Outlook Travel Magazine - issue 08

ISSUE 08

T R AV E L GUIDE

CYPRUS

Mediterranean escapism in the Land of Aphrodite F E AT U R E

YACHTING’S SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION Charting cleaner waters for the Adriatic

TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO VALLARTA From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

From Kyrgyzstan to Indonesia, we go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

YA L E L O U G A N D A | E G E N C O

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WAT E R CA R E

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Issue 46

Growing a booming national economy in Botswana

CONSOLIDATED BANK GHANA Forward-thinking finance from the heart of Ghana

Delivering iconic energy, resources and infrastructure projects for over a century

LOMÉ CONTAINER TERMINAL

VETERINARY PRACTICE PARTNERS

Ready for lift off in European aerospace R&D

Doctor-partners given more opportunity in the veterinary industry

TRADING LINE GROUP

TRINITY INDUSTRIES,INC.

The expediters of the Danube charting new waters for Romania’s future in remote piloting

At the vanguard of modern rail solutions and freight innovation, we hit the railroads with the Executive Team behind Trinity Industries, Inc.

Driving maritime investment and performance culture

Keletsositse Olebile, CEO of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre discusses surmounting global challenges

“Strong family values are the foundation of Hazell Bros’ civil construction projects,” says Managing Director, Geoffrey Hazell

Massimo Maffeis, CEO of Maffeis Engineering discusses sustainable stadia and façade engineering solutions

Trade Centre discusses surmounting global challenges Keletsositse Olebile, CEO of Botswana Investment and

construction projects,” says Managing Director, Geoffrey Hazell “Strong family values are the foundation of Hazell Bros’ civil

sustainable stadia and façade engineering solutions Massimo Maffeis, CEO of Maffeis Engineering discusses

RICH TAJER, Enterprise CCO of Commericial Vehicle Group, discusses innovation and engineering perfection discusses innovation and engineering perfection RICH TAJER, Enterprise CCO of Commericial Vehicle Group,

performance culture Driving maritime investment and

TERMINAL CONTAINER LOMÉ heart of Ghana finance from the Forward-thinking

BANK GHANA CONSOLIDATED

Botswana national economy in Growing a booming

9MOBILE

Issue 09

Raising healthy, happy, sustainably farmed salmon in Florida

AERNNOVA

PIONEERING ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

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ATLANTIC SAPPHIRE

DP WORLD

Shipping since antiquity in Romania

9MOBILE

ROBI S ON OI L | M ODU M ETA L

GERMAN SOLAR ASSOCIATION (BSW)

behind Trinity Industries, Inc. innovation, we hit the railroads with the Executive Team At the vanguard of modern rail solutions and freight

INDUSTRIES,INC. TRINITY

future in remote piloting charting new waters for Romania’s The expediters of the Danube

LINE GROUP TRADING

Tell us your story, and we’ll tell the world. infrastructure projects for over a century Delivering iconic energy, resources and

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND PIONEERING

veterinary industry opportunity in the given more Doctor-partners

aerospace R&D in European Ready for lift off

PARTNERS PRACTICE VETERINARY

AERNNOVA

salmon in Florida sustainably farmed Raising healthy, happy,

antiquity in Romania Shipping since

DP WORLD

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SAPPHIRE ATLANTIC

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Issue 09

Africa Outlook, APAC Outlook, EME Outlook and North America Outlook are digital and print publications aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers, reaching an audience of more than 800,000 people around the world; spanning the full range of industrial sectors.

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With original and exclusive content compiled by our experienced editorial team, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from across the globe.

Your company can join the leading industry heavyweights enjoying the free exposure we provide across both digital and print platforms with a free marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to help you grow your business.

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WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

ISSUE 08

LIFE’S A BEACH T R AV E L GUIDE

CYPRUS

Mediterranean escapism in the Land of Aphrodite F E AT U R E

YACHTING’S SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION Charting cleaner waters for the Adriatic

Welcome to the eighth edition of Outlook Travel.

TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO VALLARTA

This eclectic issue is sure to inspire wanderlust for any kind of traveller – whether a luxury beach-breaker

From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

or an eco-conscious road-tripper, these pages have

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

VALLARTA PUERTO

something for you.

From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

EDITORIAL Head of Editorial: Phoebe Harper phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com GUIDE waters for the Adriatic Charting cleaner

TRAVEL

REVOLUTION Senior Editor: Marcus Kääpä SUSTAINABLE YACHTING’S marcus.kaapa@outlookpublishing.com F E AT U R E

Land of Aphrodite escapism in the Mediterranean

Junior Editor: Jack Salter jack.salter@outlookpublishing.com

CYPRUS GUIDE T R AV E L

Junior Editor: Ed Budds ed.budds@outlookpublishing.com PRODUCTION Production Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

As summer beckons, our travel guides highlight two iconic holiday destinations. First, take a trip to the Pacific Coast and hear an expert opinion from the Managing Director of Visit Puerto Vallarta, as to why you should ‘Revive Your Desire to Travel’ with a trip to the place once labelled ‘The Friendliest City in the World’. Elsewhere, savour a taste of

Senior Designer: Devon Collins devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

Mediterranean escapism as we peel back the layers on Cyprus and touch

Designer: Matt Loudwell matt.loudwell@outlookpublishing.com ISSUE 08

base with the island’s largest tourism association.

Social Media Manager: Fox Tucker fox.tucker@outlookpublishing.com BUSINESS Chief Executive Officer: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Managing Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Commercial Director: Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com TRAVEL GUIDES Head of Projects: Matt Cole-Wilkin matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com

In Sustainability Stories, take to the waters with Sail Dalmatia and see how the luxury yachting industry is being transformed by environmental concerns as the company prepares to launch the very first eco-friendly yacht built locally in the Adriatic – appropriately named Life is Good.

Buckle up for some good, clean adventure as we traverse the Scottish Highlands in the Ampervan - one of Scotland’s first all-electric

Project Manager: Alfie Wilson alfie.wilson@outlookpublishing.com

campervans. Meanwhile, our Travel Business, Sēkr is sure to kindle your

Project Manager: Deane Anderton deane.anderton@outlookpublishing.com

spirit for adventure as the US-based digital platform inspiring a diverse

Project Manager: Krisha Canlas krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com

community to get outdoors. We catch up with CEO and co-founder

Project Manager: Lloyd Hanley lloyd.hanley@outlookpublishing.com

Breanne Acio to discuss dismantling prejudice in the outdoors industry

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Finance Assistant: Suzie Kittle suzie.kittle@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com CONTACT Outlook Travel magazine East Wing, Ground Floor, 69-75 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1UA, United Kingdom.

Sales: +44 (0) 1603 363631 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 363655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0) 1603 363655 phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com www.outlooktravelmag.com Twitter: @outlooktravel1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/outlooktravelmagazine Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/showcase/outlook-travel-magazine Facebook: facebook.com/outlooktravelmag

and how Sēkr’s mobile platform of campsite databases is channelling diversity, closing the gender gap, and leaving a sustainable footprint for travel. Meanwhile, Behind the Lens is sure to whet your appetite as we explore travelling the world through photographing its cuisines with Karolina Wiercigroch.

Thank you to all the tourist boards, industry experts and professional wanderlust-ers for your thoughtful contributions.

Happy reading and safe travels!

Phoebe Harper Head of Editorial, Outlook Publishing Outlook Travel issue 08 | 3

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CONTENTS M AY

2 02 2

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I S S U E

68

0 8

30

52

REGULARS

T R AV E L G U I D E S

F E AT U R E S

06 NEWS

EUROPE

68 SUSTAINABILITY STORIES

Around the world in seven stories…

30 CYPRUS

Charting cleaner waters for the Adriatic

08 BEHIND THE LENS

Mediterranean escapism in the Land of Aphrodite

An interview with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

AMERICAS

18 ROUND UP: QUIRKIEST ACCOMMODATION IN EUROPE From hobbit holes to windmills and floating cabins

24 TRAVEL BUSINESS: SĒKR The women and minority-founded crowdsourced mobile platform bringing digitalisation outdoors

52 PUERTO VALLARTA From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

74 AN ELECTRIC ADVENTURE IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Leaving no trace in the wilds of Scotland

84 TRAVELLING GREEN WITH ROUTE ZERO Carbon calculator is gamechanger for sustainable travel

86 THE LAST STOP A volcanic outpost in the South Pacific

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 5

NEWS

Around the world in seven stories…

AV I AT I O N

COV I D -1 9

KIWI NATION UNPEELS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

PHOTO BY JOHN TAGGART FROM CLAYDON BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE - VH-ZND 11042018LHR, CC BY-SA 2 .0

SUCCESS IS PLANE TO SEE AUSTRALIAN FLAG CARRIER airline Qantas has set a historical record by ferrying passengers nonstop between South America and Australia. Departing Buenos Aires just after midday local time, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner touched down in Darwin, 9,300 miles and 17 hours of flight time later.

In achieving this monumental feat, the airline set two internal records:

longest distance covered, and longest time spent in the air for a commercial flight. Captain Alex Passerini, who commanded the flight said, “Qantas has always stepped up to a challenge, especially when it comes to long-haul travel, and this flight is an excellent example of the capabilities and attention to detail of our flight planning team.”

JACINDA ARDERN, PRIME Minister of New Zealand, has announced that the country will fully reopen all its international borders from 11:59 p.m. on July 31st. New Zealand will welcome back all cruise ships to local ports on the same day.

This relaxing of restrictions at all borders, comes two months earlier than the government’s previously announced time frame and will arrive with new rules regarding visas for incoming visitors.

Ardern said in a speech given in Auckland that reopening the borders in the wake of the continued road to COVID-19 recovery would help to relieve urgent skills shortages, open all forms of tourism, and help to put immigration settings on a more secure footing going forward.

LEISURE TOURISM

PORTUGUESE PINTEREST PILGRIMAGE TRENDY SOCIAL MEDIA giant Pinterest has revealed the most popular destination for holidaying this summer is Porto, Portugal. Using data from their site based on search volume and post activity, they have compiled a top 10 list of the most anticipated vacation destinations.

Corfu, Greece and Lake Como, Italy came in at second and third 6 | Outlook Travel issue 08

respectively. Social media-savvy travellers are repeatedly drawing inspiration for their getaways from vibrant imaging sites such as Pinterest.

Offering something for every variety of traveller, Porto boasts a warm summer climate, and caters to all relaxed or active needs. Whether it’s sampling the country’s delicious wines or walking through the rugged coastlines and sprawling city.

HOTELS

TECHNOLOGY

METAVERSE APPROACHES TAKE OFF

NO RESERVATIONS WITH NEW FILMIC GETAWAY FILM FANS WILL now have the chance to stay in the iconic windmill of the Moulin Rouge, straight out of the 2001 movie by Baz Luhrmann.

Currently also a Broadway smash, Moulin Rouge has a vast cult following and the iconic film location is opening its doors to overnight visitors through a collaboration with Airbnb. Fans will be able to explore the inner secrets of the flamboyant setting, in a transformed secret suite within the windmill, which boasts a

PHOTO BY JUANEDC FROM ZARAGOZA, ESPAÑA - MOULIN ROUGEUPLOADED BY JUANEDC, CC BY 2.0

frilly pink bedroom with a canopy bed, adorned with flowers and silk wrapping. There’s also a candlelit rooftop garden space with an area to entertain and admire the view of the stunning Parisian skyline.

HOTELS

PAW-SOME ACCOMMODATION THE UAE’S PET population is thriving alongside the rise of animal-friendly facilities across the nation. The five-star doggy day-care pet hotel ‘My Second Home’ has been created to provide a superior dog care experience for the UAE’s pets and owners.

All four-legged boarding guests can enjoy the luxury of limousine

transfers to and from the resort and have their suites customised with their favourite toys and comforters.

Owners can then keep in touch with their pups via webcam. With several different packages, from standard to deluxe, royal and even presidential suites, the larger rooms can accommodate up to three dogs from the same family. My Second Home endeavours to provide fivestar recreation, boarding, training and pampering for dogs, with plans in the pipeline to introduce cat facilities.

VUELING AIRLINE HAS become the first airline to sell flights within the metaverse. The company, owned by IAG, is opening the new sales channel and will be operational by the end of the year. Everything purchased within the metaverse will be transferable and ready to use in the real world, e.g. the equivalent to a physical flight pass.

Vueling’s objective is to take advantage of technology and virtual environments, in order to offer an increasingly rich, simple and more personalised experience to all customers when planning trips.

T O U R I S T AT T R A C T I O N S

VIETNAM’S DIZZYING NEW ATTRACTION THE WORLD’S LONGEST glass-bottomed bridge has opened in Vietnam, ready for adrenaline junkies and daredevils to experience its jaw-dropping views. Vietnam’s latest tourist destination is attracting swathes of travellers with a head for heights.

The Bach Long pedestrian bridge which translates as ‘white dragon’ in Vietnamese, is a glass-bottomed overpass structure, stunningly suspended 150 metres clear of the picturesque tropical rainforest below.

An impressive 630 metres in length, the glass tempered floor of the bridge can support up to 450 people at a time. Now the world’s longest bridge of its kind, it surpasses a 526 metre structure in Guangdong, China.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 7

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

A

BEHIND THE LENS From launching a sandwich blog to shooting for prestigious international publications, Karolina Wiercigroch whets our appetite for food and travel photography Writer: Phoebe Harper Photography: Karolina Wiercigroch

cross the globe, food is the ultimate gateway to a destination’s culture; a tangible reflection of a region and the people, customs and traditions behind it.

As a food and travel photographer who describes herself as a ‘culinary storyteller’, Karolina Wiercigroch has dedicated her career to capturing these fascinating cultural snapshots on camera.

Launching this pursuit with a blog dedicated solely to sandwiches, Wiercigroch has grown to become an established freelance photographer whose work regularly features in renowned publications including National Geographic Traveller, The Sunday Times, VOGUE, British GQ and SUITCASE. We catch up with the Londonbased photographer to discuss capturing everything from the nomadic shepherds of Kyrgyzstan to the best breakfast spots in Berlin.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you give us an insight into your career and how you first became interested in photography?

