Global Village, the UAE’s premier multicultural family destination, will open its doors for its 29th season on October 16, 2024, and run until May 11, 2025. The announcement comes after a record-breaking 28th season, attracting over 10 million visitors, and promises even more exciting experiences, cultural representations, and entertainment options.
Taiwan is launching a new tourism initiative to revitalize its sector after a powerful earthquake in April. The plan includes special airfares, a new branding campaign, and a roadshow in Thailand to attract international tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tuniu Corporation, a leading Chinese travel agency, have signed a Letter of Intent to further strengthen their partnership and attract more Chinese tourists to Thailand. The agreement outlines key areas of collaboration, including marketing campaigns, influencer outreach, and joint promotions, with the goal of reaching Thailand’s target of 7.3 million Chinese visitors this year.
Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, has launched a major sale on flights to the United States, offering significant discounts on 50,000 flights. The sale, known as the North and South America Red Tail Sale, includes popular destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu, with fares starting at just $1,199. The move is expected to boost tourism between Australia and North America, making international travel more affordable and accessible.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has partnered with the Tourism Seasonality Summit (TSS) to address the challenges of tourism seasonality in the Asia Pacific region. This collaboration aims to create more balanced and sustainable tourism experiences by developing innovative solutions and fostering research and best practices.
Thailand’s tourism industry is on track for a significant rebound, with projections indicating 36 million international visitors and $53 billion in revenue by year-end. This surge is attributed to factors like visa-free policies and restored air traffic, positioning Thailand as a leading destination in the global tourism market.
The Malaysia Film Festival, held recently in Chennai, showcased Malaysian cinema and culture, fostering cultural and tourism connections between Malaysia and South India. The event highlighted the diversity of Malaysian culture, showcasing critically acclaimed films and attracting filmmakers, industry leaders, and diplomats.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed disappointment over New Zealand’s decision to increase the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). IATA argues that the hike, coupled with increased visa fees, will make travel to New Zealand more expensive and deter tourists, hindering the recovery of the country’s tourism sector. The organization also criticizes the lack of transparency regarding the allocation of the collected funds.
New Zealand is raising its international visitor and conservation fees to NZ$100 from NZ$35, aiming to ensure visitors contribute to the country’s infrastructure and environment. However, the tourism sector worries this increase will deter visitors and hinder the industry’s recovery from pandemic-related closures.
Sea travel between Northern Samar and Sorsogon has resumed following the passage of Tropical Storm ‘Enteng’, which caused widespread flooding and landslides in the Eastern Visayas region. While the storm brought disruptions to travel and tourism, the resumption of sea travel marks a return to normalcy, highlighting the importance of preparedness for weather-related events in the travel industry.
