The winners of the four award categories were unveiled during the third day of ECF’s annual flagship conference, Velo-city, which is taking place in Leipzig, Germany. The award ceremony was hosted by ECF President Henk Swarttouw and ECF CEO Jill Warren in front of a full house of conference attendees.

The winners of the awards:

• The City of Helsingborg for the Cycling Infrastructure Award
• The City of Essen for the Cycle-Friendly Employer Award, sponsored by JobRad.
• The City of Oslo for the Road Safety Award, sponsored by Geveko Markings.
• The City of Heidelberg for the Cycling Improvement Award, sponsored by Eco-Counter.

The City of Helsingborg – Cycling Infrastructure Award
Helsinborg’s Varvsbron Bridge is a magnificent cycling and pedestrian bridge that not only looks incredible but also places active travel at the top of the local mobility pyramid. This landmark bridge encourages people to get on their bikes by connecting the up-and-coming smart neighbourhood of Oceanhamnen with the city centre and a nearby public transport hub. Its sleek design and gently sloping, meandering shape gives users a smooth ride, as they cross over the city’s harbour in style.

The City of Essen – Cycle-Friendly Employer Award
The City of Essen is truly a standout in their field. Since earning a silver-level Cycle-Friendly Employer certification in 2019, their continued efforts saw them upgraded to a gold-level certificate in 2022. A great example of “Leading the Transition”, they have been sponsoring other local CFE companies and joining forces with organisations and authorities to form a network of cycle-friendly employers. The numbers speak for themselves, with 18 CFE certified employers now in the city.

The City of Oslo – Road Safety Award
Oslo is a city that has been making incredible progress in recent years towards becoming one of Europe’s safest cities for cyclists. Thanks to the city’s ambitions and concrete actions, a 2022 public survey revealed that 31% of respondents now consider it safe to cycle in the city, a meteoric rise from only 9% in 2014. Following radical changes to city streets, such as the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits and the removal of over 700 on-street parking spots inside the city’s inner ring road, this city became one of the first in Europe to achieve Vision Zero, with zero road deaths on its streets in 2019, and has since been leading the way with one of the fewest numbers of cyclist fatalities per year in Europe.

City of Heidelberg – Cycling Improvement Award
With 40% of Heidelberg’s inhabitants using their bikes as their main mode of transport for inner city journeys, the city has clear ambitions and is implementing concrete actions that are further increasing and improving cycling as part of a larger transition. In 2022, the city’s cycling counters recorded a 17% growth in the amount of bicycle journeys compared to the previous year – from an already high base. The public bike-sharing service registered almost twice as many rentals (325,165) rentals as in the previous year (166,465). Investments in cycling infrastructure include more bicycle parking, as well as a new programme to improve rural-to-urban cycling paths to enable more and safer commuting by bike. The city has also provided subsidies for bicycle purchase. And their leaders are “leading by example”, with the city’s Mayor Eckart Würzner known to lead informative cycling tours for citizens.

Speaking at the ceremony, Swarttouw acknowledged the excellent work and progress made by all the winners, stating: “Velo-city is the world’s premier event for cycling advocacy and promotion, and the European Cyclists’ Federation’s flagship event for knowledge exchange throughout the global cycling community. This is why we believe there is no better place to recognise and celebrate the efforts and achievements of those who are striving to ensure more cycling in their cities and regions.”

On behalf of ECF, he extended his thanks to all the sponsors who helped make the awards possible.

The next edition of the awards will be held during Velo-city 2024 Ghent, Belgium.

The article European Cyclists’ Federation announces winners of ECF Awards at Velo-city 2023 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The journey will be as diverse as it is luxurious. Drawing on two decades of adventure travel as well as aviation and luxury hospitality expertise, the team have hand-picked each destination. Co-Founder and CEO of White Desert, Patrick Woodhead explains “These countries have been chosen because they are unusual, many are hard to reach destinations and they all epitomise the height of adventure without sacrificing a luxurious experience.”

