Grupo Piñero | Program to Protect Native Species at Cayo Levantado Resort in Samaná Bay - Dominican Republic

 

Grupo Piñero, Spanish tourism group founded in 1975 and headquartered in Palma de Mallorca present throughout the value chain of the vacation industry as part of its commitment to biodiversity conservation has successfully managed the first sea turtle nesting on the beach of its exclusive Cayo Levantado Resort, situated on an idyllic island in Samaná Bay in the eastern region of Dominican Republic, well – known tourist destination in the Caribbean country, thanks to its Sea Turtle Protection Program.

The Sea Turtle Protection Program aims to ensure the safety of sea turtles, such as the green turtle and loggerhead turtle, both endangered species, a programme that over the past ten years has protected more than 15.000 nests at rhe group's various properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

The team of Cayo Levantado Resort to ensure the correct identification and protection of nest on its beaches carries out patrols during the nesting season running from May to October and in the case the nests are endangered by predators or adverse conditions, they are moved to specially conditioned hatching pens, ensuring that the young are born in a safe environment.

This effort in critical to the survival of these vulnerable species and the resort team also maintains vigilance to prevent possible interference with natural spawning processes ensuring a protected environment for both adult turtles and hatchlings.

The plan of the group also includes safety measures with innovative strategies created to prevent predator attacks with the use of acoustic, olfactory and visual barriers, which have proven effective in protecting nests from threats as raccoons and coatis.

The programme apart the protection work also promotes education and awareness among employess and visitors about the importance of the program's work.

Guests of the resort can participate in expertly supervised ecotourism activities, such as nesting observation and the release of baby turtles, contributing to awareness of the preservation of these species.

Thanks to rigorous process and procedure in the last years, this great initiative was able to protect more than 15.000 nests on group's property in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico, consolidating its role in the presercation of biodiversity in the destinations in which Grupo Piñero operates.

The success of the first nesting at Cayo Levantado Resort reflects the positive impact of the measures integrated and adopted with the company's continued commitment to a regenerative tourism model.

In addition to this specific program linked to Sea Turtle Protection, further resort's greater achievements has been its ambitious flora conservation and restoration program highly focused on the identification and elimination of invasive exotic plants.

The notable collaboration with the National Botanical Garden allowed to eliminate more than 1.400 specimen of invasive species such as leucaena and noni, an operation which has permitted the restoration of the native vegetation of the island.

Also the conservation of fauna is another fundamental pillar, and linked to that more than 50 birds fallen from their nests were assisted as other injured animals which have been treated by specialized institutions or relocated to safe areas.

Within this comprehensive approach Cayo Levantado Resort has also implemented an innovative assisted butterfly breeding program, planned and designed to increase the density and diversity of these insects.

By creating specialized gardens that include floreal and host plants, Cayo Levantado Resort has facilitated the breeding and release of more than 500 butterflies of four different species, including the Peacock butterfly and the Caribbean Monarch.

link - https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/hoteles/103749_grupo_pinero_protege_especies_autoctonas_en_cayo_levantado_resort Links

Alaska Airlines | Starting to Sell Electronic Bag Tags to the General Public

 

Alaska Airlines, a major American airline based in SeaTac – Washington - U.S., within the Seattle metropolitan area, member of Oneworld alliance, founded in 1932 in Anchorage and commencing its operations in 1944 has begun selling electronic bag tags to the general public.

The North American airline company in December 2022 became the first carrier in the U.S. to introduce electronic bag tags when it started a trial technology with about 2.500 Mileage Plan members.

Alaska Airlines priced the tag at $89 and the vendor is Bagtag, company based in Almere - The Netherlands, group founded in 2013 with the purpose of introducing EBT, the first flexible and secure electronic bag solutions.

The airline said that since the trail managed in 2022, it has fine - tuned the product with improved on - screen instructions and a new strap.

The tag are developed to allow flyers to skip the step of printing a bag tag at the airport and instead users enable the electronic tag on the Alaska app.

Information coming from the phone transmits to the bag tag's screen, displaying the traveler's flight information.

