Some cruise operators have cancelled or adjusted their itineraries to avoid the Red Sea due to attacks on ships by Houthi militia, but the overall impact on the multi-billion dollar industry is not expected to be significant. The attacks by the Iran-backed militia in Yemen since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and raised concerns about an escalation of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza. Royal Caribbean, opens new tab said in a statement on Thursday it had cancelled two voyages so far. One from Muscat to Dubai was meant to take place Jan. 16-26, and another from Dubai to Mumbai was scheduled for Jan. 26-Feb. 11. It also amended last week the itinerary of a cruise between Aqaba and Muscat to disembark guests in a port city near...
Read MoreDay: January 20, 2024
Following a strong 2023, international tourism is well on track to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations, are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024. Middle East, Europe and Africa performed strongest in 2023 The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer provides a comprehensive overview of the sector's performance in 2023, tracking recovery by global region, sub-region and destination. Key takeaways include: 1. The ...
Read MoreEven if global warming were to stop completely, the volume of ice in the European Alps would fall by 34% by 2050. If the trend observed over the last 20 years continues at the same rate, however, almost half the volume of ice will be lost as has been demonstrated by scientists from the University of Lausanne (UNIL, Switzerland) in a new international study. By 2050, i.e. in 26 years' time, we will have lost at least 34% of the volume of ice in the European Alps, even if global warming were to stop completely and immediately. This is the prediction of a new computer model developed by scientists from the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), in collaboration with the University of Grenoble, ETHZ and the University of Zurich. In this scenario, devel...
Read MoreAdventurous destinations and specialty cruises are among the latest travel trends for 2024. Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), the leader in personalized small group and solo travel for Americans ages 50 and older, announced the top three travel trends for the year ahead. "Our mission has always been to change people's lives through travel," said Brian FitzGerald, Chief Executive Officer of O.A.T. "We're seeing more and more travelers seeking unfamiliar destinations, places where they can make deeper cultural connections, witness relatively untouched landscapes, and experience the world in a more immersive and meaningful way." Top 3 Trends for 2024: 1. Adventurous destinations –Today's travelers are more active and seeking out destinations where they have opportunities to t...
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