Starting in Mexico City, guests will then travel to Colombia, Easter Island, Fiji, Borneo, India, Turkey, Namibia, South Africa and will finish the journey with White Desert’s signature trip – into Antarctica. In fact, guests will have the choice of two endings to this incredible journey. Guests can choose either White Desert Antarctica’s ‘Greatest Day’ trip into the 7th Continent where they will have a few hours on ice or a chance to extend their stay for a further five days in Antarctica before flying back to Cape Town (numbers strictly limited).

White Desert World will focus on offering authentic, local experiences and highlights will include Caribbean cooking in Cartagena, a graffiti street art tour of Getsemani and a sailing trip to Club de Pesca for a night of rum, chocolate and salsa music. Other activities will include sampling the best food and drink offerings, experiencing epic street parties and the opportunity to join in with local traditions. These will be coupled with off-the-beaten track city tours, bustling market visits, and collaborations with artisans and musicians; while expert guides will offer guests an adventure of a lifetime.

Guests will travel around the world in a unique Boeing 757-200 set up in a private configuration with 50 lie-flat seats. All air operations will endeavour to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) where possible and the White Desert World journey will be fully off-set. Indeed, White Desert have been carbon neutral since 2007 and this is an important tenet of all of their operations. White Desert are currently implementing a seagrass meadow planting project, which will help them be even more progressive in their sustainability and conservation efforts.

White Desert World’s 7 Continent Adventure is available for a maximum of 50 guests and will take place from 10th – 31st January 2024. White Desert World’s team will be travelling alongside the group and experienced local guides will be supporting on the ground in each destination.

The article Launch of White Desert World – blending unique adventures with iconic destinations first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“Being able to develop this itinerary in full collaboration with local partners in Greenland ensures our guests can enjoy truly authentic experiences no one else can provide, such as Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience and Greenland Camping along the Tasermiut Fjord,” said Josh Weidman, Director of Product for Quark Expeditions. “The other gems in this new itinerary are Ultramarine’s two twin-engine helicopters, which enable our expedition team to take guests to areas in South Greenland no one else can where they’ll choose from the most robust portfolio of off-ship adventures in the Arctic. It’s our long-standing partnerships with local Greenlanders, and our dedicated expedition team—the best in the industry—that make us the experts in Greenland adventure.”

Itinerary highlights:

The most helicopter activities in Greenland:

• Guests can explore the scenic landscapes and overwhelming natural beauty of South Greenland as they experience Heli hiking, Heli landing and the Ice Sheet Experience, among other activities
• Set foot on the breath-takingly beautiful Greenland Ice sheet, the second-largest body of ice in the world.

Authentic Greenland Cultural Immersion:

• Enthusiasts can visit one of the most welcoming populations in South Greenland and experience first-hand the rich cultural history, excellent cuisine, captivating stories, and vibrant local agricultural and tourism economy.
• Plus one-of-a-kind culinary experience featuring local foods prepared by Greenlandic chefs during our Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience.

The Stunning Northern Lights:

• Observe the natural phenomena also known as the Aurora borealis, which, in September, is a great time to observe due to the extended 4 to 8 hours of night in South Greenland.

The article Quark Expeditions launches brand new Greenland Explorer itinerary first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

During the panel discussion, SATSA announced the release of its Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation Roadmap and Code of Good Practice documents for public comment. The draft Self-Regulation documents were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and aim to provide a framework for adventure tourism operators to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner while promoting growth and development in the adventure tourism industry.

“We believe that the Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation documents will provide a clear framework for operators to follow, resulting in the raising of standards and producing credible products with which we can position Southern Africa as a top adventure destination,” said du Toit.

Africa is already recognised as a leading destination for thrill-seekers, and experts at the panel discussion predicted this trend will continue. The Southern African region offers numerous opportunities for adventure activities across the tourism value chain from big operators to the smaller SMMEs.

