Future of Travel, Skift Global Forum East 2023, Takes Off in Dubai!

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 1, 2023

Miss Universe Bahrain 2023 Lujane Yacoub and Miss Universe Pakistan 2023 Erica Robin have been announced to be the new faces of the Phillippine Department of Tourism. They will be promoting hall and wellness travel in the country after winning the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination Award earlier this year. The campaign aims to invite travelers from Arab and Muslim in order to make them experience the Philippines. It is a diverse and vibrant destination that offers halal-certified services, facilities, and products. The Philippines received the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination Award in 2023 from the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines in recognition of its efforts to cater to the needs and preferences of Muslim travelers. Led by Dubai-based Filipino Josh Yugen, who is the founder of Yugen PR & Events, the two Miss Universe queens arrived in Manila this weekend to collaborate with the Philippines Department of Tourism in promoting its “Halal and Wellness Tourism” campaign, inviting more travelers from Arab and Muslim countries to experience the Philippines. ‘Miss Universes’ trip to the Philippines would be a significant boost for our country that would hopefully influence the global Muslim community to visit the archipelago nation, which is home to white sand beaches, famous diving spots, lively entertainment, diverse cultural heritage and distinctive wildlife,” expressed Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar. ‘We are delighted to initiate this alliance with the beauty queens representing Arab and Muslim countries to further spread awareness of our country’s offering,’ said Jennifer Sanvictores, Global Head of Sales, Marketing and Communications for The Farm at San Benito & CG Hospitality. ‘ It brings a greater opportunity to attract travellers, not only from the Gulf, but also from the ASEAN region to come to The Farm at San Benito or any destination in the Philippines that has Halal certification. We look forward to caring for the beauty queen’s well-being while they are here with us and help them put their best foot forward at the global pageant next month.’ Read Also: Montana: The Unique Treasure Trove Of The United States Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists Sri Lanka Has Approved Visa-Free Entry For Visitors From Six Countries Including India

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 15, 2023

The holiday season is approaching and this is the time for travelers to make the best of the offers all around. Maldives, for one is offering the best Christmas all-inclusive plan at Oaga, Art Resort. The package includes it all, from boat transfer to food and drinks by the pool. This resort in the Maldives is offering something unique this festive season. Visitors also have the opportunity to discover the real Maldivian culture. There are water sports, spa, cocktail classes and the unique Maldivian entertainment that will elevate the festive experience.   The magical atmosphere at Oaga is vibrant and dynamic. It is setting new standards of Maldivian luxury. The spot is welcoming guests with both friends and family. With Christmas just around the corner guests are being treated to indulgent festive feasts coupled with the timeless delight of watching the much adored film "Home Alone." With added brunch packages accompanied by live music and the excited wait for Santa Claus. From 9pm-11pm the beach bells and bubbles beach party with DJ Afruh will come to a close in the evening with dance and celebration. The merriment obviously continues even after Christmas offering a plethora of activities to maintain the spirit of Christmas in between the Boxing Day bonfire at Raa Raa Beach accompanied by live music by Zaki and live authentic Maldivian music, cocktail parties, jewelry workshops, and then concluding in the deeply anticipated gala dinner. The entire event promises an unforgettable experience to have the festive season reach its pinnacle. Read More About: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 27, 2023

The holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's are all about happiness, family, and celebration. This entails engaging in festive customs and spending time with loved ones for the majority of people. However, these holidays have a whole new significance for cosmonauts and astronauts in space. Vacations in space were uncommon in the early years of space exploration. The first Christmas spent in space by astronauts was during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders read passages from the Bible's Book of Genesis while in orbit around the moon, broadcasting the scenes to an estimated billion viewers worldwide. Vacations in space increased in frequency and length as missions went on. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue observed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in space during the 1973–1974 Skylab 4 mission. They watched a comet pass by, made a homemade Christmas tree out of food containers, and had a festive dinner that included fruitcake. For cosmonauts, the New Year's holiday was particularly important. Yuri V. Romanenko and Georgi M. Grechko were the first people to celebrate the new year while in orbit on the Salyut-6 space station in 1977 and 1978. In a broadcast on television, they raised a glass to the occasion. Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman observed Hanukkah in 1993 while on the STS-61 mission aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. To celebrate the Festival of Lights, he spun a dreidel and carried a traveling menorah. Holidays were not only observed in space, but astronauts went above and beyond to make the occasion joyful. The 1999 STS-103 crew, who were entrusted with fixing the Hubble Space Telescope, celebrated Christmas with a special meal that included French specialties. Twelve Mir expedition crews, including NASA astronauts, spent their vacations on board the Russian space station between 1987 and 1998. Messages were exchanged and customs, like lighting Hanukkah candles and sending Christmas greetings, were demonstrated during these festivities. On board the International Space Station, holiday celebrations are still customarily observed. Whether it's through live broadcasts, symbolic decorations, or special food items, astronauts and cosmonauts find inventive ways to bring the joy of these festivities to the cosmic realm. Though they may be different, people who celebrate the holidays far above Earth still find great meaning and significance in them. Read Also: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Bora Bora Is Shifting Its Tourism Policy, Aims To Double Tourists By 2033