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Senior tourist dies at Grand Canyon after fall

April 24, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

A 70-year-old tourist fell to her death yesterday, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona. She is the second person to die at this popular tourist destination this year. The Grand Canyon national park sees 6 million visitors every year.

A call went out to park rangers that someone needed  help at the South Rim of the canyon, but by the time responders arrived, the person had fallen 200 feet below the rim. Her body was recovered using a helicopter. It is not known how the woman fell.

The Grand Canyon has designated trails and walkways as well as railings and fences at overlooks that will keep visitors at a safe distance from the rim’s edge. Anyone who chooses to venture beyond that is literally taking their lives into their own hands.

In 2015, 8 men were hopping from one rock to another or posing for pictures, including a 38-year-old father from Texas who was pretending to fall to scare his daughter, but then really did fall 400 feet to his death.

On March 14, 2017,  30-year-old Gom Dang, of Ankeny, Iowa, fell to his death off the rim west of Mather Point as he was posing for a photo when he lost his balance and fell backward to his death. His body was recovered approximately 280 feet below the rim.

In this day and age of the selfie, many people have lost their lives trying to get the perfect picture. A tourist from Hong Kong died falling into the canyon on the Hualapai reservation, just outside the park’s boundaries, on March 28, 2017. He was taking a photo at the time.

In that same year, 20 people fell to their death at the Grand Canyon. A 67-year-old man fell 400 feet from the South Rim and died on April 3. There were 290 search-and-rescues and 1,135 emergency medical service incidents.

Dying from heat or dehydration is more common than falling off the edge in the Grand Canyon, but it is still a major concern. On average, 2 to 3 deaths per year are from falls over the rim.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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South African Tourism appoints Trade Relations Officer

April 24, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Sherwin Arends joins South African Tourism (SAT) as Trade Relations Officer, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role following 12 years’ experience working within the travel industry.

Originally from Cape Town, Sherwin moved to the UK six years ago after travelling the world as a member of cabin crew for Qatar Airways. His most recent role was Senior Product Executive for Audley Travel.

Sherwin will be tasked with building and maintaining relationships with key travel trade contacts in the UK and Ireland while utilising South African Tourism’s research and insights to ensure the agents are provided with all the tools and support to confidently sell South Africa.

Sherwin says: “I’m very passionate about my birth country and proud of my South African heritage so I am thrilled to be joining the South African Tourism team in the UK. I’m looking forward to showcasing South Africa as a leading tourist destination, with a focus on promoting the well-known areas and experiences and helping to uncover and educate the trade on the destination’s hidden gems.”

Tolene van der Merwe Hub Head for the UK & Ireland at South African Tourism says: “We are delighted that Sherwin will be joining our growing team. His wealth of industry knowledge combined with his personal experience of South Africa will be invaluable as we collectively promote the destination to holidaymakers through the UK and Irish trade.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

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African Tourism Board President St.Ange: African Tourism is together here

April 23, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

The new president of the African Tourism Board is not a newcomer in the African travel and tourism industry. Alain St. Ange was the minister of Tourism for Seychelles and prior to that the head of the Seychelles Tourism Board.
He had made a name for all of Africa when he started the Victoria Carnival for Africa and the world.
Commenting on his new position he stated: “When I took up the position of President of the African Tourism Board, this brought the world of African Tourism together as I received calls from so many tourism ministers and heads of tourism-related bodies from across Africa, and it clearly showed the importance of tourism for the continent.
Even the Seychelles President, Mr. Danny Faure, sent words of congratulations after I assumed my role as President of the African Tourism Board, as did the island’s former President Mr. James Michel.
For Seychelles, the importance of tourism as the industry respected as the pillar of the economy, is known and accepted.
But Seychelles is no different to the rest of Africa because a buoyant tourism industry can only help consolidate the economies of so many countries on the continent.
We are now planning the next meeting where together we can look at the challenges we are facing and share success stories and learnings.
The newly-appointed CEO of the African Tourism Board, Doris Woerfel, who is based in Pretoria, South Africa, sees huge potential for Africa from China and is already concentrating to build a broad membership base in Africa for ATB.
She is now moving to contact industry players across Africa to plan the next meeting which will probably be held in August of this year.
The press from across Africa will be invited to attend because success for the African Tourism Board is so dependent on them.”
He concluded in saying: May I urge everyone in the public and private sector to rally behind African Tourism Board to make Africa one Tourist Destination and join.