One untapped opportunity is sustainable cruise travel. This form of travel offers a unique and eco-friendly way to explore the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures. With smaller cruise ships venturing into lesser-known towns, the concept of explorer cruising has gained momentum. This approach not only ensures that the cruise itself is environmentally responsible, but also supports
local communities and economies by visiting smaller towns and promoting cultural exchange.

As adventure tourism continues to grow, new products and experiences will be created to transform the travel landscape, according to the panellists. This is already evident in rural areas where cultural activities are now included in tour itineraries, bringing new opportunities to those who live there. Africa’s adventure tourism industry is poised for growth, with opportunities for innovation, job creation, and sustainable tourism products. The continent’s natural environments, wildlife habitats, and local communities must be protected through cooperation between governments and tour operators to ensure the sector’s continued success.

The article Africa poised for growth in adventure tourism industry, says panel of experts at WTM Africa first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

2018 to 2022 Safari Tourism in Africa Market Outlook Compared to 2023 to 2033

A safari is an overland travel that is frequently taken by tourists to Africa. Earlier, an excursion of this nature frequently involved a large hunt. Originally, the word “safari” was simply a shortened form of the Swahili word “safari,” which means “journey.” In a more regal or regale time, the main purpose of a safari was to hunt, shoot, and then drag the kill overland by a group of local tribes’ people.

The idea of safari tourism was popularized in the United States by former US President Teddy Roosevelt. In a nutshell, a safari is a vacation taken by adventurers to view and capture wildlife or engage in hiking in addition to sight-seeing. The main draw for tourists is seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and rhinos.

The COVID-19 outbreaks had a significant detrimental effect on industry expansion. By 2021, a significant fraction of safari travel providers had lost the majority of their reservations. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the number of tourists visiting the top African wildlife tourist attractions, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many famous wildlife travels experiences have been impacted.

One of most popular and desired kind of vacation in Africa is a safari. Most people agree that doing a safari is the only “thing to do” in Africa. A safari in Africa typically connotes a wildlife safari. People are drawn to witness the wild animals in their native habitats, including lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and many others. Travelers today desire a thorough understanding of the local cultures of the destinations they visit. This issue is being taken into account by a number of new industry participants who are giving safari tourists a customized experience and so fueling market expansion.

Growth in Per Capita Income at Individual Level is Crucially Determining the Growth of the Market

Increasing per capita income is primarily driving up demand for safari tourism in Africa and around the world. The demand for safari tourism in Africa is being driven by rising tourism spending, an increase in the number of urban working-class people, and an increase in global GDP. A huge opportunity exists for safari tourism in Africa, where it is still in its infancy. Innovative ideas like ethno-tourism are developing as potential growth areas for safari tourism in the continent’s tourism industry.

The Safari Tourism in Africa Market: Restrains

Various Factors such as High Cost, Safety and Infrastructure Issues are a Few Challenges for the Market Growth
Although there is a sizable demand for safari tourism in Africa on the travel and tourist industry, there are certain problems that are impeding its expansion, such as the very small target demographic and the high cost of these safari packages. Other obstacles include poor infrastructure, safety concerns, worries about the security of aircraft or airspace, and ignorance of luxury safaris among international tourists, as some people prefer comfortable vacations. Additionally, laws prohibiting the shooting of wildlife and the continent’s reputation as a dangerous place are inhibiting the expansion of the safari industry in Africa.

The Emergence of Luxury Safari is Reflecting Positive Growth Trends
Luxury safari experiences are becoming more popular among tourists going on safari in Africa. Without sacrificing their standard of living, tourists can see the majesty of African animals and tribal life in their natural setting. Luxury Safari is a combination of a tribal and contemporary vacation destination where guests may enjoy all the comforts of home. Another obvious tendency is the evolution of the safari into a vacation focused mostly on sight-seeing and wildlife photography.

