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	<title>Rahanna van Stapele, Author at TravMagazine</title>
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                        <title>ANVR presents special meeting locations for congress in Oman</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/special-locations-announced-for-anvr-congress-in-oman/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/special-locations-announced-for-anvr-congress-in-oman/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:49:41 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RMC]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/special-locations-announced-for-anvr-congress-in-oman/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
During its annual congress, which will take place in Oman this year, the ANVR hopes not only to inspire with a diverse line-up of speakers, but also by having the meetings take place at special locations. Some of them have just been announced by the organization. The first reception will take place on Thursday 14 &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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During its annual congress, which will take place in Oman this year, the ANVR hopes not only to inspire with a diverse line-up of speakers, but also by having the meetings take place at special locations.
Some of them have just been announced by the organization.     The first reception will take place on Thursday 14 November in the building of the Ministry of Tourism itself, where the kick-off of the congress will also take place that afternoon.
On Saturday the 16th, the conference programme will continue at the impressive Royal Opera House, and on Sunday 17 November, a session will take place at the Civil Aviation Authority.
&#8216;We are very proud to be able to present these special locations to you.
These locations will not be open to everyone, which makes it even more special that we will be able to visit them in November,&#8217; says Hanita van der Meer (marketing &amp; communication specialist ANVR). Program A few things are already known about the themes and speakers during the conference days.
For example, the themes on Thursday are dealing with change (fountainheads), innovative leadership in times of transition (Diane Nijs), the Reiswerk Travel Challenge (Jolijn &amp; Stijn), the challenges and developments of the ANVR (Frank Radstake), and completely new is the college tour interview with Marc van Deursen.
On Saturday, the progress of the ANVR sustainability vision will be discussed, during which a panel/room discussion will be held.
The day will also reflect on the positive impact of tourism (Cantal Bakker) and the future of aviation and mobility (Carlo van de Weijer).
The lunch will be dedicated to Oman&#8217;s partners, and the special business travel program will be organized for the business travel participants, with another exclusive meeting at the JW Marriott that afternoon.
Sunday starts with an entrepreneurial story by Joshua van Eijndhoven, followed by Customer Experience 3.0 with Nienke Bloem.
With Max van den Burg, the conference will be &#8216;smashingly closed&#8217;.           
Registration and reservation
Friday 15 November is dedicated to the destination Oman, and there is the opportunity for the participants to get to know the country better.
Van Der Meer: &#8216;They can choose from 3 great excursions.
Traditionally, there is no program on Friday evenings, so you have the opportunity to choose your own dinner location.
A large number of restaurants have now been published on the conference website for this purpose.
We advise conference attendees to book early because November is a very popular month for business conferences in Oman.
The counter now stands at 145 participants and with the end of the summer holidays in sight, registrations are increasing every day.
If anyone is still in doubt, it is recommended to register as soon as possible .&#8217;      
&nbsp;
The post ANVR presents special meeting locations for congress in Oman appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Networking drink TravDay (8 October) sponsored by AXA Partners</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/axa-sponsors-networking-drinks-at-travday-8-october/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/axa-sponsors-networking-drinks-at-travday-8-october/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:48:43 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/axa-sponsors-networking-drinks-at-travday-8-october/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
After a successful previous edition at the beginning of this year, TravDay will reopen its doors to everyone working in the travel industry on Tuesday 8 October. Discover the latest destinations, get in direct contact with parties, get up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations, and make valuable connections during the cozy networking drinks sponsored &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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After a successful previous edition at the beginning of this year, TravDay will reopen its doors to everyone working in the travel industry on Tuesday 8 October.
Discover the latest destinations, get in direct contact with parties, get up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations, and make valuable connections during the cozy networking drinks sponsored by AXA Partners.     This 8 October, you will have the opportunity to get in touch face-to-face with representatives of airlines, tourist boards, DMCs, convention bureaus, tour operators, car rental companies, insurers and innovative ICT companies, among others.
Take part in inspiring conversations and fun networking moments, such as the informal networking drinks at the end of the day. AXA Partners Imagine: (a world) traveler who dreams of adventure, but also of peace of mind.
That&#8217;s where AXA Partners comes in.
With 40,000 responders in 200 countries, they offer tailor-made travel and cancellation insurance solutions.
But that&#8217;s not all.
Thanks to their innovative digital services, customers receive valuable information and support wherever they are.
Whether you&#8217;re on a secluded beach or in a bustling metropolis, AXA Partners is always there for you.
This way, you can go on an adventure with peace of mind, knowing that you are protected worldwide. Have you signed up for TravDay yet?  The location of TravDay is again the atmospheric Rijtuigenloods in Amersfoort, which is easy to reach due to its central location (near the A1 and A28 and within walking distance of Amersfoort railway station). You can sign up here  Main sponsor:         
The post Networking drink TravDay (8 October) sponsored by AXA Partners appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>&#8216;Sustainable travel brings something extra&#8217;</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/sustainable-travel-brings-something-extra/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/sustainable-travel-brings-something-extra/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:29:54 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
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            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/sustainable-travel-brings-something-extra/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