Karolina Wiercigroch (KW): I started photography fairly late in life – it was my last year of university, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my studies. I started photographing with my own food blog, as I’ve always been super interested in food and all the different forms of it, whether eating or cooking. So, I created this blog that was exclusively dedicated to sandwiches, featuring really elaborate recipes. Obviously, I needed photos, so I picked up a DSLR for the first time in my life which I borrowed from my boyfriend. He explained how it worked – so my very first pictures were of a baguette!

I was immediately hooked on the whole idea of telling stories through food, so I really enjoyed setting up the props and trying to transport people Outlook Travel issue 08 | 9

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

to an old rustic kitchen in Provence through the photos. I started off as a food photographer, and through telling those food stories I shifted from creating and setting up in a studio to actually travelling and documenting what I saw through my travels with a focus on food.

OT: Why did you choose to specialise in culinary storytelling?

KW: Any travelling I have ever done since I was a child, food has always been the most exciting part of being in a different country. That’s what drew me to being a traveller in the first place.

Food is so important to any culture – it can tell you so much about the people and the place itself, which is what I wanted to capture.

At first, I was mostly shooting for culinary magazines, working with

10 | Outlook Travel issue 08

food brands and doing recipes, so mainly photographing the food itself.

But what I like most about culinary storytelling and travel photography is telling the stories of the people who make the food. The reason that I wanted to travel was to find the people who I can use to tell these stories through - the food makers, home-cooks, restauranteurs and artisanal producers. It’s been so exciting to meet them and make connections through food.

OT: Having travelled to many different countries for work, what has been one of your favourite places to capture? What can you tell us about it?

KW: It’s extremely difficult to choose, but one of the most special and memorable travels for me was my trip to Kyrgyzstan. This was three years

ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Here I captured one of my favourite stories for National Geographic Traveller Food about the nomadic shepherds of Kyrgyzstan.

I went to try and find the shepherds and experience their culture. This goes back to a time before the country was part of the Soviet Union and was mostly a nation of nomads.

Many people led a nomadic lifestyle based on travel depending on the weather and seasons; heading to the valleys in the winter and then back up to higher altitudes in summer to find grass for their herds. This way of life

came to an end with the Soviet Union, but over the past 30 years, since Kyrgyzstan regained independence, this traditional way of life has returned. Of course, it’s different today to how it was then, now that people use cars and have TVs and electricity in their yurts, but a lot of it remains the same.

Experiencing the food culture was so interesting and seeing how that has changed. Traditionally, most nomadic cultures rely heavily on meat and dairy, since they are travelling and not cultivating vegetables, but these days you have itinerant vendors

who are travelling by car to bring fresh produce from the villages. So now people have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, which are incredible there in the summer. The dairy products were also very interesting, like the traditional Kyrgyz drink that’s similar to kefir but made with mare’s milk - Kumis. The first sip was so strange, almost like liquid smoked cheese, but you get used to it and it grew on me! If you encounter any shepherds, this is the first thing they offer you as a welcome, so I drank a lot of it and by the end I could appreciate it. That was a fascinating trip.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 11

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

14 | Outlook Travel issue 08

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

OT: Of all the food stories that you have captured, what have been some of your favourite cuisines to experience?

KW: Again, there are so many, but Indonesia was one of the most memorable in terms of food.

Everything is so full of flavour, I learnt to make yellow Balinese curry paste, discovering galangal, fresh turmeric, and tempeh. Burma was also interesting, particularly for the pickled tea leaves, which I learnt how to make whilst visiting a remote community in Shan state.

Closer to home in Europe, Italy is always a favourite because I think it’s so amazing that each region is so different. Growing up, to me it was

the National Geographic Traveller Masterclasses. Since the event has only taken place online due to the pandemic, we reached more people joining across the globe. I was able to share some of my tips and knowledge about how to photograph people, places, and how to work on assignment for a travel magazine. You always learn from your colleagues and their feedback is so valuable. This was a great experience and I’d be interested in doing more learning or mentoring in the future.

OT: What’s next for the future?

Where would you travel to that you haven’t had the chance to yet? always pizza, spaghetti and lasagne that I thought was Italian food, but then I discovered all the different region’s dishes and traditions. Every time I go, I discover new flavours.

OT: Are there any interesting assignments or projects you’ve been involved in over the past few years?

KW: I was invited to be a panellist both this year and last year on

KW: It’s changed a little for me after the pandemic, which I hope is over, but you never know! I normally have the whole year and all my trips planned in advance, but because things were changing so quickly I decided to not plan ahead so much.

I’m trying to be more spontaneous and decide on the go. Soon I will book a long-haul destination to stay for a bit longer but I haven’t decided just yet.

I’ve been doing a lot of travelling around Europe since the pandemic, so I am also trying to look for stories closer to home – like Rome, where I discovered the tradition of noseto-tail cooking, or when I drove the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland to meet fishermen and seafood makers. The next thing planned is to do a story on the best breakfast cafes in Berlin, where I have some amazing people lined up so I’m excited for that. After that, we’ll see what’s next!

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

HOW I GOT THIS PHOTO: This is one of my favourite shots from a story on traditional cheesemaking in the Polish mountains, shot for National Geographic Traveller Food. I captured Monika Bryja – one of few female shepherds – making żętyca, a fermented drink of whey, which is a by-product of cheese production. I had already spent a good hour photographing Monika and her cheese workshop, so when it was time to work on żętyca, she was used to me being there and relaxed in front of the camera. I quickly worked out the best angle and decided to use a wider lens to offer the viewer a broader scene. I also asked my guide to hold a small light on the front-left of the scene to brighten up the subject. I then shot multiple images to make sure I captured that perfect pour.

16 | Outlook Travel issue 08

THE

QUIRKIEST A C C O M M O D AT I O N IN EUROPE

We take a look at the most unique places to stay during your holiday this summer Writer: Marcus Kääpä

18 | Outlook Travel issue 08

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://CRAZYBEARGROUP.CO.UK

F

ollowing over two years of uncertainty and caution, the world is opening back up and calling on travellers of all kinds to fulfil their journeying dreams that have been brewing throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the cold weather making way for the summer season in Europe, everybody from adventurers to R&R lovers are looking at options locally and abroad to bring their holiday plans to fruition.

And a unique holiday wouldn’t be complete without a quirky base of operations. From the UK and southern France to Greece and Estonia, we dive into some of the most characterful stays in Europe for the upcoming travel season.

IMAGES COURTESY OF WWW.CABANESFLOTTANTES.COM

QUIRKIEST ACCOMMODATION IN EUROPE ROUND-UP

CRAZY BEAR GROUP DESTINATION: Stadhampton and Beaconsfield, UK COST PER NIGHT: £129 - £987 Within the charming town of Beaconsfield and the quaint village of Stadhampton dwells the Crazy Bear (Group).

Despite the name, the company does not cater to a Viking horde, but more so a fictional aristocrat seated by a fireplace with their gun dog.

The Beaconsfield hotel in particular suits lovers of bold colours, grand staircases, ornate decorations and interior excess. It embodies this feeling, going above and beyond when it comes to luxury rooms, king-sized beds, centred copper baths, wood, stone, shining gold, chandeliers and the occasional stuffed animal head.

During your stay, the Crazy Bear Group offers a host of experiences, from expert Thai massages to a bougie dining experience inside or out, and even has the capacity to host business meetings, weddings and private parties, all within arms-reach of the rural beauty of southern England.

Find out more here.

DESTINATION: Dordogne, France COST PER NIGHT: £149 - £195 Cabanes Flottantes du Lac de Pélisse, the “Floating Cabins of Lake Pélisse”, by their very nature reimagine and out-do the traditional lakeside stay.

Accessible only by rowing boat, the buoyant wood cabins offer a unique place from which to experience rural France.

Lake Pélisse itself sits in the southern French countryside, a small and serene body of water in the Dordogne, a region punctuated with medieval towns and castles that can be reached by bike or car.

And at the lakeside itself, fishing, swimming and boating are just a few of the activities to make your stay memorable.

Find out more here.

IMAGES COURTESY OF WWW.CABANESFLOTTANTES.COM

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://CRAZYBEARGROUP.CO.UK

CABANES FLOTTANTES DU LAC DE PÉLISSE

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 19

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://CERCHIODELDESIDERIO.COM

CERCHIO DEL DESIDERIO – GLAMPING ABRUZZO

designed for quality comfort, with panoramic windows to watch the landscape, modern utilities, fireplaces, BBQs, private bathrooms and cosy beds.

Cerchio Del Desiderio is a place that merges relaxation, reflection and leisure under the sun and stars of south Europe. On top of offering yoga activities, visitors can wine taste at nearby wineries, traverse bike trails or ride on horseback through the mountainous countryside.

And to beat the Italian sun, the glamping site has an above-ground pool to cool off swimmers, the perfect way to end a day of Italian adventure.

DESTINATION: Abruzzo, Italy COST PER NIGHT: From £128 Domes, yurts and yoga make Cerchio Del Desiderio the go-to glamping site in Abruzzo (Italy).

Hidden amid olive groves in an Italian hill-scape close to its western coast, the many green geodomes mark out the unique glamping site. Both the domes and the yurts available to visitors come with fully furnished interiors

Find out more here.

THE WINDMILL AT ADAMAS

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.COOLSTAYS.COM

DESTINATION: Adamas, Milos, Greece COST PER NIGHT: From £100

20 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Historic structure turned rustic stay, the Windmill at Adamas (also Adamantas) combines traditional stone and simple Greek style with a unique view of the island of Milos.

The windmill is situated close to the oceanfront, where the crystal blue Myrtoan Sea meets the white sands of the island, one of many within the region. It is a perfect location for romantic getaways where you can explore the harbour town of Adamas and sunbathe before a swim in the scenic waters.

Away from the beach, visitors can enjoy a short stroll to many bars and restaurants in the Adamas area to dine on fine wines and classic Greek seafood dishes.

Find out more here.

QUIRKIEST ACCOMMODATION IN EUROPE ROUND-UP

DEALUL VERDE DESTINATION: Porumbacu de Jos, Romania COST PER NIGHT: From £156

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://DEALULVERDE.COM

A home under a hill is not an everyday sight.

At Dealul Verde, “The Green Hill”, you have the chance to stay in truly rural dwellings, with turf-sloped rooves in a region surrounded by Romanian forests and adventure.

Comparable to the well-known Hobbit homes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous works of literature, the houses are open, comfortable and designed for dining and socialising.

Wide open spaces made of white stone and simple wooden surfaces, these homes make perfect communal areas for families or larger groups.

Each of the eight bedrooms in a home host a different theme based on the values of traditional trades, such as farming, craft, weaving or artistry, to provide visitors with a taste of Romanian tradition. And beyond the turfed homes, visitors can spend time horse riding, cliff scaling, off-road biking, at the adventure park or resting in the sauna.

Find out more here.

V8 HOTEL

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.V8HOTEL.DE/EN

DESTINATION: Stuttgart, Germany COST PER NIGHT: £116 - £597 The spirit of German engineering taken to the next level meet the V8 Hotel.

This stay is for car lovers and admirers around the world.

Part hotel, part shrine to the wheeled machine, the V8 Hotel mixes passion for themed cars (such as off-road and classic racers) with the biggest auto brands (Jaguar and Mercedes to name just two), in which both the interior design and the beds themselves are the cars that petrolheads know and love.

The hotel sports multiple tiers of rooms to stay, from the “humble” V6 – Double Rooms, to the hotel-specialist V8 – Themed Rooms, and the exclusive V12 – Mercedes Suite.

Beyond the rooms, the hotel offers dining and bar services, an auditorium and boardrooms to host business meetings, a car show room, and of course, a day sports car tour drive through the Black Forest – a truly German experience!

Find out more here.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 21

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.LOVTAG.DK | PHOTOGRAPH: SØREN LARSEN

LOVTAG TREETOP HOTEL DESTINATION: North Jutland, Denmark COST PER NIGHT: From £240

BARREL CAMPING PODS – PAEKALDA HOLIDAY CENTRE

Raised high into the canopy of a Danish woodland, the Lovtag Treetop Hotel is hygge.

Stylish in its simplicity, the hotel is made up of multiple unique and minimalist modern cabins. Each sports a tree trunk that grows through the cabin itself, large panes of glass that watch over the forest, and access via bridge-like walkways to add to the spirit of adventure.

Visitors will be leaving no modern utilities behind.

The cabin is fixed with a kitchen, heating, electricity and an en suite bathroom, so that you can rest and relax with a coffee and look out over the trees before a journey into the woods of North Jutland.

DESTINATION: Rummu, Estonia COST PER NIGHT: From £73 Small and compact, the barrel camping pods at Paekalda Holiday Centre are perfect for a short stay amid the natural beauty of Estonia.

Sitting side-by-side like a row of wine barrels, these pods have end walls of glass to watch the sun set over a lake and room enough for a small family of three.

External campsite kitchenettes and bathrooms make the barrel pods a perfect stopover for hikers or nature lovers who spend their days exploring the wilderness beyond.

Based in the Paekalda Holiday Centre complex, visitors have access to bar and dining services and saunas as well as many water and woodland-based activities.

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.PAEKALDA.EE/EN/HOLIDAYCENTER/

Find out more here.

22 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Find out more here.

IMAGE ART OF BACKPACKING, FLICKR: SNOWCASTLE, KEMI, FINLAND

QUIRKIEST ACCOMMODATION IN EUROPE ROUND-UP

THE SNOWCASTLE OF KEMI DESTINATION: Kemi, Finland COST PER NIGHT: £397 - £445

IMAGES COURTESY OF HTTPS://VISITKEMI.FI/SUOSITTELEMME/TEKEMISTA-KEMISSA/?LANG=EN

Looking for a quirky stay next winter? The SnowCastle of Kemi sits in the northern reaches of Finnish Lapland, the home of ice, snow and the northern lights.