More information on the African Tourism Board and to join visit www.africantourismboard.com 

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina opens at the end of April

April 18, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Dusit International has signed a Franchise Agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, to upgrade the former Dusit Residence Dubai Marina to the Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina.

Located at the Marina, a popular tourist destination and preferred residential area just off the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, which includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, the 146-key property is currently being refurbished and will comprise Serviced Apartments, Holiday Homes and Residential units in a choice of one, two or three-bedroom configurations.

Designed to facilitate business and leisure, the upgraded property will feature meeting facilities, a fully equipped gym, a spa, a wellness-focused restaurant serving healthy and organic foods, and a bakery.

Damac Metro and Tram Stations, the Marina Mall, and The Beach Mall are all within walking distance. Attractions such as Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall, Emirates Golf Club, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Park and Wild Wadi Water Park can all be reached in 10 – 15 minutes by car. The Dubai World 2020 Expo site is also only a short drive away.

“We are delighted to sign this franchise agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC for Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “The comfort and convenience of the Dusit Princess brand, and the property’s prime location, make it an attractive proposition for anyone looking for a short- or long-term base in the city, especially with the Dubai Expo 2020 coming up.”

H.E. Abdulla Alnuaimi, Chairman, Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, said, “By signing this franchise agreement we can further position the property to delight residents and guests with Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality. And we look forward to establishing Dusit Princess Residences Dubai as the premier place to live, stay, visit and conduct business.”

Known globally for its distinctive brand of gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values, Bangkok-based Dusit International opened its first hotel in the Middle East more than 15 years ago, in Dubai. Today, the company operates five hotels across the region, including three in the GCC – namely Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. According to its plans, Dusit will have nine hotels in operation in the GCC by the end of the year.

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai will be the third Dusit-branded property in Dubai, following Dusit Thani Dubai and dusitD2 Kenz. A fourth Dusit-branded property, Dusit Princess Rijas, is slated to open in 2020.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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France remains world’s top tourist destination despite ‘Yellow Vests’ nuisance

April 13, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

According to France’s national statistics institute (INSEE), the number of nights foreign tourists spent in the country’s hotels, campsites and youth hostels reached 438.2 million, marking an increase of nine million visitors against the previous year.

Neither torched shops, nor tear gas on the Champs Elysées during the months of Yellow Vest protests could deprive France of remaining the world’s most visited country by tourists, breaking another record in 2018.

The report excludes numbers for home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb.

The impressive growth was seen in a year “marked by large-scale nationwide social movements on two occasions,” including two months of rolling rail strikes between April to June, and the Yellow Vest demonstrations that started in late November against fuel prices, the high cost of living and tax reforms.

Despite political upheaval in the final months, last year delivered a promising outlook for the country’s tourism industry. In December, the Yellow Vests crisis put a dent in tourism with the number of travelers visiting France falling by 1.1 percent. In Paris alone, the protests dragged down the number of visitors by 5.3 percent.

Among the most visited sights are the Paris-based Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum, as well as the Palace of Versailles.

The rise is largely thanks to non-EU tourists. Visits from the US rose by 16 percent, while arrivals from Japan saw an 18 percent increase.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Canadian tourist falls to his death from Chiang Mai zipline after safety locks brake

April 13, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

A visitor from Canada fell to his death from a zipline in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Saturday.

Thai rescue officials said the 25-year-old tourist died while riding a zipline in a forest at the popular tourist destination Mae Kam Pong. His safety locks broke, causing him to plunge more than 50 meters into a creek. He died at the scene.

Zipline operator Flight of the Gibbon said it would take full responsibility and compensate the victim’s family.