In 2023, 69% of travelers consciously sought more eco-friendly travel options, according to figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group earlier this year. Interest in rail travel is also on the rise, with new and more luxurious routes – such as from Paris to Berlin and the extensive Orient Express &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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In 2023, 69% of travelers consciously sought more eco-friendly travel options, according to figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group earlier this year. Interest in rail travel is also on the rise, with new and more luxurious routes – such as from Paris to Berlin and the extensive Orient Express routes around Italy – quickly gaining popularity. TravMagazine speaks with travel providers who specialize in sustainability about their vision.    Although sustainability is the &#8211; or one of the &#8211; most heard word(s) in recent years, it can be interpreted in different ways. For example, the emphasis can mainly be on the emission of harmful substances, but it can also refer to the entire way in which the travellers behave towards the natural environment and local population at their destination. Radically different Saskia Griep is founder and CEO of travel provider Better Places, which declared sustainability as one of its focuses when it was founded ten years ago. &#8216;Our sustainable tourism revolves around three pillars: people, planet and profit. When we started, the emphasis was on people and profit, but due to concerns about climate change, we shifted our focus to planet. Especially in countries where we help residents with our travels, the effects of climate change are the first to be noticed. To keep our planet liveable, we advocate radically different travel: closer to home, at a slower pace, and with a focus on the experience of the destination.&#8217;    She continues: &#8216;Sometimes it seems as if people think that &#8216;sustainable&#8217; is another word for &#8216;expensive&#8217;. Ten years ago, that was understandable, but not anymore. Sustainability is a way to improve the quality of our trips. You get something extra in return: a better experience, a special encounter, more adventure. Flying every year becomes less obvious. We see a growing demand for train travel, even to destinations such as Sicily, Sweden and Slovenia.&#8221; She continues: &#8216;Better Places wants to show that sustainability is not restrictive, but part of the travel experience. We have grown strongly in recent years. While our focus is not specifically on growth, but more on making our range more sustainable and satisfied customers and employees.&#8217;  The customer books a trip to Mexico. What distinguishes this Better Places journey from that of a &#8216;regular&#8217; provider?  &#8216;In concrete terms, making our offer more sustainable means that we make our trips as long as possible: at least eighteen days for long-haul destinations. We work with small-scale and sustainable hotels and offer excursions where meeting the residents is central. We avoid domestic flights and encourage travellers to eat plant-based more often when travelling.&#8217;  Who is the main target group at the moment?  &#8220;Our customers range from couples around the age of 50 to families with older children. They appreciate our customization and the expertise of our local travel experts. We aim for satisfaction scores of nine or ten, which leads to repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals.&#8221; Better Places offers more than sixty different destinations. What were the biggest challenges the organization faced in creating a broad but sustainable offering? Griep: &#8216;To make our portfolio more sustainable, we have greatly expanded our range of trips within Europe. Flying to Croatia causes 501 kilograms of CO2 emissions, while a return trip to Indonesia quickly causes 7,031 kilograms of emissions. That&#8217;s fourteen times more. We have a climate action plan with concrete targets, including reducing our emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 2019. Flying is way too cheap. The price you pay does not include the costs of environmental damage and air pollution. As long as those costs are paid by society instead of the polluter, it is difficult to get people out of the cheap plane and onto the more expensive train.&#8217;  
&#8216;Our travellers have really searched for impact travel&#8217;
  Fair2 Travel is a small specialist travel provider with, as the name suggests, a focus on sustainability, which is sometimes found via via, but mostly by customers who actively search online for &#8216;sustainable travel&#8217;. Fair2 Travel is also regularly present at sustainability fairs, such as the Triodos market.    Caroline de Greeff, founder and managing director: &#8216;Our target group can best be described as people for whom sustainability is really important. Within this we see two types of travelers: the somewhat younger customers who love comfort and special experiences and like to stay in beautiful ecolodges, and on the other hand the somewhat older travelers who come to us because of the local encounters and being able to support local development. The latter group likes &#8216;homestays&#8217; and eating with and with the locals.&#8217;  Which destinations do you book the most?  &#8216;Bangladesh, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, and we see the most enthusiasm for trips with many community-based activities, contact with local peoples and where you travel around with a local guide. For Europe, we are slowly seeing the rise of sustainable travel, without flying. In addition, most people specifically opt for a train journey.&#8217; Sustainability cannot really be called a trend, but rather a theme that has certainly dominated the industry in recent years. Is De Greeff seeing a strong increase in customers? &#8216;We see more and more that people consciously choose us as a sustainable organisation. Of course, there are more and more travel organizations that include the aspect of sustainability in their arrows, but it is in our genes, it has been our starting point for more than ten years and our travelers are looking for impact trips and not necessarily for the cheapest possible option.&#8217; What were the biggest challenges &#8216;along the way&#8217;? &#8216;Keeping details up-to-date with a small team, such as travel dates and prices, but also substantive routes. Of course, we want to continue to offer special authentic trips and have to do a regular quality check in the field of sustainability, and that with a small team is a challenge. We want to continue to ensure that all elements of a trip are as sustainable as possible, and not all countries understand this yet.    In some destinations, you have to keep talking about developments in sustainability.&#8217; De Greeff continues: &#8216;Also train journeys. Further destinations by train are still quite a challenge, because you may have to deal with delays and missing connections. Sometimes there is maintenance on the track and you have to keep checking the train updates for each destination. Traveling by train is really a conscious choice, but it&#8217;s not necessarily cheaper. That&#8217;s why not all customers opt for this.&#8217;  I book a trip to Vietnam with Fair2travel. What makes this distinctive &#8216;green&#8217;?  &#8216;Within our offer, this is reflected in the possibility to travel more by public transport, to stay in people&#8217;s homes in homestays, and to travel to remote areas where local peoples are not yet so familiar with tourism. With every trip, we also encourage people to participate in community-based activities: activities run by the community, to which you as a traveler can contribute and thus experience a culture in a different way. The proceeds of this also remain largely or entirely in the community. We also have (multi-day) cycling and walking activities at many destinations, near and far, to encourage slow travel more.&#8217;  What are the long-term goals?  &#8216;We would like to see all forms of tourism make greater strides in sustainability, and that we no longer have to offer flights with fossil fuels. It would also be nice if alternatives to flying became more easily accessible, for example through better train connections.  If we relate it to our own objectives, we want to make a sustainable choice possible in as many destinations in the world as possible. And with the impact we make as a social enterprise, contribute much more to local tourism. Yet another goal is to work more closely with independent travel agents or other organizations that are also looking for more sustainable travel for their customers.&#8221;  What do you expect from the developments of sustainability within the industry in the coming years? Can it be done faster?  &#8216;Making sustainability faster and better could be done, but then we would really be dependent on infrastructure and the will of governments to contribute to this. In Europe alone, much more could be done to improve the infrastructure of trains. Fortunately, we do see that almost all travel organizations have started to understand the importance of sustainability, and organizations are also increasingly acting on this. Consider, for example, overtourism: we prefer not to send people to busy hotspots, but rather to special alternatives.&#8217;  Avila Beach Hotel  Sustainability is something we see more and more in the travel industry. The hotels on Curaçao, among others, are also focusing more and more on this important topic. This also applies to the Avila Beach Hotel, says Robbin Vogels (general manager of Avila Beach Hotel). &#8216;We are one of the few hotels on the island with a close relationship with the local population. This is mainly due to the fact that we are the oldest operational hotel on the island and therefore the setting for many warm memories, not only of (loyal) hotel guests, but also of the locals. Without the support and love of the local community, Avila would have been a different Avila. And the hotel is happy to repay this favor.&#8221; Local Schools Avila Beach Hotel has a long-standing relationship with a number of local schools. In the past, almost every employee of the hotel donated a small amount of their salary every month to the Orange School for many years. These donations were doubled by the management and they saved this to make a large investment once a year. The Oranjeschool no longer exists, but we still provide computers and other equipment and support for the Pedro Luis Brion School, Schotborgh school and Kolegio Don Sarto. Eden Reforestation Project Starting in October 2019, the Avila Beach Hotel will plant one tree in Haiti for every room night booked directly through the website, through the Eden Reforestation Project. This is a non-profit organization in the United States. Through their network of ground reforestation partners, they fund tree planting in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. &#8216;In this way, we give something back to nature for our and future generations.&#8217; Pack for a Purpose The Avila Beach Hotel is a member of Pack for a Purpose, which encourages hotel guests to bring supplies useful to the Schotborgh school, Pedro Luis Brion school and Kolegio Don Sarto. And it catches on, because guests often bring a package of school supplies. With initiatives, such as Pack for a Purpose, the Avila Beach Hotel wants to contribute to the local community. Recycling One of the goals of the Avila Beach Hotel is innovation and sustainability. They try to save and recycle as much energy as possible. The hotel therefore received the international Travelife Gold Award in 2013 and also the local Sustainable Innovation Award 2013, which was presented for the first time in Curaçao by the Business Platform Environment. The aim is to increase efficiency in all business decisions. All opportunities for a better environment and the well-being of their employees as well as the community in Curaçao are fully exploited. &#8216;Together we can create a better world, even on such a small island as Curaçao,&#8217; says Vogel.  
VvKR
  Caroline de Greeff is also Sustainability Coordinator for the Association of Small-Scale Travel Organizations (VvKR), with over 450 members. In this role, she works together with the association&#8217;s Sustainable Working Group to support members in their sustainability. De Greeff sees that more and more members are focusing specifically on the sustainable travel niche. &#8216;For example, we see more and more members who focus on train travel, travel close to home and active travel, such as walking, sailing or cycling in Europe. Travel with a positive impact to distant destinations is also increasingly being offered. Moreover, a majority of the affiliated travel organizations are consciously working on making their travel offer and organizations more sustainable. Many members plant trees to capture CO2, more and more members are partners of Travelife and many members are working to reduce plastic and other waste.&#8217;    She also says: &#8216;The VvKR wants to remain a forerunner in more sustainable travel in the long term. Most of our members consciously choose to travel away from the crowd with their small-scale trips. In this way, they ensure a greater spread of tourism and income at the destinations. They also often have long-term relationships with partners and suppliers, which allows them to contribute to the local community together. In this way, they make a positive impact on the destinations. Because of the small scale, our members in particular can more easily adapt to changing circumstances, such as sustainability. Together with them, we will continue to work on these challenges of the future. Within the travel industry, we see that there is a lot of attention for sustainability. No organization dares to say that sustainability is not important. At the same time, much remains to be done. It would help us enormously if the infrastructure for more sustainable travel was supported more and faster by governments. Think of cheaper and better train traffic, for which the tickets can easily be booked for further train journeys as well. But also to making aircraft more sustainable more quickly, making travel to distant destinations more sustainable.&#8217;
The post &#8216;Sustainable travel brings something extra&#8217; appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>International visitors are spending more than ever in Europe</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/foreign-visitors-are-spending-more-than-ever-in-europe/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/foreign-visitors-are-spending-more-than-ever-in-europe/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:51:07 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/foreign-visitors-are-spending-more-than-ever-in-europe/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
This year, foreign visitors are expected to spend a record 800 billion euros in Europe. This is according to a recent report by the European Travel Commission. Many visitors from the United States in particular flock to Europe. Tourist spending in Europe is likely to increase by 13.7 percent compared to last year. Most of &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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This year, foreign visitors are expected to spend a record 800 billion euros in Europe. This is according to a recent report by the European Travel Commission. Many visitors from the United States in particular flock to Europe. Tourist spending in Europe is likely to increase by 13.7 percent compared to last year. Most of this spending, at 72 percent, takes place in Western Europe, according to the report.



