Hospitality, Travel & Tourism 2018 - Gulf Times

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ussia will lift the curtain on this summer’s World Cup with a glittering opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The tournament will officially begin when hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia at the same venue at 4pm on Thursday, June 14, but the excitement is already building as the host nation prepares to welcome 32 national teams each with sights set on World Cup glory.

The opening show is due to last approximately 30 minutes with 500 local performers involved, including dancers, gymnasts and trampolinists.

A fireworks display is set to bring the ceremony to a close before World Cup competition returns four years on from Mario Gotze’s decisive contribution in Brazil.

Start time The ceremony will take place at at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, with the show scheduled to start 2.30pm UK time on Thursday, June 14.

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TV, online and live stream coverage The pre-tournament event will be televised live on ITV, with coverage starting at 2.30pm UK time.

You will be able to follow the opening ceremony with Standard Sport’s dedicated LIVE blog ahead of coverage of the opening game of the tournament between Russia and Saudi Arabia (4pm).

Venue The main venue for the finals will host the first and last match. Built in the 1950s, it was used during the 1980 Olympic Games and hosts most matches played by the Russian national team and at various times has been home to city clubs Spartak, CSKA and Torpedo. Manchester United fans will remember it fondly - it was here, in driving rain, that the club won their third European title by beating Chelsea on penalties in 2008.

Capacity: 80,000

Performers Tenors Placido Domingo and Juan Diego Florez are the only confirmed performers for the ceremony.

The official World Cup anthem “Live It Up” has been recorded by Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi.

It is unclear whether the trio will be in Russia to perform their song, though the tournament track is traditionally sung at either the opening or closing ceremony.

Pianist Denis Matsuev will be joined by global opera stars Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov, Roberto Alanya, Ildar Abdrazakov, Aida Garifullina and Albina Shagimuratova for a concert at Moscow’s Red Square on June 13.

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Since the launch of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 (QNTSS) in 2014, Qatar’s tourism sector has grown and matured rapidly. Qatar’s commitment to making tourism a priority industry in the national strategy for future development is based on the following considerations: Global Importance and Growth Potential. International tourism, already by some measures the world’s largest industry, is projected to grow strongly in future. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, tourism accounts for 10% of total GDP and 1 in 11 jobs worldwide. Global visitor arrivals totalled 1.13 billion in 2014 and will reach 1.8 billion by 2030. Annual tourism growth in the period 201030 is expected to average 3.3% overall and 4.4% in emerging markets (including the Middle East).

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Cultural Tourism Assets. Qatar has outstanding cultural assets.

Tourists can expect a hospitable and welcoming society, authentic traditional visitor experiences, world-class museums, galleries and public art installations, historic sites and heritage attractions.

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Natural Tourism Assets. Qatar has multiple natural assets. Visitors can enjoy year-round sunshine, extensive unspoiled beaches, the Inland Sea, spectacular desert scenery, mangrove lagoons and dramatic wind-sculpted rock formations.

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Tourism Infrastructure. Qatar is constantly investing to enhance its existing world-class tourism infrastructure. Travellers can avail of a range of high quality luxury hotels, worldwide aviation connections, superb sports and recreation facilities, and state-of-the-art conference and exhibition facilities.

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Economic Benefits. Tourism has potential to meet Qatar’s development needs through its contribution to:

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o Economic diversification, improved structural balance and reduced volatility,

o Increasing foreign exchange earnings,

o Creating new private sector business and employment opportunities,

o Stimulating construction, transportation, infrastructure development, trading, retailing, leisure and recreation services, and other related and ancillary industries.

Intangible Benefits. The exposure and goodwill generated by tourism can make a significant contribution to promoting Qatari culture and enhancing the country’s international profile and reputation.

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The Next Chapter The Next Chapter (2017-2023) of the strategy charts the next five years of Qatar’s tourism sector’s development. The Next Chapter aims to accelerate that development with an emphasis on diversification, of both visitor source markets and tourism products and services.

The Journey So Far Since QNTSS was launched in 2014, strong foundations have been laid for the tourism sector with major achievements across policy, product and promotion.

Major Policy Developments Most open country in the region, thanks to a visa waiver policy allowing citizens of 80 countries to enter Qatar visa free. Qatar also introduced a free 96-hour transit visa, which has increased the number of stopover passengers by over 40%.

Emergence of Cruise Tourism Emergence of a vibrant cruise tourism sub-sector, with projections to welcome 300,000 cruise visitors in the 2019/2020 season. This growth is supported by the QAR 2 billion project to redevelop Doha Port, which began in 2017.

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Increasing Economic Impact Increasing economic impact on Qatar’s overall economy: with 2016 estimates showing a total (direct and indirect) contribution to Qatar’s GDP of 6.7%.

International Recognition International recognition and accolades: Qatar was among Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations, and has been ranked as the top GCC destination in Olery’s Guest Experience in the Middle East Report for 2016 & 2017.

New and Enticing Festivals Introducing new and enticing tourism festivals, creating a colourful yearround calendar of events and making significant contributions to the local economy.

Growing Global Presence Growing global presence through the establishment of 9 international representative offices and over 200 global media and trade campaigns in key markets.

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Going Forward

Market resources in key international source markets

Developing reasons for people to visit Qatar

In order to generate global interest around the reasons to visit Qatar, the Next Chapter calls for expanding the international QTA network by:

The Next Chapter introduces a tourism blueprint for the country, outlining how this positioning will come to life over the next five years. This blueprint identifies 6 geographic zones across the country and ties each zone to tourism themes based on the area’s geographic characteristics and natural assets.

Local and international investors will be invited to develop tourism products and services in each geographic zone, in line with its proposed theme/s.

In addition to the development of tourism products, the Next Chapter also details a plan to expand the country’s calendar of year-round tourism festivals and events, to create even more reasons for people to visit Qatar.

Supportive regulatory framework The National Tourism Council will work with relevant entities to establish a regulatory framework that will support the development of the tourism sector.

Marketing the reasons for people to visit Qatar

Increasing the number of representative offices around the world and the number of markets covered.

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Running global campaigns to market Qatar as a tourism destination, along with its tourism products and festivals/events.

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Working with DMCs to package products and events to deliver complete Qatar experiences for prospective visitors.

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Ensure excellent visitor end-to-end experience Ensuring the best possible end-to-end experience for visitors to Qatar is at the heart of the Next Chapter. New plans and measures are being designed to ensure favourable experiences at every touch point of the visitor’s journey to, from and within Qatar. This will be achieved through: The creation of tourism experience units in all relevant public and private sector entities.

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Working with relevant authorities to ensure infrastructure, both physical and digital, is in place to facilitate visitors’ journeys to, from and within Qatar.

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Developing and running training programmes for all employees in tourist-facing jobs.

