Nassau Paradise Island Welcomes Record-Breaking Tourism

The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) announced today that it has recovered completely from the effects of the pandemic.

Year-end reporting revealed that the tourism sector in the perennially popular Bahamian destination finished 2022 even better than in 2019, its best performance year on record. The NPIPB also expressed confidence that 2023 will be a banner year.

The following are some key takeaways:

  • In 2022, average occupancy increased by 23.2 percentage points to 65.2 percent, up from 42 percent in 2021.
  • Room revenue in 2022 will be 112 percent higher than in 2021.
  • The average length of stay is now approaching six nights, representing a half-day to a full-day increase.
  • Traveler visitation in 2022 increased by 69 percent over 2021.
  • Air arrivals through December 2022 were 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and air seats are already increasing in 2023, with February’s seat count up 15 percent over 2022 at an average of 5,358 seats per day.
  • In comparison to the previous year, total website referrals to NPIPB partner resorts increased by 47 percent.
  • From the end of 2021 to the end of 2022, web searches for “The Bahamas” increased by 20%, while searches for “Nassau” increased by 41%.

The increased traffic to its website has prompted more tourists to book trips to Nassau Paradise Island and stay at the NPIPB’s partner resorts, and it is expected to continue to drive visitation rates and overall occupancy well into 2023. The promotion board is investing in a new website, which is expected to be completed early this year, to capitalize on the momentum of current internet search demand and continue driving conversions.

Nonstop air service to Lynden Pindling International Airport from 38 source markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America remains one of Nassau Paradise Island’s most valuable assets. In fact, the destination maintained air service from all of those markets during and after the pandemic, demonstrating the strength of demand for travel to the premier resort island. Nassau Paradise Island will add even more nonstop commercial air service from major markets such as New York City this year.

“It has been wonderful to see tourism to Nassau Paradise Island surpass pre-pandemic levels, and we are continuing to build on the momentum from last year to drive demand and make 2023 a banner year,” said Joy Jibrilu, CEO of NPIPB. “Our island destination has so much to offer all types of visitors and, as I reflect on 2022, I am so thankful for our partners and am extremely optimistic for the new year full of new resorts, more nonstop air service, new and returning special events, and more!”

 

 

 

 

Source : travelpulse

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The Sunny Italian Island offers Free Extra Nights to Tourists

The island of Sicily in southern Italy is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, and now visitors can stay an extra night for free. The president of the region hopes that the initiative will boost quality tourism by encouraging visitors to stay longer.

The “See Sicily” initiative follows in the footsteps of other Italian cities such as La Spezia in extending free vacation stays to visitors.

How can you get a free night in Sicily?

Visitors who have booked a minimum three-night stay on the island are eligible for the free night.

The Visit Sicily website has information on how to register. There is also a comprehensive list of affiliated lodging facilities that participate in the scheme.

Discounted flights to Sicily

The initiative also provides visitors with airline ticket discounts and activity discounts. Tourists are entitled to a free excursion or guided tour of their choice as part of the free night package.

As an added bonus, visitors arriving in Sicily by plane or ferry will receive a 50% discount on their ticket. This applies to both domestic and international flights and ferries.

The maximum discount for domestic and European flights is €100 ($108), while the maximum discount for international flights is €200 ($217).

When is the offer valid?

To take advantage of the scheme, visitors must travel by September 30, 2023. During the peak season months of July and August, the incentive package is unavailable. Because the offer is limited and will most likely run out, those interested should book as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

Source : forbes

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Spanish Islands to Attract More Senior EU Citizens

The Canary Islands intend to develop tourism that is more welcoming to senior visitors, who prefer longer stays and have more purchasing power but are more sensitive to the weather and concerned about safety on the spot.

The Spanish islands intend to improve conditions for visitors over the age of 55 by attracting more citizens over the age of 55, particularly during the winter season. This could also work in their favor because staying in Spain during the cold season means they will have fewer gas bills to pay, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com.

According to Eurostat, the European Office for Statistics, a household in Spain consumes 44% less energy than a household in Germany.

“Canarian tourism will carry out a communication offering peace of mind to Europeans, currently in economic and geopolitical uncertainty, promoting a more sustainable model of tourism in a safe destination and, in this specific case, favouring long stays that benefit the economy of the islands,” Yaiza del Castillo, Minister of Tourism of the Canary Islands, said.

There are nearly 152.5 million people over the age of 55 in the EU, and this proportion is expected to grow even more as the EU population ages. In Spain alone, senior citizens account for 26% of GDP and 60% of national consumption.

Furthermore, people over the age of 55 control more than half of consumer spending and own up to 70% of the wealth. Furthermore, according to the German Tourism Research Institute, FUR, this segment of the population is a gold mine for European tourism and will have an increasing influence on the travel market.

Nearly 131,000 seniors visited the Canary Islands in 2019, spending an average of €2,866, up from €2,866 in 2018.

“If we want them to extend their vacation, we need to tell them more, and we need to achieve this through a process of reflection because a long stay requires more inspiration and information. This is why we have chosen to dedicate one minute per island because the objective is not to promote a short getaway, but a real moment of relaxation,” Minister Castillo pointed out.

This is not the first European country to place a special emphasis on attracting senior citizens’ tourism; Greece previously announced that the tourism season would be extended beyond the summer season.

Furthermore, Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vasilis Kikilias, stated that the country wants to attract more retirees to relocate to the Mediterranean country for a ‘easier winter.’

 

 

Source : schengenvisainfo

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The Paradise of Sea Tourism in Vietnam

The Con Dao Islands are located in southeast Vietnam, about 180 kilometers away from the mainland.  It’s a tropical paradise with a gruesome recent history, as it was a place of prison and exile for the Vietnamese until 1975.