The entire SnowCastle complex is made up of the SnowHotel, SnowRestaurant and SnowChapel (the latter for weddings, ceremonies or meditation), with internal temperatures reaching a frosty –5 degrees Celsius – even the bed frames are carved from ice!

Guests are wrapped up in warm clothing, sleep in thermal bedding and can sup on chilled spirits served in ice glasses in between dining on hearty Nordic dishes, including reindeer fillet.

And no two seasons are the same. Each year, the best snow architects gather in Kemi and create the SnowCastle in a new way, hand-carving a unique wonderland from the winter’s ice and snow for the season’s new visitors.

Find out more here.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 23

SĒKR TRAVEL BUSINESS

T R AV E L B U S I N E S S

SĒKR From Instagram influencer to entrepreneur, we speak with Breanne Acio, co-founder of Sēkr as the mobile platform establishing a diverse community for the Great Outdoors Writer: Phoebe Harper

T

ype ‘vanlife’ into Instagram, and you will be met with almost 13 million posts labelled under that hashtag.

Over the past decade, the hype of the vanlife movement has amplified as a lifestyle choice that seeks adventure from the everyday, living in a nomadic way and reassessing what is truly meaningful in your life.

Whilst not for everyone, it was this captivating way of living that set Breanne Acio and Jessica Shisler – co-founders of Sēkr - on their own career path.

“My co-founder Jess and I were part of the early vanlife scene and had established ourselves as micro-influencers on Instagram,” Acio explains.

“We were both living the full-time vanlife separately and saw first-hand how hard it was just to find a safe place to camp overnight, and how difficult it was to understand which campsites would have amenities like showers, WiFi etc.”

The idea for Sēkr was born, and in 2018, the two women joined forces to combat this issue and launched a platform that would bring digitalisation into the outdoors space – an area that is relatively behind in its incorporation of technology despite huge demand.

“Sēkr is a women and minority-founded crowdsourced mobile platform that was created with 24 | Outlook Travel issue 08

everyone from the full-time nomad to the occasional road-tripper in mind,” she continues.

“The platform makes the entirety of the outdoor travel planning process easier and safer by connecting travellers to the campsites, resources, and outdoor communities they’re looking for.”

Differentiated by its celebration of diversity and laudable stance on sustainability, earlier this year the company was officially recognised as an honouree for FastCompany’s World Changing Ideas 2022.

Sēkr co-founders, Breanne Acio and Jessica Shisler

Based in America, Sēkr primarily focuses on the geological wonders of the US National Parks as a playground for adventure that can feed the spirit of any traveller. To date, the platform hosts over 50,000 campsites nationwide, including the largest available database of free campsites.

It is an easy-to-use resource that endeavours to get everyone outdoors and enjoy the huge benefits that such experiences have to offer.

“There is a wealth of academic literature to support how being outdoors is associated with positive health outcomes, like boosting your immune system, preventing dementia and improving heart health,” comments Acio.

“According to a 2019 report in Nature, spending two hours per week outdoors is associated with improved health and well-being.”

By placing accessible technology at its user’s fingertips, Sēkr exploits a niche in the market whose real potential is yet to be fully explored.

“We digitise the campsite inventory at scale and transform the outdoor travel planning experience from a

clunky and time-consuming process to something simple and streamlined.

“The 200+ listings on Sēkr’s platform are created using public data from the government and other databases, and are then enhanced with crowdsourced information from our members. We have a growing team of Sēkr ambassadors who scout locations for us to verify information and take photographs to share with the community.”

Aside from addressing the camping industry’s relatively nascent adoption of technology as a hospitality vertical, Sēkr endeavours to create a diverse community in a field where representation is truly lacking.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 25

SĒKR TRAVEL BUSINESS

“The outdoor industry has a lot of work to do to address the diversity and gender gap, from a business leadership standpoint, from an inclusion and safety viewpoint in outdoor spaces, and from a product development perspective,” she says.

“The industry is archetypically characterised by older, wealthy Caucasian men, but the data supports that the largest growing demographic in the outdoor industry is people of colour.”

As such, Sēkr encourages a huge swathe of the market that currently is not being supported by the outdoor

industry, creating access to opportunity and information in an inclusive manner that gives everyone the confidence to enjoy such experiences.

“Women and people of colour have long been underrepresented among campers and hikers in the US — an issue especially close to my heart as a queer woman of colour — and Sēkr is changing that with easy-to-use resources like our database of campsites.”

By so doing, Sēkr is creating a community of likeminded travellers, leveraging the force of technology as a power for good in order to accomplish this.

Travelers currently have to sift through multiple apps to understand, plan and complete their camping trip. Not anymore.

26 | Outlook Travel issue 08

“ O U R V I S I O N F O R T H E C O M PA N Y I S T O C R E AT E A N E M P O W E R E D A N D DIVERSE COMMUNITY” – B R E A N N E AC I O, C E O A N D CO - FO U N D E R , S Ē K R

“Sēkr sets itself apart from other RV and camping apps through its social features, which create an environment that encourages community initiatives and enables users to connect with other travellers through outdoor events and forums.

“The social features allow for knowledge-sharing among our members — they can add and read reviews on campsites they’re interested in, find secret spots and hidden gem campsites you’d typically only see on Instagram, and meet new friends,” Acio explains.

Sēkr’s mission goes hand-in-hand with sustainability, ensuring that the destinations it promotes are left intact by travellers.

“We’re passionate about promoting responsible recreation and the conservation of the outdoors.

Sēkr is a public benefit corporation and we’re committed to protecting the places we share by educating our members. We partner with non-profit organisations like Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! to ensure our public lands stay clean.”

Both Acio and Shisler use their role as trained Leave No Trace educators to advise the community on how to treat such spaces with respect, ensuring they are left in good condition for the next camper. This is also achieved by hosting regular clean-ups of campsites and natural areas.

With the company still in its infancy, but led by a crystal-clear vision, the future is looking bright for Sēkr.

“We envision the future of outdoor travel to be as simple a planning experience as booking a hotel or rental vacation,” concludes Acio.

“We are building the go-to place for every outdoor traveller. Sēkr will become synonymous with camping and outdoor recreation.”

https://sekr.com Outlook Travel issue 08 | 27

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world.

Outlook Travel Magazine is a digital and print publication aimed at business executives and avid travellers, reaching an audience of more than 575,000 people. Working closely with tourism boards and associations around the globe, from cities to regions, from countries to continents, we take an in-depth look at where to visit, where to stay and what to do when you are there.

With original and exclusive content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest trends, blogs, reviews and success stories from this fast-moving industry.

You can join the vast numbers of tourism sector players enjoying the exposure we provide across our digital and print platforms with a range of options, from advertising through to free-of-charge editorials, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and increase exposure.

To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, James Mitchell, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for free, in one of our upcoming editions.

FREE

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO VALLARTA

P U E R TO VA L L A R TA Escape to Mexico for an unforgettable taste of sun, sand, and intoxicating cuisine. The magnetism of Puerto Vallarta is impossible to ignore Writer: Phoebe Harper Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

S

et amidst a backdrop of the towering Sierra Madre Mountain range, fringes of swaying palm trees grace yellow-sand beaches that hug the shores of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Here, you will find the bustling coastal haven of Puerto Vallarta (PV).

Originating as a quaint fishing village, PV, as it is commonly known, has ballooned through development to become one of Mexico’s most popular beach resorts.

An iconic vacation destination, PV has sprouted from its humble origins, first finding fame in the 1960s as the filming location for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s Night of the Iguana.

Although teeming with resorts, shopping malls, housing developments and tourists, PV has retained its authentic Mexican magnetism as the ultimate hotspot in the enigmatic state of Jalisco – birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. Downtown, explore cobblestoned streets and historic architecture reminiscent of PV’s early roots.

Snaking along the oceanfront, the well-known boardwalk of El Malecon carves through the city’s most popular highlights, home to food stalls and street performers, and stands as the cultural artery of PV. The nightlife here is renowned, none more so than in the beating heart of the Zona Romantica, which hosts a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

Venture beyond the resorts to rolling hills, jungle-clad mountains and fields of blue agave. Discover beaches suited to any traveller, from secluded coves to well-catered swathes of sand with an inviting array of marine excursions centred around the horseshoe of the Bay of Banderas.

An established gourmet city, PV sets tastebuds tingling with traditional Mexican fare, and cosmopolitan restaurants showcasing creativity and imagination with world-class chefs.

Once labelled ‘La ciudad más amigable del mundo’ (The Friendliest City in the World), PV offers a warm welcome to any COVID-19 weary traveller.

Marketi ng Oppo rtunity

PUERTO VALLARTA

Vista zona sur

www.outlooktravelmag.com/work-with-us

D

CYPRUS

escribed by the Greek Cypriot poet Leonidas Malenis as ‘a golden-green leaf thrown into the sea’, the idyllic island of Cyprus is the iconic haven of the Eastern Mediterranean.

A land of volcanoes, fertile mountain valleys and Europe’s largest number of blue-flag beaches, the Republic of Cyprus was recently celebrated by Lonely Planet as a Top 10 Country for Best in Travel for 2022.

An historic crossroads between Europe and Asia, influences of Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern culture abound. The island’s history is diverse, to this day separated by the ongoing partition between the independent 30 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Like Aphrodite rising from the sea, the sunsoaked Mediterranean island of Cyprus is set for a rebirth in tourism in the wake of COVID-19. We peel back the layers on this travel hotspot for 2022 Writer: Phoebe Harper Project Manager: Jordan Levey

Turkish state of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriots of the south, after the island’s two ethnic majorities were officially separated following the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Dating back centuries, the legacies of multiple cultures are still tangible as evidence of Cyprus’ rich history.

The landscapes are littered with Greco-Roman ruins, the remnants of great kingdoms, Bronze Age tombs and Neolithic dwellings. Boasting Byzantine Churches and the ancient walled Old Town in the heart of Nicosia, Cyprus’ architectural legacy is varied and awe-inspiring. Archaeological enthusiasts will find themselves spoilt by the sights of Paphos and the

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

CYPRUS KEY FACTS resplendent ruins of Kourion.

Cyprus’ beaches need no introduction, with swathes of white sand for every kind of traveller offering cooling turquoise waters that draw in nesting turtles every year. Escape from the over-developed resort towns of Ayia Napa, Lemesos and Larnaca, to lesser-visited parts of the island.

Outdoor enthusiasts will luxuriate in the scenic Troödos Mountains, home to quiet stone-walled villages carved into the mountainside and a plethora of hiking trails. The traditional Greek Orthodox culture in Cyprus’ interior offers a slower pace of life, making for the perfect place to watch the world go by from an authentic taverna. Here,

traditional family life mingles with food culture and folk customs.

Savour the taste of mezze, locally-made hummus, sumptuously sticky baklava and some of the finest wines in Europe, hand-picked from the flourishing vineyards that cover the mountain slopes of the island’s pine-clad mountainous spine.

A land steeped in myth, legend has it that Cyprus is the birthplace of the ancient Greek Goddess Aphrodite.

The influence of the Goddess of Love still lingers in this most popular of honeymoon destinations. Wherever you set your sights, traditional Cypriot hospitality is guaranteed to offer a warm welcome.

Capital: Nicosia Population: 1.2 million Currency: Euro International Dialling Code: +357 Time Zone: GMT +3 Voltage: 220-240V Languages: Greek, Turkish

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 31

THE DREAM WILL SOON BECOME A REALITY

Interviewee: Mr. Grant Johnson Senior Vice President, Property General Manager, Cyprus

City of Dreams Mediterranean, the Europe’s upcoming largest integrated resort, is currently developing Melco Cyprus, which is part of Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco). With its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, Melco is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. Melco’s unique blend of design, entertainment and quality sets the company apart—making it the global leader in premium integrated resorts. Since its establishment in 2004, the Company has taken a pioneering approach with the belief that there is much more to offer guests beyond gaming. Design and quality lead its thinking as the Company creates one-of-a-kind destinations.

Melco collaborates with the world’s greatest talent in entertainment, architecture, cuisine, art, wellness, sport and hospitality to deliver incomparable experiences.

In this interview, Mr. Grant Johnson, Senior Vice President,

Property General Manager of Cyprus from Melco discusses the inspiration for City of Dreams Mediterranean, and provides a sneak peek of the fascinating offerings of this first-ever integrated resort in Cyprus.

Firstly, could you briefly introduce us to the Melco Group and give us some insight into the history of your resorts and entertainment services?

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, currently operates City of Dreams, an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau and Altira Macau, an integrated resort hotel located at Taipa, Macau. Its businesses also include the Mocha Clubs, which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company majority owns and operates Studio City, a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, a Philippine subsidiary of the

Company currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila, an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. As a dynamic enterprise, Melco has garnered the most Forbes 5-Star and Michelin-star awards of any operator in the global gaming market. The Company has also won over 700 international awards over the past 10 years for its hotels, entertainment experiences, restaurants, corporate governance and CSR initiatives.

In Cyprus, Melco was granted an exclusive license to operate the first and only authorised casinos in the country. Together with its partner CNS Group, Melco is developing City of Dreams Mediterranean, one of the biggest development projects ever undertaken in the country, which is set be a gamechanger in Cyprus’ tourism and hospitality sectors. Upon completion, it is expected to become the largest premier integrated resort in Europe and the region, offering a range

of attractions and entertainment options including luxury accommodation, fine dining, recreation and MICE facilities.

Additionally, the Company currently operates Cyprus Casinos with a temporary casino in Limassol and three other satellite casinos in Nicosia, Ayia Napa and Paphos.

Could you expand on the launch of the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel? What provided the inspiration for this property?

