The post Red Sea Global wins at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Middle East appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Red Sea Global (RSG) scored two big wins at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Middle East, taking home the Community Engagement Program of the Year – Saudi Arabia and the Health and Safety Initiative of the Year – Saudi Arabia awards. 

RSG is a vertically integrated real estate developer driving Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry with a diverse portfolio across tourism, residential, experiences, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services, including regenerative destinations like The Red Sea and AMAALA.

The company is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to diversify its economy. Committed to sustainable development, they create experiences that uplift communities, boost economies, and protect the environment.

A platform for connection

With its commitment to building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the local community, RSG’s Social Development department ensures that residents can benefit from the opportunities and technological advancements that come with it, all whilst preserving their cultural practices.

Jewar App was specifically tailored to meet—and continuously evolve with—the unique needs of the local communities around RSG destinations, including Al Wajh, Umluj, Duba, Al Ais, and surrounding villages.

Since its launch in December 2023, the application has so far attracted over 21,000 users. Its two-way communication model, offering feedback and promoting open dialogue between RSG and the local population. It also allows community members to access real-time information about RSG’s developments, provide feedback, participate in polls, comment on articles, apply to jobs and development programmes, and share insights on social development programmes.

Jewar was specifically tailored to meet and continually adapt to the evolving needs and aspirations of these communities. The company is also expanding its social development programmes to cover all local communities surrounding destinations. 

As a communication platform, Jewar extends the reach of RSG’s social development efforts. It contributes to progress towards several UN Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging technology to benefit societies and businesses. 

Jewar provides access to various capacity-building programmes and employment opportunities through direct partnerships. These programmes include English for Tourism, perfumery workshops, business development for women’s empowerment, and others.

By centralising these opportunities on the app, it is easier for users to engage with them. RSG uses the data collected via Jewar to further develop its initiatives, aiming to reduce unemployment and create sustainable economic opportunities that are in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

RSG is working to enhance the application, with planned improvements including streamlining processes through automation and system integration; enriching cultural and local content; highlighting heritage; supporting local businesses by creating a directory for local vendors and service providers (including individual practitioners, freelancers, small businesses, etc.); and providing personalised communications based on user location and profile information.

Health and safety initiative

RSG deems the safety and well-being of its guests, employees and stakeholders to be its top priorities. The company provides comprehensive emergency response and medical services throughout the construction and operation of its ultra-luxury island and land-based hotels, including The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations.

Its robust emergency response strategy features onshore and island medical clinics staffed by skilled professionals. Its infrastructure includes dedicated Emergency Medical Service (EMS) boats, a hyperbaric chamber, UTV vehicles, fire trucks, 4×4 ambulances, and helicopters to handle various emergencies. The company also prepared itself for potential emergencies by continuously enhancing its preparedness through regular drills and training.

RSG also recognises the risks in the water sports and adventures they offer through subsidiary brands and underscores comprehensive health and safety measures. The hyperbaric chamber at The Red Sea destination is proof of its dedication to managing diving emergencies. It also operates the region’s first PADI Adaptive Diving Service Centers, enhancing the Red Sea coast’s status as a top diving destination.

Furthermore, RSG’s emergency medical services (EMS) network includes 15 clinics, with four primary facilities and a central medical facility (CMF) designed for larger populations. The company provides round-the-clock care as well, which is made possible by 11 satellite clinics and a team of 113 medical professionals. 

Aside from these, RSG has specialised medical transport that includes helicopters, ensuring rapid patient transfers and access to advanced care. This initiative guarantees comprehensive safety and medical services to over 60,000 stakeholders, including employees, contractors, and visitors.

Through these substantial investments in emergency response and medical services, RSG demonstrates its exceptional commitment to the well-being of its stakeholders. 

TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Middle East is a prestigious awards programme that recognises key players that redefine industry standards and elevate customer experiences in the travel industry.

The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Middle East is presented by Travel Daily Media. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more details, please contact Jane Patiag at +(65) 3158 1386 ext. 217 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.

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The post Kimpton Kitalay Samui presents a Japanese culinary pop-up in October appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Kimpton Kitalay Samui gets ready to turn into a gourmet paradise this October with the launch of its creative Japanese pop-up SHIO.

Throughout the month, the resort’s popular beachfront LANAI Bar & Lounge turns into an exquisite sushi bar at the hands of  Wacharun “Chef Run” Imarramsak.

Chef Run serves up a curated collection of his own handmade delicacies, including artistic dishes and signature sushi rolls that are set to attract experience-seeking diners.

Stylish and sophisticated yet also warm and friendly, this pop-up restaurant will blend the rustic-chic ambiance of a Samui beach lounge with the authentic elegance of a Tokyo sushi bar. The gentle sound of the ocean waves will be accompanied by cool Japanese beats.

