /3’17”/ 2020/, Morocco

Authors Paula and Đelo jr. Jusić HRVATSKO BLAGO – BIJELO ZLATO IZ STONA /10′ / 2020/, Producer: „ADRIA TON“, Zagreb, Croatia

Film/video EGYPT-LIKE NEVER BEFORE /2’28”/ Producer :NPA; Egypt

Film/video PROMOTIONAL VIDEO SENEGAL /1’34”/- Senegal

Film/video TUNISIA – TRAVEL VIDEO /3’13”/ – Tourist Bord, Tunisia

Film/video THIS IS HAITI ‒ ‘A PARADISE UNKNOWN’ (AYITI), /3’12”/ NTB, -Haiti

Film/video BRAZIL | BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY! TIMELAPSE, /2’59”/ -Producer : NTO,Brazil

Film/video WELCOME TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / 1’59”/ – Trinidad and Tobago

Film/video TURKEY PROMOTION – GO TURKEY, /2’39”/ Producer: NTO, Turkey

Film/video TOURISM RUSMICE,/ 1’17”/ Producer: „Promo A“, Russia

Author NEBOJŠA ILKE za film GROCANSKE PRIČE – GROCKA TALES (50’), Producer “NII”, Vlasotince, Serbia

Film/video OTKRIJ LJEPOTU – PROMO FILM , /2’51”/2020,County Tourist Office Sl.Brod-Posavina, Croatia

Film/video spots IZNJMLJIVAČI, ZMAJEVA ŠPILJA, DOMINIKANSKI SAMOSTAN, (3’10’’’), Producer: “Tourist Office Bol, Croatia

Author KREŠIMIR ČERNEKA for film/video BAKAR – WALK THROUGH HISTORY, /2’50”/ 2020, Applicant: Tourist Office Bakar, Croatia

Film/video CENTRAL DALMATIA: A DREAM WAITING FOR YOU /2’/2020, Producer: „Moonstone Production“ nominated by County Tourist Office Split- Dalmatia, Croatia

Author ŽELJKA PERDIĆ, for film/video KAŠTELANSKA BAKA MASLINA /3’30’’/ 2020, Appplicant: Tourist Office Kaštela, Croatia

Film/video KAŠTELA GRAD PO MJERI ČOVJEKA /9’13’’/ In Production: Studio KA-LU, Producer: Tourist Office Kaštela, Croatia

Film MEET THE CRIKVENICA RIVIERA (2’03’’) 2019, Producer: “Envy”, Applicant: Tourist Office Crikvenica, Croatia

Film RIJEKA 2020 EUROPEAN CAPITOL OF CULTURE, (3’12’’) Producer: Tourist Office Rijeka, Croatia

DIPLOMAS – 22.ITF’CRO 2020

a/ For author‘s work

INDIA NATIONAL TOURISM DAY, In production: National Tourism Organization, India

CROATIA YOUR NEXT FILMING DESTINATION, In production: Croatian Tourist Office, Croatia

CHINA TOURISM PROMOTIONAL VIDEO, In production: National Tourist Office China

AUTHOR& DIRECTOR DAVIDE RINALDI FOR FILM: „GENERATION BEAUTY“ THE REGENERATION OF RIONE SANITA IN NAPLES, In production Rai 3, Italy

MATEJ MESTROVIC Author, Director- The award for the most original song for the movie: DOLCELLO MEDITERRANA, Island Brioni

b/ the best film of the festival up to 50 minutes, in the film presentation of the traditional customs of the living culture, was proclaimed:

Film: ROME’S INNER CITY ARTISANS“, Director LUIGI GIULIANO CECCARELI, In production: Rai 3, Italy

c/The best film of the festival in the category up to 3 min, was proclaimed:

Film/Video: THE TOURISM DECADE / It’s More Fun in the Philippines, In Production -National Tourist Office, Philippines.

d/ The best film of the festival in the category Travel -Documentary , was proclaimed:

Author: ADRIANO BOTTARO for film: THE ADVENT IN AUSTRIA, In production: “A.BOTTARO”, Austria

e/THE FESTIVAL’S BEST TOURIST PROMOTIONAL MOVIE, INTERNATIONAL JURY OF THE FESTIVAL AWARDS: ( ‘Grand Prix’ – 1. statua)