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A National Tourism Council will replace Qatar Tourism Authority and focus on strategic planning, attracting investments, developing and delivering festivals, regulatory affairs, and enhancing the visitor experience at every touch point.

The Council will report to a Board of high-level representatives, chaired

by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Board will guide the overall development of the sector, monitor tourism sector performance, and ensure cross-sector collaboration and focus.

The Board of the National Tourism Council also will oversee three new entities that will be charged with developing large-scale tourism products and experiences, promoting the destination internationally, and consolidating the efforts of existing stakeholders in the business events sub-sector.

Promotion of investment opportunities The Next Chapter will offer a multitude of investment opportunities and invite local and foreign investors to participate in building what Qatar will be known for in the minds of visitors, for decades to come.

New governance structure

Ease of doing business

The tourism sector is unique in its reliance on many ancillary sectors to succeed. Recognising the importance of close coordination, Qatar’s leadership has approved a new governance structure for the tourism sector to coordinate, consolidate and focus the efforts of its key members and stakeholders.

With a focus on increasing the involvement of the private sector in the development of the country’s tourism sector, the Next Chapter will enhance the ease of doing business in the sector.

Visa facilitation

This new governance structure will be key to the sector’s development, and will empower its members and work together to achieve greater results.

Building on Qatar’s position as the region’s most open country, the Next Chapter will continue to enhance national visa policies to increase visitor access and ensure a seamless visitor experience.

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Building on a solid foundation Developing world-class facilities and services The continuing rapid development of the tourism infrastructure, in terms of both physical facilities and the quality and diversity of tourism services, is vital to achieving the goals of the QNTSS 2030 and ensuring that tourism plays its designated role in shaping Qatar’s economic and social future.

QTA has primary responsibility for planning and coordinating development and for mobilizing the necessary investment and human resources to accomplish the task. It works to coordinate and integrate tourism-related projects into the broader $200 billion national investment plan for infrastructure development during the period up to 2030.

QTA examines a wide spectrum of potential developments and projects to identify initiatives that will contribute to tourism through: - Generating new/increased visitor traffic, - Enhancing and diversifying Qatar’s tourism offering, - Increasing visitor spend (including increasing revenue from existing facilities), - Extending the average length of stay, - Encouraging repeat visits, - Mitigating the impact of seasonality, - Influencing transit passengers to extend their stopovers and/ or return to Qatar as tourists, - Maximizing long-term tourism benefits from high profile events (e.g. World Cup 2022) and

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- Supporting the creation of tourism products that retain visitors and increase the average length of stay of business travellers.

Historical & Heritage Sites:

- The authentic restoration of sites in recent years has created a number of potentially important new attractions of educational and tourist interest.

- Initiatives to capitalize on this potential include improving visitor access, parking, signage, promotion (e.g. via hotels) and information - including interactive facilities, displays etc.

(Management of Al Zubarah UNESCO World Heritage Site is to be transferred from Qatar Museums to QTA.)

Current and planned developments affecting Qatar’s tourism infrastructure include: Hotels & Accommodation:

- Progress is on track to increase hotel rooms from 22,000 to 40,000 by 2022 and 50,000+ by 2030.

- Focus on upmarket (5- and 4-star) properties will continue, but with greater diversity (e.g. eco-resorts, beach, desert, budget options).

Urban & Lifestyle Developments:

- Much of Doha’s on-going development is focused on building integrated, master-planned communities, such as the new Lusail City,

- These mixed-use developments are designed to incorporate a significant tourism component, including hotels, restaurants, marinas, shopping and other leisure amenities.

- Tourism will also benefit from completion of the Msheireb Downtown urban regeneration project in the heart of the capital.

Natural Attractions:

Transport – International:

- State-of-the-art Hamad International Airport (opened 2014) has created capacity for Qatar’s growing role as aviation hub and the continued future expansion of Qatar Airways

- The opening of new Doha Port south of the capital will allow for development of a dedicated Cruise Terminal on the former city centre port site.

- Qatar has a number of areas of outstanding natural beauty, including the ‘Inland Sea’ (Khor Al Adaid), desert dunes, unspoiled sandy beaches, mangrove lagoons, gypsum caves (Dahl Al Misfir), spectacular limestone rock formations etc.

- Realizing the full tourism potential of these significant assets will depend on improving visitor access in terms of roads, signage and amenities, while at the same time safeguarding the environment and often fragile eco-systems for future generations.

Activities & Entertainment:

- In parallel with expansion and diversification of accommodation supply and the physical tourism infrastructure, Qatar will cater to the needs of increased visitor numbers by enhancing the range of activity and entertainment options on offer.

- Projects at various stages of planning and/or under active consideration include the new Doha Zoo, theme parks and a range of new special interest tours, excursions, camel safaris and other such services.

Sports:

- Qatar boasts a world class sporting infrastructure centred on the Aspire Zone sports complex and including stadiums, multi-purpose sports halls, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Centre, Doha Golf Club, Losail International Circuit etc.

- Current developments to enhance this are focused on the stadium requirements for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These will have modular elements, which will be reconfigured after the tournament to provide a lasting legacy beyond Qatar’s borders. Some 20 new stadiums will be created in emerging economies, leaving Qatar with stadium capacity in line with its domestic needs.

Business Events:

Transport – National:

- Doha Metro system (initial opening 2019) will be a major tourism asset, facilitating travel from the airport and throughout the city via four lines and 100 stations, as well as linking with the new Lusail Light Rail Transit system.

- Qatar Rail’s new national network, plus 900 km of multi-lane highways, will impact tourism nationwide, greatly improving access to all areas and opening up new and unexplored regions to visitors.

Cultural Facilities:

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- Qatar’s existing portfolio of world class facilities (Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Katara Cultural Village etc.) will be greatly enhanced by the opening of the new Qatar National Museum, as well as the Orientalists’ Museum, 3-2-1 Olympic & Sports Museum and other projects in the pipeline

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- The recent completion and opening of the new Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre, together with Qatar National Convention Centre, give Qatar an outstanding basis on which to expand its rapidly developing business events industry in future, - QTA has set up a dedicated Business Events team to work with the venues, event organizers and other stakeholders to capitalize on these facilities and build up Qatar’s role as a leading regional and international centre of excellence in the MICE sector. Courtesy: Qatar Tourism Authority

Travel & Tourism

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Sheraton Grand Doha will be screening FIFA World Cup live in two of their best sports venues: Doha’s ultimate football destination, LaLiga Lounge and all-time crowd-favourite, The Irish Harp.

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n celebration of the World’s Biggest Football Event, Sheraton Grand Doha will be launching The Big Kick Off. From the first day of Eid Al Fitr up to the finals on 15th July, two smashing venues — LaLiga Lounge and The Irish Harp — will be airing all of the thrilling football action live from Russia.

