The post ATM: Middle Eastern travel spending to hit US$350 billion by 2030 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has released its 2025 Travel Trends Report done in collaboration with Tourism Economics.

According to the report, travel spending in the Middle East is projected to climb 50 per cent by 2030, reaching nearly $350 billion.

Such progress will be driven by surging inbound tourism, expanding luxury and business travel, and increased investment in sports and entertainment.

ATM exhibition director for the Middle East Danielle Curtis remarked: “Travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than seven percent through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are key drivers behind this upward trajectory.”

The report also forecasts that inbound travel to the region will grow by 13 per cent annually between 2025 and 2030, significantly outpacing global averages.

Key source markets fueling this rise include Asia and Africa, alongside strong demand from Europe, where the UK and India remain the top international leisure contributors.

Travel spending in the region is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 54 per cent in 2024, and business travel is set to grow at 1.5 times the global average, making the Middle East the world’s second-fastest growing region for business tourism.

A sector driven by development

The report also underscores the region’s transformation into a global aviation hub.

This is due to Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia placing close to 780 aircraft orders with aviation giants Boeing and Airbus in order to fuel their long-term growth.

Luxury travel is another key growth centre in the region, given how 100 of the Middle East’s 170 luxury hotels are located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Development in this sector will be driven further by giga projects in Saudi Arabia that are bound to draw in high net-worth tourists. 

The report also pointed out that 60 percent of visitors to the Middle East spend their money on luxury experiences, 20 percent higher than the 40 percent global average.

According to Curtis: “Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more overall, attracted by exceptional hospitality, curated experiences, and premium cultural events.”

She also stated that sports tourism will be another factor coming into play with regard to sectoral growth in the region, especially after Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020.

Looking to the future, the Middle East will be seeing a 63 percent increase in sports-related travel, as the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia looms closer.

Aside from football, the report also noted a significant increase in investments for infrastructure related to cycling, esports, golf, and motorsports.

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The post The Lux Collective announces partnership with QUBE Development appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Global luxury hospitality group The Lux Collective announced that it has entered a strategic partnership with QUBE Development. 

This collaboration marks the Middle East debut of LUX branded residences through the exclusive launch of a new luxury residential project scheduled to be completed in 2028.

At the same time, this partnership unites two industry visionaries: The Lux Collective and QUBE Development, both renowned for their commitment to design excellence, innovation, and premium living experiences. 

The project is set to redefine luxury living in Dubai, combining the best in residential development and world-class hospitality.

With aligned values and complementary expertise, QUBE Development and The Lux Collective are pioneering a new era in branded residences, designed not only to impress and express but to elevate. 

Together, they offer residents an experience that transcends expectation and invites them into a lifestyle that goes beyond the imaginable.

Shared commitments in a dynamic sector

According to QUBE Development chief executive Egor Molchanov: “Our collaboration with The Lux Collective is rooted in a shared commitment to purposeful disruption. We are drawn to partners who think beyond the conventional, and The Lux Collective team brings a perspective that aligns with how we see the future of luxurious residential living.”

The Lux Collective’s CEO Olivier Chavy responded with: “In line with our progressive global growth strategy and focus on the Middle East region, this collaboration with QUBE Development marks a meaningful expansion for our luxury flagship brand LUX in Dubai. QUBE is a respected developer with a clear passion for premium projects and regional growth. We are excited to partner with a team that shares our values and commitment to sustainability and excellence.”

Dubai’s branded residences market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, solidifying the city’s position as a global leader in the luxury real estate segment. 

In H1-2024, Dubai recorded 5,592 branded residence sales, with a total transaction value of AED 28.8 billion, accounting for 7.2 percent of all property transactions by volume and 12.6 percent by value.

Demand continues to grow, driven by global investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking prestige, service, and lifestyle in a secure and future-focused destination. 

According to Morgan’s International Realty’s second half 2024 report, buyers are also paying a premium of up to 42 percent per square foot for branded residences, underlining the strength and desirability of this sector.

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The post WTTC: foreign visitor spending in India hits an all-time high appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that spending on the part of foreign travellers to India hit a record high of US$36.8 billion as of end-2024.

According to the WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), the current total is nine percent higher than the previous peak total reported at the end of 2019.