Film/Video: MEXICO A WORLD OF ITS OWN, In production: National Tourist Board Mexico

f/ THE FESTIVAL’S BEST CROATIAN NATIONAL TOURIST PROMOTIONAL MOVIE „ BALDO CUPIC“, INTERNATIONAL JURY OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD:

Film/video: CROATIA – FULL OF ISLANDS TO DISCOVER,In production: Croatian Tourist Office, Croatia

CONGRATULATIONS

FISCALIS is a proud organizer of annual International Tourism Film festival 2020

An annual highlight of ITTF is the Ceremony of Tourism Awards, an event dedicated to the celebration of exceptional knowledge, experience, projects, contribution to the development in the field of tourism.

Thank you to all of you Laureates for your excellence and contribution to a thriving, sustainable tourism industry and the success of 2020 ITTF. We wish the Laureates continued success. Congratulations to all winners!

Mr. Vojko PLEŠTINA
Founder and CEO of INTERSTAS, ITF’CRO, KEA – CRO
President of ITCO / International Federation of Tourism Film Festival
Ms. Tina ČUBRILO
President of Fijet Croatia, V.P. Fijet and the Member of Fijet Golden Apple Committee

Hua Hin, Thailand, November 17, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Pioneering healthy and active lifestyle community Banyan Hua Hin has unveiled the “Banyan Privilege Club Golf Classic” at its award-winning course, featuring a golf tournament, an Open Day complete with wellness provided by partner Chiva-Som, a golf clinic by popular PGA pro John Wither, and a host of social events and entertaining activities.

The one-day event also features a golf clinic by PGA pro John Wither, spa treatments by world-leading wellness brand Chiva-Som, and an exquisite evening of relaxed barbecue dining and entertainment.

Hosted on Sunday 29th November 2020, the inaugural “Banyan Privilege Club Open Day and Golf Classic” will be an occasion for golfers and non-golfers alike to meet old friends and forge new relationships. It will be staged in the stunning surroundings of the Banyan Golf Club, the award-winning course nestled between the mountains and the sea on Thailand’s gulf coast. Designed by Thailand’s leading golf course architect, Pirapon Namatra, it has been recognised as one of “The Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses” and was named as the “Best Golf Experience in Asia Pacific” once again this year.

For golfers, the action-packed day starts at 10am as they tee-off for the Golf Classic. This mixed ladies’ and men’s tournament is played over 18 holes in a Stableford format, with three categories for different handicaps – scratch to nine, ten to 18, and 19 to 28-plus. Prizes will be awarded for each contest, along with separate honours for landing nearest the pin and the longest drive.

Banyan Golf Club is a spectacular par-72 course featuring undulating fairways and manicured greens Banyan Golf Club is also welcoming non-golfers and beginners to play for free. John Wither, a PGA professional who won Asian Golf’s “Best Professional Golf Coach in Asia Pacific” award, will host the Open Day and Golf Clinic, featuring introductory lessons, a mini putting competition, and the chance to play three holes on the main course. Open to juniors and adults alike, this provides the ideal opportunity to swing a club for the first time or to improve your skills, potentially leading to a new lifelong passion or pastime. Two sessions are available, in the morning (9-10am) and afternoon (4-5pm).

The professional therapists from Chiva-Som, the international health resort in Hua Hin, will also be on hand to prepare the players with stretching sessions or to soothe any aching muscles with a massage.

After the day’s sporting events come to an end, every guest can enjoy an evening of food and entertainment. A barbecue dinner will be hosted under the stars at Banyan Golf Club, including sizzling meats and seafood, accompanied by salads, sides and sauces, and of course, plenty of cold refreshments. A live band will play until late, providing the perfect backdrop for guests to mingle, make new connections and reflect on a delightful day.

“Banyan Golf Club is one of the finest courses in Asia, so we want everyone to experience it. Our inaugural Golf Classic and Open Day will allow golfers and non-golfers to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Whether you’re a seasoned player with a low handicap, a first-timer looking for a new active hobby, or a non-golfer who just wants to enjoy a great night out, this unique event lets everyone tee-off in style and socialise with like-minded people. We look forward to welcoming old friends and new faces on 29th November,” said Mr. Tjeert Kwant, CEO of Banyan Group.

