What is “service?” What really defines “service?” What does it mean when it comes to serving the billions of local, regional and international travelers of the world? Especially at a time of year when the world’s travelling community seems to be on the move to be able to be with what, and who, is most important to them? Expectations of exceptional service delivery perfectly reflect expectations of Santa showing up exactly at midnight, everywhere, for everyone. The term “service” has become a...
This week FlyersRights filed a brief in the US Supreme Court, supporting airline passenger rights and interests. This is the second time that Flyersrights has filed a brief in the US Supreme Court as amici curiae, in support of the passenger. We’re asking the Court to reverse a 9th Circuit Appeal Court ruling that refused to recognize filing a lawsuit in another country satisfies the two-year statute of limitations for claims against airlines on international trips. In FlyersRights’...
It is understood from normally well informed sources in Nairobi that the audit carried out by FAA inspectors last month about the suitability of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to be elevated to the Category 1 status, was successful. While meeting all the stringent standards however did the FAA at this stage not yet approve JKIA for direct flights to the United States after suddenly adding yet another requirement. ‘They asked to bring a regulatory change forward to March next year...
This week, FlyersRights filed a brief in the US Supreme Court, supporting airline passenger rights and interests. This is the second time that FlyersRights has filed a brief in the US Supreme Court as amici curiae, in support of the passenger. The organization is asking the court to reverse a 9th Circuit Appeal Court ruling that refused to recognize filing a lawsuit in another country satisfies the two-year statute of limitations for claims against airlines on international trips. In...
UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai will resign in 2017 and so far two candidates came forward wanting to take over the top post in the United Nations World Tourism Organization. One candidate is from Georgia. He is H.E. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). He revealed his plan for the future of UNWTO under his proposed leadership. Statement of Intent and Management The World...
It’s a must-visit tourism attraction. The famous “Gedaechniskirche,” also known as Memorial Church, is located on Kurfuerstendamm, the major shopping street in Berlin and the center point of the Western part of the city. The ongoing Christimas Market is not only the focus for Berlin visitors, but a fun place for local families to take their children or enjoy a hot wine. The travel and tourism industry today suffered another attack. This time it’s the German capital of...
Mauritius’ controversial Tourism Minister, Xavier-Luc Duval, who was known to be against regional integration and only supported friendly national relations with the Vanilla Islands, has resigned today in a surprise move. Along with Mauritius no longer having a Minister of Tourism, the government no longer has the political party, PMSD. The PMSD (Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate) is the Mauritian Social Democratic Party. Xavier-Luc Duval, leader of the PMSD, and Deputy Prime Minister and...
Following the ouster of former CEO Megh Pillay during a turbulent board meeting at the end of October has the search for a permanent successor gained pace. While Mr. Raja Buton, who had previously acted as CEO, was brought back into the hot seat for the time being to hold fort, and to satisfy regulatory requirements as an acceptable accountable manager for the Mauritius CAA, is reportedly a head hunt now underway to find a permanent solution. Pillay only served for eight months in the job but...
Perception is everything! It is reality to others. Once the image is imbued and deeply embedded in one’s mind, it is near impossible to change or remove without adapting and advancing a radical strategy to counter the status quo. One of the wonders of Zimbabwe is an opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal. Zimbabwe is much more than politics and political rhetoric. If you are reading this, you are probably one of many who are tired of persistent negative headlines that scream at you...
Jordan is usually a very safe tourist destination in the Middle East, but not on Sunday. Four police officers and a Canadian tourist were killed in a shooting attack. The gunman later took several people hostage, including other tourists. The hostages later were freed from the Karak Castle where they were held. A Canadian tourist was among those killed in the shootout between the armed men and police. The other four killed were police officers. Nine people were injured. The attackers then hid...
13 people were killed and 55 were wounded, when a bus was hit by an explosion outside a university in the Turkish city of Kayseri. According to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, who was speaking at a joint news conference with the health minister, all of the injured are being treated in hospital, with 12 in intensive care and six in critical condition. Turkey’s General Staff said earlier that 13 people had been killed in the explosion. According to Soylu, eight of them have now been identified...
LGBTQ Managing Director Richard Gray for the Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism board said today: “I love my job!” He said this when attending a 6 Star Gala dinner compliments of Emirates Airline to celebrate their new air service non-stop from Dubai to Fort Lauderdale. For this UAE based airline, it’s the 11th gateway destination to the United States It’s a daily nonstop passenger service between Dubai and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport today. A VIP...
The competition to become the new Secretary General of UNWTO is on. In the ring is the Hon. Walter Mzembi from Zimbabwe and the Hon. Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia. The outspoken Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Walter Mzembi has been on a global campaign traveling the world back and forth. He has been doing this for many months seeking support for his candidacy. He got the endorsement of the African Union and was promised support from countries in many different regions of the...
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined American Airlines $1.6 million for violating the Department’s rule prohibiting long tarmac delays. The airline was ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations. This fine represents the highest amount assessed against an airline for violating the tarmac delay rule, matching a similar $1.6 million fine assessed against Southwest Airlines in 2015. “Our tarmac rule is meant to prevent passengers from being trapped in aircraft...
IATA releases the state of the airline industry in financial terms. Latest numbers are from November 2016 – and they look good The latest financial results from Q3 2016 continue to indicate another solid quarter for industry profitability, although there are ongoing signs that momentum in the profitability cycle has weakened; Global airline share prices jumped by 7.5% in November, driven by a 16.4% increase for North America carriers; Brent crude oil prices recently reached a 17-month...