The latest EIR also pointed out how, after a prolonged reliance on domestic travel spend following the pandemic, international travel is not only back but it’s stronger than ever, reaching unprecedented levels over the past year.

According to the data, while domestic travel has remained a vital force, with spending soaring to 22 percent above 2019 levels, the revival of international tourism is now propelling the sector into a bold new era of growth.

WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson said: “India’s Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with international visitor numbers now at record highs after a period of strong domestic reliance.”

Simpson added that the WTTC strongly supports the Indian government’s plans to simplify the e-visa process. 

She said: “While visa-on-arrival and e-visa systems are in place, reciprocal policies and long delays for key markets like the U.S., where appointments are reportedly unavailable until 2026, continue to hinder tourists. Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending.”

The global tourism body’s research also showed how India’s business travel sector is experiencing record growth, with combined domestic and international spending in the past year surpassing the 2019 peak by 2.6 percent.

A vital contributor to the Indian economy

The combined travel and tourism sectors contributed significantly to the Indian economy last year, 20 percent ahead of 2019.

However, even with a young, educated population facing rapid automation through AI, the sector remains a critical source of employment and opportunity. 

Strengthening infrastructure, including high-speed rail and smart mobility solutions, will be essential to reach the sector’s true potential and raise its GDP contribution toward ten to 11 percent.

The sector also supported an all-time high of almost 46.5 million jobs, equivalent to 9.1 percent of total employment across India.

It should also be noted that the country welcomed 20 million international visitors in 2024, approximately 2.3 million more than 2019.

The 2024 arrivals total reaffirms India’s status as a leading global destination and underscoring the renewed international confidence in its tourism offerings.

To maintain this momentum, WTTC calls for continued investment and targeted policy support, and urges the government to reconsider its recent decision to reduce funding for overseas tourism promotion.

An optimistic forecast

WTTC is forecasting another record-breaking year for India’s Travel & Tourism sector with its economic contribution set to reach new heights by the end of this year, whilst employment in the sector is expected to reach more than 48 million.

As the sector expands, there’s a significant opportunity to foster homegrown entrepreneurship, particularly in luxury travel experiences, which are gaining strong traction among new generations of travellers and investors.

By 2035, it is expected that the joint contribution of the travel and tourism sectors to the national economy will almost double, employing almost 64 million people.

The WTTC also pointed out that India is well-placed to become one of the world’s most dynamic tourism economies, with its dynamic mix of heritage, natural beauty, and modern innovation. 

This includes unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises which form the backbone of the sector and drive innovation across communities and regions.

That said, WTTC called on the government to match the sector’s resilience and ambition with clear and consistent policy support.

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The post AmexGBT’s Virtual Payment Expert makes its way to three Asian locations appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Travel expense management solutions firm American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) announced that its hotel booking and payment solution Virtual Payment Expert (VPE) is now available in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. 

The digital payment solution is powered by Conferma, the world’s leading virtual payments technology provider.  

This means that VPE is now available in 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, as well as in Australia.   

Amex GBT’s product manager for VPE, global product, and UX Aaron Conlin said of this new development: “By combining Amex GBT’s client expertise and industry insight with Conferma’s advanced digital payment technology and global network of over 90 banking partners, we are able to deliver a solution that reflects the preferences of today’s business travellers worldwide, while addressing the need for secure, seamless payment options. The continued expansion of VPE into Asia is reflective of our commitment to innovative financial solutions for corporate travel globally.”   

Conferma’s head of commercial for APAC Adam Williams added: “The launch of VPE in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand is an exciting step forward for businesses looking to simplify their travel payment management and gain more security and control over expenses. With VPE, businesses gain a powerful tool to streamline processes and access reliable, real-time data that improves day-to-day operations and supports smarter decision making.”   

What is VPE?

VPE is a hotel booking and payment solution that is managed by Amex GBT, that supports spend control, helps prevent fraud and reconciliation challenges. 

A virtual card is used as a secure payment method for offline and online reservations globally and automatically becomes the form of payment in the hotel booking. 

Hotel payments are secure and automatically reconciled using Conferma tools.   

VPE works as a digital payment solution for companies that have travellers without access to an individual corporate credit card who may also be booking outside of a company’s preferred vendors. 