Entry into the Golf Classic is priced at THB 2,400 for Banyan Privilege Club members, and THB 3,000 for non-members, including the barbecue dinner and a welcome drink. Banyan Golf Club members only have to pay THB 800 for the dinner. The Open Day and Golf Clinic is free-of-charge to members of the Banyan Privilege Club, and tickets to the barbecue dinner can be booked for just THB 800 per person, including a welcome drink. For more information how to become a Banyan Privilege Club member and the full collection of partners and privileges.

About Banyan Thailand, Hua Hin
Stylish, spacious and sophisticated, Banyan Thailand, Hua Hin is a spectacular residential community development nestled between the mountains and the sea near Thailand’s glittering gulf coast. Just 2.5 hours’ drive from Bangkok and 10 minutes from Hua Hin, our private villas come fully equipped with the latest fixtures and facilities. Investors can own their unique private residence in this exclusive estate, guests can rent one of our spacious two-bedroom pool villas for an extended vacation, dine at exceptional restaurants and enjoy activities courtesy of our Banyan Privilege card or play at one of our world-renowned Banyan Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course created by Thailand’s number one golf course architect, Pirapon Namatra.

London, United Kingdom, November 16, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, presents its second in a series of Travel & Tourism focussed virtual events next week, with “One Voice – To Recovery & Beyond” taking place on 1 December.

The “One Voice” series of events is designed to shed light on the devastating impact COVID-19 is having on the global Travel & Tourism sector, and how an internationally coordinated approach is vital in order to lead us on the road to recovery.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

The series focusses on how and why the sector needs to come together to work towards the recovery of the hundreds of millions of jobs lost, and livelihoods impacted.

The event on 1 December will explore the challenges along the road to recovery, as well as the ability to convert them into opportunities for the Travel & Tourism sector.

The event will be held in three sessions, moderated by Richard Quest, CNN International Anchor and the face of the highly acclaimed Quest Means Business show, and Ros Atkins, BBC News presenter.

The first session will look at the future of Travel & Tourism post COVID-19 and will feature Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC; Christoph Wolff, Head of Mobility Industries, WEF; Luis Araujo, President, ETC; Roger Dow, President & CEO, USTA; and Fang Liu, Secretary General, ICAO.

The second session will explore ways to break down barriers to travel, such as quarantines and travel restrictions, and will feature Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports International; and J.D. O’Hara, CEO, Internova Travel Group.

The third session will reflect on the lasting social impact of Travel & Tourism, looking at ways that Travel & Tourism both directly and indirectly benefits individuals and local communities. It will feature Brett Tollman, CEO, The Travel Corporation; Kate Mikesell, President, Hilton Effect Foundation; and Douglas Sabo, Chief Sustainability Officer, Visa.

Speakers will discuss what is needed to move forward towards recovery and how the Travel & Tourism sector can we learn from the past, in order to rebuild together, in a more sustainable and responsible way.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

Gloria Guevara said: “We are thrilled to be continuing our virtual events series with this critical topic surrounding the future of Travel & Tourism. We are grateful to Richard Quest, Ros Atkins, as well as our WTTC Members and other industry leaders for coming together to help make this event a possibility.

“This is a critical time for our sector. Our latest data shows that 174 million Travel & Tourism jobs are at risk of being lost in 2020, so it’s vital we recover as many as possible now in order to power the economic recovery and save the ailing Travel & Tourism sector.”

Seville, Spain, November 16, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism recovery is possible if countries start collaborating and developing systems to ensure a safe travel and experience through antigen tests or technology. Seville will prove this idea at the upcoming event Tourism Innovation Summit, held on 25, 26 and 27 November, where all participants will have access to a Free Covid Antigen Fast Test by Abbott.

The Advisory Board of the organization was reunited this week formed by public and private tourism organizations such as WTTC, ETOA, Skal international, Necstour, Amadeus, Telefónica, Mastercard, Magnolia, Mabrian, CaixaBank, EY, City Sightseeing Worldwide, Iberia or Deloitte, among many other leading organizations. The board decided to officially give green light to the first edition of TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit 2020 in Seville, as a real need of the industry to meet and define a recovery plan. The city will host this event from 25 to 27 November thanks to the support of the Seville City Council, the Andalusian Government and the Secretary of State for Tourism, with a unanimous decision of celebration.  