Workers at the zipline service said the safety locks broke shortly after the tourist, who reportedly weighed about 400 pounds (180 kilograms), took off from the starting point. One Hawaiian zipline operator puts its maximum weight limit at 260 pounds, or around 118 kilograms.

The operator’s website states that people weighing more than 275 pounds (125 kilograms) are not allowed to ride. It is not immediately clear why the tourist was allowed to do so.

Maj. Gen. Pichate Jiranantasin, provincial police chief, said the operator has been charged with fatal negligence for allowing such a heavy person on the ride.

Police suspect that the safety equipment could not hold his weight, adding that they found only three cables installed to hold customers, while there would normally be at least eight lines of cables to ensure safety.

Since 2016, Chiang Mai officials promised to improve safety standards of the many adventure tourism sites in the province following a string of serious or fatal accidents – including accidents at this very zipline operator.

Flight of the Gibbon was ordered a temporary shut down after three Israeli tourists were injured after colliding into one another on the zipline and falling to the ground.

The same company had also been investigated in 2017 for having some of its properties built on protected forest land.

Chiang Mai’s zipline fatalities last happened in 2015, when two Chinese tourists died after falling from two separate zipline attractions, operated by Skyline Adventure and Flying Squirrels. Another Chinese tourist was injured while riding the Flying Squirrels’ zipline in 2016.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Hotelbeds confirms strategic partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP

April 11, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Hotelbeds has announced today a strategic distribution partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP, Turkey’s largest leisure hotel company and the owners of Crystal Hotel Chain, Amara World Hotels and Nirvana Lagoon Luxury.

Building on over 10 years of working together, the recently signed and significantly expanded partnership takes the form of a preferred agreement that will provide Hotelbeds with exclusive access to KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP’s Ultra All-Inclusive 5-star hotels that offer guests 24-hours-a-day service.

The partnership provides KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP with access to world’s largest distribution of high value clients provided by Hotelbeds with +60,000 tour operators, points redemption schemes, airlines, and retail travel agents from more than 140 source markets.

As a result of this Hotelbeds’ clients will have access to KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP’s portfolio of more than 25,000 beds across 17 hotels that operate under various sub-brands in prominent Turkish tourist locations such as Side, Belek, Kemer and Bodrum.

Additionally, through this partnership KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP will be able to distribute its hotel rooms via both the wholesale channel, which operates under the ‘Hotelbeds’ name, and the retail travel agent channel, which operates under the ‘Bedsonline’ brand – all united under one contract.

Arzu Harley, Regional Manager of Hotelbeds, Turkey, comments: ““We are hugely excited to confirm that we have significantly expanded upon our longstanding partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP, the leading and biggest operator of all-inclusive hotels in Turkey.

“Today’s news reflects our long-term commitment to Turkey, despite the market facing some challenges in recent years, as a premier tourist destination. This commitment has recently proven more than worthwhile, following the continued rebound in hotel bookings for Turkey that we’ve seen over the last year – summer 2019 already looks set to be a record. We are committed to growing our business model in Turkey and our partnership with KILIT HOSPITALITY GROUP will help us reach this goal together.”

Umman Cetinbas, CEO of Crystal Hotels Brand, stated: “Despite being the largest operator of all-inclusive beach and resort hotels in Turkey, we still have ambitious plans to grow further locally. Today’s news forms part of a strategic plan and we look forward to working with Hotelbeds as we not only grow overall bookings together, but more importantly grow high-value bookings.

“After careful consideration we felt that the bedbank distribution channel should be a core part of our growth strategy and following many years of partnering successfully, Hotelbeds was naturally our first choice.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Emirates flying travelers to Zagreb this summer

April 2, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Zagreb is a city with a rich history and culture and is known for its 18th century architecture. It is a major draw for tourists in the summer, and to accommodate the higher demand for travel to this popular tourist destination, Emirates airline will begin service this summer.

The airline will utilize the Boeing 777-300ER for the route that will operate to Zagreb until October 26, 2019. Partner airline flydubai will then begin to operate during the winter season. The strategic partnership between both airlines ensures capacity is deployed to best serve customer demand.