LaLiga Lounge A place dedicated to football enthusiasts and the Spanish league LaLiga’s first official concept lounge in the world, LaLiga Lounge is without doubt one of the most happening places to watch to The Biggest Football Event! With a seating capacity of around 300 fans, LaLiga Lounge will be streaming the matches live in giant HD screens set against an electric atmosphere that will make one feel that they are in the game.

Guests pay a ticket fee (price starts from QAR 150) on the door, which is completely redeemable against food and drinks.

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A specially designed menu will be offered in the lounge all throughout the month, featuring the juiciest burgers and your favourite comfort foods.

Spanish specialties prepared by LaLiga Lounge’s “striker” and head chef, Chef Juan Sobero, will also be part of the special menu.

Launched in September last year, LaLiga Lounge has become known for its Spanish specialties, vibrant atmosphere and supercool interiors.

The Irish Harp Aside from LaLiga Lounge, the matches will also be aired live in Doha’s famous Irish pub, The Irish Harp. Guests can catch the heat of the games in one of its 12 large TV screens, while indulging in its daily promotions and its eating-challenge menu items The Monster Burger and The Meter-Long Subway.

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man Air, the award-winning national carrier for the Sultanate of Oman, has been recognised as “The Middle East’s Leading Airline” in both the Business Class and Economy Class categories, at the World Travel Awards held in the lead up to Arabian Travel Market.

Khaimah. Paul Starrs, Chief Commercial Officer Oman Air, and Jamal Al Azki, Country Manager Oman, received the awards on behalf of Oman Air. The airline beat tough competition from ten other Middle Eastern carriers. These most recent awards join the previous World Travel Awards presented to Oman Air in the last successive years of 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, CEO of Oman Air, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the Middle East’s Leading Airline in the Business Class and Economy Class in these most recent World Travel Awards. These awards highlight Oman Air’s dedication and commitment to delivering the best level of service and product offering to our guests and it is gratifying to see that Oman Air is consistently recognised as a leader in the airline industry.

We look forward to continuing the development of our award-winning product in the year that lies ahead and beyond.”

Oman Air is a pioneer in innovation and product development; the airline has already been recognized in 2018 by the official Four Star Airlines Rating at the Apex Regional Passenger Choice Awards. Oman Air was also officially recognised for its continued contribution to the development of tourism in the Sultanate. These 2018 awards come on the back of a multitude of accolades presented in 2017 including four World Travel Awards.

The World Travel Awards reward, recognise and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. The Awards were presented at a glittering gala dinner held at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to reward exceptional standards in the travel and tourism industry and the brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality.

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has debuted its exclusive premium lounge at the award winning Muscat International Airport. The new stylish premium lounge offers Oman Air guests an unrivalled service as they travel.

Oman Air passengers travelling in First Class and Business Class can now take advantage of the airline’s new premium class lounge offering a pre-flight oasis of calm. The beautiful interiors of the lounge have been influenced by the truly unique terrain found in Oman and designed to reflect the un-spoilt, natural beauty of the desert and the rugged landscape of the mountains. ‘Mashrabiya’ a traditional element of traditional Arabic architecture has been used to provide privacy in communal areas and add to the fluidity of the spacing.

Spread over a two story, the lounge offers guests a wide array of food and beverage services including dining areas and bars, luggage room, entertainment area, a smoking room, prayer rooms, business centre, kid’s room, nap area, shower facilities, baby changing facilities and a wellness area.

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ith the continued growth of travel and evolving travel preferences set against the backdrop global safety concerns and the overtourism crisis, destination companies, tour operators and activity providers will be faced with higher expectations from more sophisticated travellers.

Here’s our breakdown of 2018’s travel trends and how the industry can get ready for a whirlwind year.

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Experiences are still at the heart of it all This should come as no surprise when we say that travellers around the world are still searching for experiences that are unique and, dare I say, authentic.

From recharging in nature, to learning about a destination’s culture, to seeking an adventure of a lifetime, Jon Fauver, TrekkSoft’s co-founder reminds that “travel providers need to remember that at the heart of the guest experience is the experience part”.

Tour and activity operators who prioritise the quality of the delivered experience and destinations who center their marketing efforts around experiences unique to the destination will be the ones who thrive in 2018.

Online reviews have the most impact on bookings “Tourism companies need to consciously manage their reputation online – guests can and will find everything.” - Lucy Fuggle, co-author of the 2018 Travel Trends Report and Head of Content at TrekkSoft 9 out of 10 travellers think that reading online reviews is important and 95% of travellers trust reviews on third party sites.

We looked at TrekkSoft’s top 20 customers according to their revenue and found that they have an average TripAdvisor ranking of 4.81 while 60% of these travel providers have a perfect 5.0 ranking. What more, the median number of reviews per company is 966.

Mobile bookings will be the new default Bookings are made online and on mobile, and this shift towards mobile will continue to grow in 2018. Drawing on TrekkSoft’s data, we found that 82% of bookings were made through a tour or activity operator’s own website, and of those bookings, almost half (49%) are made on mobile. While the completion rate of mobile bookings is lower than that of other industries, this behaviour on mobile has grown significantly compared to 2016, which was at 31%.

According to Dave O’Kelly, CEO of SANDEMANs NEW Europe, “over 50% of our bookings are taken on mobile and typically within the two weeks pre-arrival into the destination. That provides a whole wealth of opportunities for us... We can facilitate easier, more exciting, and more interesting interactions pre-trip, during a trip and post-trip and own as much of the guest experience as possible”.

It’s no industry secret that a good TripAdvisor ranking can positively impact the growth of a business. However, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieving excellence throughout the customer’s travel journey.

Generational differences are blurring Just when the industry and marketing professionals thought they had neatly carved out and defined each generation’s needs and wants, the travel market evolved yet again.

We found that the 30s - 50s crowd is more interested in a relaxing getaway while the 65+ are interested in adventure and opportunities to socialise. In 2018, expect to meet adventurous Baby Boomers, welltravelled Gen Xers and Millennials and curious and tech savvy Gen Zs coming to their own.

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Everyone is on the hunt for a life-changing experience while they travel and it’s up to travel providers to create tours and activities that appeal to their lifestyles rather than to a specific age group.

Shift your focus away from Millennials... to their parents maybe?

Often overlooked, Gen Xers might not be the largest (or coolest) market out there, but they’re the generation with the most money and time to spend on travel. In an international survey conducted in China, Germany and the US, 68% of Gen Xers are the chief shoppers when it comes to big purchases such as travel and activities.

83% are working full-time or part time and currently spend the most money on travel compared to their younger or older counterparts. On average, they will spend $627 on each day of travel.