The electronic tags are available for use within 24 hours of an upcoming flight and are functional for Alaska - branded flights in the U.S, Canada and Belize.

Link - https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Alaska-Airlines-starts-selling-electronic-bag-tags

Guatemala | Introduction of its MICE Tourism Potential in Europe

 Guatemala, country located in a northwestern corner of Central America, south of Mexico, home to rainforests, volcanoes, pristine beaches and ancient Mayan sites, highlighted by different ecosystems as varied as the mangroves of the Pacific wetlands to the mountains forests in the north west of the territory led by INGUAT, the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism participated at IBTM Word 2024,  the annual event which took place in Barcelona from 19th to 21st November 2024, one of the most prominent fairs in the world dedicated to MICE sector.

In this relevant event Guatemala introduced its MICE tourism potential in Europe showing its vibrant culture, ancient Mayan heritage and its modern infrastructure making it an ideal location for international business events and incentive travel.

Guatemala's strategic position in Central America, with direct connection from major cities elevate the country as a perfect choice for global markets in the international MICE segment.

The Representatives of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism were able to meet with industry leaders and press representatives to promote how Guatemala is a premier choice for impactful events that combine world - class facilities with unique, cultural experiences and a very diversified offer.

Guatemala offers a distinctive mix of natural beauty with World Heritage archaeological sites as the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua, known for its carved Mayan steles, Tikal National Park, a well - excavated and restored Mayan citadel with Temple V, which is 187 feet tall, the Lake Atitllán, a great attraction formed by a giant volcanic crater,  surrounded by captivating villages and vast coffee fields, the stunning Maya Biosphere of Petén, 14 ecoregions ranging from mangrove forests toboth ocean littorals with five different ecosystems and much more.

The country also boasts an important history, an ancient culture, Antigua Guatemala is a charming city highlighted by suggestive cobblestone streets, historic churches, convents, ruins and parks and it is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital Guatemala City offers multiple attractions among them the National Palace of Culture, the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Metropolitan Cathedral among others.

Of great interest is also Antigua, a centre west of the capital which preserves superb, Spanish colonial buildings and the country provides first-class venues and very comfortable hotels that satisfy travellers looking for memorable and extraordinary experiences.

With its presence in Europe, Guatemala demonstrates to be a very emergent country with a notable potential in the meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sectors, its presence in the international MICE market creating partnerships that align with its vision of positioning itself as a premier global destination is a great successful step for its tourism industry.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/103739_guatemala_exhibe_su_potencial_de_turismo_mice

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil | G20 Injected R$ 600 Million into the City's Economy

Rio de Janeiro, famed and huge seaside city in Brazil on the Atlantic Ocean, well known for its idyllic beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the emblematic Sugarloaf mountain, a granite peak with cable cars to its summit, the iconic 38 metres Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mount Corcovado, considered one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and highlighted by its bustling carnival featuring parade floats with samba dancers and flamboyant costumes hosted the G20 Summit, one of the most important events of the global calendar, the meeting of leaders of th world's largest economics which took place from 18^th to 19th november, an event that injected R$ 600 million into the economy of this captivating city.

The Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino said that Event Tourism strengthens the potential of destinations, reduces the seasonality of the sector, enhances local culture and involves the population, is of course a powerful segment contributing to economic movement and employment throughout the country.

In addition to positively strenghthening the image of Brazil on the international stage, Event Tourism segment is growing throughout the country generating income and jobs.

In the first six months of 2024, estimated consumption in the recreation sector which encompasses entertainment and cultural events, reached R$64 billion which means an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period in 2023 when the revenue was R$59 billion.

This relevant numbers came from Economic Radar, a study led by ABRAFE, the Brazilian Event Promoters and in terms of jobs creation, the sector formally employs almost 100.000 Brazilian citizens, not counting temporary workers.

A further notable data is concerning the flow of international flights to Rio de Janeiro also grew significantly of 41% driven by the G20 with flights from important countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Germany and the United States of America stand out with growth rates of 160%, 133% and 128% respectively with in total 388 international flights registered, compared to 275 in the same period ofc the previous year.

