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Charlestowne Hotels Implements ProfitSword and Event Temple Integration to Gain Real-Time Insight Into Business and Group Sales Performance

ProfitSword, a premier developer of hospitality-related business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the implementation of its performance forecasting technology alongside Event Temple’s advanced group and event sales management software at Charlestowne Hotels. A leading hospitality management company offering expertise in hotel operations and revenue optimization, Charlestowne Hotels can now provide each property and stakeholder with the real-time business intelligence they need to measure group-related sales performance and to swiftly adapt to upcoming revenue growth opportunities. “Hotels must be able to quickly identify any areas where additional profits or operational efficiencies can be obtained, and this is especially true during the current market environment where business stability and eventual recovery can hinge on the ability to acquire and preserve more revenue streams,” said Johnathan Capps, Vice President of Revenue at Charlestowne Hotels. “Both ProfitSword and Event Temple solutions work seamlessly together to achieve this goal. Each of our properties along with our organization as a whole are now able to instantly determine what current performance looks like, what future business outlook is expected and what services or resources need to be prioritized in order to achieve greater profitability, market competitiveness and guest satisfaction.” Designed to streamline access to performance data from a single and always accurate source, the ProfitSword and Event Temple integration allows Charlestowne Hotels to automatically combine valuable group and event related analytics within the ProfitSword user interface. This ensures the hassle-free ability to review KPIs and other financial or operational data the moment it is needed and with the ability to review results by department, property, hotel brand or for the company’s entire portfolio. “Managing a hotel business successfully requires the ability to disseminate actionable data across an organization before the opportunity to respond passes, and we are proud to see that our partnership with Event Temple has provided Charlestowne Hotels with the specific tools it needs to make the most out of its group and event sales efforts,” said Paul Bennie, Director of Business Development at ProfitSword. “With the integration in place, we look forward to seeing Charlestowne Hotels continue to expand its market growth with the advantage of maximum forecasting and budgeting efficiency along with enhanced fiscal accountability and communication.” Group and event related performance analytics that Charlestowne Hotels can measure include weddings, conferences and business meetings without first requiring hours of compiling and verifying the accuracy of information. The company, at its locations, can further analyze group and event sales revenue on a year-over-year basis to identify any shifts in traditional performance norms. Another benefit of the integration is the ability to monitor the group sales productivity of individual employees. This allows hoteliers to ensure that sales goals continue to be met while identifying employees that may require additional training. “With the speed and sheer mass of data that a hotel can generate on a daily basis, manual processes such as the use of spreadsheets are not only inefficient but are susceptible to human error which can lead to substantial revenue loss,” said Bob Graham, CEO at Event Temple. “We are honored to work alongside ProfitSword in ensuring that Charlestowne Hotels can remain fully up-to-date on the effectiveness of their group sale strategies, and look forward to seeing the company leverage access to such analytics to drive up revenues and ensure ongoing organizational stability and growth.”