Our decision to proceed with the development of City of Dreams Mediterranean was based on a thorough analysis and evaluation of the strategic advantages that Cyprus offers to investors. One main factor that led us to choose Cyprus was the country’s geographical location. Cyprus is conveniently located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while it boasts well-established transport links to the rest of

the world. In addition, the country has a number of important assets such as its favourable Mediterranean climate, some of Europe’s best blue flag beaches, a highly-skilled and educated workforce and advanced tourism infrastructure. Furthermore, Cyprus has a forward-looking mentality when it comes to developing and diversifying its economy, something that is shared both by the Government and business stakeholders.

Taking these elements into consideration, we strongly believe that the country can harness its untapped potential and bolster its reputation as a regional and global tourist destination, allowing us to reach new markets.

Please provide a brief overview of the hotel and its facilities.

Designed following Melco’s luxury international standards and customised for Europe’s largest integrated resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean will be a first-of-its-kind development in Cyprus, introducing novel experiences and an array of new offerings to the country. As an integrated resort it will offer a unique combination of facilities, including a fourteenstory five-star hotel offering 500 guest rooms, spas and suites as well as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) facilities and a gaming area covering 9,600 sq. metres and 7,500 sq. metres, respectively. It will also have sports facilities, an outdoor amphitheatre, a family adventure park, a variety of fine-dining restaurants, as well a luxury retail promenade. Through these many amenities, Melco aims to boost the country’s economy and serve as a catalyst for the development of alternative forms of tourism, such as sports, events and conference tourism.

What type of travellers and guests will be attracted to the City of Dreams Mediterranean? Does the hotel appeal to any particular demographic?

City of Dreams Mediterranean will offer a wide range of experiences addressed to different types of audiences, from VIPs to families looking for an exciting holiday destination.

The resort will appeal to high-net-worth visitors from all over the world, while becoming an important must-visit destination in Cyprus for premium entertainment and luxury hospitality.

Melco strongly believes that the integrated resort will attract a whole new tourist market from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe – especially guests who have yet to experience Melco’s integrated resorts in Asia.

In addition, through the development of spacious, world-class MICE venues that can host different events of international standing, such as conferences, sports tournaments, concerts and art exhibitions, Melco wants to help establish Cyprus as a regional hub for business and events tourism, further enriching the country’s economy. It is worth noting that the MICE market is an increasingly important and profitable segment of the global tourism industry.

What are the unique features of the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel that give it a competitive advantage as a resort of choice in the Mediterranean basin?

The worldwide tourism and hotel industry is seeing a trend towards high-end, all-inclusive resorts, as visitors enjoy the convenience of having all facilities in one place. Serving

them requires a more integrated offering. City of Dreams Mediterranean will serve to fill this gap in the regional entertainment and hospitality market. This opens up vast potential for expansion and diversification into new consumer groups. Melco’s properties are designed to be highly distinctive and “best in class” to be strategically differentiated from other market players. Possessing a unique mixture of facilities, combined with Melco’s know-how as a global leader in the sector, City of Dreams Mediterranean will be a novel development which stands out in Europe and the region by fusing luxury hospitality and premium entertainment, while delivering excellence in every aspect of its operations.

Melco aims to create exceptional experiences to make visitors want to return, time and again.

Are you optimistic about the recovery of tourism in Cyprus in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? How has the sector been transformed by this time?

The travel and tourism sectors were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with consequences still being felt today.

During the nationwide lockdowns, Melco leveraged the halt in gaming-related operations to invest in people and technology at its global destinations – automating workflow, boosting productivity, and ensuring fair play and the protection of players. Despite the challenges of the past couple of years, Melco is pleased to see the industry gradually picking up. To put things into perspective, it should be noted that in 2021 gross gaming revenue in the US recorded an all-time high reaching $53 billion, breaking the previous industry record of $43.65 billion, set in 2019, by more than 21%. Also, since the relaxation of restrictive measures in Cyprus, the country

recorded a particularly high influx of tourist arrivals in 2021, recording a 206.7% increase compared to 2020.

To enhance the capacity of the Cyprus economy to respond to external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to diversify the island’s tourism product. Melco’s decision to invest in the country was based on the desire to build a more resilient tourism industry in Cyprus and facilitate a sustainable model of growth. To this end, Melco maintains a strong collaborative relationship with the Government and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, to promote Cyprus as an international tourism destination.

Melco’s presence on the island has already had a positive impact on the local economy and society both through the Company’s corporate social responsibilities (CSR) initiatives, as well as through the tax revenue generated by Cyprus Casinos (C2). According to data of the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, the state will receive approximately €40 million in taxes in 2022, while it is estimated that in the next couple of years the number will rise to €70 million, due to the upcoming opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean.

The integrated resort will multiply these benefits, as it will attract thousands of additional visitors to the island annually, helping address the seasonality problem of the tourism sector, while also contributing to upgrading the country’s tourism infrastructure to the highest international standards.

Furthermore, for staffing needs of the integrated resort, Melco, which is set to become one of the island’s biggest employers, will proceed with the recruitment of approximately 1700 new colleagues, creating valuable job opportunities for the local population.

Philokypros Roussounides, Director General

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

CY P R U S H OT E L A S S O C I AT I O N ( C H A ) THE OFFICIAL HOME of hospitality on the island, the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA) has long been established as the largest tourism organisation association in Cyprus. For over 85 years, CHA has consolidated the major tourist industry players across Cyprus within its membership, including the majority of all hotel establishments and other licensed tourist accommodation units.

A member of HOTREC (Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes 36 | Outlook Travel issue 08

in Europe), an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) amongst several other notable official bodies, CHA continues to champion the best interests of the island’s tourism sector.

Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and confronting new global challenges, we take a look at the association today with Director General, Mr. Philokypros Roussounides.

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the origins of the CHA and its initial vision?

OT: How do you market Cyprus as both a business and leisure travel destination?

Philokypros Roussounides, Director General (PR): The CHA was established back in the 1930s. We are the main body for hoteliers and hotel owners. CHA represents the hotel industry in several government bodies, and the tourism industry of Cyprus in general.

PR: We envision Cyprus as an easy getaway, both for business and leisure travellers. It is also an attractive value-for-money destination, offering many different kinds of tourism products. This ranges from business tourism to other specialised forms of tourism, including oenology, gastronomy, medicinal tourism, religious tourism, or sports tourism. Above all, we boast the biggest proportion of blue flag beaches in Europe.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

PR: The first is establishing a model of solid and sustainable tourism, whilst acting as a representative for the vested interests of the hoteliers.

We want to align our national tourism strategy and assist in the overall efforts of the tourism industry. To do

OT: What trends are currently transforming tourism in Cyprus and how are you utilising them?

PR: Over the last few years as a result of COVID-19, we have seen more indi-

viduals travelling, rather than through tour operators or travel agents. In this respect, these specialised forms of tourism have helped.

Travellers are more into slow tourism now, where they actually blend with local society and really experience the culture. As an example of this, we established our ‘Heartland of Legends’ route which offers a map where you can encounter many different micro-experiences across the island. This might be anything from visiting a small winery to making our famous halloumi.

What is special about Cyprus is the variety of experiences that you can have within just a single trip, due to the small scale of the island. You might be enjoying a blue flag beach in the morning, having lunch up in the mountains, and then enjoying dinner in a winery all on the same day.

OT: What sustainable travel experiences does Cyprus have to offer?

PR: Sustainable tourism is a key pillar of our tourism strategy and products.

We are getting more and more green in terms of the facilities and the products that we offer and are looking to promote any tourism products that are centred on sustainability.

this, we will be working very closely with other industry players to bring our tourism map to the next level, since we are heavily involved in the decision-making and legislation behind Cyprus’ tourism sector. Together, we will continue to face the challenges that we have encountered in the past few years.

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 37

“ S U S TA I N A B L E T O U R I S M I S A K E Y P I L L A R O F O U R T O U R I S M S T R AT E G Y A N D P R O D U C T S . W E A R E G E T T I N G M O R E A N D M O R E G R E E N I N T E R M S O F T H E FA C I L I T I E S A N D T H E P R O D U C T S T H AT W E OFFER, AND ARE LOOKING TO PROMOTE ANY TOURISM PRODUCTS T H AT A R E C E N T R E D O N S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y ” – P H I LO KY P R O S R O U S S O U N I D E S , D I R E C TO R G E N E R A L , C H A

OT: Does the association have any exciting events coming up?

PR: Every year we have our Hotel Conference, which this year will be held in mid-November. The event gathers some of the main stakeholders in tourism from all around the world. This includes Ministers and 38 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Presidents of world-class associations for hoteliers. It is also both a Conference and an Exhibition of Products and Services, so suppliers can exhibit their products during conference breaks. It’s an exciting event that has taken place for over 45 years.

OT: Are you optimistic about the

future of the tourism industry in Cyprus, particularly with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic?

PR: Initially, we anticipated that the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for the industry was likely to be achieved within year one – meaning 2022. Due to the messaging from our

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

Aerial bird’s eye view of Sunrise Beach at Fig Tree in Protaras, Paralimni, Famagusta. This famous tourist attraction is perfect for families featuring a beautiful, golden sandy beach, boats, sunbeds, restaurants and water sports.

main stakeholders, tour operators, and the number of individuals travelling as well, we were very optimistic about it. But now, as a result of the war in Ukraine, bookings have slowed again. For the forthcoming summer period, HERMES – the operating company of our airports – has announced more than 10 million seats on 140 routes, from 95 destinations in 38 countries.

At the moment, we are working with the expectations of a worst-case scenario, meaning that we expect zero tourist traffic from Russia and Ukraine. Both of these countries actually accumulated between 20-22 percent of the whole tourism

traffic inflow for Cyprus. So, we are devising a plan that will mean we are less reliant on that stream. We are very reserved, but still optimistic that other markets, such as the UK and Israel, and newer ones like Germany, France, Poland and Sweden to name a few, have also been bringing in small numbers. We have good air connections with many of these destinations, meaning more than 25 flights a week, and we’re digitally promoting and investing in these countries.

We are working on an incentive scheme that will fill up these flights and increase the number of people travelling from such countries in

a way to minimise the loss we will experience from the Russian market.

Our main target for this year is to have more people coming to Cyprus than last year. In 2021 we reached 50 percent of 2019 levels, which was the last ‘normal’ tourist year before the pandemic. We aim to bring this number back to 60-65 percent of 2019 records, which will mean the first year of the partial recovery of the industry.

cha@cyprushotelassociation.org www.cyprushotelassociation.org Outlook Travel issue 08 | 39

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

E AT: F OFROB DG T IRTAV R S …E R N A RUA TE RT AD I OE NLALLE TAV Piatsa Gourounaki - Translating as the ‘Piazza of the Little Pig’, this local hotspot boasts the best of Greek cuisine. Expect wooden tables piled high with seared halloumi, herb-stuffed meats and other mouth-watering delicacies.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS FOR BUDDING OENOPHILES Kolios Winery - One of the island’s finest, this scenic winery is situated on a mountain peak, a kilometre from the village of Statos Ayios Photios. Stop here to enjoy a taste of the finest hand-picked produce from the nearby Kolios vineyards, where wine has been cultivated for over four generations.

DO: D E D I C AT E T I M E TO D E TOX Derived from the Greek word ‘thalassa’, meaning sea, Cyprus hosts some of the best thalassotherapy centres in the Mediterranean. Savour the restorative effects of seawater in baths, jet showers or sauna rooms in luxuriant spa surroundings. The Anassa is widely regarded as one of the best.

TA K E A H I K E As the largest mountain range in Cyprus, the Troödos Mountains boast a range of treks, suitable for both novice amblers and ambitious hikers. The Caledonia Trail is particularly popular, beginning in Platres and following the Kryos Potamas en route to the breathtaking Caledonia waterfall.

SLEEP: F O R A N E XC LU S I V E OAS I S BY T H E S E A The Tsokkos Hotels & Resorts group has an established history as the largest hotel chain in Cyprus. With over 28 hotels and hotel apartments, 40 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Tsokkos is a leader in the Cypriot hospitality space.

Its footprint extends across Ayia Napa, Protaras and Paphos. The Chrysomare Beach Hotel & Resort in particular is a luxury offering in a prime beachfront location on the iconic Nissi Avenue.

F O R LUXU RY H OS P I TA L I T Y A N D P R E M I U M E N T E R TA I N M E N T Set to open its doors this summer, the hotly anticipated City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel will be Cyprus’ first ever integrated resort, and the largest in Europe. Located in Limassol, the hotel will feature a 16-storey, five-star hotel with more than 500 luxury guest rooms and suites, approximately 10,000 square metres of MICE space, an outdoor amphitheatre, a family adventure park, and a variety of fine-dining outlets and luxury retail. Under development by Melco Resorts & Entertainment, City of Dreams’ interior design will reflect Melco’s distinct international standards of luxury, while the building’s exterior will celebrate a variety of Mediterranean influences.

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

Tsokkos Hotels & Resorts is revealed through a range of privileged accommodation just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean Sea. The various room options cover to the maximum the needs of each traveler and offer comfortable hospitality whether you are traveling as a family, couple, or solo. Our distinguished guests have the golden opportunity to enjoy their holidays in the most famous tourist areas of Cyprus near award-winning beaches, historical attractions, entertainment, and nature spots.

The beachfront collection was established in 1979 by its founder Andreas Tsokkos, who is a prominent figure in terms of his contribution to the development and enhancement of our country's tourism product. Today, the group manages more than 29 hotels while new brands hotels are to be included officially in the near future.

www.tsokkos.com

P.O Box 30221, 5341, Ayia Napa, Cyprus reservations@tsokkos.com 00357 23 848 100

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CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

IN FOCUS

NICOSIA CYPRUS’ CAPITAL AND largest city, Nicosia, resembles a rich tapestry of history, a mosaic of centuries and eras torn apart by political and ethnic division after a history of empires and kingdoms laying claim to this place.

Here, European, Middle Eastern, Greek and Turkish cultures collide.

