New Zealanders were among the first in the world to celebrate the arrival of 2024 with a fireworks display in Auckland on Monday. The fireworks illuminated the cloudy night sky and were accompanied by a laser light and animation show. Sydney hailed 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display featuring silver and gold pyrotechnics to mark the 50th anniversary of its famous Opera House. Fireworks are seen along the Yarra River during New Year's Eve celebrations in Melbourne, Australia January 1, 2024. AAP Image/Diego Fedele via REUTERS As the clock struck midnight in Australia, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people — a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents — watched from the shore and fro...
Read MoreMonth: December 2023
AI revolution, and sustainable journeys take centre stage As the sun sets on 2023, Trip.com Group, a global leader in online travel services, reflects on the dynamic landscape of travel over the past year, offering insights into the trends set to shape the journey in 2024. AI takes centre stage in predictive planning for 2024 As we venture in 2024, the travel landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the widespread integration of AI. Leading this transformative change is TripGenie, an advanced AI travel assistant that is integrated into the Trip.com mobile app. Leveraging cutting-edge large language model technologies, TripGenie, launched in 2023, has evolved into a personalised travel companion. It is reshaping the way we plan our journeys, from crafting bespoke iti...
Read MoreSaves 5 people off the Indian coast in Arabian Sea The Costa Serena crew has saved a group of shipwrecked fishermen in difficulty who were sighted while the ship was sailing the Arabian Sea west of the Indian coasts. On 25th December during her planned navigation passage from Mumbai to Kochi, part of her actual cruises program, at around 12:30pm Costa Serena bridge received a phone call from 2 guests on board, who reported having noticed from their cabin’s balcony a group of people with life jacket, stranded at sea about 1 mile away from the ship. Under the guidance of Captain Andrea Bardi, Costa Serena immediately slowed down her speed and deviated her route to reach the group of people spotted at sea and to start their search and rescue operation. On parallel the bridge ...
Read MoreTour d’Argent overlooks Paris 2024 Olympics and reborn Notre Dame The Tour d’Argent already boasts a 320,000-bottle wine cellar, a world-famous duck recipe and a storied 441-year history. Now, the legendary Paris restaurant is about to serve up its “plat de résistance": a front-row view of two of the biggest events of 2024 — the renaissance of Notre Dame Cathedral and the 2024 Summer Olympics. A city landmark unto itself — and an inspiration for the restaurant in the movie “Ratatouille’’ — the Tour d’Argent recently reopened after its own renovation, which preserved revered traditions while adapting to the 21st century. A waiter prepares table at La Tour d’Argent restaurant in Paris, with Notre Dame Cathedral in background, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) ‘...
Read MoreGrammy-winning Colombian singer Shakira, one of the world's top-selling musicians, has been immortalized in her famous belly-dancing pose in a giant bronze statue in her home city of Barranquilla. The Colombian city's Mayor Jaime Pumarejo unveiled the 6.5 meter (21 foot) sculpture in a park along the banks of the Magdalena River on Tuesday in the company of the singer's parents. The statue of Colombian singer Shakira stands at the Gran Malecon de Barranquilla, in Barranquilla, Colombia December 27, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Parra Rios The statue by artist Yino Marquez "shows millions of girls that they can, that they can pursue their dreams and any of them can achieve what they want," said Pumarejo, noting that he used to see Shakira sing at local children's concerts. The sculpture...
Read MoreThe Victoria Harbour has always been the belle of the ball for Hong Kong’s spectacular countdown on New Year’s Eve. This year, get ready to be dazzled by a 12-minute firework musical extravaganza themed ‘New Year New Legend’. The show will span 1,300 metres, from Central to Causeway Bay, surpassing all previous editions in Hong Kong in both scale and duration. This phenomenal display will depict the changing seasons and the beauty of nature through colourful fireworks, as well as lighting effects and pyrotechnics set off from the rooftops of iconic buildings on Hong Kong Island. There will also be pre-show wishmaking sessions every 15 minutes from 11 pm onwards. Pyrotechnics will shoot from the rooftops of 2 three prominent harbourfront high-rises on Hong Kong Island, illuminating the ...
Read MoreIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a flying cake! On 20th December, Skydive Dubai, owned by Shamal Holding, celebrated its 13th anniversary with a one-of-a-kind BASE jump featuring a record-holding skydiver jumping out of an inflatable cake lifted by balloons, at the Dubai Dropzone. This unique project, born from a simple idea, evolved over six months of implementation, from designing the inflatable cake to engineering its compatibility with the balloons and making the jump possible. Skydive Dubai celebrated its 13th Anniversary with a unique BASE jump The extensive effort was a testament to Skydive Dubai's passion for innovation. Collaborating with numerous partners, the journey was a true labor of passion, demonstrating the dedication that Skydive Dubai brings to ev...
Read MoreHo Chi Minh City, a culinary haven renowned for its vibrant street food scene, has embarked on an international media campaign to showcase its unique and transformative cuisine. Spearheaded by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism since December 2023, the campaign has captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling video titled "All You Can Eat". The captivating video has been prominently featured during prime time and throughout the day on esteemed networks such as CNN Asia, Discovery, and Asian Food Network (AFN). Leveraging the power of digital platforms and social media, the campaign ensures that the tantalizing glimpses into Ho Chi Minh City's culinary landscape reach a global audience. Furthermore, during November and December, the Heritage Guide showcasing culinary in Ho...
Read MoreNew Orleans is the most expensive destination in the world for hotel stays over this year's New Year's Eve period, a new survey has revealed. The survey by TravelMag.com compared accommodation rates across 60 major global cities. For each destination, the price for the most affordable available double room for a 3-night stay from December 30 to January 2 was recorded. Only hotels with a central location and rated three stars or more were considered. FILE PHOTO: Fireworks explode over the London Eye ferris wheel as Britons across the country welcome the New Year, in London, Britain, January 1, 2023. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska With a rate of $1190 for the cheapest room, New Orleans emerged top of the rankings. Compared to regular rates dur...
Read MoreChina powers the future of online travel industry, emerging as the most lucrative market The projected size of the Online Travel market is expected to reach US$ 1.56 trillion by 2030, rising at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.99% during the period from 2023 to 2030. The global online travel industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by seamless flight and hotel bookings, increased customer confidence in online payments, and the ability to compare various travel options. Market players are actively offering travel services through mobile websites and apps, catering to the preferences of younger professionals who favor these mediums for their travel bookings. In 2022, the Travel and Tourism Council contributed 7.6% to the global GDP, marking a 22% increase from...
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