Create: Feb 17, 2021 Edit: Feb 17, 2021 International News

IHG Hotels & Resorts Reveals Guests’ Growing Passion to Travel Better

People are more mindful than ever about travelling consciously following the Covid-19 pandemic, reveals a new global survey by IHG:registered: Hotels & Resorts. The research is commissioned as part of IHG’s launch of ‘Journey to Tomorrow’: a 10-year action plan comprising a series of far-reaching new commitments to make a positive difference and help shape the future of responsible travel. 60 per cent of the 9,000 adults surveyed across the US, UK, Germany, Greater China, the UAE and Australia agree that they want to be more environmentally and socially conscious on their travels. This is led by 69 per cent of younger travellers (aged 18 to 24) compared to just 48 per cent of 55s and over. It appears travellers not only intend to do more for the planet and communities around them, they are willing to pay for it too. The research found that consumers will spend an average of 31 per cent more on accommodation they know operates responsibly – with 51 per cent happy to fork out more than 20 per cent extra a night. Community first: Guests connecting with purposeWith the world travelling more locally – or not at all – right now, it seems the pandemic has made consumers more mindful about preserving and connecting with the communities around them. More than half of respondents across the globe (57 per cent) say they care more about doing their bit for local communities and the planet while travelling, now than they did 10 years ago. In fact, 46 per cent of people say they are more likely to be mindful about avoiding tourist activities that have a negative impact on the local environment and communities since the global pandemic. 86 per cent of people say it is important to get to know the local community when visiting somewhere new, with two thirds doing this by supporting local eateries (67 per cent), followed by shopping locally (64 per cent), speaking with the locals (61 per cent), and getting involved with local tours (48 per cent). A further 3 in 10 choose to stay with travel companies that offer local community programmes. As for activities such as volunteering and restoration projects, young travellers aged 18-24 are nearly three times as likely to get involved when visiting another country, compared to those 55 and over. Travelling better for a sustainable futureThe appetite for better, greener travel is ripe. An incredible 82 per cent of adults around the world say they are committed to taking their everyday sustainable habits with them when they travel, with using the correct waste and recycling disposal for different items taking the top spot as the number one habit. And it seems sustainability doesn’t need to take a backseat on holidays. Hotels are a welcome spot to do better: the two most popular habits when travelling include re-using towels and walking short distances to explore the local neighbourhood. And, when asked what people would avoid so they could be a more responsible traveller, 47 per cent of respondents said they would avoid leaving the air conditioning on when they leave the room.Our Journey to Tomorrow Keith Barr, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “As we look to the future, the global response to Covid-19 reminded us what can be achieved when we come together and work towards the greater good. This has made us all more conscious than ever about caring for people, communities and planet. Journey to Tomorrow embodies IHG’s strengthened commitment to make sure we do what’s right, not just what’s needed, and we are determined to contribute towards positive social and economic change, to stand up for key issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion, and human rights, and to make more responsible environmental choices. “A great guest experience at our hotels is inextricably linked to operating thoughtfully and growing sustainably. So, while travel may have been temporarily paused for many, we want the next stage of our journey to be successful in every sense of the word.” The ambitions and commitments are firmly rooted in an understanding of what is most important to colleagues, guests and partners across the world when it comes to doing business in the right way, as well as how IHG can play its part in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in this important 10 years of action. For decades, IHG has been championing its purpose of True Hospitality, from providing skills and education to supporting young people, and taking action for environmental change, to partnering with experts globally on urgent causes such as humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. Commenting on IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow, Laurie Lee, Chief Executive Officer, CARE International UK said: “For the past decade, IHG Hotels & Resorts has demonstrated its commitment to responsible travel by working with CARE International UK to respond to emergencies around the world with a special focus on providing safe shelter. IHG’s support of CARE has remained firm despite the unprecedented challenges facing the travel industry – and the communities we serve – as a result of the pandemic. In the past year alone, CARE and IHG provided essential Covid-19 prevention resources to almost 5,000 people in the Bogor district of Indonesia, a region severely affected by floods and subsequent Covid-19 outbreaks. “Furthermore, with IHG’s support, CARE helped nearly 20,000 people following Vanuatu’s devastating cyclone by providing emergency materials as well as the training and tools to rebuild homes. These life-saving humanitarian efforts are critical to helping communities respond to, and recover from, crises wherever they happen, and we look forward to continuing the next decade of action with IHG.” With a family of 16 brands and almost 6,000 hotels and resorts at the heart of local communities around the globe, IHG is here when travellers are ready. IHG recognises the power of collaboration and will join forces with all who stay, work and partner with them to reduce carbon emissions in line with climate science, eliminate single-use items or move to reusable/recyclable alternatives, reduce food waste, and collaborate locally to tackle water sustainability in high-risk areas.

