Latest news with #travelAgencies
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Zawya
Tourism Ministry shuts 10 unlicensed travel agencies in Riyadh
RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism has shut down 10 travel service offices in Riyadh for violating regulations, including operating without licenses and organizing unauthorized Umrah and visitation packages. The violations included transporting pilgrims using unlicensed vehicles and accommodating them in unauthorized hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah. The campaign is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to regulate tourism-related activities and ensure compliance with official licensing and operational standards across the Kingdom. According to the Ministry, the inspections targeted travel and tourism agencies operating without the required permits or outside the scope of their approved activities. The initiative aims to protect the rights of tourists and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of services in line with Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy. The Ministry confirmed that it will impose legal penalties on violators, including fines of up to SR50,000, which can rise to SR1 million for repeat offenses. Offices may also face closure or a combination of both penalties, depending on the severity of the infraction. Officials urged all licensed tourism operators to strictly adhere to the terms and requirements of their permits. The Ministry also called on the public to deal only with officially licensed agencies to safeguard their rights and ensure a safe and reliable travel experience. Tourists and residents are encouraged to report complaints or violations related to hospitality services by contacting the unified tourism call center at 930. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
CNA
15-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Motivated by stronger Singapore dollar, Singaporean holidaymakers opting for better hotels, unique destinations
Singaporeans are opting for better hotels and unique destinations like Bhutan this June holidays, motivated by a strong Singapore dollar that stretches their budget. Travel agencies say that there's also been a shift towards what they call purposeful travel, with families prioritising meaningful experiences.
Travel Daily News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Double-figure growth for World Rainbow Hotels
World Rainbow Hotels grows 19% in membership, expanding LGBTQ+ inclusive accommodations globally and reinforcing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive travel experiences. LONDON, UK – World Rainbow Hotels, the world's only GDS-enabled LGBTQ+ global hotel consortia, has achieved a further 19% growth in membership in the past year, enabling more opportunities for inclusive travel. This growth mirrors increasing demand for identity-affirming travel experiences, with recent surveys showing that 76% of LGBTQ+ travellers prioritise inclusive accommodations, according to LGBTQ+ Travel Report. Now partnering with more than 2,000+ LGBTQ+ welcoming hotels across over 120 destinations, including iconic cities like London, Paris, New York, Sydney and Hong Kong, World Rainbow Hotels continues to cement its position as the premier global platform for LGBTQ+ travellers. Its central website – – serves as the go-to resource for discovering and booking inclusive stays, with intuitive access for both leisure and corporate travellers. As the only LGBTQ+ hotel consortia integrated with the Global Distribution System (GDS), World Rainbow Hotels connects inclusive properties with over 24,000 travel agencies globally. The consortium empowers member properties to reach new audiences through curated marketing initiatives, GDS accreditation, and inclusion in WRH Corporate Diversity Programs. During its 16 years in business, the specialist hotel consortia has expanded its portfolio across Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Middle East. Featuring hotels in diverse locations from Spain to South Korea, and from Lesotho to Lebanon, membership of World Rainbow Hotels enables member properties committed to inclusivity to create and promote safer and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ travellers. The consortia has also seen strong engagement across its social media platforms, with regular features on inclusive destinations, member hotel highlights, seasonal campaigns, and Pride-related content to connect with travellers and showcase its values. Driven by a growing sentiment to achieve genuine inclusivity for LGBTQ+ travellers, this portfolio growth demonstrates the commitment of hotels to be inclusive for both guests and employees. Membership to World Rainbow Hotels involves a rigorous screening process to ensure all member properties achieve inclusivity standards. Hotels must meet more than 150 key metrics to join the consortia, which fall into five key areas: location, characteristics, knowledge of the local LGBTQ+ scene, involvement with the LGBTQ+ community, and policies for staff – including compliance with no-discrimination policies 'As we continue expanding into new cities and welcoming more properties to the WRH family, we're delighted by the positive momentum' said Lj Lewis, Senior Global Brands Sales and Marketing Manager. 'Our growth reflects the global hospitality industry's ongoing commitment to fostering diversity and creating inclusive experiences for LGBTQ+ travellers.' World Rainbow Hotels specialises in supporting LGBTQ+ travel by working with properties that provide curated travel experiences, including Pride events, wellness retreats, and inclusive packages. A range of new hotels have joined World Rainbow Hotels in the last year, including the luxury Tiara Miramar Beach in the Côte d'Azur and Palazzo Velabro, an 18th century property in the heart of Rome, as well as TRS Turquesa in the Dominican Republic, and TRS Coral Costa Mujeres in Mexico. As WorldPride 2025 begins, the continued growth of World Rainbow Hotels demonstrates a global commitment to championing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The theme of WorldPride 2025 is 'The Fabric of Freedom' to reflect the unity and connection of the LGBTQ+ community across the world.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Turkish Airlines brings tourism professionals together in Izmir with "Connect to Türkiye: Aegean" event
Turkish Airlines continues to bring industry stakeholders together to promote the cultural wonders of Türkiye, driven by the privilege of being the national flag carrier. The second event of the "Connect to Türkiye" series in Türkiye was held at Izmir's ancient city of Ephesus, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ahead of the event in Izmir, Turkish Airlines hosted approximately 200 senior executives from major tour operators from 90 cities worldwide, with programs in Afyon and Denizli cities to highlight the country's undiscovered gems. Commenting on the event, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated, "We extend our thanks to all stakeholders, travel agencies, and business partners from around the globe participating in our event. As we promote the cultural richness of Türkiye and showcase its historical and contemporary wonders, their contributions to this mission are paramount." Initiated first in New York in 2022 to strengthen Türkiye's international brand recognition and support regional tourism, "Connect to Türkiye" events continue to take place worldwide, latest of which was in Osaka in April 2025. In 2024, hundreds of tourism agency executives were also gathered in Istanbul to explore Türkiye's rich offerings. About Turkish Airlines: Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 483 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 353 worldwide destinations as 300 international and 53 domestics in 131 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. About Star Alliance: Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,837 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in 192 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.
Bloomberg
09-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump's Deportations Upend a Town at Epicenter of Brazilian Migration
Hundreds of miles from the Atlantic coast and any international airport, a sleepy town in the Brazilian hills reigns as the South America nation's main exporter of people. The streets of Governador Valadares are lined with travel agencies, advertising immigration services. Signs for shops and language schools are emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes. Gangs of coyotes who help smuggle migrants operate out of the shadows, capitalizing on dreams of reaching US soil.