Known as Lefkosa in Turkish, the city is essentially two capitals in one. To this day, Nicosia remains split by the infamous ‘Green Line’, which carves the boundary of the world’s largest – and last - divided capital city, separating the Greek Cypriots in the southern part from the Turkish Cypriots in the North. It is even possible to walk through the no man’s land between Nicosia/Lefkosa, known as the UN Buffer Zone.

From the relatively modern addition of sandbags, checkpoints and barriers of the Green Line to the monumental Venetian walls that

encase the scenic Old Town, Nicosia’s complicated past is tangible. But in spite of this fraught geopolitical context, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus is worthy of any visitor’s attention and was recently hailed by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Cities to travel to in 2022.

Originally built by Venetian rulers to discourage Ottoman invaders, the ancient walled city is now the cultural heartbeat of the island, hosting bustling restaurants and a lively bar scene. Separating the ancient city from the modern, follow narrow, serpentine streets from the notable Cyprus Museum and its significant collection of Neolitihic and Roman artefacts, to the thick, ancient stone of the city walls and the Famagusta, Kyrenia and Paphos gates. Another must-see is the elaborate Buyuk Han – a Turkish caravansarai built after the Ottoman seizure of Cyprus in 1572.

The narrow, historic streets of central Nicosia

Panoramic view of the village Moutoullas. Nicosia district.

Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus

Buyuk Han (The Great Inn) Nicosia, Northern Cyprus

Saint John Cathedral

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CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

D I V I N G I N TO C Y P R U S W I T H PA D I

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

C

yprus is a diver’s paradise and PADI, the world’s leading diver organisation, has 45 Dive Centres located around the Island, offering everything from simple sandy-bottom dives for beginners to epic deep dives. Diving in Cyprus offers something for everyone, and beneath the waters a wealth of hidden treasures are waiting to be found, from shipwrecks to subtropical wildlife, colourful reef scape, excellent marine parks and diverse ecosystems.

life in the ocean while examining the impact of man on the natural world.

Each of the sculptures is made from pH neutral materials so there’s no negative impact on the surrounding environment. The structures will act as a new home for marine life as they become covered in biomass over time – which means this is one museum that will only get better with time and age.

CYPRUS DIVING HIGHLIGHTS THE MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER SCULPTURES (MUSAN) IN AYIA NAPA This breathtaking underwater museum, located 200 metres from the Ayia Napa coast, was created by British sculptor, Jason deCaires. The underwater forest which opened in 2021 is the first of its kind in the world.

Divers and snorkellers will find 93 works of art inspired by nature and man depicting a forest full of trees, children at play and other characters.

MUSAN strives to create a habitat for

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THE ZENOBIA WRECK Located near Larnaca, the Zenobia Wreck is one of the top ten wreck dives in the world, as voted by divers each year. She sank on 7th June 1980, and rests on her port side between 19m and 42m. MS Zenobia was a Swedish built Challenger-class RO-RO ferry 172m long and sank with over 100 vehicles and lorries onboard.

The outside of the wreck has much to see with the two massive props, roro doors, the lorries on the outside, funnels, bridge, cafeteria, the bow area and the accommodation.

The Zenobia wreck and the area surrounding it are now an official marine reserve and therefore fully protected. It has become a haven for a range of fantastic marine life including turtles, barracuda, large grouper, tuna, jacks, moray eels, large shoals of breams, trumpetfish, triggerfish, nudibranchs, lionfish, a variety of wrasses and so much more.

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The sheer scale of the wreck means that there are so many different dives to enjoy, and you can explore all areas of this amazing dive site.

If you haven’t yet discovered the underwater world but you’re thinking about becoming a diver, as summer approaches it’s the perfect time to dive in and learn to scuba.

The weather is generally better, the waters warmer and the seas calmer. These conditions are ideal to get scuba certified. The first step is to book your PADI Open Water Diver Course with a verified PADI Dive Centre. In doing so, you can be

assured you’re receiving top training from qualified dive professionals.

They will guide you as you begin this exciting journey underwater.

For more information about diving in Cyprus see: Southern Cyprus https://www.padi.com/diving-in/cyprus

Northern Cyprus https://www.padi.com/diving-in/kyrenia

CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

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CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

LANDMARK AT T R A C T I O N S THE TURTLE BEACHES OF CYPRUS Lara Beach is something of a paradise, since its golden-sand horseshoe-shaped beach has been a protected haven since 1971.

This is one of the best places in Cyprus to see turtles, as females come ashore in May to lay their eggs, which typically hatch a month later. The turtle hatchery is a safe space for nesting green and logger-head turtles. It is best to visit on foot, since private vehicles are prohibited in the nearby area during nesting season.

KOURION The ruins of this ancient city near Limassol offer some of the most spectacular sea views on the island. Kourion’s dramatic cliffside location is no accident, since this city has endured a series of major invasions throughout its history, with the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines all laying claim to it. Marvel at the Roman Theatre, House of the Gladiators and archaeological open-air museum on an early morning visit, so as to enjoy the site without the crowds.

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THE BIRTHPLACE OF APHRODITE One of the most iconic places on the island, Aphrodite’s Beach is the legendary location where the ancient Greek Goddess of Love was supposedly born from the water. A large rock marks where she allegedly emerged, although now you will typically find it covered with swimmers diving into the crystalclear waters. As legend goes, swim around the rock three times, and you will find your true love.

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CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE

GA L EN TT DIM NA GRTKH E R E AT A NTDR A AR CO T IUONNDS A RELATIVELY SMALL island, travel around Cyprus is fairly simple and shouldn’t require long journey times.

The most convenient way to traverse the isle is by hiring your own car – you can find several rental companies at the two major airports and in most popular tourist towns.

Remember to book in advance, since in summer it is not uncommon for all rental vehicles to be fully booked. This is also the best option for those keen on visiting the Troödos Mountains, since no public transport is available in this area.

For those wishing to use a more eco-friendly option, the bus network is comprehensive and reliable. Bear in mind that no services run on Sundays.

Kyrenia harbour overlooked by its 9th Century castle

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The two principal airports include Larnaca International (LCA), four kilometres from Larnaca, and Paphos International (PFO), located just six kilometres from Paphos. It is important to note the differences in travelling between the North and South of the island. The Republic of Cyprus has direct international flights into LCA and PFO, meanwhile North Cyprus is only recognised by the government of Turkey, and all flights and ferries run via the country.

If you intend to visit both sides of Nicosia/ Lefkosa, remember to keep hold of your passport since you will need it to cross to the Turkish side.

The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Guard post painted in the colours of Greek flag at The Green Line in Nicosia

Ruins of St. Hilarion Castle in The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

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P U E R TO VA L L A R TA Escape to Mexico for an unforgettable taste of sun, sand, and intoxicating cuisine. The magnetism of Puerto Vallarta is impossible to ignore Writer: Phoebe Harper Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

Vista zona sur

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

S

et amidst a backdrop of the towering Sierra Madre Mountain range, fringes of swaying palm trees grace yellow-sand beaches that hug the shores of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Here, you will find the bustling coastal haven of Puerto Vallarta (PV).

Originating as a quaint fishing village, PV, as it is commonly known, has ballooned through development to become one of Mexico’s most popular beach resorts.

An iconic vacation destination, PV has sprouted from its humble origins, first finding fame in the 1960s as the filming location for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s Night of the Iguana.

Although teeming with resorts, shopping malls, housing developments and tourists, PV has retained its authentic Mexican magnetism as the ultimate hotspot in the enigmatic state of Jalisco – birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. Downtown, explore cobblestoned streets and historic architecture reminiscent of PV’s early roots.

Snaking along the oceanfront, the well-known boardwalk of El Malecon carves through the city’s most popular highlights, home to food stalls and street performers, and stands as the cultural artery of PV. The nightlife here is renowned, none more so than in the beating heart of the Zona Romantica, which hosts a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

Venture beyond the resorts to rolling hills, jungle-clad mountains and fields of blue agave. Discover beaches suited to any traveller, from secluded coves to well-catered swathes of sand with an inviting array of marine excursions centred around the horseshoe of the Bay of Banderas.

An established gourmet city, PV sets tastebuds tingling with traditional Mexican fare, and cosmopolitan restaurants showcasing creativity and imagination with world-class chefs.

Once labelled ‘La ciudad más amigable del mundo’ (The Friendliest City in the World), PV offers a warm welcome to any COVID-19 weary traveller.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

V I S I T P U E R TO VA L L A R TA

S

ince 1996, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board (Visit Puerto Vallarta) has connected travel agents, operators and other tourism partners across the resort city to champion a thriving tourism sector.

Enjoying the highest hotel occupancy levels of any beach destination in Mexico today, the board aims to ‘revive your desire to travel’, with a particular focus on attracting millennial markets. We speak with Managing Director Luis Villaseñor to find out more.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the origins of Visit Puerto Vallarta and its initial vision?

Luis Villaseñor, Managing Director

Luis Villaseñor, Managing Director (LV): In the early ‘90s, Puerto Vallarta had a development surge as leisure tourism became a more significant

part of its economy. In response, the tourism board was launched in 1996 as a decentralised public organisation, expanding upon the efforts of an initial mixed funding trust founded by private investors and the state of Jalisco. The state of Jalisco established an initial two percent lodging tax (which today stands at three percent) to help generate revenue to promote the destination to international travel markets and boost its connectivity.

Soon after, Puerto Vallarta started to welcome charters from the US, Canada, South America, and Europe, and through the tourism board, was better equipped to connect with travel agents, operators, and other

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

tourism partners.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

LV: In our efforts to promote the destination in national and international markets, our overarching goal is to grow our share of the market by offering travellers authentic, memorable experiences that suit multiple interests, have diverse appeal, and differentiate Puerto Vallarta from other sun and sand destinations. Puerto Vallarta is the only beach destination in Mexico that truly preserves its traditions and cultural identity while being open to tourists, and we are proud to welcome them with a wide range of lodging options including hotels, resorts, and villa and condo rentals to suit families, pet owners, luxury travellers, foodies, adventurers, art

“ P U E R T O VA L L A R TA I S T H E O N LY B E A C H D E S T I N AT I O N I N M E X I C O T H AT T R U LY P R E S E R V E S I T S T R A D I T I O N S A N D C U LT U R A L IDENTITY WHILE BEING OPEN TO TOURISTS...”

– LU I S V I L L AS E Ñ O R , M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R , V I S I T P U E R T O VA L L A R TA

lovers, golfers, yoga enthusiasts, and LGBTQ+ travellers. This diversity of appeal was crucial to the destination’s initial recovery efforts in 2020, which has in turn enabled us to enjoy some of the highest hotel occupancy levels of any beach destination in Mexico.

One of our current objectives is to attract more millennials, generating awareness of our cosmopolitan city and its coastal and rural surroundings - ideal for those seeking new adventures and places where they can connect with nature and local culture. Puerto Vallarta has

traditionally been a destination for North American travellers in their fifties and above, so we are trying to bridge that demographic gap and incentivise other markets and niche segments such as wellness, LGBTQ+, and adventure travel, among others.

OT: How do you market Puerto Vallarta as both a business and leisure travel destination?

LV: Puerto Vallarta is a great choice for leisure, corporate, and group travel thanks to its city infrastructure, Outlook Travel issue 08 | 55

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Los Arcos Amphitheater

year-round tropical climate, easyto-access Pacific Coast location, abundance of lodging options including over 15,300 hotel rooms, and inspiring natural landscapes. As such, our promotional campaigns are multi-pronged to ensure that we are effectively speaking to each segment and its specific needs and interests.

We ran our REVIVE campaign in 2020 and 2021 with a long-term strategy to build on its central message: ‘REVIVE YOUR DESIRE TO TRAVEL’, which puts travellers at the centre of Puerto Vallarta’s revival and highlights its sea to mountain landscapes, thoughtful hospitality, and numerous outdoor experiences. I’m delighted to share that the campaign has pos56 | Outlook Travel issue 08

itively impacted international arrival numbers and we are close to reaching 2019 occupancy levels across our hotels and resorts – and this is without factoring in new room inventory and alternative lodging options, such as extended stay accommodations and villa rentals.

When communicating with leisure audiences, we like to showcase the city’s genuine hospitality and the natural charm that has won over couples, families, LGBTQ+ travellers, wellness enthusiasts, and others who return time and again to enjoy the sunsets over Banderas Bay, the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, unspoiled jungle interior, and the charming cobblestone streets and

historic architecture of the downtown area. With access to more than 50 outdoor activities, including swimming with wild dolphins, guided street food tours, and horse riding, travellers can find their own space in Puerto Vallarta - whether that’s in the heart of the city, amid the buzz and excitement of the Malecon, or on the secluded southern beaches of Quimixto and Yelapa.

For meetings and events buyers and travel industry partners, we are focused on demonstrating how Puerto Vallarta has every convenience to host memorable meetings, promoting the city’s connectivity to major cities in Mexico and North America through its international

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

airport - just four miles from the city centre, the 5,000-capacity International Convention Center, modern infrastructure and roads, restaurant and catering services, and state-of-the-art facilities. Through public relations and marketing activations, we are targeting business travel communities seeking an idyllic setting from which to close a business deal, and we are also educating English and Spanish speaking travel agents and tour operators with training programmes like our recently launched Puerto Vallarta Specialist. Free to access on the Travel Agent Academy platform, the programme is designed to create a better understanding of Puerto Vallarta with up-to-the-minute, curated information and valuable travel tips for client support.

OT: What trends are currently transforming tourism in Puerto Vallarta and how are you utilising them?

LV: The demand for foodie tourism, wellness travel, and responsible travel experiences has significantly grown in popularity and is now joined by pet-friendly travel, multi-gen travel, and medical tourism. Puerto Vallarta

The seahorse statue otherwise known as ‘Caballeo del Mar’ is located on the boardwalk or Malecon and was created in 1976 by Rafel Zamarripa.

This public statue is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most famous landmarks.

is becoming a destination of choice for specialist cosmetic procedures and so we are working with our hotel and travel partners to better engage this market.