Visitors can explore the beautiful wild scenery in a canoe with a capacity of about ten people and a guide. The canoe arrives at the coral reefs of Hon Bay Canh after about 20 minutes. Visitors can safely admire the coral reefs while wearing life jackets, goggles, and a snorkel.

The depth of the water in the area ranges from 2.5 to more than 5 meters.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some sea turtles in the area.

Another tour to discover Hon Bay Canh is also available, which usually begins around 8 p.m. You can observe and learn about the tank crab, a crab species found on the island.

The highlight of the trip, however, is watching turtles lay eggs and then watch baby turtles swim out to sea. The mother turtles go to a sandy shore on Hon Bay Canh around 10 p.m. to lay their eggs. Each can lay between 80 and 150 eggs per night. The eggs will hatch after about 50 days. The turtles are then released back into the sea by visitors.

Con Dao National Park rangers and staff act as midwives, assisting turtles in giving birth and placing their eggs in a safe incubation space to ensure a high hatch rate.

There are many beautiful coral reefs around the island, according to Con Dao National Park, but only a few places are allowed to offer tourism services in order to preserve the local ecosystem.

 

Source : vietnamplus

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Nature in Hawaii Recovers due to Pandemic

Kumiko Hasegawa, a nature guide on Hawaii Island, has been working hard to re-establish the Loko Waka fishpond as a habitat for aquatic birds. She began the effort after all of her tours were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she suddenly found herself with a lot of free time.

About a decade ago, Hasegawa noticed the native bird ae’o (Hawaiian stilt) in the pond. The species is now on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss. She stated that she felt compelled to return the birds to the pond, which was surrounded by invasive grass.

Interestingly, adventurous souls looking to explore Hawaii Island and its hidden gems may find a unique perspective through scooter rentals. For those eager to navigate the island’s scenic beauty freely, renting a scooter can be an exciting option, allowing them to weave through landscapes and discover conservation efforts firsthand. Enthusiasts can find tips and firsthand experiences on scooter exploration in Hawaii on the their blog section of a reputable scooter rental website like Scooter Rental Hawaii. This innovative way to travel not only aligns with the spirit of eco-conscious tourism but also presents an opportunity to support local initiatives while reveling in the captivating beauty of Hawaii Island.

She spent a year removing alien plants and replacing them with native ones. The environment gradually improved, and two ae’o arrived at the pond in May of this year. However, they do not eat or reproduce there. Hasegawa believes that unless she can provide a solution, she is contributing to the problem. The flowers of the ohi’a tree, with their red yarn-like petals, leave an indelible impression. The indigenous tree is so powerful that it is thought to be the first plant to grow on a lava plateau. However, it is also in jeopardy.

Around 2014, Ohi’a trees began to die abruptly. The writer was guided to a conservation forest in Puna, in the eastern part of Hawaii Island, by Jaya Dupuis, who heads the nonprofit group Hawaii Environmental Restoration. On Hawaii Island alone, over a million trees have perished. A fungal infestation was discovered to be to blame by researchers. Tourists may have brought the fungus in from the outside. According to Dupuis, Hawaii’s plant quarantine regulations are less stringent than those of countries such as Australia. Tourists can help protect the local ecosystem by learning about the island’s flora and fauna and disinfecting their shoes before visiting a forest.

Good Impact during the Pandemic

The pandemic dealt a severe blow to tourism, Hawaii’s economic lifeline, but there was a silver lining: the decrease in tourist numbers helped nature recover its beauty. “The coasts became clean while tours were halted during the pandemic. I saw a lot more fish than before,” said Dante Leuenberger, a captain at Fair Wind Cruises, which organizes snorkeling tours on the western coast of Hawaii Island.

After recognizing that its operations had an impact on the environment, the company reviewed some of its services. It now provides guests with non-polluting sunscreen lotion and has gone so far as to switch to organic meals onboard.

Hawaii is proposing a new type of tourism, urging visitors to leave the places they visit in better condition than they found them. Planting trees is one example. This year, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Hawaii Island began planting milo trees, which are used to make ukuleles, in its grounds. In the future, the hotel hopes to involve guests in the planting of 100,000 seedlings on cleared land. “Visualizing contributions to the local community and the environment leads to higher guest satisfaction,” hotel manager Tom Cross explained.

Hotel collaboration in Hawaii

The hotel collaborates with the non governmental organization Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. Executive Director Jeffrey Dunster emphasizes the connection between tourism and tree planting, claiming that visitors can leave a piece of themselves in nature. In just a decade since its inception, the NGO has planted over 500,000 indigenous trees, including on a mountainside that was previously pasture land. Many of the projects are done in collaboration with hotels, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses.

Prior to the pandemic, over tourism had become an issue in popular Japanese destinations such as Kyoto, Kamakura, and Okinawa. Before tourists return in large numbers, Japan’s tourism industry can learn a lot from Hawaii. According to Vernadette Gonzales, a professor at the University of Hawaii, inviting as many tourists as possible is not sustainable. Some popular Hawaiian destinations have begun to limit the number of visitors. Climbing Diamond Head on Oahu Island requires advance registration.

According to history, Hawaii has always been welcoming to people from the Asia-Pacific region, who contributed to the islands’ diverse and vibrant culture and society. Gonzales, who describes herself as an avid traveler, says she always asks herself, “When you invite a guest to your house, how do you want them to behave?” In Hawaii, the search for a similar answer has begun.

 

source : nikkeiasia

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