UNWTO Names its Best Tourism Villages 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it is naming a pilot mental health committee to provide recommendations to address barriers preventing pilots from reporting mental health issues.

Quito Turismo was in the spotlight for yet another year with its participation in World Travel Market, which took place in London on 6-8 November. This internationally renowned event has been a key opportunity to show the full range of tourism, cultural and gastronomic attractions the city has to offer. During the fair, Quito Turismo held more than 50 meetings with media and agents from the tourism sector, with the aim of establishing strategic alliances to promote Quito’s novelties and charms. Ten interviews were also successfully conducted with various international media channels, in addition to destination presentations that targeted more than 10 international media, providing the opportunity to learn about the destination first-hand.

At a press conference during World Travel Market 2023, the newly elected President of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, together with the new Minister of Tourism for the Balearic Islands, Jaume Bauza Mayol, unveiled the future tourism strategy for the archipelago (which comprises of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera).

“We are resolute in Calvia’s tourism transformation, to spread the benefits throughout the year for both locals and visitors”, says Mayor of Calvia, Juan Antonio Amengual, on day one of World Travel Market.

Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart was named the 2023 Executive of the Year at this year’s Travvy Awards.

Losses continue to mount for luxury hospitality brand Inspirato. The company is burning cash at $15 million per quarter and its revenue is down.

With a strong focus on the future of wine tourism, the 7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in La Rioja, Spain (22-24 November 2023), one of the world’s leading wine regions. This event will gather diverse industry players around data, governance, innovation, sustainability, and skills.

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is participating in the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) event, scheduled to take place in London from 6 to 8 November 2023. The WTM serves as a significant platform for engaging discussions on tourism development and will include the participation of various decision-makers and experts in the travel industry. Through this event, Saudia will showcase the latest products, services, and initiatives of its new era, aimed at enhancing the guests’ travel experience and aligning its efforts to connect the world to the Kingdom, supporting the tourism, finance, business, and Hajj and Umrah sectors.

Ecuador’s Oyacachi has been recognised as one of the Best Tourism Villages of 2023, according to The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). This global initiative sees Ecuador’s villages leading the way in the preservation of cultures and traditions, celebration of diversity, creation of opportunities and protection of wildlife, through tourism as a positive force for transformation, rural development and the well-being of communities. This award follows Ecuador’s success in 2022, where Aguarico and Angochagua received the same accolade.

An island in the desert? Dubai isn’t the only destination that can pull it off. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa completed a $16 million pool transformation, and a crown jewel of the project is the new adult’s-only pool, Sky Island, that's surrounded by water and overlooks the resort’s golf courses.

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

The travel industry has always been a realm of dreams, wanderlust, and adventure, and it’s in recognition of this allure that the World Travel Awards were established. As 2023 draws to a close, the culmination of these prestigious awards is set to unfold at the grand final in Dubai on Friday, December 1st, a much-anticipated event to celebrate excellence and innovation in the world of travel and tourism.