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Re-establishment of Qatar Airways flights to Iran from June

Tehran 7 flights a week Mashhad 7 flights a week Shiraz 2 flights a week Isfahan will be started since September the 4th.

Create: May 8, 2020 Edit: May 11, 2020 International News

Europe's largest independent airline went bankrupt because of Corona

Flybe Airlines has declared bankruptcy due to a sharp decline in passengers following the Corona outbreak. The company has told its customers that all its flights have cancelled and all its business in the UK has been halted.

Create: Mar 7, 2020 Edit: Mar 7, 2020 International News

Extended cancellation of "Lufthansa" flights to Iran until May the first

Lufthansa Airlines has extended the cancellation and suspension of flights to Tehran and northern Italian cities by the end of April this year, under the widespread outbreak of the Corona virus in Iran and Italy.

Create: Mar 6, 2020 Edit: Mar 6, 2020 Regional News

Details of refund terms ot tickets and international flights

"Maghsoud Asadi Samani" the secretary of Airlines Association; Passengers who have received a ticket prior to Feb 26th can cancel their ticket and are not penalized. But travelers who have attempted to buy ticket after Feb 26th are going to cancel it, will be subject to a fine.

Create: Feb 28, 2020 Edit: Mar 1, 2020 Regional News

Oman suspends flights to Iran

According to Oman's chief of aviation, the country has suspended its flights to Iran until further notice

Create: Feb 28, 2020 Edit: Mar 1, 2020 Regional News

Japan, Austria downgrade Iran travel warning

TEHRAN – Japan and Austria have significantly downgraded their travel warnings on Iran, a caution they, amongst some other countries, issued following the deadly crash of a Ukrainian plane near Tehran last month. The jetliner, with 176 people onboard, was mistakenly downed on January 8 by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) air defense system, a few hours after Iran fired dozens of missiles at a U.S. airbase inside Iraq in retaliation to the assassination of Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has eliminated its travel warning on Iran [asking its citizens to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel to the country] and it has also terminated depicting Iran’s security map with a warning sign,” ISNA reported on Tuesday. An advisory, which warned about traveling to Iran, is now deleted from the website of the ministry, the report added. Austrian ambassador to Tehran Stefan Scholz on Monday wrote on his Instagram account that his country has lowered its travel warning for Iran. “Austria has downgraded its travel warning for Iran, repealing its general advice against non-essential travels following a thorough reassessment of the security situation.” “We believe that the risk to Austrian nationals except for some specific border areas has changed. This decision will also further contribute to civil society contacts and commerce,” the envoy added. Late in January, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved that European airlines can return to parts of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Germany’s Lufthansa was among airlines that canceled flights over the affected airspace. Inbound tours started to severely drop following the crash, triggering a major setback to Iran’s budding tourism industry. The blow, however, is being hoped to be amended as soon as possible by a comprehensive action plan Iran’s tourism ministry has put into practice since January 25. In the same time, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Mounesan issued a statement, inviting all travelers and holidaymakers to visit the ancient land, saying that the country-size guesthouse is wholeheartedly ready to receive tourists from around the world. The official emphasized that the Iranian government is trying its best to host incoming tourists by improving tourism infrastructure, offering attractive and pocket-friendly packages, as well as incentives such as visa waivers or 90-day visas on arrival. The 2019 Travel Risk Map, which shows the risk level around the world, put Iran among countries with “insignificant risk”, a category where the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and Finland are placed in.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 Regional News