TIS will become the pilot and a recovery guide for the tourism sector in 2021. During three days, Seville will bring together top brilliant tourism, technological and government key players to define new measures and strategies to boost recovery and redirect the ups and downs of the pandemic on the following season. Some of the top speakers announced are the president of WTTC, Gloria Guevara, the smart tourism expert, Doug Lansky, the founder of Musement-TUI, Claudio Bellinzona, the UNWTO Innovation Manager, Natalia Bayona, the Europe Director of PATA, Daniela Wagner or the CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide, Enrique Ybarra. 

“We expect Seville to become the key global epicentre for the economic recovery of the tourism sector by using outstanding technology. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that this event can be held with current health regulations”, said Antonio Muñoz, Deputy City of Seville. “Seville is capable of holding a great event like TIS that will showcase the key to tourism recovery in our country. We are aware of the situation, but we are convinced of the benefits of holding this congress”. 

“Tourism Innovation Summit was born as an event focused on technology to boost the competitiveness of the tourism sector, but now it will also be focused on its economic recovery. This is a congress created by and for the industry that will make Seville the world capital of technological innovation in the tourism sector,” explained Albert Planas, CEO of TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit. “200 of the most brilliant minds in the field of tourism innovation will take part of the summit. Additionally, Portugal will be the guest country in this first edition, as a benchmark destination for the sector thanks to its strategy to reposition itself as a global tourism destination”.  

TIS 2020 agenda will include extensive health prevention protocols to ensure maximum safety on travel. For this reason, in addition to the current measures established by the health authorities, free antigen tests will be offered to all attendees, speakers and staff of the organisation. In fact, this is the main safety measure and the principle demand from the tourism industry worldwide to all the competent authorities: antigen tests at origin and destination, to recover the confidence of travellers and tourists, as it is expected that the virus will not disappear in a short time. “In this sense, TIS will assume the benchmark reference event position”, concluded Albert Planas. 

Manuel Alejandro Cardenete, from Junta de Andalucía, explained how the administration supports this event as it is fundamental for the reactivation of the tourism sector in our country. Cardenete also explained his commitment to the digitization of the sector with the implementation of different initiatives such as training and the granting of subsidies for tourism SMEs to go digital. “TIS is in line with our commitment to achieve tourism internationalization with the help of new technologies. We hope that circumstances will allow us to hold this event as we cannot paralyse the economy”, said Cardenete. “We want Seville to be the first reference in the world in terms of tourism and what is to come thanks to digitalization and new technologies”. 

Tourism Innovation Global Summit
During the three days of the congress, several relevant topics will be discussed, such as public-private collaboration, the application of the Internet of Things to the industry, as well as voice systems, automation, Artificial Intelligence or data analysis for better management of companies and tourist destinations. On the last day, the ‘World Tourism Manifesto’ will be published, a manifesto that will serve to raise the voice of the tourism industry from Seville to the world, and which will include recommendations and measures that could be taken to reactivate the economy. 

Madrid, Spain, November 13, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has once again brought leaders from across the sector together for high-level talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. The 42nd Plenary Session of the United Nations specialized agency’s Affiliate Members focused both on immediate priorities for tourism’s vital restart and on the longer-term task of ensuring the sector continues to be a key pillar of sustainable development.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

The event provided a unique, high-level platform to allow Members to share their best practices and proposals for recovery. With the theme “Recovering Tourism. Rebuilding Trust. Reinforcing Partnerships,” the Session echoed the wider priorities of UNWTO, above all restoring confidence in international travel and promoting collaboration at every level. Participants were encouraged to make use of the new Affiliate Members Virtual Corner, launched to coincide with the Plenary Session.

United behind the UNWTO Programme of Work

Tourism needs the support of governments and international organizations to grow back and grow back stronger and more resilient, benefitting many millions of people and businesses worldwide

The Plenary Session focused on laying the foundations for UNWTO’s Programme of Work for 2021. This roadmap includes continuing to make tourism a key pillar of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and further enhancing sustainability and inclusivity across the whole of the sector. UNWTO’s Affiliate Members, who include businesses, academia and civil society actors, will play an important role in the United Nations specialized agency’s work in the challenging months ahead.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The engaged participation of every part of our sector will be needed to restart tourism and drive recovery. From the start of this crisis, tourism has led the way in adapting to the new reality and putting public health concerns first. Now, tourism needs the support of governments and international organizations to grow back and grow back stronger and more resilient, benefitting many millions of people and businesses worldwide.”

