World Tourism

The Red Sea Development Company has awarded the design contract for the destination’s international airport, set to serve the one million annual tourists by 2030. After competitive tendering, the contract was awarded to Fosters + Partners. “Awarding the contract for the design of our airport is an important milestone and …

Jamaica has received resounding support from the Japan Association of Travel agents in the quest to increase arrivals from the country.  In a meeting with a delegation from the Caribbean destination, JATA chairman Hiromi Tagawa said: “JATA is pleased that Jamaica is once again active in the Japanese travel market. …

The Latin American Travel Association, in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Tourism Board, has launched a #NicaraguaisOpen tourism campaign. The campaign aims to promote Nicaragua’s widespread tourism offering and create engagement with the travel trade, as well as growing visitor numbers following a period of uncertainty for the country. In 2017, …

Officials in Chile have released a statement attempting to allay fears the tourism sector in the country has been hit by recent unrest. Protests over a hike in metro fares spun out of control earlier this month, prompting president Sebastian Pinerato to pledge sweeping social and economic reforms. However, efforts …

Officials at the UK Civil Aviation Authority have cleared a backlog of ATOL licence applications which accumulated after the collapse of Thomas Cook. The body took what it called an “exceptional decision” to extend the licences of all ATOL holders that had applied for a new licence by the start …

Barbados Tourism Marketing chief executive William ‘Billy’ Griffith has tendered his resignation, effective December 31st. Following the move, the board of the organisation said it now had an opportunity to recruit a new leader and ensure a smooth transition as his contract comes to an end. Chairman of the board, …

Gulf Air has celebrated its inaugural service to the Maldives, with its flight GF144 touching down at Velana International Airport earlier. The aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute and, upon arrival, a celebratory event was held. In attendance was of Gulf Air chief commercial officer, Vincent Coste, managing …

American Airlines has unveiled plans to launch the only non-stop service from Los Angeles International Airport to Christchurch, New Zealand, next October. The airline is also adding the only direct service between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Auckland, New Zealand, which will increase connecting opportunities for more customers across …

Tourists have been rushing to Uluru in Australia before climbing on the sacred rock is banned. Huge crowds gathered at the site, formerly known as Ayers Rock, which will be permanently off limits to tourists from Saturday morning. Uluru is sacred to its indigenous custodians, the Anangu people, who have …

Tencent has announced a collaboration with South African Tourism’s Beijing office to entice more Chinese tourists into visiting the country. In 2018, the spend from Chinese tourists in South Africa increased 69 per cent, from R1.4 billion to R2.4 billion. Annual visitor numbers are now nearly 100,000, while the average …