A compelling new culinary destination

Kimpton Kitalay Samui general director Paul Loader expressed his excitement at this upcoming offering from the resort.

Loader said: “We are excited to reveal SHIO, a compelling new culinary destination for our hotel guests and authentic Japanese cuisine lovers in Samui. I am confident that everyone will love Chef Run’s creative, eye-catching and experiential cuisine. We look forward to welcoming discerning diners from all across the island to experience this innovative style of gastronomy.”

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The post Europalco powers the first 100% AI-dedicated conference in Lisbon: AIVØLUT1ØN Event appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, in partnership with Knower Impact Meetings, proudly announces the success of AIVØLUT1ØN, the first conference in Lisbon entirely dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Held in the Sala Tejo of the MEO Arena, this landmark event brought together business leaders, innovators and AI enthusiasts to explore the transformative power of AI in business management and beyond.

The AIVØLUT1ØN event marked an important milestone in the AI landscape, attracting many attendees. Europalco played a big part in this success by providing full AV and staging services. Europalco’s team of approximately 28 members worked on-site and after two months of extensive preparation, they flawlessly executed all technical details.

An impressive 25-metre curved main screen and a 4-metre raised circular screen in the middle served as the event’s centrepiece. This configuration was reinforced by 24 metres of projection on the sides of the black curtain, providing an immersive visual experience. The round screen primarily displayed images and photos of the speakers, while dynamic live projections added a layer of visual excitement.

Europalco deployed world-class audiovisual technology, including an L-Acoustics Kiva sound system, a sophisticated lighting system with 14 mega point lights, 12 LED floodlights, 64 wash lights, and 8 BMFLs, all controlled by a full-size console. Three cameras operated by a control system captured the event, while two Christie Boxer 30000 lumens projectors coupled with four 16000 lumens projectors provided stunning visuals. A Christie Spyder X80 processor and PVP server handled the video processing and show control.

The entire event revolved around the theme of AI, with a particular focus on its impact on business management. Reflecting this theme, AI generated the image of the event and various visual elements, offering a glimpse of the creative potential of this technology. Video projection played a crucial role in creating an engaging and futuristic atmosphere.

Organising an event of this scale and complexity was not without its challenges. Coordinating the extensive audiovisual set-up, ensuring the seamless integration of various technologies and maintaining a high level of quality required careful planning and teamwork. The experienced Europalco team met these challenges with innovative solutions and unwavering dedication.

The event featured renowned speakers and pioneers in the technological analysis of the future. Their insights provided valuable perspectives on the transformative power of AI in business and society. The Beatbombers, a Portuguese Dj crew formed by Dj Ride and Stereossauro, added a dynamic touch to the event with an electrifying entertainment segment that resonated with the audience.

Feedback from attendees and partners was overwhelmingly positive. Participants praised the event’s organisation, the quality of the audiovisual experience and the content presented by the speakers.

Pedro Magalhães, CEO of Europalco, said: “I am proud of the collaborative effort and technological expertise that made AIVØLUT1ØN a resounding success. By combining cutting-edge technology, creative design and flawless execution, Europalco and Knower have set a new benchmark for AI conferences. AIVØLUT1ØN not only showcased the potential of AI but also fostered meaningful discussions and networking opportunities for business leaders and innovators.”

 

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The post Airnguru partners with Royal Brunei Airlines to elevate pricing capabilities appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Airnguru has announced a multi-year agreement with Royal Brunei Airlines, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Brunei. The new partnership will significantly enhance the airline’s operational efficiency, increase automation, and bolster its competitive stance as it continues to expand its footprint in the global aviation market.

Royal Brunei Airlines is now the tenth carrier to leverage Airnguru’s cutting-edge solutions, highlighting the technology provider’s strong market fit and superior customer service. Airnguru’s ability to quickly gain traction across four continents underscores its commitment to delivering value and driving success for its airline partners.

Javier Jiménez, COO and Co-Founder of Airnguru, said: “Partnering with Royal Brunei Airlines at this crucial stage of their global expansion means we can directly address the challenges they face in today’s competitive landscape. Our solutions are designed to enhance their operational capabilities and market responsiveness, and so we look forward to seeing the tangible impact this collaboration will have on their growth and efficiency.”

Joshua Kok Hwa Law, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Brunei Airlines, added: “In our quest to enhance commercial excellence and stay ahead in the competitive airline industry, partnering with Airnguru was a strategic decision. We believe that Airnguru’s expertise in pricing technology will be pivotal in our ongoing efforts to optimize pricing strategies and deliver even greater value to our guests.”