Parts of Africa are prospering owing to the rise in safari-driven tourism, and some of that money is going back into improving the safari experience for visitors. Business tourism is expanding across the continent as a result of the region’s strong economic growth, particularly in East Africa, while domestic and intra-African travel is expanding as a result of big5 increasing incomes and urbanization. In Africa, safari travelers frequently hope to see the big five (elephant, rhino, cheetah, lion and zebra). Safaris in Africa are becoming more and more well-liked as a result of chimpanzee and gorilla trekking.

Category Wise Insights

International Travelers Constitute the Most of this Category
The number of visitors visiting Africa is rising, and more people are travelling there from the Middle East, Brazil, Russia, India, and China. All of these nations are thought to be at a comparable stage of newly advanced economic development. These tourists are the ones who are keenly interested to learn about the ecosystems and animal kingdoms of indigenous African locations while also enjoying and experiencing wild creatures and diverse geographic landscapes.

Millennials are Mostly Interested in Adventure Activities Followed Closely by Generation Z
Safari Tourism is becoming all the more popular among all age groups, with millennials accounting for the majority. The age group between 20-30 years old is most likely to possess a major share of the travelers in this market. Majority of these visitors plan their own trips to new, adventurous locations. Thus, making it more popular amongst the middle-aged and young population.

Adventure Safari Dominated the Market in this Category
In 2021, the adventure sector dominated the market and contributed a sizable portion of revenue. Young travelers particularly love adventure travel. By allowing the tourists to step outside of their comfort zone, adventure tourism boosts a significant amount of its enthusiasm. Over the past few years, adventure safari has grown significantly in popularity, with the majority of tourists seeking to participate in one of a variety of safari adventure activities. Further, in the coming years private safari segment is more likely to expand over the time.

Online Booking Channels Lead the booking Channel Segmentation
Travelers enjoy their vacations, but for many, it becomes a tedious task due to the planning strategies. Before buying travel tickets, lodging, tours, or any other additional services, it typically takes a lot of time and effort to research and make the accurate selection. But there’s no denying that the existence of internet travel agents has surely given customers access to more options while simultaneously reducing the time consumed.

Comparative Landscape

The top safari tourism amenities are what well-known firms in the sector strive to provide its patrons. As a result, these businesses are essential to the growth of commerce everywhere in the world. Market participants are forming mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances to broaden their regional reach. To deliver cutting-edge features and draw clients, major operators are constantly implementing unique technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and IoT.

If visitors want to explore, they can go to one of the more than 50 safari parks in Africa that draw tourists from all over the world. A few of the well-known ones are Mala Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Okavango Delta, Mana Pools National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Phinda Game Reserve, Masai Mara National Reserve, Ruaha National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kgalagadi Transfront, among others.

The article FMI View: The driving factors boosting the safari tourism in Africa market first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

In this role, Oceanwide Expeditions will adopt the PTGA’s ISO accredited Workplace Based Assessment program. Oceanwide will be scheduling staff for the upcoming PTGA Assessor training course which teaches how to work with the assessment process and PTGA systems to make this such a robust and best-in-class program designed specifically for the needs of polar tourism and expedition cruise companies. Expedition staff members who are new to the expedition industry will be trained and mentored within Oceanwides’s own program but will be able to undertake PTGA assessments at work and earn industry qualifications through this vital third-party standards organisation.

Oceanwide has met all the Accredited Provider requirements with their mentor and training program aimed at comprehensive staff development. The company is heralding in a post-Covid era in polar tourism and expedition cruising by proving to industry and their guests that they value industry standard training and development of staff for the good of the company, guests and the environment.

The PTGA was formed by a dedicated group of Polar Professionals with hundreds of polar expeditions under their collective belts and offers an extensive assessment, and accreditation program with 23 different syllabi of competency for use by individuals and companies. The PTGA is a US-based not-for-profit, Professional Industry Association providing standards assessment and certification for polar and expedition operators, field staff, and guides who operate either on vessels or on land. “We strive to instil the highest level of safety and competence in our membership, for the benefit of the industry, our guests and the remote wilderness we operate in” said PTGA President, Graham Charles.