Further, in the last few years, Puerto Vallarta is becoming a favoured second home destination. This is a great asset for Puerto Vallarta and an organic trend that has evolved in part due to Puerto Vallarta attracting a significant number of repeat visitors, with many choosing to visit once or twice a year.

OT: What sustainable travel experiences does Puerto Vallarta have to offer?

LV: Puerto Vallarta is blessed with nature-rich landscapes, fauna and flora, and so it is important that we continue to integrate sustainable travel practices into travel programmes, tour itineraries, and hotel operations, so that travellers can support our preservation efforts. Highlights from Puerto Vallarta’s nature and community-focused experiences include:

CANOPY RIVER Ejido El Jorullo is home to Jorullo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world for vehicles. El Jorullo was founded in 1940 by 180 inhabitants and 157 shareholders, and today it is managed by the North Coast of Jalisco Association of Foresters, mainly dedicated to the cultivation of various rare and indigenous plants, which are seeded using a local method adapted to the mountainous area.

JORULLO PARADISE A wildlife conservation area located in the jungle interior of the Sierra Madre Mountains, visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings from eco-chic cabins, a restaurant, pool, and nine hot spring pools. Activities include cycling, zip-lining, hiking, and bird watching.

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“ P U E R T O VA L L A R TA H A S SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT T R A C T N E W D E M O G R A P H I C S , S P E C I F I C A L LY M I L L E N N I A L T R AV E L L E R S , A S W E L L A S E X PA N D E X P E R I E N C E O F F E R I N G S WITHIN NICHE INTEREST SEGMENTS LIKE WELLNESS, E C O T O U R I S M , A N D M U LT I - G E N T R AV E L ” – LU I S V I L L AS E Ñ O R , M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R D I R E C TO R , V I S I T P U E R TO VA L L A R TA

Los Muertos

VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS The creation of the Gardens has provided an unprecedented opportunity for us to share with the world the wonderfully vast diversity of Mexico’s plant species. Visitors can tour the plant species, including Mexico’s largest collection of orchids, in a safe environment with guided viewing trails.

MARIPOSARIO JARDIN MAGICO The butterfly sanctuary originally opened in March 2020 and re-opened in March 2021, with butterflies of various species, sizes, and colours.

TURTLE RELEASE PROGRAMMES From July through December, visitors can participate in sea turtle release programmes, helping to find on average 70 to 230 nests and, depending on the location, release approximately 60 to 200 sea turtles per day during the season. Protecting these nests and safeguarding every hatchling’s journey ensures that sea turtles will return to Puerto Vallarta for generations to come. While participation in a sea turtle release in Puerto Vallarta creates a unique and memorable experience, it is also an outstanding opportunity for visitors to support local conservation work. Boca de

Tomates Turtle Camp, Ecotours, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and Marriott Puerto Vallarta offer opportunities for visitors to participate.

WILDLIFE CONNECTION With the support and guidance of biologists and marine experts, travellers can swim and interact with bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat in the Pacific Ocean. During this journey the experts will share their experience and knowledge regarding these incredible animals and offer guests an opportunity to participate in a research programme that helps to better understand and protect the cetaceans of Banderas Bay. Other activities include bird and whale watching.

NAVEGANTE URBANO This tour company focuses on promoting activities that reaffirm the identity and beauty of the local environment, taking advantage of its cultural, social, natural and historical elements, to generate sources of

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

employment and income to the communities where they operate their excursions, ranging from practicing hiking in Las Juntas and Los Veranos in search of waterfalls, to a guided visit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, or touring the southernmost beaches all the way to the town of Corrales and its 120-year old lighthouse.

OT: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta, particularly with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic?

LV: We are very optimistic, especially now that outbound travel restrictions globally are winding down. Our hotel occupancy and arrival numbers continue to trend upwards, boosted by the return of Canadian, British, and European travellers. International arrivals were low at the beginning of the year due to strict travel restrictions, but we are seeing incremental growth each month, and since June 2021, international arrivals have been greater than those recorded for the same

Colomitos

months in 2019. Also, Puerto Vallarta has recovered most of its pre-pandemic flight routes from key feeder markets and even added some that were discontinued in 2017 and 2018, or launched in 2021 and this year.

Puerto Vallarta has made consistent efforts throughout the pandemic to provide a safe and healthy experience for visitors and residents alike. Biosecurity is a priority for the state of Jalisco, and local government, service providers, tourism operators, and public-facing businesses continue to implement temperature checks at entrances, hand sanitiser stations, and mask mandates in common areas. Further,

stringent sanitation and disease prevention measures remain firmly in place at Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port, public transportation, retail outlets, government offices, and at the award-winning Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). As a result, COVID-19 cases remain low and we are positive that 2022 and 2023 will be milestone years, potentially exceeding 2019 figures.

These positive indicators and measures show how Puerto Vallarta has seized the opportunity to attract new demographics, specifically millennial travellers, as well as expand experience offerings within niche interest segments like wellness, ecotourism, and multi-gen travel.

Travellers today are also more appreciative of the opportunity to explore new destinations and want to know that they are giving back to the communities they visit, so our resorts and alternative accommodations that offer authentic and responsible experiences are contributing to a faster economic recovery for our city.

Malecón

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PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

E AT: F O R TA N TA L I S I N G TACOS Vallarta Food Tours specialises in taco crawls that offer local insight into PV’s thriving food scene.

Sample Baja-style fish tacos at Joe Jack’s Fish Shack and taste exceptional asada tacos, marlin tacos, elote with pork belly, pastor, churros and tejuino in other nearby hotspots.

F O R T H E F I N E ST R E G I O N A L I N G R E D I E N TS Venture beyond the crowded tourist centre of PV to the neighbourhood of Versalles, and you will find the local gem of Barrio Bistro. Fresh ingredients combine in a vibrant array of daily specials, washed down with the locally produced distilled agave drink of raicilla, all conjured by culinary genius Chef Guillermo Wulff.

DO: TA K E TO T H E S E AS A visit to PV wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip. From December through to March, hop aboard a dolphin or whale watching expedition to be in with a chance of viewing the giant 40-tonne humpbacks that migrate to these shores at this time of year.

Meanwhile, dolphins can be seen all year round.

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Casitas Maraika Playa Caballo

M A K E T I M E TO R E CO N N E C T Nestled in the heights of the jungle, the Terra Noble Spa is a respite harnessing the power of nature. This extraordinary space hosts workshops, yoga classes, ceremonies, and offers massages and therapies in its world-class spa. A community catered to wellness, take time to detox amidst outstanding surroundings.

SLEEP: F O R A S C E N I C TAST E O F LUXU RY In the exclusive neighbourhood of Conchas Chinas, the Grand Miramar Resort is perfectly positioned atop the highest point in PV to enjoy unbeaten panoramic views over Banderas Bay. Its very name translates as ‘ocean view’. From this idyllic position, expect spacious suites and all the amenities for a luxurious stay.

F O R A C E N T R A L B O U T I Q U E STAY Casa Nicole offers a boutique experience with all the amenities of a larger hotel, including a swimming pool and gym. You will find this modern, recently-renovated bolthole just one block from the beautiful Los Muertos beach and the central highlights of the boardwalk and main square.

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Discover our unique Art and Healing Center in the heights of the jungle of Vallarta, enveloped by the power of nature, the fresh smell of iodine and the endless view of the Paciic Ocean.

Admire the city and the peace given by the lady asleep mountain right in front of you.

• Spa Services • Workshops & Private Classes • Weddings & Events • Ancient Temazcal • Cacao Ceremonies www.terranoble.com Tulipanes 595, 5 de Diciembre, 48350 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Outlook Creative Services

Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

Luxury Experience Located at the highest point in Puerto Vallarta.

Awarded AAA Four Diamond, elegant suites with spectacular views of Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean, almost everything here is designed around panoramas

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

Paseo de Los Corales 139 Conchas Chinas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco CP 48390 T +52 322 22 625 20 | reservaciones@grandmiramar.com | www.grandmiramar.com

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PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

SPOTLIGHT ON

L G B T Q + T R AV E L JUSTIFYING ITS STATUS as ‘The Friendliest City in the World’, as voted

by Travel + Leisure Magazine, PV has long been acknowledged as a haven of inclusivity.

Often cited as the number one gay beach destination in Latin America, PV has been established as an LGBTQ+-friendly destination since the first waves of openly gay and lesbian travellers from Mexico City, the US and Canada in the 1980s and 1990s. So much so that since that time, this particular demographic PV hosts Mexico’s biggest ‘gaybourhood’ - the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), an effervescent downtown area dedicated to lively fiestas, live music events, numerous gay bars and nightclubs.

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of travellers has come to represent a major contributor to the tourism industry’s income stream that is receiving significant support and recognition from the municipal government.

PV hosts Mexico’s biggest ‘gaybourhood’ - the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone). This effervescent downtown area is home to lively nightclub fiestas, live music events, a host of gay bars and clubs and even a dedicated beach. It is here where thousands gather in May every year for the city’s iconic eight-day Pride festival. Vallarta Gay Pride has escalated significantly since inception in 2013 as a hugely popular event, that is now held annually to coincide with US Memorial Day weekend.

Dubbed ‘the San Francisco of Mexico’ and the country’s most gayfriendly destination, visitors can enjoy a convivial and colourful atmosphere that celebrates all walks of life.

The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, known locally as the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is a Catholic place of worship in Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is open daily, with services in English available on Saturdays and mass in both Spanish and English on Sundays.

Puerto Vallarta beach

IN FOCUS

T H E B E AC H E S O F P U E R T O VA L L A R TA BEACHES ARE PV’S calling card.

The two most central favourites include Los Muertos and Olas Altas, as the closest to the city’s main square. What many sun-worshippers may not know, is that the former takes its name – which translates as Deadman’s Beach – from when the site was originally used as a cemetery.

These are some of the most easily accessible spots for water sports and boat excursions.

From the 60-metre pier on Playa de Los Muertos, take a boat ride to head away from the crowds to the 64 | Outlook Travel issue 08

quieter southernmost reaches, where secluded coves boast pristine snorkelling sites. Some of the best are to be found near the villages of Yelapa, Quimixto and Playa Majahuitas – a favourite amongst scuba-divers.

Another popular choice accessible by boat is Las Caletas (the Coves), where hammocks swaying in the breeze against a backdrop of thick jungle provide the perfect scene for relaxing by the water.

Meanwhile, Playa Mismaloya is wellnoted as an iconic stretch of sand, thanks to the beach’s appearance as

the backdrop for the Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor film, the Night of the Iguana. The beach is also close to the remarkable Los Arcos Marine Park.

Elsewhere, for a beach less touched by tourism and development, set your sights on Playa Yelapa. Here, an authentic beach community continues to thrive in a charming, quiet traditional village. Spend an afternoon on this secluded bay and be sure to sample the legendary dessert pies sold by the beach vendors here.

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Pizota near Puerto Vallarta

Playa De Los Muertos beach and pier

Playa De Los Muertos beach

Yelapa Bay

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LANDMARK AT T R A C T I O N S LOS ARCOS PV hosts some of the Pacific Coast’s best diving destinations, and this protected national marine park is one of the finest. Whether scuba diving, swimming, or snorkelling, enjoy waters teeming with marine life including moray eels and manta rays.

Translating from the Spanish for ‘the Arches’, marvel at the vast grey granite islands rising from the sea.

BOTANICAL GARDENS OF VALLARTA

ZONA ROMÁNTICA One of PV’s most popular areas to explore, this cosmopolitan neighbourhood is packed with restaurants, bars and coffee shops and truly comes alive at night time. By day, admire cobbled streets and a colourful arts and culture scene. On Saturday mornings, be sure to stop by the vibrant Farmer’s Market for artisanal local produce.

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The Vallarta Botanical Gardens encapsulate the tropical diversity of the Sierra Madre mountain range. A wander through the Cactus Garden, Tropical Fruit Orchard and the Orchid Conservatory – home to over 300 native Mexican species - offers an idyllic way to spend an afternoon.

Stroll deeper into the forest and traverse a hanging bridge to explore the wilder side of these beautifully maintained grounds.

PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

GETTING THERE AND AROUND ALTHOUGH PV CONTINUES to expand at a relentless pace, the downtown area is easily walkable, offering atmospheric cobbled roads and quaint backstreets that are perfect for a wander. For those staying in hillside hotels, downtown beaches are still easily reached within walking distance. The milelong boardwalk of the Malecón is dedicated to pedestrians and presents a sight-filled promenade

that will lead you through the oceanfront highlights.

For further distances, PV has an efficient bus network to reach other resort towns. Many prefer not to rent a car here, since it can be a costly option, albeit offering comfort and convenience. Alternatively, ride-hailing service Uber is a reliably popular choice. While this is available for airport drop-offs, it is worth nothing that Uber drivers are not permitted

to pick up arriving passengers, unless first exiting the airport and ordering one from the street.

PV’s principal airport is Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), which offers connections to other major cities throughout the country and direct flights from the US. It is also 205 miles (330km) from Guadalajara – the capital of Jalisco state – which has many connections with international cities.

M E X I C O PUERTO VALLARTA

MAP BY BY SÉMHUR - IMAGE:MEXICO BLANK.SVG BY YAVIDAXIU UNDER LICENCE GFDL., CC BY-SA 4.0

Puerto Vallarta International Airport

PHOTO BY MELIKAMP - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0

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SAIL DALMATIA SUSTAINABILITY STORIES

YA C H T I N G ’ S S U S TA I N A B L E REVOLUTION

Dora Vulic

Sail Dalmatia is taking the helm of sustainability in the world of luxury yachting. We talk plastic pollution and eco-efficiency with owner and skipper, Dora Vulic Wr iter : P h oebe Harper

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SAIL DALMATIA SUSTAINABILITY STORIES

S

ustainability and superyachts – two concepts that may initially appear at loggerheads and not the most natural bedfellows.