“We are delighted to partner with Airnguru as a strategic partner on our path to digitalize some of our processes to ensure we are working for our customers efficiently and be able to respond quickly to market demands. This partnership will ensure we are taking advantage of technological advancements in the airline business, especially in AI. RB will continue to invest in technology to further increase our efficiency and market competitiveness.”  added Captain Sabrin Haji Abdul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Brunei Airlines.

The announcement is the latest in a series of long-term agreements for Airnguru, which included strategic partnerships with leading carriers Qatar Airways and Aeromexico.

 

 

 

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The post SiteMinder and IDeaS bring dynamic revenue management to Asian hospitality appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Hotel distribution and revenue platform SiteMinder ushers in a new era of revenue management for hotels as it launches Dynamic Revenue Plus, the only solution for hotels to both access live market intelligence and take immediate action on their bookable inventory, pricing and distribution strategy. 

Unlike revenue management systems that have traditionally been accessible to a limited number of hotels, the dual capability within Dynamic Revenue Plus means any hotel can, for the first time, use one, mobile-first system to optimise their revenue based on market demand.

Powered by the data within SiteMinder’s platform, which stems from an unparalleled 120 million annual hotel reservations, Dynamic Revenue Plus gives users the most comprehensive data available, including top source markets. 

SiteMinder chief product officer Leah Rankin said: “While market intelligence is not new, Dynamic Revenue Plus by SiteMinder is unique among existing solutions for the capability it offers hoteliers to not only consume insights but to take multiple actions, beyond pricing changes, within minutes.”

Rankin added that the solution’s mobile-first approach and unique ability to provide insight into future levels and timings of demand mean hoteliers can adapt with the market. 

A dynamic team-up

SiteMinder executives add dynamic pricing recommendations from IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of revenue management software and services, will further enhance the solution’s functionality. 

The built-in combination of IDeaS’ dynamic pricing strength and SiteMinder’s distribution platform with deep market intelligence will provide powerful revenue management capability and speed-to-market to hotels of any size, including the most resource-strapped. To date, these have been accessible only as separate solutions and limited to hotels with dedicated revenue management resources.

Using the unified solution, any hotel can now move away from traditional, static revenue management practices, characterised by slow and irregular changes, to a more dynamic approach that involves frequent adjustments to revenue strategies in response to market fluctuations. 

Examples of changes include bulk room rate updates, new minimum base rates and lengths of stay, sale restrictions, inventory adjustments and new marketing promotions, which can all be done on mobile as well as desktop.

Rankin said of this unified solution: She said: “Dynamic Revenue Plus is the first of its kind and, together with the team at IDeaS, we at SiteMinder are delighted to make it available for all hotels looking to make the critical shift to dynamic revenue management and drive significant growth in revenue.”

IDeaS chief evangelist and development officerlikewise remarked: “We’re committed to democratising revenue management and bringing the benefits of dynamic, demand-based pricing to hotels across the globe. This partnership provides another viable option for hotels of all resources and operating models to stop leaving money on the table due to outdated manual revenue management practices and tools.”

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The post China sees significant growth in travel for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism reports that 107 million domestic trips were recorded during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.

This marks a 6.3 percent increase from the same period in 2019 just before the pandemic.

The ministry also saw steady growth in the number of cross-border trips, as the National Immigration Administration reported a total of close to 5.26 million during the holiday period. Likewise, the average number of cross-border trips showed an 18.6 year-on-year increase, clocking in an average of 1.75 million trips a day.

Authorities also noted that the primary travel choices for users during the holiday were two-to-three-day self-driving getaways and high-speed rail trips to nearby destinations.

Leaning into tradition

Online travel services provider Ctrip shows that many travellers opted for activities centred on traditional cultural elements during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Such activities included participating in lantern fairs, watching fireworks, boating to admire the moon, and touring traditional gardens in Hanfu.

By combining seasonal celebrations and traditional cultural elements, various regions expanded their consumption and experiential offerings beyond traditional moon-gazing activities. The central city of Wuhan, for example, revived a large-scale firework show that had been absent for over a decade, resulting in a 20 percent surge in local tour bookings compared to the previous three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

Meanwhile, scenic spots ideal for moon watching in small towns have caught the eyes of young travellers. For instance, Mingyue Mountain in Yichun, Jiangxi Province, known for its moon-chasing zip line featuring the largest drop in Asia and the highest mountain lake in the Jiangnan region, has become a popular destination for young people to chase the moon during the holiday.

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The post Hoshino Resorts present an elegant autumn experience in Miyagi Prefecture appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Hoshino Resorts offers travellers heading to Japan this autumn a tour off the beaten track into Miyagi Prefecture.

