Travel

The HAL Vancouver Alaska & Travel Show 2023

Holland America Line (HAL) offers a variety of Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver, Canada. These cruises typically operate during the summer months, when the weather is warmer and the days are longer.

HAL’s Alaska cruises offer passengers the opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of Alaska, including its glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The cruise line operates several ships that sail to Alaska from Vancouver, including the Eurodam, the Koningsdam, and the Nieuw Amsterdam.

Depending on the itinerary, HAL’s Alaska cruises may stop at ports such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, allowing passengers to explore these historic and picturesque towns. Excursion options may include hiking, whale watching, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

If you’re interested in taking an Alaska cruise with HAL departing from Vancouver, you can visit the HAL website to learn more about the available itineraries and ships, as well as pricing and booking information.

 
 
 

ITB Asia 2019

Singapore, 18 October 2019 – ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’, came to a close today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, having attracted a record number of 13,000 attendees from 132 countries and territories. The show saw strong participation this year with over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 1,250 buyers. The three-day exhibition also saw more than 27,000 business appointments made, a 7.4% year-on-year growth. In its twelfth year running, this year’s conference programme brought together thought leaders from across the MICE, Leisure, Corporate, and Travel Tech sectors to explore how businesses can turn creative ideas into bold, yet practical, initiatives to keep pace with technological developments in the travel industry. Across the three days of the conference, attendees were able to hear from more than 270 speakers, including Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, OYO China, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more. For the first time, attendees also got a chance to gain detailed understanding of some of the most important practices and trends that are defining the future of MICE events at ITB Asia’s inaugural MICE Show Asia. With a turnout that exceeded expectations, the successful debut gives grounds for optimism for the future expansion of this dedicated marketplace. Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin said: “After 12 years, ITB Asia experienced strong growth again. This new record clearly demonstrates that the show is well accepted by the industry around the world as the must-attend event in Asia. Messe Berlin is delighted to continue the strategic partnership with Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) from 2020 to 2022. 

could we benefit from the extension, but that the whole of the global travel industry stood to benefit as well. I am also pleased to know that every year the team and all partners involved work hard to design ITB Asia to go right to the heart of the industry. At ITB, we build unforgettable emotions that link our industry with its people. Attendees can walk away with new inspiration, cultivating relationships and tangible takeaways.” Marina Bay Sands will see a renewal of its partnership with Messe Berlin (Singapore) as the show’s official partner hotel while the extension of the relationship with STB will see Singapore as the host country for ITB Asia for the next three years of the show.

Langkawi

Langkawi Permata Kedah is a district and an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On 15 July 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his golden jubilee celebration. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Langkawi Island (Pulau Langkawi), with a population of some 64,792; the only other inhabited island being nearby Tuba Island. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

Songkran Festival

Songkran is the occasion for family reunions, temple visits and annual house cleaning. Many Thais observe the holidays by spending time with families and friends. Traditionally, Thais perform the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual on the first day of Songkran, which is officially the National Elderly Day. During the ritual, young people would pour fragrant water into the elders’ palms as a gesture of humility and to ask for their blessings. The second day of Songkran is officially the National Family Day. Families would wake up early and give alms to the monks, then ideally the rest of the day would be spent sharing quality family time together. An important religious ritual on Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha image’, in which devout Buddhists pour fragrant water over Buddha statues both at the temple and at home. More religious Thais would engage themselves in Buddhist ceremonies and merit-making activities throughout the holidays.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 kilometres (68–112 mi) west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.

UK Tourism Heavyweights Land in Ras Al Khaimah for ITT Conference

  • 400 leading figures from British Tourism and politics convene for annual conference
  • CEO of RAK Tourism Development Authority outlines ambitious targets for growth
  • RAK TDA targets 1,000,000 tourists by 2018

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, May 31, 2015: 400 of the UK’s leading travel and tourism heavyweights today fly into Ras Al Khaimah for the annual Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) conference held at the Waldorf Astoria. For three days from June 1 to 3, 2018, global airlines, tourism bodies, and hotel companies will experience the very best of what Ras Al Khaimah can offer as a world beating holiday destination. Delegates will also undertake a tour of the historical and archaeological sites Ras Al Khaimah has to offer

Commenting on the decision to host the ITT annual conference in Ras Al Khaimah, Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said:

“Hosting the ITT annual conference is a real coup for the Emirate and is a credit to the strong and visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras al Khaimah.”

“Whilst our size could be described as boutique, the ambition for the Emirate should not be underestimated. With a captive audience of industry heavyweights from one of our most important source markets, we are putting on a real show. Delegates will receive a first-hand look at the Al Marjan Islands development which will be home to twenty hotels upon completion, in addition to all of the amenities of the Al Hamra development, a centrepiece for residential, hotels, shopping and golf.”

“Ras Al Khaimah is a cherished destination for family holidays and this provides a strong platform from which to diversify our consumer portfolio as we generate more interest from millennial consumers and luxury travellers.”

Ambitious Targets Spur Growth Plans

In a clear statement of intent for the travel industry, Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Development Authority (TDA), set out its growth targets for the Emirate.

In order to support its goal of 1 million tourists by 2018 its hotel development pipeline will add 2000 hotel rooms over the next two and a half years, with the Emirate in discussion with a number of hotel investors.

Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship Al Marjan Island development, a 4 square-km archipelago, is the focus of much of the new development. Already boasting completed infrastructure and 5 hotels hosting 100,000 guests during the course of 2014, the four islands will cater to multiple audiences as they will each be dedicated to luxury, celebrations, lifestyle and families.

As a complement to this development, Ras Al Khaimah is proactively targeting the families, couples and millennial markets. Using a scientific approach to guest marketing, Ras Al Khaimah’s TDA is commissioning a strategic study into digital natives, a demographic with increasing discretionary spend and adventurous tastes.

Ras Al Khaimah offers tourists the opportunities to benefit from a truly authentic experience that reaches beyond its internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts. The Hajar Mountains offer some of the region’s most breath taking views in addition to catering to those who want climbing, hiking and mountain biking excursions.