Another survey found that 61% of American Gen Xers have children at home, meaning that family life is very much a priority and so their travel plans tend to line up with school holidays. For Gen Xers, multigenerational travel is the norm.

proficient in English. Married or single, they’re happy to explore the world alone or with a small group of friends.

Operators who want to reach out to more sophisticated travellers will need to create experiences that are educational and unique to the destination. Nobody is going to fly across the world for a cookie-cutter experience anymore.

Sustainability is about more than protecting the environment, it’s about the local communities Sustainability became front and center of the tourism industry when the summer crowds of 2017 sent locals in Barcelona and Venice marching in the streets to protest overtourism.

This sparked conversations all over Europe about sustainability practices, or the lack of it. 2017’s conversations about sustainable tourism looked beyond protecting the environment to protecting local communities and residents.

In 2018, more and more travellers are becoming aware of how overtourism is ruining certain destinations and will be looking to visit other lesser known destinations to satisfy their wanderlust. Don’t believe me?

So what’s in store for the future of sustainable travel?

According to Wouter Geerts, a Senior Travel Analyst at Euromonitor International, “I have to admit that the win-win situation of sustainable development is unlikely to go far enough. There are many ways that tourism companies can improve their practices, which would result in more sustainable behaviour, while at the same time decreasing costs and increasing revenues. It is unhealthy to think, however, that if everyone in the industry would become a little more efficient, all problems would be solved and the negative impacts of the tourism industry would disappear.”

He continues, “the industry will always prefer voluntary commitments over legislation, and so the win-win scenario is a popular one, but in some cases legislation might be needed. I think the case of overtourism shows that, with the number of people travelling growing strongly, some boundaries need to be drawn. While some destinations are able to market themselves as more sustainable (and expensive) destinations which would benefit their economy while at the same time reducing the actual number of visitors, not every destination can do this. Some tough decisions might need to be made to keep destinations sustainable.” Courtesy: www.trekksoft.com

The rise of Eastern outbound markets 2017 saw a huge increase in outbound markets from the East, especially the Arabic and Indian market. By 2020, researchers predict that the Arabic market will grow by 50% and the UNWTO expects 50 million Indians to take a trip abroad.

When it comes to travel for the Arabic market, they’re expecting a luxurious travel experience. With 3 out of 4 trips considered to be leisure travel, travel spending is set to reach AED 191.5 billion (that’s just over USD 50 billion) by 2027. Currently, more than 50% of Arabic travellers are Millennials.

For the Indian market, they want to learn about local culture and spend time with their families when travelling. While the family may consist of older folks who prefer a more relaxed itinerary and the younger folks who prefer more adventurous excursions, that does not stop them from travelling together. They’re more than happy to split up to do their own thing and reconvene later to catch up.

Maturing Chinese market is growing in their travel preferences We covered this topic early in 2017, where I wrote about the changing travel preferences of the Chinese market, and it’s about time the industry paid closer attention.

As more Chinese take trips abroad, we’ll start seeing more repeat visits to the same countries or destinations. These travellers represent a huge opportunity for the industry because they’re already familiar with the local culture and language, and are back for more!

Another interesting fact about the Chinese market is that more women travel than men, despite making up only 46% of the population.

These women tend to be well travelled, more adventurous and are more

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®

This football season, gather your friends and catch the live screenings of the most anticipated matches in Paloma, and the famous Belgian Café!

Paloma Cheer for your team and enjoy an ice-cold pint or two, together with delicious Tex-Mex bar snacks such as tacos, buffalo wings, and more, specially brought to you by Chef Salvador Franco. The Dynamix band will give you their captivating live performance during half time too so you can be guaranteed of a great time!

Paloma Doha

Belgian Café What’s better than Belgian hops and live screening of football matches this season? Watch with a view on the air-conditioned outdoor terrace at Belgian Café, while enjoying our range of exclusive Belgian hops and delicious food on the menu. Not to be missed are the snack platter and steaming pot of mussels with fries.

Belgian Café Doha

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®

Eid Brunch at Coral Join us at Coral for an extravagant Eid brunch featuring a spread of opulent international cuisine such as grilled lobster, pan-seared foie gras, fresh oysters, hand-rolled sushi, and many more. Topping it off with exciting activities for the little ones such as face painting and balloon twisting.

Soft beverage package: QR 295/person House beverage package: QR 325/person Premium beverage package: QR 395/person 50% off for children 6 to 12 years old Available on the first three days of Eid al-Fitr

Jad Nakhle at Gemmayze The famous Jad Nakhle returns to Gemmayze to bring you a captivating performance this Eid al-Fitr. Look forward to a sensational evening with his live music, topped with an exquisite selection of hot and cold mezzehs, Lebanese grills, and mouth-watering desserts for only QR 250 per person including soft beverages.

Available on the second and third day of Eid al-Fitr.

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ine Restaurant and Sarab Lounge will be the Favorite Destination for Football Lovers as they offer Live Screening of Games, while spoiling Guests with a Selection of the most Refined Hospitality Offerings

Sarab Lounge and Vine Restaurant will transform their terraces into football lounges for football lovers to enjoy watching every angle of their favorite game, with giant screens to broadcast the games daily from 2pm till 12am.

The St. Regis Doha, the finest address in Qatar, has announced plans to celebrate the month-long soccer festival and screen all matches to the delight of football lovers, from Friday 14th June to Sunday 15th July, 2018.

Sarab Lounge and Vine Restaurant will also offer a fine selection of bar snacks and sports bar food, as well as a large variety of refreshing drinks in a relaxing atmosphere where guests can gather with their friends and family to indulge in refinement while

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watching their favorite players live on the big screen.

The St. Regis Doha promises football fans an incredible experience with exceptional features and entertainment. As a special treat, guests can present their IDs and avail a special 20% discount on food and beverages at Vine restaurant when their national team is playing.

Mr. Tareq Derbas, Area General Manager of The St. Regis Doha, said: “We are pleased

to offer two of our finest venues at The St. Regis Doha, to host the much anticipated soccer matches. Spectators can witness history in the making from The St. Regis Doha’s Sarab Lounge and Vine Restaurant, set exclusively to entertain them, while featuring giant screens streaming live coverage of the entire event, and serving a selection of the most refined sports bar food that Doha has to offer.”

“With our exclusive offerings, and our signature world class service, guests can look forward to the ultimate five-star Qatari hospitality of The St. Regis Doha, and the perfect environment to relax under the Arabian skies while watching their favorite games at the finest address in Qatar,” Mr. Derbas concluded.

The Hotel currently boasts twelve destination restaurants and lounges including Hakkasan and two of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and presents an array of exceptional leisure facilities for guests’ enjoyment including the Olympicsized swimming pool, large private beach, award-winning Remède Spa the ultimate urban escape, a wellness centre featuring the latest equipment as well as two tennis courts. The St. Regis Doha also boasts a children’s swimming pool and a children’s club.