Making good on UNWTO’s pledge to lead by example, this hybrid meeting again demonstrated that international travel is safe and that tourism is proactively adapting to the new post-COVID reality. In all, more than 200 delegates took part in the Plenary Session, either in-person or virtually, with the diversity of tourism on full display

Celebrating tourism at its best

Against the backdrop of Plenary Session, the UNWTO Affiliate Members Distinction Awards show how tourism is living up to its status as the ultimate people-first sector. The event celebrates those stakeholders that best embodied the spirit of solidarity and determination that underlined the sector’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. IFEMA, was recognized for its response to the crisis, in particular for allowing its exhibition spaces to be repurposed for healthcare. At the same time, CNN was recognized for its inspirational communication campaigns, including its work bringing the UNWTO #TravelTomorrow campaign to a global audience of millions.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

Other Affiliate Members recognized at the 2020 Awards include Chameleon Strategies for its work in Asia, and both Facility Concept and the Africa Tourism Partners Company for advancing UNWTO’s work in Africa. The Xcaret Group was recognized for its work restarting attractions and theme parks, while IATA was commended for its work in support of the global air transport sector. Alongside these, CaixaBank was recognized for its contribution and support to tourism companies through its specialized business line “CaixaBank Hotels & Tourism”, with the Ayuntamiento de Madrid leading by example in fostering public-private partnerships for response and recovery.

The ceremony also highlights tourism’s wider contribution and the role Affiliate Members are playing in advancing this. EGEDA was recognized for its work promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, the Seoul Tourism Organization, was commended for its work promoting tourism as a tool for peace and reconciliation, while the Royal Commission for Al Ula was singled out for its promotion of inclusive community development through tourism.

New York City, New York, United States, 13 November 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Sustainable Aviation Fuels as a Pathway to Net-Zero Aviation Report shows that a transition to carbon-neutral flying is possible, with SAF the most promising decarbonization option in the near term.

There are enough sustainable, renewable feedstocks to fuel all aviation using SAF by 2030. Scaling up SAF production to meet the net-zero ambition, however, depends on several new technology routes and significant multistakeholder collaboration. The main challenge will be developing appropriate commercial, financing, incentives and regulatory mechanisms.

SAF as a feasible route to net-zero aviation

In 2019, aviation accounted for 3% of human-made carbon emissions. Hybrid-electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft could help the industry reach the next efficiency target, but development and deployment at scale could take 10 to 20 years and the technology will initially be limited to smaller, shorter-range aircraft.

Furthermore, in 2019, fewer than 200,000 metric tons of SAF were produced globally, a tiny fraction of the roughly 300 million tons of jet fuel used by commercial airlines.

More positively, SAF has already fuelled more than one-quarter of a million commercial flights and is compatible with existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure.

Even following the challenge to aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the CST coalition are continuing their commitment to drive energy transition in aviation towards the goal of net-zero aviation.

An economic opportunity for developing markets

Aviation delivers significant benefits globally, not least to developing markets, from where a sizeable portion of global aviation demand is expected to come. The current crisis may also present an opportunity for countries with low renewable power prices and ready access to feedstock. If these countries act now, they can benefit from energy transition in aviation and become global SAF production hubs.

“The structural changes happening in the industry are an opportunity to rebuild and transition towards a low-carbon future and meet the sustainability demands of its consumers,” said Christoph Wolff, Head of Mobility Industries at the World Economic Forum.

To this end, the CST initiative is working on a pilot project to create a SAF sector in India and plans to replicate this process in other markets that have the necessary conditions to foster a valuable SAF industry.

Building scale is key to improving cost

This report, written in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, shows that despite feedstock availability and even if all currently announced SAF projects are completed, capacity will only increase to approximately 4 million tons annually, which equates to approximately 1% of global jet fuel demand in 2030.

Currently, SAF is more than double the cost of conventional fuel. As further innovations and efficiencies of scale in production are achieved, prices will drop.

