Wheeling’s Holiday Celebrations Bring In Millions Of Dollars For The Local Economy From Tourists 

BY  Ankita Dec 11, 2023

Get ready for the much-anticipated SGFE (Skift Global Forum East). It is the ultimate travel conference by Skift. This year, it joins forces with the annual summit of Dubai Tourism organized by the DET (the Department of Economy and Tourism). Save the dates – December 12-14, 2023, at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal. Forget about the things to do in Dubai. This three-part extravaganza includes the Skift Global Forum East, a MENA extension of the renowned Skift Global Forum. Brace yourself for deep dives into the future of travel, exploring innovations in marketing, strategy, and technology. Meanwhile, DET's bi-annual 'City Briefing' is the pulse of industry stakeholders coming together to share ideas and strategies. The Dubai Tourism Summit, born during last year's Skift Global Forum East, is a world-class thought leadership program for networking among industry stakeholders. The 'City Briefing' event gathers DET’s aviation, travel, hospitality, and retail partners to discuss the latest industry developments. Expect a powerhouse lineup at Skift Global Forum East 2023, featuring CEOs, thought leaders, and innovators from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Global Hotel Alliance, Dubai Airports, Emirates, Google, Accor, Emaar Hospitality Group, and more. Dive into discussions covering the future of travel, challenges of air capacity, post-pandemic trends for Chinese travelers, destination marketing through filmmaking, and the role of AI in shaping travel's future – with a focus on the dynamic Middle East region. Be part of conversations on global consumer shifts, building destination capacity, demographic trends, sustainability, and macroeconomic impacts on the industry. The Forum starts with a dazzling opening night reception at Cloud 22, Atlantis The Royal, on December 12, 2023 – an opportunity for networking and connecting with industry leaders. Ready to join the conversation? Register for detailed event information at https://live.skift.com/skift-global-forum-east-2023, the official Skift Global Forum East 2023 site. Don't miss this chance to be at the forefront of the travel industry's future. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report Thailand Becomes Most Preferred Destination For Tourists: Agoda Reports

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 8, 2023

The most preferred destinations for tourists traveling within their country as well as abroad remain a matter of trend and fluctuations. But one country that has seen a huge surge in inbound tourists is Thailand. Especially Indians who want a small break. This growth comes from Thailand's latest visa policy that allows visa-free entry to its visitors, one of the nationals being Indians. Thailand's Bangkok has stolen this coveted spot from Dubai, according to Agoda, an online travel platform. They analyzed the trends based on hotel bookings on their application. Ever since the government of Thailand has permitted visa-free entry for many countries including India, the country has seen a 26% increase in searches on Agoda and Indian tourists have found their favorite escape. Other countries that have recently waived the visa requirements for tourists of various nationals include Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Both of these countries are seeing renewed interest from tourists. The report says, “When it comes to international travel choices, Indians consistently favour short haul destinations across the region. Chart topper Bangkok and fifth most popular destination Pattaya are poised to further strengthen their appeal, with the recent announcement of visa-free travel for Indians to Thailand.” The report also said that, “The rankings with the most booked destinations on Agoda underscore a distinct inclination among Indians for tried-and-tested destinations, showcasing a preference for all-time favourites that have lots to offer to any type of traveller and no matter how frequently they are visited." Krishna Rathi, Agoda's country director for India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka says, "2023 has been an incredible year for travel in India. Agoda search numbers reveal growth on all levels: domestic, inbound, and outbound. I am excited to see how this trend will shape the travel industry in 2024. "Bangkok has been followed by Dubai, then Bali in the third and Singapore in the fourth place. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 31, 2023

When you are looking for places to visit, there are uncountable places that can be considered. But when you narrow your scope down to a slow-paced locality that has all the natural charms to get you feeling rejuvenated, the places become a lot less blingy and more earthy. The United Nations World Tourism Organization enlists all the names in world tourism. The organization has, in the past three years, recognized villages around the globe that "are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions." Here are some of them: Hakuba, Japan Hakuba may be famous for its winters, but it's worth a visit year-round. In the summer, he loves hiking up the mountains to lodges. In the autumn, it is popular with visitors who want to see the autumn foliage. And Hakuba's onsens – hot springs – are popular no matter the season. Lerici, Italy Unlike many other coastal Italian enclaves, Lerici has also kept up its traditional fishing industry. Among various sustainability initiatives, the town runs a pilot project called Smart Bay, which includes scientific research and monitoring of the bay and its ecosystems. It also introduced solar panels, banned single-use plastics, and prohibited cigarette smoking in coastal areas. Lephis, Ethiopia For natural beauty and wildlife, it's hard to beat the village of Lephis, located in Lephis Forest, around 160km south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Travelers can trek or horseback ride past the striking Lephis Waterfall and through hills and valleys, catching glimpses of animals, including colobus monkeys, leopards, and mountain nyala. Birdwatchers are in for a particular treat, with species including the Abyssian oriole and white-cheeked turaco. Some of the other villages are Douma, Lebanon, and Zapatoca, Colombia. Read Also: 10 Best Restaurants In The US 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