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he Ritz-Carlton, Doha offers the perfect holiday retreat for family and friends this Eid. Whether residents or travelers are looking for an adventurous or cultural break, culinary journey, sight-seeing activities, award-winning spa and recreational facilities including the newly opened private beach with golden sands and an outdoor pool with fresh waters, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha is the ideal location for a luxurious getaway.

The grand celebration kicks off at Lagoon Restaurant with The Eid Farmer’s Brunch starting on the first day of Eid Al Fitr. The lavish buffet and live stations feature a wide variety of international cuisine showcasing the Farm to Table concept, with a special selection of Middle Eastern delights. Family and friends will be entertained with musical performances while the little ones will join the festive fun with an array of activities including bouncy castle, face painting, petting zoo and many more. The Eid Farmer’s Brunch is priced at QAR 350 per person inclusive of soft

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beverages and is on offer from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m for the three consecutive days of Eid. Children from 5 to 12 years old are charged 50 percent and complimentary for children under 4 years old.

Furthermore, the re-imagined Ritz-Carlton, Spa has curated a unique Eid package designed to focus on the cleansing and purification for the mind ensuring the body is nurtured and indulged. It includes the signature Hammam treatment, scalp massage, bespoke facial to replenish the skin, a Royal treat prepared to perfection by the Ritz-Carlton’s Chefs and a 200 QAR value gift card as loyalty reward. The Royal Eid experience is priced at QAR 1,100 per person and is available during the three days of Eid Al Fitr.

The ‘Wander More’ package is available during Eid holidays and starts at QAR 900 per night in a Deluxe Room. It includes 20% savings on the

room, dining and spa for regular guests and 30% off for Ritz-Carlton, SPG and Marriott loyalty program members when staying 3 nights or more.

This offer is valid until September 30, 2018 and subject to rate and room availability at the time of booking. Advance reservation is required.

Live from Russia at Admiral’s Club With daily matches on our screens, world-class international cuisine and marina views, Admirals Club is the ultimate spot in Doha to witness the most awaited football championship of the year. A vibrant international menu offering signature dishes and drinks from Spain, Germany, France, Brazil and Mexico among other big nations will be available for those who work up an appetite watching their favorite team score. Fans supporting their team by wearing the national jersey on the day of the game will receive a special discount on the total bill. Daily, from June 14 until July 30, 2018.

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onely Planet’s travel experts have explored every part of Europe in search of the continent’s hotspots for 2018.

From regions that make the mouth water to the siren call of little-known islands and the rise of reinvigorated cities, all these destinations make a powerful play for inclusion on your bucket list this year.

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The only question is, where to go first?

Emilia-Romagna, Italy Is Emilia-Romagna the best place to eat in Italy? With a quartetto of culinary traditions originating here, the case is strong: ragù – not to be confused with the misnamed spaghetti bolognese – hails from the delectable capital, Bologna; prosciutto di Parma comes from, you guessed it, Parma; balsamic vinegar is the pride and joy of Modena (along with Osteria Francescana, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant crowned the second-best in the world in 2017); and parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan cheese) was also born in the region.

Between wildly satisfying meals, new attractions like Bologna›s FICO (the world›s largest culinary theme park), Ferrara›s National Museum of Italian Judaism and Shoah, and Rimini›s restored Cinema Fulgor, which will soon feature a museum about legendary film-maker Federico Fellini, nourish the mind as well. Add new flights from London Stansted to Rimini, and Emilia-Romagna looks like a feast for travellers in 2018.

Cantabria, Spain The invitingly green region of Cantabria is one of Spain’s unexpected treasures: a land of wild, sandy beaches, mist-shrouded mountains, enchanting villages like Santillana del Mar and Comillas, lost-in-time churches hewn from the Ebro River’s sandstone banks, and some of Europe’s finest prehistoric cave art.

Gateway to the region, the lively port of Santander has revitalized its waterfront with the opening of the Centro Botín – renowned architect Renzo Piano’s startlingly modernist cultural centre – and this year the city welcomes new visitors thanks to the introduction of direct ferries from Ireland. Forming a jaw-dropping backdrop to it all, Spain’s oldest national park, Picos de Europa, celebrates its centennial this summer, prompting a flurry of events, and offering another reason to explore the jagged peaks, alpine meadows and limestone gorges which lie to the west.

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Friesland, the Netherlands Most people visiting the Netherlands make a beeline for Amsterdam, but this year the province of Friesland is stepping into the limelight. It joins its capital Leeuwarden, a small city with a thriving cafe culture, eclectic shopping and canals lined with historic houses, as European Capital of Culture in 2018. The city is going all out with a program of installations, festivals and events, including a major exhibition in the Fries Museuminspired by one of Leeuwarden’s best-known former residents: artist M.C. Escher.

Beyond the city, fertile fields criss-crossed by dykes frame a new art route – Sense of Place – that will celebrate the region’s beguiling landscape, a highlight of which is the peaceful quartet of islands in the Unesco World Heritage-listed Wadden Sea, the perfect spot to escape amid sand dunes, long beaches and tidal flats.

Kosovo Continually mentioned as an onthe-cusp destination, tiny Kosovo, wedged between two mountain ranges in the heart of the Balkans, has somehow stayed below the radar of most travellers. But with the country celebrating 10 years of (albeit disputed) independence in 2018, that looks set to change.

Coursing with energy, the world’s second-newest nation also boasts Europe’s youngest median population – and it’s their verve fuelling its development. The Kosovan section of the Balkans-spanning Via Dinaricahiking trail showcases the country’s peak-laden landscape to dramatic effect; more film fans each summer flock to Dokufest, an acclaimed festival in the sublime Ottoman-era city of Prizren; and when the trekking and movie-going ends, the burgeoning wine region of Rahovec beckons with more than a dozen vineyards.

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Provence, France Nowhere embodies the French l’art de vivre like Provence. Indulge your romantic side among the lavender fields and olive groves that have long captured the world’s artistic imagination; unwind on a coast blessed with charming towns and turquoise calanques (hidden, steep-sided coves); explore chic Aix-en-Provence and bustling Marseille, which offer cool back-street bars, Michelin-starred eateries and a grittier, contemporary arts scene.

The arts continue to flourish here this year with the opening of the Fondation Carmignac exhibition space on Île de Porquerolles, plus an impressive artistic programme taking over the refurbished railway warehouses at the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Luma in Arles. Getting to Provence will be even easier too as Eurostar reopens a direct route from London St Pancras International to Avignon and Marseille, offering services up to four days a week.