Create: Feb 17, 2021 Edit: Feb 17, 2021 International News

Tax on tourism comes with share of unknowns for an industry yet to recover from COVID-19

Tourism, which was once a beacon of hope for countries to diversify their economies, has been taking some serious battering since the spread of COVID-19. Its association with aviation, another main casualty of the pandemic, further deepened the scars for a sector that will need years to regain its pre-pandemic number of international arrivals - and with it - spending. While how long is anyone’s guess, preserving a country’s standing in tourism would take more than the pandemic going away and travellers getting back on planes. Akin to any other sector expected to drive diversification efforts, and overall economic growth in the country, tourism must be supported and nurtured to ensure its long-haul survival. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of tourism, except that such importance is not linked to the number of travellers arriving at or going through a country’s points of entry. Rather, the economic activity that they generate in sectors directly associated with tourism, like hospitality.

Create: Feb 15, 2021 Edit: Feb 15, 2021 International News

Luxury’s Next Competitor Is Not a Hotel

Every hotel property aspires to be luxury in one way or another, even as the word ‘luxury’ has become a bit overused in the past decade. As such, there are always new entrants testing out concepts and evolving various features, amenities or service offerings, all in an attempt to get one step ahead of the curve. The pandemic has, of course, shifted priorities but the pursuit of luxury still remains as a means of capturing guests’ hearts. Concurrent to this arms race amongst traditional hotels – and now also alternative accommodations – it is important that hospitality brands consider those accommodations not bound by land. Cruise lines are also evolving and diversifying in the wake of COVID-19, particularly as they try to cover as many traveler niches as possible, including several different types of luxury such as what’s addressed herein. As we all look to recover from this world-shaping crisis, hotels must take a more holistic approach in evaluating market forces and their competition. Launching the Seven Seas Splendor This is one event from the antecovidian times that still has significance for hoteliers. Aggressively promoted through social media channels, the christening of the New Regent Seven Seas Splendor was an hour-plus YouTube segment dedicated to the company, its staff and the ship. Watching this unfold, we could not help wondering at the tremendous organization that unfolded to not only construct this vessel, but importantly the efforts required to bring this product into the marketplace. While the coronavirus has cast a big question mark over its long-term success, what’s important to remember here is the larger trend – the expansion of the luxury cruise segment. This being a hotel publication, you may wonder why we are lavishing so much attention on a product launch that is not a hotel property. Fact is, that as hoteliers, there is a great deal of learning that we can glean from this singular event, as well as from the cruise industry’s overall response to the pandemic. If you are managing or owning a luxury hotel or resort, this new ship and others like it will soon become a significant competitor; just think of it as 375 rooms added into your comp set. The Seven Seas Splendor once again raises the bar on ‘accessible luxury’. By accessible, we mean prices that run at roughly $1,500 to $2,000 per night (meals included), which is a sweet spot for the luxury accommodation market segment. Of note, there is an even higher category of accommodations that we cheekily call ‘no-holds-barred-luxury’, such as a $5,000+ per night, multiple-bedroom villa-for-rent somewhere along the Mediterranean. Consider for a moment, a comparison between an eight-day cruise and the same length of stay on a leisure holiday hypothetically in one, two or three different luxury properties. Let’s say your budget is $1,500 per day for a hotel including three meals, alcoholic beverages, gratuities and taxes. These days, that is not really all that extravagant and probably not enough for five-star, land-based accommodations in Europe on an all-inclusive financial cost basis. Yet, that’s roughly the price range for a luxury, small boat tour (1,000pax or less). And remember the cruise makes it significantly easier on the traveler – unpacking only once and coordinating your needs with exemplary service, not to mention that this all-inclusive price may also comprise day excursions, entertainment, airfare and transfers. Three Key Lessons Rest assured that, for the decade ahead, this form of luxury is indeed a competitor to any traditional hotel that you must take into consideration when planning ahead. Here are three quick takeaways you can learn from this particular ship and other newer, luxury cruise liners of its ilk. 1. Don’t reinvent the wheel. The new Seven Seas Splendor is virtually identical in design to its sister ship, the Seven Seas Explorer, that launched some five years earlier (and a ship that Larry has journeyed upon). This made the new ship much more cost effective to design and faster to build. It also means that the staff familiar with one ship are almost effortlessly interchangeable, thereby reducing onboarding costs. From a marketing standpoint, it also means that guests of one ship will be eager to experiment with the new one once coronavirus fears have subsided. 2. Remember your target audience. Study trends in design but steer away from the cutting edge. Unlike many new hotel designs, this ship’s design elements are tasteful yet far from revolutionary. Often hoteliers seek to try ‘something completely new’ in design, perhaps to be provocative from a public relations standpoint. Yet in doing so, they forget that it is the guest that is the ultimate judge and jury. While now taking into account physical distancing measures, you should design appropriately if your core guest demographic is conservative and likely in the age range of 60 to 80 with a high net worth. 3. Lever your past guests from the entire chain to the new destination. You’re only new once, so make a big deal of it. As a past guest of a sister ship, not a week went by without an email bulletin on the progress and routing. We’ve all been quite good at communicating our updated health and safety policies throughout 2020, and that same level of efforts should be given to any new product launches in 2021. Such new property or program announcements are low hanging fruit for loyalty patronage. Wouldn’t a regular guest in one city opt for staying at the same hotel brand in another? Wouldn’t a loyal guest be keen for a return visit if you offer them exclusive or advanced access to a new onsite amenity? As a classic marketing tactic, look to drum up your base before attempting to reach wholly new audiences. Many people are eagerly awaiting the day when they can get their vaccines then start cruising again, and therein lies tremendous learning opportunities for hotels on what products and services travelers really want. To the captain and crew of this new ship – and to the members of your hotel team – we wish you smooth sailing in 2021 and hopefully no rogue waves like what we endured last year.