Businesses benefit from VPE by streamlining payment processes into a single, all-in-one platform that makes it more efficient for finance teams to manage. 

Travel managers have access to data-driven insights with comprehensive spend analytics and customisable reporting and travellers benefit from a frictionless payment experience, no longer needing to use their own cards or worry about what they can or cannot spend on.  

What benefits can users expect from VPE?

• Seamless Traveller Experience   With integrated technology, travellers or traveller arrangers can book in their preferred offline and online channels with access to their preferred properties. Travellers have around-the-clock support from GBT travel counsellors for any needs related to their hotel booking and virtual card including extending their stay. Travellers also have access to virtual card numbers before and during their trip and can add to their digital wallet by using the Conferma app.
• Financial Visibility   VPE provides real-time insights into travel expenses, enabling businesses to easily monitor, manage, and monitor spending via a single, all-in-one platform that seamlessly integrates with existing financial and travel management systems.
• Simplified Spend Management  With VPE, businesses can set predefined spending limits for each individual user, ensuring every transaction automatically complies with budget and spend policy without the need for manual authorisation.
• Enhanced Security  VPE single-use virtual cards can be generated instantly for restricted purposes, limiting usage to specific vendors, locations and timeframes – drastically reducing the risk of loss, theft, fraud and unauthorised usage.
• Automated Reconciliation By automating the reconciliation process, VPE simplifies the matching of payments with expenses, minimising the time and effort spent on manual administration. 
• Reliable Reporting VPE’s real-time insights and automated reconciliation eliminate errors in financial reporting and provide a comprehensive audit trail and insights to improve analysis and decision making.

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The post Brand Finance hails Cebu Pacific among Philippines’ strongest brands for 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

British brand valuation firm Brand Finance recently hailed Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific as the fastest-growing brand in the country.

The airline also snagged sixth place among Brand Finance’s top ten list of the strongest Philippine brands for this year.

This most recent recognition highlights Cebu Pacific’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its network, operations, and services.

Brand Finance further cited the airline’s commitment to operational expansion and service enhancements as factors contributing to its relentless growth as it highlighted the international new routes that the airline launched from Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo last year.

In its citation, the valuation firm declared: “With new routes, record passenger numbers, and a booming cargo business, the airline is strengthening its presence both in the Philippines and across Asia.”

Airline chief marketing and customer experience officer Candice Iyog said: “Cebu Pacific’s recognition as the fastest-growing Filipino brand reflects our dedication to serving the needs of our customers. Our strong brand growth highlights not only the impact of our continued investment in expanding our operations, but also the trust and loyalty of our passengers. This milestone inspires us to keep pushing forward: offering more flights, upgrading our services, and making air travel easier and more accessible for everyone.”

A significant rise in brand value

According to Brand Finance’s 2025 report on the most valuable Filipino brands, Cebu Pacific’s brand value rose by 86 percent to US$386 million this year. 

The airline also received a Brand Strength Index Score of 89.1, placing sixth among the strongest Filipino brands. 

Within the local aviation sector, Cebu Pacific also achieved the highest growth rate.

Also working in the airline’s favour are the 26 percent rise in its passenger traffic, 15 percent increase in revenue for 2025, as well as the boost in its cargo business with nearly 36 million kilograms transported between April and June 2024.

To further meet the growing demand for air travel and support its long-term growth, Cebu Pacific placed an order of up to 152 aircraft from Airbus last year, the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history.

Brand Finance noted that this move underscores the airline’s commitment to scaling up operations and reinforces its position as a leading player in the low-cost carrier segment.

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The post JW Marriott Goa offers a Chinese culinary showcase at JW Kitchen appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

This month, JW Marriott Goa offers diners a distinctive culinary showcase at its all-day dining establishment JW Kitchen.

Currently running till Saturday,14th June, JW Kitchen invites guests to experience the bold, vibrant, and deeply storied flavours of China’s Sichuan province. 

Known for its fearless use of spice and aromatic complexity, Sichuan cuisine is widely regarded as one of the most exciting culinary traditions in the world. 

The limited-time menu is a tribute to Chengdu, the provincial capital and a UNESCO-recognized City of Gastronomy, and serves as a rare opportunity to explore this rich and diverse culinary heritage in Goa.