Indeed, the yachting industry has long suffered a reputation as a non-environmentally friendly means of travelling. According to a report

by American publication Jacobin Magazine, there are approximately 300 superyachts currently in operation across the globe. Notorious oil guzzlers and contributors to ocean pollution, superyachts alone comprise a fleet that consumes over 32 million gallons of oil and produces 627 million lbs of carbon dioxide emissions a year — in some cases, this exceeds the total pollution and consumption level of entire countries.

But today, the ecological footprint of the hugely popular luxury yachting industry is shrinking.

Through a combination of innovation, prevention and preservation, the entire industry – from boat owners to designers, charter companies and shipyards - is awakening to the demand for sustainable solutions. This extends to efficient, reduced fuel consumption, the protection of marine ecosystems, and the elimination of plastics and other pollutants of the sea.

At the forefront of keeping sustainability afloat in the yachting sector across the Adriatic, is Croatia’s leading luxury yacht charter company – Sail Dalmatia.

“Our mission is to facilitate exceptional yachting experiences as best as we can,” opens founder and owner, Dora Vulic. “Sail Dalmatia is all about combining our passion for sailing with our love for Croatia and the knowledge we have of the country.”

For Vulic - a native Croat and accomplished skipper as the only Croatian female to have completed the esteemed Round the World Clipper Yacht Race – the demand from clients for responsible boating experiences became impossible to ignore.

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“WE ARE LAUNCHING THE VERY FIRST E C O - F R I E N D LY YA C H T B U I LT L O C A L LY I N T H E A D R I AT I C ” – D O R A V U L I C , F O U N D E R A N D O W N E R , S A I L D A L M AT I A

“We are at the point when people have started to genuinely care. We get more and more clients who want to know what we are doing to protect the environment, specifically within the Adriatic. We want these waters to be left intact for future generations.”

A prime example of this is the company’s commitment to plastic pollution and keeping waters clean, best embodied by its work with Australian company, the Seabin Project.

“We were one of the first companies

Carpe Diem 7 moored in a bay in Croatia

to introduce Seabins to Croatia. As a result of our collaboration, we installed the very first two Seabins in two marinas in Croatia,” she tells us.

On board, Sail Dalmatia recognises that plastic bottles are often inevitable and will accompany most

parties, but they have a responsibility to educate everyone about the other options available.

“Reducing plastic pollution is a mission that is very close to our hearts.

“Plastic is still very much used when people are on board the boat, but we

are trying to educate our clients, our boat owners, and our crews, to realise and to use the alternatives that are available thanks to technology these days. Of course, its costly and you need to invest the money into it, but the benefits are incomparable.”

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SAIL DALMATIA SUSTAINABILITY STORIES

Acapella

Life Is Good

LIFE IS GOOD As electrification spreads like wildfire across industries worldwide, yachting is no exception.

Many in the sector are harnessing a hybrid future through advanced sustainable technologies that are driving decarbonisation in the market by creating energy-efficient vessels fit for the future.

“The industry as a whole is heading towards electric and solar-powered catamarans, and at the moment we 72 | Outlook Travel issue 08

are looking to introduce these to the Adriatic next year,” Vulic shares.

“We are working with a manufacturer who is producing electric catamarans that are solarpowered and we will be adding these to our portfolio.”

Sail Dalmatia’s fleet is growing to include models that leverage energyefficient technologies including solar panels and means of water purification, thereby eliminating the need for plastic bottles on board.

“At the moment, we are launching a 45-metre boat exclusive to our fleet – she’s called Life is Good,” Vulic tells us excitedly. Still in production in a Croatian shipyard, the vessel is due to be launched in May 2022.

“We are launching the very first eco-friendly yacht built locally in the Adriatic.”

Life is Good boasts a structure and hull that is designed entirely to maximise fuel efficiency.

Although a motor sailor, the boat’s

solar panels maximise the energy potential of the 3,000 hours per year of sunshine enjoyed in the Adriatic. Complemented by the use of sails and a fuel-efficient engine, her environmental impact will be minimal, with the installation of the aforementioned on-board water purifiers to reduce plastic use.

“We have done extensive research with Life is Good, testing her fuel consumption on the passages that we use and compared it with a classic

motor sailor that isn’t so eco-friendly.

This boat will be in a much better position and it will definitely create a better experience for the client, particularly as they are always interested to see what is new on the market.”

On the understanding that sustainability and luxury yachting don’t need to exist as mutually exclusive priorities, Sail Dalmatia enables the future of boating with a clearer conscience.

“This is the future of the whole yachting industry. We must all work towards a more sustainable approach and invest a lot into eco-friendly options and the technology required to build yachts that are causing minimal impact to the environment.”

www.saildalmatia.com Outlook Travel issue 08 | 73

AMPERVAN FEATURE

AN ELECTRIC A DV E N T U R E I N T H E S COT T I S H HIGHLANDS A five-day adventure through the Scottish Highlands using the newly launched Ampervan - the 100 percent electric campervan promising the ultimate clean camping road trip experience Writer: Phoebe Harper

DAY ONE: WHITSOME DUNS - LOCH LOMOND, 132 MILES First, we head to the Scottish borders and the small village of Duns to collect our ride - the Ampervan - an electric campervan that is the invention of electric vehicle specialists Munro Wilson, and perfectly suited for our eco-friendly adventure.

Pulling the automatic van away from the collection point, it soon transpires that it is rather like driving a sail, not helped by the gale force winds of Storm Malik, which has left discarded wheelie bins and other detritus in its ruinous path. On leaving Whitsome alone, we re-route twice to bypass vast fallen trunks. Fortunately, despite its size, the van is as easy to manoeuvre as a car and we adjust quickly.

Our destination for our first night on the road is Firkin Point, Arrochar, on the western shores of Loch Lomond.

A vast freshwater body of water in the heart of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the surrounding mountains are home to the iconic red deer and oak woodlands of the Highlands.

In Dalkeith, we top up the van with charge at a seven kilowatt (kW) public charging point.

Having never used e-charging spots before, we quickly realise how coveted the rapid ‘CSS’ charging points are, as two fellow travellers knock on the window demanding to know how long we will be.

A word to the wise, when driving an electric vehicle, patience is required and any planned journey must factor in extra time for charging - allowing roughly 45 minutes to an hour to reach full charge. In remote areas, charging points may also be unavailable, particularly in high season. Whilst charging, we cook steaming cups of tea on the portable hob in the back of the van, drawing the curtains to catch up on sleep and plan our route.

The Ampervan itself is equipped with a plethora of high-tech gadgets that make for an entirely seamless driving experience; from the smooth cruise control, to rear cameras, and the wing mirrors that flash red to inform you when there is a vehicle in your blind spot. Unused to an automatic, it is an alien feeling not to be reaching for your gearstick, and I often find myself clutching at a phantom Outlook Travel issue 08 | 75

AMPERVAN FEATURE

handbrake, feeling at odds with my left boot sitting entirely idle. The luggage is safely stowed under the seats, conveniently out of the way, leaving plenty of space when we fold them down to make the bed.

Soon, we are passing Glasgow and on to the freshwater shores of Loch Lomond and the mighty, sleeping spine of the Trossachs. Arriving at Firkin Point in the dark, a pair of campers erect a tent amidst the trees and we cook pasta in the van, pushing up the roof for ample standing room. Aside from the wild campers, we have the spot to ourselves, and sleep soundly in perfect silence.

DAY TWO: LOCH LOMOND - GLENCOE, 43 MILES Leaving the shores of Loch Lomond after skimming stones across the surface of its glasslike waters, we fuel up with bacon and scrambled eggs cooked on the hob and head north to Glencoe - the spiritual home of Scottish mountaineering. Giant Ben Lomond is brooding and silent, snowy peaks towering into full and heavy skies that look fit to burst.

En route, we stop at the thundering Falls of Falloch, before charging once again in the nearby village of Crianlarich. As it charges, we savour the firelit warmth of The Crianlarich Hotel and stretch our legs by the riverside, encountering a dour-faced Tesla driver when realising that we are occupying the sole rapid charging spot in the village – one of many that we meet with throughout the trip. The scenery here feels like stepping into a Scandinavian village, as we are met with chalet-style buildings and high sloping rooves.

THE AMPERVAN – KEY FACTS • ChargePlace Scotland card included for free charging • Unlimited miles to explore as far as you like • Average charging time for full battery using CSS charger: 45 – 60 minutes • The model is based on a Vauxhall Vivaro-e, with around 120 miles of range from the 75kWh battery • Equipped with an electric hob Type 2 charger, RFID card, plus a windscreen cover for sleeping in privacy • A slow portable charger is also provided for plugging into a campsite hook-up • Advisable to plan a journey with no more than 200 miles per day

AMPERVAN FEATURE

Continuing on the scenic A82, within seconds of passing the sign declaring that we have officially entered the Highlands, we are met with a freak snowstorm. Shrouded in heavy cloud, the landscape is bleak, stark, and dappled with lakes steepled with rogue boulders. The moorland is coated in russet and auburn swathes of Highland ferns, as we enter the far-flung reaches of wilder Scotland.

Eventually, we arrive at the Glencoe Mountain Resort, where vacant chairlifts sway idly in the wind awaiting intrepid skiers to be ferried up the side of the mountain.

On the wind-beaten plateaus of the Western Highlands, perched high on Rannoch Moor, the winds are relentless, and shake the sides of the van, dispelling any chance of sighting the Golden Eagles known to haunt the area. Here, we have a camping bay waiting at the resort, should we need to charge the battery for the van’s interior electrics, which run off a separate system to the engine and are helpfully monitored on a screen inside.

As the only guests, and in the face of Storm Corrie, the onsite Portcabin Cafe - ironically named ‘The Two Corries’- is sadly closed early, but just one mile along pitch black mountain roads, we find the Kingshouse Hotel, foregrounded by the illuminated cast bronze statue of a proud Highland stag.

As winds almost sweep us off our feet, its fireside welcome could not have offered better shelter, as inside we find carefree hotel residents ensconced in armchairs, sipping drams of whisky in front of the flames and absorbed in novels, as if we had imagined the raging storm

‘A W O R D T O T H E W I S E , WHEN DRIVING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, P AT I E N C E I S R E Q U I R E D A N D ANY PLANNED JOURNEY M U S T FA C T O R I N E X T R A TIME FOR CHARGING A L L O W I N G R O U G H LY 4 5 MINUTES TO AN HOUR TO R E AC H F U L L C H A R G E ’

outside. “Seeking respite from the storm per chance?” quips a waitress, before plying us with a welcome pint of local craft beer, leaving us feeling bedraggled in our mud and snow-drenched clothes as formal dinner service begins. Overnight, we have to move the van for fear of blowing sideways by the force of Storm Corrie, and instead position ourselves vertically so as not to be battered by the winds sweeping down from the mountain.

DAY THREE: GLENCOE - AVIEMORE, 94 MILES

ChargePlace Scotland card included for free charging

In the morning, we wake to frost and dustings of icing sugar snow, stirred from sleep by the sound of construction workers recommencing work on the site of the new cafe. Meanwhile, we savour the luxury of our first shower of the trip, at 50p for a five-minute stream that is thankfully scorching hot.

Fortunately, the Glencoe Mountain Resort is fully equipped with a CSS point, and we leave the van to re-charge while we do the same, with the doors of the Two Corries cafe now happily open after the downpour of the night before. We gorge ourselves on steaming cups Outlook Travel issue 08 | 77

AMPERVAN FEATURE

of black coffee and fist-sized breakfast baps with tattie scones, whilst waterproof clad climbers begin to flood the car park for a day’s mountaineering up the Hill of the Roaring Stag.

On leaving the resort, we divert down a nearby route carving through the enchanting Glen Etive, following the river in search of the filming location featured in James Bond Skyfall. The surrounding mountains are entirely snowcapped and the roads breathtakingly scenic, the landscape carved from the volcanic activity of over 430 million years ago. We stop again at the viewpoint of the Three Sisters where we read of the devastating Glencoe Massacre that wiped out the entire clan of MacDonalds who lived in this valley hundreds of years ago. We brew a coffee in the back of the van as an onslaught of tourist coaches pull into the car park.

Onwards, we skirt endless lochs on our path to the mighty Cairngorms - a vast area that is twice the size of the Lake District in the UK. We stop again by the thundering force of the Laggan Dam, then in the quaint hamlet of Laggan itself.

In nearby Kingussie, we walk up to the Ruthven Barracks a mile out of the village for a taste of the Jacobite history that surrounds the area whilst the van recharges in the public car park. We pass fields of wild horses on our walk up to the imperious ruins sat perched on a hill, dramatic mountains in the distance. With the barracks entirely to ourselves, the site

Charging at Glencoe

resounds with the history of the Jacobite uprisings before Bonnie Prince Charlie’s orders to burn them down, leaving the ruinous structure as it stands today.

From here we continue on to Aviemore. The modern resort town of the Highlands, it compares to Fort William - which we passed through earlier that day, admiring not so much the odd little town, but rather the looming cloud-covered Nevis Range, vowing to return to conquer the mountain. In Aviemore, we park the van for the night in a car park neighbouring kitsch Alpine chalets near to a well-reputed drinking hole, where snowboarders gather in wooden-beamed warmth for live music and lashings of local ale.

DAY FIVE: AVIEMORE - NORTH BERWICK, 156 MILES The morning is spent nursing hangovers in the High Street breakfast hotspot of Cobb’s Cafe. All the better for full Scottish breakfasts with Lorne sausage and tattie scones, we drive to the Creag Eileachaidh nature reserve. Here we dodge fallen trees and stride through lichen-coated woods to gradually ascend the viewpoint trail. Gale-force winds prohibit any sightings of the resident Peregrines nesting on top of the crags. On the summit, we are battered and practically knocked sideways, but the views are nevertheless impressive. Having summited the crag, and taken in what must be one of the best views in the Highlands, we return to the van and make our way to the southern lowlands of North Berwick, heads dizzy with the rugged splendour of the Highlands.