Okura Nikko plans fourth in Taiwan in 2023

The fourth property of Okura Nikko Hotels to be inaugurated in Taiwan, the new hotel is aimed at strengthening the company’s global network of properties. Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., announced that it will open the Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung in 2023. The company has contracted with Fanlu Construction Industry Co., Ltd., to manage the new property, with the support of an investment by Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. and Continental Development Corporation. Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second largest city, with a thriving international harbor strategically located on the busy shipping lanes between Northeast Asia and the South Pacific. A number of Japanese companies have offices around the harbor, one of Kaohsiung’s sightseeing spots offering visitors fine views. It takes about 90 minutes by Taiwan High Speed Rail from the city to Taiwan's capital city Taipei. Kaohsiung International Airport offers direct flights to 7 cities in Japan, including Narita International Airport, and to about 30 cities in Asia, with the number of flights to overseas destinations steadily increasing. The hotel will offer 260 guest rooms, each with a standard area of about 36 m² on 21 floors above ground and four underground floors. It will feature a wide range of restaurants, including Japanese cuisine, Chinese cuisine and all-day dining, and a rooftop bar on the 21st floor where guests can enjoy stunning views of Kaohsiung harbor. The hotel’s facilities will meet the diverse needs of guests staying for both business and leisure. Marcel P. van Aelst, CEO, Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., commented, “We are very pleased to be opening our fourth hotel in Taiwan. We will be expanding our network with a particular focus on Asia, and Taiwan is a fast-developing market and a strategic destination for us. We hope to further raise awareness of our Okura Nikko Hotels brand in Taiwan.” According to local Tourism Bureau statistics, a total of about 4.6 million guests stayed in Kaohsiung City in the six months from January 2019, a 21% increase compared with the equivalent period the previous year. The Kaohsiung government is accordingly expecting an increase in the demand for leisure facilities and plans to meet this with the construction of new leisure infrastructure, in addition to complementing the city’s existing business facilities. Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung will be the fourth property of Okura Nikko Hotels to open in Taiwan, following the opening of Hotel Royal Nikko Taipei (1984), The Okura Prestige Taipei (2012) and The Okura Prestige Taichung (planned opening 2022). The new property is part of an ambitious undertaking to expand the group’s global portfolio to 100 properties, primarily in Asia, by 2020.

Create: Jan 18, 2020 Edit: Jan 18, 2020 International News

Travel Trend Expectations for the 2020s

Key trends - Technology advances to simplify travel; more conscious eco travel choices; Kyoto tops destination wishlist. Single apps for all travel needs, passport free travel, and mobile app check-in are the top three ‘new travel norms’ expected by travelers in the next decade, according to new research by Agoda. With the continued advancement of technology, revolutionary travel apps, and better connectivity, people expect a lot more from their travel experience in the next decade. Specifically, Southeast Asians half of all respondents in Indonesia (56%), Singapore (54%), Malaysia (53%), Taiwan (50%), the Philippines (48%) and Thailand (48%) considering this the norm in the next decade. This compares to only a third of people in the United Kingdom and the United States (33%). Specifically, in Taiwan (50%) and in Southeast Asia half of all respondents in Indonesia (56%), Singapore (54%), Malaysia (53%), the Philippines (48%) and Thailand (48%) considering this the norm in the next decade. This compares to only a third of people in the United Kingdom and the United States (33%). Meanwhile, Singapore (50%), Vietnam (47%), Philippines (45%), China (44%) and Australia (41%) are the top five origins most likely to see a future with passport-free travel. In the UK and US, they are less expectant of this advancement with only 1 in 5 expecting it to be the norm within the next decade. Technology has already made such a positive impact on how and where people travel as innovative technologies, like those developed at Agoda, give travelers instant access to millions of hotels and home properties around the world with real time pricing and availability. “It is a technology golden age for travelers, as technology is developed to simplify the way anyone, anywhere can search, book and pay for flights, hotels or holiday accommodation. The 2000s was defined by the mouse and the computer, putting online travel booking just a click away. The 2010s, was defined by the smart phone and app, and put a travel agent in the pocket of every phone owner, and the 2020s will be defined by the power of data and Machine Learning (AI). This will enable companies like Agoda to provide personalized, more relevant recommendations to make booking travel even easier,” explains Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. "Asian travelers, in particular, are enthused by, and expectant of, technology developments that enhance and simplify their travel experience. Asian based companies are now leading the world in technology adoption and development to achieve this. I expect to see Asia press ahead with that lead in the 2020s - especially in areas such as video and augmented reality, improved mobile services with more chat and voice solutions, and payments to help bring the "unbanked" online". Globally, people want to increase travel, but also to make eco-friendlier travel choices Universally, people want to increase the amount of travel they undertake in the 2020s. Exploring more of their own country is cited by 40% of respondents globally, while international travel more often is anticipated at 35%. What’s also interesting, in the context of global narratives on climate sustainability, is the trend that more than a quarter want to make more eco-friendly travel choices in the next decade. Travelers from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia are most keen to make eco-friendlier choices perhaps more aware than others with the recent closure of Maya Bay in Thailand, and the Boracay rehabilitation program in Philippines, and thus travelers want to do their bit even when on holiday. Travelers in the 35-44 and 55+ age groups are most likely to want to explore their own countries and territories more (40% and 42% respectively), with those from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, US and Vietnam choosing domestic destinations within their top three wishlist destinations for the coming decade. Meanwhile Korean and Japanese travelers see themselves taking more solo trips in the next decade. Taiwanese and Indonesians would prefer taking a sabbatical or gap year. Kyoto scoops #1 spot as the world’s most desired destination to visit in the 20s Asia dominates the global travel wishlists destinations for the next decade, as travelers from both Asia and the West showcase a growing curiosity for Asian treasures like Kyoto (Japan) famed for its Shinto shrine, Kyoto is an eclectic blend of culture, food and history, followed by Bangkok, (Thailand) and Bali, (Indonesia). Travelers in Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia want to cross off their own capital cities from their travel lists. Meanwhile, South Korea, the UK, and Australian travelers are the only one who don’t choose a domestic destination on their wishlists for travel in the next decade. American and British travelers alike are most excited about visiting New York in the coming decade, with New York also a top three choice for travelers from Australia, Japan and South Korea. Both Malaysian and Indonesian travelers would like to visit Makkah by 2030. USA Next Decade of Travel 42% of Americans expect to check into hotels using their mobile phones as the norm while 29% expect to use a single app for all their travel needs. 12% of Americans want to make more eco-friendlier choices when traveling in the next decade. New York tops wishlist travelers in the US in the 2020s. This is followed by London (#2) and Sydney (#3). 38% of Americans would like to explore more of their own country in the next decade, while 26% would like to travel more internationally About the travel data All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Singapore PTE Limited. Total sample size was 16,383 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12 December 2019 and 18 December 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of adults in the respective countries (aged 18+). Additional country breakdown can be found in the Agoda Press Room. About Agoda Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of over 2.5 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 5,000 staff across 67 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.