“We see the classic Catch-22 problem as in other energy transition discussions. Insufficient scale drives per unit costs high and high costs keep demand low. Some structural solutions could break this impasse – B2B contracts, prioritized aviation and airport fee structures etc. that will give fuel producers the required support to invest in production capacity,” said Daniel Riefer, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company.

Investments can accelerate promising new technologies

Fuels produced from used cooking oil and other lipids will contribute most to developing capacity in the short term. New technologies take time to mature and develop, but investment decisions, including building larger demonstration plants, are needed now.

Power-to-liquid fuels can contribute the most to SAF capacity, but will only prove effective after 2030 under current development plans. Fuels made from CO₂ and green electricity will require financial support for their technology to mature and will need access to renewable electricity.

There is no silver bullet for net-zero aviation. No single feedstock will be practical in every geography or yield enough SAF to meet all demand. Even as costs fall, SAF will have higher production costs than fossil fuels, though a rising carbon price may enable parity in the 2030s.

While the report demonstrates that enough feedstocks are available globally to make SAF economically viable and scalable, several factors are required. These include supportive regulatory frameworks, measures to stimulate demand from corporate and private customers, and innovative ways to finance the transition. The CST coalition is debating how to meet these challenges and help aviation earn its right to keep growing.

Clean Skies for Tomorrow

The World Economic Forum’s CST initiative, established in 2019, is a mechanism for leaders throughout aviation’s value chain to facilitate the transition to net-zero aviation by mid-century. In partnership with ambitious senior leadership throughout industry, government and civil society, this public-private partnership is driving a shift to zero-emissions aviation through SAF and other clean propulsion technologies.

The Green Horizon Summit (9-11 November) and Race to Zero Dialogues (10-12 November) are hosted by the World Economic Forum. They bring together leaders from business, government and civil society to ensure the post-COVID recovery is sustainable and inclusive. The events will hopefully spur greater climate action on industry, transport and oceans as well as drive green finance. Check out more on our events page. All sessions will be livestreamed.

London, United Kingdom, November 12, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / In a joint statement issued today, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) highlight the importance of the cruise sector for the world economy.

According to industry data, the cruise sector supports 1.2 million jobs and contributes US$150 billion to the global economy every year. Tourism is vitally important for Small Islands States, where it sustains millions of livelihoods and brings substantial socio-economic benefits.

The two UN agencies also recognise the efforts made by the industry, countries and international organizations to protect the safety, health and well-being of passengers and crew, as well as the health of the population of destination port States of cruise ships. Since cruise operations were suspended worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has been reviewing and enhancing its protocols to identify ways to go further in protecting the health of passengers, crew and the general public.

The joint statement invites governments to use the Guidance on the gradual and safe resumption of operations of cruise ships in the European Union in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (shared by IMO in Circular Letter No 4204/Add.26) to facilitate the recovery of the sector under safe conditions, as well as three framework documents (operator framework, passenger framework and seafarer framework) developed by the United Kingdom’s Chamber of Shipping together with CLIA.

IMO and UNWTO emphasise that the resumption of cruise ship operations will also benefit the wider maritime community, since passenger ships participate in the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) and are often requested by Rescue Coordination Centres to offer assistance to ships in distress at sea.

IMO and UNWTO reiterate their call to Governments to designate all seafarers and marine personnel as key workers and remove any barriers to crew changes.

Washington DC, United States, November 12, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / A staggering 9.2 million jobs could be lost in the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector in 2020 if barriers to global travel remain in place, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed.

The new figure comes from WTTC’s latest economic modelling, which looks at the punishing impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions on the Travel & Tourism sector.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

According to the latest data, 7.2 million jobs in the U.S. have been impacted. If there is no immediate alleviation of restrictions on international travel, as many as 9.2 million jobs – more than half of all jobs supported by the sector in the U.S. in 2019 – would be lost.

WTTC has identified the four top priorities which should be addressed, including the adoption of a comprehensive and cost-effective testing regime at departure to avoid transmission, the re-opening of key ‘air corridors’ such as between New York and London, and international coordination.

The challenge of restoring safe travels in the new normal is one of the biggest issues facing the U.S. as it grapples with a depressed economy devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the Travel & Tourism sector particularly hard.