An article I read recently highlighted the possibility of germs, bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens on aircraft, particularly in toilets, reservoir water tanks, on seats, seat belts, inflight entertainment touch screens, door handles, food trays and cabin air. Aircraft transports thousands of passengers to various destinations on a daily basis. The potential for disease causing pathogens on an aircraft rises with every boarding pass issued, increasing the possibility of contracting...
Just last week US president-elect Donald Trump said he would cut all deals with Iran. Today Boeing and Iran Air announced an agreement today for 80 aircraft that includes 50 737 MAX 8s, 15 777-300ERs and 15 777-9s, valued at $16.6 billion at list prices. Boeing was quick to point out this deal would support 100,000 American jobs. Based on its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Air announced in June, the contract was reached within the terms of the U.S. Government license issued to Boeing...
Egypt overall went back to safety for tourists lately. The country has been putting great effort into re-launch tourism after a wave of terror over the last several years. a terror explosion at Egypt’s main Coptic Christian cathedral on Sunday has left at least 26 people dead and another 25 injured, Egyptian media reported. It’s not clear if tourists were among the dead in a terror attack in Cairo today. An explosion at Egypt’s main Coptic Christian cathedral on Sunday has left at least...
Explosions and gunshots rang out today, December 10, near Beşiktaş’s Vodafone Arena in Istanbul two hours after a football match between Besiktas and Bursaspor, two of Turkey’s top teams. Ambulances and police were sent to the scene where it has been reported that at least 20 police officers were injured. Initial reports indicated that there were two explosions followed by gunshots, and it is believed the riot police were the target for the attack. The news was announced by Interior...
A light with stars and snowflake Christmas lights, every year the city of Bethlehem, which is known as the birthplace of both Jesus Christ and Christianity, hosts a series of Christmas celebrations. From parades to lighting a Christmas tree almost as big as the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City, to restoring mosaics at the famous Church of Nativity, the city is looking to promote itself on and to strengthen the Christian community. Palestinian officials say Christmas celebrations are a...
The Solomon Islands were struck again today by a big 6.9-magnitude earthquake. This is following the huge 7.8 quake that hit the islands yesterday. Following yesterday’s earthquake, the islands felt several powerful aftershocks, and today, December 9, 2016, at 19:10:06 UTC another quake hit. Damage has been reported from yesterday’s earthquake, and today’s event will surely compound that situation. No tsunami warnings were issued yesterday, and hopefully not today. Distances: • 90 km (55 mi)...
Ginger Strand published in the latest Nature Org Magazine and Helena Sims circulated with pride that the Seychelles debt swap and marine spatial planning initiative are featured in the December/January issue of the Nature Conservancy Magazine, and was chosen to be featured on the cover. Helena Sims says that his project is a huge team effort from the Nature Conservancy staff literally around the world with TNC facilitating the process on behalf of the Government of Seychelles. The Marine...
The 2015 Paris Accords set in train, a 3-decade, low carbon transformation, based on widespread recognition that “Climate Change is existential”. This is the reason for the creation of SUN – the Strong Universal Network – as an essential movement of increasingly engaged industry, government, and civil society partners – focussed on climate resilience as a priority. We are creating a platform for tracking, focussing and sharing climate response innovation as it intersects with travel...
Paris is the primary attraction in the principal destination in Europe. The publicity associated with the events of 2015 and 2016 have led to a softening of its appeal in such long haul origin markets as the US, Japan and China. Many visitors who would normally have come have chosen not to do so: amidst a decline of 8% of international arrivals in Paris, the Chinese and Japanese have seen shortfalls as high as 25%. This has a significance beyond France. “Our members sell Europe as a...
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) airplane with 48 people on board has crashed on its approach to Islamabad from a popular tourist region of Chitral. The airline said a small turboprop ATR-42 aircraft had lost contact with aircraft controllers shortly before police confirmed that an aircraft had crashed near the town of Havelian. PIA said the plane crashed at 1642 local time (1142 GMT) in the Havelian area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 125 km (77 miles) north of Islamabad...
International Civil Aviation Day is annually observed December 7 to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation and the role that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) plays in international air transport. The organization is a United Nations (UN) body responsible for developing international standards for aviation safety. The Council President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, and ICAO Secretary General, Dr...
Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating a terror threat to the Los Angeles metro system, after receiving information on Monday suggesting that an attack was set to be launched on a station used to visit Universal Studios on the network’s Red Line on Tuesday, officials say. The information came from an anonymous phone call to a public safety line overseas, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Deirdre Fike told a news conference. The tip line was run by...
Thailand has welcomed its 30 millionth visitor for 2016, breaking tourist records. The “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor – The Amazing, Smashing Success” was Ms. Huang Junyi who flew into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from Guangzhou, China, on the auspicious date of 5 December, 2016. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “This has been an amazing year for tourism in amazing Thailand as shown by the huge numbers of visitors. We have reached 30 million and...
The Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) Board has approved plans to create a new European leisure airline group in a joint venture with TUI AG, with a fleet of around 60 aircraft, offering 15 million seats capacity per year, focused on point-to-point flying to connect key European tourist markets. The transaction is subject to approvals by aviation regulatory bodies and anti-trust authorities. The planned transaction includes an agreement for EAG’s subsidiary Etihad Investment Holding Company LLC...
Kathmandu, November 30, 2016: Nepal Tourism Board announced the launch of ‘Experience Nepal’ tourism campaign in partnership with American Express and Himalayan Bank. The global campaign that aims to promote Nepal as an international tourist destination will be on till 31st July 2017. American Express will be the Official Card for the campaign under this exclusive partnership. The campaign will target several countries including India, China, USA, UK, Germany, France and Japan among others. It...
