Tourism tips

It might be whisky (with no ‘e’) when referring to Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese grain spirits, but when it comes to grain spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States – it’s whiskey (with an ‘e’). Regardless of how it’s spelled, today, Saturday 18 May the world will unite to celebrate World Whisky Day - the annual day celebrating whisky, inviting everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life, but do you know the history of whiskey in Illinois? Kentucky and Tennessee might be the states that come to mind when thinking of whiskey in the United States however, Illinois and more specifically Peoria,  located along the Illinois River160 miles southwest of Chicago, was known as ‘The Whiskey Capital of the World.’

Binibeca, a picture-perfect small town in Spain’s popular Balearic island of Minorca have everything required to please tourists: whitewashed houses with terracotta tile roofs, narrow cobblestone streets, winding alleys, quaint staircases, street names in white-and-blue tiles — and all overlooking the marine blue of the Mediterranean.

“Royal families used to support artists. Now it’s tourism that keeps art and tradition alive,” says Avijit Singh, the director of India’s House of Rohet group of small luxury hotels. He’s speaking about his family’s ancestral home, Rohet Garh, their city hotel in Jodhpur and their most magical tourism endeavor so far, Mihir Garh.

Airbnb appeared to be doing a larger-than-usual purge of its travel experiences offerings from its site and app, leaving many providers of walking tours and other activities confused.

Like it or not, Carlisle Bay Antigua is driving toward sustainability. At least that's what Brian Murphy, the resort's general manager, will tell you.

Where the land of Fire and Ice meets the land of Warhol and Whiskey, the Southeastern city of Pennsylvania is even more accessible to UK & Ireland travellers. From today until 27 October 2024, the new seasonal Icelandair service will offer 4x weekly flights from Iceland to Pittsburgh.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett last night welcomed more than 700 Kiwanis club members from the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District for their annual convention at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The 2024 Kiwanis Eastern Canada and Caribbean (EC&C) District Convention is being held from May 16-18, 2024. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Bartlett described the event as “this very important convention that is setting the stage for discourses in various areas of human development, with a particular emphasis on children.” Kiwanis is a global organization in over 80 countries with more than half a million members dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time, through its mantra “Serving the Children of the World.” Against this background, Minister Bartlett in his keynote address, said: “There are some little ones that are coming up in whose hands the future of the world rests, and in whose lives the prosperity of planet Earth is going to be predicated.” He anticipated that the discourse at the convention would be heavily focused around service and adding value to service, targeting the planet, people and prosperity.

Hopping between Gulf countries could soon be as easy as traveling through Europe's Schengen Area: just flash your passport at the entry point and seamlessly travel from one country to the next—no extra paper work required.

Experience Abu Dhabi kicks off summer 2024 with a special collaboration with French swimwear brand Vilebrequin. The exclusive Abu Dhabi Limited Edition capsule, in partnership with Vilebrequin and Experience Abu Dhabi, debuted last night at L’Ondine & Vilebrequin La Plage during the 77th Cannes Film Festival’s opening day. Among the star-studded guests were Nour Arida, Shanina Shaik, and Romee Striid. Adorned with hues of rich, refined blues and gold accents, the inspiration behind the limited-edition collection is the stunning landscape of Abu Dhabi’s waters, with a touch of Saint-Tropez elegance.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) proudly announces its official partnership with Atlanta United, one of Major League Soccer’s most iconic clubs. The strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in promoting Belize as a premier travel destination and underscores the country’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with global communities. As the “Official Caribbean Tourism Partner of Atlanta United,” Belize is poised to showcase its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture and unparalleled hospitality to the passionate fanbase of Atlanta United and the broader Atlanta community. From special sweepstakes opportunities to integrating the brand into the team’s home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the partnership is one fans should look forward to.

Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. One study found 40 percent of parents planned to spend more on international travel with their families this year. There is also a growing trend of multiple generations traveling together.

Vendée’s majestic Domaine de La Chabotterie will be the setting for the thirteenth Floralies Internationales Festival from 17-26 May 2024, an event held every five years that brings together the very best floral and plant creativity in a series of artistic presentations.

With things looking up for tourism in The Bahamas, representatives of the country’s Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) are set to build on their success at the 42nd edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and scheduled for 20 - 23 May 2024 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica, the Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event will offer opportunity for The Bahamas to shine as buyers and sellers of tourism products and services from countries across the region convening for business. In 2023, The Bahamas saw record-breaking tourism growth accounting for 9.6 million visitors, up 38% from 2022. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to record 1.7 million in 2023, cruise arrivals surged 43.5% to record 7.9 million. The country’s 16 islands all enjoyed significant increases, with visits to New Providence, for instance, up 36% in 2023, to Grand Bahama up 44%, and the Out Islands up 40%.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) aims to reimagine the region’s tourism landscape at the third annual Caribbean Travel Forum, taking place Monday, May 20 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Kicking off this year’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the annual event brings together leading regional and international thought leaders to discuss tourism business opportunities and strategies for success in the Caribbean, the heart of the global travel industry.

From Monday, May 20 to Thursday, May 23, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, a showpiece of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA), will convene at the Montego Bay Conference Centre in St James. It is the premier event for connecting suppliers of Caribbean travel products and services with global buyers. On the final day, which happens to be Labour Day in Jamaica, the marketplace for the first time in its 42nd staging will be observing Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day, a new addition to Caribbean Travel Marketplace Conference, dedicated to sustainable tourism in Jamaica.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is gearing up for its first multi-destination media trip, designed to illuminate the interconnectedness and diversity across the Caribbean. Scheduled from May 17 to 27, this initiative will showcase the vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unique experiences spanning St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Scott Beck has resigned as San Francisco Travel CEO and president. San Francisco Travel board chair Anna Marie Presutti will serve as interim CEO and president effective immediately, the tourism board announced on Wednesday.

Travel distribution platform TBO Tek made a strong debut on the Indian stock market on Wednesday. Its shares were listed at 50% premium over its IPO issue price on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in the morning and at 55% premium on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – and if there is anything that travelers are seeking nowadays, it’s wellness. Let’s face it – health is the new wealth – and following on the most recent travel trends of sleep tourism and quiet luxury – people in general are seeking ways to travel in order to combat stress, depression, fatigue, burnout, and trauma.

Hotel booking sites have capitalized on Olympics demand by boosting prices for stays during the Games. But hotels aren’t alone in seizing this opportunity.

Etihad Airways wants you to spend a day or two in its hometown during your travel journey.