“For PTGA, skills assessment is far more about why guides make certain choices and collecting a range of evidence of actual job performance to prove competency than simply sitting an on-line test or one-off check-list” says PTGA President, Graham Charles. “In the end, professional guiding is about judgment, correct decision making, reliable performance and guest engagement and as a mentoring organization it is our role to foster all these attributes in the guides we assess.”

The article Oceanwide Expeditions partners with the Polar Tourism Guides Association first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

First discovered in 1993, this deep-water archaeological park, encompassing an area of 67,000 square meters (approx. 42 miles), will allow international researchers and technical divers to explore the history of Malta from a totally different deep sea archaeological perspective. The marine park will showcase thousands of ancient artifacts, such as amphorae and urns, dating back to around 2,300 years, and natural heritage in the form of rocky outcrops formed by extinct coral reefs.

The Malta Airport Foundation Chairman Josef Formosa Gauci stated, “Through the Underwater Malta website, The Foundation also hopes to support Heritage Malta in bringing this project closer to people who are neither divers nor researchers but are keen to learn more about the Maltese Islands’ history through our underwater cultural heritage.”

Professor Timmy Gambin from Heritage Malta stated “I am very proud to be part of the team launching the Tower Wreck Deepwater Archaeological Park. Heritage Malta, together with the University of Malta and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, is valorising and sharing a unique site that is otherwise invisible to the vast majority of the world. Thanks to support from the Malta Airport Foundation, this ambitious and challenging project has gone from concept to reality.”

Underwater Malta

The Underwater Malta website will make the Deep water Archaeological site Accessible to All through 360-degree videos, images, and 3D models, which is a virtual museum of the islands’ underwater archaeological sites. The marine park will be the site of a small museum with some exhibits and video footage of the seabed archeological park. Minister Bonnici stated “Through this virtual museum, more people can discover our underwater cultural heritage and appreciate the unique sites in our seas.”

The article Malta to open the world’s first ever deep-water Archaeological Park at Xlendi Bay in Spring 2023 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Travellers can choose from an array of pre-designed itineraries that trek the slopes of Ladakh in search of the elusive snow leopards, encounter the jaguars in the Brazilian Pantanal, unravel the wilderness of Borneo and Sri Lanka, look for the Red Pandas in India’s northeast or witnessing the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. Each expedition is thoughtfully designed and planned, seamlessly reflecting the spirit of the local environment as well as the residing communities with authenticity and humility. Accommodations are handpicked by the team keeping in mind originality, travellers’ comfort and ensuring that the land isn’t overburdened, and typically include immersive accommodations and locally owned homestays amidst the wilderness.

Aly Rashid, the founder and Director of Just Nature Expeditions, an experienced naturalist and tour leader from the company personally leads the expeditions along with other highly trained and knowledgeable tour leaders, ensuring they are not only enjoyable but also educational.

“While our specialist team have been creating bespoke and transformational wildlife travel experiences for small groups and individuals with special interests for some years now, we have officially launched Just Nature Expeditions recently. We thrive on sharing our deep connect with wildlife and hope to inspire a love for nature and wildlife conservation through these expeditions” says Aly. No stranger to the travel world, Aly is a trained naturalist and ornithologist. His tryst with wildlife began in his early childhood years, a passion that led him to start the highly acclaimed, conservation-focussed Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and Bori Safari Lodge in the Satpura forests. Aly also contributes extensively to various conservation projects in the region.

Just Nature Expeditions is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and sustainability and adheres to all local and international regulations and guidelines.

The article Experiencing rare wildlife in India and overseas just got more accessible first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“Following the launch of Canada’s highest suspension bridges, in one of the most stunning mountain locations, our goal is to continue to impress and amaze our guests by building new attractions,” said Tristan MacLaggan, General Manager, Golden Skybridge by Pursuit. “Our commitment to creating an iconic outdoor attraction brings the addition of Western Canada’s newest – and largest – mountain coaster, adding another exhilarating experience to the mountain attraction.”