The number of tourists from outside Europe is 6 percent higher this year than in 2019, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic. Europe remains especially popular among Americans, partly because inflation in the United States is more persistent than in Europe, the researchers said. The number of visitors from East Asian countries is also increasing.
Destinations in Northern Europe are gaining popularity. For example, the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in Denmark (plus 38 percent), Norway (plus 18 percent) and Sweden (plus 9 percent) is growing significantly. In addition, less traditional or crowded destinations in southern Europe, such as Croatia and Malta, are becoming increasingly popular. In Albania, a growth of 86 percent is even expected in the number of overnight stays by tourists compared to the pre-corona year of 2019.







Image ©: JeanLucIchard / Shutterstock.com





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                        <title>Special Middle East: this is what you want to know about Oman, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/special-middle-east-this-is-what-you-want-to-know-about-oman-ras-al-khaimah-and-sharjah/</link>
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            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:49:58 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

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            <description><![CDATA[
Everyone knows the iconic Dubai with its glittering skyscrapers and glamour, or Abu Dhabi with its majestic mosques and luxurious resorts, but of course these are only two of the total seven emirates. TravMagazine speaks with the tourist offices of the lesser-known Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah, and two product managers explain the offer in &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Everyone knows the iconic Dubai with its glittering skyscrapers and glamour, or Abu Dhabi with its majestic mosques and luxurious resorts, but of course these are only two of the total seven emirates.
TravMagazine speaks with the tourist offices of the lesser-known Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah, and two product managers explain the offer in Oman.   Ras al Khaimah
&#8216;During the Jais Flight, you fly over the ravines like a bird&#8217;
  &#8220;Ras Al Khaimah is a resort destination, very different from the other Emirates,&#8221; says Danielle Goedkoop (spokesperson for the Ras Al Khaimah Tourist Board).
&#8220;There is a 64-kilometre-long coastline with mangroves and beautiful beaches, combined with the desert, which is only a 20-minute drive from the coast, and the highest mountains in the UAE make it a unique destination. Tip: let your customers experience the glitz and glamour of Dubai for a few days and then book them for a day or four or five in a wonderful resort in Ras Al Khaimah to rest and discover the local culture and nature. Pearl Farm
 What activities should you recommend to the client, and what is a good length of stay? &#8216;In Ras Al Khaimah you will find various activities in the mountains, the desert and along the coast. One of the most important must-do&#8217;s is the longest zipline in the world, the Jais Flight, which allows you to fly like a bird through the mountains and over ravines. Another excursion not to be missed is the Suwaidi Pearl Farm. Here you sail with an authentic dhow, past the mangroves and flamingos and once you arrive at the &#8216;floating farm&#8217; you will learn everything about the centuries-old history of the pearl fishers. My personal favorite is a desert drive, to spot the Arabian oryx and gazelles. Also very interesting: a date tasting at one of the date plantations!&#8217; &#8220;I would recommend at least 4 nights to see the highlights and to enjoy the wonderful beaches at the beautiful world-class resorts that the destination offers. The emirate is very accessible: it&#8217;s a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport to your hotel.&#8217;
Jebel Jais in Ras al Khaimah8000 rooms
 Goedkoop: &#8216;Ras Al Khaimah has the ambition to grow to 3.5 million by the end of 2030 and that growth is on track this year, with us already receiving 1.22 million international visitors in 2023. At the moment, Russia is the largest market, followed by Kazakhstan and the UK. The Benelux is a growth market and, in collaboration with various travel organizations, in addition to further product development, we are working brand awareness and growth in the number of visitors. More than 8000 rooms are scheduled to be added to the accommodation offer in Ras Al Khaimah. In recent months, the Anantara and Sofitel have opened and in the coming years the Westin, Nobu and W Hotel, among others, will open. A major game-changer for the destination will be the Wynn Resort: in 2027, the doors of this 1500-room hotel and the UAE&#8217;s first casino will open. Finally, Goedkoop indicates that she would like to put the travel professional in touch with the hoteliers of Ras al Khaimah, and that one has a chance to win a free stay by following the Online Travel Training about the Emirate.       Sharjah
&#8216;Our heritage has earned us prestigious awards&#8217;
  With the largest number of museums in the country and international events such as one of the world&#8217;s largest book fairs, Sharjah is also considered the cultural capital of the UAE, we hear from Maysoun Al Hosany of Sharjah Tourist Board.
&#8216;Combined with beautiful natural and historical sites such as the UNESCO-nominated archaeological site of Mleiha and the historic district of Heart of Sharjah, we offer a varied experience. Our rich cultural heritage has earned us prestigious awards, such as the UNESCO Capital of Culture of the Arab World, and World Book Capital 2019.&#8217; In the past decade, Sharjah has been the only UAE emirate to be awarded these titles.
&#8216;With many of our tourist spots, we cater to this niche audience.&#8217; Al Noor Island in Khalid Lake © Creative family Shutterstock The airport of this third-largest emirate welcomed more than 15 million passengers from more than 100 countries in 2023, there was an 11% increase in the number of hotel guests and European visitors now made up 27% of the total.
Sharjah is striving to carve out a place for itself among its bigger brothers Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with Russia, the UAE, India, Oman and Saudi Arabia currently the largest source of tourism.     
Accessibility
  Al Hosany: &#8216;Sharjah is the only UAE emirate that shares a border with all six other emirates, and has seaports on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It has a well-connected international airport and is actively working to improve infrastructure, with multimillion-dollar road expansion projects to improve connectivity between different regions within the emirate itself. Guests enjoy modern hospitality, for example in the famous hotels such as Chedi Al Bait or Serai Wing, Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim.&#8217;  
Nature reserves
  Must-do&#8217;s according to the tourist board?
&#8216;Certainly a selection of the art galleries, museums, mosques and historical sites. In addition, we have a vibrant cuisine, from traditional Emirati to international dishes. For adventure seekers, Sharjah&#8217;s vast deserts, picturesque mountains, and pristine coastlines offer opportunities for dune adventures, nature walks and cycling, water sports, and beach activities. Nature lovers can also explore Sharjah&#8217;s fifteen nature reserves and the well-known Sharjah Safari, the largest safari park outside of Africa, as well as numerous ecologically responsible luxury retreats, including the &#8216;Sharjah Collection.&#8217;   
Ecotourism
  &#8216;Our ecotourism is also a major draw, with a wide range of sustainable travel experiences. Our east coast destinations, such as Kalba and Khorfakkan, are perfect for this. We&#8217;re excited about the response to the new additions, such as the Hanging Gardens, a sprawling 1.6-million-square-foot park with more than 100,000 trees, as well as Al Hefaiyah Lake, which features 11.7 kilometers of mountain trails and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.&#8221;  Al North Mosque © Ayman Noureldin Shutterstock