Create: Feb 11, 2021 Edit: Feb 11, 2021 International News

Angels Landing Partners Advance Plans for $2 Billion Twin-Tower Luxury Hotel Project in Downtown L.A.

Two acclaimed African American developers – Victor MacFarlane of MacFarlane Partners and R. Donahue Peebles of The Peebles Corporation – are doubling-down on their multi-million-dollar effort to bring thousands of new jobs and economic benefits to the nation’s second-largest city as development partners of Angels Landing, their $2 billion twin-tower luxury hotel project in downtown L.A.’s Bunker Hill neighborhood. MacFarlane and Peebles are majority-owner principals of Angels Landing Partners, LLC, the development partnership responsible for conceiving, designing, building, and operating Angels Landing. The partnership was officially selected by L.A. City officials at the conclusion of the city’s competitive bid process in 2017. Their partnership’s intentions are firmly focused on completing construction of Angels Landing before elite athletes, sports officials and tourists worldwide converge in L.A. for the 2028 Olympic Summer Games. Victor B. MacFarlane, chairman and CEO, MacFarlane Partners said, “Angels Landing aligns well with many of the projects we have built in the past 30 years throughout the U.S., including two residential developments recently completed near Pershing Square.” “The foundation of our business has always been to strengthen communities where we do business,” Mr. MacFarlane said. “We believe we can help communities prosper. We know Angels Landing will have a significant positive impact on L.A.’s economy. The ripple effect of Angels Landing’s substantial economic and employment activity will reverberate throughout L.A. County by providing good-paying union jobs to construct our hotel project and extensive career opportunities when the project is completed, and its hotels are open to the public. We have spent more than $10 million to move our project forward. We’re not letting the coronavirus pandemic slow us down. We anticipate our project entitlement this year,” he added. Angels Landing is comprised of two towers, each anchored by its own five-star hotel. In addition to the hotels, the development will feature an expansive modern urban park – known as Angels Landing Plaza – designed to serve as a pedestrian-centered, transit-adjacent, open space environment in the heart of downtown L.A. R. Donahue Peebles, Chairman and CEO, The Peebles Corporation said, “Equity and inclusion are bedrock principles at the Peebles Corporation. My success is predicated on opportunities I received because of those two important tenets. I have built an impressive collection of commercial and residential projects in New York, Washington, D.C., Miami, and other U.S. cities.” “In each city, I’ve been most excited about using my influence to empower Black-owned, Latino-owned, and women-owned business leaders. My company works diligently to help minority-owned enterprises grow their businesses through procurement contracts established through our development projects,” Mr. Peebles said. According to an analysis prepared by BJH Advisors, LLC., more than 8,300 new jobs will be created during Angels Landing’s project design and construction. The New York City-based firm’s report estimates Angels Landing would additionally create more than 800 permanent jobs in downtown L.A. An estimated 500 jobs would be created by vendors in the L.A. County region providing good and services to the two luxury hotels. In addition to new job creation, the BJH Advisors analysis projects Angels Landing would give L.A.’s local economy a $1.6 billion boost and contribute $731 million to local worker’s earnings during its construction. The project would generate as estimated 12 million in recurring tax revenues and $2.4 million annually in local property tax revenues, according to the report. “With Angels Landing, the transformative impact of empowerment and economic inclusion will be felt by an array of businesses, including Latino- and Asian-owned businesses. We have