Guests will enjoy this exclusive culinary journey in the warm, relaxed ambiance of JW Kitchen, a space inspired by the easy elegance of a contemporary Goan beach house. 

With both indoor and balcony seating overlooking the Chapora River and Fort, the restaurant provides a scenic backdrop to this unique dining experience. 

Live kitchens and interactive culinary elements further enhance the guest experience, allowing diners to engage with the artistry behind each dish.

The fiery flavours of the Land of Abundance

The Sichuan region, often referred to as the ‘Land of Abundance’, is famed for its layered flavors, liberal use of chilli, garlic, and the unmistakable tingle of Sichuan peppercorns. 

The menu features a wide array of dishes that reflect the signature boldness of Sichuan cuisine while offering depth, balance, and variety. 

Among the appetisers, the Chengdu-style prawns are a standout, stir-fried with burnt chilli and scallions to deliver a perfect combination of heat and umami. 

The spicy mala mushrooms are a vegetarian highlight, offering the numbing, peppery sensation that defines the region’s iconic ‘mala’ flavor profile. 

The crispy tofu with Shaoxing wine offers delicate crunch balanced by the savory richness of aged Chinese rice wine, while the Chengdu-style lamb with cumin and coriander captures the earthy undertones of western China’s Muslim culinary influences.

The soup course includes the deeply comforting Mala Xiaomian-style Noodle Soup, characterised by a spicy, numbing broth and soft, hand-pulled noodles or a Spicy Seafood Peppercorn Soup, which brings together shellfish and aromatics in a broth that is both fiery and fragrant, making for a bold yet balanced beginning to the meal.

Main courses feature both classics and regional favourites, including the Wok-Fried pork Belly With Mountain Chilli And Sichuan Sauce is a rich, robust dish with layers of caramelised fat and spice, while the Sichuan Hot Pot Chicken offers a dry version of the classic hot pot: fiery, aromatic, and intensely flavourful. 

The Mala Xiang Guo, a dry stir-fried hotpot medley, showcases a colourful mix of proteins and vegetables tossed in aromatic oils and spices. 

Vegetarian diners will appreciate the Stir-Fried Tofu And Long Eggplant with Sichuan pepper and garlic sauce, which offers both heat and depth. 

The Dan Dan noodles, a dish symbolic of Sichuan street food culture, combine spicy minced meat with sesame, soy, and vinegar for a complex, tangy finish. 

To accompany the mains, the Sichuan-Style Fried Rice with edamame and burnt chilli delivers a smoky, satisfying flavour with each bite.

The experience concludes on a sweet note with inventive desserts inspired by regional and Asian elements. 

The Mango Pudding Rice With Mango Ice Cream offers a light and tropical ending, while the Darsan With Jaggery-Sesame Gelato merges the crisp texture of fried noodles with the nutty sweetness of sesame and the warmth of jaggery, creating a dessert that bridges tradition and innovation.

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The post Navan appoints Nina Herold as new CEO of Reed & Mackay appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Comprehensive global travel and expense management platform Navan announced a major change to the executive team at Reed & Mackay which is set to take effect beginning 1st October of this year.

Nina Herold steps in as the new CEO of Reed & Mackay, replacing Fred Stratford, who will be retiring after 13 years with the company. 

In order to ensure a seamless transition, Herold will join Reed & Mackay at the beginning of August, before officially assuming the role of CEO in October. 

Navan co-founder and CEO Ariel Cohen remarked: “On behalf of the entire company, I want to extend our extreme gratitude to Fred Stratford for his exceptional leadership over his tenure as CEO. I am confident that Nina is the right person to lead Reed & Mackay into the next phase of their growth journey. Nina is a proven leader and well-positioned to deliver on the significant benefits that come from combining Reed & Mackay’s first-class service with Navan’s industry-leading tech. We wish Fred the best as he enters his well-earned retirement, and I look forward to supporting Nina as she steps into her new role.”

Responding to her appointment, Herold said: “I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal moment in Reed & Mackay’s journey. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know Fred and his leadership team since the acquisition, and look forward to working closely with the entire team as we aim to drive value for our clients. Moving forward, I am confident we will continue to build on Reed & Mackay’s legacy of providing exceptional service, while providing enhanced technology that exceeds client expectations.”