The WTTC Economic Impact Report for 2019 revealed that Travel & Tourism contributed $1.84 trillion to the U.S. economy and was responsible for more than one in 10 (10.7%) American jobs.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and we wish them every success in these challenging times. The U.S. government has a real opportunity to lead the international coordination and save millions of jobs globally and across the U.S.

“In 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for almost 17 million jobs, which is more than one in every 10 jobs across the U.S., so it’s vital we recover as many as possible to power the economic recovery of the country.

“Globally, eight out of 10 businesses within Travel & Tourism are SME’s, employing millions of people around the world, and all of which rely on a thriving Travel & Tourism sector. It is also one of the most diverse sectors, employing people from all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, with almost 50% of whom are women and up to 30% youths.

“WTTC, has been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to restore international travel and rebuild global consumer confidence with several major initiatives. We launched our ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, to enable travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

“We offer to work closely with the U.S. government to recover international travel whilst avoiding transmission, through a four-point list of top priorities.

“We need to learn to co-exist with this virus and measures should be in place to reactivate both inbound and outbound travel responsibly and avoid further economic and social hardship.”

Across North America, WTTC research shows that between 10.8 million and 13.8 million jobs within Travel & Tourism are at serious risk.

Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, said: “The numbers show that restarting global travel is an absolute must from an economic and jobs standpoint, and it can be done safely by embracing health and safety guidance and technologies, which have been widely deployed across the travel industry.

“Moving away from quarantines and implementing the practices that we know will work—chief among them rapid, reliable and efficient testing, the universal wearing of masks in public, and the use of contactless technologies—will help restore confidence and growth.”

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

The resumption of international travel will act as a catalyst to re-energise the global economic recovery. According to WTTC, the four main priorities for the new U.S. administration should be:

• The re-opening of ‘air corridors’ on vital routes, especially those across the Atlantic to re-establish crucial business travel between major economic hubs
• The introduction of a testing regime at airports, with globally recognised standards to avoid exporting and importing the virus
• A commitment to ensure safe and seamless travel, with enhanced health and hygiene measures as well as contactless touchpoints
• Ensure international coordination to adopt standards that will allow international travel to restart and rebuild consumer confidence.

During 2019, the report detailed how Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million in total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

Madrid, Spain, November 11, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The 42nd Affiliate Members’ Plenary Session is being held on November 5-6, 2020, in Madrid under the unprecedented circumstances due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic under the theme of ‘Recovering Tourism. Rebuilding Trust. Reinforcing Partnerships’.

The objective of the session is to study and plan for this new global challenge with such a strong impact on Tourism at a global level.

“Now more than ever, we need to come together to marshal our combined resources to defeat this global threat and rebuild Tourism in a more resilient and sustainable way,” said Ion Vilcu, Director of the UNWTO Affiliate Members Department.

During the session, Daniela Otero, CEO of Skål International and member of the UNWTO Affiliate Members Board, have discussed the joint work between UNWTO and Skål International for the coming years.

“Rebuilding trust in the industry and its security, as well as caring for the people who make up the Tourism sector, must be the main priorities at this time. Skål International, as the only professional organization promoting global Tourism and friendship, uniting all sectors of the Tourism industry, works hard to support and encourage unity among the entire industry and achieve Tourism recovery,” said Daniela Otero, CEO of Skål International.
The 42nd Affiliate Members Plenary Session was set up in hybrid format, which combines in-person and virtual attendance.

On 6 November, 2020, a series of thematic sessions will take place where Daniela Otero, CEO of Skål International is invited to moderate the sessions.

These sessions are held under the theme of ‘Recovering Tourism. Rebuilding Trust. Reinforcing Partnerships’ and will present the UNWTO efforts and measures for the current and coming months as well as the best practices of some Affiliate Members in line with the priorities.

In this regard, the sessions intend to provide a specialized platform to discuss these important topics through panel debates and review of good practices. Additionally, it will explore the fundamental contribution of the UNWTO Affiliate Members on how they are tackling the current challenges and creating new opportunities for a better restart.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida, United States, November 10, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The prospects of a robotic manufacturing base operating off Earth is not as far-fetched an idea as it used to be, according to a study published by a team of researchers led by a physicist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Advances in robotics and remote manufacturing in the form of 3-D printing offer some tantalizing prospects for future designers to consider as they map out the ways to explore and use resources in the solar system. Also, private companies are establishing goals and abilities to use resources available near Earth.