committed to a goal of 30% M/WBE contracting across the board for our project. We’re raising the bar for economic inclusion for development projects in Los Angeles,” Mr. Peebles added. Angels Landing Plaza will frame the angular, multi-level Bunker Hill site as a publicly accessible, privately managed park amenity, establishing it as a vibrant, inviting, and treasured locale for L.A.’s downtown neighborhood residents, weekday commuters, nightlife seekers, tourists, and hotel guests. L.A.’s historic Angel’s Flight funicular will operate on its hillside-climbing route contiguous to the Angels Landing development. “With our commitment to Angels Landing, we are committing to the future of downtown Los Angeles. Despite the millions of dollars expended so far to keep our project on-track, and notwithstanding the strong pandemic-induced recessionary pressures on L.A.’s economy, we continue to push hard to make our plans for Angels Landing a reality. Having recently completed our Park Fifth apartment complex, a two-building development adjacent to Pershing Square, Angels Landing represents our continued faith in the economic future of downtown Los Angeles,” Mr. MacFarlane said. Mr. Peebles said, “2020 was a trying year for nearly every sector in the business world. And the first three quarters of 2021 may be equally challenging. But we’ve faced big challenges in the past and always managed to prevail. The success of our development businesses is a testament to our drive and commitment to build projects that improve the quality of life in the communities where they’re built.” Mr. MacFarlane said, “The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been significant this year. Some of those negative economic impacts, such as lagging job growth, are projected to extend well into 2021. But pessimistic economic indicators and projections have not shaken our resolve to build Angels Landing. We’re making our investment to create new jobs for L.A. area residents. We’re confident Angels Landing will help the L.A. economy rebound and gain strength. Angels Landing will create thousands of jobs that will result in millions of dollars circulating throughout the L.A. region providing a needed boost to small businesses.”

Create: Feb 11, 2021 Edit: Feb 11, 2021 International News

Costa Rica sees ailing tourist trade stagnant in 2021 after COVID-19 blow

Tourism to Costa Rica will likely stagnate this year at the sharply reduced levels of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, weighing on the economy of the Central American country, a top government official said. Tourism Minister Gustavo Segura said Costa Rica will in 2021 probably receive about one-third of the 3,139,000 international tourists it had in 2019, on a par with last year, when some 1,011,000 foreign visitors arrived, official data shows, Reuters reported. In an interview, Segura said around 75,000 tourists came to Costa Rica in December, down from 327,000 a year earlier, underlining the challenge facing the popular tourist destination and the industry as a whole in Latin America. “Though the figures are better than those of some competitor nations, many companies can’t get going again,” Segura told Reuters, noting that the extent of recovery would depend on how the pandemic developed and how vaccination efforts progressed. Battered by the loss of tourists, the Costa Rican hotel and restaurant trade shrank by 40% last year, the central bank said. In 2019, tourism represented 8.5% of gross domestic product and 9% of formal jobs in the country of 5 million people. Segura projected that in 2021 it will only be worth around 3.5% of GDP and that the industry will shed about half the employment it generated, or about 100,000 jobs. The minister was hopeful that Costa Rica’s focus on nature tourism would reduce some of the attendant risk with people being outdoors. He also pointed to the fact the country’s health system had managed to avoid saturating its hospitals. Costa Rica has to date registered 193,276 infections and 2,604 deaths linked to COVID-19.