Oman
&#8216;The Middle East&#8217;s best-kept secret&#8217;
Oman and the United Arab Emirates are popular destinations with Silverjet Holidays.
Product managers Lydia Kortekaas (Oman) and Jeannette Guilbert (UAE) explain the offer, including tips. 
Here are a few things you should definitely see when you&#8217;re in Oman.
The Grand Mosque in Muscat is a must-see.
The architecture is impressive, both inside and out.
Muscat itself is fun to explore, especially the Muttrah Souk, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world.
Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab are paradisiacal oases with crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming.
The fort of Nizwa, the largest fort in Oman, offers a magnificent view of the city and the mountains.
In the coastal area of Ras Al Hadd, you can spot green sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach.
In the Hajar Mountains lies Jabel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East.
Wahiba Sands is the most beautiful desert in the north of Oman with desert camps such as Magic Camp.For an introduction to the rich history and original atmosphere of these sights, Kortekaas and Guilbert recommend the private tours Enchanting Oman and Magical Oman.
&#8216;Oman is also worth a visit for a luxury beach holiday.&#8217;         

When asked about Silverjet&#8217;s distinctiveness, the answer is: &#8216;With more than 25 years of experience, we are experts in luxury holidays and tailor-made tours in Oman. We work with the best agents and guides to ensure an optimally organised holiday.&#8217;Emerging destinations in the Middle East include Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, with luxury resorts and unique attractions,&#8217; says Guilbert. &#8216;Ras Al Khaimah is developing rapidly, with plans for a Wynn Resort with the first casino in the UAE. Ajman has the beautiful The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah.&#8217;The emirates are suitable for couples, families, active customers and culture lovers. &#8220;The luxury resorts offer a relaxing holiday with a sunny climate just a 6.5-hour flight away. The UAE are booked in both summer and winter. Oman is best visited from October to April because of the heat in the summer. Silverjet is already looking at new offerings for next season. &#8216;We have attractive combined trips and special excursions that can be combined with a beach holiday.&#8217;
The text continues as sponsored content





Discover Oman: A Mystical Land Full of Color and Tradition
  Oman is one of the most beautiful, versatile and safest Arab countries – the perfect destination for an unforgettable holiday.
This authentic and welcoming sultanate offers a wealth of experiences: from hundreds of majestic fortresses and castles, colorful souks and ancient cities to pristine white sand beaches.
Explore the rugged mountains, vast deserts, and lush tropical wadis.
Be inspired by the magical 1001-night fairy tale that Oman has to offer.
Enrich your knowledge and discover for yourself the unparalleled beauty of this special sultanate by taking the courses on TravEcademy&#8230; Beauty has an address!
Did you know that the Sultanate of Oman officially belongs to Asia?
This enchanting travel destination is about a ten-hour flight from the Netherlands and in the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
A country full of nature, authentic culture, hospitality, emerald green wadis, bright red deserts, cozy souks and ancient fortresses.
You won&#8217;t find mass tourism and skyscrapers here.
Oman exudes tranquility and has many highlights within a short distance of each other.           
Versatile Oman
  The Indian Ocean country once played a key role in the development of seaborne trade routes between Asia, East Africa, and Europe.
Today, the rich cultural heritage has been complemented by modern, sustainable developments.
Travelers will find more than 5,000 years of history, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many cultural attractions such as the impressive Royal Opera House and the Sultan Grand Qaboos Mosque in the capital Muscat.
Enjoy the spectacle at the goat market in Nizwa and unwind in a luxury resort on the beach around Muscat or the snow-white beaches around Salalah.
Oman has a coastline of more than 3,000 kilometres with white sandy beaches, steep cliffs and beautiful viewpoints from where you can spot dolphins, whales and sea turtles.      Camping &#8211; Stargazing in Oman © Ministry of Heritage &amp; Tourism Sultanate of Oman
Pearl of the Arabian Peninsula
  Steep mountains and a rugged desert are interspersed with the beautiful coastline with white beaches.
Excellent for sun or diving trips or even an overnight stay under the stars, in one of the unforgettable desert camps.
The vast Hajar Mountains cut through the interior &#8211; at 3,075 meters, Jabal Shams is the highest mountain and enchants Jabal Akhdar with its hanging gardens.
Lush oases, hidden wadis and meter-high sand dunes invite outdoor enthusiasts to activities such as climbing and hiking.
In addition, various spices and flavors characterize the country&#8217;s versatile cuisine.
For the real adrenaline junkie, you have the longest zipline over the water in Musandam and you can tear through the Asharqiyah desert in a 4&#215;4.
Real daredevils can even follow a Via Ferrata route on the Jebel Shams.
Further south, you can try sandboarding or dune bashing in the sand dunes of the Wahiba desert.
You can stay overnight for every budget.
From luxury 5* hotels to cozy heritage guesthouses, but you can also camp everywhere for free.
Above all, get to know the proud Omani.
Their hospitality will make you want to come back to this pearl of the Middle East.             
Hospitable Oman
  In Oman, travelers are welcomed with open arms, hospitality is a matter of course here.
It is no exception if you are invited for a cup of coffee and dates or are allowed to join dinner at an Omani&#8217;s home.
Oman is the holiday destination that welcomes the traveller.
The Sultanate of Oman has a rich past with famous heroes such as Sinbad the Sailor, the Queen of Sheba and Marco Polo.
The people of Oman have combined modern life with authentic traditions.
Hospitality and friendliness are a fixed value in this.       Camels in Dhofar © Ministry of Heritage &amp; Tourism Sultanate of Oman
Practical information
  The sultanate has 4.7 million inhabitants and is eight times the size of the Netherlands.
The best time to visit Oman is from October to April.
In these months, the temperature is on average between 25 and 35 degrees and the humidity is not too high.
Oman is easy to reach from the Netherlands with various airlines that fly to Muscat, and possibly also fly on with a domestic flight to the southern city of Salalah.
There are several ways to discover Oman.
Options range from cruises to individual tours with a 4&#215;4 jeep.       
Become an Oman expert!
  Curious about what else Oman has to hide?
Then take the TravEcademy courses about Oman and you will learn why Oman is the most varied country in the Middle East.
You get to know the different regions, sights and know exactly what is interesting for your travelers.
And maybe you will also be inspired to make a tour through the Sultanate.
Authentic, inspiring, hospitable and with unparalleled natural beauty; that&#8217;s Oman!
Safe and hospitable, Oman enchants your customers with its ancient and colorful souks, surprises with breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and takes you away with stories that could have come straight out of 1001 Nights.       
Header photo © Jithesh Sundar / Shutterstock.com