In addition to the direct economic impact, the G20 undoubtedly reinforced Rio's visibility as a tourism and events destination.

Other details concerning the growth of Brazil is the famous event Rock in Rio which took place on the first weekend of september 2024 increased accommodation searches by 37% and had an economic impact of R$ 2.9 million on the city's economy according to an estimate by FGV Getúlio Vargas Foundation, Brazilian higher education institution and think tank founded in 1944.

This data represents an increase of 7.8% compared to the R$2.69 billion of the 2022 edition, celebrated at the beginning of the year, generating R$5.0 billion attracting more than 8.0 million revelers.

The high demand directly impacted Galeão International Airport, which projects a flow of 326.000 passengers between the start of the G20 and the Black Awareness Holiday on 20^th november 2024.

This volume is 68% higher than last year and even exceeds the peaks of Carnival and New Year's Eve traditionally the times of gretest tourist influx in Rio de Janeiro.

During this period Rio airport will received more than 2.000 flights, which means an increase of 87% compared to 2023, standing out as a strategic point for the transport of participants, visitors and locals enjoying the holidays.

 Event tourism also benefited Rio de Janeiro's hotel sector and according to HotéisRIO, the Sindicato Patronal dos Meios de Hospedagem do Rio, the average occupancy of the city's hotels was 80% while in tourist neighborhoods such as Ipanema and Leblon, this rate was even higher, reaching 90.7% and in the five - star hotels selected to host international delegations as in occasion of the G20, the occupancy rate exceeded 95%.

In may of the current year, Perse, the new law of the Emergency Events Sector Resumption Program was developed resuming and re -formulating federal incentives for the segment.

The text exempts, for example, from the payment of IRPJ, the business income tax service providers and companies linked to the sector, CSSL, Social on Net Income and PIS/Cofins for a period of 60 months.

Activities as hotels are entitled to the benefits, as well as aparthotels, restaurants, bars, and other establishments specialising in serving drinks, with and without entertainment, travel agencies, including cruise companies, tour operators, amusement parks and theme parks, activities of botanical gardens, zoos, national parks, ecological reserves and environmental protection areas and services for the organisation of fairs, congresses,  exhibitions and parties among others.

Link - https://infoturlatam.com/g20-inyectara-r-600-millones-a-la-economia-de-rio-de-janeiro/

Macau - China | Incoming Tourism Grows with Visitors Number Increased by 13.7%

Macau, a special administrative region of China along with Hong Kong which maintains separate governing and economic systems from those of mainland China, located on the western side of the Pearl River Delta and facing the South China Sea to the south, former historical Portuguese colony, with a rich, cultural, cosmopolitan culture with an economy heavily dependent of gambling, tourism, shopping but also includes emergent, manufacturing activities sees its incoming tourism growing and visitors number increases by 13.7%.

This growth has led more than 3.1 million visitors in october 2024, a year  on - year increase of 13.7% according to the competent authorities.

The DSEC, Directorate of Statistics and Census Services reported that Macau recorded 3.155.358 visitors in october, a data which represents a recovery of 97.7% of the figure, observed in the same month of 2019, even before the covid – 19 pandemic.

After three years of very stricts restrictions due to the pandemic, the special administrative region of China reopened its borders to all international people including tourists, since the beginning of last year.

DSEC reported other statistical details linked to the month analyzed, reflecting the number of excursionists, 1.789.072 and tourists 1.346.286 both increased, in annual terms by 23.2% and 3.1 % respectively.

Concerning the origin of visitors, 2.263.443 came from within China, representing an increase of 16.1% compared to the same period in 2023.

Between january and october the number of visitors to Macau amounted to 29.056.272, a figure that translated means an increment of 28.1% than the same period last year.

PSP, the Public Security Police announced that the number of visitors who arrived in Macau in 2024 as of 10th november, exceeded 30 million.

In conclusion Macau in 2024 already surpassed the previous year when it received 28.2 million visitors, according to the official data provided by the Directorate of Statistics and Census Services.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/103765_aumenta_un_137_el_numero_de_visitantes_macao