Browsing: Travel

In a significant leap towards a greener future, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, reported a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometre (RTK) in 2022, as revealed in its annual sustainability report. This impressive feat, down to 482 grams compared to the 2019 baseline, stands testimony to the airline’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. Etihad’s robust sustainability strategy serves as the backbone of this achievement. The strategy stands on the pillars of emissions reductions through in-sector measures, alignment with industry voluntary roadmaps and frameworks, and effective collaboration with UAE industrial ecosystems. The airline’s proactive and…

The Gaya Tumuli, a collection of seven tomb clusters representing Korea’s ancient Gaya confederacy, has received a recommendation for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced on Thursday that the international advisory body, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), has recommended the Gaya Tumuli for inscription. The final decision on the Gaya Tumuli’s inclusion will be made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in September. Yonhap reported that the ICOMOS’ recommendation will play a significant role in the decision-making process. Gaya was…

Dubai was abuzz with excitement as His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, officially opened the 30th Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on May 1st, 2023. The ATM, known as the Middle East’s most prominent travel and tourism exhibition, is poised to deliver a dynamic platform for industry stakeholders to explore innovations in the realm of decarbonisation, aligning with its theme ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the…

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Economic Forum (GTEF) have announced their intentions to strengthen their collaboration in a joint effort to promote closer ties between governments and the tourism industry’s private sector. The two organizations plan to revamp and enhance their annual Forum, with this year’s event set to take place on September 21st in Macau, China, marking the 10th anniversary of the Forum. Subsequent events will alternate locations between Macau and a different host country, which will be chosen collaboratively by UNWTO and GTEF. The announcement was made in Lisbon by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab…

According to recent data published by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), the country’s cumulative tourist revenues exceeded the 1 billion-dinar mark in the first quarter of 2023. This represents a remarkable increase of 64% compared to the same period last year. The data also revealed an 8.5% increase in cumulative labor income, reaching 1.9 billion dinars against 1.7 billion dinars in March 2022. The growth in the tourism industry and labor income is a positive sign for the Tunisian economy, which has struggled in recent years. However, external debt services saw a significant surge of 23%, reaching 2.4 billion…

Emerging Asian economies are projected to maintain real GDP growth of 5.3% in 2023, according to the OECD Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2023. The region’s economies have been bolstered by the export sector, but inflation and interest rate differentials may increase capital flow volatility and put pressure on local currencies. The report highlights that the return of tourists is key to further bolstering economies as the travel and tourism sector generated around 12% of Southeast Asian economies’ GDP and around 11% of employment in Emerging Asia pre-pandemic. However, the sector must adapt to challenges such as…

A flight operated by Etihad Airways touched down last night in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state in eastern India. With seven weekly nonstop services, the airline once again connects Kolkata with the world through Abu Dhabi, making its much-anticipated return to the city. EY256, the first flight on the new service, departed Abu Dhabi at 13:50 local time on 26th March and landed at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at 20:10 local time last night. There was a cake-cutting ceremony and celebration for passengers at Kolkata Airport, where Etihad and Kolkata Airport executives attended. On the 26th…

For the year ending on 31st December 2022, flydubai’s historic profits were AED1.2 billion (US$327 million), a 43% increase from 2021. AED9.1 billion (US$2.5 billion) was the carrier’s total annual revenue in 2022, up 72% from AED5.3 billion (US$1.4 billion). A record 10.6 million passengers were carried by the airline, up 89% from 2021, and 17 new aircraft were delivered, the highest number in a year. As part of its biggest recruitment campaign yet, flydubai also hired 1,300 employees in 2022. A statement by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, stated, “Flydubai’s record performance for 2022…

A global investment company with operations in 13 countries, Dubai Holding, announced today that it has acquired Henderson Park’s stake in The Westin Paris – Vendome. In Paris, France, the hotel is one of the most valuable real estate assets because of its ultra-prime location. Dubai Holding and Henderson Park acquired The Westin Paris – Vendome jointly in 2018. Dubai Holding’s extensive portfolio of world-class assets in key gateway locations has been strengthened through the acquisition of this prime asset. It also supports the Group’s long-term strategy of global expansion, which is focused on boosting its presence in strategic locations…

While taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an American Airlines aircraft collided with a shuttle bus. In addition to the bus passengers and aviation workers, five people were injured and four were hospitalized. When the accident occurred, the aircraft was not carrying passengers. The plane was being towed by a tug vehicle when the collision occurred and one worker was injured. No passengers were on board the Airbus A321, which was being towed on a taxiway around 10 p.m. local time. It hit a bus that was transporting passengers between terminals, the Federal Aviation Administration said.