Flight EK 129 will depart Dubai at 8:30 and arrive in Zagreb at 12:35 local time, utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER. The return flight, EK 130 will depart Zagreb at 15:25 and arrive in Dubai at 23:00 local time. Due to the planned upgrade works on the southern runway at DXB from April 16 until May 30, 2019, Emirates’ flights to Zagreb will operate 4 times weekly on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. From May 31, 2019 onwards, the route will be operated as a daily service.

In Zagreb, visitors can discover the upper and lower town areas that hold some of the world’s most iconic cathedrals and museums. Travelers can also discover popular Croatian cities located on the Dalmatian Coast, such as Split and Dubrovnik. Emirates’ partner airline, flydubai, offers travelers flight options to Dubrovnik twice a week on Sunday and Thursday. Flight FZ 719 departs Dubai at 9:00 and arrives in Zagreb at 13:00 local time.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Ontario tourism sector set for Rural Tourism Symposium

March 28, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Tourism industry professionals from across Ontario will gather at Lang Pioneer Village in Keene this April for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium. The one-day conference, with the theme “Redefining Success”, takes place 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, at the Peterborough County Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.

More than three million visitors visit Peterborough & the Kawarthas every year, including rural destinations such as Stoney Lake. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting tourism industry professionals from across Ontario on April 11, 2019 for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium in Keene.

Hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) in partnership with Chatham-Kent Tourism, the event is also supported by Grey County Tourism, Simcoe County Tourism, Headwaters Tourism, Kawartha Lakes Tourism, and Kawarthas-Northumberland (Regional Tourism Organization 8).

There’s no question that tourism is an important economic driver in Ontario, particularly for rural communities. According to PKED’s director of tourism and communications Tracie Bertrand, Peterborough & the Kawarthas alone draws around three million visitors every year who contribute approximately $300 million to the local economy.

“Part of our region’s competitive edge is that we offer the best of vibrant city, complemented by rolling hills of farmland and famed Ontario cottage country,” Bertrand says. “There are more than a thousand tourism businesses located in our region, ranging from retail to restaurants and from accommodations to attractions.”

But the April 11 symposium is not just limited to Peterborough & the Kawarthas: it’s been specifically designed to raise the profile of tourism in rural Ontario, and will attract rural tourism stakeholders, destination marketing organizations, and tourism businesses from across the province.

“We’re hoping this event sparks conversation and builds momentum for rural tourism in the province of Ontario,” Bertrand explains. “Industry professionals, both locally and from away, will gain insight from our expert speakers to leverage efforts at the provincial and national level, capitalize on opportunities, and create partnerships for success.”

The symposium begins with a keynote presentation entitled “Leverage Your Reach with Destination Ontario” by Lisa LaVecchia, president and CEO of Destination Ontario.

Legally known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Destination Ontario is an agency of the Government of Ontario that markets the province as a preferred four-season tourist destination in a globally competitive tourism market. Under LaVecchia’s leadership, Destination Ontario has produced innovative and award-winning brand campaigns, including the ‘Epic Is ON’ campaign for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and the ‘Where Am I?’ campaign.

The symposium also includes:

A presentation by Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, entitled “Stronger Together. Presenting a United Front for Rural Tourism” on how tourism industry professionals can collaborate with the association to achieve success.

An “Agritourism Farm Table Chat” led by the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s director of food tourism innovation Trevor Benson who, along with special guests, will discuss how to build bridges between the agriculture and tourism industries.

A presentation by Jewel Cunningham, director of Ontario Waterways with Parks Canada, called “Partnering for Success”. Cunningham will describe how partnerships can create exceptional visitor experiences and powerful economic impact in even the smallest of communities.

A presentation entitled “Showcasing Rural Ontario to National & International Visitors” by David Robinson of Destination Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Commission), a federal crown corporation that helps the Canadian tourism industry reach international markets. Robinson will explain how Canada measures up as a competitive hot spot for international travelers.

Finally, the symposium is also a stop on Canada’s national series of Tourism Town Halls, a partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and local industry partners. The Tourism Town Halls provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada to better understand efforts being made on national tourism issues.