Located in Northeastern Japan, the prefecture’s long and vibrant history makes it the ideal base from which to explore Tohoku, the region between Tokyo and Hokkaido.

Those eager to see Japan’s autumn foliage but don’t mind venturing into regional areas away from the crowds on the country’s Golden Route will certainly appreciate traditional ryokan stays in Miyagi, as these are a perfect way to immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

In the heart of Sendai

Located between Akiu Otaki Falls and the historical Sendai Castle ruins is a hot spring ryokan by Hoshino Resorts called KAI Akiu. The newly renovated premises are by a beautiful river valley where the seasonal colours are framed by the windows in every room.

Sendai, the capital of Miyagi, is a beautiful tree-lined city known for its local delicacy gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and impressive monuments dedicated to its founder and legendary daimyo (feudal lord) Date Masamune who was nicknamed the One-Eyed Dragon.

At KAI Akiu, there is a semi-outdoor lounge where you can admire the autumn leaves with the gentle breeze and burbling sound of the river while enjoying hospitality fit for a daimyo . Here, local delicacies are served on elegant lacquer standing trays, as was once done for Date Masamune’s meals.

This ryokan also offers a cultural activity to enjoy sake the way the local daimyo once did in an elegant banquet room with a wall decorated in the style of the daimyo’s war flag: a golden circle on a navy background. Guests can learn how to instill camaraderie in one another through the acts of serving and consuming locally brewed sake.

Relax at the Akiu Onsen

Spanning a 1,400-year history, Akiu Onsen is known as one of the Three Great Hot Springs of Japan. Two hot springs located on the premises feed the baths at KAI Akiu. 

Guests can immerse themselves in the open-air rock baths surrounded by nature, or in the two indoor public baths, one of which is a pleasantly warm bath at body temperature, offering a peaceful and revitalising experience.

Almost all rooms include a sitting area beside a wide window overlooking the area’s gorgeous river valley. The sitting area is decorated in deep blue tones that evoke the river. The carefully considered interior along with the services at KAI Akiu is designed to make guests feel like the daimyos that once ruled this land.

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The post British Airways announces direct flights to Tbilisi, Georgia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

British Airways will launch flights from London Heathrow to Tbilisi, Georgia next year, operating four times per week from 30 March 2025. The full-service carrier operates flights from eight UK airports to London Heathrow, allowing customers from the likes of Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester and Newcastle to travel to Tbilisi seamlessly via Heathrow on a single ticket.

Located at the crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, traditional cuisine and picturesque scenery. The country proudly lays claim to being the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old history of winemaking that remains a predominant part of its culture today.

Tbilisi is located on the banks of the Mtkvari River, surrounded by hills with the Caucasus Mountains to the north. The city attracts visitors looking to soak up the charm of the cobbled streets of its historic city centre, its unique blend of architecture, and diverse cuisine, which has been influenced by its history and surroundings. The canyons and caves near Kutaisi and multiple UNESCO World heritage sites are within easy reach for avid explorers.

Customers have the choice of two cabins on every flight: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy). Euro Traveller customers enjoy a complimentary drink and snack, while Club Europe customers have lounge access, a full meal service, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance included in their ticket.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tbilisi back into our route network, after our last scheduled service in 2013. We expect this to be a popular route with the leisure market, which has seen a strong comeback since 2019, as well as with those looking to enjoy direct flights to visit friends and family. We look forward to improving the connectivity between our two capital cities next year.”

Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, said: “We are proud that flagship carrier British Airways has decided to enter the Georgian market, which is important recognition for our country. This will significantly boost Georgia’s awareness within the UK market and improve connectivity with the USA, which is a strategic partner country of Georgia.”

The timings of both the inbound and outbound flights have been optimised for those customers wishing to connect onto other services from Heathrow, particularly New York and destinations across Europe which aren’t served directly from Georgia, such as Madrid and Barcelona.

London Heathrow (LHR) to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) All times are local Aircraft: A320neo
Day	Flight number	Departing LHR	Arriving TBS
Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun	BA890	21:25	05:30 (+1)
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Day	Flight number	Departing TBS	Arriving LHR
Wed	BA891	07:10	09:40
Fri, Sun, Mon	BA891	07:30	10:00

Customers looking for holiday packages can enjoy a wide selection from British Airways Holidays, which include deposits from just £60pp, flexible payment options, ATOL protection, a 24-hour helpline and 23kg baggage allowance as standard. For example:

British Airways Holidays offers two nights at the 4.5* Moxy Tbilisi from £369pp on a room-only basis, travelling between May and July 2025 inclusive. Includes Euro Traveller (economy) return flights from London Heathrow and one 23kg checked bag per person. Book by 29 September 2024

 

 

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