How did Georgia become the official ITB Host Country?

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Will prime minister Irakli Garibashviliand from Georgia and UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili recognize World Tourism Network VP Burkhard Herbote when they open ITB 2023 in Berlin next week? A proud Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashviliand and a controversial UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili must be...

ITA Airways Negotiations in Full Swing with Lufthansa and Treasury

by: Mario Masciullo – eTN Italy | The mediation document “will end up in the preliminary agreement which, barring any hitches, will be signed in the second half of March and which aims to bring Lufthansa into the minority (40%).” Additionally, Il Corriere daily reported,  “there is no more time...

Maya Luxe names new Chief Operating Officer

by: editor | In this role, Cundall will work closely with Maya Luxe’s owners, Steph Farr and Darren Rushin, to execute a strategy that will result in Maya Luxe increasing its brand recognition, as well as villa owners trusting the company to rent their homes to visiting guests. A key...

Sabre President takes on CEO position

by: editor | At that time, Kurt Ekert, currently President of Sabre, will also become the company’s Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors. Ekert has also been nominated as a director for election at Sabre’s 2023 Annual Meeting, to be held on April 26, 2023. These moves...

Italy Tourism Minister Lays Out Strategic Plan

by: Mario Masciullo – eTN Italy | The Italy Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, presented the Strategic Plan for Tourism 2023-2027 to insiders by video conference. An audience of about 80 people – including organized tourism associations – represented the entire supply chain and contributed to the debate by expressing...

Czechia, Czech Republic, or Czechoslovakia love Czech Tourism

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | A lot has changed from Czechoslovakia as a loyal Soviet run behind the iron curtain country to a new EU and NATO member nation in Europe, named the Czech Republic, to a friendly tourism destination known by the cute name of Czechia. Today, the Czechia...

Belarus announces visa-free entry for Polish visitors

by: Harry Johnson | Belarusian government officials announced today that the citizens of neighboring Poland will be allowed visa-free entry to Belarus starting tomorrow, March 2, 2023. Visitors from Poland will be permitted to enter Belarus without tourist or any other visas through all checkpoints on the EU border with...

Turkish Airlines: $2.7 billion net profit in 2022

by: Harry Johnson | Global aviation industry went through a year of increasing geopolitical tensions and global inflationist pressures while facing operational problems following the Covid-19 pandemic. Turkish Airlines closed 2022 with $2.7 billion net profit standing out from its competition thanks to its operational agility, wide flight network and...

Banyan Tree Group To Open First Resort in Spain

by: Harry Johnson | Banyan Tree Group, one of the world’s leading multi-branded independent hospitality groups, has signed an MOU with La Quinta Real Estate Group to open Angsana Real de la Quinta Benahavis Marbella resort and residences in 2026. Located in the charming Mediterranean town of Benahavis near Marbella,...

Antigua & Barbuda Art Week

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | In Antigua and Barbuda, art, music, film, and dance will take over the twin-island paradise for seven days as a new festival, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week (ABAW) get, set to take place from April 16 – April 22, 2023, under the vibrant theme, ‘Culture in Colour’.  Antigua and...

Nevis Tourism names new Director of Sales & Marketing

by: Harry Johnson | The Caribbean island of Nevis has announced the appointment of Mr. Phéon Jones to manage and advance the institution’s strategy as Director of Sales & Marketing for all markets with specific responsibility for the North American Market. Prior to this position, Mr. Jones started his career...

Different US states favor different honeymoon destinations

by: Harry Johnson | New study has revealed Americans’ favorite honeymoon destinations, after industry experts analyzed Google Trends data to establish the most-searched-for honeymoon locations in each US state.  The analysis determined that Indonesia topped people’s wish lists as the most desirable destination in eight states, with Hawaii, Kansas, Idaho,...

New London flights from LA, San Francisco, Washington, Boston

by: Harry Johnson | Norse Atlantic Airways launches four new routes from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston to London Gatwick, with the carrier now offering a total of seven flight paths over the Atlantic this summer. The new routes will be in addition to the previously announced...

Kiribati Tourism Authority opens Nonouti for Tourism

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Over the last 12 months, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Tourism Officer – Product Development, Ms. Kiarake Karuaki made numerous trips to Nonouti to introduce the concept of Sustainable CBT to communities and local organizations on the island. These trips included scoping for potential...

The Arab Tourism Capital 2023 is Doha

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani at the Katara Cultural Village. The event took place on Arab Tourism Day (February 25), and was attended by tourism ministers, ambassadors and prominent leaders from...