Dundee, Scotland With the opening of the newest branch of the V&A this September, Dundee is a city with an eye on the future. Perched at the edge of Craig Harbour, architect Kengo Kuma’s angular concrete structure, which draws inspiration from the contours of a Scottish cliff face, will be the country’s leading centre for design, showcasing 300 years of innovation.

Remarkable ideas deserve a remarkable home and this space-age museum is the first step in a £1 billion, 30-year regeneration project that builds on Dundee’s Unesco City of Design award in 2014. The redevelopment will transform the historic waterfront, providing a social ‘living room’ at the edge of the silvery River Tay, while further fuelling a creative scene that increasingly attracts some of the UK’s most visionary talent.

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Small Cyclades, Greece Scattered in the Aegean Sea between Naxos and Amorgos, the Small Cyclades are off the radar of most visitors to this charmed part of the world, although one of them – Koufonisia – has become an increasingly sizeable blip for in-the-know travellers. Head to these beauties for a taste of the Greek Islands as they were decades ago, especially on Iraklia, Schinousa and Donousa.

Their charm lies in pristine, one-taverna beaches, a slow pace of life and a rare sense of timelessness – the ideal ingredients for switching off. Don’t take too long to visit though: more high-speed ferry companies are adding the Small Cyclades to their schedules, particularly Koufonisia, the rising star with seductive beaches and a long, whitewashed main street lined with restaurants and cafes.

8. Vilnius, Lithuania The other two Baltic states have been hogging the attention in recent years, but Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, has been quietly staging an alternative show.

Its fascinating yet sometimes harrowing history remains palpable, from its splendid Baroque Old Town to painful memories of a WWII-era Jewish ghetto, but this is a city with a youthful energy, and it’s on an undeniable upswing.

Understated cool hangs in the air: regenerated artists’ neighbourhood Užupis boasts new creative spaces, while a flourishing craft beer scene complements a clutch of New Nordic-inspired restaurants to rival many across the Baltic Sea. This year marks the centenary of Lithuania’s Act of Independence, with year-long celebrations including a rousing song festival throughout July; a hundred years on, Vilnius has found its confident, quirky voice – and it’s only a matter of time before the world cottons on.

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ravel all comes down to experiences. Increasingly, travellers are becoming aware of the importance of ‘experiencing’ the places they visit by connecting to their history, people and culture and so on.

As Olan O’Sullivan, CEO of TrekkSoft puts it, travel is about the people we meet. “It’s about who we are and what we want to do. Is it food experiences?

Active outdoor pursuits? Experiencing different cultures? Travel is about what you do and who you experience it with”.

No surprises here: experiential purchases (like a trip, tour or activity) make us happier for longer than material purchases. Yet there are also differences in how we feel before an experiential or material purchase, according to researchers Amit Kumar, Thomas Gilovich and Matthew Killingsworth (2014).

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People report being mostly frustrated before the planned purchase of a thing, but mostly happy before they bought an experience – like a trip or an activity.

The best tourism brands put experiences and the joy we receive from them at the forefront of their marketing. This is especially the case for destination marketing organisations, 56% of which consider experiences to be “a vital part” of their destination marketing, according to TrekkSoft destination research. Only 7% of DMOs consider experiences to be “somewhat important”.

What experiences are travellers looking for?

For our Travel Trends Report 2018, we analysed the TrekkSoft tour & activity companies that were driving the most bookings. Here are the types of experiences that kept coming up in the list of top companies:

1. The one-off experience you can’t get elsewhere Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas? This is the kind of experience that turns heads when you come home and start talking – and you will struggle to find it anywhere else.

“Travel providers need to remember that at the heart of guest experience is the experience part”. – Jon Fauver, Co-founder of TrekkSoft As the Guardian says: “There is science behind it, but it’s also very simple: regardless of political uncertainty, austerity and inflation, we are spending more on doing stuff, choosing instead to cut back on buying stuff”.

2. A walking tour in a cultural capital The free walking tour concept has boomed in recent years. It’s one of the best ways to see a city through the eyes of a local, as the leading free walking tour provider, SANDEMANs NEW Europe, knows well. They ensure that every guide is a local expert who represents their unique style of “infotainment”, mixing history and the guide’s own style of charismatic storytelling.

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3. Sustainable adventure travel Kristian Jørgensen, CEO of Fjord Norway, the official tourism board of Western Norway, shared how the region has “exploded over the last ten years”, with growth every single year. As one of the world’s adventure hotspots, their most important conversation now is sustainability. For travellers looking for a responsible destination, the commitment of Norway’s Fjord region makes it a strong choice.

4. A crazy story to take home “Our guests are looking for adventure, getting the local experience, and small group tours. They’re travellers, not tourists”. – GOECCO Iceland tours

5. Really getting to know a country and its culture There’s much to be said for solo wandering, but it’s hard to learn more about a place’s culture and heritage than from a guided tour. One of Switzerland’s leading tour providers, Best of Switzerland, shows the diverse appeal of tours that share the “best of” a region.

“Usually, our guests are seeking the “must dos” in Switzerland. Our customer base is 40% Asian with the biggest group from India (25%), almost 30% from the US, 10% GCC, 10% from Australia/NZ, 8% from Latin America, and 8% from Europe. People come to us for stunning nature and to enjoy seeing must-dos that they can go back and tell their friends about. There are of course many other reasons too. Some come for the shopping, others want a more educational tour and others want some serious adventure… There really is a bit of everything!” – Best of Switzerland Tours

6. Recharging deep in nature “Our guests are looking for an authentic river experience. They want to get off the beaten track with an expert tour guide, a small group, and with safety and quality first”. – Les Rives Authentic River Experiences

7. Thrills in a stunning location We’re talking about once-in-a-lifetime experiences with a touch of adrenaline. Think paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland, the beating adventure heart of Europe. Courtesy: www.trekksoft.com.

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By Meghan Miner Murray

atural disasters—from hurricanes to mudslides and earthquakes—seemed to be on the upswing in 2017, often with devastating effects. Storms in the U.S. alone racked up an estimated $306 billion in damages—the costliest year ever, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Still, these estimates cannot fully account for the economic losses to an affected region, and the impacts can reverberate long after the initial damage, particularly if visitors change travel plans.

Travelers have the chance to participate directly in the revitalization of affected destinations by choosing to visit impacted regions. In the coming year, consider visiting these six destinations recovering from natural disasters in 2017.

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PUTUMAYO, COLOMBIA More than 320 people were killed when flooding rivers and a massive mudslide overtook the southern city of Mocoa, Colombia, in the early morning hours of April 1, 2017, the country’s worst natural disaster in years. While recovery and restoration efforts in the capital city of the Putumayo department are ongoing, nearby natural attractions remain unaffected. Head to the region to explore Santuario de Flora Plantas Medicinales Orito Ingi-Ande—a conservation area at the boundary of the Amazon and the Andes home to culturally significant plant species—and the cloud and oak forests within the country’s oldest national park, Cueva de los Guácharos.

SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA Some of the most destructive wildfires in California history ravaged 200,000 acres of wine country north of San Francisco in October.

Blazes raged for weeks, claiming some 6,600 structures, and nearly two dozen lives. While some vineyards lost crops and others face smoke-tainted harvests, most of Sonoma and Napa counties’ grapes grow in low lying areas that did not burn. The tiny, centrallylocated town of Headlsburg, is a good base for a Sonoma County wine-tour—all of the town’s tasting rooms and hotels are open for business. Headed to Napa? Stop in at the new Compline Restaurant & Wine Bar in downtown Napa for private wine classes or dinner pairings.

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO Two high magnitude earthquakes rattled Mexico in 2017. The first, in early September, struck off the southern state of Chiapas, leaving nearly 100 dead. The second came under two weeks later, but this time the epicenter was just 75 miles south of more populous Mexico City, eventually killing more than 360 people. It was only a day after the original earthquake that Hurricane Katia made landfall in Veracruz state, causing a mudslide that killed two more people. Despite being hard hit, Mexico is a large country, and entire regions weren’t impacted by any of these natural disasters including the popular tourist areas of Cancun, Los Cabos, Riviera Nayarit, and Riviera Maya. Even in Mexico City, it’s back to (mostly) business as usual with many city hotels and museums—including the Museum of Anthropology, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes—reopened after building inspectors declared them structurally sound.

SRI LANKA In May, unusually heavy monsoon rains bloated rivers in the southern part of Sri Lanka, triggering mudslides and burying homes and people. In 2016, similarly heavy rains caused landslides that buried three villages. Still, this charming country on the mend following decades of civil war, has a lot to offer—especially during the dry season. (In the southwest between December and March or from May to September in north and eastern regions). See the stunning beaches of Tangalla along the southeastern coast, then head inland to spot deer, sloth bears, leopard, and bathing elephants in Udawalawe National Park, or explore the impressive stone ruins in the ancient northern city of Anuradhapura. Courtesy: www.nationalgeographic.com.

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THE CARIBBEAN Hurricanes Irma and Maria delivered a one-two-punch, overwhelming much of the Caribbean last fall. Some 40 percent of Puerto Rico remains without power. But, some islands—including Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica, and the Bahamas—weathered the storm better than others, and all of the affected Caribbean cruise ports have since reopened. Most places are eagerly anticipating the visitors they’ve come to expect for the December to May high season. There’s even a handful of new places to stay: the Quintessence Boutique Resort on Anguilla, Serenity at Coconut Bay on Saint Lucia, and the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa on Jamaica; Hodges Bay Resort and Spa on Antigua is set to open summer of 2018.

COASTAL TEXAS Hurricane Harvey drenched the Texas coast with trillions of gallons of water over five days in late August. In Corpus Christi, jumbled boats, sodden farms, and leveled homes made the news, and more than 200 miles north, residents of Houston paddled in floodwaters over freeways and through inundated urban landscapes in scenes that recalled New Orleans post-Katrina. While large swaths of the Texas coast are still recovering, Houston has proven resilient. Base yourself at a downtown hotel like the new 21-story high-rise Hotel Alessandra and take a tour to explore the underground tunnels that connect 95 downtown blocks, now back in business after the floods. Then, head out into the open for a stroll through Hermann Park’s green space—it received only minor damage.

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ot since the heyday of 1930s cross-Atlantic elegance or the 1980s schmaltz of The Love Boat has the cruise ship been such a popular way to travel.

Business is booming and so are the number of options for young families who want the trimmings of a luxury resort and the charm of travelling by sea. Yet the waters remain murky for those trying to navigate how best to launch. To mark the release of our brand new Cruise Ports series, here are eight tips for taking a cruise with kids.

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It really is the journey, not the destination Make sure you choose a cruise that caters to children in a meaningful way, not just a babysitter service so grown-ups can hit the casino. These days companies such as Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Disney and Royal Caribbean offer state-of-the-art ship design with an incredible array of kid-friendly facilities, such as wave pools, rock-climbing walls and movie theatres.

The kids will eventually get excited by the exotic locales, but if the ship isn’t up to scratch – especially if you spend days without sighting land – then it doesn›t matter if it›s a Pacific Ocean odyssey or a Caribbean whistle-stop, the holiday will likely get two thumbs down.

Start and end well Try to spend a few extra days in your departure and arrival cities. Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Barcelona and Vancouver are all excellent cities for families adding on a few days at either end of the trip.

This will help the kids to develop a sense of the adventure they are about to embark upon, and to shake off any sea legs when back on dry land.

Shore excursions can be pretty cool too.

Activities such as snorkelling, hiking and kayaking might hold the kids’ attention for longer than guided, sometimes rushed tours of churches, museums and markets.

memorise the names of bodies of water and far-flung cities, and keep a captain›s log of key geographical features. This may keep them engaged on a different level as you skirt around the Central American isthmus or sail through the Suez Canal.

Know thy daily itinerary Your cruise ship will have a dizzying number of activities on offer. Don’t panic. Just drop your carry-on in the stateroom when you board and work out what’s on and when. Study the activity schedule closely each morning over breakfast (or dinner the night before!) and coordinate your schedule so the whole family can enjoy themselves. Nap before craft? Table tennis before sundowners? Sometimes you have to make the tough calls...

Note also that high-adrenaline activities like abseiling, and skill-focused courses like cooking will likely cost additional money, but these can be great for engaging older kids who otherwise prefer being left to their own (electronic) devices. Youth counsellors also coordinate events like talent shows, scavenger hunts, sports and video gaming tournaments. Tip these heroes generously!

Get nautical

Train your budding cartographers Maps do more than show us where we’re going. Sure, they can help eliminate marital disputes in the car, but they can also open our minds to awe and wonder. Many kids will relish a glossy map with all the geographical details of the worlds they will be sailing through. Think back to your own daydreams about Tin Tinesque journeys beyond the horizon.

Invest in a few high quality maps so your children can learn to measure distance,

Blimey, ho! There’s fun to be had. Spend some time teaching the kids the language of the high seas. Before retiring to your quarters, test them on their ports and starboards, berths and hulls, winds and knots, water nymphs and deities. If the jargon doesn’t float their boat, then scupper that and sink me!

Understand the scale of the thing The logistical endeavour of running a cruise ship can wow small children. How many bread rolls are eaten each day on board? What›s the total number of staff on board? How does the vessel compare in size to a blue whale? Your cruise line will provide lots of answers to similar curious questions, but it can be fun doing the research yourself beforehand.