The post Special Middle East: this is what you want to know about Oman, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Expensive A-Pier Schiphol to open in spring 2027</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/expensive-a-pier-schiphol-to-open-in-spring-2027/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/expensive-a-pier-schiphol-to-open-in-spring-2027/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jul 2024 10:47:18 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

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Schiphol Airport has announced in a recent update that the new, 55,000 m² A-Pier will open in April 2027. The construction plans for the pier were announced more than a decade ago, but due to a series of delays such as a switch in contractor (the project is now led by the Dutch company BAM), &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Schiphol Airport has announced in a recent update that the new, 55,000 m² A-Pier will open in April 2027. The construction plans for the pier were announced more than a decade ago, but due to a series of delays such as a switch in contractor (the project is now led by the Dutch company BAM), completion is taking longer.    &#8216;We are pleased that we can now look forward to a new delivery date with confidence. It is clear that Pier A headache project has been far from flawless under the previous contractor. Delays, quality problems and a legal conflict all contributed to progress,&#8217; says Sybren Hahn (Executive Director Schiphol Infrastructure). The current estimated total cost of Pier A has now risen to almost 1.4 billion, almost a billion higher than the originally released budget. The new pier will offer three floors and eight gates for narrowbody and wide-body aircraft, as well as security filters, border control facilities, and retail and F&amp;B amenities. For Schiphol, Pier A is an &#8216;important pillar in quality and comfort&#8217;, and is desperately needed to be able to meet the current and future peak moments. The new pier must also be the most sustainable in the airport. &#8216;We are currently in talks with the airlines about the new fares and investments for the coming years, including Pier A. Understandably, there are questions about this among the airlines, and we will therefore provide more insight into the project in those discussions and also explain how Schiphol intends to deal with its costs. However, it is good to emphasise that the influence of individual projects on the tariffs is very limited&#8217;, explains Robert Carsouw (CFO) in Schiphol&#8217;s update.
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                        <title>Arjan Kers (TUI) appointed as board member Thuiswinkel.org</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/arjan-kers-tui-appointed-as-board-member-thuiswinkel-org/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/arjan-kers-tui-appointed-as-board-member-thuiswinkel-org/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:35:48 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

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            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/arjan-kers-tui-appointed-as-board-member-thuiswinkel-org/</guid>

            
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Arjan Kers (Managing Director TUI Netherlands and Belgium) is one of the four top entrepreneurs who have been appointed as board members of Thuiswinkel.org today. Thuiswinkel.org represents the interests of more than 2,000 Dutch webshops. The Dutch e-commerce sector saw a spending figure of 34.7 billion euros in 2023, making online shopping an integral part &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Arjan Kers (Managing Director TUI Netherlands and Belgium) is one of the four top entrepreneurs who have been appointed as board members of Thuiswinkel.org today. Thuiswinkel.org represents the interests of more than 2,000 Dutch webshops.  The Dutch e-commerce sector saw a spending figure of 34.7 billion euros in 2023, making online shopping an integral part of everyday life. Thuiswinkel.org supports online entrepreneurs, who in this day and age have to deal with lightning-fast digital developments, globalization and climate issues, among other things. With Kers on the board, among others, the organization wants to focus on the implementation of the National E-commerce Agenda in the coming years, intensify cooperation within the sector and further develop our program in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and the future of the labor market in e-commerce. &#8216;Thuiswinkel.org plays an important role in promoting the right conditions in which companies can do business. We focus on achieving a level playing field, the innovative capacity of the sector and the transition to a circular e-commerce sector. Thanks to their background and experience within the industry, Maarten, Arjan, Suzanna and Michiel are well equipped to further roll out Thuiswinkel.org&#8217;s mission,&#8217; says chairman Paul Nijhof. The three other brand new board members are Michiel Muller (Co-founder Picnic), Maarten Blom (Chief Corporate Officer of Coolblue) and Suzanna Koning (CEO InShared), who will sit on a nine-member board together with Kers.  &nbsp;
&nbsp;
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                        <title>Carola Hoekstra appointed as new chair of SGR, Calamiteitenfonds Reizen and SGRZ</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/carola-hoekstra-appointed-as-new-chair-of-sgr-calamiteitenfonds-reizen-and-sgrz/</link>
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            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2024 08:33:02 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