In their study, Phil Metzger and James Mantovani of Kennedy’s Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Laboratory; Anthony Muscatello of the center’s Applied Chemistry Laboratory; and Robert Mueller of the Kennedy Surface Systems Office, detail one potential path toward developing a self-sustaining, space-based industry that would use resources from asteroids and other celestial bodies to meet the needs of Earth.

A fully functioning, remote system of robotic excavators and simple machinery still is years away from reality, and much research on asteroids needs to be undertaken. The building blocks of a successful system, however, appear to be in place, the study concluded.

“Robots and machines would just make the metal and propellants for starters,” Metzger said. “The first generation of robots makes the second generation of hardware, except the comparatively lightweight electronics and motors that have to be sent up from Earth. It doesn’t matter how much the large structures weigh because you didn’t have to launch it.”

The study was undertaken in part because companies on Earth are quickly building business cases for pathfinding missions to evaluate available resources in the solar system with an eye on collecting them.

“They’re going to explore what works and what doesn’t work,” Metzger said.

Metzger said the researchers developed a basic computer model to judge the viability of what would be possible. Their data showed six generations of development to “close the loop,” meaning robots and automated machines would be able to build and operate themselves without any materials from Earth. Basically, they found that prospect was not as daunting as they thought it would be.

Because asteroids are loaded with minerals that are rare on Earth, near-Earth asteroids and the asteroid belt could become the mining centers for remotely-operated excavators and processing machinery. In the future, an industry could develop to send refined materials, rare metals and even free, clean energy to Earth from asteroids and other bodies.

Two significant developments make this prospect possible: robotics and the discovery of fundamental elements needed to make plastic, rubber and various metals existing throughout space.

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“Now that we know we can get carbon in space, the basic elements that we need for industry are all within reach,” Metzger said. “That was game-changing for us. The asteroid belt has a billion times more platinum than is found on Earth. There is literally a billion times the metal that is on Earth, and all the water you could ever need.”

Another critical technology also is developing at just the right time: 3-D printers producing hardware that can be assembled into ever-more-complex machinery and potentially in the future, increasingly capable robots.

“The idea is you start with resources out of Earth’s gravity well in the vicinity of the Earth,” Metzger said. “But what we argued is that you can establish industry in space for a surprisingly low cost, much less than anybody previously thought.”

The finished minerals could be returned to Earth or used in space to build new machinery or as supplies for astronauts as they explore the solar system.

So where to start?

As part of NASA’s recently announced asteroid initiative, the agency is searching for a small asteroid that can be moved into a path within the Earth-moon system so astronauts can visit it as early as 2021 to take samples of the space rock.

“There are some types of asteroids that would be fantastic for space resources,” Metzger said. “It’s primordial solar system material. You can make plastics and you can make rubber by combining the carbon and the hydrogen.”

A near-Earth asteroid or other nearby body presumably could contain enough material to allow a robotic system to mine the resources and refine them into usable metal or other substances. Those materials could be formed into pieces and assembled into another robot system that would itself build similar models and advance the design.

The first-generation machinery would be akin to the simple mechanical devices of the 1700s, with each new generation advancing quickly to the modern vanguard of abilities. They would start with gas production and the creation of solar cells, vital for providing a power source.

Each new robot could add improvements to each successive model and quickly advance the mining and manufacturing capabilities. It would not take long for the miners to produce more material than they need for themselves, and they could start shipping precious metals back to Earth.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the whole endeavor, the article argues, is that it would not take many launches from Earth to achieve. Launch costs would be saved because robots building themselves in space from material gathered there wouldn’t need anything produced by people. Very quickly, only the computer chips, electronics boards and wiring would need to come from Earth.

“We took it through six generations of robotic development and you can achieve full closure and make everything in space,” Metzger said. “We showed you can get it down to launching 12 tons of hardware, which is incredibly small.”

The team’s paper titled, “Affordable, Rapid Bootstrapping of the Space Industry and Solar System Civilization,” is published in the June issue of the Journal of Aerospace Engineering.