“This tourism town hall will be especially important given the announcement of last week’s federal budget and the importance it placed on tourism as a high-growth sector,” Bertrand says.

The Tourism Town Hall includes a panel discussion with representatives from Destination Canada, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, moderated by Michele Harris, director of economic and community development with the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Reducing the negative impact on the environment is an important element of tourism, particularly in rural destinations, so sustainability is a focus of this year’s symposium. Rather than having print materials available at the symposium, information will be delivered digitally through a downloadable app. Waste, especially food waste, will be limited throughout the day and attendees will be encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and their own notepads or devices for making notes.

“We are excited to welcome tourism stakeholders from across the province and show them how we are redefining success in tourism in our communities,” Bertrand says. “We are equally excited to have our tourism operators come out and celebrate what makes our industry unique, right here in our own backyard at the Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

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 Iranians open homes to travelers stranded by floods

March 27, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

As dramatic videos of deadly floods leaving behind destroyed vehicles and other damage circulate on Iranian social media networks, ordinary Iranians are doing what they can to help the affected citizens, including travelers whose Nowruz holidays have been unexpectedly disrupted. While criticizing the government for its inadequate response to the deadly flooding that has ravaged the country, ordinary Iranians are engaging in spontaneous relief efforts for the stranded and the displaced.

A 10-minute flash flood in the city of Shiraz, perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the country’s south, killed at least 18 and injured scores more on March 25. Many of the victims are said to have been visitors. Now, locals in the birthplace of classical Iranian literature are inviting panicked holidaymakers to their homes, offering unconditional stay and food. “All services will be offered for free until the harsh weather dies down,” one placard held by a volunteer in Shiraz read. Some even offer free body repairs for cars damaged in the downpours. Several local hotels and restaurants have joined the spontaneous campaign, dubbed “My Guest.”

Similar public initiatives are underway to deliver badly needed assistance to those hardest hit in the northern provinces of Golestan and Mazandaran. The aid is flowing in the form of cash donations as well as basic supplies collected from communities across Iran, including those still recovering from a devastating 2017 earthquake in the country’s west.

The government of President Hassan Rouhani has been under immense pressure for its perceived failure to handle the disaster. The president himself is under fire for staying away from the flood-hit areas. Seven days following the heavy rains, he has now traveled to the northern areas to oversee the relief operations. The government has already promised 7.1 trillion rials ($169 million) in compensation to affected households.

The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has also established a strong presence. The force’s commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, was seen visiting inundated neighborhoods in the country’s north half-submerged in floodwaters. While both the government and the IRGC have stepped in, some Iranians are interpreting the promises of more relief as publicity stunts meant to burnish their status and rooted in political rivalry between moderates and hard-liners.

An initial investigation into the deadly disaster in Shiraz has now pointed to negligence as the main cause of the deaths. According to a report by a crisis management team, one of the old watercourses in the city had been blocked by local authorities, probably for urban planning purposes, leading to the destructive overflow.

Meanwhile, the governor of Fars province noted that warnings had been issued two weeks before the disaster. But some social media users argue that all roads leading to the site of the flash floods should have been blocked. “How where you unable to block people but managed to fully cordon off the tomb of Cyprus the Great on his commemoration day?” one person tweeted. Every year, Iranian nationalists organize the Cyrus Day ceremony on Oct. 29 to remember the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. But in recent years the plans have been hindered by a security clampdown by the Islamic Republic, which deems such activities pro-monarchist.

Coverage of the massive flooding included more from Iran’s ancient history. The iconic Persepolis monument, 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Shiraz, reportedly remained unscathed amid the flooding. According to local officials, underground canals built by ancient Persians to avert flooding protected the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The news prompted praise from many Iranians, who drew comparisons between the current government’s handling of such crises with that of their forefathers.

Yet despite the trauma, the floods have not produced only sad news. Pictures went viral of a smiling young couple who had planned their wedding in Golestan province for March 28. They decided to hold the ceremony earlier. Instead of a grand hall, the bride and the groom wed before the other displaced in a temporary accommodation center.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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