Create: Dec 30, 2019 Edit: Dec 30, 2019 International News

Profit spurt ends for MENA hotels

Two consecutive months of profit growth gave way to a contraction in November for hotels in the Middle East & North Africa as GOPPAR declined year-over-year. The region had a nice, albeit short, run of GOPPAR gains prior to November’s downtick, but the drop is more in line with MENA’s overall dim 2019 performance. If there is a silver lining, the 1.7% drop is the smallest YOY decrease of the year and far smaller than the YTD number of -4.2%. Rooms revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same month last year, dragged down by a 5.1% drop in room rate. Occupancy for the month was up 1.9 percentage points to 76.2%. The drop in rooms RevPAR, along with a 1.5% YOY decrease in F&B RevPAR, equated into an overall decrease in total revenue of 2.7% YOY. And while generating revenue in November proved onerous, expense control was a bright spot. Total overhead costs on a per-available-room basis were down 3.4% YOY and total labour costs were also down—2.4% YOY. Utility expenses came down 3.0%, while overall Property & Maintenance costs were down 2.6%. In contrast to the totality of MENA, Egypt pushed out a positive month of profit, with a 2.9% overall YOY jump. This came on the back of a 1.3% rise in RevPAR and a 3.6% rise in TRevPAR. The resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh saw a huge GOPPAR leap of 65.1% YOY, bolstered by a 28.6% jump in RevPAR. The fortunes of Sharm el-Sheikh hotels have turned for the better after having dealt with its share of terrorist attacks, including in 2005 and, in 2015, when a Russian jetliner departed the city and subsequently exploded over Sinai killing 224 people onboard. Thereafter, the UK grounded flights to the beach getaway, and weekly arrivals fell from 10,000 to zero. In December, flights resumed from the UK, which should put a further jolt into the resort town’s tourism economy. Meanwhile, Egypt’s capital, Cairo, did not share the same fortune, checking in with a 1.5% decrease in GOPPAR YOY. RevPAR was down 3.4% YOY, a result of both a drop in rate (down 1.9%) and occupancy (down 1.2 percentage points). TRevPAR for the month was up 0.8% due to a 9.2% YOY increase in F&B RevPAR. It was another down month for Dubai, which saw its profit drop 9.6% YOY. The emirate has only had one month of YOY GOPPAR growth in the last 15, plagued by excessive and unabated hotel supply and development. Coming months and years will require hoteliers to be more cost-conscious than revenue-conscious, according to many experts. RevPAR in Dubai was down 9.3% YOY in November, as room rate dropped 8.6% YOY combined with a -0.7% percentage-point decline in occupancy. Total overhead costs declined in the month, down 6.2% YOY, but not enough to produce positive profit growth, evidenced by a 0.4 percentage-point decline in profit margin.