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‘ O N WA R D S , W E S K I R T E N D L E S S L O C H S O N O U R P AT H T O T H E M I G H T Y C A I R N G O R M S - A VA S T A R E A T H AT I S T W I C E T H E S I Z E O F T H E L A K E D I S T R I C T I N T H E U K . W E STO P AG A I N BY T H E T H U N D E R I N G F O R C E O F T H E L AG G A N DA M , T H E N I N T H E Q UA I N T H A M L E T O F L AG G A N I TS E L F ’

Laggan Dam

O U T LO O K R E CO M M E N DS ARCHERFIELD HOUSE AND FLETCHER’S COTTAGE SPA The ultimate way to wind down from your Highlands adventure.

To unwind after descending from the Highlands, we seek luxury and the ultimate detox in the comfort of Archerfield House.

It takes a few hours to make it back down to Berwick, skirting the steeples of Edinburgh. Eventually, we pull into the winding estate roads of Archerfield House, the sprawl of the glinting North Sea in the near distance, and the land distinguished by the mounds of high laws. An estate spread across 550 acres, the perfectly manicured grounds and sweeping courses of Archerfield links resemble one of Scotland’s finest golf courses.

Arriving in the dark, the house itself stands majestic and floodlit. It is in the estate buildings flanking the main house on the East Wing where we find our Pavillion Suite.

Emptying our things from the van, we immediately feel scruffy and dirty amidst such pristine surroundings. The feeling amplifies as we open the door to the sumptuous warmth of our room - lamplit, the evening news playing on the television fixed to the wall. A monstrous and inviting bed clad in white sheets couldn’t be more tempting, nor the clawfoot rolltop bath and large tiled shower big enough to accommodate four. The cupboards are stocked with Loch 80 | Outlook Travel issue 08

Ness biscuits, local salted crisps, Colombian ground coffee and Nespresso capsules amongst other riches. The fridge beneath glows with neatly lined glass bottles of mineral and fizzy water, tins of tonic and two bottles of beer that we make short work of. We pore in disbelief over every perfect detail; from the coffee books on the golf courses and history of the house, to the lotions and body washes found in the bathroom scented with lavender, geranium and peppermint. Coated in a stark white towelling robe, feet swathed in undeniably comfortable slippers, slowly and luxuriantly, we prepare for dinner in the main house, just as we receive a call from reception confirming our dinner reservation for 7:30pm.

FINE DINING AND FIRELIT WHISKY It is a moment’s walk across to the stately entrance of Mansion House, where we are greeted and relieved of our coats by an impossibly friendly receptionist. The indulgence and attentiveness of service is unparalleled, as we are offered to be escorted straight to the table, or taken upstairs for a drink beforehand. Desperate to see more of the house, we can’t refuse the latter, and are not disappointed as we are led through the white marble rotunda hall of the first floor. Here we are shown into a stately drawing room, a drooping crystal chandelier catching the firelight. It is a gasp-worthy capsule of scarlet walls and Downton Abbey-esque grandeur. We take our seats on a plump sofa that threatens never to release us whilst another couple joins us in front of the fireplace, a diligent barman haunting the well-equipped bar that occupies the

AMPERVAN HOTEL REVIEW

The Whisky cabinet

Breakfast in the Clubhouse

corner of the room. We drink ice cold wine from crystal glasses as piano music chimes and portraits stare out at us from the walls.

Downstairs in the russet dining room, we are overwhelmed by silver service, water glasses topped up after every sip and cloth napkins laid carefully across our laps. We are served canapés of chicken liver parfait, and a starter of sage and pumpkin ravioli, savouring every mouthful of the rich accompanying sauce. For mains I feast on sole, Parmenter potatoes, shrimp and locally grown purple carrots in a creamy caper sauce, with a tarte aux citron to follow. Appetites satiated, we return upstairs for Scotch by the fireside and admire the glass cabinets hosting the estate’s finest whiskies. Sleep comes easy that night in the perfect silence and unparalleled comfort of the estate.

Brewing coffee the next morning, my only concerns are meeting a reservation for breakfast in the nearby Clubhouse and a Spa appointment to follow. Begrudgingly gathering our belongings from the suite, we join groups of keen golfers in the nearby clubhouse, where we are led to the resident section for breakfast. Here we are dotingly served poached eggs with smoked salmon and avocado on dark slices of rye bread.

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VOYA TREATMENTS AT FLETCHER’S COTTAGE SPA SPA INDULGENCE AT FLETCHER’S COTTAGE A stone’s throw from the hub of the Clubhouse, the Fletcher’s Cottage Spa proves the unmissable attraction of Archerfield House and a welcome respite. Here, full on breakfast, we wait in the foyer whilst spa attendants bring us warmed face towels and welcome flutes of red berry and coconut water smoothies ahead of our treatment.

The whole building is entirely Scandi in feel, a wooden chalet style construction with a vast wood burner dominating the middle of the main room, surrounded by sumptuous day beds with enormous cushions and complimentary jugs of cucumber and lemon water alongside a decanter of Sherry. I notice that a day bed has been reserved for us with a chalk board signed with our names. It soon transpires why this is one of the highest regarded wellness spaces in the country.

Inside, we are led to a private changing room filled with luxuriant VOYA cosmetics. Here we don our robes and are taken out to the walled garden, resplendent in the sunshine. A private bath hut awaits for my VOYA bathing experience. In my own chalet-style hut, I find a roaring fire, inviting armchairs, and a selection of moisturisers, cleansers and face masks dispensed into wooden bowls. These are carefully placed alongside a roll-top bath filled with steaming water. As part of this unique treatment, the bath is half-filled with seaweed hand-harvested from the East Lothian coast. Alongside the fragrant scented candles, the calming aroma of the sea fills the room.

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VOYA Organic Seaweed Leaf Wrap (90 mins) This treatment begins with finely ground seaweed to exfoliate, then continues using fresh leaves of Atlantic seaweed to cocoon the body to deeply detoxify, moisturise, soften and revive the skin. Then, enjoy a relaxing scalp massage while the leaves packed with minerals, vitamins and amino acids work their magic with immediate effect - £170.

VOYA Seaweed Bath Hut Experience (30 mins) Relax in the peace and tranquillity of your individual bath hut set in the natural surroundings of our walled Spa garden. The VOYA bath uses organic handharvested seaweed to detoxify and deeply moisturise your skin, increase circulation and promote healing.

This treatment will relax the muscles, plump up and add definition to your skin, and support skin regeneration and renewal while combating the effects of aging - £65.

Following the instructions of a spa attendant, here I soak for half an hour before obligingly applying my facial care rituals and full body moisturiser. The smells are intoxicating, none more so than the seaweed itself, which exudes a slickening moisture when massaged against the skin. As the temperatures in the room begin to rise, the seclusion of the setting allows me to open the door to the garden, letting in a cooling sea breeze and the sound of birdsong.

AMPERVAN HOTEL REVIEW

Feeling entirely relaxed after my treatment, I head back inside for a while in the thermal rooms, sampling the Marine Steam Room, the Lavender scented sauna, the ice chute and the ‘Cold Rain’ shower. Afterwards, we recline with a small flute of sherry in front of the warmth of the wood burner in the main room, savouring the perfect way to conclude our adventure.

MORE INFORMATION: Pavillion Suites at Archerfield estate are available from £245 per night.

VOYA treatments are available at Fletcher’s Cottage Spa, Archerfield. https://www.fletcherscottagespa.com https://www.archerfieldhouse.com To enquire about the Ampervan https://ampervans.com/ Outlook Travel issue 08 | 83

ROUTE ZERO FEATURE

T R AV E L L I N G GREEN WITH

ROUTE ZERO A revolutionary tool designed by university graduate Albie Baker-Smith, Route Zero is the carbon calculator charting a new path for sustainable travel

H

ROUTE ZERO IN ACTION To travel from Bristol to London, you have four options: coach, train, electric car ride, or nonelectric car ride.

The coach takes three hours and five minutes, and at 4.5kg of CO2 produced, gets an A rating, while the non-electric car options takes two hours and 24 minutes – but with 33kg of CO2, this option gets an F rating.

ow to get from A to B without SMEs and larger companies - which harming the planet? are increasingly aspiring to go green That’s the question University - will buy the tool so they can factor of Bristol graduate Albie Baker-Smith is in the environmental impact of doing determined to solve with his new travel business. carbon calculator, Route Zero.

That up-scaling will be easier now The clever tool quickly shows journey Albie has won a UK Government ‘Young However, this F grade options between two places, including Innovators Award’, which came with a can be bumped up to a ‘C’ (13kg), by telling their costs, estimated times and, crucially, £5,000 grant and funding to work two the calculator that you environmental impact. days a week on the project. will be sharing the trip Journeys are given eco-ratings from A to The award came just at the right time with others, driving F based on the amount of CO2 they produce for Albie, who quit his job at Bristol economically, and not and users can then easily choose to carbon satellite software company Bright using the air-conditioning. offset the journey.

Ascension at the end of 2020 to follow “It all started when I was going on holiday his passion: tackling the climate crisis. and wanted to find the greenest way to get But his journey to Route Zero started there,” 26-year-old Albie explains. long before then. As the son of two freelance illustrators “The travel calculators out there were clunky and not he always wanted to be an entrepreneur - “I was always very user friendly, so I decided to make my own. building and selling things to the neighbours,” he says “Travel emissions are such a visible part of the climate - and found he had a knack for pulling things apart and problem. 27 percent of UK emissions come from travel - a putting them back together. lot of which is single person car journeys – and I wanted to He started programming young, eventually joining find a way to incentivise people to change their habits.” the University of Bristol in 2015 and graduating from its The calculator is currently in its early stages and can be integrated Masters in Computer Science in 2019 with a used by anyone for free. As Albie scales up, he hopes that First.

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At Bristol he was part of a team that won £1,000 from the University’s Careers Service to develop a 3D printing business idea. He described their start-up support as “excellent”.

These skills have been invaluable in building Route Zero, which uses travel and emissions data from Google, Government websites and other sources to inform its algorithms.

“In the short term I want to start bringing customers on board; mostly companies that want to lower their emissions,” Albie explains.

“But ultimately I want to tackle the commuter emissions problem in the UK. If I could reach five million commuters with this calculator that could save one million tonnes of carbon a year.”

Tansy Jessop, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Bristol, says, “Albie’s innovation puts a carbon calculator in reach of every commuter’s pocket, encouraging sustainable travel. It is a fantastic tool to work towards achieving our shared ambition of getting to carbon net zero, helping us take a data-driven approach to changing our travel behaviour.

“At Bristol, sustainability is now part of every decision we make, and we are proud that Albie is using the skills he learnt with us to do something so important.”

Route Zero’s ultimate goal is to make it easier for everyone to travel more sustainably.

Albie Baker-Smith, Young Innovators Award Winner, through Route Zero, is helping the world get to carbon-neutral through Route Zero

Outlook Travel issue 08 | 85

THE LAST STOP PITCAIRN ISLAND

P I TC A I R N I S L A N D

THE LAST S T O P. AN OUTPOST IN the South Pacific, Pitcairn Island is the only inhabited land mass of the world’s most remote group of islands. Alongside Pitcairn, the group comprises Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno islands, all of which are British Overseas Territories.

They can be found 2,170 kilometres southeast of Tahiti.

The inhabitants here are the direct descendants of the mutineers of the British ship the HMS Bounty, and their Polynesian consorts, who settled on these shores in 1790.

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( P O P U L AT I O N 5 0 ) Entirely secluded from mainstream tourism, these legendary islands are a draw for adventurous travellers, who can reach their rugged shores from New Zealand through Pitcairn’s main supply ship – the MV Silver Supporter.

The journey to reach here is an adventure in itself, promising an epic sea voyage.

A volcanic outcrop, Pitcairn’s extraordinary biodiversity

IMAGE BY TUBS - THIS VECTOR IMAGE INCLUDES ELEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OR ADAPTED FROM THIS FILE:, CC BY-SA 3.0

encompasses pristine subtropical landscapes that host a vibrant plethora of endemic flora and fauna, including a thriving array of marine life. Indeed, Pictairn occupies a central position within one of the world’s largest marine reserves – a swathe of open ocean larger than the entire US state of Texas. As an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the stars above are equally impressive.

At just 3.2 kilometres long and one mile wide, the island’s capital of Adamstown can be found above Bounty Bay, reached by the one road appropriately known as ‘the Hill of Difficulty’. Although a small industry, tourism has now resumed on the island in the wake of COVID-19, after a two-year closure to protect its vulnerable population.

Puerto Vallarta has told its story...

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The major component of the publication takes the form of our Outlook Travel Guides, providing executives, avid travellers and our existing 575,000 international subscribers with the ultimate rundown of all the major economic drivers and thriving hubs across the world, with exclusive input from tourism industry associations and stakeholders – the people who know these places the best.

You can join the vast numbers of tourism sector players enjoying the exposure we provide across our digital and print platforms with a range of options, from advertising through to free-of-charge editorials, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and increase exposure.

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ISSUE 08

T R AV E L GUIDE

CYPRUS

Mediterranean escapism in the Land of Aphrodite F E AT U R E

YACHTING’S SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION Charting cleaner waters for the Adriatic

TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO VALLARTA From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

VALLARTA PUERTO From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

waters for the Adriatic Charting cleaner

REVOLUTION SUSTAINABLE YACHTING’S F E AT U R E

GUIDE TRAVEL

IT’S HIGH TIME BUSINESS MEETS LEISURE

Situated in the heart of Menlyn Maine, The Maslow Time Square is Sun International’s 238-room specialist business hotel. Not only a destination for professionals, but a portal for travellers. Boasting 17 floors that offer everything from business to leisure with tempting eateries, a relaxing business lounge and 13 bespoke conference rooms.

For the perfect balance of business and pleasure, be our guest.

THE MASLOW TIME SQUARE

209 Aramist Avenue, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa Tel: 0860 846 377 / 0860 TIMESQ Central Reservations: +27 11 780 7800 timesquare.reservations@suninternational.com