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Due to the fact that the maximum statutory term has been reached, Annelies Bouma has stepped down as chairman of the board of SGR, the Calamiteitenfonds Reizen and SGRZ, and has handed over the baton to Carola Hoekstra as of 1 July. Hoekstra has been a member of the board of SGR and sisters since &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Due to the fact that the maximum statutory term has been reached, Annelies Bouma has stepped down as chairman of the board of SGR, the Calamiteitenfonds Reizen and SGRZ, and has handed over the baton to Carola Hoekstra as of 1 July.  Hoekstra has been a member of the board of SGR and sisters since 1 January 2022, and currently works as CEO of Stromma Nederland, the former Canal Company in Amsterdam. Previously, she worked at Hotelplan, TUI and Thomas Cook (CEO Netherlands), among others, and is also a board member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands. &#8220;With her years of experience in the travel industry in various roles, she can truly be called a veteran,&#8221; said a spokesperson. &#8216;The funds are pleased that she is going to take on the chairmanship.&#8217; From now on, the board of the Dutch travel guarantee funds consists of: Carola Hoekstra (Chairman), Nick de Leeuw (portfolio legal affairs) and Bert Scholten RA (portfolio financial affairs). As director, Erik Jan Reuver RA RV is responsible for the day-to-day operations.  Photo: Erik Jan Reuver and Carola Hoekstra
&nbsp;
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                        <title>Corendon introduces new travel class on route Amsterdam &#8211; Curaçao</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/corendon-introduces-new-travel-class-on-route-amsterdam-curacao/</link>
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            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2024 08:00:07 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

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            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/corendon-introduces-new-travel-class-on-route-amsterdam-curacao/</guid>

            
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Corendon introduces a new travel class on board the Airbus A350 on the Amsterdam – Curaçao scheduled service. According to the airline, with Corendon Comfort Plus, travelers can now enjoy more luxury, comfort and tranquility. The new class is positioned in rows 2 through 5 in the popular Only Adult Zone, and is bookable with &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Corendon introduces a new travel class on board the Airbus A350 on the Amsterdam – Curaçao scheduled service. According to the airline, with Corendon Comfort Plus, travelers can now enjoy more luxury, comfort and tranquility.  The new class is positioned in rows 2 through 5 in the popular Only Adult Zone, and is bookable with a travel date starting July 16. Passengers can make use of extras at the airport; for example, there is a separate check-in desk for Comfort Plus, priority boarding applies and you get personal attention from the cabin crew and extra drinks (plus welcome drink). The middle seats in the 3-3-3 arrangement of the A350 are kept empty as standard, with which Corendon tries to offer Comfort Plus passengers as much privacy and space as possible. Ask for more comfort Corendon CEO Gunay Uslu: &#8216;We noticed that some of our passengers wanted even more comfort on board the flights between Curaçao and Amsterdam. A carefree and luxurious start to their holiday, or an undisturbed pleasant flight if you have to go to Amsterdam for business. In this way, we are meeting that demand in a way that suits Corendon and our passengers perfectly.&#8217; The cost for Comfort Plus is 150 euros each way. People who go to Bonaire with Corendon on November 3 can also book Corendon Comfort Plus .
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                        <title>Solo travel increasingly popular: &#8216;The taboo is disappearing more and more&#8217;</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/solo-travel-increasingly-popular-the-taboo-is-disappearing-more-and-more/</link>
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            <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:51:01 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rahanna van Stapele]]></dc:creator>

