[ad_1]

The post Fiji welcomes back international cruises appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The post Fiji welcomes back international cruises appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post South Africa drops COVID restrictions and lifts tourism industry appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The announcement by the South African Department of Health that COVID restrictions would be dropped entirely – for both domestic and international travel – came as a lifeline for tourism in the country.  

Of all the mainstream economic activities affected by the pandemic-related isolation, the tourism sector was by far the hardest hit.  

Tourism in South Africa, pre-COVID, was worth more than R130 billion, made up 4,5% of the country’s employment, and contributed 3% directly to GDP. 

“In July 2021, only 5,000 overseas tourists visited South Africa – a mere 2.6% of the number that arrived in the same month two years earlier,” said economic advisor Dr Roelof Botha.  “The good news is that the recovery of the domestic tourism industry should make up lost ground once spring arrives.”

GILTEDGE Executive Chairman, Sean Kritzinger expressed his relief that the tourism industry could look forward to a rebound.   

“Our travel industry has by no means normalised as yet,” he said.  “We have been under close scrutiny for the last two years, we were on a UK Red List that restricted our travel over December last year – and December is one of our peak international seasons.  These did enormous damage to the industry. I believe that the repeal of these regulations, as they have been gazetted, will be a huge boost for tourism to South Africa and the greater Southern African region – it is high time!”

“It is important that we get back to pre-COVID normality.  Now that regulations and restrictions are repealed…. I am excited about the prospect.  This is hugely rewarding for tourism for our entire region,” he said.

The post South Africa drops COVID restrictions and lifts tourism industry appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post Dubai receives 6.17 million international travellers during January-May 2022 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

Dubai city welcomed 6.17 million international overnight visitors from January to May 2022, a 197 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase from the same five-month period in 2021, which saw the destination attracting just over two million international travellers.

The latest tourism data was revealed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at its first ‘City Briefing’ for 2022, a bi-annual event that provides an in-depth industry outlook to stakeholders and partners, and discusses future strategies to further reinforce the city’s position as a global hub for business, investment, talent and tourism. The event was attended by more than 1,200 key executives from across the tourism ecosystem including aviation, travel, hospitality and retail sectors.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “The remarkable vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have always been an inspiration to us all, and this is reflected in the city’s continued success, as we focus on enhancing its position as a global hub for economy and tourism. We are building on the massive momentum generated by the hugely successful Expo 2020 to drive growth across all our tourism pillars from cultural to culinary experiences, while working towards achieving the ambitious goal of making Dubai the most visited destination and the city of the future that will be the best place in the world to live and work.”

The new tourism figures from DET show that overall, Dubai hotels maintained an average occupancy level of 76 per cent from January to May 2022 compared to 62 per cent during the corresponding period in 2021. According to data from hotel management analytics firm STR, Dubai ranked No.1 globally in hotel occupancy, ahead of other international destinations including New York (61 per cent), London (60 per cent) and Paris (57 per cent), for the January-April 2022 period.

The post Dubai receives 6.17 million international travellers during January-May 2022 appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post GO FIRST launches new Kochi – Abu Dhabi route appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

GO FIRST announced the introduction of triweekly direct flights from Kochi to Abu Dhabi starting 28 June 2022. The carrier will operate three direct flight services per week between Kochi and Abu Dhabi.

This region will strengthen GO FIRST’s international footprint to the Middle East and passengers will be able to experience affordable travel experience.

Speaking on the development, Kaushik Khona, Chief Executive Officer, GO FIRST, said: “We are pleased to announce new non-stop flights connecting Kerala with Abu Dhabi to strengthen our connectivity in the Middle East. Our expansion in this sector will help ensure that GO FIRST is the preferred choice by the travellers in these cities. These new routes once again reflect our unflinching commitment towards expanding our international operations.”

The post GO FIRST launches new Kochi – Abu Dhabi route appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft from Boeing appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, took delivery of its much anticipated first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Seattle, USA. With a strong commitment to democratise the skies, the airlines’ total order of 72 aircraft includes an initial delivery of 18 aircraft by March 2023, followed by delivery of the remaining 54 aircraft over the course of the next four years.

Commenting on the successful delivery, Vinay Dube, managing director and CEO of Akasa Air said: “This is indeed a symbolic milestone in the journey of Akasa Air, bringing us one step closer to the process of obtaining our Air Operator’s Permit (AOP) and leading to our commercial launch. While we are extremely happy with this achievement, we want to keep ourselves focussed on the task of delivering on our vision to transform India’s air transportation ecosystem, support the nation’s economic growth engine and help fellow Indians chase their dreams”.

The company is getting its first aircraft in Delhi this week as it arrives from Seattle, Dube added.

The post Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft from Boeing appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link