Create: Feb 3, 2021 Edit: Feb 3, 2021 International News

United Airlines warns 14,000 jobs at risk when payroll aid expires

United Airlines said on Friday it has sent warnings of potential furloughs to some 14,000 employees whose jobs are at risk once a second round of payroll support for airlines expires on April 1, as demand for air travel has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Chicago-based United had recalled 13,000 employees from furlough when the fresh payroll package was passed in December. “Despite ongoing efforts to distribute vaccines, customer demand has not changed much since we recalled those employees. today,” United told employees, while saying it was monitoring demand and advocating for continued government support. Congress approved $15 billion in new payroll assistance in December to help keep more than 32,000 airline workers on payrolls through March 31, after awarding $25 billion in March for passenger airlines in payroll assistance and $25 billion in low-cost government loans. American Airlines, which had furloughed 19,000 workers in October, did not immediately comment on Friday on whether it would issue new notices of potential layoffs. On Thursday, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing workers at 17 airlines, urged Congress to extend a passenger airline payroll assistance program for a third time. United’s Friday memo said “we’re continuing to monitor demand and advocate for continued government support, and we are all working hard toward the day when we can bring back our furloughed co-workers permanently.” American Airlines chief executive Doug Parker said on Thursday that “April 1 is approaching and demand hasn’t gotten much better… So we are definitely going to need to address this, unless demand starts to pick up.”