Delivering the best results

Since acquiring Reed & Mackay in 2021, Navan has continued to invest in their differentiated offering, delivering high-touch travel and events with deep sector expertise to businesses across the globe. 

Together with Reed & Mackay, Navan delivers exceptional corporate travel, events and spend management solutions designed for any company of any size around the globe. 

This prompted outgoing chief executive Stratford to say: “I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved at Reed & Mackay. We don’t take our reputation as a leader in service across the globe lightly, and it’s a credit to our passionate and skilled teams that we continue to surpass expectations. Having worked alongside Nina for the last four years, I am confident in the value that she will bring to Reed & Mackay and delighted to hand over the reins to her for the next phase of the journey.” 

In light of Stratford’s retirement from the helm at Reed & Mackay, Navan executives added that chief executive officer Ofer Ben-David will retain his position with the company.

Cohen said of the matter: “We are also grateful to have Ofer continuing to serve as COO of Navan, since he assumed those responsibilities earlier this year. Ofer has long been a valuable member of our leadership team, and in his new role he continues to leverage his unique engineering and product expertise. Across the company, we have the right leaders in place to execute on our vision and shepherd Navan into its next chapter.”

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The post Mondrian Gold Coast officially welcomes guests appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Mondrian Gold Coast ushers in a new era of lifestyle luxury on the southern Gold Coast as it officially opens its doors to guests. 

Set along the shores of Burleigh Heads, the 208-room landmark by architects Fraser & Partners introduces the Mondrian brand to Australia for the very first time.

Rising between the pines and pandanus of Burleigh’s beachfront esplanade, Mondrian Gold Coast offers a design-led escape anchored by the region’s relaxed rhythm. 

With rooms twice the size of the national average and panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean, Burleigh Headland, and the hinterland, the hotel redefines the experience of beachside accommodation. 

Guests can choose from 132 Studios, 63 Suites, 10 two- and three-bedroom Homes, 2 private two- and three-bedroom Beach Houses with plunge pools, and the spectacular Sky House crowning the 24th floor, all designed by California-based Studio Carter.

A destination in its own right

The hotel is a destination in itself, blending hospitality, culture and design with an innate sense of place. 

Guests looking for extended stays or family retreats can opt for expansive Homes and Suites with full kitchens, open plan living and laundry facilities. 

The two- and three-bedroom Beach Houses offer an elevated coastal living experience, complete with plunge pools, private access and the flexibility to combine into a five-bedroom residence. 

The Sky House, with its chef’s kitchen, bar and five-metre-high windows overlooking the coastline, sets a new benchmark for beachfront luxury.

A touch of Italian hospitality

On the ground floor, LiTO brings the warmth and generosity of Italian summers to the coast, channelled through the lens of Burleigh’s laid-back lifestyle. 

Led by Italian-born head chef Andrea Morigi (formerly of Merivale’s Uccello) the all-day restaurant serves vibrant, produce-driven fare from post-surf espresso through to evening aperitivo. 

Guests can expect wood-fired breads, lobster bucatini, rotisserie chicken and tableside tiramisu, all designed to be shared over good wine and relaxed conversation. 

LiTO blends Mediterranean character with Australian ease, with alfresco tables, coastal beats and interiors by Alexander &CO.

Upstairs on the third floor, Haven, also designed by Alexander &CO., captures the pulse of Burleigh’s sun-kissed days and after-dark energy. 

Executive chef Aaron Teece (formerly of EST., Felix, Manly Pavilion, and Studio Neon founder) curates a refined yet approachable menu anchored in provenance and shaped by seasonal produce, with an emphasis on seafood, woodfire cooking and regional sourcing. 

From long lunches in the dining room to lounging poolside in a private cabana and sundown cocktails, Haven invites guests into an escape defined by flavour, sound and sea breeze. 

A dedicated agave menu, premium wines, and champagne enhance the experience, paired with a curated soundtrack and live performances from emerging and national acts.

Where wellness matters

Mondrian Gold Coast also sets a new standard for wellness on the coast. 