Create: Dec 30, 2019 Edit: Dec 30, 2019 International News

Sharm El-Sheikh’s tourism industry can recover with the right marketing

GlobalData has reported that Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh’s tourism industry can thrive with the right marketing. Following the lifting of the four-year flight ban on the resort location, companies pounced to operate in Sharm El-Sheikh said GlobalData. Particularly with some good marketing to UK visitors, the tourism economy in the area could soar. According to a GlobalData survey, 63% of UK respondents are unlikely to change their plans because of a terrorist attack or political event. This compares to a global average of 54%, showing that UK residents tend to be relatively relaxed about travel threats. GlobalData’s travel and tourism analyst, Laura Beaton, commented: “Just hours after the ban was lifted, companies were jumping at the chance to resume operations. TUI has already begun selling holidays for 2020 and easyJet will launch flights to Egypt for the first time. In addition, Olympic Hotels will offer hotels previously exclusive to Thomas Cook, which will boost business for the area and mitigate some of the issues that may have occurred after the collapse of Thomas Cook.” However, officials from the company do believe that the area must work on marketing its attractive diving opportunities. Diving company Regaldive for example is offering two days free if a dive package is booked within a certain timeframe. Beaton added: “This should be leveraged by Egypt and will prove helpful in restoring perceptions among tourists. Scubatravel.co.uk, which compiles a list of popular dive spots according to review from divers, puts Thistlegorm in the Egyptian Red Sea as the fourth most popular location in the world. The Shark and Yolanda Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea comes in at fifth place for divers looking for a more natural adventure.” Beaton continued: “Sharm El-Sheikh will quickly bounce back because it is such an iconic destination for UK travellers. Holiday-makers have been circumventing the ban by flying indirectly or traveling across land from other parts of Egypt. Now that connectivity is restored, UK travelers will return much faster.”

Create: Dec 1, 2019 Edit: Dec 1, 2019 International News

Orbitz Online Reservation

You love to travel, and we love to help make travel one of life’s greatest pleasures. That’s why millions of consumers search for and book a wide range of hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and destination activities with us. To make our travel deals even sweeter, Orbitz also offers the groundbreaking Orbitz Rewards loyalty program (it’s free!)—the only program where customers can earn rewards immediately on flights, hotels and packages, and redeem instantly on tens of thousands of hotels worldwide. It works that fast. Plus, when you use the Orbitz Rewards Visa® Card you can earn even more rewards (yes, rewards on top of rewards!). But there’s more: Our mobile apps make booking on your smartphone or tablet even easier, and we offer even more discounts for mobile users. Orbitz.com is owned by Expedia, Inc., one of the world's leading travel companies. CONTACT Orbitz Orbitz Orbitz Orbitz.com Support@Orbitz.com

Create: Jun 27, 2019 Edit: Jun 9, 2020 International Hotel Online Reservations

Air Europa joins forces with Expedia to offer global accommodation deals

Air Europa, the airline of Globalia, the largest Spanish tourism conglomerate, is today announcing an exclusive agreement with Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS), the B2B brand within Expedia Group, to offer its travelers hotel bookings for the first time. Air Europa is now powered by EPS’s online template, Hotels.com for Partners, providing travelers with access to 500,000 accommodations in more than 25,000 destinations worldwide. Air Europa travelers who book flights via the co-branded website www.aireuropa.com also benefit from more than 650,000 promotional rates, saving an average of 15% when a hotel is bundled with a flight. Through the agreement, those travelers can also collect Air Europa SUMA loyalty ‘Miles’, with points for every euro spent on accommodation. For Air Europa, Expedia Partner Solutions has been the perfect travel partner to work with on this great project; it has enabled us to offer a more complete customer experience”.

Create: Jun 1, 2019 Edit: Jun 22, 2019 International News