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 International News

Coronavirus causes $3.3b damage to Iran’s tourism so far, minister says

Iran’s tourism industry has suffered a loss of over 140 trillion rials (about $3.33 billion at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister has said. Although the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the whole world to a standstill, the tourism industry has been the worst affected of all economic sectors, IRNA quoted Ali-Asghar Mounesan as saying on Sunday. However, efforts are being made by the government to help the tourism sector flourish again with continuous support and injecting supportive packages, he added. The government has allocated a total of 500 trillion rials (about $12 billion) to the corona-affected sectors, of which 200 trillion rials ($4.7 billion) will be given to the health ministry and the rest will be spent on other sectors, he explained. Earlier this week, the minister announced that the national budget bill for the next calendar year (starting on March 20) has proposed 70 trillion rials (about $1.7 billion) to support tourism businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. If the budget receives parliament’s approval, it will be spent on different sectors of the tourism industry, which has taken a major hit from the coronavirus outbreak over the previous months, he noted. Despite the toughest economic pressures and sanctions, the government has provided good support to all sectors of tourism, the minister said.However, there is hope that the beginning of mass vaccination against the coronavirus will provide better conditions for tourism and businesses related to this sector, he explained.Government’s care and support packagesIn late October, deputy minister Vali Teymouri announced that a new support package to pay loans to businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic has been approved.Depending on the type and activity of the businesses, they could benefit from at least 160 million rials ($3,800) to nine billion rials ($214,000) of bank loans with a 12-percent interest rate, he said.The loans will be allocated to tourist guides, travel agencies, tourism transport companies, tourism educational institutions, eco-lodges and traditional accommodations, hotels, apartment hotels, motels, and guesthouses as well as traditional accommodation centers, tourism complexes, and recreational centers, the official explained.In September, Teymouri pointed to the 1.3 million tourism workers in the country, who are facing several issues due to the coronavirus crisis and said “This number, in addition to their households, includes a significant population that makes a living through tourism, who are needed to be considered in ministry’s decisions.”Back in August, Teymouri announced that the tourism ministry has approved a total budget of 4,920 billion rials (over $117 million) to support corona-affected tourism businesses, covering as much as 36,000 people working in the tourism sector.Tourism industry in critical situationIn October, Mounesan warned that Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism will be in a critical situation if the crises caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus continue.In August, the minister said that Iran’s tourism has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.He also noted that the coronavirus pandemic should not bring traveling to a complete standstill. “Corona is a fact, but can the virus stop tourism? Certainly not. For us, the coronavirus is a new experience in dealing with crises that teaches tourism experts around the world how to deal with such a disaster, and thankfully governments are turning this into an opportunity for better planning.”Last April, the government announced it will support those who are grappling with fiscal problems by offering loans with a 12-percent interest rate. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts also suggested a rescue package for tourism businesses. The government has also allocated a 750-trillion-rial (about $18 billion) package to help low-income households and small- and medium-sized enterprises suffered from coronavirus concerns.Coronavirus may turn tourism into luxury itemIn June, the United Nations World Tourism Organization praised efforts made by Iran’s tourism ministry to manage the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a letter to Mounesan that the country's measures have truly earned plaudits to mitigate the impact on tourism. “A series of measures that the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran has taken, in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of UNWTO, has truly earned plaudits as an effective practice to mitigate the impact on tourism,” the letter reads.Some experts believe that the coronavirus pandemic may turn tours and travels into luxury items as observing health protocols will raise the cost of travel in the country. Mohammad Ali Vaqefi, the vice president of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, warned that with the continuation of the coronavirus outbreak, tourists may prefer individual travel rather than tours, adding that they may also choose to go on a trip by their vehicles and stay in tents or in nature instead of hotels.In the global scene, part of the new travel puzzle is the jet-set mindset focusing on tough hygiene care and social distancing as cardinal guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus. So the average expenditure will be raised for a typical traveler particularly inbound passengers so lesser ones can afford to buy privacy and space and safer travel amenities.Iran expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. The latest available data show eight million tourists visited the Islamic Republic during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019).

Create: Jan 27, 2021 Edit: Jan 27, 2021 Regional News

Publication of Iran Tourism Guide Book in English

This 330-page book introduces Iran's tourism potential. Iran's tourism guidebook in English has been published after three and a half years of efforts and will be unveiled soon.

Create: Dec 12, 2020 Edit: Dec 12, 2020 Regional News

The Ministry of Tourism is pursuing the insurance of 2000 tourist guides

✨ "Vali Teymouri", the country's Deputy Minister of Tourism 🔹 There is still no specific plan for tour guide insurance for the 1400 budget. 🔹 We are currently collecting suggestions for tour guide insurance. 🔹 We are pursuing the issue of tour guide insurance and we have made every effort to make this happen.

Create: Oct 23, 2020 Edit: Oct 23, 2020 Regional News

Utilizing the capacity of local sports and games to attract foreign tourists

✨ "Massoud Soltanifar", Minister of Sports and Youth, stated in a meeting with the Minister of Tourism; 🔹 Sports tourism is highly regarded in the world as an income-generating industry, and we can also help the country's foreign exchange earnings by using this platform. 🔹 With a lot of effort and in different governments, the right infrastructure has been provided to host important international sporting events. 🔹 Local sports and games are popular with foreign tourists and these opportunities can be used to the best of their ability.

Create: Oct 20, 2020 Edit: Oct 20, 2020 Regional News

Cancellation of flights between Iran and Turkey this week

Secretary of the Iranian Airlines Association announced; All flights between Iran and Turkey will be suspended this week Airlines on both sides can only have Repatriation Flight and return their nationals to their home country on an empty flight. The decision was made by the Turkish Aviation Authority due to the outbreak of coronary heart disease and efforts to reduce the disease.

Create: Oct 5, 2020 Edit: Oct 5, 2020 Regional News