Vietnam’s International Tourist Influx Surpasses Expectation, Reaches 8.9 Million

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 14, 2023

Oman and Zanzibar are now two of the most popular destinations for tourists of Hungary, especially in the New Year time. Both countries are visited mainly by couples and adults. The number of tourists visiting the two spots have recordedly increased sevenfold. The beginning of the winter season has come late crossing over from the long, mild autumn, onto the winter. Bookings for the end of the year are now open. But what can you expect in the winters of these two countries? Although Turkey, Egypt, and the Canary Islands are perennial favorites, they are also frequented all year. The holiday bookings in the autumn months has increased by 27-28% in the last year. Regardless of family status and the calendar, and looking at the cold seasons in general – October to April – Egypt, Turkey, and the Canary Islands are competing with Zanzibar and the United Arab Emirates for the top spot. At the end of the season, it will be interesting to see how this year’s new hit, Oman, finally shifts the ranking. In the autumn-winter period, the majority of travelers spend eight to nine days away, and 76% of trips opt for all-inclusive or ultra-all-inclusive for these days. 55% of those who travel at this time of year are in the 40-59 age group: for them, such a trip is also about self-care, whether it is about preparing for the end-of-year drive or relaxing. Most people travel on Fridays and Sundays, the fewest on Mondays. Read Also: November Trips In 2023: From London To The World Vietnam’s International Tourist Influx Surpasses Expectation, Reaches 8.9 Million

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 25, 2023

For Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday, Play Airlines is offering a new deal. You can now get a 35% discount on flights from Stewart Airport to several popular European destinations, including Iceland, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Copenhagen, Dublin, and Amsterdam. This offer is valid between November 24th and 28th, and you can book flights for travel between December 2023  and May 2024 on flyplay.com. You do not need a promo code to avail of this offer. Two former executives of Wow Air, which ceased operations and went bankrupt in March 2019, founded Play. The airline has been operating daily flights from Newburgh to Reykjavik since June 2022, and it has been expanding its list of destinations. Recently, Play launched new routes to Amsterdam, Glasgow, and Venice, allowing travelers to plan spring getaways, summer trips, and spontaneous vacations, as stated by Play CEO Birgir Jónsson. For Hudson Valley residents, Stewart Airport is a convenient option, while for those coming from New York City, Play provides a Stewart Airport Express shuttle that is timed with its flights. “(Stewart) is a popular airport for New York and surrounding area travelers as it offers the convenience that other airports in the area do not. It is uniquely situated as a hub for travelers in Manhattan, the growing Hudson Valley area, and surrounding states,” Jónsson said. Play's fares encompass all necessary fees, taxes, and carrier charges. However, there are limitations and baggage fees that may apply. You can visit Play's website to obtain more information on their baggage fees. From Friday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 28, Play Airlines, an Icelandic budget airline, is providing a discount of 35% on its already budget-friendly flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and New York’s Stewart International Airport (SWF) to various destinations in Europe. Reyjavík Paris Berlin Frankfurt London Copenhagen Dublin Amsterdam Read More About: Venice Reveals 2024 Dates For Tourist Entry Fees: Report Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like?