In Saudi Arabia, Six Senses Southern Dunes opens to the public, while AlUla International Airport unveils its first terminal models.
Around the world, the best destinations for 2024 are named, while next year’s best cruise ships are also rewarded.
Here’s a roundup of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.
Six Senses will open in the Red Sea this week
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, opens to the public on Wednesday. The hotel is the first to be launched in The Red Seaan ambitious regenerative tourism project located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.
The property is inspired by the region’s Bedouin heritage. There are three restaurants celebrating the region’s culinary culture and using freshly grown ingredients. As is standard for the brand, it will also incorporate wellness offerings that draw inspiration from local healing traditions.
Other features include a cooking school, Gelato Pod, cinema under the stars, outdoor swimming pool, boutique, Alchemy Bar and herb gardens.
There are 36 rooms and suites, as well as 40 pool villas ranging from one to four bedrooms. Amenities include sustainable toiletries, a yoga mat, a pillow menu, and the Naturalmat organic mattress.
AlUla reveals new airport terminal design
The Royal Commission for AlUla announced the winning design for the AlUla International Airport terminal, which will feature a five-star hotel, spa and a huge selection of retail outlets.
The design, chosen from a competitive global offering, integrates infrastructure that blends into its natural environment.
The airport is expected to increase passenger numbers by 400,000 to six million in its final phase, transform the local community by attracting more travelers to AlUla.
Air Canada’s inaugural flight from Vancouver arrives in Dubai
This weekend, Air CanadaThe first flight took off from Vancouver and arrived in Dubai after more than 14 hours.
“Dubai is an exciting destination for non-stop service to Vancouver International Airport,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority.
“This new service from Dubai will also facilitate connections between Vancouver and the region, India and North Africa,” she added.
“We are excited to welcome this new route and connect Western Canada to the United Arab Emirates for the benefit of our community and the economy that supports it.
The flight expands Air Canada’s presence in Dubai, which already offers daily service between the emirate and Toronto.
Lonely Planet names the 50 best destinations for 2024
Travel publication Planet alone has announced its annual list of trending destinations for the coming year, voted on by staff, global correspondents and partners. The Best in Travel list has expanded to include two new categories for sustainable and best value destinations, as well as the best cities, countries and regions.
Spain is at the top of the list for sustainable travel, as it has taken steps to boost off-season travel, expand renewable energy and focus on neglected areas.
The US Midwest tops the list of great value destinations, which also includes Egypt And Algeria of the Mena region.
In the category of best cities, Nairobi comes in first position. Kenyawhich Etihad Airways plans to resume flights from May. Izmir in Türkiye is also on this list.
The best country is Mongolia, accompanied by Morocco, India, Uzbekistan And Pakistan. For the regions, the Trans Dinarica Cycle Route of the Western Balkans comes out on top. Swahili coast in Tanzania is also recommended.
Eight places named wildlife heritage areas
World Animal Protection and the World Cetacean Alliance have launched a new global program to raise awareness about how people perceive and understand wildlife.
Working with responsible travel companies and wildlife charities, the organizations designate Wilderness Heritage Areas, meeting a growing demand from tourists who want to ethically observe animals in the wild.
One such area is the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, located less than 200 kilometers from Los Angeles in the United States. It is known for its thriving marine ecosystem and is home to more than 25 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises.
“Animals have the power to touch our hearts, inspire our minds and deepen our connection to the natural world,” said Holly Lohuis, co-director of SBCWHA. “By appreciating and protecting these magnificent cetaceans in their natural habitat, we hope to not only improve their lives, but also create an opportunity for tourists to understand and witness their responsibility towards keeping the animals in the wild .”
Other wildlife heritage areas have been created in Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Italy, Australia, Portugal and South Africa.
Best cruise lines 2024 awarded
The ranking of the best cruise lines by US News and World Report have been released for the 10th year. It highlights 17 cruise lines that cater to a wide range of travelers, divided into six categories, including Best Value, Families, Couples, Luxury and Caribbean & Mediterranean.
Virgin Voyages comes in first place in the Best Cruise Lines for the Money category for a second year in a row. Celebrity Cruises and Princes Cruises complete the top three.
Disney Cruise Line ranked at the top of the family list for the 10th year in a row, as well as in the Caribbean category. It’s especially family-friendly as the ships host character meet-and-greets, themed dinners, nightly fireworks and dedicated children’s activities.
Viking Ocean Cruises, meanwhile, placed first in three categories: couples, luxury and Mediterranean.
The rankings take into account expert assessments of ship quality, travelers’ ratings, health assessment results and other relevant factors.
“This year we have seen a huge surge in the popularity of cruises,” said Nicola Wood, travel editor at US News. “After the unprecedented shutdown of cruises at the height of the pandemic, people are eager to sail the world’s oceans and visit multiple destinations in one trip.”
Updated: October 30, 2023, 9:42 a.m.