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More and more people are choosing to travel alone for a short or longer period of time, whether or not on their own initiative or as part of a single or group trip. How can this trend be seen within the Dutch travel market? &#8216;Why 2024 will be the year of the solo traveler&#8217;, was &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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More and more people are choosing to travel alone for a short or longer period of time, whether or not on their own initiative or as part of a single or group trip. How can this trend be seen within the Dutch travel market?
&#8216;Why 2024 will be the year of the solo traveler&#8217;, was the headline in an article in Forbes in November last year. In it, the CEO of tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) is asked for his thoughts on the outcome of a recent survey conducted by OAT and magazine Solo Traveler, in which 68% of participants identify themselves as independent travelers. That&#8217;s a shift from the past, when traveling alone was an expensive hobby due to paying double for participation in, for example, a cruise or tour. The tour operator indicates in the article that it has seen a significant increase in solo travel bookings in recent years: 27% in 2017, 39% in 2019 and 50% at the moment. Trend reports from booking.com (&#8216;59% of travellers want to take a solo trip this year&#8217;) and American Express Travel are also included. In the latter, one of the most important insights was the rise of solo travel, especially among younger travelers. 76% of millennials and Gen Z (compared to the average of 69%) say they plan to take a solo trip in 2024. Left to your own devices Making new contacts seems to be the most obvious motive among solo travelers, but certainly does not necessarily play the leading role among the new wave of solo travelers. Kim Giling (ZRA at YourTravel) says she can confirm the value of traveling alone. For example, she regularly traveled alone to Tenerife, Malta and various parts of southern Spain. &#8216;It was here that I found the time to take up sporting activities such as horseback riding. Things that I apparently have less time for during daily life in the Netherlands.&#8217;    What&#8217;s the charm of traveling alone? &#8216;I think it&#8217;s great that you&#8217;re completely on your own for a while. By being alone somewhere else for a while, you get into a completely different state and you realize that you also have a very nice time at home.&#8217; When we ask if she ever books solo trips for customers, it certainly turns out to be the case. &#8216;I regularly receive requests like that. This rarely or hardly involves far-flung world travel, but often a specific destination. For example, I often see people who want to walk the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, sometimes only being called in for the plane tickets and hotels. Why? Especially for people who are on the road alone, the biggest concern is often whether the details are all properly arranged and recorded. After all, you are alone, and people can feel enormously unburdened if someone else is &#8216;watching&#8217;.
Women A striking fact from the various results is the larger share of solo women in many, but not all, statistics.  While the male-female split is slightly closer at American Express Travel, it is much more significant at OAT/Solo Traveler (85% female) and British lifestyle brand Saga, which also identifies the rise of solo holidays as a clear trend (68% female). According to Saga, long-haul tours and cruises are popular among women, and social interaction and practical considerations play a big role in the overall solo trip. 47% make new friendships and 11% come home with a romantic connection.  
Self-care  When asked who her average solo traveling client is, Kim replies: &#8216;These are often slightly older people, married or in a relationship, sometimes entrepreneurs, who are extremely busy in their daily lives or even on the verge of a burnout. I have definitely noticed an increase in interest in solo travel. Not necessarily this year, but since the corona pandemic. It seems as if people have been left with an attitude of: &#8216;We live in the now. Everything I want to do, it is better to do as soon as possible&#8217;. I also see a little more women. It seems like women are even more likely to be looking for real me-time, self-care, which they might find a little harder to find at home. It&#8217;s only far away from home that they can completely detach themselves. I recently had the opportunity to book a solo trip for a woman to South Africa, her husband was not so interested in a long-distance trip. By coincidence, her sister eventually joined her and they were able to go to South Africa together.&#8217;  
&#8216;Customers really want to travel with like-minded people&#8217;
  She continues: &#8216;When booking the stays with solo trips, it turns out to be financially less advantageous: solo trips are just always more expensive. But I also sometimes notice that the target group is not so concerned with that. They really prefer to play it safe rather than cheap.&#8217; Focus Safety can certainly play a role in the choice of booking a group or single trip, agrees travel organization Shoestring. The Dutch-Belgian provider specializes in adventurous group and single tours around the world, and served around 8,000 travelers last year. The customer base is quite young with an average age of 25 to 35 years, with Indonesia, Japan and Thailand currently being top destinations. &#8216;We also recognise the strong growth of solo travel. So much so that we are currently in a transition phase to a new concept,&#8217; says Patrick van Zijl (Marketing Manager at Shoestring). &#8216;Where we now offer both group and single trips, we will switch completely to single tours from next September. What we strongly notice is that people who book such a trip really like to be in a group with like-minded people. During the booking process, customers also have insight into who has already registered. That is why we are going to distinguish three groups within the new concept: 20 to 35 years old, one category above that, and finally a group for all ages.&#8217; Kim Giling, Patrick van Zijl and Wendy RoodImago  Van Zijl: &#8216;Actually, we were already seeing growth in solo travel before the pandemic, which is why we actively focused on the trend at the time, but it is also increasing rapidly after that. In principle, we see a fairly equal distribution of men and women, but slightly more women. They sometimes seem to be just a little &#8216;hipper&#8217; than men, men sometimes seem to be a bit more concerned about the image that comes with participating in such a trip. Women also like to choose it because they feel more safe when travelling in groups.&#8217; Because Shoestring serves a relatively young target group, TravMagazine wonders what the main reason is for this group to go out on their own. &#8216;Basically, it&#8217;s about the adventure and exploring the world, and the social interactions and contacts are a plus. In our communication, we stay far away from the emphasis on the social: most participants are single, but there are no obligations or expectations involved. Anyway, sometimes something does happen. At the office we have a &#8216;baby wall&#8217;, with birth announcements of couples that were created during our travels.&#8217;  Royal Caribbean Even within the cruise world, the increasing number of passengers who go on board without a travel companion on the day of departure is not ignored. Just like in country accommodations, as a solo traveler on a cruise, you pay a lot extra because of the cabins that are based on two or more people. There is now a list of cruise lines that offer solo cabins and Royal Caribbean is one of them. On some ships (not all) there are so-called studios. These are specially created cabins for solo travelers, with the same facilities and amenities as in a double or multi-occupancy cabin, just slightly smaller. Obstacle in the past was, of course, the additional single fee that had to be paid when booking a double room for one passenger. The advantage of these new studios is that adjusted rates are applied. Example: if you sailed seven nights on the Eastern Sea with the Odyssey of the Seas (RC) on 18 May, you would pay €3,334 for a double balcony cabin and €2,151 for a single balcony cabin.  
Taboo  Wendy Rood, cruise specialist at Royal Caribbean: &#8220;In the past, there weren&#8217;t many studios or solo travelers, which is why you won&#8217;t find these single balcony cabins on all our ships. However, there are single cabins or an outside cabin.&#8217; The changes around the facilities for solo travelers will continue to increase, according to Rood. &#8220;More and more cruise lines are seeing that there are more single travelers and are taking this into account when creating and building new ships. Because we have no insight into the bookings of the other countries and/or the head office, it is difficult to answer factually, but we do see an increase and hear that around us. The &#8216;taboo&#8217; that used to be on solo travel is disappearing more and more.&#8217; Not only is there investment in suitable cabins, but there is also change in social activities. &#8216;On the daily schedule, it is very clearly indicated whether a cocktail is for solo travellers, for example, or where it is possible to meet at a certain location, so that passengers can meet each other if they want to, of course. You don&#8217;t have to do anything, everything is allowed. On cruises you often see that people who meet each other for the first time on board stay in touch. The same goes for the solo traveller.&#8217;
The post Solo travel increasingly popular: &#8216;The taboo is disappearing more and more&#8217; appeared first on TravMagazine.
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