Beside a 24/7 Technogym-equipped fitness centre, located on level 2, CIEL Spa delivers a comprehensive program of bio-wellness treatments, restorative therapies and advanced technology in a space designed to harmonise body, skin and mind. 

On level three, magnesium-infused plunge pools and a 24-metre resort-style pool beside Haven support movement and recovery. 

For events, the hotel offers four levels with 20 adaptable venues including the sunlit Mondrian Ballroom, multiple event spaces, beachfront residences for intimate gatherings, and the sky-high VeeRoom for elevated celebrations and executive experiences.

As part of the Mondrian brand’s global commitment to creativity and connection, the Gold Coast property will host an evolving calendar of cultural programming, from artist collaborations to music showcases and immersive experiences. 

With a focus on community, storytelling and design, Mondrian Gold Coast sets out to become not only a place to stay, but a place to belong.

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The post Virtuoso successfully holds its first-ever Impact Summit appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Luxury and experiential travel network Virtuoso hosted its first-ever Impact Summit from 2nd to 5th June at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Drawing in 105 attendees from nearly 20 countries, the invitation-only summit brought together a curated group of Virtuoso’s most engaged sustainability-focused advisors and partners to discuss solutions for furthering progress around what were previously identified as the three pillars of sustainability: supporting local economies, celebrating culture and protecting the planet. 

For two and a half days, Virtuoso fostered a collaborative environment for inspiring peer-to-peer discussions on best practices, industry challenges and new opportunities, while also enjoying and exploring the stunning surroundings of Lake Louise, Alberta.

Virtuoso vice-chair and sustainability strategist Jessica Hall Upchurch declared at the opening of the event: “Our efforts to educate advisors and amplify the work of our partners to Virtuoso travellers started 15 years ago,” she said. “Our principals when it comes to implementing sustainability in travel have always been ‘no shame, no blame’ and ‘start where you are,’ meaning we’d rather see 95 percent of the world take one step forward than five percent trying to get it perfect.”

She added that the idea of the Impact Summit was a seed planted over a decade ago and now it has grown and bloomed into a tangible reality that will make a difference in the industry. 

Hall Upchurch said: “We all know travellers want a great experience, but making it easy for them to feel good about who they give their money to adds an emotional element that’s a powerful differentiator. This is a space for exchanging ideas, having future-focused discussions and engaging in meaningful collaborations. This event was designed to create stronger connections in our co-created ecosystem and to accelerate and amplify our collective journeys to making the world better.”

Making an impact from start to finish 

The event’s positive impact began even before the Opening Session, as senior vice-president for global events Jennifer Campbell shared that, by using emissions data gathered from attendee travel and event operations, Virtuoso had offset 64.6 metric tons of CO₂ through Planetair’s verified Canada Tree Portfolio reforestation project, ensuring a carbon-neutral footprint for this year’s Impact Summit.

Vice-president for sustainability Javier Arredondo followed this up by moderating a panel of Virtuoso senior executives in which they provided a view into how the entire Virtuoso organisation supports, amplifies and incorporates sustainability into the group’s business practices and network offerings. 

The panel included Chief Operating Officer Brad Bourland; Senior Vice President, Global Products Thatcher Brown; Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Helen McCabe-Young; and Senior Vice President, Global Events Jennifer Campbell. 

With a schedule designed to ignite ideas and meaningful dialogue, the programming included three distinct panels aligned with Virtuoso’s core sustainability pillars. 

An interactive Ideation Session followed each panel, where participants collaborated on key topics. 

Virtuoso also leveraged cutting-edge AI technology to capture and analyse these discussions, resulting in multiple hours and hundreds of pages worth of insights to help shape and inform future initiatives.

A variety of guest speakers took the stage as well, including tech entrepreneur, investor and Virtuoso board member Gilad Berenstein, who discussed the role of AI in furthering sustainability efforts, and Chris Imbsen, director of sustainability for the World Travel and Tourism Council, who shared data and insights on the public and private sector’s support for sustainable tourism. 

Virtuoso chairman and CEO Matthew D Upchurch, who also serves as WTTC’s vice chair of membership, as well as WTTC’s Together in Travel vice-chair and CEO of IC Bellagio Andrea Grisdale discussed their work lifting up and providing a voice to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have an outsized role in serving the travel industry. 