Being so far out to sea can freak out some children, especially during life jacket drills, so avoid watching Titanic the night before boarding. Weak wi-fi signals can also disturb older children, but another fun way to stay in touch is via walkie-talkies (or inaudible grunts), but check first that you won’t be making waves with the ship’s crew.

Prepare for smooth financial sailing One benefit of cruising with kids is that you can pay for most of the trip prior to departure.

This can be a real stress relief for adults as it gives peace of mind and silences the youngsters who would usually want you to cough up at every corner.

Once on board, you only really need money for some drinks, and the odd activity or special meal. Consider giving each child a small amount of pocket money for the day and encourage them to plan and make purchases in the safe and secure environment of a ship’s confines.

Make the most of multigenerational travel Cruising is a fabulous way for grandparents to spend time with the grandkids and everyone in between. Reconvening at meal times, enlivened by guest lectures on ancient kingdoms or bruised to the neck from dodgeball, the whole clan can share a few spritzers on the upper deck and pose for those killer seaborne selfies.

A cruise can be an intoxicating setting for creating multigenerational family memories. A week or two should be sufficient for the kids, or you might risk going overboard. As for the oldies, well, they may prefer to just heed the siren’s call and join a growing number of fulltime cruisers, forever kids at heart. Credit: www. lonelyplanet.com

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ith its expansive landscapes and formidable animal life, the world›s second-biggest continent is arguably the best for photographers. Throw in that sense of being in a place that hasn›t changed for centuries, and sometimes millennia, and you get some of the most inspiring, and inspired, destinations on the planet.

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Here are 15 of the most amazing places to see when you travel to Africa:

1. The great migration, Tanzania A photo won›t capture the thunder of hooves on dirt as more than a million wildebeest and several hundred thousand zebra make their annual migration, but still, this is one for the top of the pile. The migration is actually a year-round event as the animals move from Tanzania›s Ngorongoro Reserve in January, up through the Serengeti around June and hit Kenya›s Masai Mara around September, before journeying south again.

3. Djemaa el Fna, Morocco The world›s most exciting town square, Djemaa el Fna reminds you you›re in Africa. In the heart of the old city of Marrakech, snake-charmers, henna-painters, storytellers, date-sellers and orange juice vendors set up their stalls in the sleepy heat of the afternoon. As night falls, the vendors are joined by tribal drummers, ladyboy dancers and mobile restaurateurs selling delicious grilled meats, bread and salad as the smoke rises above their stalls ‹til past midnight.

4. Mountain gorillas, Rwanda 2. Table Mountain, South Africa Table Mountain makes Cape Town, one of the world›s best beach cities, also one of the world›s most photogenic.

Cable car rides are available to the top of the mesa, giving great views, fantastic sunrises/sunsets and a great photo. Challenge: Try to limit yourself to 50 pics.

A close encounter with the mountain gorillas of the Rwandan rainforest will stay with you for a lifetime. Various operators run tours tracking silverbacks and their troupes in the dense forest. At an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, the Nyungwe National Park is an isolated region, covering more than 386 square miles across southwest Rwanda. Tourists can meet a vast range of primates and also traverse East Africa›s highest canopy.

5. Mount Mulanje, Malawi At around 3,000 meters (about 9,850 feet), the Mulanje Massif dwarfs the lush land that surrounds it. It›s split in two by the Fort Lister Gap, a broad pass eroded by the Phalombe and Sombani rivers. The mountain is distinguished by giant basins of rock and narrow gullies cut by fast-flowing streams. A strenuous trek leads to magnificent viewpoints. En route, expect to encounter monkeys, hares, voles and a carpet of enchanting wildflowers after the rain. Large numbers of butterflies are another feature.

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6. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt The most famous of the structures at Giza, near Cairo, the Pyramid of King Cheops was built around 2650 BC from 2.5 million blocks of limestone. Its sides are oriented exactly to the north, south, east and west. The Chephren pyramid, built by Cheops› son, is similar in size and incorporates the entrances to a burial chamber that still contains the large granite sarcophagus of King Chephren. The pyramid of Mycerinus is smaller than both and all three are surrounded by other smaller pyramids and dozens of tombs.

8. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe One of the world›s most majestic water spectacles, Victoria Falls (also called Mosi-oa-Tunya, or «The Cloud That Thunders) -- were reportedly first seen by a European when Scotsman David Livingstone journeyed here in 1855. Since then thousands have enjoyed the spray from the 108-meter high cascade, which was once recorded flowing at 12,800 cubic meters per second -- double that of Niagara›s highest flow..

9. Riding safari, Kenya 7. Draa Valley, Morocco Between the Atlas Mountains and the dunes of the Sahara lies one of Morocco›s most splendid and rewarding landscapes: the Draa, a mass of date plantations punctuated by kasbahs made of rammed red earth rising against the sky. Zagora, at the southern end, makes a good base with decent hotels and restaurants. Allow five hours to reach the Draa from Marrakech via a spectacular route across the Atlas Mountains -- it›s best not to self-drive.

10. Lower Zambezi, Zambia Canoeing safaris in the Lower Zambezi offer sightings of hippos, elephants and other animals drinking from the rivers and tributaries around camp. People who love to fish can also be accommodated at various of the camps and lodges on the banks of the river.

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The best way to experience Kenya›s zebras? From the back of a horse.

Travelers can gallop alongside the stripey beasts in the Masai Mara, covering up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) in a week.

11. Flamingos, Kenya Lake Nakuru National Park is home to 1 million resident flamingos, providing one of Kenya›s most unforgettable sights. This lake has become famous for the greatest bird spectacle in the world, with swathes of vibrant pink filling the alkaline lake and the huge sky.

13. Fish River Canyon, Namibia Namibia is the travel gift that keeps on giving. Some 500 meters (1,640 feet) deep and more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) long, this great rift is second only to the United States› Grand Canyon in size, and during the dry season is characterized by beautiful turquoise pools of seasonally flowing water stretching into the distance.

12. Nxia Pan National Park, Botswana The Baines baobabs that sit close to the entrance of Botswana›s Nxai Pan National Park take their name from a series of watercolors by Victorian explorer and artist Thomas Baines. Their fruit apparently tastes a little like sherbet. The Nxai Pan park is great for viewing the vast, salt-rich pans that characterize the Kalahari and is also known for lion, leopard and cheetah and unusually large herds of giraffe.

14. Rhinos at Solio Reserve, Kenya Located in the valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, Solio Reserve is home to around 250 black and white rhino and considered the best place to see these increasingly rare species.

15. Nyiragongo Volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo A whopping 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide and usually containing a lava lake, Nyiragongo Volcano is one of Africa›s most active volcanoes, with an eruption in 2002 displacing half a million people.

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