The Railrider Mountain Coaster will race through an old growth forest between Canada’s two highest suspension bridges. It features an up-track that takes riders 1,180 feet up the canyon, before they descend 2,195 feet, reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. Riders will then coast under the lush canopy, around a 360-degree loop, through a 50-foot tunnel and finally shoot out onto a cantilever that extends over the majestic Columbia Valley. “Our location is so beautiful it was so important to maintain the integrity of the forest and protect the beautiful old growth trees. The coaster is carefully integrated into the forest, which complements the overall experience,” adds MacLa gan.

The Railrider Mountain Coaster will allow riders to choose their own level of adventure with state-of-the-art technology providing safety features to suit every comfort level.

Pursuit worked in partnership with ADG, an expert attractions company that specializes in designing and building mountain coaster experiences around the globe, including the Cliffside Coaster at Lake Placid, New York and the Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

The town of Golden is located in southeast British Columbia, 90 minutes from Banff, and is surrounded by six Canadian national mountain parks. This mountain community, historically known as an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, is a perfect basecamp to explore pristine landscapes and breathtaking views. The town is also a popular stop for visitors travelling between Calgary, Banff, the Okanagan and Vancouver.

The article Pursuit launches Canada’s largest mountain coaster at the Golden Skybridge first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The new map was launched at a special event at ITB Berlin – the world’s leading tourism exhibition – alongside an announcement of two new route extensions in Spain and Hungary.

2023 EuroVelo Overview Map

Set at scale of 1:5,000,000 the map displays the complete 90,000km long network. An update of the 2020 edition, the map provides information on the 17 EuroVelo routes, their level of development and a description of each route’s theme.

The EuroVelo Overview Map is the main printed tool to promote the network and is sure to inspire cyclists to embark on their next adventure. Between 2020 and 2023, the network has grown by over 4,000km and for this edition, 40,000 copies have been printed. They will be distributed across Europe by ECF, as the manager of the transnational network, and by National Coordination Centres, responsible for promotion at the national level. Donors who decide to support the growth and development of EuroVelo via its website can receive a copy of the map.

The map also includes contacts of National EuroVelo Coordination Centres and useful resources where users can find more detailed information, such as touristic advice and links to the GPX tracks of the whole network. In 2022, 64% of the EuroVelo network was ready to cycle, with 2,500 km of routes developed in the previous 12 months.

The 2023 EuroVelo Overview Map includes the extensions of two routes: EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route and EuroVelo 14 – Waters of Central Europe.

EuroVelo 3 extension from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Fisterra in Spain

The EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route extension is 90 km long and follows the ancient pilgrimage path to the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, with the end point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Spain’s western coast. Following successful development led by Galicia Tourism since 2019, the route extension is now ready to join the EuroVelo network.

Inspired by the ancient pilgrim paths that lead to Santiago de Compostella, EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route, is 5,600km long and stretches from Trondheim (Norway) to Cape Fisterra (Spain), crossing seven countries. The route connects the Norwegian fjords to the Spanish Atlantic Coast passing through some of the continent’s most impressive religious buildings, including the magnificent cathedrals of Cologne, Aachen and Santiago de Compostela.

EuroVelo 14 extension in Hungary through Budapest

The extension of EuroVelo 14 follows the launch of the route in 2020, crossing Austria and Balaton Lake in Hungary. It adds 400km to the Waters of Central Europe route, extending eatwards, and passing through Budapest. The route is now signed and of good quality thanks to the joint efforts of two Hungarian coordinating national partners (Centre for Development of Active and Ecotourism state agency and the Hungarian Cycling Tourism Association NGO).

EuroVelo 14 – Waters of Central Europe is 1,100 km long from Zell am See (Austria) to Debrecen (Hungary) through two countries and connects several important waterways rivers, lakes and spas. With this extension, the Hungarian capital will now be the crossing point for two major cycling corridors: the new section of EuroVelo 14 and the popular EuroVelo 6 – Atlantic-Black Sea, which follows the Danube River.

The article 2023 Edition of the EuroVelo Overview Map released first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.