Virtuoso vice-president for global public affairs Misty Belles also led a panel of the aforementioned media in attendance, in addition to Marika Cain, editorial director of Virtuoso, The Magazine. 

The conversation touched on best practices and language choices for communicating sustainability to readers, guests and travellers, how to tell more engaging sustainability stories and how companies can successfully become part of the sustainability conversation.

The Impact Summit was rounded out with Design Your Day activities each afternoon, in which attendees could choose from a variety of sustainability-focused activities such as hikes to Emerald Lake or Johnson Canyon, learning the process of making natural salves, volunteering with local charity Soup Sisters to combat food insecurity, a tour of Lake Louise’s water treatment plant or a warrior women tea ceremony.

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The post Could robotics change the game in terms of traveller convenience and mobility? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Robotics are getting into numerous aspects of everyday living, from basic housekeeping to handling perilous occupations like construction, and it is no longer surprising to encounter mobilised automation these days.

We mentioned in passing during our recent coverage of ITB China how the science of robotics has even made its way into the travel and hospitality sectors, and this is a trend we’re opting to keep our eyes on as it holds a great deal of promise for both industries.

In today’s feature, we present how robotics have become a key part of enhancing the experience for both back-end and front of the house participants in these fields, as well as what future developments may look like in the industry.

Current uses in constantly evolving sectors

At present, aside from digital bots or artificial intelligence (AI) agents developed to interact with users online, the application of robotics in travel and travel-adjacent businesses has been as diverse as the machines currently in use.

In a report updated in March of this year by online travel resource site Revfine, practical applications for robots include:

• Security handling     Site security, especially in high-density areas like air and sea ports as well as attractions, is enhanced by the use of patrolling robots which can detect and report unusual activity in real time;
• Delivery services     Smaller robots are deployed throughout wide spaces to bring orders directly to guests, minimising human contact which is key in these pandemic-conscious times. Such technologies have also been used, as above at ITB China, to ferry items like newspapers or bottles of drinking water across wider expanses. such as those in large-scale exhibition halls, to facilitate quick and efficient distribution;
• Housekeeping     Related to the previous item, the use of robots in housekeeping ensures that human workers are not so frequently exposed to potentially contaminated items. Many housekeeping robots are used to keep floors clean at malls, attractions, and restaurants, but these may also be used to collect refuse from various areas, collate used dishes and cutlery, and bring these to the correct facilities for either cleaning or disposal. We have seen such technologies in action at the Philippines’ larger shopping malls as well as hotels belonging to the Sands Group in Singapore and Macau;
• Concierge services     This is already in active use in Japan where the Hen na Hotels chain deploys humanoid or whimsically-configured robots to their front desks to make checking in or out easier for customers. The only downside we see, however, is what happens if there’s a glitch in the programming or when a power failure hits; and
• Luggage handling     While more commonly deployed at the world’s larger and more state-of-the-art airports, luggage handling robots take much of the guesswork out of sorting and handling baggage to be either stowed for later collection or checked into the cargo hold of a plane. We have also seen smaller devices, similar to ITB China’s newspaper-ferrying robo-pups, in use at hotels to carry luggage to rooms in lieu of a human bellhop or attendant.

Potential developments for future use

Over the past decade, the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) has become more widespread, especially in countries with a rapidly ageing population like Singapore, China, and Japan.

These motorised wheelchairs or miniaturised four-wheel vehicles enable those who cannot walk long distances or are physically incapable of walking to explore their surroundings without needing to stumble about with crutches or canes, or even being pushed around by an attendant.

But as convenient as these are, they also pose a high risk of injury to the user and older models built before the electric vehicle revolution may be considered environmental hazards due to emissions.

It should also be noted that the use of such PMDs is now regulated in Singapore due to the reckless use on the part of numerous users, regardless of their age or state of immobility.

Advances in cybernetics, the synthesis of robotics and human interaction, could provide a solution in the form of mobility solutions that could mimic healthy movement, thereby enabling users to participate with minimal intervention.

At the moment, such advances are directed towards the use of the upper limbs and, even then, are still too bulky for everyday use.

However, with the rapid pace of innovation, we will not be surprised if such technologies along with further advancements in robotics become available in the none too distant future.

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Source: traveldailymedia