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NEWS
Around the world in seven stories…
AIRLINES
SYDNEY TO BENGALURU FLIGHTS TAKE OFF
QANTAS HAS ESTABLISHED the first direct connection between Australia and Southern India by any airline, with the launch of a new route from Sydney to Bengaluru.
A significant boost to connectivity between India and New South Wales, the route will reduce the current fastest travel time between the two cities by almost three hours.
As well as boosting tourism and economic relations, the new flights offer corporate and leisure travellers a non-stop route to Bengaluru. Widely regarded as India’s Silicon Valley, many Australian and global financial technology organisations have established major operations in the city.
Demand has been strong since the announcement of the new service earlier this year, with both outbound and inbound inaugural flights sold out in all cabins.
COVID-19 JAPAN TO FULLY REOPEN TO TOURISTS
THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT is reportedly planning to fully reopen its borders to international tourists as early as October.
Only a limited number of tourists have been allowed into Japan as part of guided package tours, however officials hope the current weakness of the Yen will attract tourists to the country.
Curiously, the decision to reopen to international tourists comes as Japan recovers from a record-high number of COVID-19 cases. More than 200,000 new cases were recorded daily in late August, despite more than 80 percent of the population being vaccinated against COVID-19.
FOLLOWING THE DEATH of Queen Elizabeth II, mourners hoping to visit London are being told to prepare for unprecedented travel demand.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to make the trip, with the Queen’s coffin lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster before her funeral. Travellers are being urged by the likes of Network Rail and Transport for London (TfL) to plan ahead and expect crowded transport services and congested stations, as the nation comes together to pay their respects.
Transport providers have welldeveloped plans in place, with additional members of staff and services to help ensure Londoners and visitors to the capital can get to where they need to be easily and safely.
TOURISM REVENUE IN Greece is expected to reach €20 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the Minister for Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias.
In June 2022, revenues were a staggering 224.5 percent higher than in the corresponding period of 2021, figures from the Bank of Greece have revealed.
In what has so far been a record year for tourism, Greece is set to surpass the 32 million arrivals registered in 2019, with visitors flocking to both branded and alternative destinations on the Greek mainland and surrounding islands.
Tourism is a vitally important sector in Greece, accounting for around 25 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The anticipated increase in tourism-related revenue is set to boost GDP in Greece significantly.
TRANSPORT UNITED AIRLINES INVESTS IN ELECTRIC FLYING TAXI MARKET
A $15 MILLION investment in Eve Air Mobility (Eve), and a conditional purchase agreement for up to 400 eVTOL aircraft, has been announced by United Airlines.
First deliveries of the flying taxis, which have the potential to revolutionise the commuter experience in cities across the world, are expected as early as 2026. The two companies also intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use, and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.
The agreement sees United Airlines become the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies, and highlights its confidence in the UAM market.
FOR THE FIRST time, Vietnam has been awarded the title of “Asia’s leading nature destination” at the World Travel Awards, which acknowledge excellence in the tourism and travel industry.
Votes are cast by travel industry professionals as well as the public, who recognised Vietnam’s abundance of national parks, nature reserves, habitat conservation areas, and biosphere reserves.
Ecotourism activities have been developing at 61 of Vietnam’s national parks and nature reserves, whilst many of the country’s high-end resorts prioritise environmental sustainability and make use of ecofriendly materials.
Vietnam was also named “Asia’s leading destination” for the second consecutive time at the awards.
AIRLINES EXPANDED ICELAND PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
JET2.COM AND JET2CITYBREAKS are giving customers and independent travel agents an even greater choice of scheduled winter services and dedicated trips to Iceland.
The award-winning airline and city break specialist will operate to Iceland from nine of its UK bases next winter. Iceland has continued to experience strong demand thanks to its abundance of natural wonders, such as the Northern Lights, with winter proving to be particularly popular as a result.
Comprising more than 135 departing flights and over 27,000 seats on sale, next year’s expanded programme represents a capacity increase of 24 percent compared to this winter.
